Why hate Adam Clayton?

[Jazz Ad]

Originally Posted by bassguppy

there's probably a dozen threads (at least) on people who respect his playing and those who don't.

And now there is one more.

[SBassman]

Originally Posted by SactoBass

Yep. His voice grates on me almost as much as the singer in Foreigner (...almost). Whenever my wife and I are driving somewhere while listening to the radio, we make it a game to see which one of us can change the station the fastest whenever we hear a U2 or Foreigner song begin.

Now That I can join you on.
I have made myself laugh with how fast of a reflex kicks in when I hear Foreigner on the car radio. I'm sorry, but that guy Wrecked some of their material. Some of that stuff was great, but killed by a singer who sounded like he would blow a gasket at any moment. Can't listen to that stuff. One of the more over-rated voices in
pop rock history.

[hrodbert696]

I was undecided about Clayton till I realized something: most of the U2 songs I like, when I hum the song to myself I hum the bass line. Not just because I'm a bassist either; simple as they are, those lines drive the songs and are memorable. He's not a chops monster but he's definitely doing something right.

[fenderbassman40]

Can't argue against his success but since this is talk bass forum go right ahead.

Guy must have a charmed life. Gear that I would die for. He knows how to rock stadiums all overr the world. He's definitely a less is more typeable player. Kind of admire him for that.

[Mushroo]

Adam is the "Ringo" of U2. (Definitely not Larry, who any of the other 3 guys will tell you is the best "natural" musician of the group.) Allegedly Adam has sometimes felt like the "outsider" in the group and wanted to leave, and the other guys always encourage him to stay. The fact U2 still has the original lineup after all these years says something about their personalities, I think.

[Gecko 5]

Not a fan of the band hes in.
I think they are extremely over rated. IMHO.

I don't hear anything inspiring in his basslines.
Again.... IMHO

[Anthony Barrett]

Sig bass lines? Let's think...

- New Years Day
- Two Hearts Beat as One
- With or Without You

Great bass lines on Achtung Baby that fully support the project that was that album. Never hit a bum note any time I've seen him live.

Sure, not technical lines, but he is selfless for the band.

[A.CLAYTON]

Originally Posted by Mushroo

Adam is the "Ringo" of U2. (Definitely not Larry, who any of the other 3 guys will tell you is the best "natural" musician of the group.) Allegedly Adam has sometimes felt like the "outsider" in the group and wanted to leave, and the other guys always encourage him to stay. The fact U2 still has the original lineup after all these years says something about their personalities, I think.

This was due to religion not the music.

[bolophonic]

U2's first ten years were very influential on me. Adam Clayton is a bass god.

[lfmn16]

Who said they hate Adam Clayton?

You have to love this made up argument who's only purpose it to incite controversy about a subject recently beaten to death Adam Clayton Does Not Suck. Wow, that sounds like trolling.

Maybe I'll start a thread, Why does everyone hate cute puppies and helpless babies?

[dcarwin]

Clayton states for the record that he did not know how to play when he started in U2. He learned as he went along. By now, he's a damn good bass player. AND WHAT A GIG!!!

[wishface]

Originally Posted by Anthony Barrett

Sig bass lines? Let's think...

- New Years Day
- Two Hearts Beat as One
- With or Without You

Great bass lines on Achtung Baby that fully support the project that was that album. Never hit a bum note any time I've seen him live.

Sure, not technical lines, but he is selfless for the band.

He plays a bum note every time you hear him play Pride. The guitar solo is in B major (it's something around D# E and F#) and he plays straight D.

I just find him sloppy personally. No disrespect to the guy, i'm sure he's a nice guy (he doesn't have Bono's MASSIVE ego), but his playing is just lazy.

[Mike in Chicago]

I've always said about the Adam Clayton, Duff McKagan and a whole bunch other's signature basses...they're not accurate. If they were, there would be two strings and at the most four frets.

Oh yeah, a little spring loaded pick holder...like the coin holder things for spare change.

[lfmn16]

Originally Posted by wishface

He plays a bum note every time you hear him play Pride. The guitar solo is in B major (it's something around D# E and F#) and he plays straight D.

I just find him sloppy personally. No disrespect to the guy, i'm sure he's a nice guy (he doesn't have Bono's MASSIVE ego), but his playing is just lazy.

People mistake great playing for

1. Financial success
2. Band success
3. Nice guy
4. Average playing
5. Good playing

Average is not bad; but when someone likes a bass player, they seem to want to elevate his playing to a level it doesn't deserve. Banging out quarter notes or eighth notes doesn't make you a bad player, but it doesn't make you a great player either. Just the opinion of some anonymous guy on the Internet with unknown (if any) qualifications.

I like Gene Simmons I don't think he's a great player, but i think he's average to good.

[blindrabbit]

I think he's great, and I'm also a U2 fan (the two aren't entirely mutually exclusive). People in general often find reasons to be critical of those more successful than them, typically due to envy. To each their own though, either like him or don't. It won't change my opinion of him, and my opinion isn't likely to change yours or anyone else's.

[Revolver]

Originally Posted by lfmn16

People mistake great playing for

1. Financial success
2. Band success
3. Nice guy
4. Average playing
5. Good playing

Average is not bad; but when someone likes a bass player, they seem to want to elevate his playing to a level it doesn't deserve. Banging out quarter notes or eighth notes doesn't make you a bad player, but it doesn't make you a great player either. Just the opinion of some anonymous guy on the Internet with unknown (if any) qualifications.

I like Gene Simmons I don't think he's a great player, but i think he's average to good.

And banging out 16th and 32nd notes at a blistering pace doesn't make you a good player either . . . they make you a fast player.

According to this note value logic we can conclude the likes of Eric Clapton and BB King suck as well . . .

[3l3phantstomp]

Early U2 was pretty effing rad, and rumor has it they almost kicked AC out of the band for his Left Hand Habit. He's got street cred with me for that and New Year's Day. Forever. Big ups to the shout out previous for Achtung Baby. Great bass on that disc and others and again like others have said it IS the basslines I hum! IE Trying To Throw Your Arms Around The World.

Imma start a "Why All The Hate For Simon Gallup" now so we can all celebrate more unsung 80's bassists. Hell lets party on Paul Simonon too!

[lfmn16]

Originally Posted by Revolver

And banging out 16th and 32nd notes at a blistering pace doesn't make you a good player either . . . they make you a fast player.

According to this note value logic we can conclude the likes of Eric Clapton and BB King suck as well . . .

I guess I missed it, who said anybody sucked?

[Nev375]

35-40 years as a touring professional bassist and hobnobbing with most of the worlds greatest musicians?

I don't think for one minute the mostly simple basslines of U2 pop songs are any representation of his true chops. ...Maybe in the early 80's, but not now.

You just don't clock that kind of experience without learning a few things along the way. I bet he can play circles around most of us and probably in a wide variety of genres to boot.

[SteveHeissner]

+1 "I don't think for one minute the mostly simple basslines of U2 pop songs are any representation of his true chops. ...Maybe in the early 80's, but not now."

YEP, I'D HAVE TO AGREE.