The Edge
David Howell Evans ( born August 8, 1961 in Barking, London ), better known by his nickname The Edge, is the guitarist of the Irish band U2.
Life
When Evans was one year old, his family moved from London to Dublin. In 1983 he married Aislin O'Sullivan, with whom he has three daughters. In 1996 he had divorced her and married in June 2002 Morleigh Steinberg, who had appeared as a belly dancer during U2's ZOO TV tour in 1992. With her he got another daughter and a son. Politically committed the guitarist as supporters of the Citizens' Initiative Ireland for Europe 2009 for the approval of Ireland on the Treaty of Lisbon.
Music
In the high school Evans took piano and guitar lessons. He often appeared together with his brother Dick; along with it he also built an electric guitar. 1976, reported the two on a notice of Larry Mullen Jr., the musicians sought to form a rock band. This band changed its name several times, in 1978 increased Evans ' brother Dick again; shortly thereafter, the band adopted its final name U2. At the time, Evans was also named by Bono " The Edge" ( English "of the edge, the edge "). For this name, there are two possible reasons; Bono stated, the name arises from the fact that The Edge had a very sharp mind. In fandom, however, holds the view that this term alludes rather Edges clear-cut facial features.
Evans developed his own guitar style with lots of delay and echo effects, which has been a hallmark of U2. Evans ' guitar style is characterized in most songs of short, concise sound sequences, opulent solos he rarely plays.
Through his work with U2, he has already played together with other well-known musicians such as Johnny Cash, BB King, Green Day and Tina Turner. In many songs of the band U2, he also takes on backing vocals ( Beautiful Day, Zooropa, Lemon ) or, as in Stuck In A Moment You Can not Get Out Of Parts on the lead vocal. In three other ( Seconds, Van Diemen 's Land, Numb ) Evans takes over lead vocals completely. The song Numb was released as a single. Occasionally plays Evans for U2 also Keyboard (New Year's Day, Running To Stand Still, Original Of The Species, Moment of Surrender ).
Others
In 2008, the Documentation / rockumentary It Might Get Loud, the history of the electric guitar is devoted to and the three guitarists The Edge, Jack White ( The White Stripes, The Raconteurs and The Dead Weather ) and Jimmy Page ( The Yardbirds appeared and Led Zeppelin) portrays. In German cinemas the film from 27 August 2009 to see.
On 26 June 2010 he played with Muse at the Glastonbury Festival, where they Where The Streets Have No Name U2 played together.
Award
- Golden Globe for Mandela - The Long Walk to Freedom, awarded on January 12, 2014