Larry Mullen Jr., drummer and co-founder of U2, has revealed his diagnosis with dyscalculia, a learning disability that affects his ability to process numbers and, crucially for a musician, to count bars of music.
In a recent interview with Sunday Times Radio, the 63-year-old shared his struggles with numbers, a challenge that has accompanied him throughout his career. “I’ve always known that there’s something not particularly right with the way that I deal with numbers. I’m numerically challenged,” Mullen said. “I realized recently that I have dyscalculia, which is a sub-version of dyslexia. So I can’t count, I can’t add.”
Counting Bars Like Climbing Everest
For Mullen, this diagnosis sheds light on years of difficulty managing numbers in music. “When people watch me play sometimes, they say, ‘You look pained.’ I am pained because I’m trying to count the bars,” Mullen explained. “Counting bars is like climbing Everest.”
The Cleveland Clinic defines dyscalculia as a learning disability that impacts an individual’s ability to understand arithmetic, tell the time, or read music. Mullen’s candid revelation highlights how he has adapted over the years, developing strategies to navigate these challenges as part of one of the world’s most iconic bands.
Exploring Dyscalculia Through Film
Mullen’s journey with dyscalculia is further explored in the upcoming documentary Left Behind, which he co-produced. The project began when filmmaker Chris Farrell approached him, knowing that Mullen had experience with learning disabilities through his dyslexic son.
“I brought the documentary to my son, who is dyslexic, and he watched the film with me,” Mullen told Deadline. “I could see how he was reacting to it … I just went into the studio and recorded what I thought he felt like now.”
Mullen’s son humorously challenged his interpretation, but the drummer emphasized that his intent was to empathize and imagine his son’s experience. This creative inspiration led to Mullen collaborating with artist GAYLE on songs for the film’s soundtrack.
A Personal and Professional Journey
Mullen’s openness about dyscalculia offers a rare glimpse into the intersection of personal challenges and artistic triumph. Despite his struggles, he has achieved extraordinary success with U2, a band he formed with Bono, The Edge, and Adam Clayton while growing up in Ireland.
Offstage, Mullen and his longtime partner, Ann Acheson, share three children: Aaron, 29, Ava, 25, and Ezra, 23. His experiences as both a father and an artist continue to shape his creative contributions, including Left Behind, which amplifies awareness about learning disabilities.
A Legacy of Resilience and Creativity
Mullen’s story is a testament to resilience, adaptation, and the power of creativity. By sharing his experiences and contributing to Left Behind, he not only raises awareness about dyscalculia but also inspires others facing similar challenges to find their own paths to success.
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