Adam Clayton

2.1. Birth and family

Adam Charles Clayton was born on 13 March 1960 in Chinnor, Oxfordshire, England. He is the oldest child of Brian and Jo Clayton. His father was a pilot, initially with the Royal Air Force before transitioning to civil aviation, while his mother was a former airline stewardess. When Clayton was four years old, his family resided in Nairobi, Kenya, where his father worked as a pilot for East African Airways; Clayton fondly remembers this period as the happiest of his childhood. In 1965, when he was five, the family relocated to Malahide, located in northern County Dublin, Ireland. It was in Malahide that his brother, Sebastian, was born. The Clayton family developed a friendship with the Evans family, whose son, David Evans, would later become a co-founder of U2 alongside Clayton.

2.2. Education

At the age of eight, Adam Clayton was sent to the private junior boarding Castle Park School in Dalkey, southern County Dublin. He did not enjoy the school's environment or its emphasis on sports, finding it difficult to adjust socially. His interest in pop music was at odds with the school's rules against it, though he did join the school's "Gramophone Society," which focused on classical music. He also took piano lessons for a brief period. His introduction to popular music began around age 10, listening to rock operas such as Jesus Christ Superstar and Hair, which bridged the gap between classical and popular genres.

At 13, Clayton enrolled in the private St Columba's College secondary school in Rathfarnham, Dublin. There, he befriended students who shared an enthusiasm for contemporary pop and rock acts like The Who, The Beatles, Grateful Dead, and Carole King. Inspired by these artists, he purchased a £5 acoustic guitar from a junk shop near the Dublin quays and began learning basic chords and songs. A bunkmate at St. Columba's, John Leslie, encouraged him to join a school band where Clayton played the bass guitar for the first time. His mother bought him his own bass when he was 14, after he promised to dedicate himself to learning the instrument.

Clayton later transferred to the non-boarding Mount Temple Comprehensive School in Dublin. It was there that he met his future U2 bandmates, Paul Hewson and Larry Mullen Jr., who were also students, and reconnected with his childhood friend, David Evans.

3.1. Formation and early years of U2

In September 1976, Larry Mullen Jr. posted an advertisement on the bulletin board at Mount Temple Comprehensive School, seeking musicians to form a band. Adam Clayton attended the initial meeting and practice, as did David Evans with his older brother Richard Evans, Paul Hewson, and Mullen's friends Ivan McCormick and Peter Martin, both of whom departed the band shortly after its formation.

Initially, the band, a five-piece comprising Bono, The Edge, Mullen, Dik Evans, and Clayton, was known as "Feedback." The name was subsequently changed to "The Hype," and then to "U2" after Dik Evans' departure. In the band's nascent stages, Clayton served as its de facto manager, handling booking and logistical duties, before formally handing over management responsibilities to Paul McGuinness in May 1978. A significant rift emerged in 1981, around the release of U2's second album, October, between Clayton and McGuinness, and the other three band members. Bono, The Edge, and Mullen had become deeply involved with a Christian group and were deliberating whether rock music was compatible with their spiritual beliefs. Clayton, holding more ambiguous religious views, was less concerned by this conflict, which positioned him somewhat as an outsider within the group during this period.

3.2. U2 studio albums and tours

Adam Clayton has been a consistent presence in U2 since its inception, contributing to all 15 of their studio albums and participating in their extensive global tours. His bass playing has evolved alongside the band's sound, adapting to their stylistic shifts while maintaining a foundational role in their rhythm section.

The band's studio albums include:

• Boy (1980)
• October (1981)
• War (1983)
• The Unforgettable Fire (1984)
• The Joshua Tree (1987)
• Rattle and Hum (1988)
• Achtung Baby (1991)
• Zooropa (1993)
• Pop (1997)
• All That You Can't Leave Behind (2000)
• How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb (2004)
• No Line on the Horizon (2009)
• Songs of Innocence (2014)
• Songs of Experience (2017)
• Songs of Surrender (2023)

In 1995, following the Zoo TV Tour and the release of the Zooropa album, Clayton traveled to New York with fellow band member Larry Mullen Jr. to undertake formal training in bass guitar, as he had been entirely self-taught until that point. During this period, Clayton also contributed to U2's experimental album, Original Soundtracks 1, released under the pseudonym "Passengers."

3.3. Solo and collaborative projects

Beyond his primary role in U2, Adam Clayton has engaged in various musical projects, showcasing his versatility as a bassist and collaborator. In 1987, he, along with other members of U2, played on Robbie Robertson's self-titled album. He has also performed with Maria McKee.

In 1989, Clayton joined U2 producer Daniel Lanois and bandmate Larry Mullen Jr. on Lanois's album Acadie, where he played bass on the tracks "Still Water" and "Jolie Louise." He also contributed to Sharon Shannon's song "The Marguerita Suite" from her self-titled debut album, released in October 1991. In 1994, Clayton and Mullen played bass on Nanci Griffith's album Flyer, appearing on the songs "These Days in an Open Book," "Don't Forget About Me," "On Grafton Street," and "This Heart."

A notable collaborative effort was Clayton's and Mullen's contribution to the soundtrack for the 1996 film Mission: Impossible. They reworked the iconic "Theme from Mission: Impossible", changing its original **5/4** time signature to a more accessible and danceable **4/4** time signature. This version achieved commercial success, reaching number 8 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and earning a nomination for the Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance in 1997. Additionally, Clayton was featured on Steven Van Zandt's 1999 album Born Again Savage.

3.4. Vocal contributions and other roles

While primarily known as U2's bassist, Adam Clayton has occasionally contributed vocally and in other capacities to the band's recordings and live performances. He spoke the final verse of "Your Blue Room" on the 1995 "Passengers" album Original Soundtracks 1. Prior to this, Clayton provided live backing vocals on tracks such as "Out of Control", "I Will Follow", "Twilight", and "Bullet the Blue Sky". However, since the 1997 PopMart Tour, he has not sung live for the band.

Clayton also sang on "Endless Deep," the B-side to the 1983 single "Two Hearts Beat as One". He provided backup vocals on "I Will Follow," "Twilight," "Trip Through Your Wires", and occasionally during live performances of "With or Without You" and "Bullet the Blue Sky." His speaking voice can also be heard on "Tomorrow ('96 Version)," a re-recording of "Tomorrow" from U2's 1981 album October, which he arranged. On a few occasions, Clayton has played guitar, most notably on the song "40", where he and guitarist The Edge swapped instruments. He has also played keyboards on "City of Blinding Lights" and "Iris (Hold Me Close)".

4.1. Bass playing technique

Adam Clayton's bass guitar playing style is particularly noted for what instructor Patrick Pfeiffer termed "harmonic syncopation". This technique involves Clayton maintaining a consistent rhythm that emphasizes the eighth note of each bar, while simultaneously "anticipating the harmony by shifting the tonality" before the guitar chords change. This approach imbues the music with a distinct sense of "forward motion."

Initially, Clayton lacked formal musical training. Bono once humorously remarked that Clayton "used to pretend he could play bass," baffling the other band members with musical terminology until they realized he wasn't playing the correct notes. In U2's early years, Clayton typically played straightforward bass parts in **4/4** time, primarily consisting of steady eighth notes that emphasized the roots of chords. Over time, his playing evolved, incorporating influences from Motown and reggae. As his timekeeping improved, his bass lines became more melodic. Author Bill Flanagan observed that Clayton "often plays with the swollen, vibrating bottom sound of a Jamaican dub bassist, covering the most sonic space with the smallest number of notes," suggesting his playing style perfectly mirrors his personality: "Adam plays a little behind the beat, waiting till the last moment to slip in, which fits Adam's casual, don't-sweat-it personality."

Clayton relies on his instincts when developing basslines, making decisions on whether to align with the guitar's chord progressions or to introduce a counter-melody, and when to play an octave higher or lower.

4.2. Influences

Adam Clayton's bass playing and creative approach have been significantly shaped by a range of musicians and musical traditions. He cites bassists such as Paul Simonon, Bruce Foxton, Peter Hook, Jean-Jacques Burnel, and James Jamerson as major influences. Clayton specifically credits Jean-Jacques Burnel for his choice of instrument, stating that upon hearing Burnel's bass guitar playing in The Stranglers' song "Hanging Around," he "immediately [knew] it was going to be the instrument for [him]."

4.3. Role in U2's rhythm section

Adam Clayton's bass lines, in conjunction with Larry Mullen Jr.'s drumming, form the essential rhythmic core of U2's distinctive sound. Describing their dynamic interplay, Clayton has stated, "Larry's drums have always told me what to play, and then the chords tell me where to go." One of Clayton's most recognizable bass lines is from "New Year's Day", which originated from his attempt to play Visage's song "Fade to Grey".

5.1. Bass guitars

Adam Clayton's first bass guitar was a walnut brown Ibanez Musician, which he used extensively during the recording of U2's debut album Boy and well into the War era. Two years later, at the age of 16, he asked his father, Brian, to purchase a second-hand Precision Bass for him during a trip to New York, feeling he needed a superior instrument to master his playing. For the majority of his career, Clayton has been known for primarily using various Fender Precision and Jazz basses. His Precision basses have often been modified with a Fender Jazz neck; in an interview with Bass Player magazine, he explained his preference for the Jazz bass neck, describing it as more "lady-like" and a better fit for his left hand.

In 2011, the Fender Custom Shop produced a limited-edition signature Precision Bass designed to Clayton's specifications, with only 60 pieces made. This model featured an alder body and a distinctive gold sparkle finish. In 2014, Fender announced a signature Adam Clayton Jazz Bass guitar, which was modeled after a Sherwood Green 1965 Jazz Bass that he frequently played during the 2001 Elevation Tour.

Clayton's collection of bass guitars includes:

• Fender Precision Bass
• Fender Jazz Bass
• Ibanez Musician Bass
• Lakland Joe Osborn Signature Bass
• Lakland Darryl Jones Signature Bass (with Chi-Sonic pick-ups)
• Warwick Adam Clayton Reverso Signature Bass
• Warwick Streamer Bass
• Warwick Star Bass II
• Gibson Thunderbird Bass
• Gibson Les Paul Triumph Bass
• Gibson Les Paul 70s Recording Bass (unknown model)
• Gibson Les Paul Signature Bass
• Auerswald Custom Bass
• Epiphone Rivoli bass (featured in the "Get On Your Boots" music video)
• Rickenbacker 4001 Bass (used in the early days of U2, circa 1978-1979)
• Status John Entwistle Buzzard Bass
• Gibson RD Bass

5.2. Amplifiers and effects

For amplification, Adam Clayton initially used Ashdown amplifiers before transitioning to Aguilar amplifiers. In 2023, Fender unveiled a signature bass guitar amplifier designed in collaboration with Clayton, named the ACB 50. This amplifier is a 50-watt, all-tube combo amplifier specifically engineered to emphasize mid-range distortion.

His amplification setup includes:

• Ashdown ABM C410H-500
• Aguilar DB 750
• Aguilar DB 751 bass amp
• Aguilar DB 410 cabs
• Aguilar DB 115 cabs

6.1. Relationships and family

Adam Clayton served as the best man at Bono's wedding to Alison Hewson (née Stewart) in 1982. For many decades, Clayton remained a bachelor. In the early 1990s, he dated English supermodel Naomi Campbell, with reports of an engagement, though the relationship eventually ended. He also had a long-standing relationship with Suzanne "Susie" Smith, a former assistant to Paul McGuinness; they became engaged in 2006 but separated in February 2007.

In 2010, Clayton fathered a son with his then-partner, an unnamed French woman. By 2013, he confirmed that this relationship had concluded. On 4 September 2013, Clayton married Mariana Teixeira de Carvalho, a former human rights lawyer originally from Brazil, in a ceremony held in Dublin. Teixeira de Carvalho works as a director at Michael Werner, a prominent contemporary art gallery with locations in London and New York. On 25 July 2017, Clayton and his wife announced the birth of their daughter. In April 2024, the couple publicly announced their divorce.

6.2. Personal struggles and recovery

Clayton has been open about his past struggles, including legal issues and addiction. In August 1989, he was arrested in Dublin for possession of a small amount of marijuana. He avoided a conviction by making a substantial donation to charity, later acknowledging, "it was my own fault. And I'm sure I was out of my head - emotionally apart from anything else. But it is serious because it is illegal." He also faced a driving under the influence investigation where he dragged a police officer with his car, resulting in a license suspension.

Clayton also experienced problems with alcoholism, which reached a critical point during the Zoo TV Tour. On 26 November 1993, he was unable to perform at a show in Sydney due to a severe hangover, requiring his technician, Stuart Morgan, to fill in on bass. Following this incident, he resolved to quit alcohol, ultimately achieving sobriety in 1996 after a period of hospitalization. On 26 June 2017, Clayton received the Stevie Ray Vaughan Award at the MusiCares 13th annual MAP Fund Benefit Concert, in recognition of his dedication to assisting others in their journey towards addiction recovery.

6.3. Financial and legal matters

In 2009, the High Court ordered the assets of Carol Hawkins, Adam Clayton's former housekeeper and personal assistant, to be frozen following reports that she had misappropriated funds totaling 1.80 M EUR. At the subsequent trial, the figure of misappropriated funds was stated to be 2.80 M EUR. Hawkins denied the charges, but in 2012, she was convicted by a jury on 181 counts of theft and sentenced to seven years imprisonment.

6.4. Hobbies and other interests

Beyond his musical pursuits, Adam Clayton has several personal interests. In 1991, for the booklet accompanying U2's album Achtung Baby, Clayton famously posed for a full nude photograph, though the American release of the album featured a blurred image of his private parts. In April 2024, Clayton was featured on an episode of the BBC program Gardeners' World, where he showcased his extensive collection of camellia, magnolia, and rhododendron plants at his home in Dublin to interviewer Adam Frost. Clayton is also slated to be a presenter on the television program Ballroom Blitz, a series commissioned by RTÉ that will explore the history of Irish showbands.

7.1. Mental health advocacy

In 2011, Adam Clayton became an ambassador for the "Walk in My Shoes" facility, a mental health service based at St Patrick's Hospital in Dublin. This role highlights his commitment to advocating for mental health awareness campaigns and contributing to related charitable organizations. His public involvement helps to destigmatize mental health issues and encourages support for those seeking help.

8.1. U2 accolades

As a member of U2, Adam Clayton has shared in the band's extensive list of awards, including 22 Grammy Awards. These include seven awards for Best Rock Duo or Group, two for Album of the Year, two for Record of the Year, two for Song of the Year, and two for Best Rock Album. In March 2005, Clayton, along with the other members of U2, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility, a testament to the band's profound impact on music.

8.2. Individual recognition

Adam Clayton has also received specific individual recognition for his contributions beyond U2's collective achievements. On 26 June 2017, he was honored with the Stevie Ray Vaughan Award at the MusiCares 13th annual MAP Fund Benefit Concert. This award acknowledged his significant commitment to helping others in their journey toward addiction recovery, highlighting his personal resilience and advocacy.