Paul David Hewson was born on this day in 1960 in Dublin. The future U2 front man, who now divides his time between music, political activism, extensive business dealings and humanitarian campaigns, has legions of people that love him and quite a few with a less favorable opinion about him.
He acquired the nickname Bono Vox, a variation on a Latin phrase for 'good voice', while a member of a young street gang. The forerunner to U2 was the group Feedback, formed when Bono, Dave Evans (The Edge) and Adam Clayton contacted Larry Mullen, Jr. about a school bulletin board post he'd put up at their school in 1976 seeking musicians interested in forming a band. After a brief run as Feedback, the group switched to The Hype and then jettisoned that in favor of U2.
The group's first release came in the form of a 3 song EP titled U2-3 in 1979. U2 signed with Island Records and issued its first full album, Boy, in 1980. The 1981 release October and 1983's War built recognition for the group and the release of the live album Under a Blood Red Sky helped establish them as one of Rock's most dynamic live groups. They reached their pinnacle of popularity with 1984's The Unforgettable Fire and The Joshua Tree (1987), the album that moved them into the ranks of acts that could fill stadiums.
Other noteworthy May 10 events include...
1945 Traffic's Dave Mason born.
1946 10CC's Graham Gouldman born.
1946 Donovan (Leitch) born.
1947 Spirit and Jo Jo Gunne's Jay Ferguson born.
1957 Sex Pistol's Sid Vicious (John Simon Beverley) born.
1967 Keith Richards and Mick Jagger enter not-guilty pleas on drug charges.
1968 Jim Morrison incites a riot during a Doors concert in Chicago.
1969 Turtles play at the White House.
1972 Slade opens its first headlining tour.
1974 An LA Bash is staged for the debut of Sawn Song, Led Zeppelin's own subsidiary record label.
1974 Who sell out 8 nights at Madison Square Garden in 8 hours.
1974 Eric Clapton records I Shot The Sheriff.
1975 Allman Brothers Band release The Road Goes On Forever.
1975 The Beatles Apple record label shuts down.
1976 Ace Frehley marries Janette Treotola.
1976 Warren Zevon releases self-titled debut.
1986 Tommy Lee marries Heather Locklear.
1993 Who's Tommy musical earns 11 Tony Award nominations.
1995 Black Crowes do Oklahoma City benefit show for Federal Building bombing victim's families.
2003 Berklee College of Music awards an honorary degree to Steven Tyler.
2005 Rolling Stones announce Bigger Bang tour with 3 song live set at Julliard School of Music in New York.
2006 Great White's road manager draws a four year prison sentence in connection with his role in the Rhode Island night club fire that killed 100 in February of 2003.
2007 Tribute to Syd Barrett of Pink Floyd staged in London.
2014 Jimmy Page gives commencement talk at Berklee College of Music in Boston.
2013 Two arrested and charged for toppling the statue of Thin Lizzy's Phil Lynott erected in his honor in Dublin.
