This Day in History: April 16

April 16, 1985: Adam saves the day (and fans) at concert

Near-disaster as U2 plays the Centrum in Worcester, Massachusetts. During the show, Adam notices that a lighting rig has begun to slip from its location above the audience. He whispers this into Bono's ear and the band stop playing. Bono asks the crowd to move away from underneath the rig while crew climb up to fix it. Twenty minutes later, all is fixed and the show goes on.

April 16, 1997: U2 begins PopMart rehearsals in Las Vegas

U2 begins rehearsing at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas for its upcoming PopMart World Tour, which will begin 9 days later. During 8 days of rehearsals, U2 reportedly writes three new songs.

December 16, 1989: Concert: Dortmund, Germany

Playing the last of three shows in Dortmund, Germany, Bono cuts the show short when he has trouble during "Love Rescue Me." The show lasts only 75 minutes, and many in the crowd voice their anger through jeers and whistles.

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And in unrelated "day in history" news...

December 16, 1983: Huge U2 Fan Born in Ontario, Canada

That's me!!! lol

December 15, 1982: 'New Year's Day' video shoot

Prior to a show in Stockholm, U2 shoot the video for "New Year's Day" in the Swedish countryside during the day.

December 14, 1995: Bono and Edge sing Two Shots...for Sinatra

Bono and Edge appear via tape from London on a U.S. television birthday tribute for 80 year-old Frank Sinatra, singing "Two Shots of Happy, One Shot of Sad." The ceremony was recorded November 19th, so U2's segment was likely taped in the days shortly before this recording date.

December 14, 2004: U2 photo is a big hit at auction

An early photo of U2 taken by Anton Corbijn sells tonight at a Dublin auction for $12,000 (EU).

December 13, 1980: U2 debuts in Boston

U2 plays its first show at the Paradise Theater in Boston, Mass., which would soon become one of U2's breakthrough cities. They play in support of Detroit band Barooga, but most of the audience leaves after U2's set.

December 13, 2003: Bono and Edge attend Pavarotti's wedding

Bono and Edge, with their wives Ali and Morleigh, respectively, are on hand for the wedding of Luciano Pavarotti to Nicoletta Mantovani in Modena, Italy. Initial reports suggest that Bono sung for the couple during the reception, and London's Evening Standard eventually reports that Bono sang "All I Want Is You," changing the lyrics to the more topical "When the pasta has run dry/ and the wine no longer gets you high/ All I want is you."

December 13, 2004: U2 shoot Sometimes video in Dublin

U2 shoot the video for "Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own" at the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin today.

December 12, 1987: Concert: Hampton, VA, USA

For the last scheduled show of the tour, The Dalton Brothers make one more appearance but this time it's in the middle of U2's set and it's actually U2's crew dressed up as the band's alter-ego.

December 12, 1997: PopMart's U.S. run ends in Seattle

U2 plays its final U.S. PopMart show at the Kingdome in Seattle. Like most "final shows," it is a special night. The 100-foot arch is adorned with a Christmas tree, whose lights will go on and off in tune with various songs, and Bono's boxer's cape on this night is red and white -- the boxing Santa! During "Even Better Than The Real Thing," a handful of crew come on-stage behind Edge and Bono, all wearing the same muscle-man shirt Bono has worn throughout the tour. During "If You Wear That Velvet Dress," the girl Bono dances with is actually bass technician Stuart Morgan, who promptly grabs Bono's butt before leaving the stage. The show has its more poignant moments, too -- as Bono introduces "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For," U2 fan Brad Grantham, tosses his Santa cap onstage. Bono picks it up and puts it on, saying "And the Lord said, 'Humble thyself, Bono!' " Later, Bono takes a plastic container of soap bubbles from a fan and sits on the edge of the b-stage blowing bubbles as he sings. As the band heads to the main stage after "With or Without You," Bono brings two fans -- two "Wire" mailing list members -- on stage, and thanks all the fans on "Wire," many of whom have come to Seattle and crowded around the catwalk and b-stage for tonight's show. As the show ends with "Wake Up Dead Man," Larry and Adam head off-stage -- Bono and Edge are about to follow when Bono walks toward Edge, and after a brief conversation, both take their places and finish 1997 with a duet on "40." To date, PopMart has sold 1.7 million tickets, more than any concert tour of the year, and grossed the band $79.9 million for 46 shows in 37 cities.

December 11, 1979: Concert: London, England

U2 is billed as "UR" before a show at the Canning Town Bridgehouse.

December 11, 1989: Concert: Paris, France

Prior to a show in Paris, part of U2's lighting grid falls during installation and takes on the crew 40-feet down to the floor below. The rigger, Steve Witmer, suffers a fractured pelvis.

December 10, 1993: Zoo Tour concludes in Tokyo

U2 plays the final show of its Zoo TV/Zooropa/Zoomerang tour with the second of two shows in Tokyo, Japan. The nightlife, city lights, and atmosphere of Tokyo inspire Bono to call it "the capital of Zoo TV."

December 10, 1998: Edge, McGuinness attend Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Oslo

Paul McGuinness and The Edge attend Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Oslo, Norway. Bono appears in a taped, video greeting congratulating Irish peace brokers David Trimble and John Hume.

December 10, 2002: Bono and friends send gifts to HIV children in Africa

Bono is joined by U.S. Senator Bill Frist, the Reverend Franklin Graham, and others today in airlifting 83-thousand Christmas gifts to HIV positive children in Africa. The group held a news conference at Kennedy Airport in New York, where a cargo plane was loaded with the gifts. The airlift is part of Operation Christmas Child, a relief effort headed by Graham, the son of evangelist Billy Graham.

December 9, 1980: U2 plays first concert in Canada

U2 plays its first show in Canada, at Toronto's El Mocambo. Inspired and angered by the murder of John Lennon the night before, U2 play an emotional show which wins rave reviews in local media.

December 9, 2000: U2 plays for the first time on Saturday Night Live

U2 makes its first-ever appearance on the long-running U.S. variety show Saturday Night Live. The band performs "Beautiful Day" and "Elevation."

December 9, 2002: Bono and Edge debut 'The Hands That Built America'

Bono and Edge give 'The Hands That Built America' its live debut in New York City, singing the song at the after-party following the world premiere of Martin Scorsese's film Gangs of New York. The song is written for the film, and appears on the movie's soundtrack as well as on U2's Best of 1990-2000 album.

December 8, 1980: U2 in Buffalo when Lennon is murdered

U2 were in Buffalo, NY for one of their first US shows in support of the second leg of their Boy tour when former Beatle John Lennon was shot and killed by deranged fan Mark David Chapman.

December 6, 1980: U2 plays first U.S. concert

U2 plays its first U.S. show ever at the Ritz Ballroom in NYC, two days prior to the murder of John Lennon in NYC. Frank Barsalona of Premier Talent, who has booked U2 for this tour without ever seeing the band, is on hand and enthusiastically realizes he has booked a winner in U2.

December 6, 1988: Roy Orbison dies

Legendary singer Roy Orbison dies of a heart attack in Tennessee before the release of his Mystery Girl album, which would feature a track written for him by Bono and Edge, "She's a Mystery To Me."

December 3, 1980: U2 plays first concert in France

U2 plays its first show in France, at the Baltard Pavilion in Paris, in support of Talking Heads.

December 3, 1984: Concert: New York's Radio City Music Hall

The show is a fundraiser for Amnesty International's "Stop Torture Week," but the show is ironically notable for crowd violence. When fans begin leaving their seats and moving forward, security panic and one bouncer fights a fan early in the show, forcing Larry to leave the drumkit and the show to stop. During the encore, the show is again stopped twice while fans climb on stage to avoid the crush. The hall manager stops the show temporarily before Bono convinces everyone to move back. U2 finishes the show with a quick version of "40" and leave the stage.

December 3, 1997: Mexico City PopMart shown live on U.S. TV

The second of U2's two shows in Mexico City is aired live in the U.S. -- the first hour is shown on MTV while the entire concert shows on cable channel Showtime.

December 3, 2003: Bono talks about AIDS and Africa with Kaiser Health

Bono is the guest today at a "Kaiser Health Conversations" event in Washington, DC. He's interviewed by Kaiser Family Foundation Senior Visiting Fellow Jackie Judd, a former correspondent with ABC News, about the spread of AIDS in Africa. He also takes questions from the audience and individuals who watched the live webcast from around the world.

December 2, 1984: U2's first arena sell-out

U2 sell-out the Centrum in Worcester, Massachusetts, the first time they've completely sold out a U.S Arena.

December 2, 1997: Jerry Mele injured at PopMart concert in Mexico City

U2's first of two PopMart shows in Mexico City is marred by an off-stage incident -- the teenage son of Mexico's President attends the concert, and tries to leave through a restricted area of the stadium while the show is still in progress. A security guard brings the son to the ground shortly before he would've been hit by a large TV crane. That starts a fight as the President's son's bodyguards draw guns and go after security, not knowing they were only trying to save the teenager. As the President's son and his bodyguards get in their car to leave, U2's security chief, Jerry Mele, tries to stop them. The car moves slowly and Mele is dragged along as they go. He suffers severe injuries and will not be with the band when PopMart visits South America, Australia, Japan, and South Africa in the new year.

December 2, 2001: U2 wraps up Elevation Tour in Miami

The Elevation Tour ends tonight in Miami, just down the road from where it began (in Sunrise, Florida) back in March. Larry plays drums on 'Only Happy When It Rains,' the last song on Garbage's opening set. Bono stops to thank a bunch of people, including Sheila Roche, Paul McGuinness, and Chris Blackwell before 'One.' Bono ends the show by leading the crowd in the '40' chorus and singing 'Honey, I'm Coming Home!' Early estimates suggest the 113-concert tour has sold more than 2 million tickets and grossed some $160 million, half of that in U.S. receipts.

December 2, 2004: U2 performs on Jonathan Ross show

U2 makes its first ever appearance on the BBC's "Friday Night with Jonathan Ross" program. The show is taped today for airing tomorrow. U2 performs three songs and is interviewed during the program.

November 26, 1987: Concert: Baton Rouge, LA, USA

Prior to the show in Baton Rouge, U2 film the video for "Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home)."

November 26, 1993: Adam a no-show at Sydney concert

U2 plays the first of two shows in Sydney, Australia, but bassist Adam Clayton misses the show, marking the first time U2 has ever played a show without one of its members. Long-time bass technician Stuart Morgan fills in during the concert. The band originally explains that Adam is ill, but Adam would reveal in later interviews that he was unable to perform because of a severe hangover. The incident isn't taken lightly within the U2 camp, as other members of the band and management impress upon Adam that his lifestyle is jeopardizing the band's future. In some reports, Adam is given an ulitmatum to clean-up his act, or the band will call it quits.

November 26, 1997: Concert: Atlanta, GA, USA

The tributes to Michael Hutchence continue to a show in Atlanta as Bono dedicates "One" to the late INXS lead singer. U2 finishes the show with "40," played for the first time since the Lovetown Tour ended nearly 8 years ago.

November 26, 2004: Goodbye Propaganda

U2 fans around the world begin receiving letters in their mailboxes announcing the formal end of Propoganda, the band's nearly 20 year old fan club. In its place will be a membership option at U2's official web site, U2.com. The letter includes a temporary membership card with a unique ID number on the back; use of that ID number will give Propoganda members a $20 discount off the $40 yearly membership fee.

November 23, 1995: U2 wins award at MTV Europe Awards in Paris

All four band members appear on stage at the 1995 MTV Europe Music Awards to accept the award for "Best Group" as voted on by MTV Europe viewers. The event is held in Paris, and U2 is one of many artists who use the show to critize French President Jacques Chirac for recent nuclear tests conducted underwater in the Pacific Ocean.

November 23, 1997: U2 remembers Hutchence at San Antonio concert

U2's PopMart show in San Antonio is a somber one -- it's the first since the death of the band's good friend Michael Hutchence, the lead singer of INXS, two days earlier. Bono discusses his good friend during the opening strains of "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For," saying "He was a good friend, and he was one of us. We're thinking about him today." Hutchence's image appears on the video screen as Bono and Edge perform an accoustic duet on "Staring At The Sun," INXS' classic "Never Tear Us Apart" is played over the PA system as the fans exit the stadium.

November 23, 2001: U2 tips cap to World Series champs

At tonight's concert in Phoenix, Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Randy Johnson is invited on stage during "Walk On." He walks around the heart carrying the World Series trophy which his team recently won in a 7 game win over the New York Yankees.

November 23, 2002: Bono joins Bruce on stage in Miami

Bono makes a guest appearance at Bruce Springsteen's concert tonight in Miami, Fla. Bono and Dave Stewart join The Boss and the E Street Band to perform "Because the Night."

Thanks again to Jenn who posted this on U2 Graffiti Wall

November 21, 1980: U2's first Scotland show

Having already been to mainland Europe in support of the Boy album, U2 finally plays its first show in nearby Scotland, at Edinburgh's Nite Club. Bono dedicates a rare song called "Father Is An Elephant" to his father.

November 21, 1992: Concert: Mexico City, Mexico

U2 finish the Zoo TV tour with the first of four indoor shows in Mexico City, their first-ever concets in Central America. As a birthday present, the band flies in longtime friend Barry Devlin from Dublin to see the end of the tour.

November 21, 2001: U2 knocks The Beatles off their perch

U2's The Joshua Tree is named the best album ever in a poll of more than a quarter of a million music fans, ousting The Beatles from their usual spot as creators of the greatest album of all time. The poll was conducted for the music TV channel VH-1.

November 21, 2003: Bono paints a big night for Irish Hospice Foundation

An auction of 16 paintings done by Bono and his daughters Jordan and Eve for the Peter and the Wolf charity project raises $368,000 for the Irish Hospice Foundation. Bono and Ali are on hand at Christie's in New York, along with Peter and the Wolf co-collaborators Gavin Friday and Maurice Seezer.

Thanks to Jenn who posted these on U2 Graffiti Wall!

November 18, 1991: Achtung Baby delivered