StoriesHistoryMediaTeachingLinksProject

Music

India Arie
Blessid Union of Souls
Tracy Chapman
Ani Difranco
Fisk Univ. Jubilee Singers
Gil Scott Heron
Ice Cube
Mason Jennings
Talib Kweli
Bob Marley
Curtis Mayfield
Prussian Blue
Public Enemy
Rahowa/Novacosm
Jill Scott
Tupac Shakur
The Band
U2
Kanye West

Movies

8 Mile
A Time to Kill
American History X
Amistad
Bend It Like Beckham
Boys Don't Cry
Crash
Gentleman's Agreement
G.I. Jane
Glory
The Green Mile
Guess Who
Hotel Rwanda
I Am Sam
Life
Malcolm X
Mi Familia
Mississippi Burning
O
Out of the Ashes
Philadelphia
Pleasantville (1)
Pleasantville (2)
Real Women Have Curves
Sarafina
Schindler's List
Something New
The Birth of a Nation
The Pianist
To Kill a Mockingbird

U2

In 1976, Larry Mullen was a drummer looking for a band.  He posted a note at Mount Temple Comprehensive School in Dublin, Ireland.  Four people answered the call:  Paul Hewson (aka Bono Vox), Dave Evans (aka The Edge), Dik Evans, and Adam Clayton. Soon after, however, Dik left to join the Virgin Prunes.  The remaining four members formed “Feedback,” then briefly changed their name to “The Hype,” then finally became the band that we know today as U2. The band began recording a demo in 1978 after being noticed by a record company.  The record was not as exceptional as we know the group to be today, mostly due to their lack of inexperience.  Their first record was released in September of 1979.  They spent 1980 touring.  “War,” one of their best albums, was released in 1983 and entered the charts in England at number one; this was where U2 really began to take off.  Over the years, U2 has released twenty amazing albums.  Each is comprised not only of chart-topping hits, but the kind of influential, staying-power that lets everyone know just how long they’re going to be around.  U2 is one of the most popular and prolific bands in the world today.  Their music and their actions are inspirational.  This is a band that not only cares about letting the world know about their music, they care about trying to help the world.  Bono has been given the Freedom Award (from the National Civil Rights Museum) for work he has done with Live Aid and for raising funds to fight AIDS.  U2 has won 14 Grammy awards over the years.  

The album “War” includes one of my favorite tracks, “Sunday Bloody Sunday.”  This song is like a battle cry for a war against the injustice and poverty in the world.  It argues that millions of people are dying as the rest of us sit and enjoy our lives.  The lyrics speak for themselves but the music that accompanies matches it in a poignant and powerful way.

Reference: http://www.threechordsandthetruth.net/u2bios/
http://www.mtv.com/bands/az/u2/bio.jhtml

          
Home | Stories | History | Media | Teaching | Links | Project | About VBC | Sponsors