I didn't know that. Good point!

Somehow, I don't think that's what Jon was referring to. But who knows, maybe it is. And the point about The Edge being the mastermind behind the songs. I wasn't aware of that. Like I said, there's a world of stuff I don't know about VH and U2. But if Jon's taking songwriting and keys into consideration, then he's talking about more than just dependence on a lead guitar. In that case you'd have to consider Richie's songwriting and his vocals as well, which Jon acknowledged was part of the "magic".

Then again, Jon said a long time ago that he wasn't "beholden" to anybody. So I guess looking for a reason to give him the benefit of the doubt in this situation is an exercise in futility, anyway. If he really believes his success hasn't depended on other people, as much as it's depended on his own drive and ambition, then God bless his independent ass. That's a sorry way, not to mention a very lonely way, to look at things. Especially when anybody else can see, without even looking very hard, that he didn't get where he is on his own.