1. Originally posted by RattleandHum1988:[..]
    There are so, so many songs (albums even) where Larry and Adam's creativity is on full display (and those songs wouldn't be the same at all without them), so I just can't agree with this. I'd honestly go as far as to say that U2 wouldn't have amounted to anything in the late 70s had Adam and Larry been absent.

    Yes, I realize your post is largely how the public sees U2 - but I feel like the second you start delving into the band beyond the surface of things (heh) - you realize otherwise.
    👍 watching especially their early shows you can see how Adam and Larry are a unit. It sounds cliche, but they complement each other. And they've maintained that for over 40 years..a permanent absence of either Larry or Adam, or anyone else, would make the band something less than U2
  2. Originally posted by bonoschild:[..]
    👍 watching especially their early shows you can see how Adam and Larry are a unit. It sounds cliche, but they complement each other. And they've maintained that for over 40 years..a permanent absence of either Larry or Adam, or anyone else, would make the band something less than U2
    100%.

    Even their visual presence is a big part of what makes a U2 performance. Adam with his chin in the air, smiling at fans, etc. Larry coming out on those JT17 tour shows to kick everything off with the Sunday Bloody Sunday part, etc.

    It's the band's chemistry, their individual presence, and the music/production that makes a U2 show. Remove those first two things and you might as well be watching a cover band.
  3. I think U2 without any of the four members should not release any new music as U2. If Larry, even after surgery, cannot perform live again I would be OK seeing the other three tour as U2 but at that point as a nostalgia act. They have said many times, however, that they do not want to be that so I think the answer to the dilemma is clear.
  4. There is only one answer to this question. Shocked that so many people think otherwise.

    All four are essential for U2 to be U2.
  5. Not sure if this has been noted - I think this will make The Edge the only member of U2 to be at every U2 show - Adam missed Sydney, Bono missed the World's Aid 2014 concert (though is that part of U2 Canon? I didn't see it in Various Shows), and Larry's set to miss the Vegas shows. Correct me if I'm wrong!
  6. i think the 1 night in Oz when Adam was sick its a genuine emergency situation . The Vegas pre planned shows with only 75% of the band is not what i want to see
  7. Originally posted by Timk68:i think the 1 night in Oz when Adam was sick its a genuine emergency situation . The Vegas pre planned shows with only 75% of the band is not what i want to see
    Right, especially since they had to do all the blocking and prep work for the film the following night.
  8. Originally posted by mattfromcanada:Not sure if this has been noted - I think this will make The Edge the only member of U2 to be at every U2 show - Adam missed Sydney, Bono missed the World's Aid 2014 concert (though is that part of U2 Canon? I didn't see it in Various Shows), and Larry's set to miss the Vegas shows. Correct me if I'm wrong!
    I'm fairly certain it was either Edge or Larry missed a show or two or three in the very early days. This probably has been forgotten and hasn't made it to band mythology.
  9. Originally posted by miryclay:[..]
    I'm fairly certain it was either Edge or Larry missed a show or two or three in the very early days. This probably has been forgotten and hasn't made it to band mythology.
    Larry definitely missed a few shows and they had another drummer from a local band called (let’s see if my memory serves me) Strider fill in.

    But I don’t think Edge has missed any!
  10. Originally posted by miryclay:[..]
    I'm fairly certain it was either Edge or Larry missed a show or two or three in the very early days. This probably has been forgotten and hasn't made it to band mythology.
    Yeah I think you're right - I remember hearing about / reading about a stand in drummer. So maybe The Edge is already the only person in the world who's been to every U2 show....
  11. He's had a couple of near misses though. Didn't he play a show in the early days with his wrist in plaster or something (Didn't we have a timeline of accidents and injuries on here at one point?) And he was lucky to be come out unscathed after his fall from the stage the on i+e tour
  12. Originally posted by RattleandHum1988:[..]
    Larry definitely missed a few shows and they had another drummer from a local band called (let’s see if my memory serves me) Strider fill in.

    But I don’t think Edge has missed any!

    Originally posted by mattfromcanada:[..]
    Yeah I think you're right - I remember hearing about / reading about a stand in drummer. So maybe The Edge is already the only person in the world who's been to every U2 show....

    The Edge missed one (probably two, actually) show(s) in July 1979 because of ill health: 1979-07-28 - Dublin - Dandelion Market (missed for sure, there was a replacement guitarist) and 1979-07-28 - Cork (unknown but likely).