While we're discussing how McGuinness said the thing backfired, I
have one question:
What has he done for U2?
I know he's been the manager since the early days, but what he said was wrong. You do not critisize the way a band releases an album. You don't shoot your mouth off saying it "backfired". Mr. McGuinness, what you said was bad in taste, and very disrespectful. You should apologize for what you said. Shame on you.
Also, you lost my respect. First you want to governments to regulate ISPs to stop illegal downloading. I'm sorry, but that will always go on. Plus Bill Clinton said "no" to regulating ISPs in 1995. Perhaps U2 could be managed by Bill Curbishley, someone that I think who is a much better manager. Mr. McGuinness, the music business has changed, but cut the shit. I see right through you. You're another Kit Lambert. You want to see the band do well, for your wallet. I don't care how close you think you are to this band, go away. Bono, Edge, Larry and Adam can do better off without you.
What has McGuinness done for U2? Tons!! (in short)
If you think that a manager keeping track of money and business isn't that important... watch "Behind the Music" and see how many bands fell into ruins over bad management or money issues due to bad management.
WIthout McGuinness 'taking care of business', U2 would have a harder time doing what they do and concentrating on making great music.
We all love the music. But is is the Music Business. And if the business isn't taken care of, a band can not get to the business of recording, making music, touring and being a 'big band' vs. merely a bar band.
What has McGuinness done for U2? Tons!! (in short)
If you think that a manager keeping track of money and business isn't that important... watch "Behind the Music" and see how many bands fell into ruins over bad management or money issues due to bad management.
WIthout McGuinness 'taking care of business', U2 would have a harder time doing what they do and concentrating on making great music.
We all love the music. But is is the Music Business. And if the business isn't taken care of, a band can not get to the business of recording, making music, touring and being a 'big band' vs. merely a bar band.
The point is that he hasnt done anything that any other good business man wouldnt have done.....taking care of business and finance is his job.....he has done nothing extraordinary and you just dont see any passion for music or the business when he talks.
I think anyone with the qualifications could have done his job as good as him if not better. Lets face it U2's popularity is because of Bono's charisma and the whole bands musical talents.
Was the gig in Sarajevo his idea? I doubt it. Why hasnt he taken them to India?? Whay im saying is that he's done nothing grounbreaking. Theres nothing wrong with that but I think the reason people dont like him is that he only ever talks about money.
What has McGuinness done for U2? Tons!! (in short)
If you think that a manager keeping track of money and business isn't that important... watch "Behind the Music" and see how many bands fell into ruins over bad management or money issues due to bad management.
WIthout McGuinness 'taking care of business', U2 would have a harder time doing what they do and concentrating on making great music.
We all love the music. But is is the Music Business. And if the business isn't taken care of, a band can not get to the business of recording, making music, touring and being a 'big band' vs. merely a bar band.
True, but there's a difference between being a good manager and being a twat. For him to speak out against illegal downloading was moronic. He wants this to include bootleg recordings, I bet. I say NO.
The point is that he hasnt done anything that any other good business man wouldnt have done.....taking care of business and finance is his job.....he has done nothing extraordinary and you just dont see any passion for music or the business when he talks.
I think anyone with the qualifications could have done his job as good as him if not better. Lets face it U2's popularity is because of Bono's charisma and the whole bands musical talents.
Was the gig in Sarajevo his idea? I doubt it. Why hasnt he taken them to India?? Whay im saying is that he's done nothing grounbreaking. Theres nothing wrong with that but I think the reason people dont like him is that he only ever talks about money.
So he's lower than Kit Lambert? Ha, thats low to begin with. I say Mick Jagger should manage U2. He did try to major in economics, and definitely knows how to market stuff.
So he's lower than Kit Lambert? Ha, thats low to begin with. I say Mick Jagger should manage U2. He did try to major in economics, and definitely knows how to market stuff.
I have a bachelors degree in economics and am a fully qualified accountant...so Bono if you are reading.....i will not require a salary.....just free tickets for all my U2start buddies!!
I have a bachelors degree in economics and am a fully qualified accountant...so Bono if you are reading.....i will not require a salary.....just free tickets for all my U2start buddies!!
Don't start discussing Paul, that can last for ages here. I agree with Bono too. Just straight forward to share his opinion. Not every artist would do such a thing.
I wanted to set the record straight on behalf of the members of U2 on comments made to the BBC by our much-loved and valued manager, Paul McGuinness, regarding Radiohead's decision to make the music of 'In Rainbows' available as a download, using the 'honesty box' idea for payment.
We agree with our manager that this is a head-scratching and worrisome time for many musicians who, unlike ourselves, are depending on royalty or publishing cheques to pay the rent (particularly songwriters). We also agree that it is disturbing to see internet service providers and technology companies profit from the so-called 'disintermediation' of the music business when so many music lovers are losing their jobs. And while there is no doubt that it's extremely difficult for a new artist to get the kind of investment on which U2 depended in the first few wobbly years of recording, we disagree with Paul's assessment of Radiohead's release as "having backfired to a certain extent." We think they were courageous and imaginative in trying to figure out some new relationship with their audience. Such imagination and courage are in short supply right now...they're a sacred talent and we feel blessed to be around at the same time.
With respect,
Bono
I think that it is good that BONO spoke out. And U2 ARE friends with the guys in Radiohead. I think that while McGuinness might be mildly annoyed by Bono's comments, it is healthy that ANY member of the band can publicly state whether they disagree with management on an issue in part or in whole.
And for those that were up in arms about McGuiness' comments, Bono has made the bands view clear.
so glad he did this, when I read Paul's statements I was thinking how contradictory they were to what I would expect out of U2/Bono..glad he set the record straight
Maybe Paul said it because he was angry that there's only 1 'best of' of Radiohead's material for sale
I'd just be repeating the general consensus if I said what I think of Mr McGuinness lately, but I just think he could end up doing some major damage to U2's already somewhat damaged public image if he's not careful. I mean when it's Bono (who isn't exactly thought of too well outside of the fan base) who is the one who writes in to NME of all places to show there isn't a rift between the bands you know something is wrong. Isn't it usually a band member who shows his dis-approval of something to do with another band not the manager afterall? I'm just praying he does have the best motives at heart and isn't just being an absolute nonse (and that this isn't a sign of U2 becoming any more associated with NME than they are ala Manics)
While we're on the topic of Radiohead, I vote we start ourselves a proper Radiohead discussion topic (assuming I haven't just missed an existing one) so that I can go on and on about how great Tuesday's Victoria Park concert was (the sheer fact that they played The Tourist amongst others and that I wasn't too far from the stage makes me go giddy like a school child )
I understand that many take issue with Paul McGuinness 'hardline' on URLs and pirate recordings.
But there are some facts to consider.
1) U2 have had the ability to do many of the things that they have due to good decision making. A lot of that has been because of or with the aid of McGuinness.
2) Royalties are bands income. The band have said they are cool with us trading and sharing SHOWS but not the albums/singles. That is their bread and butter.
You can argue - feck em, their rich. And you'd be silly to argue that. The fact is that if the technology existed in 198o... and the same % of people illegally DLed U2 Boy and U2 October... their sales would ahve been that much less and after October having issues to begin with... good chance there would have been no War album. It wasn't until after War that U2 started to see a profit.
So for young bands, it is important to get the entire paycheck that is due to you.
That said, I get it, retailers and record co's have long fecked the fans with over-pricing. But illegal DLing is can hurt new artists and older artists alike. It certainly hurts new artists.
If the PM haters had illegally DLed Boy, Oct AND War... and the sale were too low... and McGuinness wasn't able to talk sense into Island Records.... U2 would not be here today and would be about as remember as The Hooters or Nena or Icicle Works or any other here today gone tomorrow 80's era band.
It was from U2 earning thier money in records sales, publishing and live shows, that they made some money. It is that promise of financial return that allowed them to go on to make The Joshua Tree. No Joshua Tree = no money to fund tours like Zoo TV and Popmart... and again, they wouldn't be here today.
Was PM strong in his speeches? Perhaps. Was he wrong to mention or single out Radiohead... I think so and Bono thinks so. That doesn't make PM an ogre, dick or bad manager. It means that maybe he's taken a hard line that he needs to back off a bit... but it also means that he's doing his job and looking after U2 and their interests.
Maybe Paul said it because he was angry that there's only 1 'best of' of Radiohead's material for sale
I'd just be repeating the general consensus if I said what I think of Mr McGuinness lately, but I just think he could end up doing some major damage to U2's already somewhat damaged public image if he's not careful. I mean when it's Bono (who isn't exactly thought of too well outside of the fan base) who is the one who writes in to NME of all places to show there isn't a rift between the bands you know something is wrong. Isn't it usually a band member who shows his dis-approval of something to do with another band not the manager afterall? I'm just praying he does have the best motives at heart and isn't just being an absolute nonse (and that this isn't a sign of U2 becoming any more associated with NME than they are ala Manics)
While we're on the topic of Radiohead, I vote we start ourselves a proper Radiohead discussion topic (assuming I haven't just missed an existing one) so that I can go on and on about how great Tuesday's Victoria Park concert was (the sheer fact that they played The Tourist amongst others and that I wasn't too far from the stage makes me go giddy like a school child )
I agree that a Radiohead side project would be nice and there seems to be many U2 fans that also appreciate a bit of Radiohead.
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"It's a story about a man who's been up all night drinking, and when he gets home, he can't put the key in the door."
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