Bono of U2 explains why he thought the band was overrated, why they skipped stadiums at first, how pacifism came from a violent upbringing, and why The Edge is an anti–guitar hero. We also read the Houston Post review of The Joshua Tree from April 5, 1987 and flip through the movie ads running that same week, including Dream Warriors and The Secret of My Success.

I also share my own concert memories from the Joshua Tree Tour, talk about that first impact of Bullet the Blue Sky, and dig into how The Edge recreated studio textures live, including that famous sustain you hear on With or Without You.

Brought to you by Digitech — gear I’ve used for years. If you’re a guitarist, visit Digitech.com and tell them we sent you.

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Timestamps
0:00 Intro and hook — “Bono says U2 is overrated?”
0:58 Sponsor shout-out — Digitech
1:20 Today’s roadmap: the interview, Houston Post review, and vintage movie ads
1:39 Context: The Joshua Tree released March 9, 1987 plus my first U2 show
3:00 The editor’s note: no stadiums yet, pacifism from a hard upbringing, and why U2 felt overrated
4:03 Midnight record-store lines; U.S. tour kicks off April 2, 1987
5:46 Why not stadiums? “We’re not ready” — the arena versus stadium debate
7:12 Do stadiums a bad idea? My take plus your thoughts
7:18 Bono on image versus reality; pacifism, Ireland, and refusing the hero pedestal
9:16 Artists then versus now, Mozart and minstrels versus modern mega-fame
10:02 Highlights: Amnesty tour with Lou Reed; U2’s timeless sound not stamped as 80s
11:25 Call-in link: 15-minute Zoom with me — tell me your top 3 videos and ideas
12:01 “Best is yet to come”: ages 26 and 25 and U2’s future beyond The Joshua Tree
13:21 Album art love; where the cover photos were taken near Joshua Tree, California
14:21 Travel, Route 66 detour, and dedication to Greg Carroll in 1986
16:18 Recreating studio magic live: The Edge’s rig and the With or Without You sustain
17:45 Eno and Lanois: from avant textures to songs; gospel and soul influence
18:41 Why The Edge is an anti–guitar hero, restraint over flash
19:46 Quick Audiomover plug and limited-time 15 percent off digitizing, code on screen
21:04 Do rehearsals matter? Edge forgetting older tunes and live readiness
22:00 Houston Post review highlights: despair, conscience, and unflinching themes
23:29 First time you heard Bullet the Blue Sky — that snare and spoken coda
24:03 Lighter moments: One Tree Hill, Mothers of the Disappeared as benediction
25:37 Vintage movie ads tour: Dream Warriors, Tin Men, Hoosiers, Aristocats re-release
26:06 Luciano Pavarotti event and Michael J. Fox’s The Secret of My Success
26:57 Final call to action — like, share, comment: When did U2 hit your peak