U2’s Larry Mullen Jr. Reveals Dyscalculia Diagnosis, Says Counting Bars Of Music Is Like “Climbing Everest”

In a recent interview with Times Radio, U2 drummer Larry Mullen Jr. discussed his recent diagnosis with dyscalculia for the very first time. Dyscalculia is a learning disability often referred to as “math dyslexia,” which makes it difficult to comprehend basic concepts in arithmetic. This learning disability has severely impacted Mullen Jr.’s ability to read music over the course of his legendary career. “I’ve always known that there’s something not particularly right with the way that I deal with numbers,” Mullen Jr. admits. “I’m numerically challenged. So I can’t count [and] I can’t add.” U2 fans have long noted the “pained” look on Mullen Jr.’s face as he plays drums, and it turns out there’s a good reason for those facial expressions. “I am pained because I’m trying to count the bars,” he shared. “I had to find ways of doing this — and counting bars is like climbing Everest.”