U2's Bono: 'Radiohead were courageous for 'In Rainbows' release'

U2 7

Singer rejects manager's claim that download 'backfired'

U2's Bono has sent a letter to NME this week (June 25) following the band's manager Paul McGuinness's comments regarding Radiohead's decision to release their last album, 'In Rainbows', on a pay-what-you-like basis as a download.

Earlier this month, McGuinness said Radiohead's album release \"backfired\" and that U2 would not be following the Oxford band's example when they release their next record.

In the letter, printed in tomorrow's (June 25) edition of NME, Bono says that he disagrees with his manager's comments, calling Radiohead "courageous and imaginative in trying to figure out some new relationship with their audience".

"Such imagination and courage are in short supply right now," he continued. "They're [Radiohead], a sacred talent, and we feel blessed to be around at the same time."

Read the full letter from Bono in the new issue of NME, out nationwide tomorrow.

U2 tickets:

Aug 14, 2009 16:00 at Wembley Stadium, London - Buy from Seetickets
Aug 15, 2009 16:00 at Wembley Stadium, London - Buy from Seetickets
Aug 18, 2009 17:00 at Hampden Park, Glasgow - Buy from Seetickets

More U2 tickets

Share this story:
Del.icio.us
Digg
Furl
Reddit

Comments (10)

Add a comment

jorges

Jun 24, 2008

good cop, bad cop.

rggfoot

Jun 24, 2008

This is Bono having his cake and eating it too; pure and simple. By "disagreeing" with McGuiness, he shows he's sensitive to what Radiohead was trying to do yet he says nothing as to what he feels about "pay what you want". Granted, the rest of the article is not available yet but I am willing to wager this is a fair summary of what's left. He calls Radiohead a "sacred talent". The only thing sacred to U2 is the almighty dollar/euro/etc.

bones__

Jun 24, 2008

Bono is always so sweet!I can't wait for their new record!As for Radiohead , I give them thumbs up!

Orangeboy

Jun 25, 2008

Of course he wouldn't release their album in the same way, because he wouldn't be able to rake in as many milllions whilst preaching at us how to live our lives.

wellduhobviously

Jun 25, 2008

I wonder what he thinks of Trent Reznor's approach, which was far more imaginative and fan-friendly than what Radiohead did.

IHateEditors

Jun 25, 2008

Rggfoot is yet another one deluded by his hatred of Bono. U2 is a successful business, that doesn't make them greedy. I love Radiohead, but their bravery was returned with greed from their own fans. As for Bono being "Sensitive to what Radiohead were trying to do", he's defending their experiment, not saying it was the right thing to do. Do you think Radiohead wanted loyal fans to pay nothing like they did? Let's see if the next Radiohead album is pay what you want...

Richie Fratelli

Jun 25, 2008

Bono is a douchebag

IHateEditors

Jun 26, 2008

Bono has never told me how to live my life, Orangeboy. He draws attention to certain issues, as the great Thom Yorke does. He just does it better. Musically, Radiohead is currently superior, but at least U2 will never write something as awful as "I Wanna Live a Dream In My Record Machine."

Orangeboy

Jun 28, 2008

I just think pop stars should be honest about why they do certain things. Fair play to Bono and U2 they have stood the test of time, and written some classic songs. There last album was on par with lift music though. But I'm sure their next album will sell millions because it's U2.As for Thom Yorke and Radiohead, I will probably never understand why they are so popular. Yes, technically their music is advanced, but the band including Thom Yorke have the charisma of a turnip. Maybe you have to have gone to private school and enjoy Rugby to get them. What exactly do Radiohead tell their audience? And you are right IHateEditors, Oasis are shit now. The only hope was The Killers and Coldplay, but they seem to have disappeared up their own backsides as well.

IHateEditors

Jun 29, 2008

If you listen to it and hate it, I don't have a problem. It just pisses me off that so many ignorant people hate a band based on their opinion of the singer. Ha- turnip!