Larry Mullen has revealed that he will require surgery.
The U2 drummer added that should the band go on tour next year, they may have to do so without him.
In his first interview for seven years, Larry Mullen spoke to the Washington Post, where he stated that he has been suffering from the effects of a lifetime playing the drums.
He added that he will require surgery in order to continue playing with the band.
“lots of bits falling off”
Speaking to the publication, Larry Mullen spoke about his future with the band, and his surgery requirement.
“I have lots of bits falling off, elbows, knees, necks, and so during Covid, when we weren’t playing, I got a chance to have a look at some of these things”, Mullen said. “So, there’s some damage along the way”.
He added, “So, I’d like to take some time, which I will do to get myself healed and I really enjoy playing and I enjoy the process of playing and being in the company of creative people. I enjoy that. I don’t care if that’s big or small. It’s a bit like the sprout looking for water”.
“having the best time”
Elsewhere, Larry Mullen also explained how U2’s dynamics have changed since they achieved superstardom.
He also added that decisions would be made by what they called the “politburo”.
“You only do this if you’re having the best time,” Mullen told The Washington Post. “And not everyone is going to make it because the price is so high”.
“So I think the challenge is for more generosity. More openness to the process. I am autonomous and I value my autonomy”.
“You only do this if you’re having the best time,” Mullen told The Washington Post. “And not everyone is going to make it because the price is so high.
“So I think the challenge is for more generosity. More openness to the process. I am autonomous and I value my autonomy”.
The band’s frontman Bono also stated that they came close to splitting up on several occasions.
“We come close to breaking up much more often than you’d think”, Bono said.
“Usually after the really good albums, because they cost you in personal relationships because you’re pushing each other and get really at your elastic limit”.
The frontman also hinted to U2’s upcoming album.
“The country’s changed for a group like U2,” he said. “But I have a feeling that we have something. That if we can distill it on these next sessions, this unreasonable guitar record that we all want to make actually, I just feel there’s a moment … I don’t know if you can capture people for a whole album”.
“But what if it was just an EP or just one song that could burst through? We don’t need it on the pop charts. We don’t. But we need people to pass it around. I think we do want that”.
Earlier this month, fellow U2 colleague The Edge revealed that he almost quit the band over religious belief. More on this here.
