Larry Mullen Jr. | |
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Mullen in 2015
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Background information | |
Birth name | Laurence Joseph Mullen Jr. |
Born |
Artane, Dublin, Ireland |
31 October 1961
Genres | Rock, post-punk, alternative rock |
Occupation(s) | Musician, drummer, songwriter, actor |
Instruments | Drums, percussion, vocals, synthesiser |
Years active | 1976–present |
Associated acts | U2, Automatic Baby, Passengers |
Laurence Joseph "Larry" Mullen Jr. (born 31 October 1961) is an Irish musician and actor, best known as the drummer of the Irish rock band U2. A member of the band since its inception, he has recorded 13 studio albums with U2. Mullen was born and raised in Dublin, and attended Mount Temple Comprehensive School, where, in 1976, he co-founded U2 after posting a message on the school's notice board. His drumming style developed from his playing martial beats in a childhood marching band, the Artane Boys Band. Some of his most famous contributions to the U2 catalogue include "Sunday Bloody Sunday", "Pride (In the Name of Love)", "Where the Streets Have No Name", "Zoo Station," "Mysterious Ways", and "City of Blinding Lights".
Mullen has worked on numerous side projects during his career, including a collaboration with Michael Stipe and Mike Mills of R.E.M. to form Automatic Baby in 1993 and working with bandmate Adam Clayton on the re-recording of the "Theme from Mission: Impossible" in 1996. Through his work with U2, Mullen has received 22 Grammy Awards. In 2016, Rolling Stone ranked Mullen the 96th-greatest drummer of all time.
As a member of the band, he has been involved in philanthropic causes throughout his career, including Amnesty International. He has sporadically acted in films, most notably in Man on the Train (2011) and A Thousand Times Good Night (2013).