February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
With allegations of backstage fisticuffs, borderline eating disorders and insecurities, Cashman’s book is set to throw a wrench into the carefully controlled U2 machine. And that can’t be going down well in Killiney.
The stylist, who was hired to revamp the band’s image in the “Joshua Tree” era, had unprecedented access to the four members of the band. While transforming them from Euro rockers-with-mullets to American stubble-and-ripped-jeans desperadoes, Cashman took note of their personal idiosyncrasies: The Edge’s concerns about his thinning hair, Adam’s lack of “personality,” Larry’s fascination with uniforms, and Bono’s desire to be seen as “a regular Joe.” And those are the tamest observations.
Cashman, who has not worked with the band in over a decade, recently clashed with their management over plans to auction her collection of U2 memorabilia. But though she was furious when U2 barred the sale, she insists that the book was not done in revenge.
“Absolutely not,” she told the Sunday World, who bought Irish serialization rights. “I am always asked what it is like working with these people, so I wrote the book to address these issues.” OK?