U2 The Edge's playlist from Rolling Stone Magazine

7."She's Lost Control" Joy Division, 1979 They had a huge impact on us. We were lucky to use their producer, Martin Hannett, on our single "11 O'Clock Tick Tock." We went to London for him to interview us, and we met him in the studio as Joy Division were recording "Love Will Tear Us Apart." We had no idea what that song would become for them.

http://rollingstoneextras.com/playlists/view/the-edge

It's become kind of received wisdom that U2 took over where Joy Division left off, but it's always escaped me somehow. Two great bands sure, but I don't really get the connection.

Whenever I listen to Disorder and other songs by JD, it is obvious U2 copied them or were influenced by them, The opening guitar riff of Digital and throughout the song is how the edge uses his guitar work in all of the U2 songs, so he is right they were very big influence on him and U2.

"Great Bands"

IMHO

Joy Division were GREAT

U2 do GRATE

Michael Monkhouse wrote: It's become kind of received wisdom that U2 took over where Joy Division left off, but it's always escaped me somehow. Two great bands sure, but I don't really get the connection.

I was into U2, before I was into Joy Division and through interviews etc (going back to 1985) there was the Martin Hannett reference to him producing '11 o'clock tick tock' and being supposed to produce Boy, but cancelled after Ian died. At 14, I wasn't quite ready for Joy Division, needed to go through the New Order channel first, then ease into JD!

condemnation wrote:

Michael Monkhouse wrote: .... At 14, I wasn't quite ready for Joy Division, needed to go through the New Order channel first, then ease into JD!

Yea same with me too...I was a New Order fan first as I find JD stuffs was a lil too heavy & depressing....but of course I started collecting all JD stuffs when New Order phase went to overdrive.

Funny that now I see JD stuffs are more 'substantial' (esp. the depth of Ian's lyrics, etc...) than New Order.

I'm also a member of U2's army :D (yea i know there's lotsa Bono haters here...) but I consider The Joshua Tree & Achtung Baby to be part of my Top 20 albums of all time. U2 is def more professional in their approch to music's making...but of course NO/JD will forever be THE ONE for me

Thanks for your comments - this subject's oft intrigued me! I also got into NO first then JD, but that's a whole different thread!