“The best frontman there ever was”, according to Bono: “More front than Harrods”
Trying to think of reasons why you might not like U2 or their lead man, Bono, is usually a fairly short task. The band, and their front man, have found themselves moving from being one of ht most popular bands in the world into a decidedly uncool sphere for the last few decades.
They infiltrated our iPods, incessantly played the most sanctimonious role afforded to a rock band and have produced so many unwelcome songs that they could almost ruin their entire reputation.
He might be one of the most derided men in music, and perhaps rightly so, but beneath the shades, leather jackets, and whatever other caricature-esque characteristics Bono has, when it comes to music, he knows what he’s talking about. As with every notable musician, his journey started as a fan, and no amount of chart-topping success or cheesy hits would ever change his passion for the craft.
As U2 have been such a commercial behemoth and laughing stock for sneering hipsters for so long, people forget that there was a time when the Irish band were not only one of the hottest prospects around, but the coolest, too. Their refreshing take on the post-punk formula saw them stand out from the crowd, with the mulleted Bono’s powerful vocals and lyrics, the tip of the spear behind The Edge’s constant riffing – some of the finest of the era – Adam Clayton’s widely underrated bass playing, and the dynamism of drummer Larry Mullen Jr.
Setting aside what some may view as artistic missteps like Zooropa, How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb, and Songs of Innocence – albums released after their monumental success with The Joshua Tree in 1987 – U2’s legacy from their 1980 debut Boy to their ascendancy as the biggest band on earth in the late ’80s is marked by immense value. With notable tracks such as ‘I Will Follow’, ‘New Year’s Day’, and ‘The Unforgettable Fire’, co-produced by the renowned Brian Eno, U2 solidified their place in music history.
In short, if you excavate beneath the growing surface of contemptible releases, you’ll find a band that knows what they’re talking about, regardless of how hard they make us believe they don’t. Concerning Bono, his position as a fan and a global icon has given him a rare insight into the craft of great frontmen and comment on his peers across his career.
One man he is particularly fond of is The Rolling Stones’ lead, Mick Jagger. Bono loves the Englishman so much that when speaking to Rolling Stone in 2020 to list the 60 songs that changed his life, the U2 vocalist named ‘Ruby Tuesday’ and then looked at how Jagger revolutionised his field. Accordingly, he called him “the best frontman there ever was”.
Bono said: “The Rolling Stones took stage performance in these mega shows to the next level.” Jagger and co have perfected the art. Never has a green space existed with the chance of a stage being placed upon it and the group not found their way to perform and dominate it. It’s their way and, according to Bono, much of that is down to Jagger’s bravado.
As the Irishman elegantly puts it, “Mick Jagger has more front than Harrod’s. The best frontman there ever was. Mark Fisher sure helped, but it was your vision that made everyone else in the field/stadium have a better one. We used to go to concerts to listen, and just catch a glimpse of a light show if we were lucky.”
He continued: “Spending the night together got a lot better when The Rolling Stones blew up their blowup dolls, expanded their lip logo and stuck their tongue out at the world… you invented that kind of show and you have never been bettered.”
Watch Mick Jagger performing with The Rolling Stones below.
