| Longevity in the fickle world of entertainment is rare | | | | several social justice causes. They kicked off their |
| and largely dependent on artists' powers of creativity | | | | fight against famine, war, and all things unjust, in 1984 |
| and reinvention. Only a few bands and artists have | | | | when they took part in Band Aid in aid of Ethiopian |
| the distinction and honour of maintaining their | | | | famine relief. In 1985 they performed at the Live Aid |
| popularity and record sales for over two decades. | | | | concert, which was a follow up to Band Aid. |
| Perhaps the most notable of those is the Rolling | | | | In 1998 they donated all of the proceeds from their |
| Stones, who are still going strong after 40 years. In | | | | single "The Sweetest Thing" to the Chernobyl |
| comparison to the short-lived, flash in the pan careers | | | | Children's Project. They've vociferously supported |
| of most of today's young artists; these music giants | | | | Burma's pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and |
| possess aeons of experience and appear even | | | | taken part in Nelson Mandela's 46664, 2003 concert |
| greater. Among these masters is a band called U2, | | | | to create AIDS awareness. They were awarded |
| Irish born and bred and international superstars since | | | | Amnesty International's Ambassador of Conscience |
| the mid-80s. | | | | Award in 2008 for their efforts in promoting human |
| The two most well known members of the band are | | | | rights. |
| Bono, lead vocalist and guitarist, and The Edge, | | | | U2 are not only gifted artists in the eyes of their |
| guitarist, keyboardist and supporting vocalist. They | | | | fans, as they've been showered with numerous |
| are the most outspoken members of the band and | | | | awards from leaders in the music industry, including |
| are more often seen at public or social functions than | | | | 22 coveted Grammy Awards. No other rock band |
| the other two. Adam Clayton is the bass guitarist and | | | | has achieved that level of success. In 2005 they |
| Larry Mullen Jr handles the drums and other | | | | were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. It |
| percussion instruments. | | | | was the first year that they were eligible for the |
| The band has the much needed capability to reinvent | | | | honour. |
| itself and adapt its style to changing trends in the | | | | Few would argue that U2's tremendous success isn't |
| music industry. A few key features of the band have | | | | well earned and well deserved. They're one of the |
| remained constant, specifically Bono's impassioned | | | | hardest working bands in the business; releasing |
| vocals and The Edge's textural guitar playing, both of | | | | albums on a regular basis and going on extended |
| which have been carefully cultivated over the years. | | | | world tours, with sell-out performances where ever |
| Another distinguishing aspect is their ability to stage | | | | they go. Their adoring fans and curious onlookers |
| spectacular live shows and concerts. These | | | | have been anxiously waiting for a new album, and |
| performances are often thought to be more | | | | that wait is nearly over. They've been working on |
| artistically compelling than their studio albums. | | | | new material since 2006 and are planning to release a |
| Instead of letting their phenomenal stage presence | | | | brand new record in 2008. They may have been |
| and commercial success inflate their egos to | | | | around since 1980 but they've kept themselves new |
| superlative levels, they've maintained their social | | | | and exciting, and the world watches with baited |
| awareness and used their fame to campaign for | | | | breath to see what they'll do next. |