The Who's Roger Daltrey Slams U2 For 'Tax Evasion'

The Who's Roger Daltrey has slammed U2 over claims that they are tax evaders.

The Irish band were criticised last month as it was claimed that they are avoiding paying tax by basing parts of their business in Holland.

"I find it very interesting that people who spout socialism don’t want to pay for a socialist state", Daltrey told The Daily Star.

Daltrey also commented on immigrants who don't pay taxes in Britain:

"They don't realise how hard the average man has to work to pay those taxes. I don't see anybody in the Government with a pair of balls. They're so spineless. Nobody is in charge and nobody wants to accept responsibility."

Meanwhile, U2 guitarist The Edge has reacted angrily to claims that the band are tax evaders.

Thanks for the report to Gigwise.com.

Comments

[JordanDH]

The Edge's reaction to accusations of tax evasion refer to the crime rather than the more general act. He also points out that Ireland is fine with it. What he seems to forget is that Ireland being fine with something doesn't necessarily mean it's morally acceptable or in keeping with the preachings of specific members of the band.

Although Daltrey's a bit of a dick too, getting all upset about immigrants for no real reason.

[JordanDH]

The Edge also forgets that he's 49, and only 12 year olds thing it's cool to call themselves "The Edge".

[patrickdenneyto]

JordanDH wrote:

The Edge also forgets that he's 49, and only 12 year olds thing it's cool to call themselves "The Edge".

lolz

[Trent Armitage]

patrickdenneyto wrote:

JordanDH wrote:

The Edge also forgets that he's 49, and only 12 year olds thing it's cool to call themselves "The Edge".

lolz

Or maybe its how the media calls him The Edge..?

[Sherlock_Bones]

JordanDH wrote:
Although Daltrey's a bit of a dick too, getting all upset about immigrants for no real reason.

He's an old man, let him have a moan if he wants one

[Tigershark2112]

I can't stand it how I work a minimum wage job every day and am struggling to make ends meet, yet I still pay my taxes, while these filthy rich a-holes (not just U2) think they're above it all.

[spoksbeard]

I bet the who have a few sneaky quid off the rader too tho

[b_flo]

Everyone will find ways to lower their taxes thru tax write-offs and deductibles. It's so common for even the typical business owner to even mark "business function" on their dinner receipts obtained from dining out with the family. Others are like job related expenses. For example, people in a 'working band' claim CD's, concert tickets, music gear, gas, lodging, food, etc, as deductibles. Those great sounding bands that fail, often fail through the financial/business aspect of the business, which is sad. They end up owing more than earning their well-deserved pay. It would be advisable for at least one or two members of a band to take up accounting/business classes, if this is going to be a source of income for them and their families. The one thing that a lot of bands forget. It will totally screw you over if you're touring anywhere.

ALL touring bands are like imports...they pay taxes/permits/licensing for all the merch. and tickets they sell in EVERY country they play in.

Btw, no mention of the Stones' tax practices?

As for The Edge? Maybe if you took some marketing classes, it would make more sense. Reading up on their history would also help.

[on3andth3sam3]

...why do we care? unless someone is getting arrested i'm going to go back to playing...

[007dude]

Hey, George Harrison wrote a song about it.

I can't really blame people like this for trying to evade taxes, I know for a fact I would do the same if I had the chance.

[surfbr]

Who cares about their taxes? he's jealous because his 2 songs band never will be like U2

[Dpullam]

007dude wrote:

Hey, George Harrison wrote a song about it.

I can't really blame people like this for trying to evade taxes, I know for a fact I would do the same if I had the chance.

I would as well

[rock.freak667]

surfbr wrote:

Who cares about their taxes? he's jealous because his 2 songs band never will be like U2

lol wat

[davis_kiel]

Since when are the Who a 2 song band? Behind Blue Eyes, Baba O'Riley, Who Are You, Won't Get Fooled Again, Pinball Wizard, The Seeker, Substitute and My Generation. All hits. U2 had more hits, I'm sure. But they all sounded the same.

If the Who are a two song band, then does that make U2 a one song band?

[slaveskinJACKET]

davis_kiel wrote:

Since when are the Who a 2 song band? Behind Blue Eyes, Baba O'Riley, Who Are You, Won't Get Fooled Again, Pinball Wizard, The Seeker, Substitute and My Generation. All hits. U2 had more hits, I'm sure. But they all sounded the same.

If the Who are a two song band, then does that make U2 a one song band?

Nice.

I would like to add that every member of The Who is immensely more talented (and pleasing to the ears) than their U2 counterpart.

[Trent Armitage]

davis_kiel wrote:

Since when are the Who a 2 song band? Behind Blue Eyes, Baba O'Riley, Who Are You, Won't Get Fooled Again, Pinball Wizard, The Seeker, Substitute and My Generation. All hits. U2 had more hits, I'm sure. But they all sounded the same.

If the Who are a two song band, then does that make U2 a one song band?

So an eight song band?

Davis_kiel wrote:
If the Who are a two song band, then does that make U2 a one song band?

Look at all of U2 singles on the charts.

[slaveskinJACKET]

Trent Armitage wrote:

davis_kiel wrote:

Since when are the Who a 2 song band? Behind Blue Eyes, Baba O'Riley, Who Are You, Won't Get Fooled Again, Pinball Wizard, The Seeker, Substitute and My Generation. All hits. U2 had more hits, I'm sure. But they all sounded the same.

If the Who are a two song band, then does that make U2 a one song band?

So an eight song band?


Davis_kiel wrote:
If the Who are a two song band, then does that make U2 a one song band?

Look at all of U2 singles on the charts.

Who cares about charts? You know who else charts fairly well? Lady GaGa and Justin Beiber. Are you saying that they are better than The Who, too?

Listen to U2. Listen to The Who. There is no comparison.

The Who wrote good songs. U2 has never written a good song (the closest they've ever come is With or Without You, but even that's not what I would call good).

The Who was comprised completely of above average musicians (except maybe Pete Townshend's guitar skill, which is still miles ahead of 'The Edge', but he was a great songwriter and innovative with his synthesizers). U2 is comprised completely of below average musicians. Bono's voice is the best thing they've got going for them, and he is nothing special, lyrically or vocally.

[Trent Armitage]

Bahahaha your a tool. Did your mom tell you to write all this?

[Trent Armitage]

btw, justin bieber is better than the who and u2

[shredder3386]

Trent Armitage wrote:

btw, justin bieber is better than the who and u2

Agreed...him and Miley Cyrus are the dopest beatz yo

[slaveskinJACKET]

Trent Armitage wrote:

Bahahaha your a tool. Did your mom tell you to write all this?

No. Your mom did. I did this in return for her attempt in pleasuring my cock, but she sucked so bad, I just passed her along to my buddies. However, I'm a man of my word, so I came here to make due on my promises.

Trent Armitage wrote:

btw, justin bieber is better than the who and u2

Jesus Christ, you suck at trolling.

[slaveskinJACKET]

Trent Armitage wrote:

Bahahaha your a tool. Did your mom tell you to write all this?

Also, congratulations on using the right 'your' the second time. I bet your mom is proud.

Just for future reference:
You're - a contraction for "you are"
Your - a possessive pronoun, pertaining to the reader/listener
Yore - the past

Don't make me tell your mom that you haven't been paying attention in English class. You're already on thin ice since she found that gay porn in your sock drawer.

[b_flo]

What up slaveskinJACKET?

[b_flo]

slaveskinJACKET wrote:

davis_kiel wrote:

Since when are the Who a 2 song band? Behind Blue Eyes, Baba O'Riley, Who Are You, Won't Get Fooled Again, Pinball Wizard, The Seeker, Substitute and My Generation. All hits. U2 had more hits, I'm sure. But they all sounded the same.

If the Who are a two song band, then does that make U2 a one song band?

Nice.

I would like to add that every member of The Who is immensely more talented (and pleasing to the ears) than their U2 counterpart.

With Or Without You, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Even Better Than The Real Thing and Vertigo sounding the same? Are you proudly displaying your lack of listening skills? I know what's not pleasing to anyone's ears...it's your noise that you call music...lol

[slaveskinJACKET]

b_flo wrote:

slaveskinJACKET wrote:

davis_kiel wrote:

Since when are the Who a 2 song band? Behind Blue Eyes, Baba O'Riley, Who Are You, Won't Get Fooled Again, Pinball Wizard, The Seeker, Substitute and My Generation. All hits. U2 had more hits, I'm sure. But they all sounded the same.

If the Who are a two song band, then does that make U2 a one song band?

Nice.

I would like to add that every member of The Who is immensely more talented (and pleasing to the ears) than their U2 counterpart.

With Or Without You, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Even Better Than The Real Thing and Vertigo sounding the same? Are you proudly displaying your lack of listening skills? I know what's not pleasing to anyone's ears...it's your noise that you call music...lol

Mind your own business, cocksucker.

I'm not the one who said that, you dumb Fuck.

Yet there you go again blindly bashing things you are completely unaware of.

At least I've heard the things that I know I don't like. You sound like a little kid, insisting that vegetables are gross, disregarding the fact that they have never tried them.

And for that matter, the songs might not sound exactly the same; very similar, though. But 'The Edge' sounds nearly the same in every song. Mysterious Ways is the only time I have ever heard him sound significantly different and playing in a significantly different way, although I'm not ashamed to admit that I don't spend any time scouring U2 albums to listen for differences. It all sucks pretty equally, to me.

What I was agreeing with was the fact that they are extremely one-dimensional, which is inarguable, even if they do add some 'dance' music every now and then.

The point I was hinting at is that they are nowhere near as diverse, talented. original, or influential as The Who. The Who were a truly talented band, especially Keith Moon, while U2 were one of those bands who got lucky -- right place, right time kind of thing.

But don't bother responding. You've proven to me, time and time again, that I do not value what you have to say in the least.

[Slap-happy]

U2 - a tax evading bunch of Christians that aren't as Irish as they claim to be with a singer who has a messiah-complex and have based an enitre career around an AC30 and a delay pedal.

The Who, a band that took their R & B leanings, combined it with mod influences in the mid-late 1960s, decided it wasn't enough so explored the (at the time) new technology of synthesizers and loops, constructed some thogh provoking depictions of what life was like for the people that actually bought their music and played some of the largest, loudest and historically most memorable gigs of all time, all whilst continuing to grow and develop as musicians.

Townshend and Daltrey have earned far more respect and are both far more grounded musicians and performers than Bono could ever hope to be. The Edge? Don't actually mind the fella too much - shame about the people he's chose to associate with for the last 30+ years.

[007dude]

^ Wow, is it that time of the month ladies?

[poland]

U2 not paying taxes because Bono is a Obamma fan and those close to Obama do not practice what they preach.

[[x]Huffy[x]]

His band's guitarist was cautioned for trying to access a child pornography website yet he's slamming U2 for TAX EVASION?

[Dardar1989]

Whoa, alot of hate going on 8n hear.

For me the Who are hands down a more influential band with better songs and albums.
Look at Tommy and Quadrophenia, the variety of songs and styles on those albums alone is more influential than anything U2 have produced. Then theres their early work, Who's Next, Who Are You, the '80s stuff etc. etc.

Plus John Entwhistle and Keith Moon are arguably one of the best of their respective instruments.

[b_flo]

slaveskinJACKET wrote:

b_flo wrote:

slaveskinJACKET wrote:

davis_kiel wrote:

Since when are the Who a 2 song band? Behind Blue Eyes, Baba O'Riley, Who Are You, Won't Get Fooled Again, Pinball Wizard, The Seeker, Substitute and My Generation. All hits. U2 had more hits, I'm sure. But they all sounded the same.

If the Who are a two song band, then does that make U2 a one song band?

Nice.

I would like to add that every member of The Who is immensely more talented (and pleasing to the ears) than their U2 counterpart.

With Or Without You, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Even Better Than The Real Thing and Vertigo sounding the same? Are you proudly displaying your lack of listening skills? I know what's not pleasing to anyone's ears...it's your noise that you call music...lol

Mind your own business, cocksucker.

I'm not the one who said that, you dumb Fuck.

Yet there you go again blindly bashing things you are completely unaware of.

At least I've heard the things that I know I don't like. You sound like a little kid, insisting that vegetables are gross, disregarding the fact that they have never tried them.

And for that matter, the songs might not sound exactly the same; very similar, though. But 'The Edge' sounds nearly the same in every song. Mysterious Ways is the only time I have ever heard him sound significantly different and playing in a significantly different way, although I'm not ashamed to admit that I don't spend any time scouring U2 albums to listen for differences. It all sucks pretty equally, to me.

What I was agreeing with was the fact that they are extremely one-dimensional, which is inarguable, even if they do add some 'dance' music every now and then.

The point I was hinting at is that they are nowhere near as diverse, talented. original, or influential as The Who. The Who were a truly talented band, especially Keith Moon, while U2 were one of those bands who got lucky -- right place, right time kind of thing.

But don't bother responding. You've proven to me, time and time again, that I do not value what you have to say in the least.

If you can read, there is another name on that quote. Who's the dumb **** now?..lol Sorry to ruffle your feathers. I guess you're used to having people tell you about your limited listening abilities...so you assumed I was talking about you.
And really, you didn't type the part "(and pleasing to the ears)"? I guess you like typing the word "cock" a lot. It must bring a smile to your face....lmao!!!
Here ya go!!! ==D~~~0: Enjoy!!...lmao.
Mind my business. If you troll, it's open season! Expect it bitch!....lmao.

[true_bacon22]

U2 only care about money!? You don't say! Why, you'd think this, their manager's snide, ever so sure rants about how dead internet downloaders are going to be and the fact the Bonos organization only gives 1% of it's money to actual Charity would prove this!

[Guitar_Jester]

Fighting over which band is better is pathetic. Grow up.
Since when do we care about other people's finances? I thought it was all about the music.

[b_flo]

Guitar_Jester wrote:

Fighting over which band is better is pathetic. Grow up.
Since when do we care about other people's finances? I thought it was all about the music.

+100000

Both bands are great! As for finances, please read my 1st post on here.

[Slap-happy]

[x]Huffy[x] wrote:

His band's guitarist was cautioned for trying to access a child pornography website yet he's slamming U2 for TAX EVASION?

Whilst technically correct you may wish to present all of the facts, the reasons behind it and re-consider your opinion. Especially since Daltrey has had very negative comments regarding a certain G. Glitter.

[Trent Armitage]

I must suck at trolling so bad that slaveskin threw a fit and decided to make two posts worth of quotations towards me

[In America]

SlaveskinJACKET and b_flo you're just as bad as each other, why does everu U2 related article I see on UG do I have to see you guys having pointless arguments.

[Rattlehead2]

"They don't realise how hard the average man has to work to pay those taxes. I don't see anybody in the Government with a pair of balls. They're so spineless. Nobody is in charge and nobody wants to accept responsibility."

I sooooo agree with that statement. I don't live in UK, but it fits perfectly anyway.

[MonsterOfRock]

Mods on holidays or something? GJ turning this into youtube.

On topic, Daltrey is jumping the bandwagon on this issue, needless for an artist of his caliber.

Anyone who thinks that U2 is in any shape or form better than The Who, needs to cut their ears off. Its doing them a disservice. The badassity of Rn'R was invented by The Who, later ripped off by Led Zep.

[b_flo]

In America wrote:

SlaveskinJACKET and b_flo you're just as bad as each other, why does everu U2 related article I see on UG do I have to see you guys having pointless arguments.

My first post was about tax practices that a lot of taxpayers do. Also, what bands go through, when it comes to finances. The 2nd post, I was just replying to a comment made, by a different person, saying that all of U2's hits sounded the same. Also responded to slaveskinJACKET's "pleasing to the ears" comment. Harmless stuff, before his response. You gotta ask, why he makes a special effort to troll every U2 article? He's a bitter person who likes to pick arguments...and it's not just me. Proofs are in this article, as well as others. Why do you need to troll bands? It's time out of your life, that you can't get back.

[Trent Armitage]

MonsterOfRock wrote:

Mods on holidays or something? GJ turning this into youtube.

It's a U2 article, its not suppose to go bad

[davis_kiel]

Well you can say all you want about U2 being better than the Who, but they are making a musical abouth Spiderman?!?! Nuff said.

[jimmypagejunior]

b_flo wrote:

In America wrote:

SlaveskinJACKET and b_flo you're just as bad as each other, why does everu U2 related article I see on UG do I have to see you guys having pointless arguments.

My first post was about tax practices that a lot of taxpayers do. Also, what bands go through, when it comes to finances. The 2nd post, I was just replying to a comment made, by a different person, saying that all of U2's hits sounded the same. Also responded to slaveskinJACKET's "pleasing to the ears" comment. Harmless stuff, before his response. You gotta ask, why he makes a special effort to troll every U2 article? He's a bitter person who likes to pick arguments...and it's not just me. Proofs are in this article, as well as others. Why do you need to troll bands? It's time out of your life, that you can't get back.

And you like to put down the music of UG personalities without having a hint of what it's like. Grow the **** up both of you and get off of the U2 articles