In the first episode of the new series of The Works Presents, John Kelly meets with U2 bass player Adam Clayton. Known for his role in one of the biggest groups in music history, Adam is also a serious connoisseur of the arts.
Watch The Works Presents: Adam Clayton here.
In this candid interview, Adam reflects on punk's influence upon the early days of U2 in the mid '70s - bands such as The Sex Pistols and The Stranglers were of central importance to the fledgling band, whilst Irish musicians such as Rory Gallagher and Phil Lynott were of massive personal relevance to Adam developing his craft as a bass player.
The interview furthers its scope when Adam and John discuss the impact that touring the world in the '80s had on his appreciation of the arts. He explains that visiting various galleries, being exposed to other cultures and styles of architecture brought him to understand the bigger conversation art is having with itself. For Adam, this deepened a passion for art he has had since he was a child, and one which he maintains to this day by way of interviewing various artists for his column in GQ Magazine, where he currently serves as a Contributing Arts Editor.
Other topics covered in the interview include a discussion of how a band such as U2 can continue to be relevant, and how Adam's own his bass playing has evolved over time, both in studio settings and live arenas, ahead of U2's return to the fray this summer with a 30th anniversary revisiting of their classic album The Joshua Tree.
This episode is a must-see for lovers of rock, visual art and popular culture with John discovering what makes Adam Clayton such an important figure in the music world. His unique insight will leave the audience wanting more.
The Works Presents, from Tuesday 31st January, RTÉ One @ 23:10 - watch previous episode in the series here.
