Would U Take A Bullet For Your Mate? Adam Would! U2 Began Their Joshua Tree Tour In Tempe, Arizona

When U2 launched their landmark Joshua Tree Tour in Tempe, Arizona, on April 2, 1987, the band stood on the brink of superstardom. The tour would go on to redefine what a rock spectacle could be, but its opening night was just as much about loyalty, friendship, and raw intensity as it was about the music.

The now-famous phrase, “Would you take a bullet for your mate? Adam would!”, became a rallying cry that captured the spirit of the band. It was more than hyperbole. It was about Adam Clayton, U2’s bassist, whose quiet steadiness provided the backbone to the group’s soaring sound.

Tempe: The Starting Point Of A Revolution

Why Tempe? U2 chose Arizona State University’s Activity Center as the launchpad for The Joshua Tree world tour. The desert setting was symbolic, echoing the stark imagery of the album’s cover and themes, isolation, America’s mythic landscapes, and the search for meaning amid vast emptiness.

Fans that night witnessed not just a concert, but the ignition of a cultural moment. The setlist blended classics like Gloria and Pride (In the Name of Love) with powerful new songs from The Joshua Tree: Where the Streets Have No Name, I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For, and With or Without You.

The Bond Between Brothers In Arms

U2 have always prided themselves on unity, four schoolmates who grew up together in Dublin and refused to let the music industry tear them apart. Bono often spotlighted Adam Clayton as the “quiet heart” of the band, someone whose loyalty went beyond the stage. The quip about Adam “taking a bullet for his mates” wasn’t just showmanship — it reflected a bond forged over years of struggle, brotherhood, and survival on the road.

The Tour That Changed Everything

The Joshua Tree Tour would go on to span over 100 shows across North America, Europe, and beyond, elevating U2 from rising stars to one of the biggest bands in the world. Each performance combined political urgency, visual artistry, and the spiritual weight of the new album.

But it all began in Tempe, under the Arizona night sky, where four Irishmen transformed a university arena into the birthplace of one of rock’s most legendary tours.

Legacy

Today, the story of Adam’s unwavering loyalty and the band’s launch in Tempe remains part of U2’s lore. It’s a reminder that at the heart of even the biggest rock machine are friendships, tested and true, and as the saying goes, maybe even worth taking a bullet for.