U2
12/13/80 
PARADISE, BOSTON MA, USA 


I am not one who usually writes long notes about the shows, I give the linage and transfer info I have 
and if I record the show a little bit of taping info and let the listener enjoy the show. But this one 
is different. It took me a few years to track this one down and it is one of my favorites because this 
show marked the turning point or the starting point for U2 USA and success. If you have not read 
Carter Alan’s book Outside is America U2 in the U.S. DO. I am going to paraphrase the chapter U-WHO

If you do not know, Carter Alan is WBCN (Boston biggest radio station) DJ who helped discover U2. 
Carter starts off the chapter describing the Boston rock seen and the radio seen. MIT had a college radio 
station WTBS-FM 10 watt that played new fresh underground music. WBCN was ahead if their time and hired a 
few of their DJ's to do their shows for WBCN adding new music to a more mainstream outlet. Carter was the 2nd 
DJ hired. One August summer Carter popped into a local record store as Greg (salesman and DJ at collage radio 
station) was opening a new shipment of singles from the UK. In the box was music from Sex Pistils, The Clash, 
Echo and the Bunnimen and “2 singles from a band simply called U2” They listened to A DAY Without Me and 
11 o’clock tick tock. Carter purchased A Day Without Me and brought it to his manger at WBCN who explained 
before we air new music for a band who is unknown we like to know about their records sales, local concert 
attendance, requests from callers etc. On a rare occasion you just have to listen to the music and if it was 
good play it.(U2 do not have any sales, they do not have a record and have never played in the US) Carter played U2 in his show that night. Carter
also brought the single to the college radio where it became the 2nd requested song. Carter reserved a copy of U2
UK release of BOY and took one of the 2 copies that were imported into Boston. 

WBCN was supporting a band called Barooga who was to play at the Paradise 
on DEC 13 1980. They found out an unknown Irish Band named U2 was on the bill for warm up. WBCN was going to hold
of on heavy u2 play until Boy was to be released in the US in a few month because people could not by the LP in 
the US and their were no UK copies around. Once WBCN confirmed that U2 was playing they impounded Carter’s copy 
of Boy and asked all the DJ's to freely play it.

The Paradise was crowded for an unknown warm up band and the crowd went nuts. The lights turn on and Bono looks at
the crowd surprised to see them and they start 11 o’clock. Bono states this is like being home. After "Things" Bono
says," there are a lot of people who weren’t supposed to be here." They played over their time allotment and the 
Paradise staff listening to the crowd gave them the OK for an Encore. 11 was played again. They crowd did not let up 
and the Paradise stage member ushers the surprise band back on. Bono says “ this is the first time ever” meaning 
having to do a 2nd encore for a US crowd.

After the show the crowd leaves and does not stay to here the well-promoted Barooga.
Carter goes to U2 dressing room and is introduced by a local “This is Carter Alan from WBCN and they have been 
playing your record! Four head whip around... “ Then George Skaubitus a local promotion man for Warner Brother walks
in. Warner Brothers record label will be distributing Boy for Island in the US. He enjoyed the show and the crowd
reaction toward this unknown band called U2.

WBCN and Warner Brothers taped the next Paradise shows in March. WBCN has aired the early show from time to time.
(This was uploaded on U2 torrents in the past) and Warner brother's put out a promo copy of the 2nd show called 
2 sides live and many of these track have become b-sides. (this was uploaded on dime before it called and move to dime)
[This copy is not allowd on the new dime or u2 torrents) The rest is history and there is a reason why the Irish
of Boston Loves U2 and U2 loves Boston.

Sooooo here is where it all started.

12/13/80 
PARADISE, BOSTON MA, USA 
unknown taper and equimpent. Low gen tape (very little hiss)
My tape on a TDK SA90 > Sony TCKE5000s 3 head deck lne out> PC Line in> EAC (Record WAV & TRacking) WAV> FLAC

11
cat dubn - into heart
another t
elec
thing
twil
follow
11
control

Dana