- Tim Cook, Apple CEO, told U2 that giving away their art for free was “something not right”.
- Cook also asked if the album would go only to U2 fan, Bono explained in a new memoir.
- In 2014, U2’s album “Songs of Innocence”, was freed to 500 million iTunes Store users.
Apple CEO Tim Cook stated to U2 that giving away their art for free was not right, Bono, Bono’s frontman has stated. new memoir.
U2’s 2014 album “Songs of Innocence”, was released given away 500 million iTunes store customers. Apple puts the music automatically on users’ devices, instead of giving them the option to download it.
This move was criticised and Bono stated in a Guardian memoir excerpt that the band “bumped into serious discussion about access to big tech in our lives”.
Sasha Frere Jones, then a New Yorker critic, was critical of the giveaway at the time. He said: “A U2 album that some would have taken seriously was instead turned into an album that seems as pointless as it probably is. Lack of consent is not the future.”
Bono Cook originally took issue with distributing the album for free, telling the musician: “But the whole point of what we’re trying to do at Apple is to not give away music free. The goal is to ensure musicians get paid.
Bono said that Cook had also asked Bono if the album would be restricted to U2 fans. The singer suggested that Apple pay the band for the album and then give it away to users, saying “it’s their choice whether they want to listen to it.”
Insider reached Apple to get more information about Bono’s claims. However, they did not respond immediately.
U2 and Apple first In 2004, the couple formed a partnershipThe band appeared in an iPod commercialThe company also produced a limited-edition U2-branded iPod.
