The Edge
Ireland- Early Life and Influences
- Formation of U2
- U2 Debut and Religious Struggles
- Personal Life and Relationships
- Musical Style
- Vocals and Keyboards
Early Life and Influences
David Howell Evans, better known as The Edge, was born in Essex, England, to Welsh parents, Garvin and Gwenda Evans. When he was one year old, his family relocated to County Dublin, Ireland. It was here that he attended school and developed his passion for music, taking guitar and piano lessons.
Formation of U2
After initially performing with his brother, Dik Evans, David and Dik auditioned for a band being formed by Larry Mullen Jr. Both brothers were accepted into the group, which would eventually evolve into U2. The band's final lineup and name were established in 1978, shortly after Dik Evans departed.
U2 Debut and Religious Struggles
U2 released their debut album in 1980. In 1981, during the October tour, Evans considered leaving the band due to religious concerns. However, his bandmates convinced him to stay. During this time, David was a member of the "Shalom Tigers" commune, along with fellow band members Bono and Larry Mullen Jr.
Personal Life and Relationships
On July 12, 1983, The Edge married his high school sweetheart, Aislinn O'Sullivan. They had three daughters together. In 1990, Evans and O'Sullivan separated but were unable to legally divorce due to Ireland's complex laws. Divorce was legalized in 1995, and they finalized their proceedings in 1996. During a tour, The Edge met Morleigh Steinberg, a professional dancer and choreographer. They began dating in 1993, and their first child, a daughter named Sian, was born in 1997. Their son, Levi, was born in 1999, and The Edge and Steinberg officially married in 2002.
Musical Style
The Edge's guitar playing is known for its signature low, ringing, and shimmering sounds, which he achieves in part by using classic VOX AC-30s. He extensively utilizes digital effects such as delay, reverb, and others, focusing on melody and "texture" while performing. To mimic The Edge's style, one should set a digital delay to 3/16 and adjust the settings until each note repeats two or three times.
Vocals and Keyboards
Beyond his guitar work, The Edge serves as U2's primary backing vocalist. He sang lead vocals on U2 hits such as "Under a Blood Red Sky" and "Live at Red Rocks: Under a Blood Red Sky." He is also known for his distinctive falsetto chorus on "Sunday Bloody Sunday." Occasionally, The Edge has performed lead vocals, such as on "Sunday Bloody Sunday" during the "PopMart" tour and "Party Girl" at Bono's birthday concert in Rotterdam.
The Edge has also played keyboards on occasion, having taken piano lessons as a child. He plays both guitar and piano on live versions of "New Year's Day," "The Unforgettable Fire," "Your Blue Room," and "Moment of Surrender."
