Timeline U2: The Joshua Tree

From a Dublin kitchen to the Sphere in Las Vegas — U2, the band that grew from post-punk to the biggest stadium act in the world.

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Dashed left edge = started before this timeline · Dashed right edge = still ongoing

U2: The Joshua Tree 18

1976 U2 formed in Larry Mullen's kitchen Mount Temple school Mullen's notice on a school board brings the four together in Dublin.
1978 U2 win a talent contest in Limerick St. Patrick's Day The prize includes studio time that leads to their first demo.
1980 U2 release Boy Debut album Produced by Steve Lillywhite, with I Will Follow.
1983 U2 release War Sunday Bloody Sunday Their first UK number one album.
1983 U2 play Red Rocks Under a Blood Red Sky A rain-soaked Colorado concert that breaks them in America.
1984 U2 release The Unforgettable Fire Pride (In the Name of Love) First album with Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois.
1985 U2 play Live Aid Wembley Bono's leap into the crowd makes them global stars.
1987 U2 release The Joshua Tree With or Without You Their biggest album, with I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For.
1987 U2 play a rooftop gig in Los Angeles Where the Streets Have No Name Filming a video on a liquor store roof until the police stop it.
1988 U2 release Rattle and Hum American roots Album and film exploring American music.
1991 U2 release Achtung Baby Reinvention in Berlin Recorded partly in Berlin — One and Mysterious Ways.
1992 U2 launch the Zoo TV tour Multimedia tour A satirical multimedia stadium show.
2000 U2 release All That You Can't Leave Behind Beautiful Day A return to their classic sound.
2002 U2 play the Super Bowl halftime show 9/11 tribute The names of the September 11 victims scroll behind them.
2005 U2 inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Hall of Fame Inducted by Bruce Springsteen.
2009 U2 start the 360 Tour Highest-grossing tour For years the highest-grossing tour in history.
2014 U2 put Songs of Innocence in every iTunes library Apple launch An automatic download that backfires with many users.
2023 U2 open the Sphere in Las Vegas Achtung Baby Live The first concerts in the giant spherical venue.