Adam's Acceptance Speech


I feel base-less. Okay, yesterday it was my 45th birthday. That's a
fine age to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. That
means 25 years ago, we released our first recording. That means 29
years ago, we all met and formed our band. Thirty years ago, I got my
first bass guitar or, as I thought, the guitar with only four strings.
I had no idea what a bass was. I had not heard of Duck Dunn, Jack
Bruce, John Entwhistle, or Bootsy Collins. I just knew that I had a
weapon and a shield to take on the world.


When we all got together in Larry's kitchen, we didn't know about the
great  traditions of American music, we didn't know the blues or soul
or R&B  or country -- but we did know that together we had a chance to
change the  world by making a noise. This was punk and it saved my
ass.


We needed someone to get us gigs and to pay for demos. We met Paul
McGuinness and he became our manager. Next we needed a record deal. We
were turned down by many people until Nick Stewart offered us a deal
at Island Records. This was the start of a long relationship with
Island. Many people along the way helped us develop and grow.



We made three records with Steve Lillywhite, came to America where
Frank Barsalona and Barbara Skydel were our  U.S. agents. They
introduced us to a network of promoters: Barry Fey, Bill Graham, and
Ronnie Delsner. Ellen Darst and Keryn Kaplan ran our U.S. office. They
taught us how radio and promotion worked.


As we were learning all this stuff about the music business, we were
also learning about American music and the kind of artists that are
honored here by the Hall of Fame: John Lee Hooker, BB King, Hank
Williams, Ray Charles, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan.


Now our generation is being inducted, and our time has come to join
those that we did not know 25 years ago. I hope that in 25 years, when
this room is full of hip-hop and pop artists, that they will enjoy
joining the diverse list of talent that the Hall of Fame recognizes.


It took many people to get this band here tonight, and I would like to
thank some of them personally: Paul McGuinness, Ann-Louise Kelly,
Ellen Darst, Keryn Kaplan, Sheila Roche, Regine Moylett, Barbara
Galavan, Susan Hunter, Trevor Bowen, Gavin Friday, Chris Blackwell,
Anton Corbijn, Steve Lillywhite, Daniel Lanois, Brian Eno, Jimmy
Iovine, Doug Morris, Arthur Fogel and Michael Powell, Dennis Sheehan,
Joe O'Herlihy, Willie Williams, Sharon Blackson, Dallas, Sammy, Stu,
and Terry.


But in the end, the people who really got me here tonight -- and who I
must thank for everything I have -- are Ali, Anne, Morleigh, Suzie,
Larry, Edge,  and Bono. I would really like to thank Bruce for what he
said and I, fortunately,  can remember the names of everyone in the
band as well.