U2's Bono: 'The Edge Is Most Influential Guitarist Since Jimmy Page'

He speaks about album review...

by Jason Gregory
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
filed in: Rock

U2's Bono: 'The Edge Is Most Influential Guitarist Since Jimmy Page'

More U2

U2 frontman Bono says his bandmate, The Egde, is the most influential guitarist since Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page and The Who's Pete Townshend.

Bono's comment came in response to an almost flawless review of the bands recently re-released debut album, 'Boy'.

The album, originally released in 1980, was given four and a half stars by Rolling Stone.

In an email to the publication, Bono said he had recently listened again the record and decided that something “truly special” occurs during The Edge's guitar parts.

“Edge's genuine genius developing on the blank and bleached photographic paper…. avoiding all the obvious blues scales that blind every other guitar player that ever heard Led Zeppelin …The Edge finds some new colours for the spectrum of rock,” he wrote.

“Colours he now owns … owning a colour, wow .. imagine owning the colour yellow like VAN GOGH… EDGE owns, well I'm not exactly sure what colours they are… indigo or violet or crimson?

“But you sense an emotional colour temperature that is unique to him… its his palette we’re painting from.”

He added: “Surely this is the most influential guitarist since the great composers Jimmy Page, Pete Townshend, Neil Young but remember he doesn’t have the history of the blues to plumb, these are unchartered [sic] waters…was to the English psychedelic revival we were also inspired by and plundering”

What do you think about Bono's comments? Where do you think The Edge ranks?

Check out Gigwise's 50 Greatest Guitarists of All Time HERE.

U2 Shooting U2:3D

Previous Next

1 of 10

Previous Next

12 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

« Prev

Michael Jackson To Release New Album This Month... Next »

(13)

The Edge is way, Way, WAY overrated, just like the band he plays in. My son, Austin, has played guitar less than five years, with not one lesson, and he kicks The Edge’s ass big time! Bono needs an ass-whipping in the worst way. He’’s become much too full of himself.
~ by G. Mark 8/5/2008
- YOUR SON IS A DICK JUST LIKE YOU ARE
  ~ by JACK 8/25/2008
If Jimmy Page and Pete Townshend were half as pretentious as U2, it might make sense. Not only are both better than THE EDGE, but they surround/ have surrounded themselves with superior musicians, and can play circles around David Evans (unless of course he has a delay pedal! and reverb! ha. ha.)
~ by Glynn 8/5/2008
BB King. Eric Clapton. Duane Allman. Stevie Ray Vaughan. Derek Trucks. THOSE are (or were) guitar players. Edge is competent for the band he plays with...nothing extraordinary except for Bono’s expertise at shameless self-promotion. Oh, and I have 5 U2 albums, but I am also a realist.
~ by Debbie 8/5/2008
Who even takes what Bono says as anything besides crap. He is arrogance without substance and to compare The Edge (come on- The Edge? Even his name is superficial) to anyone is nothing more than an insult. The Edge has a style, or lack of, that I have heard no other guitarist try to emulate. As opposed to Jimmy Page who is heard in many other guitar players. Yes, Bono needs his ass whooped and I would gladly volunteer to whoop it. Enjoy!!!
~ by carlgoot 8/6/2008
Amen to that, G.mark! You are dead-on. I have never understood U2’’’s popularity and to even take Bono serious....jeez.
~ by carlgoot 8/6/2008
Edge is a very good guitarist - and does have his own unique sound/signature. He relies heavily upon echo/reverb. I am massive U2 fan - but even i recognise that Bono is talking pish here - as the edge is not exactly Jimmy Page. And for me Boy is overrated, War is far superior!
~ by JoeyVonPutz 8/6/2008
Edge is a competant guitar player, competant but not spectacular like Jimi Hendrix or Stevie Ray Vaughn. The band pretty much sticks to the same three chords and sound that they have been playing for over 25 years. U2 does have an amazing publicity machine that ALWAYS seems to give them 5 star reviews even when the album is so-so. Bono does have charisma and I’ve always liked the Edge (more than Bono actually) but they are competant musicians surrounded by an enormous amount of hype
~ by Sile 8/7/2008
I know James Page, James Page is a friend of mine...Edge, you are no James Page.
~ by joe 8/7/2008
The word Bono used was influential, not talented. Anyone who has listened to music’’s evolution over the last 15-20 years has to agree that The Edge has been extremely influential and that, perhaps, Bono is right.
~ by Luke Reid 8/7/2008
Bono said it all. Shameless. Please God, remove him.
~ by not influenced by the edge 3/25/2009
You all can go Fuck yourselves!
~ by Edge Tom 4/9/2009
What utter drivel. The EDGE come on. He's not a guitar player as such - more of a peddle pusher (as in FX peddles - typically delay and reverb). I like some of U2's stuff but the EDGE is not in the same division or indeed 'sport' as Townsend or Page. Bono is full it.
~ by gman 5/16/2009

Most Viewed
Most Comments
Just Added

Buy This...

BuyU2 T Shirts now!All the latest designs available!
More U2 articles »

RT: @Gigwise: Dave Grohl: 'Kurt Cobain's Reputation Has Created False Image Of Nirvana': Former drummer claims... http://bit.ly/8epc4W
zmemusic on Tue Nov 24 17:19:05 via Echofon
@Gigwise Was just about to go Buy! Cheers Dude(tte?) fmy pal is scared of my music taste so might be a good thing slayer aren't on!
planetvicky on Tue Nov 24 15:47:18 via web
IN! Love that band... RT @Gigwise: Mumford & Sons To Play Festive Outdoor Winter Fair Gig In London: Next month... http://bit.ly/5jJ7yu
thejonford on Tue Nov 24 15:40:33 via Echofon
@Gigwise Thanks! Good Suggestions! Will Buy Beer in your honour :-D
planetvicky on Tue Nov 24 15:35:36 via web
@Gigwise haha now that you posted that she is going to get it so much more from people
christog on Tue Nov 24 12:17:47 via Tweetie