Adam Clayton helps celebrate David Gray’s “White Ladder”

Original Story by Aaron J. Sams (2020-03-17)

Adam Clayton is one of many artists who have recently joined together to celebrate the 20th anniversary of David Gray’s White Ladder. The album by Gray was first released in November 1998 on his own label, but failed to chart, or make much of a dent in the music scene in the UK. It was later picked up and re-released on May 1, 2000 by ATO Records, and this is the anniversary being celebrated. In Ireland however, the album entered the chart in 1998, and finally reached number 1 on January 24, 2000. The album produced five singles, spent three years in the UK top 100 and it was massively successful in Ireland. At the time it was the biggest selling album of all time in Ireland, and it may still be the record holder. It is suggested that based on album sales in 2000, one-quarter of Irish households had a copy of the album.

VIDEO: Adam Clayton Delivers a Personal Message

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the album a number of musicians have recorded brief messages about the album and they have been posted to David Gray’s YouTube account. Adam Clayton is one artist contributing. Other contributors include Ed Sheeran, LeAnn Rimes, John Mayer, Bonnie Raitt, Dave Matthews and Carly Rae Jepsen among others. The videos were part of a promotional push for a 20th anniversary version of White Ladder.

For those who would like to listen to Adam’s message it is embedded above, on the video he says, “Hi David, congratulations on the 20th anniversary of White Ladder. This was, and still is, an album that Irish people hold very close to their hearts. People up-and-down the country connected with the music in such a big way. And I believe it’s the biggest selling record in Irish history…hmmm….surely not? Congratulations again!”

The 20th anniversary edition of the album was issued last month, on February 14 in a variety of formats. The video of Adam Clayton’s greeting was posted the day before the release of the album.

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