"Other big winners included Coldplay, who were named the best act in the world today"
Bono: "This is very humbling... if the Clash were up here, we'd be carrying their gear."
Nick66 said:Bono's actually right here. While I'm a much bigger U2 fan than I ever was of the Clash, the Class broke ground and were originals in a way that U2 wasn't.
U2, as great as they are, have created incredible rock music, with sometimes innovative elements both inside and outside of the music, but they didn't redefine an entire genre the way some other bands did. U2 was one of the best ever at creating music within a certain musical landscape, but I'm not sure they broke any real new ground the way a band like the Clash did.
That doesn't mean they weren't influential, and doesn't take away from what they've accomplished....they've achieved greatness either way.
I think there is a large portion of a population inside and outside of here that would disagree with you here.
Well then all those people, critics, and list makers are wrong because Nick said so.
You heard it here first.
Well, show me a serious critic, or list, that has U2 as ground breaking, or genre defining. Or are you just limited to quips?
Better yet, why don't you make an argument, rather than just spitting out sarcasm. Actually articulate a contrary opinion, with facts. How did U2 break ground musically? What genre of music has U2 created? Or redefine?
U2 is an amazing band....I'm not saying they're not. But being good doesn't mean you're first, or genre defining. Even Bono wouldn't suggest U2 is something they're not.
Or were you just trying to pick a fight?
Oh the irony of that last sentence...
Because they also turned 25 this year.
So let me get this straight: The Clash introduce elements of reggae and dub into the burgeoning punk rock scene, and are pioneers.
U2 introduces elements of industrial and other electronica, hip hop, trip hop in alternative rock, and aren't doing anything new.
The difference is that people were ready for what The Clash were doing and the influence was obvious and direct. With U2, they were too ahead of their time, and the genres they were exploring remained niche for longer. Which is why Radiohead are given all the credit for being pioneers with Kid A (or even OK Computer) when U2 had already laid the groundwork down with Zooropa and Passengers. As you said w/r/t U2, Radiohead just "perfected" it.
It's almost painfully obvious isn't it?
Either way, I think it's quite well deserved. They've been one of the few bands that are still around in the same setup as they were 25 years ago, and one of the few that are still making great music and putting up a friggin' amazing liveshow.
U2 better live act than Radiohead? Really Q?
Well, at least you're making an argument and backing it up with facts & examples. This I can respect, even if we disagree.
Yeah, your last sentence is exactly what I'm saying. There's nothing wrong with taking what other bands have done before, and created, and running it and being the best at it. But to be truly original, and define the genre so much that you band is instantly associated with it....there's only a handful of artists that have done that...David Bowie, The Velvet Underground, The Clash, The Virgin Prunes, Nirvana, Krafwerk, The Sex Pistols, Boby Dylan, The Pixes, Rage Against the Machine are some I can think of off the top of my head. And of course that's setting aside that obvious 50's & 60's artists like the Beatles.
It's doesn't mean U2 isn't great, or talented, or influential (they've clearly influenced a lot of bands). I like them better than every band I listed there. But I'm not going to pretend that U2 totally changed the face of music and created a new genre or completely changed the genre, because they didn't. I think they pushed some boundaries, but really didn't change the musical landscape.
Anyway, we can disagree, that's cool...but thanks for making your case and not making it personal.
here's a hint... nobody is truly original. everyone, including the names of the "original" acts you included, are derivative of earlier acts and influences.
the beatles, along with elvis, were clearly just doing what black r&b artists had already been doing and brought it to the white mainstream. david bowie was highly influenced by musical theater, and brought many of those elements to rock. bob dylan was simply building on the legacies of woody guthrie, pete seeger, lead belly and other similar artists.
the artists who take this influence and make it their own, passing it along by further influencing future generations... these are the artists who will be remembered forever. and u2 are certainly that.