U2 bassist Adam Clayton was the recipient of an award from MusiCares last night, and took the opportunity to thank his bandmates for sticking by him through his rough patches.
MusiCares is the charity arm of National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, and Clayton has been a longtime supporter of the charity and its MAP fund in particular - which offers musicians support and access to addiction recovery programmes.
He was given the Stevie Ray Vaughan Award at the ceremony in New York, with his speech making reference to his fellow members of U2 and their support throughout the last four decades.
"We have a pact with each other," he said. "In our band, no one will be a casualty. We all come home, or none of us come home. No one will be left behind. Thank you for honoring that promise, and letting me be in your band."
He opened the speech by quipping" I'm not used to achieving anything on my own" before admitting "I'm an alcoholic, addict, but in some ways that devastating disease is what drove me towards this wonderful life I now have. It's just that I couldn't take my friend alcohol. At some point I had to leave it behind and claim my full potential", adding that it was Eric Clapton who told him he "needed to change my life and that I wouldn't regret it."
U2 also played a set at the event.
Watch the full speech below:
That's a wrap from the #MusiCares MAP Fund benefit concert honoring @U2's Adam Clayton.
Support #MusiCares: https://t.co/avHG8e3D45 pic.twitter.com/Sg01TxGwdi
— MusiCares Foundation (@MusiCares) June 27, 2017
GRAMMY winners @U2 take the stage in honor of Adam Clayton with a special performance at the #MusiCares MAP Fund benefit concert. pic.twitter.com/BE6LzWgP7D
— MusiCares Foundation (@MusiCares) June 27, 2017
.@U2's Adam Clayton accepts the Stevie Ray Vaughan Award in recognition of his dedication and support of the #MusiCares MAP Fund. pic.twitter.com/pD6x1tkukF
— MusiCares Foundation (@MusiCares) June 27, 2017