Larry Mullen Jr. is the founder of the band U2. He is the quiet member of the band, despite being the drummer, preferring to let other members handle interviews and leave him to his music and the work of keeping his band together and on the stage where they are supposed to be.
He writes much of the music for the band and is heavily influenced by his early work with the Artane Boys Band which was a marching band that he was a part of as a teenager. This influence lent itself to the militaristic feel of much of the music of U2.
Mullen was born in 1961 in Dublin, Ireland. His music career actually began with the piano, but he gave it up in favor of the drums when he was ten. He tried to have formal instruction, but found that his style lent itself more to free work and a distinct lack of lessons, so he went on to be self taught instead.
In 1976, he began working on his band U2, recruiting members and auditioning them at home. The original name of the band was the Larry Mullen Band. Despite being the clear leader of the band, the label CBS tried unsuccessfully to have the band fire him before they would sign on the group. Mullen was also nearly fired by three members of the band itself because of injuries that made it impossible for him to be in photo shoots or play the drums at times (they accused him of not taking the band seriously).
He has also had severe back problems, culminating in him having to use electric drum machines in order to prevent further damage. The use of these machines is what creates the electric feeling of the music through the nineties.
He also got injections of bulls blood which seemed to work for the symptoms, though not the cause (so he still had to get back surgery later). He also used specially made drumsticks to combat his tendinitis problems. Despite these injuries, he continues playing for the band he formed and loves.
Mullen lives with his long time girlfriend, three children, and two dogs. He has managed to keep his private life away from his professional life by steering clear of interviews and living quietly outside of his music.
He added Jr. to his name after he started to become successful and his father was the recipient of his tax bills instead of him due to a mix up in names. He and his band have won twenty-two Grammy awards, the Roy Gallagher Musician of the Year Award, eight Brit awards, and one Golden Globe, among others. Although his strongest commitment in music is towards his band, he has done solo projects and collaborations with people like Nancy Griffon.
Author Resource:-
Drew Mers is an advertising consultant to to Empire Rehearsal Studios, which rents music rehearsal studios to bands and musicians in Manhattan (New York City) and Queens.
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