With the latest release of U2 in the past several days/weeks, I've come across quite a few reviews and discussions about U2 and their music. More than once, I've seen some sort of reference to U2 being "The greatest band of all time". I've gotten to wondering whether this is true or not, or whether it's even remotely possible to judge such a thing.
There have certainly been some great ones over the years. With mass distribution, though, you'd probably only be able to include bands in the past 80 years or so. There certainly may be bands before that which were better, but were never heard on a large scale. Should you look at albums sold? Number of years that the band has been together, still producing music? Number of Top Ten or #1 hits on the charts? Sold out concerts? Non-musical endeavors outside the music industry? Or some or all of the above?
Like I said, there have certainly been some great bands over the years with some major talent. Just to name a few, I think you'd have to count in the top running bands like the Beatles, The Who, Aerosmith, Greatful Dead, Led Zepplin, and so on. U2 competes in every category I listed above, though, drawing a fan base and putting out music that is arguably unparalleled for 4 decades now. Yes, the Beatles were unreachable in their day. But did the demise of the Beatles or shorter length of their musical reign diminish their potential to capture the title of "best band ever?" I don't think you could include single artists like Michael Jackson or others in the running for this title either.
I've been amazed with U2 over the years, by-and-large remaining as one solid entity, not switching out band members, having major split-up fights, or dealing with the typical drug and alcohol addictions of famous musicians, at least not to anyone's knowledge. Who knows what they do in private, though.
On this subject, I'm always brought to think of "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure", where the story is that one band and their music unite the world together, appealing to the masses like no group ever before. Of course, this will never realistically happen entirely, but I think if one group even comes close to this idea, it's probably U2. Their solid music with strong vocals, EXCELLENT guitar, deep, meaningful lyrics, and spiritual basis I think give a well-rounded presence to their music like no other band. Besides, the Edge's "ethereal air guitar" reminds me of the guitar music Bill and Ted encounter when they go into the future and meet the ruling council.
U2's certainly not the end-all-be-all, and at any time, a greater band can certainly come along and undisputedly take the "best band" title. Until then, though, IMHO I think I'd have to give these guys the crown.
Flame or comment away...
There have certainly been some great ones over the years. With mass distribution, though, you'd probably only be able to include bands in the past 80 years or so. There certainly may be bands before that which were better, but were never heard on a large scale. Should you look at albums sold? Number of years that the band has been together, still producing music? Number of Top Ten or #1 hits on the charts? Sold out concerts? Non-musical endeavors outside the music industry? Or some or all of the above?
Like I said, there have certainly been some great bands over the years with some major talent. Just to name a few, I think you'd have to count in the top running bands like the Beatles, The Who, Aerosmith, Greatful Dead, Led Zepplin, and so on. U2 competes in every category I listed above, though, drawing a fan base and putting out music that is arguably unparalleled for 4 decades now. Yes, the Beatles were unreachable in their day. But did the demise of the Beatles or shorter length of their musical reign diminish their potential to capture the title of "best band ever?" I don't think you could include single artists like Michael Jackson or others in the running for this title either.
I've been amazed with U2 over the years, by-and-large remaining as one solid entity, not switching out band members, having major split-up fights, or dealing with the typical drug and alcohol addictions of famous musicians, at least not to anyone's knowledge. Who knows what they do in private, though.
On this subject, I'm always brought to think of "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure", where the story is that one band and their music unite the world together, appealing to the masses like no group ever before. Of course, this will never realistically happen entirely, but I think if one group even comes close to this idea, it's probably U2. Their solid music with strong vocals, EXCELLENT guitar, deep, meaningful lyrics, and spiritual basis I think give a well-rounded presence to their music like no other band. Besides, the Edge's "ethereal air guitar" reminds me of the guitar music Bill and Ted encounter when they go into the future and meet the ruling council.
U2's certainly not the end-all-be-all, and at any time, a greater band can certainly come along and undisputedly take the "best band" title. Until then, though, IMHO I think I'd have to give these guys the crown.
Flame or comment away...
h:
And I CAN NOT STAND Getty Lee's voice, it's right up there with Celine's voice in causing an involuntary reflex to want to shove sharp pointy objects in my ears to stop the noise. Again, just my opinions 
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