Rattle And Hum was released as a companion 2-LP set to the Phil Joanou-directed film of the same name. The album highlighted live performances from U2's successful 1987-88 Joshua Tree tour as well as additional songs recorded at Sun Studios in Memphis. A five-song CD known as Excerpts from Rattle and Hum was released in the UK in 1989. Three of the songs were live versions taken from the movie - Bad, In God's Country, and With Or Without You. The other two songs were the versions from the album - Hawkmoon 269 and God Part II. A limited edition CD was released in Mexico as part of the Serie Millennium with a different picture sleeve while a Colombian release of Rattle and Hum featured a different back cover. Stranger still, the New Zealand LP was mispressed as a black vinyl mixed with about 40% brown vinyl swirls.
The album reached No.1 in the UK. In the US, it peaked at No.1 on the album charts and No.39 on the Billboard Top Pop Catalog Albums chart. It was certified as multi-platinum by the RIAA with 5 million units sold. In Switzerland, Rattle And Hum reached No.1 on the album charts and stayed in the charts a total of 27 weeks and was certified Double Platinum. Rattle And Hum was voted Best Album by Rolling Stone readers and was nominated for a Grammy for Best Rock Group Performance. Production Credits Producer: Jimmy Iovine
'What other band in our position would learn the chords of 'All Along The Watchtower' five minutes before they went on-stage, play it live and record it ? No-one.'
Bono
'We discovered a common bond between us and some of these older artists like B.B. King. When we met him there was a whole world of understanding and nothing needed to be said. That has been the pay-off of working ten years to get into this position. We no longer have to prove ourselves. It's in the music and people can hear it.'
Adam
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