Melody Maker, 8 February 1986: U2 – Who Will Follow? Bono and the new Irish rock special – Cactus World News, Hothouse Flowers, That Petrol Emotion; John Lydon, Beastie Boys

Melody Maker, 8 February 1986 (45p weekly; Australia $1.00, New Zealand $1.25, Malaysia $2.75, USA $2.25 by air), the British weekly music paper, with U2's Bono on the cover – photographed by Tom Sheehan under the caption 'When Irish eyes are smiling' – and a green Irish-themed masthead complete with shamrock. Cover story: 'U2 – Who will follow? Bono takes Barry McIlheney down the emerald aisles of the new Irish rock', with a four-page special featuring the Irish bands of the moment: Cactus World News, Light a Big Fire, Colenso Parade, Ruefrex, That Petrol Emotion, Blue in Heaven, The Golden Horde, The Stars of Heaven, Tuesday Blue, St Vitus Dance, Hothouse Flowers, An Uncertain Trumpet, Subterraneans and Paul Cleary. Also on the cover: John Lydon, the Beastie Boys and Hula, and live reviews of The Jesus and Mary Chain and Feargal Sharkey. Published between The Unforgettable Fire and The Joshua Tree, when U2 had become the biggest band to come out of Ireland and were championing the scene behind them, the issue is a rare survey of Irish rock in early 1986 – from Dublin acts such as Cactus World News and Hothouse Flowers, both early signings to U2's Mother Records label, to That Petrol Emotion, formed in Derry by former members of The Undertones. The writer, Belfast-born Barry McIlheney, later edited Smash Hits and was the founding editor of Empire. Published by IPC Magazines, London. Newsprint, tabloid format, about 29 x 40 cm. A collectable issue for U2 fans and for anyone interested in the history of Irish rock music. THEMES: U2, Bono, Irish rock music 1986, Hothouse Flowers, Cactus World News, That Petrol Emotion, The Stars of Heaven, Melody Maker, British music press, music memorabilia.

Author: Melody Maker

Publisher: Melody Maker/IPC Magazines

Publication Date: 1986

Binding: Single Issue Magazine

Condition: Used - Good