what's the deal with U2 being so appreciated?

and successful - Just watching a TV program about 20 best artist or bands of all time and U2 is among such 

giants like Pink Floyd, Queen, Michael Jackson, etc etc. I mean come on, those guys from U2 barely could play 
on their instruments...Granted they have few nice songs and original style (accomplished willy-nilly because of lack of instrumental skills) 
but how they can be even compared to Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin or Deep Purple....it's not same league.

I liked their first LP boy. 

I take serious exception to that.  

I am a child of the 80s, after all.

I absolutely hate Led Zeppelin.

I'm trying to think of another mainstream pop rock band with similar longevity covering the same era and which enjoyed similar success through the 80s and 90s and who are still active today.

I can't think of any at the moment. I don't think there's that much competition. 

Many band of that era who have since became classic/cult bands, and U2 could probably have gone into history books asone of them, relatively big, but nothing in comparison to their current status. But unlike others, they persisted... and they became legends. 

And once you become a legend, it's like you can't do anything wrong. You're appreciated for your status almost regardless of you musical output. Plenty of artists and bands cash in on that phenomenon w/ reunion tours.

IMHO, it's all blown out of proportion - and being blown out of proportion is often what pop is all about. 

Don't get me wrong - Achtung Baby is an all-time favorite of mine, and they wrote a few gems. But musically, they're pretty average. Still, by today's standards...


EDIT - Ok, there's one of my favorite bands, namely the Cure. Though, despite a few hits, they don't come across as mainstream as U2, IMHO. Still the principle at work is still the same - their last few albums don't really justify the following. And I wouldn't regard them as virtuosos either.

(Rain, I was also thinking of The Cure... But don't kid myself about them being "mainstream" as much as I love them...)

Rain


I liked Joshua Tree, but I still felt that they were holding back. There something "clumsy" about it. But that's just my tastes. Still, it has a warm spot in my heart.
  

---------------------------------------------------------------

I don't know, tree like a tree...

We also have to remember that many of those legendary bands weren't necessarily the greatest musicians in their own time either. 

well, in 70ties far more members of the bands were actually a very good musicians or even virtuoso on theirs instruments then today...




p.s.
i hate this forum software...

Glyn Barnes


Bill Bailey - U2 Technical Failure

LOL exactly! 

Eh, the Cure is ok...  I've only got 23 of their albums and a couple of DVD's (The Cure: Trilogy is HOT!).

In response to the OP, you only have to ask "What's the deal with the Kardashians being so appreciated?"

The masses are weird.

offnote

Glyn Barnes


Bill Bailey - U2 Technical Failure

LOL exactly! 

Yes, like all good comedy its based on an element of truth , but to be fair I do like a lot of U2's stuff, I have bought some of it. The Edge's style is effective and musical, he is not Hendrix, Clapton, Santana, Blackmore, Howe, Gilmore, Thompson, SRV or McLaughlin but he does not try to be.
 
I don't put them up there with my greats, but they are massively popular, long lived and have often stood out from their contemporaries.

i never liked U2. 

I don't like... Rush.
This ought to be capital sin around here, uh?

Rain


I don't like... Rush.
This ought to be capital sin around here, uh?

I hate Rush.
 
As for U2, i'm a big fan.  They're pop stars.  Rock music is usually 4 or 5 chords and a catchy riff, and they've got that down really well.  They write catchy melodies and record them.
Their live shows show that they work hard to entertain.  Live Aid might have been their biggest accomplishment.  Where most of my musical idols gave lackluster (or even embarassing) performances, U2 was noted as one of the standouts.  And they continue to put on great live shows that compile music for the masses with what seems like an honest interest in engaging their audiences.  Bono's onstage banter is priceless.  You know that he tells the same jokes every night, but it seems playful enough to work anyway.
As for The Edge's guitar skills, i don't want to compare him to SRV, Hendrix, or anyone else.  As someone who seems quite capable of playing exactly what he wants, comparing skills between artists is like apples to oranges.  And if you doubt his playing, YouTube Bullet The Blue Sky from the ZooTV tour:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6w2fNOEzR9Y.  I wouldn't change a note!

Also, The Edge doesn't take himself too seriously.  In "It Might Get Loud," he laughs about the riff for Elevation.  It's just 2 chords changed blandly, and it's the wah and delay that give it the identity.  Somewhere else, he mentioned the guitar lines at the end of With Or Without You.  The song practically begged for a Gilmour-esque soaring guitar solo, but he went the opposite route playing a really basic 2-string countermelody.   Knowing when to restrain the impulse to constantly blast at 100% is a skill too.  Every great musician also knew when to push with just enough force.

And of course they're blown out of proportion.  Every successful pop and rock musician is.  They're earning millions of dollars, but songwriting and performing.  They're not exactly saving lives, teaching our children, or fighting our wars...

Beagle

julibee


I take serious exception to that.  

I am a child of the 80s, after all.

I absolutely hate Led Zeppelin.

Oh yeah????  Well I don't like Dylan!  So there! 

Nyah-Nyah-Nyah-Nyah-NYAH!  

julibee

Beagle

julibee


I take serious exception to that.  

I am a child of the 80s, after all.

I absolutely hate Led Zeppelin.

Oh yeah????  Well I don't like Dylan!  So there! 

Nyah-Nyah-Nyah-Nyah-NYAH!  

 
but you, however, Jules, are my favorite!!!