U2 have their origins in a five-piece band originally known as Feedback, formed after 14-year-old Larry Mullen jnr posted a note on the bulletin board at Mount Temple secondary school seeking musicians. The fifth member, The Edge's brother Dick Evans, left shortly after the band's formation to join another Dublin outfit, the Virgin Prunes.
Feedback quickly changed their name to The Hype and again in 1978 to U2. Their big break came when they won £500 in a talent contest in Limerick along with the opportunity to record a demo with CBS records.
Island Records signed U2 to its first international contract in March 1980. Their first album, Boy, was released in October of that year. Twelve more albums, (and two "best ofs") followed. The last, How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb, was released in in December 2004.
This year's Irish Entertainment Rich List, published in the Sunday Times in April puts the band's collective wealth at €629 million. The current Vertigo tour has already grossed €250 million in ticket sales and is expected to generate profits of €175 million.
More than 1.9 million tickets have been sold for the US and European tour at an average price of €80. The concerts cost €1 million a night to stage with 3,000 light and five giant video screens.
The band are now all well into their 40s. The eldest, Adam Clayton, turned 45 last March; Bono is two months younger; The Edge will turn 44 in August;and Larry Mullen, the youngest, turns 44 in October.
