THE LARRY MULLEN BAND

Memphis Mullen: This summer I am doing something I have always wanted to do. I am following U2 around the country driving to all 16 US shows. I have been to multiple shows on every tour since ZooTv, but I have never packed up my car and left my house for over two months to go to every U2 show in America – and then wrote a book about it.

I have been a U2 fan for 24 years. I was a freshman in high school when The Joshua Tree was released in 1987. I remember hearing With or Without You and realizing it was by the same band that sang that song Pride I had heard a few years earlier. Luckily a classmate had a picture of U2 because at the age of 14 it is VERY important what the band that you might be interested in looks like. Out of the four guys, one was stood out. His name was Larry Mullen Jr., and I have been in love with him ever since.

Besides being gorgeous, Larry is my favorite member of U2 because he is very matter of fact, no nonsense, and always says exactly what he is feeling. I admire that about him. He loves Elvis Presley, and I have loved Elvis since I was five. My favorite part of Rattle and Hum, is when U2 visits Graceland and Larry talks about how much he loved the Elvis movies. The first time I saw a Sun Studio tee  shirt was on Larry in Rattle and Hum. And now I live in Memphis, just two miles from Sun Studio and seven miles from Graceland.

I have had a few personal encounters with Larry Mullen over the years on various tours. The first time I saw Larry in person and not on stage was at Giants Stadium on August 12, 1992 before the opening of the ZooTv Outside Broadcast Tour. A bunch of us fans were waiting outside the stadium in the afternoon before the show, and Larry drove by us on his motorcycle. He did not stop, but he did wave. I got a picture and then ran away screaming – he just has that affect on me. That night in concert Larry came to the front of the stage and sang Dirty Old Town as only he can. I was so excited that my friend Jonathan tried to hold me back, so I hit him to get him off of me and he fell off his chair.

During Popmart, the only time I saw Larry outside of the shows was in Philadelphia on June 8, 1997 walking from the bus into the stadium. I do have a HitMan shirt though – like the one he wore in concert.

On the Elevation tour, I had three fantastic encounters with Larry, including the only time I have ever met him. But before any of those, a Larry Mullen Band shirt was thrown onto the stage in Philadelphia on June 11, 2001. Larry placed it on his drum kit where it stayed for the rest of the show. I found out later that Paola had thrown this shirt on stage. It was her birthday, she is a huge Larry fan and had made the shirt for him. Because I took pictures of this and posted them online, Paola, Jenny, Tasha and I became friends. Paola made us all Larry Mullen Band shirts, which I wear to every U2 show. I just made three replicas so I don’t have to wash the same one over and over.

On June 21, 2001 in New Jersey at the end of the show, Larry walked to the front of the stage, leaned over, looked into my eyes and handed me his drumstick. I cried. I clutched that drumstick as I walked out of the arena. It is now in a glass case on my shelf.

On October 19, 2001 in my hometown of Baltimore, I finally met Larry Mullen Jr. This was the first time U2 had played Baltimore, so when they arrived for sound check Larry, Bono, Edge and Adam walked out to meet us fans waiting outside the arena. When Larry walked over to me I said, ‘I don’t have anything for you to sign, so can I have a hug?’ Larry looked at me a little strange, then smiled and said yes. After Larry hugged me, I thanked him. Tasha hugged me and then I cried like a baby. I was so overcome with emotion. I had been waiting to meet Larry for 14 years!

On October 31, 2001 in Providence for Larry’s 40^th birthday, Larry walked to the front of the stage in the middle of the show, leaned over, and gave me his champagne bottle. I had slept out all night in 30 degree temperatures, so I could be up front for Larry’s 40^th birthday celebration concert. I made a huge birthday card that everyone in the GA line signed, and I had brought him a tee shirt with Elvis riding a motorcycle on it. I was of course wearing my Larry Mullen Band shirt, and so were my friends Tasha and Paola. After Stuck in a Moment, Larry’s 40^th birthday celebration began. We sang Happy Birthday to Larry. A birthday cake was brought out, and Larry pretended to throw it out into the audience. Larry took the microphone and came to the front to talk while Bono sat behind the drums. Larry said, “Bono can’t play drums. It took me 40 years to get up front. I’m glad I’m spending my birthday with 18,000 of my closest friends. I feel like I could borrow money from you.” Then Bono asked for a bottle of champagne, which he shook up a la ZooTV and sprayed the audience. Edge took a swig, then Larry drank and continued to drink for the next few songs. After Kite, Larry got off the drums and made a B line for me.

I got my card and shirt in hand so I could give it to him, but that’s not why he was there. He gave me the champagne bottle – with champagne still in it. I drank some and shared it with Paola and Tasha. Larry wanted to share his birthday with ME! He wanted ME to have a drink on his birthday. I was SO excited I didn’t even know they played Wild Honey. I thought it was Staring at the Sun. I didn’t really come around until Please. After Pride, Larry came back over to me so I could give him the birthday card and Elvis shirt. I said, ‘Thank you. Happy Birthday.’ He smiled and said, ‘Thank You.’ He looked into my eyes, just like he had in Jersey. Later on, Bono noticed our shirts, shook his head and smiled. I hugged my champagne bottle while walking out of the arena. It is now on my shelf next to Larry’s drumstick from Jersey.

I did not have any encounters with Larry during the Vertigo tour, except when I would jump up and down screaming when he sang ‘RELEASE’ during Love and Peace or Else. I may have gotten a nod.

On the 360 Tour in 2009, Larry gave me a few waves, smiles and nods during the shows when he saw me in my Larry Mullen Band shirt jumping up and down screaming his name. Of course no one else was behind the stage waiting for him to walk down with his conga during I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight. 

Because of Larry Mullen, there is U2. He started the band with a note on the school bulletin board. And for a few minutes, the band was known as The Larry Mullen Band. Because of Larry Mullen, I got into U2. I heard With or Without You, saw a picture of U2 and noticed Larry, and my passion for U2 quickly grew. Because of Larry Mullen, I met many of my friends. I met Paola and Jenny from that Larry Mullen Band shirt that was thrown on stage, and then we all met each other’s friends and so on.

This summer I will be On the Road with U2 at all 16 US shows. I will be the one in the Larry Mullen Band shirt behind the stage during Sunday Bloody Sunday watching Larry. It’s all about Drums!

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U2 Out of Control with 90K Fans

São Paulo: Where do we start with so many events happening in one night it’s hard to put it all down on paper. For U2 fans yesterdays show in São Paulo was special as we reported earlier in the day that Sunday’s show was expected to have a few surprises. 

The fans where not disappointed. Lets start off with one fan that decided that those that could not attend the show deserved to the see the show too. @GUSTAVOLF had tweeter a buzz as this person broadcasted the show live to fans all around the world. 

Than something that has not happened this tour started to take hold. Tweeter trending #Zooropa which set the stage for an amazing evening with the boys, which we have videos, photos and of course our set list.  Fans are always welcomed to send in their own videos. 

So lets dive into the show. The second night of the 360 tour in São Paulo was a success, in many ways for the band.   

“Our relationship with Brazil is long, as if we were married,” joked the singer Bono at the historical show. The strong rain that fell during the afternoon gave a little rest before Muse got onstage. And when Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr. played the first chords of ‘Even Better Than The Real Thing”, at 21h13, the moon crowned the Morumbi stadium.

Portuguese with a curled, the leader of the Irish band greeted fans of Sao Paulo, Campinas, Santos letting out a “We Love Brazil” - which sounded sincere in front of the stage on claw, the impressive lighting effects and the applause of 90,000 spectators.  The audience seemed louder than Bono on “I Still Have not Found What I’m Looking For.

The show lasted about 2 hours and had all of the expected songs ; Vertigo, One, With or Without You and Sunday Bloody Sunday, involving a girl from the audience and social and political messianism.  However it was the the debut of “Out Of Control” which was the second song from Boy to be played this tour.  Most fans will say the biggest surprise was “Zooropa” which was performed live for the first time since August 12, 1993 and has only been played three times ever and all the those times where considered incomplete performances.

The screen reproduces a speech by South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu. In his sermons, Bono said the conflict in Libya, paid tribute to Nobel Peace Prize Aung San Suu Kyi, paid tribute to victims of the massacre in Realengo and reminded that one billion people living in poverty, citing Brazil as a model to follow. “Brazil is a serious country, is the country of the moment, is the country now.”

For 35-year career, the Irish quartet has performed for more than 7 million people in 30 countries, paying an average of 63,600 per show. All tickets for the final show  in Morumbi, on Wednesday, are sold. After ending this leg of the tour, the band takes the biggest tour in history en route to Mexico, the United States and Canada.

U2 Pays Tribute in Sao Paulo

Last night the clouds seemed to part over Murumba, this is nothing new for Sao Paulo when the weather becomes over cast its more of a matter of time and not if its going to rain. Muse took the stage and some drops fell from the from the sky opened up. Muse got most of the rain; it rained during most of their set. 

The audience did not mind the rain for they knew what was soon to come, as the Muse set ended fans began to scream louder, which is the norm for U2 fans waiting for the appearance of their band.

Bono appeared on the screen above the empty stage and the clouds parted as if they knew it’s almost time for greatest to appear and within seconds “Even Better Than The Real Thing” began to play and the boys from Ireland appeared.

This tour stop the main attraction was the stage, well it’s the main attraction every show. The band played an impressive set to match the impressive stage.

The highlights were the songs “Walk On, Where The Streets Have No Name, Beautiful Day and With or Without You  during those songs it seem as if  Morumbi had one voice, creating an atmosphere that can only be understood by those who already was in a show the size of a U2 concert.

Bono made reference to the Beatles and played a little bit of “Help”.  Bono also asked fans to sing a Happy Birthday to Julian Lennon, son of John Lennon. At the end of the show, the Irish group ever engaged honored the dead in the tragedy of Realengo, in Rio de Janeiro. The names of all the victims appeared on screen, while the singer lamented the loss to the sound of Moment Of Surrender.

Unos, dos, tres, catorce! Hola Brasil

Hypnotic. Overwhelming. Unpredictable. Unforgettable. Words fail to describe the feeling of fans about the rock band U2. 36 years on the road, Bono Vox (voice), The Edge (guitar), Adam Clayton (bass) and Larry Mullen Jr. (drums) leave a trail of satisfaction and renewal wherever they go. The quartet’s amazing ability to create success still surprises and excites the pop universe.

On their third visit to Brazil (the band has played here in 1998 and 2006), U2 continues with the 360 ​​Tour, in operation since June 2009, and has a megastructure stage. Morumbi Stadium was invaded by a “giant claw” of about 50 feet tall, which promises to enrapture the audience with lighting effects and to envy. The concerts take place this weekend (Saturday 9 and Sunday, August 10) and Wednesday 13). Find more details via facebook or twitter

File Photo U2 360 Tour Everything is ready for the show. The structure includes a lighted stage, complete with catwalk and a tower of light responsible for highlighting the four bases of the space. A screen with a million pieces LED, positioned above the structure, allows the public to see every detail of the show, regardless of the position you are.

Neither the distance between the musicians and the ends of the stadium is the problem. Boards with dozens of speakers were installed in each of the four sides of the structure. The impression, as incredible as it seems, is that the band is playing at his side.

Misleading, however, one thinks the show is just pyrotechnics. U2 prepared to play your best rock n ‘roll to São Paulo. Hits like “Beautiful Day” and “Sunday Bloody Sunday” do not even have to enter the wish list of guys. Just like “Vertigo” and “With or Without You.” Incidentally, check out the show’s repertoire as possible and prepare your voice to sing along .  ( Possible Set list )
 
Beautiful Day
I Will Follow
Get on Your Boots
Magnificent
Mysterious Ways
Elevation
Until the End of the World
I Still Have not Found What I’m Looking For
Stuck In A Moment You Can not Get Out Of
Even Better Than The Real Thing
Pride (In The Name Of Love)
In A Little While
Miss Sarajevo
City of Blinding Lights
Vertigo
I’ll Go Crazy If I Do not Go Crazy Tonight
Sunday Bloody Sunday
Scarlet
Walk On
One
Where The Streets Have No Name
Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me
Ultraviolet (Light My Way)
With or Without You
Moment of Surrender



U2TOURFANS Welcomes Memphis Mullen

Over the last couple of weeks we have have been featuring Memphis Mullen within our site.

M2 as we like to reference her has a passion for U2 as a band but she has a bigger passion for Larry ! She will embark on a 2.5 month road trip across America to see all 16 USA shows.  Of course all U2 fans would never ask why would you do something like this ?

Simple, a documentary of the whole U2 experience as well as a book.  Over the next week starting on Apirl 11th we have given over our lead story to M2 - She will be writing her passion and giving us the details of this up coming adventure. 

We want to show her that we believe and support passion. Finding ones passion is as simple as to just listening to the voice inside and not worring about the details.

Oh yea about the details. This trip is funded by donations and savings and sweat and tears and well some hard work. If your inclined to make a donation or want to sponsor the trip we have a couple of great options to have your company name included on the banners, stickers. Some of the details of the trip. During the trip we can expect to have some meet ups around the tour stops, daily show updates, videos, and a live nightly broadcast of the days events. Watch our facebook page for the details. We even plan to have ticket give aways !  Please join the whole team in welcoming  Memphis Mullen - “On The Road with U2”

If you would like to purchase bumper sticker we have them on our page -

U2 Brazlian Fans Camping

U2 360 Tour Brazil Fans of the band U2 camp in front of Morumbi Stadium  about 70 tents have been assembled on site.Irish band’s first gig is on Saturday (9).

Although the first concert of U2 occur only on Saturday (9), many fans already camped outside the Morumbi stadium, venue of the event.

Earlier on Thursday (7), about 70 tents had been erected. Some people slept at around 7am, others had already agreed for the long wait for the presentation.

Even with all the available, fans can only enter the stadium at 16h of the Sabbath, the time the gates open.

The Irish band will perform three shows in the capital, on Saturday, Sunday (10) and Wednesday (13). The structure of the stage is still being assembled.

U2, Armored Cars and Vans

U2 will have 10 armored cars and vans available to all members of the band and family, said a source close to the band during their visit to Sao Paulo, the shows are on 9th and 10th of this month, the band U2 will have 10 amored cars and eight vans at its disposal,  The boys arrrive in Brazil via a  private jet and, before going to the state capital, for talks with the already announced Preseident Roussef. Bono, who we all know is involved in humanitarian issues, “I would be delighted with the proposals of the Brazilian president.”



A mans life can change in 24hrs

In 24hrs a man’s life can change. This man made a difference between the time he walked this earth. Many have  shared the dream since. To able to look beyond the lines that blur and see that we are all one, we are all held in the hand of God as we move thru this life. We are given the tools to live a positive life and make a difference that can bring change.  We honor Dr Martin Luther King for the work he has done as well as the work that has yet to be done. 

U2’s album The Unforgettable Fire contained two songs dedicated to the slain civil rights leader. “Pride (In the Name of Love)” was one of U2’s earliest global hits, and “MLK” closed the album. Bono has often expressed his admiration for Martin Luther King Jr. in interviews. As a teenage in Ireland, when violence and unrest were escalating because of the conflict over Northern Ireland, U2 front man Bono longed for the voice of reason from somebody such as the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

Those thoughts and understanding of King’s teachings and life led the singer to write a song about the slain civil rights leader, a 1984 hit called “Pride (In the Name of Love).”

“We despaired for the lack of vision of the kind Dr. King gave to people in the South,” Bono said before accepting one of the highest honors from the King Center, the organization founded by King’s widow, Coretta Scott King.

Here’s a couple of the lyrics, just to cause you to think - beyond today   

Early morning, April 4
Shot rings out in the Memphis sky
Free at last, they took your life
They could not take your pride

Written by U2 

Produced by Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois