Lawrence Joseph Mullen, Jr. was born in the part of Dublin known as Artane on October 31, 1961 to parents Lawrence, Sr. and Maureen.

Larry, as he was called, first became interested in music by following the influence of his sister who played the piano. At the age of nine, Larry decided that he too would take up the piano. This, however, did not work out for the aspiring young musician, and just as he was ready to abandon his musical career altogether, Larry found his calling: drums.

Larry took lessons under a man named Joe Bonnie, and soon, much to his own shock, was given his very own drum kit. Once Larry learned how to play, he joined the Artane Boys' Band, but this was not for him. As the story goes, Larry was asked to cut his hair several times, and, let's face it, no one tells Larry what to do. After leaving the Artane Boys' Band, Larry entered the Post Office Workers' Union Band, which he much more enjoyed and with whom he was able to march in a St. Patrick's Day Parade. Many of the skills Larry developed in the Post Office Workers' Union Band can be clearly heard in such songs as "Sunday Bloody Sunday" and much of the War album.

When Larry entered Mount Temple High School at the age of fourteen, he soon found himself in search of forming a rock band. Larry posted a note at school that requested anyone interested in joining, and soon he would find himself face-to-face with his soon-to-be bandmates that would take him on a journey that would leave him more than famous.

Though Larry officially started the band, Paul Hewson would emerge as the leader. As later told by Larry, "I spent all my pocket money on drum kits, and suddenly you get to the stage after playing in your bedroom for 6 months, so you wonder where to go, y'know. I had heard of this fellow called Paul Hewson, he was very notorious. And there was Adam, cos Adam was the new boy in town. And he used to wear this fantastic afghan coat, that's how I knew
Adam."

Soon, The Larry Mullen Band, with a few members departing and name changes, called itself U2 and consisted of Larry, Paul "Bono" Hewson, Dave "The Edge" Evans, and Adam Clayton. Though the road to fame and fortune was not always smooth, Larry and the band would eventually enjoy the success that they always deserved.

Larry's true love awaited in his high school sweetheart, Ann Acheson, who Larry has lived with for almost twenty years. Larry and Ann have three children.

Anyone who knows anything about Larry knows that he loves Harleys, Elvis, and his dogs.

One of Larry's best musical characteristics is that, much like Edge, his style is very unique. Whether he is banging away militaristically, as heard on "Seconds" or pounding out the maniacal rhythms heard on "Acrobat," Larry's sound is innovative, definitive, and fresh.

 

Other info:

Children: Aaron Elvis [October 4, 1995], Ava [December 23, 1998], a baby born early 2001 whose name is yet to be known (though many speculate that it probably begins with an A)