U2 drummer Larry Mullen Jr. says he is still uncertain whether he can handle full performances after neck surgery. He stepped back from the band for the first time since it formed, citing debilitating neck pain. In recent comments, he describes limits in his ability to play at the level he previously did, focusing instead on what he can manage as he continues recovering.
Billboard reports Mullen told Rolling Stone that he has been “playing differently” since the operation. Billboard also includes Mullen’s view that if he can play for about an hour, that may be enough, reflecting an adjustment from earlier expectations. Vice similarly emphasizes that the surgery has changed how he approaches live shows and has led to uncertainty about whether he can return to full-length sets.
Across the coverage, outlets agree on the central points: Mullen undergoes neck surgery, his recovery prompts a break from U2 activity, and he is evaluating his stamina and performance capacity as he returns to playing.
