U2 drummer reveals he has dyscalculia

Larry Mullen Jr., drummer for U2, said he suffers from dyscalculia, “a subversion of dyslexia” which impairs his ability to understand and use numbers.

U2 drummer Larry Mullen Jr. reveals he has dyscalculia. In an interview with Times Radio, the musician spoke for the first time about this disorder which impairs the ability to understand and use numbers.

“I always knew there was something wrong with the way I handled numbers,” he said.

“I have difficulty with numbers. And I recently realized that I have dyscalculia, which is a subversion of dyslexia. So I can't count and I can't add.”

“Counting measurements is like climbing Everest”

According to the French Dys Federationspecific disorders of numerical activities, commonly called dyscalculia, “affect the procedural and conceptual aspects of calculation and counting as well as the memorization of numerical facts”.

Larry Mullen Jr. notably explained that with this disorder, it was more difficult for him to count the measures of U2 songs when he plays the drums in concert alongside his acolytes Bono, The Edge and Adam Clayton.

“When people watch me play, they sometimes tell me that I look like I'm in pain. I'm in pain because I'm trying to count bars. I've had to find ways to do it – and count bars, it’s like climbing Everest,” said the musician.