iPod What's So Special About U2?

[Xtremehkr]

Just an idea, U2 have been around for 20+ years. The fans are now old enough to be able to spend $350, though the age range of their fans varies a lot. They have mass appeal.

The have a huge catalogue of songs that are pretty much timeless, and not as disposable as say 50 Cent or J Lo.

For all of the fans they do have though, they seem to have a lot of people who really don't like them.

 

[m-dogg]

One Word:
Elvis!

the king is dead my friend.

or did I see him on my way to work yesterday?

 

[pretentious]

the king is dead my friend.

or did I see him on my way to work yesterday?

He's not dead yet!
He is just laying low in a nursing home with JFK, and fighting a Soul-Sucking Mummy.

 

[Pismo]

I think U2 is a great band. They are very talented and I respect them as musicians. However, I'm not too impressed with the things they do other than music and charities. I hate it when they get all political. Bruce Springstein really pisses me off when he starts getting political.

 

[CubaTBird]

yeah back to what i was saying before, u2 is one of those bands you can't go wrong with.. they have been around for 20 plus years and are still generating number one hits every so often... though some of their material ain't radio friendly.. its still good stuff..

 

[James Philp]

The real question is this:

If Apple offered other special edition iPods, for example Beastie Boys or Red Hot Chillis or Eminem, would you be more tempted to buy one?
I know I would.
I would jump at the chance to get a Beasite Boys iPod - thet would be SO COOL!

 

[CubaTBird]

The real question is this:

If Apple offered other special edition iPods, for example Beastie Boys or Red Hot Chillis or Eminem, would you be more tempted to buy one?
I know I would.
I would jump at the chance to get a Beasite Boys iPod - thet would be SO COOL!

but then see apple would be making marketing decisions on the moment.. and i don't think thats a philosophy of theres... they would want to stay with a product that hold its on and the test of time.. ie the u2 ipod and what not

 

[Le Big Mac]

Now, don't get me wrong, I like U2. There have been periods in near-history where it seemed almost everything they did was great.
What I want to know is; why are they so special to be the ONLY band, so far, to warrant a special iPod?
Are they the only band that would sell out or what?
My toes tingle with the idea of a Beastie Boys iPod! (Rolling Stones, Led Zep, *insert iconic band here*).
. . .
!

It may be that U2 is the only band with a bunch of characteristics:

1) Willing to experiment with online music delivery (Led Zeppelin seems kind of shaky on that, and isn't the Rolling Stones' catalog split between owners, some of whom aren't cool?; Beatles have problems--Michael Jackson and Apple Records)

2) Large enough catalog of songs to make people want to buy it (25 years of music rather limits the possibilities)

3) Currently popular especially with iPod market (younger people) and also have general appeal.

4) Promotional opporunity at the time

Certainly others are a possibility, but keep in mind that one and two are critical for this--it's the *whole* catalog--and if you can't deliver that, Jobs might not be willing to make the push.