The Biggest Band In The World?

[reggiebar]

Originally Posted by Carter

So?

So, save your comments for a time when they actually contribute to the topic.

[Carter]

What opinions are disallowed now?
I'm not saving anything.

[Kurosawa]

Originally Posted by reggiebar

Without a question, the biggest band in the World at the moment is U2. This is not up for debate. The Stones may still be able to pack shows at the same rate as U2, but they can't sell any new records anymore. So, it is not The Stones. It is U2. Like it or hate it, they are the biggest band in the World - period.

That's true, although I'm sure the Stones ticket prices are noticably higher than U2's.

I wonder how much longer commercial radio will support new U2 material?

[reggiebar]

Originally Posted by Kurosawa

That's true, although I'm sure the Stones ticket prices are noticably higher than U2's.

I wonder how much longer commercial radio will support new U2 material?

Not that much higher in prices as U2's ticket prices for the last tour were almost at Stones level....

BTW, it is insane what popular bands get away with charging to go to shows these days (not to mention all the tickets that get resold from ticket brokers).

I miss the old days when people had to sleep outside of the ticket office or sleep outside the venue in ordre to get tickets for a show. One, it usually assured that the show was filled with real fans. Two, not nearly as many tickets were given to ticket resellers. Lastly, and MOST IMPORTANTLY, sleeping out for tickets back in the day was always a great night of fun partying with other fans and having a realy great time being miserable together. In high school in the late 80s, I had some very memorable nights sleeping out for tickets to shows - The Who fans were the most fun - it was like a giant block party of Who fans. Good times.

[reggiebar]

Originally Posted by Kurosawa

I wonder how much longer commercial radio will support new U2 material?

As long as they keep putting good material they will always get radio support - they have ascended to that level of respect in music.

[chamber-music]

U2 are the biggest band right now. It helps that they got 'Saint Bono' one of the most influencel people in the music industry as lead singer

[redmarvel]

U2 biggest band making good new music
Rolling Stones, Kiss & AC/DC biggest bands still doing concerts
Beatles biggest in current music history (who knows what the future holds)

[Leto Atrides]

Since when was U2 that big? I mean, they're big, sure, but half the thread is acting like they're suprised it's up to question.

Of all time, Beatles. Also, Queen. Any people of any age will recognize many of their songs. You can't say that about many bands, including the Stones, who are probably 3rd IMO.

At the moment, I don't know. A few months ago it was Green Day, definitely. I suppose it's Coldplay, but that's more due to a lack of anyone being super uber popular right now, than they being that big.

[redmarvel]

Originally Posted by Leto Atrides

Since when was U2 that big? I mean, they're big, sure, but half the thread is acting like they're suprised it's up to question.

Of all time, Beatles. Also, Queen. Any people of any age will recognize many of their songs. You can't say that about many bands, including the Stones, who are probably 3rd IMO.

At the moment, I don't know. A few months ago it was Green Day, definitely. I suppose it's Coldplay, but that's more due to a lack of anyone being super uber popular right now, than they being that big.

Granted Queen is right up there and so are the Bee Gees (if your criteria are songs folks recognize).

[reggiebar]

Originally Posted by Leto Atrides

Since when was U2 that big?

Since The Joshua Tree came out in the mid-80s they have been H-U-G-E.

There is no debate. U2 is the biggest band in the World still making music.

[Leto Atrides]

Originally Posted by reggiebar

Since The Joshua Tree came out in the mid-80s they have been H-U-G-E.

There is no debate. U2 is the biggest band in the World still making music.

I know they were big back in the past, but their more recent stuff hasn't seemed the same. It's definitely popular, but not completely iconic like in the past.

Of those still making music, I'll definitely give them that.

[redmarvel]

So what have Green Day or Coldplay done that you would consider "Iconic"? Frankly I'ld probably recognize a Barenaked Ladies or Nickleback tune and know more of the words then the former two.

[Leto Atrides]

Originally Posted by redmarvel

So what have Green Day or Coldplay done that you would consider "Iconic"? Frankly I'ld probably recognize a Barenaked Ladies or Nickleback tune and know more of the words then the former two.

I was thinking more of the icon status just for "All Time".

For the "Of the Moment" I'm assuming it's not necessarily for their whole body of work. All of a sudden (even if they were popular before) somebody gets huge. For example, American Idiot was extremely popular when it came out, they played the songs all the time, and a ton of people decided they loved Green Day. As I said, Coldplay doesn't exactly fit this, but I picked it as a stand-in as no one has gotten huge suddenly like that in the last couple months (that I've noticed).

[Carter]

I would say that the Rolling Stones still hold the mantle of the most iconic band of all time