MusicThe curious guitar that saved U2’s big hitMusic in question would be discarded before a solution appeared: an instrument pickup capable of generating infinite soundtoday at 08:00

Fundamental characteristic for the sound of the U2the use of effects especially on the guitar was essential to save the song that can be considered the band’s biggest hit.

An innovation in the instrument itself, and not in pedals, gave “With Or Without You” the extra touch needed. Including his disposal of the album The Joshua Tree was prevented as a result.

The story is told by Aaron J. Samsexpert on the group and author of the book U2: Song by Song. Behind the scenes were revealed in a podcast interview Booked on Rock (transcription via Ultimate Guitar).

Initially, he talks about the technological discovery:

At one point, they discussed the possibility of leaving the song aside. The change occurred when Edge received a prototype of the Infinite Guitar.”

The Infinite Guitar was developed by Canadian michael brook. Disciple of the experimental composer La Monte Young —a pioneer in the use of drones in Western music—the artist and inventor created a double pickup capable of inducing and amplifying vibrations in the strings. Thus, infinite sound was generated.

At the time, Brook it was part of the group’s outer orbit. Brian Enoone of the producers of The Joshua Treeparticipated in his solo album Hybrid (1985). The record in question features the first use of the Infinite Guitar.

Impressed with the technology, the English producer mentioned the instrument to The Edge. He, in turn, asked the Canadian if he could make one like it for him.

Infinite Guitar by The Edge

Despite not being a luthier, michael brook agreed to modify a 1965 Fender Stratocaster guitar to support the technology. The only other Infinite Guitar manufactured by the Canadian was Daniel Lanoisthe other producer of The Joshua Tree — who, coincidentally, was head of Canadian at the Grant Avenue studio in Hamilton, Ontario.

While The Edge discovered how to use this new instrument, Bono because he was convinced by his friend Gavin Friday not to discard “With Or Without You” and work on it more. Aaron J. Sams account:

After a while, Bono brought the song back after working on it, Edge brought what he was working on on guitar and they put it all together. From this mix came ‘With Or Without You’. I don’t think you could go anywhere in 1987 without hearing that song on the radio.”

U2 and the explosion in America

Released on March 9, 1987, The Joshua Tree proved to be the moment in which the U2 finally broke out in the United States. The Irish band’s fifth studio album reached the top of the American charts — and “With Or Without You”which also reached the highest position in the singles ranking, served as the main working song.

The Joshua Tree It topped sales in over 20 countries when it came out and established itself as one of the most popular rock albums in history, with over 25 million copies sold. To this day, “With Or Without You” remains the most popular composition in U2with over a billion streams on Spotify.

Collaborated: Pedro Hollanda.