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U2 Drummer Larry Mullen Jr. Isn’t Sure He Can Handle Full Shows After Neck Surgery

U2 drummer Larry Mullen Jr. was forced to step back from the band for the first time since its formation due to debilitating neck pain.

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U2’s longevity as a band has often been attributed to the fact that they’ve had the same lineup since 1972. While other rock bands seem to have a revolving door of members, U2 has remained a strong unit for more than 50 years. However, drummer Larry Mullen Jr. revealed in a September 2026 Rolling Stone cover story that he was almost forced to retire before he or his bandmates were ready.

During the band’s 2019 Joshua Tree anniversary tour, Mullen suffered from debilitating neck pain. The pain was worsened by his drumming, to the point where doctors suggested retirement. After decades of drumming, the chronic congenital fusion of a facet joint in his neck had caught up with him.

“If you don’t do my job, you wouldn’t really notice,” said Mullen, “and I got away with it for years.”

By 2019, however, the pain was unbearable. Mullen was managing it with treatments after each show, but that quickly became unsustainable. When the tour finally ended, Mullen knew things had gotten serious, and he had to do something immediately.

Larry Mullen Jr.’s Neck Pain Was So Severe That Doctors Suggested He Retire From Drumming

“There’s a certain amount of humiliation when you get injured, and you........

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