Credit: Far Out / U2start

U2 share positive health update on Larry Mullen Jr

Fri 25 October 2024 10:41, UK

U2 recently shared an update on the health of drummer Larry Mullen Jr following a long battle with physical health complications.

The drummer underwent neck surgery prior to the band’s Sphere residency shows in Las Vegas last year, which meant he had to focus on resting and spending time recovring instead of joining his friends on stage.

Although there were rumours of his return before the performance, U2 confirmed he would not be joining them again just yet but ensured to involve him anyway by bringing attention to him sitting in the audience.

This marked the first time the band had played without Mullen Jr since 1978, claimed Bono when addressing the crowd to honour their fallen bandmate. “That is the man who pinned the note on the notice board at Mount Temple Comprehensive School all those years ago,” he said, before wishing him a “speedy, speedy, speedy recovery.”

In a recent interview with Zane Lowe for Apple Music, The Edge reflected on Mullen Jr’s impact on the band and shared an update on his recovery. “I’d say he probably loved [watching U2 perform] on many levels and also probably was like, ‘I can’t wait to get back there,'” he said.

Discussing his progress, he hinted at the drummer’s return sooner than later, saying, “The great news is Larry is getting better every week and we’ll be making a racket with him in no time. So we’re very excited about that.”

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In terms of what’s next for the band, Adam Clayton revealed their current focus on enjoying the magic of live collaborations and appreciating everything they have built up to this point. “Now we want to go back and take the layers off and get down to what the band does really well, which is to play live in a room,” he said, adding, “There’s a freshness to that now. And I don’t know if there’s many bands that can still make records that way.”

Echoing his sentiment, The Edge said: “Music made in real-time, in a room with musicians interacting with one another, it just is a narrative, a sonic narrative which you just cannot create using a different approach, using layering and drum loops or whatever.”

Although they previously stated progress on a new record is “somewhat tied” to Mullen Jr’s recovery, they will likely return to the studio in the near future as a complete entity, but for now—focussing on getting well enough to sit back behind a drum kit is the priority.

Following the Vegas shows, Clayton said: “The whole band and I’m sure the audience are going to be very sad and miss Larry. He wants to come back, he wants to be able to have a long career and continue his drumming so he’s taking care of those injuries.”