"The Edge is my favorite band member. The way he plays the guitar is so mesmerizing. I could listen to him play solos over and over again."
Tell us something about yourself, who are you and what do you do for a living?
My name is Chris Morgan and since I was 21 in 2007 I’ve done custodial work. Currently taking online courses to get into cyber security or something computer related. Getting to old for custodial these days lol!
How did you become a fan of U2, tell us how it happened?
Christmas of 1998 my older sister asked me to get The Best of 1980-1990. I heard her listening to it in her room and I believe one of the first tracks that grabbed my attention was Pride (in the name of love). I asked her if I could borrow it and heard I will Follow and from that moment on I was hooked! After the new year came around in 99’ I turned 13 and I would be doing dishes taking a break and grabbing the broom and pretend I was playing the guitar along to the song. Since then I haven’t stopped listening. Even when they release albums or songs that are so, so, to some people they’ve always had some sort of meaning to me.
Did you ever have a special U2 experience like a live concert? Can you tell us something about it?
Back in 2014 when the ‘free’ album became available to download my first wife was slowly from ovarian cancer. I downloaded it and listened to a couple of songs. She passed away the next night on September 10th 2014. It was only a couple days after when I first heard Iris (hold me close) that song to this day makes me think of her.
In your opinion, what has been U2's defining moment and why?
I would say that their concert at Red Rocks would be a defining moment. It was my first ‘live’ introduction to the band, even if it was only 12 or 13 songs. I was lucky enough to have access to a vhs copy from the local library that had The Electric Co. on it. The one I ended up buying for myself when I was 17 sadly did not include that song.
When you're forced to leave to a deserted island and you can take only one U2 album with you, which would it be?
I would take Boy. It’s got a song for just about every occasion. Fast songs to pass the time by with and slow songs to help you relax and drift off when times seem tough.
Who is your favorite band member? Has this changed over time?
I would say The Edge. The way he plays the guitar is so mesmerizing. I could listen to him play solos over and over again. Same goes for Kirk Hammett of Metallica and Brian May of Queen. Oh and Johnny Buckland from Coldplay.
What are your hopes and expectations of a future U2 album with new music?
While my hopes for a new U2 album would be something like from the 80’s I know they like to not stick with the same thing over and over. They say it may be rock album, but I also know that to them a rock album is something totally different to the fans, which I am okay with. They aren’t 25 anymore lol!
What does your U2 collection look like? What kind of stuff do you have and how is it organised?
My U2 collection has grown and shrunk over the years. I went from having every cd that was commercially available to having nothing when our Griswold family truckster was broken into after my 19th birthday in Oklahoma city. Thankfully I was able to purchase the complete U2 in 2007 and was not disappointed. Hoping some of those concerts get released again. Cough cough, the concert from the Point Depot and Boston 81. I have a few of the books that have been released as well as their remastered cd’s. majority of my content is on my ipod though. Thanks to u2songs.com I’ve been able to track down some “rare” items. 4 tracks from Chicago 05 that was released as a promo to radio I believe. 4 tracks from the rose bowl that was released the same way I think. I also have my U2.com memberships going back to 2014. I had an older U2.com account, but I lost the downloads that had been available from the U22 and Edge’s Picks subscription gifts, unless they just took those down. Hoping to expand my collection in the future.
How different is U2 compared to other artists that you like?
For me it’s always been their sound. I’ve been told before from people “Chris they could release chocolate coated crap and you’d still buy it.” Actually I wouldn’t, if they started doing that I’d stop buying stuff from them lol!
What are your hobbies and interests away from U2, musical or otherwise?
Outside of U2 I love spending time with my wife and 2 year old son when we have time to. I’ve been a Metallica fan since around the same time I was introduced to U2, just never listened to them as much until recently. Found out that they have a lot in common in their histories. Both bands were started by a drummer. Both lead singers lost their mothers when they were still teenagers. Both bands have reinvented themselves on more than one occasion. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to share my joy of this awesome band!
Thanks for this interview Cgmorgan1986!
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