poptart ([email protected])
Sun, 25 Oct 1998 17:23:41 +0000
I'd like to pick up on some excellent points made by Stephen McBride
<[email protected]>, the voice of reason on wire this week.
>The sad reality of life is that rock music entertains us, but it
>changes nothing.
In respect of world politics i think i would have to agree. But on a
personal level music changes everything. Music is not just
entertainment, it's so much more than that and i would hope that is
something that some of us on Wire understand.
>They [politicians] may choose to listen to rock stars, (like my moronic
>Prime Minister, Tony Blair, who seems to think Noel Gallagher has
>something coherent to say!) but this is only as they chase votes.
Personally i think Tony was after some tips on his guitar playing, the
PM makes no secret of the fact he was once in a rock n' roll band. Or
maybe he just wants an invite to the aftershow parties? <g>
>Bono surprises me with his trust in Clinton!
There is definately something about Bill that has impressed Bono,
personally i think it's Mr. Clinton's way with the ladies... <g>
>Sadly, rock music does not change things. We may like to believe
>it does, but the reality is different.
Well that's not what i've been hearing this week from the Amnesty rally
in Dublin. Sometimes you can make a difference to someone somewhere,
there is no doubt Amnesty International's letter writing campaigns do
have an impact. You shouldn't take away from the difference an indivdual
can make.
>I have always respected the likes of U2 for the things thay have
>said, and i think the consciousness they have raised is valuable.
Of course, and as a rock n' roll band that is really all they can do. It
is not their job to solve the worlds ills, we pay them to write great
records and to find transendence at their concerts. But at the same time
we have given them power and with this power comes the resposibility to
do something with it, not to waste it, to abuse their position.
>[U2 are] certainly utterly unable to influence world events - unless
>someone in power sees it to their advantage to let them do so.
You know, but like Bono has sung, "I can't change the world, but i can
change the world in me."
>I am saddened that on occasions our liking for U2's undoubted
>talents allows us to accept whatever they say because of who they
>are.
Ditto. The sun may shine out of Bono's arse (and we've all seen the
photos <g>) but he is *just a bloke*, and i'll listen to his viewpoint
as much as i'll listen to anyone's, but then you have to go away and
make you're own decisions about things. And i thought that was an idea
that U2 endorsed, that we should all find our *own* way.
>Let's encourage each other to debate and use our own brains, instead of
>letting Bono think for us!
This is the kinda stuff i like to hear. Man, this should be what Wire is
about, this is our forum to discuss our favourite band with folks who
are as turned onto them as we are. It's great to read a post and find
you are agreeing with someone else's viewpoint, and sometimes it's just
as fun to disagree. Recently i've enjoyed the discussions around the
release of the Greatest Hits.... though i'm still looking for some kinda
justification as to why U2 are releasing this sell-out album, anyone?? I
couldn't disagree with Bono any more about this particular venture, hell
i wanna kick their arses!! <g> What are they thinking?? Sorry to wander
a little off topic there LOL :-DD
>Because bono is certainly capable of getting things wrong
You're telling me, have you seen some of the fashion mistakes he's made
over the years?!?! :-DD
>as i am sure he would tell you!
Yes, he would. I do love hearing Bono tell the story of his haircut that
launched a thousand second division football players - what a disaster.
>Not having met the man, I can't say, but my intellect tells me Bono is
>no fool, and probably finds unquestioning hero worship a tad
>uncomfortable.
Having met the man, I still can't really say, but i think Bono doesn't
really understand the concept of a fan who is questioning, cos he
doesn't really meet many.
>Doubtlesss, I will attract the usual flames, but hell, I'm 35 and a
>school teacher! I deal with stroppy kids every day!!
ROTFL :-DDDD Well i hope i don't fail on me bad spelling and grammar <g>
T.T.F.N.
Cath
It's better to regret something you have done than something you haven't done.
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