jick
Refugee
Sure many would say that Clayton is U2's weakest link - no lyrical contribution ever, missed the gig, only non-Christian, womanizer, hack bass lines --- but I beg to disagree with these people. I think U2's weakest link is Paul McGuiness.
First, he failed to relocate the band in a more marketable city like London or New York - hence, although U2 wrote better music than the Beatles and lasted much longer - they never reached their full popularity potential. Bono, Edge, Clayton, and Mullen don't ring people's ears like Lennon, McCartney, Harrison, and Starr -- and it's more because of wrong marketing.
Second, McGuiness took U2 under his wings when they were still young and changeable. He never instilled discipline in them. Up to this day, the band members can't lay off the booze - Clayton missed a gig because of it, Bono has a minor throat operation (or was it sinus operation) because he couldn't lay off the cigarettes. McGuinness never asserted himself and play big brother to the band despite being the manager and the oldest member.
Third, connected to the part about non-discipline - McGuinness has made U2 the epitome of studio slackers. It takes them forever to release albums, he just lets Bono jump around from country to country in his crusade. Thanks to McGuinness machinations, U2 have no deadlines to meet and they are so filthy rich (kudos to McGuinness again!) that they don't care how long it will take them to finish their albums.
Fourth, the POP fiasco can be greatly attributed to McGuinness. As manager, he was responsible for booking the POP tour dates, and be booked them too early - way too eary before U2 could finish the album. So U2 had to rush the album and start touring unprepared. The rest is history. McGuinness should have found a way to cancel the dates or postpone the tour and give U2 their time to finish POP. Many have also said the POP was poorly promoted, the KMart stunt got them off in the wrong foot, the choice of singles was wrong - and even their videos were mediocre. Once again, blame goes to McGuinness for his mismanagement of the band.
Fifth, McGuinness makes decisions that don't make sense. At this late in U2's career where they are so filthy rich and they are no longer artistically, financially, or creatively as hungry as before, McGuiness let U2 sign for three greatest hits album package. The first one was no problem, and the second one was a bit problematic (they lacked material because they didn't have any many albums as the 80s) so U2 had to "strech" a bit and include ATYCLB which was actually a new era. Now, since U2 aren't hungry anymore, their next album will probably be out spring 2005 and the next one probably on 2010. So the next U2 greatest hits package will be the sum total of two albums only - how pitiful. McGuinness lacked foresight in thinking U2 could record albums at the same rate as they did in their younger days. He failed to calculate and realize that U2 aren't as hungry and the desire doesn't burn as deep anymore.
Fifth and a half (after this edit), McGuinness also showed great lack of foresight with his choice of release dates. He released Achtung around the time Michael Jackson's album was the hot commodity, he chose to release the Best Of 1980-1990 the same time as Alanis' much anticipated second effort, and ATYCLB was released with Outkast and Jay-Z -- all of which contributed to U2's massive failured to land a #1 debut album. He chooses the wrong dates because he doesn't study them intently.
Sixth, despite all his failures and lapses as a manager, he still gets a cool 1/5th of the share of U2 - meaning his contribution is just like that of any band member. But you all know McGuinness' help to the band isn't as much as Bono, Edge, Clayton, or Mullen. He is ripping off the band and getting more than he deserves. The band are just too blinded to see it because McGuinness has been their manager the past three decades so the band doesn't know any other way --- or the "right" way so to speak.
If U2 were properly managed, they could have been bigger than the Beatles, Elvis and Frank Sinatra all rolled into one. Unfortunately, they have their weakest link who is their manager. Now, U2 are too old to ditch him. Its too late to fulfill the unfulfilled promise and potential. But then again, no band was ever perfect so we have to deal with the "could haves" and "would haves". So to all of you, I don't think Clayton is the weakest link, I think it's McGuinness.
Cheers,
J
First, he failed to relocate the band in a more marketable city like London or New York - hence, although U2 wrote better music than the Beatles and lasted much longer - they never reached their full popularity potential. Bono, Edge, Clayton, and Mullen don't ring people's ears like Lennon, McCartney, Harrison, and Starr -- and it's more because of wrong marketing.
Second, McGuiness took U2 under his wings when they were still young and changeable. He never instilled discipline in them. Up to this day, the band members can't lay off the booze - Clayton missed a gig because of it, Bono has a minor throat operation (or was it sinus operation) because he couldn't lay off the cigarettes. McGuinness never asserted himself and play big brother to the band despite being the manager and the oldest member.
Third, connected to the part about non-discipline - McGuinness has made U2 the epitome of studio slackers. It takes them forever to release albums, he just lets Bono jump around from country to country in his crusade. Thanks to McGuinness machinations, U2 have no deadlines to meet and they are so filthy rich (kudos to McGuinness again!) that they don't care how long it will take them to finish their albums.
Fourth, the POP fiasco can be greatly attributed to McGuinness. As manager, he was responsible for booking the POP tour dates, and be booked them too early - way too eary before U2 could finish the album. So U2 had to rush the album and start touring unprepared. The rest is history. McGuinness should have found a way to cancel the dates or postpone the tour and give U2 their time to finish POP. Many have also said the POP was poorly promoted, the KMart stunt got them off in the wrong foot, the choice of singles was wrong - and even their videos were mediocre. Once again, blame goes to McGuinness for his mismanagement of the band.
Fifth, McGuinness makes decisions that don't make sense. At this late in U2's career where they are so filthy rich and they are no longer artistically, financially, or creatively as hungry as before, McGuiness let U2 sign for three greatest hits album package. The first one was no problem, and the second one was a bit problematic (they lacked material because they didn't have any many albums as the 80s) so U2 had to "strech" a bit and include ATYCLB which was actually a new era. Now, since U2 aren't hungry anymore, their next album will probably be out spring 2005 and the next one probably on 2010. So the next U2 greatest hits package will be the sum total of two albums only - how pitiful. McGuinness lacked foresight in thinking U2 could record albums at the same rate as they did in their younger days. He failed to calculate and realize that U2 aren't as hungry and the desire doesn't burn as deep anymore.
Fifth and a half (after this edit), McGuinness also showed great lack of foresight with his choice of release dates. He released Achtung around the time Michael Jackson's album was the hot commodity, he chose to release the Best Of 1980-1990 the same time as Alanis' much anticipated second effort, and ATYCLB was released with Outkast and Jay-Z -- all of which contributed to U2's massive failured to land a #1 debut album. He chooses the wrong dates because he doesn't study them intently.
Sixth, despite all his failures and lapses as a manager, he still gets a cool 1/5th of the share of U2 - meaning his contribution is just like that of any band member. But you all know McGuinness' help to the band isn't as much as Bono, Edge, Clayton, or Mullen. He is ripping off the band and getting more than he deserves. The band are just too blinded to see it because McGuinness has been their manager the past three decades so the band doesn't know any other way --- or the "right" way so to speak.
If U2 were properly managed, they could have been bigger than the Beatles, Elvis and Frank Sinatra all rolled into one. Unfortunately, they have their weakest link who is their manager. Now, U2 are too old to ditch him. Its too late to fulfill the unfulfilled promise and potential. But then again, no band was ever perfect so we have to deal with the "could haves" and "would haves". So to all of you, I don't think Clayton is the weakest link, I think it's McGuinness.
Cheers,
J
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