“I tend to cringe when I hear people who’ve obviously taken my style. I think it’s a joke that’s often played on me”: The Edge has never been impressed by players who try to imitate his sound

U2 in costumes designed by Walter Van Beirendonck, The Edge, Werchter Festival Grounds, Werchter, Belgium, 25 July 1997.

Imitation is said to be the highest form of flattery, but from a guitar perspective that has never sat right with The Edge. In fact, he’s never been that impressed by those who look to copy his sound and style.

In a 1996 interview with Guitar World, the U2 icon reflected on the guitar scene at the time, and discussed the fact many were settling with imitating a style as opposed to developing their own.