U2’s drummer Larry Mullen on life with dyscalculia

U2 drummer Larry Mullen Jr has spoken about life with dyscalculia, revealing that he cannot add or count due to the learning difficulty, which affects his ability to use or acquire mathematical skills.

The drummer only realised he had dyscalculia recently, commenting that counting bars within music is akin to “climbing Everest” for him.

Mullen has produced and written music for a new film, Left Behind, about dyslexia and the New York school system.

Talking to the Times Radio, Mullen said: "I've always known that there’s something not particularly right with the way that I deal with numbers. I’m numerically challenged.

"And I realised recently that I have dyscalculia… so I can’t add, I can’t count.

“I had to find ways of doing this, and counting bars is like climbing Everest.

"And when people watch me play sometimes, they say 'You look pained’. I am pained because I’m trying to count the bars."

The musician rose to fame with the rock band U2, who formed in 1976 with Bono, the Edge, and Adam Clayton.

Mullen revealed that the group are writing new material and in the process of doing initial recording, with the aim of touring in 2026.

He said: "I don’t think it will be what we normally do. I would hope it would be something different".

"But I’m excited to get back in some capacity."