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U2's atmospheric sound goes back to 1984's Unforgetable Fire album--long since pre-dating any of these other bands. The main credit for this sound, however, should go to Daniel Lanois and Brian Eno who produced that record. Daniel Lanois brough that wound to other notable artists, including Peter Gabriel and Emmylou Harris.

Cheers!

Even though I like Coldplay, I'm glad they're getting called out. They've had a few songs where I really wasn't sure which bad it was. RH, U2, and Coldplay are all great bands, whatever their similarities or differences.

p.s. to the folks who sight the bends as a u2 influence.....achtung baby came out 4 years before the bends...while radiohead was being compared to chapterhouse and RIDE.

thanks-
that gives me a whole listof ands to never listen to
i cant frigging stand u2

THe premise here is mistaken. What it should read is that U2 inspired these other bands since U2 came before them, just like the Beatles came before U2. The Beatles have inspired U2 and then U2, Rediohead, Coldplay and Raadiohead and many others...The interesting thing is to ask the musicians who influence them or inspired them when they started. Much of these new bands have created a new sound or uniqueness to their music that may have started with the U2 sound.
All bands mentioned here are very talented, unique, musically trade blazers in their own right...

am very big u2 fan all of you been to there show they are very good band there bands now who cant even sings songs they sound lie trash what happen to good music everybody now is into rap wish i thinks stinks many kids get off on it it my personal feeling they to remove it permentaly

Blah, Blah, Blah!

The first time I saw U2 was a free concert at San Jose State University in 1981. The last time was at San Jose's HP Pavilion in 2005. Of course there were the times in between, but alas, I deviate while working too hard to establish my credentials.

As it stands, and as others have said, the Killers probably don't merit a mention in this piece as the resemblance, aurally and otherwise, is a real stretch.

As for Radiohead, and those that continue to drool over their regurgitate, including the music press that sees this band as some type of aphrodisiac, they don't come close to U2 in their prime. Radiohead is the band that wishes they could be Pink Floyd, but are so stunningly drunk on their own bath water that to achieve that level of genius would require a miracle akin to reversing John McCain's dementia. Is their any real similarity between them? Has Radiohead offered U2 the greatest compliment via emulation - not really. U2 is a great band and Radiohead isn't.

Ah, Coldplay is another case altogether! Their is a spiritual similarity in that both lead men are passionate, articulate, charismatic, and incredibly energetic. Their music follows different paths, but they both know how to reach the heart as well as the mind.

How about how the Edge ripped off from Alex Lifeson of Rush and Andy Summers of The Police?!

I stopped reading the inane comments when the kid cited his DAD who was at a LOVERBOY concert. Hey kid, you might want to ask your dad what he was doing at the Loverboy show.

Everyone knows Thom Yorke was heavily influenced by U2 early in his career and he's obviously evolved from that. But there's a difference between influence and copying-- the latter which none of these bands have done.

Yes radiohead was first,But there are so many bands out there its hard to make a 100% new sound.But At least they are sounding like a good band and not tons of crap playing now,What if eveyone sounded like ice ice baby lol,even he bit lol.

u2 the greatest rock band that never was. they try to be a iconic band but the problem is it's mostly self promotion of their wanabe persona as some band for the ages. not a true popular band supported by legions of fans or at least people that can tell the difference between music and rehashed poo

Wow you have point about the Coldplay song. It sound too much like Beautiful Day by U2. just listen to both intros.

I think that it is impossible to find any artist active today who is not somewhat INFLUENCED by U2. Everyone, even those who hate the band, likes at least 1 U2 song. When I saw this blog title none of these three bands even occured to me.

I figured that #1 would be former blink 182 member, Tom Delonge's new project, AVA. Their theft goes far beyond influential production techniques and vague criticisms. Angels & Airwaves takes the guitar sound, style and some direct riffs. and fuses it with Tom Delonge's attempt to be deep. I don't hate AVA but they belong on this list before any three of the above bands.

Well said Gary G. they all have their own sound but take certain influences which is ok. Comparisons about who is better between U2 and Radiohead is like asking who is better between picasso and Van gogh, its subjective to what you like but all good

U2 will always be a great band in my book, but let's face it, they haven't really done anything innovative since Achtung Baby. Radiohead picked up the torch with OK Computer, but took it in a completely different (but equally brilliant) direction. Both are excellent bands. Haven't heard enough Coldplay to judge them, but "Speed of Sound" is a decent song.

Well I think U2 is one of the best bands out there!!! Probably some of the other guys were not even born when U2 were playing!!!

Bands who have ripped off U2? If it wasn't for The Clash then U2 wouldn't have made it! U2 ripped off The Clash!!!

I agree with "echasestagecenterproductions." I love Siouxsie and the Banshees (and the Cure too :-)

OMG give us a break. And U2 hasn't BORROWED from anyone along the way???
I once was a BIG fan of U2, in fact wrote my first music article about them back in '83. Times have changed, and saying that other bands have stolen from them is asinine.