NEW DONATION: Limited Edition 12” of U2’s first single; 3.

Just in time for St Patrick’s Weekend we’re adding a new donation to the Irish Rock N Roll Museum into our U2 Room. The new addition is a particularly unique copy of U2’s first single “3”.

How Andrew Got His Copy

“Back in 1979, I was one of those many Dublin teenagers that used to go see U2 and others at the Dandelion Market for just 50p on a Saturday afternoon. When U2 announced that they were releasing their first piece of vinyl I joined the queue outside Advance records, just beside Dandelion and got a copy of the 12inch limited edition” Andrew Styles, the U2 Record Owner and donator. “There were only 1,000 issued from just a couple of independent record stores in Dublin.”(Photo Credit: Advance Records Patrick Brocklebank Source: https://eamondelaney.wordpress.com/2013/10/29/when-dublin-was-full-of-punks-and-mods/ )

About This Donation

This 12 inch record which is number 519, of 1,000 records is a highly sought after collector’s item. It was only available to purchase in Ireland. Each record was hand pressed and individually numbered by Jackie Hayden, the Marketing Manager of CBS Records in Ireland at the time. CBS Records was the former name of Sony Records Ireland and is emblazoned on the vinyl cover. Jackie Hayden, who also signed U2 to CBS records joined Hot Press Magazine in 1983 and later became their General Manager.

What’s interesting about this vinyl record is that Jackie Hayden etched the names of the members of the band onto both sides of each vinyl. Scratches on the vinyl, number 519, donated to the Museum are:

• CBS U2 3 V3-1 BANG BONO ADAM THE EDGE LARRY

• There’s even a stick boy scratched on one side of vinyl 519.

(Photo Credit: Laoise Keaveney The Irish Rock ‘N’ Roll Museum Experience)

U2 3 Vinyl Background Information

• This vinyl record was the first EP U2 released as U2.
• The U2 3 record was released 22 September 1979.
• It sold out in Ireland in a day.
• The record was produced by Chas de Whalley of CBS Records and remixed by The Boomtown Rats soundman Robbie McGrath.
• The R.R.P was £1.49
• It was recorded in Ireland in Windmill Lane Recording Studios.
• The Vinyl consists of three songs:

1. Out of Control
2. Stories for Boys
3. Boy/Girl

• Out of Control was written by Bono on his 18th birthday. He was quoted in Hot Press in October 1979 speaking of the song: “Out Of Control is about waking up on your eighteenth birthday and realizing that you’re 18 years old and that the 2 most important decisions in your life have nothing to do with you – being born and dying.”

About Andrew Styles and how the donation made it’s way to the Irish Rock ‘N’ Roll Museum

Andrew Styles is a big music fan and visited the Museum with his son when U2 played Croke Park last summer. It was the first time his son had seen U2 play live and they popped into the Irish Rock ‘N’ Roll Museum during their visit home. They noticed during their visit that we didn’t have a copy of the highly sought after Vinyl record and as their copy was in a storage unit in Wales they decided to work out what was the best way to have it displayed. The Vinyl record is now hanging proudly on the wall of our U2 room and is a unique part of Irish Music History. Mr Styles is of the opinion that it’s time would be better spent on the walls of the Irish Rock Museum where fans can see it’s unique beauty rather than in a storage container in Wales. We’re of the same opinion!

Donations to the Irish Rock ‘N’ Roll Museum Experience

If you would like to donate to the Irish Rock N Roll Museum and tell us of your unique memorabilia we can guarantee you that we will give your prized possessions a safe place and an eager audience. We are passionate about retaining Irish Music Culture and telling the unheard stories of the Irish Music Scene. If you would like to be a part of music history and know more about the benefits of being a donator please get in touch.

A Paddy’s Weekend to Remember

Celebrate your St Patrick’s Weekend in style you can book in your tour and visit the Museum. Dublin U2 Tribute band Zooropa are playing the Button Factory March 16th. If you take a tour on either March 15th or 16th you will automatically be entered into the draw for two tickets and backstage passes to rock out with the band!

Still wondering what to do on Paddy’s Day? The Button Factory will be showing the Rugby on the largest Screen in Temple Bar and we’ll be running tours all day. Then in the evening Superfreak will be playing The Button Factory with a Grand Slam Funk Paddy’s Weekend.