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U2 named by Q Magazine as top act of the last 25 years.

Over that same period, I'm trying to think of a topper for that.

I like U2 okay, there are personal favorites I rank higher, but on the global popular music scene, I can't think of another act to list above U2 based on marketplace presence, etc.

Only the Rolling Stones and U2 seem big enough to carry out a stadium tour in this modern world.

Any other choices?
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quote:
Originally posted by indybob:

Whether they're your favorite or not, U2 should get the nod, none other.


Agreed. You can in no way knock them for getting that nod.

But with that said, I've never personally cared much for them, and despite me being half Irish - I find Bono to me one of the bigger douchebags around...just behind Bill Maher and Michael Moore.
quote:
Originally posted by Ed Bowers:
Pink Floyd
Stones


I love them, but...

Floyd has only released two studio albums in the past 25 years.

Momentary Lapse of Reason in 1987

The Division Bell in 1994

Both so long ago, they were released on cassette as one of their formats! (Makes me feel old.)

I think I'm the world's biggest Stones fan, but only Voodoo Lounge, Bridges to baylon, and Bigger Bang in the last 25 years (other than live rehashes.)

I just can't see them on the list.
I agree U2 easily wins this. I don't agree with putting AC/DC #2 as 25 years only goes back to '86 and their big stuff was before then. I would throw out Dave Matthews, Foo Fighters, and the Chile Peppers as bands that have had a big presence and consistency during that time even though they all came on in the early 90's.
quote:
Originally posted by The Cabernet of Doctor Caligari:
quote:
Originally posted by Ed Bowers:
Pink Floyd
Stones


I love them, but...

Floyd has only released two studio albums in the past 25 years.

Momentary Lapse of Reason in 1987

The Division Bell in 1994

Both so long ago, they were released on cassette as one of their formats! (Makes me feel old.)

I think I'm the world's biggest Stones fan, but only Voodoo Lounge, Bridges to baylon, and Bigger Bang in the last 25 years (other than live rehashes.)

I just can't see them on the list.


Agree with this, but I do say the Stones still put on a very good live show. Have seen them in the Stadiums, at MSG, and Tower Theater outside Philly
It's interesting wording. 'Of' the last 25 years. If that means 'over' the last quarter century, then it's U2, hands down, and possibly not even a debate. I think the time reference automatically excludes bands whose best material were before then. So no Stones, etc. After U2, it would have to be Chilis or Radiohead.
'Of' can make you think of a solid act at a high during that time. Coldplay, Oasis, or even Flaming Lips could win that one...
quote:
Originally posted by jburman82:
quote:
Originally posted by Adam10:
quote:
Originally posted by g-man:
I'd bet

Eminem, Britney Spears, Justin Bieber, Lady gaga will easily outsell Rolling Stones and U2 combined if they all had concerts.


So?


Funny how album sales were important in the PJ/Nirvana debate but here tickets sales arent.


Not funny at all, since we're talking about tickets being sold today v the greatest act of the last 25 years, so didn't see the connection as it's a skewed point...

And albums and tickets are different.

And the times and demographics are also different...

And I'm not saying ticket sales aren't important...but the point wasn't clear.

And there isn't a PJ/Nirvana debate...
quote:
Originally posted by vinole:
I agree U2 easily wins this. I don't agree with putting AC/DC #2 as 25 years only goes back to '86 and their big stuff was before then. I would throw out Dave Matthews, Foo Fighters, and the Chile Peppers as bands that have had a big presence and consistency during that time even though they all came on in the early 90's.


Oh, come on, that nasally whiny DMB hasn't even written 1 damn good song in his whole career...and he certainly can't sing. Big Grin

If we can only consider 1986+, then U2 it is, though even though some of their best music was previous to 1986. That fact they could still be the best is more a testament on how, in general, music has taken a turn for the worse since then.
Adam, "thepast 25 years" doesnt mean ignore newer acts in favor of older ones. I would be shocked if Brittney Spears hasnt sold more albums, had more hits and has more ticket sales than the Stones in the past 25 years. Whether you like her music or not by any statistical measure she has been "better"

Suprised no one has mentioned GNR yet. No love for hair bands?

Agree with Chilis and DMB being up there.
The award is called "Greatest Act" which I think represents the most successful (not critically the best) in a combination of record and concert sales.

Lady Gaga doesn't fare as well as you might think in concert tix. U2's 360 tour was the highest grossing of all time at $736M, and the Stones Bigger Bang is second at $591M. AC/DC Black Ice is third. Gaga is #16. Madonna (#4) and Celine Dion (#11) are both ahead of her in tour rankings. The biggest grossing tour for calendar 2010 was Bon Jovi.

Madonna and Celine Dion have both sold more albums world wide all time than U2 or the Stones. Only the Beatles, Elvis, and Michael Jackson have sold more than Madonna. I for one am glad that concert gross appears to have outweighed album sales in picking the winner as Madonna hit the scene about the same time as U2 in the early 80's and so matches up well time wise.
quote:
Originally posted by vinole:
The award is called "Top Act" which I think represents the most successful (not critically the best) in a combination of record and concert sales.

Lady Gaga doesn't fare as well as you might think in concert tix. U2's 360 tour was the highest grossing of all time at $736M, and the Stones Bigger Bang is second at $591M. AC/DC Black Ice is third. Gaga is #16. Madonna (#4) and Celine Dion (#11) are both ahead of her in tour rankings. The biggest grossing tour for calendar 2010 was Bon Jovi.

Madonna and Celine Dion have both sold more albums world wide all time than U2 or the Stones. Only the Beatles, Elvis, and Michael Jackson have sold more than Madonna. I for one am glad that concert gross appears to have outweighed album sales in picking the winner as Madonna hit the scene about the same time as U2 in the early 80's and so matches up well time wise.


that's not exactly fair vinole,
Lady gaga was a debut artist,

U2 never came close to touching lady gaga in terms of tix sales as a debut band.

Tho, time will tell if lady gaga will come out wiht 12 studio albums, 8 live albums, 9 compilation alubms, 56 singles, 8 EPs over 20 years.
quote:
Originally posted by g-man:
[Lady gaga was a debut artist,

U2 never came close to touching lady gaga in terms of tix sales as a debut band.

Tho, time will tell if lady gaga will come out wiht 12 studio albums, 8 live albums, 9 compilation alubms, 56 singles, 8 EPs over 20 years.


I think it is a fairly safe bet that 20 years from now, Lady Crapa will not be playing in any sold out stadiums - if anyone is still paying any attention to her 5 years from now.
quote:
Originally posted by Jcocktosten:
quote:
Originally posted by g-man:
[Lady gaga was a debut artist,

U2 never came close to touching lady gaga in terms of tix sales as a debut band.

Tho, time will tell if lady gaga will come out wiht 12 studio albums, 8 live albums, 9 compilation alubms, 56 singles, 8 EPs over 20 years.


I think it is a fairly safe bet that 20 years from now, Lady Crapa will not be playing in any sold out stadiums - if anyone is still paying any attention to her 5 years from now.


if you're in your 30s,

wanna make a bet when we're both in our 50s? =)
quote:
Originally posted by jburman82:
Adam, "thepast 25 years" doesnt mean ignore newer acts in favor of older ones. I would be shocked if Brittney Spears hasnt sold more albums, had more hits and has more ticket sales than the Stones in the past 25 years. Whether you like her music or not by any statistical measure she has been "better"

Suprised no one has mentioned GNR yet. No love for hair bands?

Agree with Chilis and DMB being up there.


If you read my other post, I think it suggests it could be over the 25 years, so you can't go too old, but you can't go too young, either...

It's universal love...and GNR and DMB don't have that...Chilis are pretty broad though...vast array...
What many have also missed is that the source is Q mag. So, pretty cool and edgy, but not quite NME level, let alone heavier....so that's why in the article you also have mentions of Gallagher and Lana Del Rey, but not all the other acts people have talked about...

I reckon it's the better part of the last 25 years in quantity as well as quality as well as universal love.

It's U2 and justifiably so.
quote:
Originally posted by Vinyrd Skynyrd:
Let's not forget how hugely successful Garth Brooks was throughout the 1990's, although he's kind of dropped off the radar since then.

I've never personally been a fan but thought he deserved a mention.


Good pull. Personally, Country music makes me reach for the mute button, but his fans are fanatical about him. He's not U2, but a top five isn't out of the question.
quote:
Originally posted by indybob:
quote:
Originally posted by Vinyrd Skynyrd:
Let's not forget how hugely successful Garth Brooks was throughout the 1990's, although he's kind of dropped off the radar since then.

I've never personally been a fan but thought he deserved a mention.


Good pull. Personally, Country music makes me reach for the mute button, but his fans are fanatical about him. He's not U2, but a top five isn't out of the question.


Q would never go near Country. It's laughable to suggest it. Might as well go with some random Mandarin star from China, because half a billion people might be into said star, assuming one exists. It isn't relevant to their audience.
I think many of you are completely missing the point of what I perceived this to be about - I think U2 is the clear winner - a 10 year run of success and being at the height of popuylarity/success is great and no mean feat. But Garth Brooks is nowhere near the top of country music and has not been for more than 10 years. I am sure he has lots of fans still as do many of the other bans listed. Guns N Roses, really? They had a five year run, became a parody of themselves, became a completely different band and other than Appetite for Destruction, pretty much blow chunks.

U2 has been extraordinarily succesful with fans, CD/album (as they go back that far) purchasers, critics, concert-goers. Somehow they stayed together (no line-up changes since their formation in the early 80s) and relevant.

You may hate them and think Bono is a sanctimonious gas bag, but its hard to see anyone who could compete.

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