Adam Clayton: The Coolest Guy in the Room*

HelloAngel · 03-13-2006, 08:50 AM

By Devlin Smith, Contributing Editor
2006.03

An old friend of mine just wasn't that in to Adam Clayton. She thought the bassist was somewhat smug, more than slightly cocky. His offhand remarks just weren't her thing. She prefers Bono because of his warmth. While I'm a total Edge girl, I still dig Adam because he's cool.

One of my favorite Adam moments comes from a MuchMusic special from the Elevation Tour called "U2 Does Much" and hosted by George Stroumboulopoulos. Adam had sat quietly through most of the interview, as he so often does, letting Bono and Edge do most of the speaking.

A few segments in, Stroumboulopoulos asked Adam about any inspiration he's had from fans. Seated, as everyone else was, on a backless stool, Adam slowly brought the mic to his face and said, "Do you have a chair with a straight back? These are really uncomfortable. But what were you saying? It sounded very interesting."

(Image: U2.com)

Disarmed, Stroumboulopoulos tried to get his footing back, re-asking the question. Adam looked at him and said, "I'm a bass player, I don't worry about stuff like that."

That's the moment that truly made me an Adam fan. Of course he doesn't worry about stuff like that because, it seems, Adam doesn't worry about much. Watching Adam on stage and in interviews, he knows who he is and is perfectly happy off to the side, doing his thing.

If I could learn anything from Adam, it would be to live that effortlessly, to not be so wound up in saying or doing the right thing. Bono refers to Edge as being the Zen master but I believe it's Adam who's the closest to that blissful state as he circles the Vertigo stage, does fashion spreads for Rolling Stone or floats in the Ganges on holiday. Adam's found his niche, his place in the world, and seems to be perfectly content.

On his 46th birthday, wherever he is and whatever he's doing, I'm sure Adam's found bliss.

**Bonochick** · 03-13-2006, 10:18 AM

Diane L · 03-13-2006, 10:45 AM

Yes, this is a man who seems very comfortable with himself these days. He glows with good health and vitality, which in turn has gained him new female fans who are swooning over this Silver Fox!

Me, I've had a crush on the man for over three years.

Happy birthday to our favorite bassman!!!

U2 Beginner · 03-13-2006, 11:04 AM

AdamGroupie · 03-13-2006, 12:46 PM

Meaning...

Happy Birthday ADAM!! ADAM-N YOU FINE on your Birthday Baby!!

RAWR!!

-DD*

U2bpbear24 · 03-13-2006, 02:12 PM

scha · 03-13-2006, 03:20 PM

Quote:

On his 46th birthday, wherever he is and whatever he's doing, I'm sure Adam's found bliss

May this bliss last forever!

Carmelu2fan · 03-13-2006, 07:39 PM

Here -Here!! Three Cheers for Adam Clayton!!

marvelousthings · 03-13-2006, 07:52 PM

:O

He did a fashion spread for Rolling Stone?!
Whoa. What did I miss?!

&yes. Adam is the coolest guy in the room. He's just so aloof!

julianamendoza · 03-14-2006, 01:34 PM

beautifully written.. thank you!
happy birthday adam!

BonoIsMyMuse · 03-14-2006, 09:12 PM

The biggest thing Adam has taught me is not to try to change myself to conform to what I think others want me to be. Seeing him onstage this year, sounding and looking (

) his best, having so much fun, made me realize that we all come into our own if we're patient enough to wait.

Thanks for the lesson, Adam. I think it's one I definitely needed.

Good article

love_u2_adam · 03-14-2006, 10:59 PM

that's funny

, yes Adam is very much to him self, and hes very laid back

i love it!!!!!

kisses to ads

ADAM

siobhan ioannou · 03-29-2006, 05:26 AM

After reading you story ive gone back over photos, live concert DVDs and those painful to watch vh1 specials from the country of sour milk and runny honey and have come to the conclusion that Adam looks totally boooored with the whole situation. I think it will be a while before we see another U2 album or concert (however we - Australia- are still waiting for word). I really believe there will always be Bono and Edge however im not so sure about "moody and pretty boy. Does anyone share my thoughts??? Dont get me wrong when there album comes out i love it and am bursting for the next, but somehow i think its really running out of green white and orange steam. And as for Bono your pretty much a saint and thats fine but if you do your one and only interview in Australia can you at least talk more about the band and the music and less about what wrong in the world, we know, we get it.

03-13-2006, 08:50 AM	#1
HelloAngel ONE love, blood, life Premium Gold Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: new york city Posts: 14,538 Local Time: 09:13 AM Images: 10	Adam Clayton: The Coolest Guy in the Room* By Devlin Smith, Contributing Editor 2006.03 An old friend of mine just wasn't that in to Adam Clayton. She thought the bassist was somewhat smug, more than slightly cocky. His offhand remarks just weren't her thing. She prefers Bono because of his warmth. While I'm a total Edge girl, I still dig Adam because he's cool. One of my favorite Adam moments comes from a MuchMusic special from the Elevation Tour called "U2 Does Much" and hosted by George Stroumboulopoulos. Adam had sat quietly through most of the interview, as he so often does, letting Bono and Edge do most of the speaking. A few segments in, Stroumboulopoulos asked Adam about any inspiration he's had from fans. Seated, as everyone else was, on a backless stool, Adam slowly brought the mic to his face and said, "Do you have a chair with a straight back? These are really uncomfortable. But what were you saying? It sounded very interesting." (Image: U2.com) Disarmed, Stroumboulopoulos tried to get his footing back, re-asking the question. Adam looked at him and said, "I'm a bass player, I don't worry about stuff like that." That's the moment that truly made me an Adam fan. Of course he doesn't worry about stuff like that because, it seems, Adam doesn't worry about much. Watching Adam on stage and in interviews, he knows who he is and is perfectly happy off to the side, doing his thing. If I could learn anything from Adam, it would be to live that effortlessly, to not be so wound up in saying or doing the right thing. Bono refers to Edge as being the Zen master but I believe it's Adam who's the closest to that blissful state as he circles the Vertigo stage, does fashion spreads for Rolling Stone or floats in the Ganges on holiday. Adam's found his niche, his place in the world, and seems to be perfectly content. On his 46th birthday, wherever he is and whatever he's doing, I'm sure Adam's found bliss.

03-13-2006, 10:18 AM	#2
Bonochick Halloweenhead Forum Moderator Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Cherry Lane Posts: 39,891 Local Time: 09:13 AM	__________________ "Will he jump out of the internet and punch her face?" Bonochick [at] interference.com

03-13-2006, 10:45 AM	#3
Diane L Second Lifer Premium Gold Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Somewhere in my Second Life Posts: 7,727 Local Time: 09:13 AM	Yes, this is a man who seems very comfortable with himself these days. He glows with good health and vitality, which in turn has gained him new female fans who are swooning over this Silver Fox! Me, I've had a crush on the man for over three years. Happy birthday to our favorite bassman!!! __________________ Where is the love? Where is the love? Love & Peace!

03-13-2006, 12:46 PM	#5
AdamGroupie The Fly Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: OC Rail on Adam's side Posts: 79 Local Time: 02:13 PM	HIPPO BIRDY!! Meaning... Happy Birthday ADAM!! ADAM-N YOU FINE on your Birthday Baby!! RAWR!! -DD*

03-14-2006, 09:12 PM	#11
BonoIsMyMuse In A Sea Black With Ink Premium Gold Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Ithaca, NY Posts: 4,587 Local Time: 09:13 AM Images: 14	The biggest thing Adam has taught me is not to try to change myself to conform to what I think others want me to be. Seeing him onstage this year, sounding and looking ( ) his best, having so much fun, made me realize that we all come into our own if we're patient enough to wait. Thanks for the lesson, Adam. I think it's one I definitely needed. Good article __________________ And I must be an acrobat To talk like this and act like that. And you can dream, so dream out loud And don't let the bastards grind you down.

03-13-2006, 11:04 AM	#4
U2 Beginner New Yorker Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Luton, England Posts: 3,123 Local Time: 02:13 PM Images: 16

03-13-2006, 02:12 PM	#6
U2bpbear24 Acrobat Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 484 Local Time: 09:13 AM

03-13-2006, 07:39 PM	#8
Carmelu2fan Rock n' Roll Doggie FOB Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: LOST Posts: 8,298 Local Time: 08:13 AM Images: 35	Here -Here!! Three Cheers for Adam Clayton!!

03-13-2006, 07:52 PM	#9
marvelousthings Babyface Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Ventura, CA Posts: 12 Local Time: 06:13 AM	:O He did a fashion spread for Rolling Stone?! Whoa. What did I miss?! &yes. Adam is the coolest guy in the room. He's just so aloof!

03-14-2006, 01:34 PM	#10
julianamendoza The Fly Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: toronto Posts: 231 Local Time: 09:13 AM	beautifully written.. thank you! happy birthday adam!

03-14-2006, 10:59 PM	#12
love_u2_adam Let's Do Some Stupid Shit Premium Silver Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Heaven In Alberta, Where We Got All Hell For A Basement Posts: 21,634 Local Time: 07:13 AM Images: 9	that's funny, yes Adam is very much to him self, and hes very laid backi love it!!!!! kisses to ads ADAM

03-29-2006, 05:26 AM	#13
siobhan ioannou Babyface Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: melbourne Posts: 1 Local Time: 02:13 PM	After reading you story ive gone back over photos, live concert DVDs and those painful to watch vh1 specials from the country of sour milk and runny honey and have come to the conclusion that Adam looks totally boooored with the whole situation. I think it will be a while before we see another U2 album or concert (however we - Australia- are still waiting for word). I really believe there will always be Bono and Edge however im not so sure about "moody and pretty boy. Does anyone share my thoughts??? Dont get me wrong when there album comes out i love it and am bursting for the next, but somehow i think its really running out of green white and orange steam. And as for Bono your pretty much a saint and thats fine but if you do your one and only interview in Australia can you at least talk more about the band and the music and less about what wrong in the world, we know, we get it.

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