U2’s Larry Mullen Jr. Reveals Dyscalculia Diagnosis, Which He Says Makes Counting Feel 'Like Climbing Everest’

Mar. 15, 2025

Larry Mullen Jr.Photo:Isaac Brekken/Getty

Isaac Brekken/Getty

Larry Mullen Jr. has always found it difficult to comprehend arithmetic, and now he knows why.

After years of struggling with numeracy skills such as adding and counting, theU2drummer, 63, has been diagnosed with Dyscalculia, a learning disability that makes it difficult to understand numbers and do math.

The musician revealed his diagnosis for the first time in an interview withTimes Radiopublished Thursday, Dec. 12.

“I’ve always known that there’s something not particularly right with the way that I deal with numbers. I’m numerically challenged," he said. “And I realized recently that I have dyscalculia, which is a sub-version of dyslexia. So I can’t count [and] I can’t add.”

In fact, the condition is a reason behind the faces he often makes while he is behind his drum set.

“When people watch me play sometimes, they say, ‘you look pained,’ ” Mullen told the outlet. “I am pained because I’m trying to count the bars. I had to find ways of doing this — and counting bars is like climbing Everest.”

Larry Mullen Jr. (center) and The Edge (left) perform with U2 at the Gocheok Sky Dome on Dec. 8, 2019 in Seoul, South Korea.Chung Sung-Jun/Getty

Chung Sung-Jun/Getty

Several other acclaimed musicians have spoken candidly about being diagnosed with Dyscalculia.

Cherstruggled throughout school, whileRobbie Williamspreviously revealed onInstagramthat he can’t read phone numbers unless they’re spaced out.

Murder on the Dance Floorsigner Sophie Ellis-Bextorhas two sons with the learning difficulty, and serves as an ambassador to the UK’s Dyscalculia Network.

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Larry Mullen Jr., Adam Clayton, Bono and The Edge of U2 pose at the 2014 Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, California.Steve Granitz/WireImage

Steve Granitz/WireImage

According to theCleveland Clinic, the cause of dyscalculia is unknown, but there is evidence to suggest it may run in families.

Mullen’s own son, one of three children he shares with his wife Ann Acheson, has dyslexia. It’s one of the reasons the drummer produced and wrote music for the new documentaryLeft Behind, which follows five mothers working toward establishing the first state school in New York City for children with dyslexia.

“Making the music through the eyes of my dyslexic son felt personal and visceral,” he said during the film’s premiere at the Woodstock Film Festival in October.

Mullen is one of the founding members of U2, alongside singerBono, guitarist The Edge, and bassistAdam Clayton. The bandmates were all at school in Dublin at the time, and within four years had signed a record deal and released their 1980 debut album.

Left Behindopens in select theaters Jan. 17, 2025.

source: people.com