I'm not suggesting Freddie only listened six artists/groups. I am suggesting that amongst his top favourites (i.e. the ones a mid-class twenty-something student liked enough to spend his savings on buying records from), Free and Paul Rodgers weren't included. If he'd been such a big fan as Roger and Brian make it look, he'd obviously have an album or two.
Holly2003 · Member since
[QUOTE]
[b]Sebastian wrote: [/b]
I'm not suggesting Freddie only listened six artists/groups. I am suggesting that amongst his top favourites (i.e. the ones a mid-class twenty-something student liked enough to spend his savings on buying records from), Free and Paul Rodgers weren't included. If he'd been such a big fan as Roger and Brian make it look, he'd obviously have an album or two.
[/QUOTE]
But there's nothing to suggest that he didn't have an album or two. As I said, absence of evidence...
Sebastian · Member since
Indeed, there is evidence: the account on 'The Early Years' about Freddie's 'extremely small record collection', which btw also included The Pretty Things. So:
Did he listen to only seven acts? I suppose not
Did he listen to tons of acts? I suppose so
Amongst those acts, were Free included? Most likely
But:
Were Free amongst his top favourites? Definitely not
Brandon The Great · Member since
I'm going to have to agree with Brian on this. I like his argument.
The Real Wizard · Member since
[QUOTE]
[b]Saif wrote: [/b]
Anyone interested who has watched the previous seasons of American Idol or anyone even a bit interested in rock music would instantly recognize Queen and Brian May.
[/QUOTE]
The only living rock guitarists the average American would recognize are Carlos Santana, Angus Young, Jimmy Page, Dave Gilmour, Eddie Van Halen, Keith Richards, and whoever is wearing Kiss' makeup. So that's no insult to Brian, as plenty of legendary players aren't on that list. It's just what pop culture has created and deemed to be important. Listen to any "top 20 guitarists" show on American radio and it'll always be these names in the top 10. The popularity contest will always remain the same, and so the same names get perpetuated in the minds of the average person, regardless of the contributions of music by others.
Brian and Roger played the gig simply because it's the highest rated show on American TV, so it keeps Queen in the homes of the average American. In terms of publicity, it's the best gig in the country these days.
Daniel Nester · Member since
I agree, Sir GH. For pure, unadulterated embarrassment and legacy-sullying, see the WWRY musical. IMHO.
Daniel Nester · Member since
Sorry for the flame-bait there. Let me clarify, without a child on my lap: I have seen the musical twice in London, and love the live music. The show is embarrassing -- it's supposed to be, if you ask me. It doesn't take itself seriously, which is awesome. And as for legacy-sullying, I've been quoted in the New York Times as saying "legacy shmegacy"!
YourValentine · Member since
I agree about the musical. The story is embarrassing and breathtakingly stupid but the bands and singers are usually great. However, musicals are not my thing anyway and I doubt if Lion's King or Westside Story are intellectually more demanding. The embarrassment comes with the genre imo.
American Idol is a different story. It's not an artistic offering (no matter how bad) in the first place, it's a money generating, phoney and undignified spectacle. It's the prototype of the commercialization of music and art. I would not say anything about Brian and Roger appearing on the show if they had not criticised the phenomenon harshly and in public on previous occasions. It's so damn (sorry) hypocritical to criticise other people and then appear on this horrible show themselves.
It's true that people enjoy the show but they also enjoy public hanging, so that's not saying anything in favour of AI. It's also true that Queen will sell loads of records after being on AI but they would also sell a lot if they appeared on a decent show like Saturday Night Life. The question remains if they would even get a chance to appear on SNL - the director is not an old "buddy" as far as I know. And the question remains if they need to sell that many records being rich and in no need to prostitute themselves or lower their standards for money. Somehow I remember how Freddie refused to go back to the USA unless they had a No. 1 hit single. Freddie was old fashioned - he thought it needs quality performance to earn the superstar status.
Now Reuter carries an interview with Brian May suggesting that Adam Lambert will be the next Queen frontman. I have no prejudice against Adam Lambert, he is a young artist who has to try all means possible to get his carreer going. I simply do not know if it's a good idea to hire him as the frontman.
e-man · Member since
[QUOTE]
[b]YourValentine wrote: [/b]
I agree about the musical. The story is embarrassing and breathtakingly stupid but the bands and singers are usually great. However, musicals are not my thing anyway and I doubt if Lion's King or Westside Story are intellectually more demanding. The embarrassment comes with the genre imo.
American Idol is a different story. It's not an artistic offering (no matter how bad) in the first place, it's a money generating, phoney and undignified spectacle. It's the prototype of the commercialization of music and art. I would not say anything about Brian and Roger appearing on the show if they had not criticised the phenomenon harshly and in public on previous occasions. It's so damn (sorry) hypocritical to criticise other people and then appear on this horrible show themselves.
It's true that people enjoy the show but they also enjoy public hanging, so that's not saying anything in favour of AI. It's also true that Queen will sell loads of records after being on AI but they would also sell a lot if they appeared on a decent show like Saturday Night Life. The question remains if they would even get a chance to appear on SNL - the director is not an old "buddy" as far as I know. And the question remains if they need to sell that many records being rich and in no need to prostitute themselves or lower their standards for money. Somehow I remember how Freddie refused to go back to the USA unless they had a No. 1 hit single. Freddie was old fashioned - he thought it needs quality performance to earn the superstar status.
Now Reuter carries an interview with Brian May suggesting that Adam Lambert will be the next Queen frontman. I have no prejudice against Adam Lambert, he is a young artist who has to try all means possible to get his carreer going. I simply do not know if it's a good idea to hire him as the frontman.[/QUOTE]
great post.
but let me assure you; if they don't want their reputation to go down the toilet - teaming up with a c-lebrity is worst thing they can do
I can see it now: brian roger and a karaoke act playing c-lebrity....
Daniel Nester · Member since
Adam Lambert is 27 years old. He worked in musical theater up until going into Idol. Many other contestants have similar backgrounds.
I watched Idol every week. It's a guilty pleasure, but every once in awhile, there's some real moments in these kinds of shows.
I watched Rock Star INXS, for instance--against Brian's orders, as it were. Since I can't paste in this new-fangled forum, look up "Jordis Unga" and "Man Who Sold The World" on YouTube. The way she does that Bowie tune rivals Nirvana, that's for sure.
My point is that Adam Lambert is good, maybe great. I would love--love--to hear the dude who said he could do better than him on the boards sing one of the songs he selected.
Let's have a sing-off!
Daniel Nester · Member since
About 11 hours ago, I uploaded a news story from RollingStone.com that offered Brian's comments on Adam Lambert. It hasn't appeared yet on the front page. Check out Brian's comments in the full story. I think they make sense.
YourValentine · Member since
Hi Daniel, on top of your reply window you have a "cut", "copy" and "paste" function (scissor, page and folder icons). When you post a link, please add a space to make it clickable.
As to Adam Lambert: I am sure he is a good singer, Tony Vincent is a good singer, too. Being a good singer is not enough to front a band like Queen, though. You need to have experience, charisma and stage presence to survive in front of them. A theater stage is not the same as a Rock venue. - Many people say that Adam Lambert reminds them of the 1970's Freddie Mercury but it's not the 1970s: Brian and Roger are twice as old as Adam Lambert. Would they really make agood team? I think there can be some doubts without questioning Adam Lambert's singing qualities.
Remember Ray Wilson? He is a very good singer, too, even a Rock singer but recording an album and touring with Genesis did not really help his carreer, it was a gigantic flop for the remaining Genesis members and for Ray Wilson.
Sebastian · Member since
[QUOTE]
[b]YourValentine wrote: [/b]
I agree about the musical. The story is embarrassing and breathtakingly stupid but the bands and singers are usually great. However, musicals are not my thing anyway and I doubt if Lion's King or Westside Story are intellectually more demanding. The embarrassment comes with the genre imo.
American Idol is a different story. It's not an artistic offering (no matter how bad) in the first place, it's a money generating, phoney and undignified spectacle. It's the prototype of the commercialization of music and art. I would not say anything about Brian and Roger appearing on the show if they had not criticised the phenomenon harshly and in public on previous occasions. It's so damn (sorry) hypocritical to criticise other people and then appear on this horrible show themselves.
It's true that people enjoy the show but they also enjoy public hanging, so that's not saying anything in favour of AI. It's also true that Queen will sell loads of records after being on AI but they would also sell a lot if they appeared on a decent show like Saturday Night Life. The question remains if they would even get a chance to appear on SNL - the director is not an old "buddy" as far as I know. And the question remains if they need to sell that many records being rich and in no need to prostitute themselves or lower their standards for money. Somehow I remember how Freddie refused to go back to the USA unless they had a No. 1 hit single. Freddie was old fashioned - he thought it needs quality performance to earn the superstar status.
Now Reuter carries an interview with Brian May suggesting that Adam Lambert will be the next Queen frontman. I have no prejudice against Adam Lambert, he is a young artist who has to try all means possible to get his carreer going. I simply do not know if it's a good idea to hire him as the frontman.
[/QUOTE]
Barb, in the last eight years or so I've been glad to read loads of extraordinary posts from you. But I've gotta say, by a clear mile, this has been the best ever.
kallekas · Member since
But the main question remains - does Queen even need a new frontman? Lambert is good and I actually enjoyd this perfomance... May seemed to be happy on stage again!
Or maybe they should write something new togehter and not perform over 2-3 original Queen songs?
YourValentine · Member since
Thanks for the compliment, Sebastian. I suppose you agree with my opinion ;-)
