David Howell Evans (born 8 August 1961), better known by his stage name
The Edge (or just
Edge), is a British-born Irish musician and songwriter best known as the lead guitarist, keyboardist and backing vocalist of the
rock band
U2. A member of the group since its inception, he has recorded 13 studio albums with the band as well as one solo record. As a guitarist, the Edge has crafted a minimalistic and
textural style of playing. His use of a rhythmic
delay effect yields a distinctive ambient, chiming sound that has become a signature of U2's music.