Simple Minds came first for me, but U2 rapidly caught up with them. Both seemed to follow the same trajectory, moving into the stadium rock level of hype and scrutiny. in 1987, U2 released The Joshua Tree, while Simple Minds released "Live in the City of Light". In retrospect, U2's previous album "The Unforgettable Fire" was the high point for me, and when I got to see them at Wembley in 1987, I was comparing that concert unfavourably to the Springsteen one a couple of years ago. Of the two, Simple Minds were the band that came with me through the Wall. "Street Fighting Years" seemed like an anthem for the epic year that 1989 turned out to be.
But when we all poured through the Wall, Simple Minds seemed to fade from view, whereas, U2 seized the moment with "Achtung Baby". I really like the Paul Oakenfold mix of "Mysterious Ways", although that implies a familiarity with Paul Oakenfold and his music that I really did not have. There was a whole new genre of music that I was only vaguely aware of, and what I heard of, I didn't like. I was growing old...
