“U2 ARE now very close to irrelevance” - Bono to Irish Times, Sept 10, 2011

[mdmomof7]

I wish I were a successful song writer like the rest of you are so I could offer a meaningful opinion on all of this.   

Cheeky and brilliant! 

[mdmomof7]

I don't think their age is the most important factor.   Look at how cool the Beatles currently are in the 16-19 bracket.

True, just bought my 15 year old, at her request, a Beatles journal, tshirt, notebook...I had to explain the iconic Abbey Road cover and then pointed out U2's photos there w/ Green Day. THAT should hold some sway! 

Beatles' coolness comes from the past, when they were young and creating their legend. Thus, they likely would now receive the same ageism issue U2 has. (ageism? sp?) 

And, seeing how dd now realizes how terrific the Beatles are, hopefully it won't be long for her to come to her senses about U2. She does love the line 'Every beauty has to go out w/ an idiot.' She was telling me about a couple she can't quite see together and I shared that line. She posted the entire verse on her Facebook, even giving U2 the credit! Score 1 for U2! 

[The Exile]

Johnny Cash, Lou Reed, David Bowie, Iggy Pop, Willie Nelson to some extent, David Gilmour, Tom Jones, Paul Weller are all elder statesmen who are legit, whether their latest music was the best or not...

I actually think U2 are still not old enough to be in this category (of elder statesmen of rock). And as long as they desperately grasp for mainstream success and street cred in the minds of kids, they never will be. They've crossed a line between Bomb and Horizon, but I fear they don't know it.

[satellitedog01]

I agree with the line between Bomb and Line, but I think they are well old enough.

[The Exile]

I agree with the line between Bomb and Line, but I think they are well old enough.

Maybe, but my point is that they're not acting old enough yet to be taken seriously by non-fans.

[Springbok]

Surely music as an art form should not be judged by the age of the musicians - just like paintings are not judged by the age of the painter. Acting your age is a different story though - but surely if it is all about their music, why is acting their age so important? I understand that you need to uphold a certain image I suppose? Which brings me to the next point - how do you judge if music is good or great in a certain genre if beauty is in the ear of the beholder (so to speak)? I'm just glad I don't have to make the decision as to where U2 should head next or what type of sounds they should make......rather them than me..

[MarsGirl~Descends to Hell for a bottle of milk]

I havent acted my age since I turned 18...

[The Exile]

Surely music as an art form should not be judged by the age of the musicians - just like paintings are not judged by the age of the painter. Acting your age is a different story though - but surely if it is all about their music, why is acting their age so important? I understand that you need to uphold a certain image I suppose? Which brings me to the next point - how do you judge if music is good or great in a certain genre if beauty is in the ear of the beholder (so to speak)? I'm just glad I don't have to make the decision as to where U2 should head next or what type of sounds they should make......rather them than me..

In order to be a true and respected elder statesman of rock and roll, you need to have crossed a line from your days as a mainstream success into the realm where you're sort of above all that and can do no wrong. You become a kind of legend with a mythology about you, as it were. It seems to me that U2 are unwilling to leave behind mass popularity, which I think will hold up their progress toward elder statesmen status.

It's like a guy who writes popular level non-fiction books who wants to be taken seriously by the academy. Unless and until he gets his PhD and starts publishing in real academic journals, he'll never be a part of the elite.

[excidence]

In order to be a true and respected elder statesman of rock and roll, you need to have crossed a line from your days as a mainstream success into the realm where you're sort of above all that and can do no wrong. You become a kind of legend with a mythology about you, as it were. It seems to me that U2 are unwilling to leave behind mass popularity, which I think will hold up their progress toward elder statesmen status.

In summary, U2 can't keep trying to appeal to the Justin Bieber crowd and still expect to achieve Bob Dylan status.

[The Unknown Caller]

In order to be a true and respected elder statesman of rock and roll, you need to have crossed a line from your days as a mainstream success into the realm where you're sort of above all that and can do no wrong. You become a kind of legend with a mythology about you, as it were. It seems to me that U2 are unwilling to leave behind mass popularity, which I think will hold up their progress toward elder statesmen status.

In summary, U2 can't keep trying to appeal to the Justin Bieber crowd and still expect to achieve Bob Dylan status.

I think that if anyone seriously believes that U2 have ever released anything to appeal to the 'Justin Bieber crowd', they seriously need to get their understanding of U2, relevance and popular music into proportion.

[excidence]

U2 is not good enough at pure pop to ever compete with Bieber or Beyonce. But they have said repeatedly that they would love to be able to. U2 is always looking for more fans, not fewer - it's clear by now that they don't have an allegiance to any one particular style of music.

[The Unknown Caller]

U2 is not good enough at pure pop to ever compete with Bieber or Beyonce. But they have said repeatedly that they would love to be able to. U2 is always looking for more fans, not fewer - it's clear by now that they don't have an allegiance to any one particular style of music.[/b[

See, I think I'd call those huge strengths missing in bands like Radiohead, not weaknesses.

[mdmomof7]

So, no need to resurrect this for good, but I came across this interview and even at the 2005 Grammys, Bono speaks of being relevant. So, I guess I need to pay more attention. This is nothing new for Bono.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viwuc0tWjKE

[Tumbling Dice]

I think relevance is a state of mind.

[mdmomof7]

I think relevance is a state of mind.

Indeed and Bono separates relevance from success. Intriguing...