U2's first single release, a three song EP consisting of "Out of Control," "Stories for Boys," and "Boy/Girl." Released in September of 1979. CBS Records.
Peter Rowen (reportedly five or six at the time) appears on the cover very blond, as well as in other shots taken at the same time.
Boy
The band's first album. Released in October of 1980. Island Records. Photographer: Hugo McGuinness.
Peter shows up in his classic shirtless "laid back" posture sporting an angelic face. This image was changed to a long black and white silhouette of the band for the US and Canada release due to worries about it appearing too sexually suggestive. Thankfully, in recent reissue campaigns the original cover has been restored.
I Will Follow
The bands new single following Boy. Released in October of 1980. Island Records. Photographer: Hugo McGuinness.
Another high contrast black and white shot, shirtless and touching his shoulder with a gaping mouth. The New Zealand release reused the cover from Boy.
War
The band's third album. Released in February of 1983. Island Records.
Peter was used again mimicking his earlier "laid back pose" this time against a brick wall, sporting a chapped lip and an angry face. Bono described the reasoning behind the cover: "Instead of putting tanks and guns on the cover, we've put a child's face. War can also be a mental thing, an emotional thing between loves. It doesn't have to be a physical thing" (Boy, Wiki).
Two Hearts Beat as One/ Sunday Bloody SundayTwo different singles from War. Released in February/March of 1983. Island Records.
It's essentially the same shot as the War cover, just from more of a distance revealing more of his upper body (shirtless again). Both singles used the same cover, Sunday and the 7inch vinyl for Two Hearts being yellow at the top and the 12in being red.
Another single release from War. Released in January of 1983. Island Records.
In this one, Peter is shown from the waist up (shirtless) grasping onto some pole (perhaps a flag pole?) with a "disgruntled" or confused expression. The Japan release reused the album cover and the France release used a completely different cover featuring the band.
Sweetest Thing The band's re-recording of the B-side to Where the Streets Have No Name single for the Best Of 1980-1990 compilation. Released October of 1998. Island Records.
It's been suggested that the cover was a reused photo taken during one of Peter's photo shoots (perhaps for Boy judging by the blondish hair), and that the boy in the mask may be him from about 1980.
U2's first Best Of compilation album spanning their first decade. Released in November of 1998. Island Records.
This shot was an unused leftover from the War photo shoot. Though Bono admitted that "it makes a great shot," it wasn't used on War because it didn't carry the emotion the band wanted at the time. Now the image is iconic.
An EP focusing on the band's second recorded studio works, including three tracks, "Street Missions," "Shadows and Tall Trees (Demo)," and "The Fool," as a part of The Complete U2 box set. Released in November of 2004. Island Records.
This shot is obviously from the same photo shoot that brought us the cover for Boy, featuring Peter wearing face paint against a white backdrop, once again shirtless.
A limited edition B-sides disc included with certain editions of the Best Of 1980-1990 CD. Released in November of 1998. Island Records.
This may or may not be Peter Rowen pictured, as the hair on this boy is different. It may just be a different boy photographed in a similar position as Peter on the I Will Follow single as a parody of that cover shown from the back rather than the front (as in "backside").
