Being in a successful band is a complicated experience for all involved. Sure, the highs of having a hit song make a fortune are great, but the lows of having band tension, or taking major risks with touring can have a lasting impact on even the most successful groups of all time.
U2 is a legendary rock act who largely did everything right. Sure, they're partnership with Apple was a disaster, but overall, U2 has an incredible legacy in music.
Despite their legacy, one band member referred to the group as a dictatorship.Let's hear what he said about the band, and how the other guys in the group responded to what he had to say.
U2 Is One Of The Biggest Bands Of All Time
Formed in Dublin in 1976, U2 consisted of lead vocalist Bono (Paul Hewson), guitarist The Edge (David Howell Evans), bassist Adam Clayton, and drummer Larry Mullen Jr. The band's early sound was characterized by a blend of numerous genres. However, their sonic landscape expanded over the years, incorporating elements of arena rock, pop, and experimental music.
U2's music has always been intertwined with their social and political activism. The band has used their platform to address pressing issues and advocate for change. Their involvement in campaigns against poverty, disease, human rights violations, and environmental concerns has garnered widespread recognition and respect. Through initiatives like the ONE Campaign and (RED), U2 has successfully mobilized fans and raised awareness about these pressing global challenges.
Even after more than four decades in the industry, U2 continues to evolve and adapt to the ever-changing music landscape. Their 2014 album Songs of Innocence was distributed for free to iTunes users, making it instantly accessible to millions of listeners. U2's ability to remain relevant and connect with new audiences while staying true to their core values is a testament to their enduring appeal.
The band has managed to stick around for longer than many of their contemporaries, but despite this, there have been plenty of problems within the group.
Larry Mullen Jr. Likened The Group To A Dictatorship
The outspoken rockers have all given their sides of the story, and in an interview, Larry Mullen Jr. made a claim that took some people by surprise. Mullen claimed that the band was a dictatorship, something that his bandmates were asked about when speaking with The Los Angeles Times.
Said Bono, "We have all quiet quit U2 over the years. After the article appeared, Larry texted me and said, “You probably won’t be asking me to do many interviews after this.” (laughs) He has a funny side, despite being caricatured as a surly fella. When I’m mouthing off about some disaster in the world and how we might be able to help, he’s looking at his watch and saying, “Hurry up. I want to see my kids, Bono.” That’s partly humor."
The Edge was a bit more straightforward with his response.
"There are four dictators in U2," he said.
Mullen made it clear in his interview that he is unlike other members of the band, and that in order for any band to succeed, a lot of sacrifice is needed.
Earlier this year, it was reported that an injury was preventing Mullen from playing with U2.
"It’s going to take all we’ve got to approach the Sphere without our bandmate in the drum seat, but Larry has joined us in welcoming Bram van den Berg, who is a force in his own right," the band said.
Mullen's comments may have caught some fans by surprise, but this isn't the first time that a group member has opened up about being in the band.
All Members Of U2 Have Had Their Issues
According to NME, at one point, Bono believed that he was going to be thrown out of the band.
Bono's campaign against poverty was a highly-publicized one, and he believed that it would be his undoing.
However, the band was "hugely supportive spiritually and financially of the work I do, but they are in a rock ‘n’ roll band and the first job of a rock ‘n’ roll band is not to be dull," the singer said.
"So we have to be very careful about just letting me go too far. People just openly jeered and I felt like I was a weight around my band’s neck for doing this kind of work," he said.
With their timeless anthems, electrifying live performances, and unwavering commitment to social causes, U2 has become an icon of rock music. While that's amazing, it's even more impressive to see that they have remained at each other's sides after all these years.