It is an interesting period in Queen's history. I remember reading an article written by Jacky Smith of the fan club and she visited Brian, Roger and John who were all in Roger's studio (along with Spike) - she went there to get merchandise signed to give away at the next convention.
Anyway she said as she walked back to her car she could here the opening bars to Innuendo being played live and she sat and listened for a bit.
This always fascinates me that the three guys were in the studio around 1997/98 for some reason and that they were rehearsing tracks. Also interesting that they would choose to play Innuendo.
Then in one of the fan club magazines in the news section it was reported that John had a small studio built in his house and he had remixed 'there must be more to life than this'.
So it seems he was keen to keep active up until 1998 when after Brian and Roger's solo albums he decided that enough was enough. Maybe it was the beginning of these ridiculous collaborations with Five and Robbie Williams that made him realise that their best days were behind them.
Maybe had Brian and Roger not embarked on solo material and tours in 1998 and instead had worked on Queen as a three piece then John would have continued for a little while longer. I also remember a fan club lettter than Brian wrote around this time stating that he, Roger and John frequently talk and that they almost decided to do a Queen tour..."but there were problems..."
In any event we'll never know why John retired but I don't think Brian or Roger can be blamed and perhaps it is someone said above that he didn't feel confident that they could do it anymore - his reaction at being asked for autographs after the WWRY premiere is difficult to watch.
Or maybe his wife was annoyed at his obsession with lap dancers and grounded him...
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Saint Jiub · Member since
According to your 2013 QOL alterego, the Innuendo incident and the remix both occurred in 1996.
I remember reading a few fan club articles in 1996; in one Jacky Smith was describing visiting Roger's studio with some merchandise for the band to sign, she said that Brian, Roger and John were there and as she was leaving she heard the opening bars of Innuendo drift across the car park. S they were obviously rehearing for something and John was happy to take part. This was also the year that John had a studio built in his home and remixed "There Must Be More To Life Than This".
It states in the Autumn 1996 issue of the Fan Club Magazine:
"John had a small studio built in his home and will concentrate on remixes, some production and other projects. He in fact did a remix of a Freddie track, There Must Be More To Life Than This for possible use on a future Queen compilation album."
... By March 1997, per a "Queen Rocks" interview, John Deacon dropped off of Brian and Roger's radar and was doing "secret Deaky things":
What about John Deacon? Was he involved in the compilation of the album? Where is he today?
Roger: Great question! (laughter)
Brian: These are very difficult questions.
Roger: He's a complete mystery to us, I mean.
Brian:He's generally involved at a distance. He's very much involved, but he doesn't get involved in the "day-to-day" bits of pieces, I guess Roger and I do that really. Where is he today? He's at home, I think. But he does secret things, secret "Deaky things". Base players do that. (laughter)
Roger: But he's never been seen spending money though.
I recorded the concert as I watched it live in 1992.I was loved how they inserted clips of Freddie /Queen in amongst the Live performances, although it was tinged with sadness it was a great celebration of Freddies life and work. I remember welling up a bit when Extreme performed Love Of My Life, I wasn't quite sure what on earth to make of Spinal Tap(at that time I hadn't seen the film), and I was spellbound as the remaining three members took to the stage and played their hearts out. I especially enjoyed hearing the Live renditions of I Want It All, Innuendo, Days Of Our Lives and Las Palabras De Amor (a personal favourite).
One thing I noticed - when Zucchero appeared, did I hear the keyboard intro to A Kind Of Magic (live version), which ended rather abruptly, or was I imagining things?
Chrisallstar · Member since
Apparently Chris Thompson was meant to perform A Kind Of Magic. Chris rehearsed with Brian, Roger and John to make sure they were familiar at playing all the hits before the guest vocalists turned up to rehearse
beemack74 · Member since
Thanks, Chrisallstar, I wasn't aware of that. I presume it was dropped at the very last minute, hence the short intro on the night?
emporer · Member since
Looks like the YT video has been removed just before I could grab it too, any chance of another upload please?
The Real Wizard · Member since
[QUOTE] [b]Chrisallstar wrote:[/b]
Apparently Chris Thompson was meant to perform A Kind Of Magic. Chris rehearsed with Brian, Roger and John to make sure they were familiar at playing all the hits before the guest vocalists turned up to rehearse [/QUOTE]
Wow - so this means Chris did more work than the other singers, and he still got screwed on show day?
Talk about a thankless job. And he still had to smile when he took his cheque.
Rick · Member since
The best of moment of this concert is John talking in front of a massive audience. You can see he's feeling uncomfortable but still delivers. Especially the "METALLICA!" part.
scottmax · Member since
[QUOTE] [b]The Real Wizard wrote:[/b]
[QUOTE] [b]Chrisallstar wrote:[/b]
Apparently Chris Thompson was meant to perform A Kind Of Magic. Chris rehearsed with Brian, Roger and John to make sure they were familiar at playing all the hits before the guest vocalists turned up to rehearse [/QUOTE]
Wow - so this means Chris did more work than the other singers, and he still got screwed on show day?
Talk about a thankless job. And he still had to smile when he took his cheque.
[/QUOTE]
In reference to Chris Thompson, here's a couple of links to interviews where he mentions the tribute concert......
Enough years had to pass before he could talk openly about this, I guess. It's long past the point of ever working with any of these people again.
He did the gig like a champ, but I can't blame him for being sour about it even 20 years later. Zucchero and Lisa Stansfield were given precedence over him - that's gotta sting.
NickGreen · Member since
Darn it's not there!
Oscar J · Member since
Sucks about Chris Thompson, he would have done a great job of AKOM. Manfred Mann's Earth Band were best with Mick Rogers on vox though.
