‘It’s because people want it’: Brian May on why Queen has moved on with Ada

Brian May addresses his willingness to continue Queen past the death of Freddie Mercury and the retirement of John Deacon, saying it’s not for the filthy lucre. He and Roger Taylor do, he says, for the fans.

“We don’t need the money and we don’t need the fame — so why would we do it?” May rhetorically asks the Times of Malta. “If the Queen legacy is going on and on, it’s not because of us. It’s because people want it. And now and again, it’s nice to give people what they want.”

Mercury, the group’s unforgettable frontman, has been gone since 1991. Bassist Deacon, who co-wrote several of Queen’s most iconic hits, left the stage not long after. Since, May and Taylor have paired with a series of guest singers, including George Michael, Paul Rodgers and — most recently — Adam Lambert. There has also been a long-running Queen-themed musical, and a travelling Queen Extravaganza featuring up and coming talent. Queen + Lambert kick off their first-ever stateside tour together this summer.

“I like it,” adds May, a credentialled scientist who has developed into a passionate animal-rights activist, as well. “I don’t have to it, and I certainly don’t want to do it all the time. After all, we did it for twenty years. I like to have the freedom to do [duo shows with Kerry Ellis], to do astronomy, to try to change the world with regards to animals.”

http://somethingelsereviews.com/2014/04/26/its-because-people-want-it-brian-may-on-why-queen-has-moved-on-with-adam-lambert/

If they wanna make fans happy, they must visit Kazakhstan :)))

sadly, I don't think Brian is in tune with what the fans want.

sure, some average joes (including a group of fans) want to see a concert where it says "Queen" on the ticket, pretty much regardless of who's on stage.

had the fans been in charge though, I'm sure unreleased material, unheard live releases, and even the WWRY sequel would be on top of the list of what they wanted.

Obviously Doctor May doesn't read or pay attention to all those negative comments about this tour with Adam Lambert. While both him & Rog have still something to say musically speaking this tour will be just a vaguely reminiscence of Queen's glorious past (and when I talk about Queen I mean them plus Freddie & John) and Mr. Lambert while having an amazing set of pipes it's just not the right singer for them (I consider him a great singer when he approaches to Soul/R&B/Pop material, so not properly a rock singer). I mean neither Rodgers was the correct singer for them but at least, in terms of style and musical background, he was in a more comparable field. I see this just as a smart move dictated by Island/Universal company to make Queen more appetible for the American market. Hopefully they will cover various stage of the band's carrer and focus the attention on the 70s stuff so we can all agree that "Pre-Freddie's mustache" Queen were at their musical peak and finally (hopefully) they will release some vintage concerts of that period... 'cause this is what fans really want ;) And the new album with Freddie's unreleased songs of course. So if this tour will not disturb those two things that fans really want but instead will push further them to finally get released I will consider it as a blessing, otherwise I will fall in bitter and strong disappointment.

Badger Land has better fans than this forum.

Well yes, people who want Brian + Roger to tour with Adam exist, but "Dr. Bri" probably doesn't realize that they're a minority

who's [i][b]Ada[/b][/i] ????

I have been a huge Queen fan since I was a kid more than 20 years ago and you guys are a bunch of whiners. I cannot stand Adam Lambert because he doesn't seem like a real rocker; I didn't like (but respected) Paul Rodgers because his vocals and vocal style were so different than that of Freddie's that I didn't like how the songs sounded. Oh well. At least I got to see Brian and Roger do some of my favorite Queen songs in 2006 and I will get to do it again this summer. And at least Adam does have some vocal versatility.

Songs were meant to be played. 50 and 100 + years from now, folks will still be covering Queen. Why not be some of the original members now? The original 4 will never be on stage again. Oh well. I got over that 20 years ago. The only crappy thing in my eyes is that Brian and Roger didn't start doing this when they were still in their 40s. This is freaking rock and roll. It's music, and it's commercial music at that. I mean Queen is my favorite all time band, but get a grip, folks. This is about being fun and playing music.

BTW, I agree with Brian on all counts.

- The only crappy thing in my eyes is that Brian and Roger didn't start doing this when they were still in their 40s. -

So true.
They could've done so much more, in stead they focused on their solo careers. Which has to be one of the reasons John left. There was nothing left for him to do.
Imagine the success of a "Made in Heaven" tour between '95-'97, when they were musically and fysically in very good shape, and Queen's popularity was huge.
At that point they could've toured with so many top singers, and reached so many fans that wanted to see them so desperately.

But they let the years pass. The tour with Paul Rodgers was nice, but much too late for so many reasons.

[QUOTE] [b]Ivo-1976 wrote:[/b]

- The only crappy thing in my eyes is that Brian and Roger didn't start doing this when they were still in their 40s. -

So true.
They could've done so much more, in stead they focused on their solo careers. Which has to be one of the reasons John left. There was nothing left for him to do.
Imagine the success of a "Made in Heaven" tour between '95-'97, when they were musically and fysically in very good shape, and Queen's popularity was huge.
At that point they could've toured with so many top singers, and reached so many fans that wanted to see them so desperately.

But they let the years pass. The tour with Paul Rodgers was nice, but much too late for so many reasons.[/QUOTE]

Well, hopefully they will still do these things!

We can't change the past. And I'm glad they're at least still doing something. No they definitely don't need the money.Am praying for a September gig in the UK so I can see them while I am in Europe!

Seems to me that this collaboration with Adam Lambert &
Queen has gone on long enough move on Brian, i am bored silly now and let Queen have its true identity back i.e
The four guys in the greatest band ever - Queen, Freddie, Roger, Brian & John.
Let Lambert get on with his ailing career for gods sake, for he should not hide behind the Queen legacy.

I just want to say...Adam Lambert sucks ass. That is all.

Lambert not is not sitting on my cd shelf next to the greatest showman ever, no way.
not worthy in my opinion.