U2, rock band: Dysfunction pushes us

“Dysfunction is a challenge but a strength as well, because it's made us have to find unique ways to utilise our instruments and work together. So it's sort of been a guiding light in some ways, the limitations of the band, but we are in this place where musically where we don't know what is about to happen. It can fall apart or it could become something extraordinary. And that's the beauty of U2 - the lack of orthodoxy and formality and predictability.”

Mark Savage meets legendary Irish rock band U2.

The group was formed at Mount Temple Comprehensive in Dublin back in 1976, with the current line-up of vocalist Bono, guitarist The Edge, bassist Adam Clayton and drummer Larry Mullen Jr., coming together just two years later.

Within a decade, they had gone from local post-punk band to one of the world’s biggest rock acts. They enjoyed a string of global hits such as "Pride (In the Name of Love)", "With or Without You", and "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For", and lined up alongside the likes of Elton John, Queen and David Bowie to perform at Live Aid in 1985.

Now, as they mark their 50th anniversary with the release of their 16th studio album, Carnaval de Luz, U2 are recognised as one of the biggest-selling musical acts of all time, with estimated record sales north of 170 million.

But despite enjoying global success across five decades, getting it right doesn’t always come easy. The Interview brings you conversations with people shaping our world, from all over the world. The best interviews from the BBC, including episodes with other music icons such as Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder and Chaka Khan. You can listen on the BBC World Service on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 0800 GMT. Or you can listen to The Interview as a podcast, out three times a week on BBC Sounds or wherever you get your podcasts.

Presenter: Mark Savage Producers: Ben Cooper, Anisa Sudebar and Jonathan Sumberg Editors: Farhana Haider and Damon Rose

Get in touch with us on email TheInterview@bbc.co.uk and use the hashtag #TheInterviewBBC on social media.

(Image: U2. Credit: Getty)