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Originally published 13:52
U2 HAVE CONFIRMED that Paul McGuinness, who managed the band for more than three decades, has officially stepped aside.
McGuinness, long considered the fifth member of one of the most successful bands in the world, has sold his management company to live music behemoth Live Nation. Madonna’s manager Guy Oseary is now the new manager of U2 as of this week.
However the band said McGuinness will remain their ‘mentor-in-chief’.
“Paul has saved us from ourselves many times over and we would not be U2 without him,” the band said in a statement on its website last night.
“Sometime soon, U2 will begin a new adventure around the world and we totally understand and respect Paul’s desire to not run away with the circus – AGAIN,” the statement reads.
The band members praised McGuinness for his “extraordinary leadership, guidance and friendship over the last 35 years,” and said that his focus on the business of rock and roll had contributed to the band’s success.
“Perhaps more than any music management operation in history, Paul… has always fought for our rights, for our music, for our fans and for the principles that we and he believe in,” the band said.
“His central lesson was that if you cared for your “art”, you must also “take care of business” as historically with rock and roll bands, the latter has undone the former”.
Bono, Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr said new manager Guy Oseary will have some ‘big shoes to fill’.
McGuinness is to take a more hands-off role as chairman of Principle Management, his former company.
Updated 19:50
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Good luck to him, never sought media attention and seemed a genuine enough guy. Well done for spotting the talent of U2.
Talent of U2 that’s hilarious…
They’re more talented than you!! I don’t see you selling out stadiums!!
‘There more talented than you’ Didn’t realise U2 had such a young audience…
‘There’!?
So Derek ur a U2 fan and a member of the grammar police, I’d say ur great Craic…
Not the biggest U2 fan but you can’t really question their talent
Mohammed I may be the most boring person ever, and I’d be happy in myself if I am, but you actually went to the effort of requoting Get Ta France’s comment and then used ‘there’ instead of ‘they’re’ despite him using it correctly in the first place! Yes, I’m a U2 fan.
It’s quite easy to question there talent if you’ve heard anything U2 have released in the last 20 years… Well spotted Derek gold star for you good boy!!!
…’their’ talent. There’s a good chap!
You obviously never went to a Mohammed Jafar conert ;)
Why does everybody insist on correcting people’s grammar drives me mad.
Its up to people how they write there comments its hardly a big deal.
People picking holes here and their.
It’s there’re problem if they just can’t let people use there their and there’re as they see fit.
Ah Gary, you hurt my head with that.
Well that’s you’re problem little jim:)
Well said Gary, their, there or there’re people get the idea It’s not an EnGliSh ExAm…
Wtf is “there’re”??
Wtf is wtf????
Dey shud jus txt lingo, that way “der” neva rong, just using a different method
Dylan the grammar police just got a woody reading that….
Always wrong.
Give it up Graham (Mohammed), you’re out of your depth. You weren’t even born when U2 released their first three albums.
Doesn’t matter when I was born, I still have the ability to hear mick…
Going on the sh*te out of you, poor spelling and made up words, you don’t really count in everyday life.
Mohammed their is a few virgins looking for you somewhere jog on……
Wish U2 would feck off as well.
Irish begrudgery is alive & well sadly.
Not begrudgery.. they’re just shite.
Teally awful..
Typical BONO STATEMENT IS HE YOUR IDOL
Some of the best music ever written
Oh to be a fly on the wall … Best of Luck to all future endeavours Paul McGuinness
Brst music ever written me hoop..
*Best
You were correct the second time Best music ever written …. Good man
Best of luck to him!!
Pay some tax
BONO IS A KNOB HEAD
People who set up Twitter accounts JUST to post one comment on a thejournal.ie article are knobheads.
Briain it’s mild here in comparison to The Score ,
Saw that on the history channel a while back!!
Best of luck to him maybe he’s realised that they haven’t realeased a good album since Achtung Baby and he just can’t listen to the drivel they put out now…..There 80s albums r brilliant but there last few have been garbage
Released.
Their.
Jaysus.
Dam IPhone predictive text
I thought he was dead when I read that title!
Tax dodging muppets. Their music is sh1te. The pope may also fill massive stadiums but you won’t see me going to listen to his bullsh1t either.
Don, I’m sure both U2 and the pope will be devastated to hear that news.
And I am sure they will be warmed by your support of them through your comments on here Kevin.
Don, copy and paste one post I made supporting them. If you don’t people might think you’re a liar. *waiting patiently*
You felt the need to comment on a post saying they were sh1te. Make up your mind.
U2 suck balls
Lets be honest, U2 are not the most talented band in the world and people are allowed not like them. It isn’t ‘typical Irish begrudgery’ as stated above. And that comment ‘haven’t been to one of your concerts’ is such a pathetic reply. I, for one, think they are shite and write average stuff. BUT you have to give them respect for what they have achieved.
As a U2 fan I really wish they would retire. They’ve had some great songs over the last 15 years but they haven’t realeased anything since pop. Everything since has been a rehash of the late 80′s and early 90′s. They haven’t brought anything new creatively to the U2 table in years.
Don, that’s not good enough. Anyone reading this can see you pointed out my ‘support’ for them by the ‘comments’ (plural) I’d made ‘on here’. I asked you to copy and paste ONE comment I’d made. There are none. I was hoping you’d say you mistook me for someone else but you chose to keep digging. That makes you a liar.
As well known language expert, Fungus O’Sniddig would say, “it’s amazeyballs to me”
U2 ARE THE BIGGEST,BEST INVENTFUL BAND IN THE PLANNET, WHAT BAND CAN BOAST SELL OUT CONCERTS SINCE 1987 With the exception of the boss. I know the rollingstones can sell out but when was their last album.
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