U2 in pictures

It's been four years since U2 last toured together. Four years since Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr., conquered the world, selling more than seven million tickets and earning more than $700 million - leading Rolling Stone magazine to label them "the biggest band on Earth."

Their new show, the "Innocence + Experience Tour," is still big, though they've left the huge outdoor stadiums and moved indoors. "They're club gigs," Bono told CBS News' Anthony Mason.

By CBS News senior producer David Morgan

Interview

U2's latest tour had already been postponed once, after Bono crashed a bicycle in New York's Central Park in November, fracturing his cheek, shoulder and hand. Then, on opening night in Vancouver, The Edge fell off the edge of the stage.

"Somebody on German radio said, 'It's official now: the most dangerous job in the world is with U2,'" Bono laughed.

Covers

Since forming nearly 40 years ago, they've sold 170 million records, and have won more Grammy Awards - 22 - than any other group, including Best Album twice, for "The Joshua Tree" (1988), and "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb" (2006).

But there's still a driving insecurity behind this band -- a desire to remain relevant.

Next year will mark 40 years since the four band members first came together. They're all in their 50s now, so why do they keep coming back for this? "I think there's something in the jeopardy," Clayton told Anthony Mason. "If you let go of that aspect of the culture of popular music and you choose to be less popular, you're sort of in a different game."

Trophy Shot

Bono, lead singer of the group U2, holds up his Grammy Award March 1, 1994, in New York City. U2 won the Grammy for Best Alternative Music Album for "Zooropa."

Born Paul David Hewison in Dublin in 1960, Bono is also recognizable as a philanthropist and activist, advocating for such causes as AIDS awareness, humanitarian aid for Africa, and third-world debt relief.

In 2005 Bono, along with Bill and Melinda Gates, was named Person of the Year by Time Magazine for his activism and for helping to organize anti-poverty benefit concerts.

The Edge

Guitarist and keyboardist David Evans, a.k.a. The Edge, performs on stage on the first London night of U2's "Vertigo/2005" World Tour at Twickenham Rugby Stadium on June 18, 2005 in London, England.

Evans was born in Essex, England, in 1961. He has also co-founded the charity Music Rising, to aid musicians affected by Hurricane Katrina.

Larry Mullen

Drummer Larry Mullen of the Irish band U2 performs on July 8, 2011 in Montreal, Canada, during their "360" tour.

Born in Dublin in 1961, Mullen also played drums with the group Automatic Baby alongside REM's Michael Stipe and Mike Mills.

In addition to philanthropic causes, Mullen has also appeared as an actor in the films "Man on the Train" and "1,000 Times Good Night."

World AIDS Day

Bassist Adam Clayton of U2 performs on World AIDS Day, December 1, 2014, in New York City.

Born in Oxfordshire, England, in 1960, Clayton was a childhood friend of David Evans (The Edge). After meeting Paul Hewison and Larry Mullen Jr., they formed a band with several others, including The Edge's brother, Dik Evans. Once a five-part band, originally dubbed Feedback and later The Hype, it became U2 after Dik left.

"PopMart Tour"

The Irish rock band U2 performs as they launch their worldwide "PopMart" tour at a K-Mart Store in New York City February 12, 1997. The "PopMart" tour, staged on a giant, science fiction, disco supermarket set, opened in Las Vegas and played in 62 cities in 20 countries.

"PopMart Tour"

Bono, lead singer of the rock band U2, sings to a sellout crowd May 31, 1997, at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Mike Jagger and Bono

Singers Mike Jagger and Bono pose for photographers during the MTV Europe Awards at The Point in Dublin November 11, 1999.

Kofi Annan and Bono

United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan and Bono, of the band U2, embrace at the United Nations Millennium Summit September 7, 2000. Bono and Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo presented at the summit a petition signed by 21 million people around the world, urging G8 leaders to cancel the global debt.

Bon and The Edge

Singer Bono (left) and guitarist The Edge of U2 perform May 7, 2001 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.

MTV Video Music Awards

U2 singer Bono performs at the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards, at the Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center in New York City, Sept. 6, 2001.

Grammy Awards

U2 singer Bono and guitarist The Edge performing at the 44th Annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Calif., February 26, 2002.

Grammy Awards

The Irish rock group U2 poses with their four Grammy awards at the 44th Annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, February 27, 2002.

Bono and Bush

U.S. President George W. Bush waves while Bono, lead singer of the Irish rock group U2, makes a V sign as they walk toward the Oval Office of the White House March 14, 2002 in Washington, D.C.

Bono returned to the White House after they attended an Inter-American Development Bank event on global development in Washington.

Bono and Chirac

Irish pop star Bono, his wife Alison, and French President Jacques Chirac pose in the courtyard of the Elysee Palace February 28, 2003 in Paris. Bono received an order of the Legion of Honor from Chirac.

Bono and Beyonce

Singers Beyonce Knowles and Bono visit the Indawo Yokobelekisa maternity unit prior to the "46664 Give One Minute Of Your Life To AIDS" concert on November 29, 2003 in Khayelitsha township, 20 kilometers southeast of Cape Town, South Africa.

The concert (which also featured Queen, Peter Gabriel, The Eurythmics and Youssou N'Dour) benefited the Nelson Mandela Foundation and the fight against AIDS in Africa.

U2 and Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela appears with singer Dave Stewart, guitarist The Edge, and singer Bono at the "46664 - Give One Minute of Your Life to AIDS" concert at Greenpoint Stadium on November 29, 2003 in Cape Town, South Africa.

Bono and Coretta Scott King

U2 singer Bono kisses Coretta Scott King, widow of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., during a news conference January 17, 2004 in Atlanta, Georgia. Bono was honored by the King Center during their annual Salute to Greatness awards dinner as part of the 36th King Holiday Observance.

U2 and Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs (second from right) of Apple poses with Interscope Geffen A&M Records Chairman Jimmy Iovine (left), Bono (2nd left) and The Edge of U2, at a celebration of the release of a new Apple iPod family of products, at the California Theatre on October 26, 2004 in San Jose, Calif.

Bono and The Boss

Bruce Springsteen and Bono perform during the Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in New York, March 14, 2005. U2 was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which is located in Cleveland, Ohio.

Amsterdam

U2 performs at the Amsterdam Arena, July 13, 2005, in the Netherlands during their "Vertigo 2005" Tour.

Rome

Irish singer Bono of the band U2 performs during a concert at Olympic Stadium in Rome July 23, 2005.

Super Bowl XXXVI

U2 performs during halftime of Super Bowl XXXVI February 3, 2002 at the Superdome in New Orleans, La.

Super Bowl XXXVI

Bono, singer with the Irish rock group U2, opens his jacket exposing an American flag as he performs during halftime at Super Bowl XXXVI, February 3, 2002, in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Bono and Gore

Bono speaks as former U.S. Vice President Al Gore listens at the Clinton Global Initiative September 24, 2008 in New York. The three-day event brought together global leaders to develop implement workable solutions to some of the world's most pressing challenges.

B.B. King and Bono

Musicians B.B. King and Bono perform onstage during the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz honoring B.B. King event held at the Kodak Theatre on October 26, 2008 in Los Angeles, California.

"We Are One"

Bono performs at the "We Are One" Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial, January 18, 2009 in Washington, D.C. Stars including Bruce Springsteen, U2 and Stevie Wonder helped celebrate the inauguration of Barack Obama as the nation's first African-American president.

Barcelona

The Edge, Larry Mullen, Bono and Adam Clayton of U2 perform onstage on the first night of their 360 tour, held at Camp Nou on June 30, 2009 in Barcelona, Spain.

Paris

The crowd waves as the Irish rock band U2 performs at the Stade de France stadium in the Paris suburb of Saint-Denis, July 11, 2009, during the group's "360 degrees" world tour, tied to their album, "No Line on the Horizon."

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Concert

Bono of U2 (second from left) performs with Taboo, Fergie and will.i.am of Black Eyed Peas, at the 25th Anniversary Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Concert at Madison Square Garden on October 30, 2009 in New York City.

Berlin

Bono of U2 performs during a concert in front of the Brandenburg Gate the on November 5, 2009 in Berlin, Germany. U2 performed a free concert in collaboration with MTV Europe to help the city celebrate 20 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Soweto

The Edge and Bono perform on stage on February 13, 2011 at Soccer City Stadium in Soweto, South Africa.

Glastonbury Festival

Bono of U2 performs live on the pyramid stage during the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm, Pilton on June 24, 2011 in Glastonbury, England.

Bono and Aung San Suu Kyi

Myanmar democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi (second from left) and Irish singer Bono (left) meet with Irish Deputy Prime Minister Eamon Gilmore, as she is presented with flowers by Sophia Kelly upon her arrival at Dublin Airport in Dublin, Ireland on June 18, 2012. Aung San Suu Kyi landed in Ireland with Bono by her side for a visit on her European tour that was to see her pick up a prize honoring her unwavering commitment to human rights.

Clinton Global Initiative

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton, Bono, and Christine Lagarde, Managing Director, International Monetary Fund attend the Clinton Global Initiative on September 24, 2013 in New York.

Academy Awards

Musicians The Edge, Bono, Larry Mullen Jr., and Adam Clayton of U2 perform onstage during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, California. The band members were nominated for an Academy Award for their song, "Ordinary Love," from the film, "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom."

Berlin

Bono of the band U2 performs live on stage during the 2014 Bambi Awards show on November 13, 2014 in Berlin, Germany.


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