The Edge: A Guitar Genius of Simple Melodies

Born Dave Howell Evans in Barking, East London, England on August 8, 1961, “The Edge” has become a force in alternative music. He is considered one of today’s best guitarists for his innovative, visionary guitar playing in the Irish band U2 as well as his contributions to the studio albums of many other important artists including Johnny Cash, B.B. King and Tina Turner.

As a child growing up in England, The Edge was considered shy and reclusive in high school, and was encouraged by his parents to take up piano and guitar to help him come to terms with his introvert tendencies. He played often with his brother Dik Evans, and first entered the music scene when he answered an ad on a high school bulletin board looking for musicians, and posted by drummer Larry Mullen, Jr. to form a Christian rock band. The group, then consisting of the Edge, Adam Clayton on bass, Bono on vocals and guitar and Dick Evans began by playing Beatles and Rolling Stones covers under the name Feedback before becoming “Hype” in 1977. The band spent several years trying to find their sound, and finally became U2 in March, 1978 shortly after The Edge’s brother left the group.

U2 first fully broke into the music scene in 1978, winning a Guinness-sponsored talent contest while still in their final year of high school. By the end of that year, the Strangler’s manager, Paul McGuinness offered them a management contract after being particularly impressed with one of their live performances. But, even with the strength of a respected manager behind them, they had difficulty, failing an audition with CBS Records. In the fall of 1979, they released their first album U2Three, available only in Ireland where it made the very top of the popular music charts. While it succeeded in the band’s home country, when released in England, it disappeared into obscurity. In 1980, the band was signed to Island Records, who released their first true studio album Boy in 1981. Thanks to the Edge’s guitar playing and keyboard arrangements, the album had a very ambient sound with an edge that distinguished it from other post-punk albums that were coming out during that time. Still considered a Christian band, U2 and the Edge went on tour in the United States opening for major bands like the Talking Heads, but also playing obscure events like wet t-shirt contests. In 1983, the song “I Will Follow” became hits on MTV and the band began its official ascent.

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