The Beatles AND U2

Rashas Weber ([email protected])
Thu, 3 Dec 1998 20:19:43 -0800 (PST)

Okay, the first thing I want to tell Mr. MacPhisto is, if you're going
to attempt to paraphrase me, please show me the courtesy of getting it
right. You allege that I said U2 did drugs while recording. If you had
paid attention, you would have realized that nowhere did I state that. I
was responding to the blanket statement a few people made, saying there
wasn't any way ANY band could do drugs in general without it affecting
their music. If you had also paid attention to a previous post on the
drug subject, I said I fervently hoped and doubted that Bono had ever
done hard drugs. I am very careful about not contradicting myself - but
here you go in last night's post suddenly saying, well, okay, so the
Beatles had a big impact, but...grumble, grumble, grumble.

I also never stated that the Beatles were "constantly on drugs," again a
misquote; I said that they did everything they could get their hands on,
but perhaps I should have gone on to explain that the '60s were a time
of experimentation and they were certainly nowhere near being out of
place. It is also an undeniable fact that it enhanced and influenced
their work in positive ways as evidenced by their work starting with
"Rubber Soul." I will unequivocally state here that while I have never
done anything harder than a Tylenol 3, some of the Beatles stuff blows
my mind with its depth and insight. I suggest you check out the book
"The Beatles Illustrated Lyrics" and look at the lyrics for songs like
"Tomorrow Never Knows" and "Within You Without You" to help you
comprehend the clarity and perspective they possessed. Also, in a
stunning display of RAPID musical evolution that I find rare, there is
only a three-year gap between "I Want to Hold Your Hand" and the Sgt.
Pepper album.

I will also state that U2 has the ability to blow my mind as well. You
would do well to remember that I have said before that they are my other
favorite band. They peacefully coexist in my CD player, why is this so
hard to fathom?

>>Lyrically, IMHO, Lennon and McCarthy have NOTHING on Bono if you ask
me.>>

ROTFLOL! Then you turn right around and admit a few times that you
really don't know anything about them. And, again, it's McCarTNEY. Word
of advice, one should avoid making bellicose statements about things
they really know nothing about. It really weakens one's arguments.
  
I am truly sorry that you are of the mind that music begins and ends
with U2, and there can never be any other bands out there who are just
as good. You are really missing out on some other brilliant bands. I
really appreciate a lot of the bands that influenced U2, although the
majority I already liked, not just 'cause Bono raved about them. Since I
consider U2 to be one of the best bands ever, I have no trouble putting
them next to the Beatles. In my mind, the best bands (no matter from
what decade) share the same bond of musical genius, and this spark
transcends and negates different musical styles or time periods.

One more thing, since you obviously don't think that any other
bands/artists - who by every other standard are considered to be
influential - can ever measure up, take a look at the following list.
I'd like to hear your stunning analyses on exactly why none of them
are/were as good as U2. Bear in mind 99% of them are majorly revered by
U2. ALSO, please be so kind as to remember that I put U2 in the same
category as these bands/artists, so I don't get wrongfully accused, yet
again, of insulting the lads from Dublin. Here goes: The Doors, David
Bowie, The Rolling Stones, The Who, Television, Joy Division, Van
Morrison, Led Zeppelin, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Police, Robert, Muddy
Waters, Jimi Hendrix, Elvis Presley, Billie Holiday and The Doors
(sorry, you're not gonna get away with that one either).

Obviously, you don't have to answer, but since it's apparent you have
such strong opinions, I thought I'd allow you ample opportunity to
express them.

Jaysus! My apologies to anyone who was put off by the length of my post,
however I'm a writer who's also been a music journalist, and I have a
lot to say about it. Music is my life's passion and I just can't let
this sort of thing go unchecked. :)

Rashas W.

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