U2 drummer Larry Mullen Jr pays an 'emotional' visit to Las Vegas to see bandmates perform final shows

The world famous drummer enjoyed the concert from a box seat in the crowds.

U2’s drummer Larry Mullen Jr paid an “emotional” visit to see the band perform their final gig at The Sphere in Las Vegas as he continues to recover from surgery.

Mullen was reunited with the band on Friday night as he watched from the box seat in the audience.

He continues to recover from neck surgery and other ailments, but watched as Bono, The Edge and Adam Clayton performed alongside Krezip drummer Bram van den Berg.

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Introducing his bandmates, Bono told the crowds: “Not since October 1978 have we played shows without Larry Mullen Jr., and it’s only right I start by introducing the man who saved the day when Larry Mullen could not make it.

“His name is already legend around here to people who can pronounce it. The flying while sitting-in Dutchman, Bram van den Berg on drums.”

Press reports had previously hinted that Mullen was making his way to Las Vegas, which sparked rumors that he might hit the stage at Sphere for the final two shows.

At Friday’s U2 show, Bono introduced Mullen in the stands: “The rumours that Larry will be playing with us tonight are not true sadly. But he is here with us!”

As the crowd started chanting “Larry,” Bono continued: “That is the man who pinned the note on the notice board at Mount Temple Comprehensive School all those years ago. And we are very grateful that he did and that he’s here with us tonight. We wish him a speedy, speedy, speedy recovery. We love you, Larry Mullen Jr. “

Bono then launched into the final song — which technically is part of the “encore,” but the band passed on the theatrics of leaving the stage and coming back.

“We play this game every fucking night, and pretend that we’re doing an encore,” Bono said. “It’s not an encore. It’s on the setlist. There is a thing called the Internet. It’s a beautiful night Larry, and this is ‘Beautiful Day.'” (Later, Bono would tweak the lyrics to add, “Larry Mullen, you’re beautiful!”)

Later, on social media, Mullen said it was an “emotional” night for him.

He said: “What an incredible night at the Sphere,” he said on U2’s account. “So grateful to Bono, Edge and Adam and of course Bram for an amazing job. Very emotional night for me personally.”

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