U2 kicks of their American dream, underneath a DC Freeway

In October of 1980, U2 releases their debut album ‘Boy’. To months later, the band is already in the United States, for a handful of support gigs on the east coast. Second stop is at The Bayou in Washington DC on December 7, where U2 is opening for the DC punk band Slickee Boys. But when the venue promoter realizes that U2’s debut album is starting to sell quite well, he swaps the support for the main act.

But U2’s first show on the tour, is at The Ritz the day before, where they are opening for the band 3-D. Attending the gig that night is three important people for U2’s future; the concert promoter Frank Barsalona, the man whom had booked the 9 support gigs for U2, without even seeing them perform. He’s also the man responsible for both The Beatles and The Rolling Stones first American tours, as well as being the booking agency for both Led Zeppelin and Bruce Springsteen. In the following years, he becomes an important factor, in making U2 the big live act they became in the 80’s.

Also present at the Ritz show, is Ellen Darst from Warner Brothers, who is the American distributor for U2’s record company. Darts is at the gig to report back to the label, how much time and money they should spend on promoting the band in the States. Darts later gets a job in U2’s management company and becomes part of the band’s inner circle.

The last person in the audience significant for the future of U2, is Rolling Stone Magazine writer, Jim Henke. The following month after attending the Ritz show, he is on a plane to London, to meet and interview the band for the magazine. On February 19, 1981, the issue of Rolling Stone hits the shelves with a headline that says; ‘U2: Here Comes the Next Big Thing’! It’s a confident Bono that states in the interview; “Right now, the word is ‘go!’ for U2. It is my ambition to travel to America and give it what I consider it wants and needs.”

Not even a month later, the band is back in the States, now headlining! On March 3, they kick off their 4th leg of their Boy tour, with two sold out shows on the same day at The Bayou. The ticket price for admittance is $3 and DC’s own Slickee Boys are the support once again – but this time, however, it is planned in advance!

Not even a month later, the band is back in the States, now headlining! On March 3, they kick off their 4th leg of their Boy tour, with two sold out shows on the same day at The Bayou. The ticket price for admittance is $3 and DC’s own Slickee Boys are the support once again – but this time, however, it is planned in advance!

The tour is spread across North America and brings U2 to as many as 61 venues in three months. The band ends on Fast Lane in Asbury Park, three months after their arrival in the States. The American dream has just begun for the band!

* Give the original Rolling Stone interview from 1981 a read!

** Unofficial releases of the U2 Bayou concerts do exist out there!

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by Dennis Mejdal 2020