On this day March 9 1987 U2 released their fifth studio album The Joshua Tree a record that would become one of the most successful and influential albums of all time. The album featured a powerful mix of rock and socially conscious lyrics capturing themes of American culture and personal struggles.
The Joshua Tree was a massive commercial success hitting number one in the US UK Canada France Germany the Netherlands Switzerland and New Zealand. It went on to sell over 25 million copies worldwide and won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year. Featuring iconic hits like With or Without You and I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For the album cemented U2’s status as one of the biggest bands in the world.
80s insight: The album cover was shot in California’s Mojave Desert but the actual Joshua tree used in the photoshoot is located in Death Valley National Park.