Are U2 -- unquestionably -- once again 'The Biggest Band In The World"

[Hitman]

Up until Pop and Popmart, U2 was pretty much considered to be the biggest band in the world. There were contenders, such as Pearl Jam, REM and Oasis....but when it boiled down to it I think everyone knew the crown belonged to U2. They definitely lost it after the dissapointing sales of Pop and Popmart. Have they unquestionably gained the crown back? Is there any other band in the world that can realistically lay claim to being the "The Biggest Band in The World?"

[pax]

They are, if for no other reason than the fact that they have no competition.

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If you cannot live together in here, you cannot live together out there, let me tell ya. --Bono

You've got to cry without weeping, talk without speaking, scream without raising your voice... --Bono

[scatteroflight]

Originally posted by paxetaurora:
They are, if for no other reason than the fact that they have no competition.

Exactly.

I'm into short posts tonight



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One day we'd reach the great ocean
At the end of a pale afternoon
And we'd lay down our heads just like we were sleeping
And be towed by the drag of the moon

-Sting

[no disk]

yes. but the strokes are not far behind.

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boofoobudoobie

[STING2]

They are for two reasons! 10.5 million copies sold of ATYCLB over the course of a year, more than any other band worldwide during the same time frame. A world tour this year that has GROSSED almost 150 million dollars since March 24, 2001, more than any other artist, solo or group!
There might be a particular country or region where they are not number 1, but WORLDWIDE based on the numbers, they have the crown again.

[Thermopylae]

There is no doubt - they are again the World Champs..although I never think they really lost it...they were in their fat "Rocky" years...now they just beat Drago, and have a new confidence I hope translates into one ass-kickin', rock n rollin' of a new album...

Please keep inviting Eno and Lanois into the room boys - all the colors come out after the FLood (and Howie B)...

[Zoo Schabow]

But what about Creed guys?

U2 is definitely the biggest band in the world. It seems like everywhere I turn, I see or hear something about U2. It's such a great feeling!

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"And I can feel the cold steel. And I can make a wound that won't heal."- Bono

[STING2]

Creed have done well in the USA, Australia, and Canada, but are basically unknown everywhere else. Most people in the world would answer the question by saying. WHO?

[Zoo Schabow]

Originally posted by STING2:
Creed have done well in the USA, Australia, and Canada, but are basically unknown everywhere else. Most people in the world would answer the question by saying. WHO?

HAHA! I was kidding about Creed. I fucking hate them!

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"And I can feel the cold steel. And I can make a wound that won't heal."- Bono

[Jordi]

from here, the Mediterranean capital, Barcelona...I say..who are Creed?
I swear I have never listen to them...

[dougal55]

Hey!

i quite agree....but isnt being the "biggest" band in the world a bit off? I remember back in 1987, (yes back in 1987!) that Bono once said that he doesnt believe in being the biggest band in the world but in being the best in the world....

Fast forward to Elevation tour and I believe it still applies to U2 being the best band in the world....in my opinion.....they are the best live band in the world....no doubt about that....

But I dont really believe in the label of "the biggest band in the world" being applied to a band like U2 cos, correct me if Im wrong, that wouldc clearly imply that they have sold a lot more albums than any other band in the world which I think they havent...have they?

Put simply - U2 - Best live band in the world is a better label than being the biggest in the world...

Thats my pennys worth.....

dougal

[mad1]

This whole 'Biggest Band' ting can be so blown outta proportion or even critized biggie time.....I mean, loads of artists are up there in the 'big' main spotlight, like Cher, U2, Madonna, but can one necessarily be bigger than the other? (unless one stands on stilts or a stepladder)

Anyway......think of this 'Big' ting as the equivalent of two balls - one little tiny ball and one huge ultra-mega ball, sure sure, the huge one is bigger, but it doesnt necessarily mean its the biggest huh? - after all the smaller one can bounce higher............

Ya get my meanin?

[Se7en]

did you really expect to get varied opinions when asking a group of biassed fanatics?

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The numeral 7

[Zoo Schabow]

Originally posted by Se7en:
did you really expect to get varied opinions when asking a group of biassed fanatics?

yes

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"And I can feel the cold steel. And I can make a wound that won't heal."- Bono

[Flying FuManchu]

Biggest Band in the World = Critical and popular acclaim. U2 have it? I dunno, music is so fractured these days. So many artists and genres. But they are making like Madonna and being all over the TV amd magazines which is another key component. Best band = one's own taste.

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~ "You can't resist her. She's in your bones. She is your marrow and your ride home. You can't avoid her. She's in the air; in between molecules of oxygen and carbon dioxide." ~ RC

[Se7en]

Originally posted by Zoo Schabow:
yes

sorry, didn't realize you were the one who asked the question.

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The numeral 7

[Zoo Schabow]

Originally posted by Se7en:
sorry, didn't realize you were the one who asked the question.

Hey, that's okay. No problem.

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"And I can feel the cold steel. And I can make a wound that won't heal."- Bono

[Se7en]

Originally posted by Zoo Schabow:
Hey, that's okay. No problem.

Oh ok, so you and Hitman are the same person.

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The numeral 7

[Zoo Schabow]

Originally posted by Se7en:
Oh ok, so you and Hitman are the same person.

I don't think so....

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"And I can feel the cold steel. And I can make a wound that won't heal."- Bono

[Zoocoustic]

Biggest band? No way. Sorry, but N'Sync is much bigger. Trust me, no one wants to admit this less than I do, but they are the biggest "band" in the world right now.

U2 is arguably the biggest rock band in the world, but rock has taken a backseat to pop as of late. However, even in the "rock" category there could be an argument made for other bands. Creed is up there, although their latest album really sucks, and I think they're only months away from being has-beens. Radiohead also is a strong candidate, but they are so far out there that they lose a lot of potential listeners too; it's a close call. However, love them or hate them, DMB is probably the biggest competition U2 has right now for biggest rock band. I don't particularly like their studio work, but they are incredible musicians, and it could be that they are more popular than U2 at this point in time.

U2 was the biggest up until ZooTV because they lacked the one thing that stifles them now: age. No matter how good you are, there is something bad about being over 40 in the music industry; it affects your career in a negative way, regardless of how good you are. Consequently, there is a huge group of kids who will not give U2 a chance because they are "some old group from the 80's".

[This message has been edited by Zoocoustic (edited 12-04-2001).]

[This message has been edited by Zoocoustic (edited 12-04-2001).]