Roger and Brian now compared to the 80s

What are people's thoughts on Brian's guitar playing and Roger's drumming compared to say the mid 80s. Ok they are in their late 60's now but some do improve with age,some don't have the ear,reflexes and flexibility anymore.
Roger looks a bit stiffer nowadays but I still think his drumming is as good as it was. Brian never seems to alter.

Roger now better than before, because it has four hands instead of two :)))

I think age has effected them both. Roger more so, but then drumming is more physically demanding. It's no coincidence that Rufus is now a member of the touring band.

Through the years, with a second guitarist, BM's playing kind of became lazy and predictable. I think he sounded better since they've been doing show with AL because they are back to the single guitar.

I think they both suffer from not playing very regulally and being under rehearsed. BM used to say that playing live was about taking chances. It's not something either seems to do much anymore.

One of Brian heroes is Jeff Beck, who is slightly older and been proffecianal longer than BM. But his playing still sounds fresh and closeto the edge compared to Brian.

Satriani is well into his 50's but lacks none of the excitement that has always been part of his playing, the same as Alex Lifeson. But they are all players who play more and more often then BM

With a major tour nine or ten weeks away, and have not played a full Queen set since 2012, they should be doing 8hrs a day 5 days a week from now till then. . . That's what Rush would do, and Zappa back in the day. But maybe they are ( were ) a bit more serious about music and dare I say it more professional!

I still enjoy what Queen do, but I know musically, it's not the same as it once was.

There's no doubt that being inactive for long periods has affected their playing, if you don't exersize the muscles they go flabby !

Holy shit "The Cosmos Rocks" has the greatest sounds on it INCLUDING the best drum sounds Roger has EVER had! I swear I've NEVER heard anything like them! They are MINDBLOWING!!!

Cosmos Rocks has some decent stuff on it, a very decent album from venerable rock stars. Not sure how much more people could expect. As with the playing. Its obviously declined. But Queen in their prime were over-rehearsed and clinical if anything, most certainly professional. Now we just need to face it they are too old to be anything exceptional.

Brian is staying a bit lubed with the candlelight acoustic performances. Granted setlists are not terribly varied and style is very different, but he is still getting some decent practice.

Listen to Roger's drum fills on recent recordings of 'I'm In Love With My Car' compared to the way he used to play it. They used to be fast and furious. Now, not so much.

Of course, this is probably comparing 1970s Roger with now, so it's perhaps a little unfair.

Main difference I see is they're considerably older.


I looked it up. Turns out approximately THIRTY YEARS have passed since "the eighties". Apparently their singer has died as well.


I wonder why they call it the eighties. Must have something to with eighties music.

That chubby girl they have singing wails more than Roger these days. Christina Aguilera school of subtlety

Getting older is one thing, excercising on a regular basis is another. I feel that Brian has done more than Roger in terms of staying in shape and maintaining skills.
Not saying that Roger is lazy, but I feel he has been far less active in music/drumming than Brian.

Roger sucks very much as a drummer, but he became an amazing singer.

Roger doesn`t even have the power of `08 anymore compared to `12..
Just compare a couple of songs from The Cosmos Rocks tour, to the small tour with Lambert 2 years ago..

And he relies on Rufus for 99% of the time :')

I think I would prefer Roger to do more singing than drumming now, his voice is still powerful & raspy, and by the way when are we going to get his solo tour ?

[QUOTE] [b]AlbaNo1 wrote:[/b]

But Queen in their prime were over-rehearsed and clinical if anything, most certainly professional. [/QUOTE]

Is there such a thing as over-rehearsed? Don't think so.
Remember that this "over-rehearsed" thing you say, gave them the edge on LIVE AID.
Also it was necessary for them to play things as "Staying Power" live and stay tight and firm.
They had highly demanding material.
As for CLINICAL...with Freddie in charge Queen were vibrant and adventurous all the time. Faaaar from clinical.

[QUOTE] [b]andyb1968 wrote:[/b]

I think I would prefer Roger to do more singing than drumming now, his voice is still powerful & raspy, and by the way when are we going to get his solo tour ?[/QUOTE]

Raspy is the "It". Every great rocker/soul/punk/metal/funk has had or does have it.