What's the average age of a U2 fan ?

[striker]

30 here. Got into them around late 2000, when I first came across that 'my vh1 awards' show on TV. Seeing Bono walk towards the stage while the band played Beautiful Day in the background was pretty memorable I think. Realized then and there that that's exactly what I've always wanted out of a band but had never gotten before--a combination of larger than life vocals, melodic and expressive sounds, a true camaraderie between mates, and a higher-than-thou type of attitude to go along with it (with a hint of pretentiousness). Once that song ended, the search was all over and I've been a fan ever since. 

[u2fanBarb...barely conscious]

I was 35 when I first got into U2- when JT came out and really got addicted to them after seeing U2360, though I wish I'd seen Zoo tv too. Now I'm almost 60, one of their oldest fans no doubt. Do wish I knew some other U2 fans though.

[Tumbling Dice]

40 years old.  I remember my older/cooler cousins buying war/red rocks and playing it all summer.  I saw live aid with them too.  I became a big fan with JT and RH (pre Internet so I never knew about its "poor reception".My friends and I in high school loved it.) When AB arrived they were cemented as my favourite band ever!

Jon

That's the funny thing about Rattle & Hum. For fans who came on board in the last 20 years, they may think Rattle & Hum was failure and poorly received, but for those of us who were in high school or college in the late 80's (I was in grade 9 when it was released) it was absolutley huge! Desire was all over the radio and MTV. Same with Angel of Harlem.

This is so true, and one reason why the Internet and the excess of information it makes available can be bad things for newer U2 fans. I bought R&H on its release day, and yeah, it was massive (all over MTV and radio, etc). It wasn't until years later that I found out it was a quote-unquote failure.

Let me add my concurring voice to this.  I bought R&H (on vinyl) on the day of release and bunked off school to do so.  Desire was the single that got me into U2 in the first place.  When R&H was first released I thought it was the best thing since sliced bread and needless to say it was played to the death.  It was only some time later that the live tracks began to grate on me and I felt they detracted from the album overall.  Today, while I still really like some studio songs on it - Heartland, Desire, AOH, AIWIY - I would rate the album amongst my least liked U2 album.

[The Exile]

40 years old.  I remember my older/cooler cousins buying war/red rocks and playing it all summer.  I saw live aid with them too.  I became a big fan with JT and RH (pre Internet so I never knew about its "poor reception".My friends and I in high school loved it.) When AB arrived they were cemented as my favourite band ever!

Jon

That's the funny thing about Rattle & Hum. For fans who came on board in the last 20 years, they may think Rattle & Hum was failure and poorly received, but for those of us who were in high school or college in the late 80's (I was in grade 9 when it was released) it was absolutley huge! Desire was all over the radio and MTV. Same with Angel of Harlem.

This is so true, and one reason why the Internet and the excess of information it makes available can be bad things for newer U2 fans. I bought R&H on its release day, and yeah, it was massive (all over MTV and radio, etc). It wasn't until years later that I found out it was a quote-unquote failure.

Let me add my concurring voice to this.  I bought R&H (on vinyl) on the day of release and bunked off school to do so.  Desire was the single that got me into U2 in the first place.  When R&H was first released I thought it was the best thing since sliced bread and needless to say it was played to the death.  It was only some time later that the live tracks began to grate on me and I felt they detracted from the album overall.  Today, while I still really like some studio songs on it - Heartland, Desire, AOH, AIWIY - I would rate the album amongst my least liked U2 album.

As Bono said about R&H's critics: "F#%k 'em, there's good chunes on there!"

He's right. And if he'd say the same of Pop he'd be even more so.

[connorfin22]

I'm 14 and I have been a fan sense I 2001...

[Sir Ken]

I suggest checking out the mighty Teens thread 

[Smee]

WOW...im suprised just how many younger fans are into the band. Just goes to prove u2 are universally appealing

[mrsamrocks2]

I'm 20, and I became a fan between Pop and ATYCLB

[julsport]

I've been a fan since the early 80s...

[eddyjedi]

28. Been a fan since 2004 when I first heard ebttrt, everything changed.

[Thunder Peel]

It's really great to see the variety of ages and experiences, especially among the younger crowd. When I became a fan back at the end of 2001 I had trouble finding people in high school (and even in college) who really shared my passion for U2. Too bad we didn't all grow up in the same area!

[Boom Cha!]

I'm 24 and I've been a fan since I was 17.

...and in that time frame they've released one studio album. 

[AliSPNfan]

I'm 48 & I've been a fan since  I heard 'New Year's Day' on the radio at work.That was '82, before 'War' was released.I've been a massive fan ever since--coming up to 30 years 

[Inishfree]

I've been a fan since the early 80s...

Same here and I am 56 yrs old. 

[imaginary friend]

By now, the average age of a U2 fan's gotta be around 40.