U2's The Joshua Tree among the most-streamed albums of the '80s

U2’s album, The Joshua Tree, made 6^th place on the official list of most-streamed albums of the ‘80s from the UK's Official Charts.

Also on the list were The Stone Roses' self-titled album at No. 1, Michael Jackson's Bad and Thriller at No. 2 and 3, Back in Black from AC/DC at No. 4 and Appetite for Destruction from Guns N' Roses at No. 5.

Produced by Daniel Lanois and Brian Eno, The Joshua Tree is the band’s fifth studio album.

The record was released on March 9, 1987 and debuted at No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart, becoming the fastest-selling album in British history at the time.

It also peaked at No. 1 in the US, Canada, West Germany, Australia and the Netherlands.

Recorded at Danesmoate House and Windmill Lane studios in Dublin, The Joshua Tree was awarded the Recording Industry Association of America’s (RIAA) highest certification, Diamond, with 10 million sold.

After the first leg of their tour for the album in North America, U2 returned to Dublin’s Croke Park on June 27, 1987 to play a monumental show to a crowd of 57,000, with support acts including The Pogues, The Dubliners, Lou Reed and Light A Big Fire. After, they played a second consecutive night at the same venue.

The band also won a Grammy for Best Rock Performance By A Group Or Duo for The Joshua Tree.

“The Joshua Tree rescues rock from its decay, bravely and unashamedly basing itself in the mainstream before very cleverly lifting off into several higher dimensions,” wrote Hot Press’ Bill Graham of the album in 1987. “U2 can no longer be patronised with faint and glib praise. They must be taken very seriously indeed after this re-evaluation of rock.”

More recently, U2 released their single ‘Street of Dreams’ and are preparing to release a full studio album later this year. They are also planning an upcoming stadium world tour expected to last from 2027 to 2028.

The band is coming up on their 50th anniversary this autumn. Upcoming celebratory events in Dublin include a ZOOROPA LIVE U2 Fan Festival at Opium Live on September 25 and a U2BABY Performance at the Button Factory on September 26.