Zoo TV: Live From Sydney - Footage and History

Footage and History

This was the second of two consecutive concerts in Sydney. The previous night was used as a rehearsal for the video shoot; however, it is now infamous as the only U2 concert ever played without all four band members present. Adam Clayton was bed-ridden and unable to play, and was replaced by bass technician Stuart Morgan. Although on stage Bono cited a virus as the reason for Clayton's not appearing that night, it has since been revealed that Clayton was too hungover to play, as confirmed by Bono during an interview many years later. Clayton was back on stage the following night and appears in the video. Clayton no longer drinks and has cited the devastation he felt at missing the Friday concert in Sydney as his motivation for staying sober since.

Years later in a Rolling Stone interview, Bono discussed this performance and its significance to the band. Clayton’s absence the previous night had caused a real situation amongst the band members and they were all wondering what long term impact the event would have. Bono said he wasn’t sure that they would ever play live again – he realized during the show that it could be the band's last live performance. As a result, the band's performance that night is particularly emotional, especially during "With or Without You", "Love Is Blindness", "Running to Stand Still" and "Can't Help Falling in Love".