U2: The Road to Pop [Paperback]

Alan Carter (Author), Carter Alan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1997

Carter Alan tracks the U2's incredible rise in America. Alan, a freelance writer and music director for WBCN Boston, one of the country's most important modern rock radio stations, has traveled extensively with U2 and hosted several syndicated radio specials with the band. Using material from years of exclusive interviews with the group and its management, he explores the chemistry between U2 and its American audience. Illustrated with photos of the group in concert and behind the scenes, "U2: The Road to POP" charts U2's progress from the fledgling performance at the tiny Paradise nightclub in Boston through 1985's legendary Live Aid appearance to the alien landscapes and technological reinvention of the band in the 1990s. Alan considers the price U2, whose aim has always been to connect with its audiences, has paid for its popularity as well as the need to challenge itself artistically while still writing music fans adore.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Alan, music director for Boston rock radio station WBCN and an early supporter of U2, updates his Outside Is America: U2 in the U.S. (Faber & Faber, 1992) in this sometimes fawning profile of what is now perhaps the world's biggest band. He covers U2's career from their first American visit in 1980, and this revision includes events since 1992, including the release of two albums and the mammoth Zooropa and Popmart tours. Most interesting is watching the band try to maintain its heralded devotion to its fans as its popularity explodes. Unfortunately, Alan often takes on the role of U2 apologist when discussing criticisms leveled against the band. Also, the U.S. bias keeps this from being a comprehensive biography. Still, this book nicely complements Bill Flanagan's in-depth look at the band during the early 1990s, U2: At the End of the World (LJ 11/15/95). Recommended for most popular music collections.?Lloyd Jansen, Stockton-San Joaquin Cty. P.L., Cal.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Faber & Faber; Rev Upd edition (September 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0571199305
• ISBN-13: 978-0571199303
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,278,503 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not the *best* U2 book.., August 24, 2001

By 

S. C. (Ann Arbor, MI United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: U2: The Road to Pop (Paperback)

Being a huge U2 fan, I read everything about them that I can get my hands on, but I gotta say I was kind of disappointed with this particular U2 book. It's mainly a collection of interview sound-bytes taken from other sources. If you want an awesome U2 book, go read U2 At the End of the World by Bill Flanagan. The Road to Pop is more of a general U2 history book, and lacks any kind of "insider" feel. If you follow the band at all, none of the stuff in this book will be news to you.

4.0 out of 5 stars A Look at U2, January 21, 2002

By 

Thomas Magnum (NJ, USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: U2: The Road to Pop (Paperback)

Carter Alan's Road to Pop takes an extensive look at U2's career from their infancy in Dublin to the recording of their first album, Boy, to their first tour of America through their last album at the time of the book's re-release, Pop. It is a fascinating look at a band who is never at a loss for words.

5.0 out of 5 stars Carter Alan's journey through U2 and the Media, August 13, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: U2: The Road to Pop (Paperback)

It is not often that a reader gets an in-depth look at one of the greatest bands in the world through the man responsible for introducing them in the United States. Carter Alan's book takes the reader through 17 years of relationships with the band. The book is based off various interviews and general views of the media towards U2 through out the years. This is a MUST-HAVE for all Carter Alan fans.