Classic Albums: U2 - The Joshua Tree

Plot Summary

Released in March 1987, U2's The Joshua Tree quickly became the fastest-selling album in British chart history, selling almost 250,000 copies within its first week of release. In the US it was equally as successful, topping the Billboard album chart for nine weeks, spending 58 weeks in the Top 40 there, and earning a Grammy Award for Album of the Year. The Joshua Tree gave birth to several major hit singles including With Or Without You and I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For, both of which reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US, and Where The Streets Have No Name. The album The Joshua Tree marked a watershed in U2's already-burgeoning career. Apart from winning several Grammy Awards (including for Best Rock Performance) the band also won a BRIT Award for Best International Group. The album is now recognised as an all-time rock classic. The story of the making of The Joshua Tree is told here, via interview and archive film footage, with contributions from band members Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen. U2's long-time manager Paul McGuiness reveals how the album catapulted the band into the category of rock superstars, and there are contributions from re-mix producer Steve Lillywhite, co-producer Brian Eno and Elvis Costello among others. Here we learn the true story from Brian Eno of how the master tape for Where The Streets Have No Name was almost destroyed, and how a forgotten birthday resulted in one of U2's best ever songs. Packed with reminiscences and powerful performances, this is the story of a true classic rock album.