GRRR!! Look what Eric Clapton said about U2...

[JanuaryStar]

Putting their fame before their music...

Huh?

U2 is a band which stands for anything but that... I mean, fame is nice, of course, any band can acknowledge that. But U2 is a band which remained 'on earth', so to speak, with their music, lyrics, messages, and what not...

The fact that a guitar-legend such as Eric Clapton says this, really shows that people can just have it all wrong..

 

[MsGiggles]

I like Eric Clapton and I like U2 (moreso than EC). I don't care what they say about each other - it's not going to make me stop listening to their music

 

[Lemonfix]

OMG eric kl@pton SUX!!!111!!eleven

I hate these "let's trash the guy who trashes U2" threads but I felt that I should comment here. I respect the Clapton's talents as a guitarist (Edge a better guitar player?! Please.) I'm not much of a fan of the guy's solo work, which has been especially vanilla adult contemporary lately. But he does have a point about Coldplay. I saw them in concert and while I had a good time everything about it, from the T-shirt designs to the Johnny Cash cover they did to every single Chris Martin stage move was pure U2. That's not U2's fault, though, and Clapton should realize that.

Also, if Clapton thinks U2 spends too much time at awards shows....well, there was a time when U2 did not perform at award shows. I think the first time they did so in America was the '97 VMA's (or so MTV said) and they nearly gave up attending the Grammies alltogether. U2 is definatley more exposed these days, with performances on Late night shows and SNL, things they didn't start doing until very recently. And if Clapton thinks being a political advocate takes away from the music, well, that's his opinion and I know many people who would agree--as much as I admire Bono's work, I would be kidding myself if I didn't think it hadn't really effected U2 and Bono in a way I don't particuarly like.

Not defending Clapton, by the way, I could care less about the guy, just explaining why he may think this way.

 

[BVS]

My facts weren't wrong, they were incomplete. And that wasn't even deliberate, I truly didn't know he appeared @ the Republican Convention too.

Still, that doesn't compromise my argument.

He didn't back Kerry or say a speech at either conventions. He was there to talk to individual politicians, he may have spoke before the convention.

So yes your argument is comprimised because the general public didn't even know he was there. He never showed up televised at either convention.

 

[JMScoopy]

I'll agree about is "modern bands" statement, as i hate most of the shit out today, but u2 a modern band?! They've been around for almost 30 years for chrissake!

I must say that i've lost some respect for clapton now.

 

[U2girl]

Also, if Clapton thinks U2 spends too much time at awards shows....well, there was a time when U2 did not perform at award shows. I think the first time they did so in America was the '97 VMA's (or so MTV said) and they nearly gave up attending the Grammies alltogether. U2 is definatley more exposed these days, with performances on Late night shows and SNL, things they didn't start doing until very recently.

Even better than the real thing with Dana Garth, or Edge singing Numb solo - those were both MTV awards. They played One for Top of the pops, and I can remember at least 3 TV specials they did well before 2000, as well as attending the Grammys.

 

[ntalwar]

I'll agree about is "modern bands" statement, as i hate most of the shit out today, but u2 a modern band?! They've been around for almost 30 years for chrissake!

I think he's speaking from a historical perspective - i.e. U2 come from punk rock and there was a time in the early-mid 80s when you had to turn to alternative radio stations to hear U2.

I don't agree with Clapton's comments. However, I think he is a purist who thinks that rock and roll should not stray too far from its blues roots. To be honest, I wouldn't mind another "Rattle and Hum" type album - those songs would probably be what Clapton most approves of (not that I care what he thinks). But to me, those R & H songs seem to have a lot more heart and soul than a lot of their later work.

 

[JMScoopy]

another R&H

 

[hcbiggs2002]

It was because of Rattle and Hum that I became a U2 fan but I stayed a U2 fan because their ever changing styles! I get bored easily but U2 have always kept me on my toes, I never know what to expect with the next album! And I believe they will continue to do so, no matter what some clapped out musician(s) who's glory days are long gone might say!!

 

[STING2]

Right. Anyone who says anything bad about U2 is a heathen who must be tarred and feathered and then shunned and called a nobody.

This thread just made me laugh. I doubt anyone here would say they can't look at another person the same way again just because they make an unflattering comment about your favourite sport or fruit or television show, so why are some people getting so up in arms about someone (pretty mildly) criticising their favourite band? It's not like he said anything wildly stupid like "U2 are a lame, unimportant three-note band".

This is a U2 fan website. Why get all up in arms about U2 fans on a U2 website responding to criticism of their favorite band? Would it be any different on any other fan website for another artist?

 

[U2Fanatic4ever]

This is a U2 fan website. Why get all up in arms about U2 fans on a U2 website responding to criticism of their favorite band? Would it be any different on any other fan website for another artist?

Thank you for that comment!

 

[Zoots]

Even though Clapton pretty much just sounds like a bitter old fart here, I'll bet he wouldn't have said the same thing about Pre 2000 U2.

 

[angelordevil]

It's a stupid thing to say, if he did in fact say it. The Times website doesn't show those remarks, and that's supposedly the source.

 

[MrBrau1]

Even though Clapton pretty much just sounds like a bitter old fart here, I'll bet he wouldn't have said the same thing about Pre 2000 U2.

He didn't have to. George Harrison was slamming U2 in 1997 for being in it for the fame.

Nice try.

 

[Bono's shades]

I think my remarks yesterday may have been a little overheated. I was having kind of a bad day overall. I'm much better today.

I think maybe we should look at this in perspective. Some legendary musicians, like the late George Harrison and Eric Clapton, didn't like or don't like U2. But many others have either worked with them, said they were fans, or are said to have been fans:

Bob Dylan
Pete Townsend
Bruce Springsteen
Eddie Vedder
B.B. King
Roy Orbison
Robbie Robertson (from The Band)
Miles Davis
Joey Ramone
Johnny Cash
at least some members of Radiohead

And a whole bunch of people I'm either forgetting or just don't know about.

 

[MrBrau1]

During the Zooropa tour Pete Townsend had some very nasty things to say about U2.

Along the lines of:

"All they care about now is being the biggest band in the world".

"The new record is crap."

 

[Zoots]

George Harrison was slamming U2 in 1997 for being in it for the fame.

got quote?

 

[Bono's shades]

During the Zooropa tour Pete Townsend had some very nasty things to say about U2.

Along the lines of:

"All they care about now is being the biggest band in the world".

"The new record is crap."

I didn't know that. I just knew he had some nice things to say about them in the '80s.

 

[the rockin edge]

Who cares?

i really dont see what difference it makes what Clapton says about U2.

 

[Flying FuManchu]

During the Zooropa tour Pete Townsend had some very nasty things to say about U2.

Along the lines of:

"All they care about now is being the biggest band in the world".

"The new record is crap."

LOL! Wonder how many here are gonna start slagging Townsend and the Who.

 

[u2granny]

LOL! Wonder how many here are gonna start slagging Townsend and the Who.

Just give it a little time.

 

[MrBrau1]

Edge has come about as close as possible to saying Pink Floyd were shit. But he just couldn't say the name "Pink Floyd."

Have U2 ever really bad mouthed another band by name?

I know they've gone off on whole music movements, but in all the years I've followed this band, i can't think of any instance where they put a band down by name.

Class.

More people should have it.

 

[Flying FuManchu]

Edge said metal sucks, basically... LOL... so the whole movement thing is definitely true. I don't ever remember them slagging a band specifically. But this a band that listens to Nickelback and Boyzone while dancing to Destiny's Child.

 

[Axver]

got quote?

I don't know exactly what Harrison said, but this was Bono's response:

"Good people of Yorkshire, you're making a terrible mistake! George Harrison says you shouldn't be here. It's all big fuckin' hats and lemons and air. Well, I've one thing for you, George: pump it up!"
- Bono over the intro of Even Better Than The Real Thing, 1997-08-28, Leeds.

 

[MrBrau1]

I get to hear indie bands slag off anyone who came before them and had more success.

I get to hear 60's and 70's rock gods slag off "today's music" as being meaningless.

They there's U2.

Class.

Learn from the best.

 

[J_NP]

During the Zooropa tour Pete Townsend had some very nasty things to say about U2.

"All they care about now is being the biggest band in the world".

"The new record is crap."

Well you gotta remember Pete did say some great things about Edge before , not sure 'bout U2 , but I was really surprised by what He said bout Edge .

About Zooropa thats pretty reasonable , in fact He did sound like a fan , coz tell me really who wasnt the Fan that got really shocked with Zooropa ? People after Achtung Baby could only expect what ? More Rock'n roll and guitar , after all this ZooTV was delivering . Tell me who didnt see Edge playing solos like Bullet and LIB in zootv , and thought wow we may finally have a even better guitar album than AB or something , and when they were expecting some big solos from Edge , they got that sound in Lemon .

In a nutshell , to me these comments again show that Pete was a real fan of u2 , at least like a traditional , and as one , he wouldnt be exactly happy with experimenting and all .

For the comment bout what they did care , well its forgiven , coz in half is a bit of jealous , coz nobody had done a show like zootv and again other part what I read is a guy who wanted rock'n roll from them , nothing else , he wanted u2 to keep like the 80s , no all that 'circus' thing .

Thats completely different from Clapton empty comment.

 

[Roland Deschain]

Pete Townsend likes child porn

P.S. This post isn't meant to be taken seriously I like The Who.

 

[MrBrau1]

The only negative thing I can think of U2 saying bout anyone was Edge saying Radiohead were great, but they need more upbeat songs.

Low and behold, he is correct.

 

[theu2fly]

Poor Clapton, hasn't written a good song in years, and Cream ain't coming back.

 

[U2girl]

got quote?

"Asked whether he enjoys groups such as Oasis, U2 and TEXAS, Harrison snorts, "Rubbish! They aren't very interesting. It's OK if you're 14 years old. I prefer to listen to BOB DYLAN." He adds, "You know what irritates me about modern music, it's all based on ego. Look at a group like U2. BONO and his band are so egocentric... The more you jump around, the bigger your hat is, the more people listen to your music... The only important thing is to sell, and make money. It's nothing to do with talent." The Beatles, he claims "had a value which will last forever." Harrison explains, "Today there are groups who sell a lot of records and then disappear immediately. Will we remember U2 in 30 years? Or the Spice Girls? I doubt it."