Peter Rowen, the Boy from U2's Album Covers, on His Photography Career
Peter Rowen, now 47, was the child on the cover of U2's debut album Boy (1980) and later on War (1983) and Best Of (1998). He was a neighbor of Bono, who suggested him for the band's early EPs. Rowen has since become a commercial photographer in Dublin, shooting for agencies like Live Nation and Heineken, and traveling for the Dublin Airport Authority. He won awards but prefers photographing people and still lifes. During the pandemic, he spent time with family but was hit hard by COVID-19 in January 2022. He no longer has direct contact with U2 but retains royalties from the images. Rowen is married to Natalia with two children, Kate and Zac, and enjoys snowboarding, mountain biking, and motorcycles.
Key facts
- Peter Rowen was the child on the cover of U2's album Boy (1980), War (1983), and Best Of (1998).
- Rowen was a neighbor of Bono, who suggested him for the band's early EPs Early Demos (1978) and Three (1979).
- He is a commercial photographer based in Dublin, working for Live Nation, Heineken, and the Dublin Airport Authority.
- Rowen has won awards for his photography, focusing on people and still lifes.
- He contracted COVID-19 in January 2022 and was ill for about a month.
- He retains royalties from the U2 images but no longer has direct contact with the band.
- Rowen is 47 years old, married to Natalia, with two children Kate and Zac.
- He enjoys snowboarding, mountain biking, and motorcycles.
Entities
Artists
- Peter Rowen
- Bono
- The Edge
- Adam Clayton
- Larry Mullen Jr.
- Steve Averill
- Fabio Pariante
Institutions
- U2
- Windmill Lane Studios
- Live Nation
- Heineken
- Dublin Airport Authority
- Netflix
- Artribune
Locations
- Dublin
- Ireland
- Glasnevin
- Derry
- Oman
- Saudi Arabia
- Beirut
- United Kingdom