Dave Fanning Best Of U2 Interviews 1987

On the eve of the Joshua Tree Cork Show, and just after The “Cork Mafia” interview the previous hour, Dave Fanning plays an hour of U2 interview highlights from 1987. Dave had members of the band on his RTE 2 FM show at least three times during that year. First, the entire band recorded U2 Talkie with Dave in February, then Larry dropped by to world premier tracks from The Joshua Tree in early March, and finally the entire band dropped by for the famous “Nude Interview” in June. This show includes brief highlights from each of these three interviews and was padded out with U2 songs and other music. Special thanks to Sue Fell for providing this interview. Originally broadcast 9:00pm, August 7th, 1987.

The “Cork Mafia” talk with Dave Fanning

On the eve of the Joshua Tree Cork Show, five members of U2’s road crew drop by for an interview with Dave Fanning. The crew members are; Joe O’Herlihy, Steve Iredale, Tim Buckley, Tom Mullany, and Sam O’ Sullivan. Discussion centers on the early days with U2 and assorted bits related to being on the road. Topics include; what was so special about U2?, getting equipment, people jumping on stage, taking care of Larry, what happens at soundcheck?, the effect of climate on sound, indoor vs outdoor sound, Adam’s sub lows, covering the pitch, can you get Murphys in Edinborough?, the bus fire, flying vs. driving, tension within the crew, local crew, what happens when U2 is off the road?, Rory Gallagher, U2 playing the Lark by the Lee, what will U2 play in Cork tomorrow? Special thanks to Sue Fell for providing this interview. Originally broadcast 8:00pm, August 7th, 1987.

Bono and Mike Peters KZEW Dallas (2 parts)

Bono and Mike Peters visit with KZEW in Dallas Texas, “the Rock and Roll Alternative”. Bono does most of the talking with DJ George Gimarc while Mike Peters naps mostly. Topics include; the Us Festival, categorizing music, playing The Refugee, The Alarm, what does An Cat Dubh mean?, Tom Snyder and the Tomorrow Show, Sunday Bloody Sunday, studio vs live, Windmill Lane studio, CBS demos, the Stories for Boys demo is played from the Just For Kicks album, the name U2, Ireland, the Boy on the album covers, Mike Peters plays Blaze Of Glory for Bono, can U2 change the world?, Bono invites a fan to the sound check, the writing process, A Celebration, Larry being so quiet, The Fool is played, writing for the Royal Dublin Ballet, the “much maligned” October album. Special thanks to Sue Fell for providing this interview. Originally broadcast June 12nd, 1983. A great transcription of this interview can be found here.

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Adam talks with Dave Fanning (incomplete)

Between the 3th and 4th legs of the Unforgettable Fire Tour, Adam drops by The Dave Fanning Show for a short interview. This interview is incomplete and has quality issues at a few points. Topics include, Mother Records, The Unforgettable Fire single, Adam seeing bands in Dublin, will U2 play in Ireland?, Island Records, tension within the band, artistic and financial freedom, the new stage and show, seriously… will U2 play in Ireland?, the next LP (interview ends abruptly). Special thanks to Sue Fell for providing this interview. Recorded Mid February 1985 while U2 were on a tour break.

Edge Talks With BP Fallon

Edge drops by for the final installment of the the BPFO (BP Fallon Orchestra) show, broadcast on RTE 2 shortwave radio. Topics include; Arizona Governor Evan Mecham and MLK, Stand By Me, the state of music 1987, Jimi Hendrix, Edge’s family life is suffering, lack of drug abuse in U2, traveling in America, televangelists, Bob Dylan, Elvis Costello, Edge’s half-dozen country songs, Las Vegas, Steve Wickham drops by and plays violin, early U2 tours, meeting fans, Edge is a happy chap. Special thanks to Sue Fell for providing this interview. Recorded Saturday, May 23rd, 1987

U2 Winnipeg Popmart

U2 are in Winnipeg during the PopMart tour, and Toronto radio station 102.1 The Edge has live coverage. DJs Dave Bookman and Kim Hughes do a pre-show report and interview Howie B, Bono, Edge and Adam from “the press box” for later broadcast. Topics include; Winnipeg is buzzing, Howie B’s role, club music in the UK, stories from the studio, the U2 crew plays soccer, the unhappy 80’s, spectacle vs music, touring legs, Mission Impossible, pushing U2 forward, white rock is dull, and U2 as a mainstream irritant. Special thanks to Sue Fell for providing this interview. Recorded June 12th, 1997.

Bono and Adam on Rockline (2 parts)

Geno Mitchellini substitutes for usual host Bob Coburn on Rockline, live from KLOS in Los Angeles.  Bono and Adam are in good spirits, having just finished the second leg of the Unforgettable Fire Tour at the Long Beach Arena, and are about to have a month off for the holidays.  Topics include; Martin Luther King, lack of printed lyrics in albums, why Bono will never be a politician, Band Aid, the song Wire, the two Americas, Rock and Roll, Bob Dylan, U2 is not a new wave band, Brian Eno, The Unforgettable Fire and the bomb, Do They Know It’s Christmas, Bad and Heroin, recording in Slane Castle, and The Who. Special thanks to Sue Fell for providing this interview. First broadcast live on December 17th, 1984.

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Edge and Dave Fanning, Zooropa Interview (2 parts)

Edge sits down with Dave Fanning and discusses the Zooropa album and tour. This interview was recorded the just before U2 concluded the Zooropa tour with two nights at the RDS Arena, Dublin. Topics include; the recording of Zooropa, how Zoo TV inspired the Zooropa album, use of Nazi imagery on stage, the Sarajevo linkups, Bono’s Fly and Macphisto characters, the classic U2 sound, how The Wanderer came about, Zoomerang shows, living in Dublin, the band’s friendship, touring in Italy, writing Dirty Day, remixes, technology, the video confessional booth, and uncertainty in Europe. Special thanks to Sue Fell for providing this interview. First broadcast August, 26th, 1993.

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Adam Interviewed by Rudy Leonet

French radio and TV personality Rudy Leonet interviews Adam for the Belgian print magazine Telemoustique.
Adam discusses; recording Night And Day, the “new” image of the band, Rattle And Hum, Adam’s favorite bands, the concepts behind Achtung Baby and the Zoo tour, Paul McGuinness, the release strategy of Achtung Baby, and the future of the band. Recorded early May, 1992.