Before he was a world famous musician and the lead guitarist of legendary band U2, the Edge was born David Howell Evans. Born August 8, 1961 in Banking Essex East London, David, was the one of three children to parents, Gwenda and Garvin Evans. At 1 year-old, David's parents, along with brother Richard, (Dick), and sister, Gillian, moved to Dublin, Ireland. David was a quiet and very intelligent youth. He began school, first at St. Andrew's Primary School, then onto Mt. Temple Comprehensive High School, where he would eventually meet his fellow band-mates. Until then, however, David had academic aspirations. He planned to go to university and study to become either a doctor or engineer. But fate had different ideas for the young man.
In the fall of 1976, 15 year-old David spotted Larry Mullen's note on the school's bulletin board. The note was an invite to join Larry at his home along with some other boys to attempt to form a band. David and his brother, Dick were the first to show up at the audition. Of course later, David would meet, (at the time), Bono-Vox and Adam Clayton. Dick would make the cut and was part of the band in the very beginning, but soon left, leaving the remaining four to become rock legends. It was Bono who gave David his celebrated nickname. 'The Edge', was chosen for his sharp looks and wits. A gifted guitarist, despite his earlier scholarly ambitions, Edge became very dedicated to the band. He even chose to take a year for band business over university after high school. After two changes in the bands' name, U2 became, well... U2.
The entire band had honed their performance skills. For their young age, U2 had a very clean and unique sound. Heads began to turn. Soon after gaining management, U2 scored a record deal with Island Records in 1980 and released their first album, 'Boy' in '81. But Edge was having some inner turmoils. As a very spiritual young man and with real success looming, the guitarist was conflicted between his spiritual beliefs and the flashy, self-indulgent life-style of a rock musician. So serious was the inner conflict, that Edge considered leaving the band, in early '83, during the tour for second album 'October'. But after much soul-searching, he came to the conclusion that it was he that made the decisions that governed his life and actions. The fact he was in a successful band had nothing to do with his spiritual beliefs.
Later that year, Edge married Aisilinn O' Sullivan. Together the couple had three daughter's, Hallie, Arran, and Blue Angel. The marriage lasted seven years, ending in 1990. He would later remarry in 2002 to Morliegh Steinberg. They had 2 kids, a son and daughter.
In his career, the Edge has developed an unmistakable sound. As for me, I know who it is immediately when I hear him play. While a lot of guitarists are attracted to flashy styles and showy techniques, the Edge has remained true to his own style. Low-key, but highly recognisable and impossible to ignore. He's been called the 'anti guitar hero', because of the way he rejects the usual run-of-mill cliches' that are everywhere in the music industry. The Edge also holds strong to his spiritual beliefs and has refused to allow himself to fall into the trappings of stardom. He is unusually, not usual, both as a musician and a man.
In the fall of 1976, 15 year-old David spotted Larry Mullen's note on the school's bulletin board. The note was an invite to join Larry at his home along with some other boys to attempt to form a band. David and his brother, Dick were the first to show up at the audition. Of course later, David would meet, (at the time), Bono-Vox and Adam Clayton. Dick would make the cut and was part of the band in the very beginning, but soon left, leaving the remaining four to become rock legends. It was Bono who gave David his celebrated nickname. 'The Edge', was chosen for his sharp looks and wits. A gifted guitarist, despite his earlier scholarly ambitions, Edge became very dedicated to the band. He even chose to take a year for band business over university after high school. After two changes in the bands' name, U2 became, well... U2.
The entire band had honed their performance skills. For their young age, U2 had a very clean and unique sound. Heads began to turn. Soon after gaining management, U2 scored a record deal with Island Records in 1980 and released their first album, 'Boy' in '81. But Edge was having some inner turmoils. As a very spiritual young man and with real success looming, the guitarist was conflicted between his spiritual beliefs and the flashy, self-indulgent life-style of a rock musician. So serious was the inner conflict, that Edge considered leaving the band, in early '83, during the tour for second album 'October'. But after much soul-searching, he came to the conclusion that it was he that made the decisions that governed his life and actions. The fact he was in a successful band had nothing to do with his spiritual beliefs.
Later that year, Edge married Aisilinn O' Sullivan. Together the couple had three daughter's, Hallie, Arran, and Blue Angel. The marriage lasted seven years, ending in 1990. He would later remarry in 2002 to Morliegh Steinberg. They had 2 kids, a son and daughter.
In his career, the Edge has developed an unmistakable sound. As for me, I know who it is immediately when I hear him play. While a lot of guitarists are attracted to flashy styles and showy techniques, the Edge has remained true to his own style. Low-key, but highly recognisable and impossible to ignore. He's been called the 'anti guitar hero', because of the way he rejects the usual run-of-mill cliches' that are everywhere in the music industry. The Edge also holds strong to his spiritual beliefs and has refused to allow himself to fall into the trappings of stardom. He is unusually, not usual, both as a musician and a man.
