Paul McGuinness is taking care of ribbon-cutting duties tonight as the U2 1978 – 1981 photo exhibition opens at 6pm in the Little Museum of Dublin at 15 St. Stephen’s Green.
Running until September 2 and supported by our rock ‘n’ roll loving Jägermeister friends, the 32 rare early shots were taken by local snapper and graphic artist Patrick Brockelbank. The above image depicts the young and swagger-some foursome in the dressing room at the Project Arts Centre, following their gig there in September 1978.
“Paul couldn’t play guitar,” Brocklebank recalls of their frontman, “and he wasn’t much of a singer, but he had that certain something: the swagger and stage presence that would later make U2 a household name.”
Mucking around in Trinity College or gigging in the Project, the images reveal the relentless surge of a band on the rise. Pots, guns and paintings are used as props, and Bono proves himself a serial scene-stealer.
“Because I was always in town,” Brocklebank continues, “and because we were the same age, I’d often see U2 around the place. The show records the energy and ambition of a local band that would later conquer the world.”
Limited-edition prints are available from littlemuseum.ie, with the exhibition open daily from 11 am to 6pm and until 8pm on Thursdays. Needless to say, hotpress.com will bring you a full report on the launch tomorrow.
At tonight's opening, Paul remembered being introduced to the band by Bill Graham of Hot Press.
'U2 tricked Bill into coming to one of their early rehearsals. They played him a few of their 'own songs' but Bill made them stop and said: 'hang on, all these songs you're playing are by the Ramones'.
'U2 said 'Okay, you're right, but we're going to write some great songs' and that's what they have been doing ever since.' U2.com
