In 1986, a small crew embarked on a three day journey across the stunning landscape in the deserts of California.

This was the photoshoot for the upcoming 5th album from U2, then known by its working title of 'The Two Americas'.

The Joshua Tree would eclipse everything that came before it. It would become a critically acclaimed and top selling cultural touchstone that still looms large today.

With plenty to analyse in the cinematic design and iconic art direction for the sleeve, we come to realise that the personal stories of that journey were as important as the work carried out afterwards.

Next week we will publish a conversation from 2017 between Steve Averill and Marc Coleman, former U2 assistant, about their shared memories of being in the desert with U2 in 1986.

www.stephenaverill.com/u2y

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