Historical Figure
The Edge
b. 1961
Irish and Welsh rock musician, U2 guitarist (born 1961)
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Biography
David Howell Evans, known by his stage name the Edge or simply Edge, is an Irish and British musician, singer, and songwriter. He is best known as the lead guitarist, keyboardist, and backing vocalist of the rock band U2. A member of the group since its inception, he has recorded 15 studio albums with them as well as one solo record. His understated style of guitar playing, a signature of U2's music, is distinguished by chiming timbres, use of rhythmic delay, drone notes, harmonics, and an extensive use of effects units.
Timeline
The story of The Edge, told in moments.
Born David Howell Evans in Barking, Essex, to Welsh parents. Moved to Dublin as a child. Answered a note on a school bulletin board looking for musicians. The note was posted by Larry Mullen Jr. The band became U2.
Formed what became U2 with schoolmates at Mount Temple Comprehensive School. His brother Dik was briefly in the group. The Edge taught himself guitar and gravitated toward effects pedals and delay rather than traditional technique.
The Joshua Tree sold 25 million copies. His guitar work defined the album's sound: chiming delays, atmospheric drones, minimal notes carrying maximum weight. Rolling Stone ranked it one of the greatest albums ever made.
Reinvented his sound on Achtung Baby. Swapped open, ringing tones for grinding distortion and industrial textures. The album saved U2 from becoming a nostalgia act. 22 Grammy Awards with the band and counting.
Artifacts (15)
Landscape with a Poplar and a Willow Tree at the Edge of a Pond
Jean Victor Bertin
Peasant's Hut at the Edge of a Forest
Johan Christian Dahl
The Edge of the Woods at Monts-Girard, Fontainebleau Forest
Théodore Rousseau
The Edge of the Woods, near Rambouillet
Eugène Stanislas Alexandre Bléry
Cattle and Sheep at Resting at the Edge of a Forest
George Barret, the younger
The Road at the Edge of the Forest, from Verscheyden Landtschapjes (Various Little Landscapes), Plate 4
Willem Pietersz. Buytewech|Claes Jansz. Visscher
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