Rocking the Boat: Musicians Who Criticized U2 and Why

Rocking the Boat: Musicians Who Criticized U2 and Why

Joining a punk band often means speaking your mind and expressing your opinions, even if it means criticizing other musicians. Black Flag's Henry Rollins once called U2's rhythm section the worst in big rock, while Liam Gallagher of Oasis criticized U2's lack of rock 'n' roll attitude. Ozzy Osbourne and Sharon Osbourne also took issue with U2 giving away their album for free, calling them business moguls rather than musicians. Echo & the Bunnymen's Ian McCulloch has openly expressed his dislike for U2, particularly targeting Bono. The Black Keys' Patrick Carney criticized U2 for devaluing their music by giving it away for free, suggesting it sends a mixed message to struggling musicians.