Adam Clayton

Adam Charles Clayton (born March 13, 1960 in Chinnor, Oxford, England), is the British bass player for the Irish rock band, U2. Often refered by Bono as the poshest member of the band, Adam is well known for his bass playing on songs like Where the Streets Have No Name, New Years Day, and With or Without You.

Biography

Adam was born the eldest child of Brian, an RAF pilot, and Jo Clayton in Oxfordshire, England on 13th March 1960.

Related Topics:
RAF - Oxfordshire - 1960

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At the age of 5, the family moved to Yellow Walls Road in Malahide near Dublin, where sister Sarah and brother Sebastian were born.

Related Topics:
Malahide - Dublin

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Adam attended private boarding school St. Columba's in Rathfarnham, but hated it. Being a bit of a hippy, Adam's freewheeling personality was at odds with the structured environment. He later switched to Mount Temple High School (Ireland's first ecumenical school,) where he was to meet U2 bandmates Paul "Bono" Hewson, Dave "The Edge" Evans and Larry Mullen Jr. Mullen had posted an advertisement for musicians. Adam ignored it at first, believing it was a school-sponsored event. When he discovered that it wasn't, he showed up at the first practice, which also included Dik Evans, Dave's older brother. When Dik Evans left, the fledgling band that would become U2 was created. They were known first as Feedback, then The Hype. He also served as the band's first manager before Paul McGuinness, a more experienced manager, was hired.

Related Topics:
St. Columba's - Rathfarnham - U2 - Bono - The Edge - Larry Mullen Jr - Paul McGuinness

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Adam's ambiguous religious beliefs caused a rift with his three outspoken Christian bandmates which peaked between the time of their second album, "October" (1982) and their third album, "War" (1983) Reportedly Adam Clayton was being treated as a bit of an outsider until manager Paul McGuinness came to his aid. To smooth over the rift, Adam was asked to be Bono's best man at his wedding.

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In 1986, U2 recorded what is considered by many to be their first masterpiece: 1987's The Joshua Tree album, at Danesmoate House. Adam later bought the home for approximately E380,000. It is hidden away behind Taylors Pub on Kellystown Road, Rathfarnham.

Related Topics:
The Joshua Tree - Danesmoate House - Taylors Pub - Rathfarnham

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Adam's name made world headlines in August 1989 when he was arrested in Dublin and charged with possession of a small amount of cannabis. He avoided a conviction by making a sizable donation to charity.

Related Topics:
1989 - Dublin - Cannabis

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