February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
The lads lost out to Linkin Park in the Best Group category, which might signal a generational shift (middle-age rockers could be a bit too VH1 for the MTV kiddies). This was a bit surprising, given the positive reaction to the band’s new single and video, “Electric Storm” (who doesn’t want to see Larry Mullen Jr. splashing about in the surf?). They lost out to Coldplay for the title of best UK/Ireland Act. But what left viewers — and presenter Ronan Keating rather gobsmacked — was U2’s loss to California skater dudes The Red Hot Chili Peppers for the Best Live Act crown.
Keating was so sure of U2’s victory that he ad-libbed a bit before opening the envelope.
“I know who should win it,” he said with a grin. But when he looked at the name inside the card, he realized that it was time to give it away, give it away, give it away, now. But we’ll bet Ronan and the lads were thinking of another RHCP song — you know, the one about Californication.