Hi, my name is Jason Ward. I used to post here a long time ago, but I've since changed emails and lost my log in. I'm currently writing a piece for my Star Wars blog but it maybe used in a more professional wayif it works well.
I'm writing a piece right now on Freddie Mercury riding atop Darth Vader's shoulders. I was hoping I could appeal to Queen historians on a few facts.
- Freddie was on Vader's shoulders for We Will Rock You.
- Vader was used from 1978 to 1980 all around the world.
- Vader was always during the encore.
- The costume changed because Queen bought their props in every country they landed in to avoid customs issues (thinking of Freddie's boobs for I Want to Break Free too).
- Wally Versen played Darth Vader. Did Wally Versen also play Superman?
I also seem to remember a Queen Fan Club Magazine shipping with Darth Vader on the cover, but Vader was covered by a sticker after Lucasfilm ordered them to cease using the character without permission.
I appreciate any help and or fun facts you can contribute to this piece. Thank you!
The Real Wizard · Member since
Indeed, it was only for the second encore of We Will Rock You. Earlier he did it on the shoulders of a band bodyguard dressed as Superman for much of 1979, and a Santa at one show in 1977.
The Dark Vader gag was just done in 1980 for a few months. I can't give you exact dates since we don't have photos or video of every moment of every show, but to cut a long story short, it was from August to November 1980.
It came to a grinding halt when Queen heard from George Lucas' lawyers with a cease and desist order. You'd think he'd be pleased with the free publicity, but alas, that was that.
I doubt the customs issue you mentioned had anything to do with it. Can you elaborate on that?
Doga · Member since
Wow, i found this picture in Queenlive, reamarkably not noly for the Darth Vader thing, but Freddie wearing just a shirt and a jeans onstage, i thought Queen always had custom clothes for their shows.
In Montreal '81 he is just wearing jeans the super man logo shirt and a leather jacket . He also wore out fits similar to that in South America
The Real Wizard · Member since
[QUOTE] [b]Doga wrote:[/b]
Wow, i found this picture in Queenlive, reamarkably not noly for the Darth Vader thing, but Freddie wearing just a shirt and a jeans onstage, i thought Queen always had custom clothes for their shows.
http://www.queenlive.ca/queen/live%20pics/80-09-10_Milwaukee_01.jpg
[/QUOTE]
The one and only documented time he dressed that simply. Maybe he left his garb at the hotel?
Penetration_Guru · Member since
RE: Fan club mags. No Vader on the cover, and I checked Winter 78 to Spring 82. There's one Superman pic inside one of '79, but no vader anywhere.
I also doubt that they'd have been sufficiently confident of getting a decent Vader costume in every country - it would have sat in the wardrobe box and been on the manifest as "mask", a lot less controversial than "fake breasts"
ITSM · Member since
In the song "Bicycle Race," Freddie Mercury sings "...and I don't like Star Wars."
Doga · Member since
[QUOTE] [b]ITSM wrote:[/b]
In the song "Bicycle Race," Freddie Mercury sings "...and I don't like Star Wars."[/QUOTE]
Good point. Knowing Brian is fan of the series it had been dissapointing for him that tense relations with George Lucas.
Wonder what the owners of the Superman rights think about Hammy 79.
Vali · Member since
glad to read you here, Jason; I check your site almost daily so to be informed about any Episode VII production update / rumours. Great job you´re doing there!
re the Freddie / Vader affair, cannot add much more to what´s been already said here. The Real Wizard is one of our top-top-top players concerning Queen live and any information he´ll provide will be accurate at maximum level !
The Real Wizard · Member since
[QUOTE] [b]Doga wrote:[/b]
Knowing Brian is fan of the series it had been dissapointing for him that tense relations with George Lucas.
[/QUOTE]
Yeah, perhaps. But I'd say it was a valuable life lesson of "your heroes can sometimes be dickheads."
The Real Wizard · Member since
Vali, you flatter me.
What's great is - I'm still learning too !
Vali · Member since
[QUOTE] [b]The Real Wizard wrote:[/b]
[QUOTE] [b]Doga wrote:[/b]
Knowing Brian is fan of the series it had been dissapointing for him that tense relations with George Lucas.
[/QUOTE]
Yeah, perhaps. But I'd say it was a valuable life lesson of "your heroes can sometimes be dickheads."[/QUOTE]
indeed !
now I recall reading Brian somewhere (soapbox, most likely), telling the (bad) experience he had the first time he crossed paths with George Lucas and how bad he felt when GL practically ignored him, after Brian´s approach as a pure StarWars/GL fan. Since then, Brian said he´s always tried to bear in mind that horrible moment for him when he´s met any of his fans.
Chief Mouse · Member since
[QUOTE]
[b]Vali wrote: [/b] [QUOTE] [b]The Real Wizard wrote:[/b]
[QUOTE] [b]Doga wrote:[/b]
Knowing Brian is fan of the series it had been dissapointing for him that tense relations with George Lucas. [/QUOTE]
Yeah, perhaps. But I'd say it was a valuable life lesson of "your heroes can sometimes be dickheads."[/QUOTE]
indeed !
now I recall reading Brian somewhere (soapbox, most likely), telling the (bad) experience he had the first time he crossed paths with George Lucas and how bad he felt when GL practically ignored him, after Brian´s approach as a pure StarWars/GL fan. Since then, Brian said he´s always tried to bear in mind that horrible moment for him when he´s met any of his fans.[/QUOTE]
**Thu 16 Jul 04**
NOW I FEEL GUILTY OK
- I feel guilty now. Jen just sent me a few very well-expressed letters from some of you who found my ranting confusing. I apologise. I really do. This stuff is hard, and I'm gonna stop ranting about it in future!
Gunter, Matt, Sean, Stewart, James, Brian, Emma, Joyce..... you are all right, and I don't know how, even in a perfect world, I would set rules for these things. You're right - it isn't possible. I guess all we can ALL do is use our noddles as much as possible. Yes, I DO know what it's like to stand near someone I respected and admired for years, and not know what to do! So I empathise with what you say, and I don't have the answers. Once, at a screening of one of the Star Wars films, I noticed George Lucas passing close by, maybe on his way home from the reception. My kids and I had shared so much joy from his work I couldn't stop myself turning and saying something like ..." excuse me Mr Lucas, I just want to thank you for the joy you've brought me and my kids..."... He kind of glanced up, but not so far as to meet my eyes, and muttered something like ... "Oh, Yeah, great... where were we headed...?" and walked on. I felt completely squashed and pathetic. It was a lesson. I know he was tired and I was probably the ten thousanth person to say this, in that evening alone, but I also know how I felt. I TRY never to do that to people who say hello to me.... but Lord knows there are times when I just don't have the energy or there's pressure from other quarters, or I'm simply out of patience. So from the bottom of my heart I apologise to anyone who ever got disappointed by me, whilst they were behaving perfectly reasonably. And to those who WEREN'T behaving reasonably ....well..... since it's Thursday, I forgive you!! ha ha!! Anyway all YOU guys reading this on BM.com are great - I'm continually amazed at the kindness and courtesy you extend to me
