Q+AL - a musician's perspective

[QUOTE] [b]Band Forever wrote:[/b]

"I think Adam Lambert is turning Queen into some kind of gay cliche"

Gay cliche? I hadn't noticed because I was too distracted by his vocal talent and enormous dick. But, now that you've brought it to my attention I will seek out these overt acts of unacceptable gayness that have caused you such duress. I suppose Lambert could wear a unitard and ballet slippers to be more in line with your acceptable expression of manly gayness, or perhaps he can go shirtless and wear a pair of daisy dukes...hmm. Maybe we shouldn't leave it up to chance; can you list acceptable attire and mannerism he should adopt to help make your Queen + Adam Lambert experience more pleasurable? I'm sure he'll be more than happy to comply. He's a giver.

It's only fair that if he expends the effort to be the kind of man you like, then you should try to be the kind of man he likes. First, he likes 'em young, so, anything you can do to turn back time would be welcome. As for attire; tight pants with all your junk pulled up to the front, and a pair of suspenders should do the trick. Shave your chest, though, he's not into bears. Your overall grooming should be current; professional highlights, with a cut that's cropped close on the sides and a bit spiky on top, a little eyeliner smudged on the outside corner of your eyes, and a little scruffy facial hair would be appealing. If you don't have tattoos consider getting at least one; maybe something zodiac-related or Egyptian. As for mannerisms; looking at him adoringly and posing seductively, would be on the top of his list for sure. He's not all about looks, so, you should develop some creative skill to keep him interested. Can you do backflips or cartwheels? Can you paint lady boobs, abstractly? Sing? Dance? How about drinking? He likes drinking.

Lastly, do you have any qualms about being "shipped" or exploited sexually in fanfiction? If not, then this really could work out for you. 

Well, good luck with your transformation. Let me know if a love connection develops.

#fingerscrossed #proudmary

[QUOTE] [b]Holly2003 wrote:[/b]

You left out the most important reason why some aren't as keen as you are on Q+AL -- some don't like Lambert's voice that much.[/QUOTE]
Great. I'm obviously not addressing those people then, am I ?

However, I wouldn't say it's the most important reason. Those who have left it merely as "I don't like Lambert's voice" on the forums can be counted on one hand.


[QUOTE]What I don't understand is the irrational need some of you have that others must love what you love.
[/QUOTE]
I think that part is in your head and only your head. I don't think anyone here is trying to force their tastes on others. After all, we're on a Queen forum, a place that's supposedly designed to celebrate and discuss the contributions of four members of a band, not just the one who passed away over 20 years ago. Nobody's urging anyone to see Big Brother and the Holding Company with their latest hire. If that were happening here, then I'd probably agree with you and maybe even seek counseling.

Alter Bridge is a killer band. Hilarious that a fair chunk of Creed fans don't even know who they are. And a great example of why changing the band name can backfire just as much as keeping it despite member changes. So thanks for your input. That actually helped.

well said , Queen Forever

"I think Adam Lambert is turning Queen into some kind of gay cliche which is not entirely the focus of the band and alienates large sections of the fanbase. Freddie was fey at times but he did not make it central to the band's image."

My understanding is Freddie never came out as being gay (which was his right) until his Aids statement 24 hours before he passed --and the times were a bit different back then (well, in some ways--still have people today complaining that Lambert performs as a gay artist at times) So I don't see how we can compare apples to oranges here.

[QUOTE]

Perhaps if you made it clearer who you are addressing then there would be no need to reply. At the moment, it seems like a diatribe against anyone who doesn't like Q+AL, complete with a bunch of strawmen arguments to knock over, and a familiar dose of condescension -- yeah you're a musician but I'll bet even you would agree your tour experiences are different, in many aspects, to those of multi-millionaires. And in any event, I don't need to be a miner to know working down the pit is tough, but that's not exactly what B&R are doing, is it? More like staying at the Ritz and travelling by private jet, then doing the familiar job they've been doing since the late 1960s, only not as good. But I digress... I would guess the vast majority of those critical of Q+AL simply don't like his voice. That includes those so indifferent that they don't bother posting about it much or at all: it's simply of no interest. I would count myself in that category: this is the longest piece I've written on the subject, and even then its mostly about your post and not Q+AL. Others are Freddie nuts and won't accept anyone -- the "Queen died in 1991" p.o.v. Others have listened to the shows and have commented on (in their view) poor performance i.e. Roger's drumming, so they don't like to see their idols on the wane. Others-- a very small minority-- appear to be (inexplicably and bizarrely) anti-gay and dislike AL for that reason. I've seen maybe one or two examples of that on QZ. As for not seeing anyone "force their tastes on others", clearly you haven't been paying attention to some of the AL cultists on here. I'm not sure what point you make about Alter Bridge. The point I was making is that Queen+ is a rather dull imitation-variation of a once great band, and there is much more exciting music people can and are spending their money on -- which is, of course, another reason why they (in particular) aren't going to see Q+AL or aren't excited about it. This is, indeed, a Queen forum but that has never meant uncritical celebration of the band. That would make it more like a Lambert forum I suppose. [/QUOTE]

@BandForever

I think you are spot on. I am generally enthusiastic about the tour and would love to see them (musically, they couldn't have found a better match), but the gay thing really started coming to the fore. The way Adam talks to the audience, the costume changes, the sofa stunt (!) - even Brian started buying into it and I don't get this! Before I get accused of being homophobic, I just want to say Freddie was never like that. It was always music first. Adam started off similarly, but I have an impression that as his confidence grows, the more gayness he is trying to pack into these shows. I think it's time he toned it down a little bit.

ShakeThePoet - You have a very warped imagination and are absolute filth! and not in a sexual sense either. Ha! Ha! I don't need to look at anyone else's dick I have my own which is more than adequate and is reserved for the ladies only- To set the record straight further, I don't have any feelings either way towards Adam Lambert. I respect him as a human being and wouldn't wish him any harm, but I do not share the same respect for the lifestyle he follows. As for his vocal prowess he is clearly talented but in the higher registers the voice just grates. Freddie at the same age would overshadow him like an eclipse of the moon - pardon the pun! So you need calm the fuck down Scary Mary! As for showing masculinity in a performance this is not the domain of the gay performer, these emotions are expressed by many musicians across the musical divide, including dare I say it the fellow Band members.

Huzzah! Huzzah!

ShakeThePoet- In my opinion having a tattoo doesn't automatically qualify somebody with a raw personality or edginess, in my opinion it shows a lack of depth to the character and their imagination and also an IQ of 2. I had so many opportunities to let someone get their crayons out and daub some image over my limbs but never tempted in the slightest., Especially passing the million and one tattoo shops on Venice Beach, California. ZZZzzz!!!!

[QUOTE] [b]Holly2003 wrote:[/b]

And in any event, I don't need to be a miner to know working down the pit is tough, but that's not exactly what B&R are doing, is it? More like staying at the Ritz and travelling by private jet, then doing the familiar job they've been doing since the late 1960s, only not as good.[/QUOTE]

Yeah - you definitely don't get it. You're admittedly not a touring musician, yet you dismiss their challenges because they're not slugging gear? Agenda much?

Leave it to the inherent bitterness of Holly to turn something positive into yet another Bri and Rog trashing session. When's the last time a single post here inspired a dozen people to join just to say "cool, that was refreshing" ? Has it ever happened in the 15 years this place has existed ??

Of course some people don't like his voice. Art is all about taste. But if Lambert's voice sucks and that's the primary reason why people seem to not like this collaboration, then why are all the arenas full? Why aren't people leaving during the show? And they're not Glambert kids. They're mostly middle aged Queen fans. So it looks like you're in the minority. But obviously you know better since you weren't there and all...

Carry on..

[QUOTE]

Wow! talk about binary thinking! So I disagree with you and I'm "bitter". 

As for popularity, it's no indicator of quality. Do I even need to explain that? I care very little if I'm in a minorty. In fact though, I've said before I have no problem with people going and I expect they will enjoy it. Why are you trying to misrepresent that? Quite bizarre. 

Anyway, hardly any point talking to you as you've failed to engage with any of my actual points and instead have gone for the usual cheap shot. 

Carry on indeed. Business as usual.
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[b]The Real Wizard wrote: [/b] [QUOTE] [b]Holly2003 wrote:[/b]

And in any event, I don't need to be a miner to know working down the pit is tough, but that's not exactly what B&R are doing, is it? More like staying at the Ritz and travelling by private jet, then doing the familiar job they've been doing since the late 1960s, only not as good.[/QUOTE]

Yeah - you definitely don't get it.

Leave it to the inherent bitterness of Holly to turn something positive into yet another Bri and Rog trashing session. When's the last time a single post here inspired a dozen people to join just to say "cool, that was refreshing" ? Has it ever happened in the 15 years this place has existed ??

If Lambert's voice sucks, then why are all the arenas full ? Why aren't people leaving during the show? And they're not Glambert kids. They're mostly middle aged Queen fans. So it looks like you're in the minority. But obviously you know better since you weren't there and all...

Carry on..
[/QUOTE]

I see you've amended you post.

"Yeah - you definitely don't get it. You're admittedly not a touring musician, yet you dismiss their challenges because they're not slugging gear? Agenda much?"

I didn't dismiss it, I said ASPECTS of it are different for you and them so just being "a musician" doesn't necessarily mean you are qualified to comment on how multi-millionaire musicians tour. Besides, you comment on many things -- religion, for example -- yet you're not a minister or a priest or a rabbi. Does that disqualify you from commenting? So "agenda"? Whatever does that mean?

Bravo sir! You nailed it! Thank you for that 'voice of reason'.

There are innumerable new Queen fans like me who found their way to Queen fandom via Adam Lambert. I pay my dues and carry my membership card. Yet we seldom (or never) go to any of the Queen fan sites because of the viciousness displayed there. It's a shame, really, that the public face of the Queen fandom is so negative.

The only safe place is the members-only (yes, I'm a paid member) fan club site, where fans are celebrating the newly-energized band and bemoaning the shenanigans on the public sites. It's nice to know that there are some in the Queen fandom who are NOT nasty, vicious hate-mongers.

[QUOTE] [b]Band Forever wrote:[/b]

I think Adam Lambert is turning Queen into some kind of gay cliche which is not entirely the focus of the band and alienates large sections of the fanbase.[/QUOTE]

Have you watched the old Queen videos? Mercury wasn't exactly an posterboy for heterosexuality. You do know what the word "queen" is slang for, right? ;)

Love this essay. Thank you so much for stating the obvious. I saw Queen live with Freddie 12 times. I didn't ever think the magic could happen again, UNTIL Adam came along. I've been to 4 shows so far, and all I can say is WOW WOW WOW!!! Screw the naysayers, it truly is their loss. And it just means more great seats for the TRUE Queen fan's.