I think they are a GREAT band and I believe they are not irrelevant. They send a message and I think they'll come back again after this current tour.
Terry McCreary, 2009-10-14 06:58:02

Agreed! I think Kings of Leon will take their place. It's time to pass the torch.

Jay, 2009-09-22 02:55:25

Hewson (aka Bono) can get a meeting with any leader in the world he wants, and has managed to get billions in African debt forgiven. Like Geldof, he's done a lot more for "the world" than most people. As long as they're filling stadiums, they are relevant, and last I heard, they're still filling stadiums while the bands Sterdan may find relevant are playing in clubs to 50 people. What's the point of playing music if no one hears it?
Eugene, 2009-09-18 09:42:13

Darryl Sterdan

RE: Achtung, Bono (Edmonton Sun; March 1, 2009)

Mr. Sterdan,

Although I cannot profess to be a follower of your articles, your words certainly caught my eye to the point of inspiration, on a flight back from Vancouver Island.

I realize in hindsight, that "fading into irrelevance" was perhaps intended in a different context, but by then I was already on a tangent, so please bear with me.

Once in awhile, a band comes along with such pure, undiluted energy, that they instantly embed themselves into your universe.

Messages that carress the soul. Raw passion that elevates. Musical electricity that transcends.

Hope for this, the human condition ... RELEVANT

I banged my head in 1992. My life focus became re-learning to walk & talk & think straight. I invested heavily into 'Post-its'. Severe headaches removed bass-based music & U2 from my existance.

When the headaches subsided enough, I pulled out my CDs and cranked them up.

My heart soared as I sang the lyrics from Boy, October, War, the Unforgettable Fire, the Joshua Tree and Rattle & Hum.

Even with a 7 year hiatus and a missing right frontal lobe, U2 had endured ... RELEVANT

U2 kept reaching and growing. I discovered another 3 (new to me) albums. They have the passion and the courage to step outside of their box, to create their ever-changing evolution.

U2 is in no way 'fading into the past' ... for they have always been in the moment ... RELEVANT

U2 has used their platform of fame to speak out against our world's injustices and to advocate that we, brothers and sisters all, can make a world of difference. That we can create a tide of good will.

Courage ... Peace ... Love ... Equality ... RELEVANT

With that said, Mr Sterdan, I thank you and share with you this portrait of Bono.

You, Sir, also have the ability to inspire.

Have a wonderful day.

Respectfully,

Nana Betts

nana betts, 2009-09-07 10:57:37

I like some of their older songs, but they seem pretty egotistical.

A guy named Paul Hewson, who goes by the name "Bono"?

Another who goes by the "name", "The Edge"?

I think they are full of themselves.
gordholio, 2009-05-13 01:25:09

U2 sucks, new stuff is garbage, Bono is a self righteous arse!!!
Tim, 2009-05-08 14:58:50

Awesome band, but their best music is from the 80's and 90's. They've been so focused on their business empire, it seems like their forgotten what made their music so great in the first place.
Russ, 2009-04-08 13:30:14

U2 will be around longer than Darryl Sterdan 30 years of Rock and still going can't see that happening to music critic.
u2fan, 2009-03-08 11:09:08

Good analogy overall, but I would argue a couple points. First, given U2’s last two studio releases, I would say they are CURRENTLY in their “Missed Steps” period. It would also be pretty bold to consider Actung Baby a missed step. That album (and the corresponding Zoo TV tour) was arguably U2 at the height of their popularity, equalling, if not surpassing their popularity from the Joshua Tree era.

Those are my thoughts… here’s to hoping that the “Reclaiming the Throne” period is still forthcoming for them, otherwise, the latter-half of their career has been a bit of a let-down for me.
Clark, 2009-03-03 10:59:41

U2 is no longer a band. It is a mega-business. Bono and his investment company gave Palm over $400 million and their recent tax hubub proves that is not about rock and roll anymore; it is about commerce. And I love U2, but they are hardly relevant when it comes to art.
Harvey Finkelstein, 2009-03-03 08:30:34