Live Reviews

The 40 greatest concerts in Boston history: 8

U2 | the Paradise Rock Club | March 6, 1981

By PHOENIX STAFF | October 25, 2006

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Ted Williams hit his final home run in his last at-bat in Fenway Park in 1960. Only 10,454 witnessed it. Millions said they did in coming years. When U2 opened for Barooga Bandit in 1981 at the Paradise, fewer than 500 people were there — nearly all for U2 — but 50,000 more will tell you that they were. “The buzz at that point was out on U2,” says David Bieber, who really was at the show. Their Boy album had risen out of England’s post-punk scene, chockablock with yearning anthems. And Boston was one of the first places that they’d begun to make inroads. “They had come to America,” Bieber says, “and they were getting some acceptance on FM radio. There was the raw enthusiasm, the sheer excitement of the band, and the fact that they clearly outshone the headliners. I spotted Bono’s charisma, the energy was so apparent. You knew there was a destiny in play here.” It was the last time U2 would be opening for anyone in this town.

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Topics: Live Reviews , U2 , Bono (Musician) , David Bieber , More

Comments

The 40 greatest concerts in Boston history: 8

You have the date wrong. I was there and it was December 13, 1980 when U2 opened for Barooga. It was a a few days after Lennon was killed and Bono referenced it a few times, very emotional. I didn't stick around to see Barooga. Same with many, many other people. Apparently, when Barooga came out, both they and U2 were shocked that the place had nearly cleared out. The March 1981 date you referenced was 1 of 2. U2 headlined, they didn't open for anyone. These dates were their 2nd and 3rd at the Paradise, but the 12/13/80 date was the first.

By Shyla on 10/28/2006 at 4:18:24

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