The Uncommon Unity of U2
The band U2 has had a phenomenal run since they came together in 1976. Critics rave over their music and fans can’t seem to get enough of their songs and concert appearances. All the signs indicate that U2 is at the top of its game and will be going strong for the foreseeable future.
Why has this particular band been together for more than 30 years when most other bands that experience success for a period of time eventually fall apart? One reason bands split is that over time as band members become increasingly wealthy they begin exploring individual opportunities. Band members who were once tight relationally now spend less time with each other. They drift apart. And when the inevitable difficult season arrives, the bonds of relationship are not sufficiently strong to withstand the stormy season.
I’m not an expert on U2 but it seems to me that two factors that we have identified as being part of a Connection Culture are partially responsible for keeping U2 united. Tony Cruz, a friend of mine who plays drums for the hit musical “Hairspray” on Broadway, recently told me that the band’s profits are split equally between the four members of U2 and their manager. That’s not what I would expect. Given Bono’s status as a megastar, it would not be surprising if he claimed more than an equal share of the band’s profits. What better way to show your team members that you value them than to treat them as economic equals? This is one example of the element of “Value” in a Connection Culture.
Many CEOs and stars in organizations could learn from Bono. I’m not arguing for economic equality across the board. I do believe, however, that compensation for senior executives and stars at times goes so far that it makes the remaining members of a group feel like they are on a different team. This is obviously not good for employee engagement.
An additional factor that unites the members of U2 is their shared values, which is the element of “Vision” in a Connection Culture. U2’s lyrics and philanthropic activities make it obvious that they share a commitment to spirituality and social justice. The picture above was taken at U2’s appearance during the halftime show of the Super Bowl. As a tribute to the individuals who died as a result of 9/11, U2 had their names scrolling behind and above the band while it played. You can watch U2’s tribute to the victims of 9/11 by clicking here.
I’m interested in exploring U2’s unity as material for my next book and would love to hear your thoughts. Are there any U2 fans out there who are aware of other factors that unite the band members? Please post a comment here or email me at mstallard@epluribuspartners.com.
Michael Lee Stallard is President of
hi michael,
Great topic – I’m sure you’ll be flooded with replies.
U2’s unity is indeed unique. if you have time / inclination read their 06 autobiography U2 BY U2 (Harpers Collins) for the full story.
But this fan’s take on it is this: U2 came together as school boys aged 15-16 and so their union grew from common ground, shared goals in music and ultimately life and faith. although it must be said adam clayton as not ‘as christian’ as bono, edge and larry but he was able to show them the respect their religious commitments demanded at that time. Once they threw off their fervent phase and toured the US and Europe backwards and forwards and over again I guess the shared experience of toughing it out and striving for excellence and missing home bonded them forever.
I would say that 30 years on the reason for their unity is respect. They respect each other, the respect the fans who’ve given them their ‘grand life’ as Bono calls it and they respect the music. They all say the have big egos but the biggest one of all is the Band Ego, it wins every argument. And they do argue – relentlessly apparently – over the music and the direction.
Yes, it’s true they spilt the income 5 ways – they always said it would be stupid to be good at music and crap at business. U2 say they are a band of 4 but a corporation of 5. They are as committed to Paul McGuiness their manager now as they were when he took on his ‘baby band’ (as he called them) at the ripe old age of 27! They are still with the same record label that signed them originally and own the rights to all their music.
Catherine Owens who has helped U2 take another leap forward with her amazing concert film U23D said this recently: “This project took a lot of commitment from everyone,” she says. “And I think if there’s one core message of the band, it’s commitment. The boys are so committed to each other, and to what they’re doing — but also to making the world a better place,” she says.
“We live in a world where commitment has lost a lot of its meaning. Not to wag a finger at anyone — that’s not what U2 is about. But there are forces out there who want us to believe we can’t live together, or that we can’t coexist. But if you look at this movie, and see all those 80,000 people squished together in one spot — at one moment — they seem to be having a lot of fun. They’re making it work, so really, what’s the problem?”
I love the music of U2 but don’t know much about the working of the band. The equality of payment does not surprise me given Bono’s social consciousness. I enjoyed the post and now I need to put on a few U2 tunes.
Fascinating angle. I would say that national/local culture plays a big part here too – these lads are proud to be Irish and proud to be Dubliners. Shared history too – I’m no U2 expert, but I’m sure they went to the same school -Mount Temple – and all grew up in the political caldron that was Dublin in the 1970s.
I think their shared history is also part of what binds them together these days. They share so many ups (e.g. Sarajevo) and downs (personal problems, almost-breakups) that they survived in the past.
And they are probably very loyal people anyway. Don’t forget it’s not just them being together for so long, it’s also their families (Bono and Ali go back even longer than U2, their families hang out together at times), crew members and collaborators. It’s almost like one extended family.
Some crew members have worked for them since the early 80’s, they hang out with Catherine Owens before they had a record contract and she’s worked for them since 1984 or something. Their whole story is one of continuation of relationships, with very few exceptions.
Astrid, Rachel, David and Lee,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on U2’s unity. The picture emerging from our collective observations reminds me of an extended family that has gone through the ups and downs of life together, stuck it out and experienced the sense of contentment (and joy at times) that comes from knowing one another for who they are as human beings, flaws and all. They know each others stories, in some cases going back to their adolescence.
The individuals who are a part of the U2 family are commitment to each other. In our research of Connection Cultures, we identified what we call a “Committed Member” mentality. The Committed Member believes in the work of the group and its values. He makes a conscious commitment to uphold his individual responsibilities. The commitment often strengthens over time. Who are the uber-Committed Members in the U2 family who can always be counted on to look after group members? Are there members who have a passion for excellence and beauty at the expense of people and relationships? Are there members who are committed to people and relationships and willing to put that commitment above excellence and beauty? How have these tensions been resolved?
I was encouraged to hear from Rachel that U2 “argues relentlessly.” This is a sign of the Voice element in a Connection Culture, that members feel safe sharing their opinions and ideas. Perhaps the tension between excellence and human values has been argued about too.
Together we touched on the Vision, Value and Voice elements of a Connection Culture and on the Committed Member element. The only element we have not touched on directly is the element of a Servant Leader. Who makes decisions when they are unable to reach a consensus? Who tends to set the agenda? On the surface, I would guess Bono is the primary leader. Whoever the leader is, are any of you aware of examples where the leader has sacrificed self interest for group interest? Sharing the band’s profit equally among the group of five is one example. Are there others? When a member of the group is in need, who reaches out to help them and organizes the others to provide support?
Are there other questions/issues that relate to unity that we’re missing?
In the words of Crowded House – now we’re getting somewhere!
I know I’ll sound fanatical when I say that I believe each of this foursome is as committed as the others. Their bond is solid and while music and business are paramount, friendship is the key. I’ve heard them say they are a four-legged table and when one is down, the other three prop it up.
I can think of one great example of early solidarity and commitment. CBS UK were toying with the idea of signing the band. U2’s first single was recorded and Larry (the drummer) recalls it “has some timing flaws in it.” Upon hearing the song Edge recalls CBS’s reaction “..they suggested that if we drop Larry they’d give us a record deal. We told them to stuff it. That was head of A&R , Muff Winwood, or Duff Windbag as we called him after hearing that suggestion.”
Larry : “I was told much later that a CBS record executive said the band was great but the drummer was crap and should be fired asap. How right he was.”
Another example of sacrifice of one member for another. U2 campaigned for Martin Luther King Day in the 80’s in America. They received a death threat deemed serious enough for the FBI to get involved because it was so specific. Bono recalls the threat as “Don’t go ahead with the concert. And if you do, don’t sing Pride (because) I am gonna blow your head off.” The show went on. Bono tried to put it out of his head. He closed his eyes and sang, staying “ ..close to the beauty that’s in the song. I looked up, at the end of that verse, and Adam was standing in front of me. It was one of those moments where you know what it means to be in a band.” **
Larry lost his mother at age 16 in 1978. Larry “Everything in me just shut down. Bono started to call around to my house and try to get me to go out and forget my troubles. One afternoon, while standing on my front doorstep, he told me about losing his own mother when he was fourteen. I had no idea. I felt I had found someone who understood. We developed a bond and after a time we became close friends and I felt ready to get back into the band. Things were different now. I was no longer in a group I was in a band, and the band would become my way out. I was running away with the circus.
On staying together after 30 years:
Bono: I need this band. The truth is I need them more than they need me. That is the way I am wired. They raise my game. I am a better person for being around these men. They are very dignified people.
Edge: I think we’ve been able to keep it together because we’ve grown with each other For reasons that I couldn’t ever really fathom, it works as a four-piece, four voices, four intellects, four sets of opinion. Without that it wouldn’t be the same. It’s about a level of solidarity between four people who made a commitment back in the seventies . And the reasons why it was a good idea at the time are still true. I think we all know, deep down, (that) this is the forum in which we really excel.
Adam: The best decision I ever made was to be part of U2 and I guess I haven’t needed to make another serious decision since then.
Larry: “You can only exist at this level through faith, blind ambition or the need for revenge. Or all three.” AND the final word. “Personalities will not break up U2. Musical differences will not break up U2. We’ll break up because somebody squeezed the toothpaste from the wrong end.”
All quotes U2 by U2. except ** Bono on Bono (Michka Assayas)
OK, so I thought of two more examples…..when Edge’s first marriage broke up, he was naturally distressed. Adam invited him to stay with him, which he did. And, when Adam made the decision to no longer drink, Larry invited him to join him in NYC for a summer. It as the end of the Zoo TV tour. Having missed a show – the only one in history – Adam decided to make positive life changes. So he and Larry built a studio in Manhattan, worked on music and even released a hit single – the Mission Impossible theme.
I so hope you include these boys in your next book. They are indeed an extraordinary group of people, making music that brings joy to millions of people. And inspiring us along the way.
Rachel,
Thank you for sharing these amazing stories. A couple thoughts came to mind as I read them. The Gallup Organization measures employee engagement with a survey called the Q12. Gallup developed the 12 questions from a much larger number of questions based on their correlation with reported engagement on the part of employees. Several corporate executives have told me they hate the question “do you have a best friend t work?” They also express a sense of frustration and say “what does having a best friend at work have to do with engagement?” Hearing the stories of U2 members and how their best friends reached out to help them, makes it perfectly clear why people would feel engaged working with a best friend.
On a personal note, the most sobering night of my life was when my wife’s surgeon told me she had ovarian cancer and it had spread (I wrote about it in the Amazon.com Short entitled “Alone No Longer”). The following morning when I arrived at the hospital, Jason Pankau, one of my best friend’s and co-author of Fired Up or Burned Out, was already sitting in my wife’s room. He rushed to our aid. Words can’t express how much I love Jason for that. He always tells me, “I’ve got your back brother.” Who wouldn’t be engaging working with a friend like that?