Good [Music] News
My thanks to Ben, who’s reply to the previous post inspired me to write this piece…
In the beginning there was Larry Norman (God rest his soul), the original songster of the ‘Jesus People’ revival.
In 1971 Larry Norman wrote this song, Why should the Devil have all the good music?, as a response to the accusation that he and fellow Gospel rockers were singing the Devil’s music (remember this was the 70’s):
That was 1971. U2 were formed in 1976 (the year of Bob Dylan’s conversion). Paul, Dave, Adam, and Larry (as they were known then) met at Mount Temple Comprehensive School, Dublin. They have been together as a band, and more importantly as good friends ever since.
Interviewing Bono for Rolling Stone magazine in 2005, Jann Wenner asked him the following question, “You never saw rock & roll — the so-called devil’s music — as incompatible with religion?”
Look at the people who have formed my imagination. Bob Dylan. Nineteen seventy-six – he’s going through similar stuff. You buy Patti Smith: Horses – “Jesus died for somebody’s sins/But not mine . . .” And she turns Van Morrison’s “Gloria” into liturgy. She’s wrestling with these demons – Catholicism in her case. Right the way through to Wave, where she’s talking to the Pope.
The music that really turns me on is either running toward God or away from God. Both recognize the pivot, that God is at the center of the jaunt. So the blues, on one hand – running away; gospel, the Mighty Clouds of Joy – running towards. And later you came to analyze it and figure it out.
The blues are like the Psalms of David. Here was this character, living in a cave, whose outbursts were as much criticism as praise. There’s David singing, “Oh, God – where are you when I need you?/You call yourself God?” And you go, this is the blues.
Well, if the Devil did have all the good music, he doesn’t any more. U2 are the answer to Larry Norman’s question.
As for the detractors, have you ever paused to ask the questions:
How come four ordinary schoolboys from the southside of Dublin, who couldn’t play their instruments (other than Larry) went on to be the biggest rock band of all time?
And how come they’re all still together, as a band and as friends, and still going strong?
How is it that U2 keep bouncing back, despite Bono’s ego, his pomposity and his regular gaff’s?
Bono’s marriage to Alison Hewson, just how has it survived the 27 years of Bono’s rock superstardom?
And then there’s those ‘moments’ at U2 gigs – to which anyone who’s been to a U2 gig will understand what I mean.
Maybe, just maybe, there’s something bigger going on here?
