Although the "Queen" name thing has been beaten to death, it's still fascinating to see people's views. I agree with a lot of what Scott Mercury says, although we part ways on whether they should be out there. If people get enjoyment, then let 'em be. The beauty of this is that all of us write our legacies for what Queen was. Brian can tell people to get over it, they're going forward. That's fine, but Scott feels that by going forward, they're damaging the Queen name. That's how he'll feel about the end of the Queen situation. I feel that working with 5ive, Robbie, 60 versions of WWRY etc. did more harm to their legacy than this tour ever will, but if they want to bring Queen music to a new generation, they're entitled to it more than we are telling them they're washed up hacks who shouldn't be using "our" name.
And for all the people who say like Freddie said, "it's just music for fuck sakes", that is the stupidest retort possible. If it were "just music", then they would have recorded albums in a week, live to tape. They didn't because they were so passionate about the music they wanted it to be timeless. Maybe Scott feels that this tour is cheapening the name and their efforts.
Thread
Posts in chronological order
We don't have Freddie, as long as people are clear this isn't the real thing, and this isn't the Queen of the past.... then I can accept this is the best we have right now.
Gosh- and this is exactly what everyone was saying all along... Me included...
I agree with this entirely. And if Roger & Brian come to tour te USA, you bet I WILL be there, just with the realization this is, what it IS, not what it WAS...and I cannot change the circumstances. So I will enjoy it for those 2 alone. But forget Paul...
One last point. I am 43 years old. And I knew who Freddie was when I was 14 and saw and heard BoRhap in 1975. I never knew the names of anyone in Queen until, weill I knew who Brian was by about 1984...didn't know who Roger & John are until about 1990. I'm not saying that's good, or bad, or even why...it just is...I always knew who Freddie was... He stood out and was a STAR.
When I watched Live Aid with my Mom, we just sat there going..oh there's Queen...BUT look at Freddie!!!!, and we were glued to our seats commenting on Freddie's every move, every gesture, every bit of clothes and jewelry he wore that day, and Freddie's DAZZLING Command and charisma over those 70,000 Wembley fans. Sure we loved Queen...but it was Freddie we couldn't stop talking about..and with great fascination, wonder and delight!
I always loved watching Queen on TV here in the States, don't get me wrong...I loved them as a band and as a unit/entity...but I just always KNEW who Freddie was and watched with eager joy to see him and his showstopping performances. I've adored him since I was 14...and I still do.
And Yes...me A NOT evil, but a GOOD FAN/person from the United States, I KNEW Freddie was GAY since I was 14, and I never cared a flying fig, I LOVED his NEW image with his leather and mustache as much as I loved his long hair and Zhandra Rhodes costumes. I have no bias about an artists' personal private life and sexual orientation. I Loved the videos I got to see before MTV banned them.
I just thought Freddie was the coolest most electrifying performer and rock star I had ever seen, and to me it was always wonderful just to see what new stunt he would pull out of his magic bag of tricks to top his last performance and dazzle the audience. He's not the greatest thing since sliced bread...Dears...he IS sliced Bread....Challa at that served with Moet et Chandon and St. Saphorin. Why Freddie is the cat's pajamas!!!! (hey I made a joke that's punny...that Freddie would like...cat joke get it):)
Scott_Mercury wrote:
If you think May/Taylor some no name players in the dark and the hoarse Englishman is "seeing Queen".... then do some LSD to enhance your delusions.
Scott I have read your posts with a great deal of interest. I have resisted replying before but just had to on these points. I don't think Spike Edney and Jamie Moses can be labelled "No name players in the Dark" Please take a Look at Jamies CV. I think Spike can be considered as quite a big part of Queens live performances.
and
Paul Rodgers and Paul Kossoff were great "influencers" of the British Music scene from 1968. There is a definate Rodgers/Free influence in Ql & Qll and SHA
If you think May/Taylor some no name players in the dark and the hoarse Englishman is "seeing Queen".... then do some LSD to enhance your delusions.
Scott I have read your posts with a great deal of interest. I have resisted replying before but just had to on these points. I don't think Spike Edney and Jamie Moses can be labelled "No name players in the Dark" Please take a Look at Jamies CV. I think Spike can be considered as quite a big part of Queens live performances.
and
Paul Rodgers and Paul Kossoff were great "influencers" of the British Music scene from 1968. There is a definate Rodgers/Free influence in Ql & Qll and SHA
Paul Rodgers and Paul Kossoff were great "influencers" of the British Music scene from 1968. There is a definate Rodgers/Free influence in Ql & Qll and SHA
I can hardly wait to see Mr. Know-It-All's retort to this. According to his logic, this is virtually impossible. Something akin to a one in a million chance.
Arlene answered above quite well.
Queen is fantastic, Freddie is the star.
Makes it hard to do a tour/album/career without your star.
I, like Arlene, even being a guitarist knew the name Freddie Mercury around 1982-1983 (at age 4 or 5)
I knew the rest of their names about 1990, or 1991.
Its not by accident that people know of Freddie first....refer to any live footage to see the reason why.
Queen is fantastic, Freddie is the star.
Makes it hard to do a tour/album/career without your star.
I, like Arlene, even being a guitarist knew the name Freddie Mercury around 1982-1983 (at age 4 or 5)
I knew the rest of their names about 1990, or 1991.
Its not by accident that people know of Freddie first....refer to any live footage to see the reason why.
Spike is also a well know guy over here in the Uk, which you guys across the pond dont know about.
He was/is involved a lot in the WWRY show, played a major part in the party in the park, produced it or something, not to sure now, and has his own SAS (Spike`s All Stars)band which do gigs which attract a lot of big names, so give the man a bit more credit.
He was/is involved a lot in the WWRY show, played a major part in the party in the park, produced it or something, not to sure now, and has his own SAS (Spike`s All Stars)band which do gigs which attract a lot of big names, so give the man a bit more credit.
Scott Wrote: Its not by accident that people know of Freddie first....refer to any live footage to see the reason why.
Scott, most people know the lead singer of a band first, ie, T Rex, The Who, The Stones, just to name a few, and there are many.
Why? because they are the frontmen, they do the singing, and any tv footage/filming will show the frontman for about 75+% of the time they are on air. It is not until you get into a band, any band that you find out the rest of the members names.
As for Freddie is going to cry from heaven, if you have not seen the shows, which living in the US you havent, dont knock what you aint seen.
All the lads, are doing a great job, ok so paul has a few throat problems, so have many stars in the past and will do in the future. The light show is big and very much Queen, as is the stage, and the sound, the only thing that is not the old Queen is a great singer, who is putting a new angle on Queen songs, most of the time it works and sounds great, the odd one or two are not suited for his voice IMO. But having seen the show, Freddie I am sure would not be crying, but would be happy that his and the bands work is still going forwards, he, him self was not one to sit back and stay still, which is what sadly many people here want to happen.
If you got your way, the youth of today and in future years would not have the chance to see the music we all love being played live, which means, their interest in Queen would die in the end, and the music would stop being played, be it live, on cd`s, radio and TV, is this what you want to happen? I sure as hell dont.
Scott, most people know the lead singer of a band first, ie, T Rex, The Who, The Stones, just to name a few, and there are many.
Why? because they are the frontmen, they do the singing, and any tv footage/filming will show the frontman for about 75+% of the time they are on air. It is not until you get into a band, any band that you find out the rest of the members names.
As for Freddie is going to cry from heaven, if you have not seen the shows, which living in the US you havent, dont knock what you aint seen.
All the lads, are doing a great job, ok so paul has a few throat problems, so have many stars in the past and will do in the future. The light show is big and very much Queen, as is the stage, and the sound, the only thing that is not the old Queen is a great singer, who is putting a new angle on Queen songs, most of the time it works and sounds great, the odd one or two are not suited for his voice IMO. But having seen the show, Freddie I am sure would not be crying, but would be happy that his and the bands work is still going forwards, he, him self was not one to sit back and stay still, which is what sadly many people here want to happen.
If you got your way, the youth of today and in future years would not have the chance to see the music we all love being played live, which means, their interest in Queen would die in the end, and the music would stop being played, be it live, on cd`s, radio and TV, is this what you want to happen? I sure as hell dont.
BHM WROTE UP ABOVE:
And for all the people who say like Freddie said, "it's just music for fuck sakes", that is the stupidest retort possible. If it were "just music", then they would have recorded albums in a week, live to tape. They didn't because they were so passionate about the music they wanted it to be timeless. Maybe Scott feels that this tour is cheapening the name and their efforts.
___________________________________________________
That's exactly how I feel.
These 4 men, RT/FM/JD/BM sacrificed their personal private lives and home lives to be what would be Queen.
Freddie may have said things like "For fucks sake, its just a bloody record"....but thats not how he felt.
Freddie was a obsessive compulsive, vain, perfectionist... every detail of his look and sound were worked out well in advance... he worked painstakingly on lyrics and melody until he felt it was perfect.
So if you read shit like "Oh darling, I'm just a fish and chips lyricist my dear".... bullshit. Freddie treated each of his songs like they were his children.
I, me, Scott, will not accept Queen as anything except FM/JD/BM/RT.
Now, had Brian passed away in 1978, and the other 3 said.... please accept our new guitarist Joe Blow, as we have so much more to bring you!!
While I sure would miss Brian...I would have still followed the band.
However, if Brian died in 1991.... 20 years after creating this legacy...then I say LET IT REST. The legacy has been laid. Don't fuck with it.
So, by 1991.... with Queen being the same 4 for 20 years, if one members leaves or dies (in this case Freddie)... I just want the band to stop. Right there. Dead in their tracks.
I don't care which one left/died... after 20 years, to me, its itched in STONE. Thats the 4, if the lineup changes, or anyone is not there...Then it isn't Queen.
On top of this. Its Freddie who has died....which, one more time... wrote the most songs, wrote the most hits, is by far the most famous, named the band, designed the bands logo...need I go on??
Of course the 3 others were key members... unlike alot of bands, Queen had 4 talented songwriters within.... but to people who are not fanatics such as all of us.... Queen was Freddie Mercury's band.
To many, remember, I own a music store...."Queen" is just a nickname for Freddie Mercury.
And really, it is.
And for all the people who say like Freddie said, "it's just music for fuck sakes", that is the stupidest retort possible. If it were "just music", then they would have recorded albums in a week, live to tape. They didn't because they were so passionate about the music they wanted it to be timeless. Maybe Scott feels that this tour is cheapening the name and their efforts.
___________________________________________________
That's exactly how I feel.
These 4 men, RT/FM/JD/BM sacrificed their personal private lives and home lives to be what would be Queen.
Freddie may have said things like "For fucks sake, its just a bloody record"....but thats not how he felt.
Freddie was a obsessive compulsive, vain, perfectionist... every detail of his look and sound were worked out well in advance... he worked painstakingly on lyrics and melody until he felt it was perfect.
So if you read shit like "Oh darling, I'm just a fish and chips lyricist my dear".... bullshit. Freddie treated each of his songs like they were his children.
I, me, Scott, will not accept Queen as anything except FM/JD/BM/RT.
Now, had Brian passed away in 1978, and the other 3 said.... please accept our new guitarist Joe Blow, as we have so much more to bring you!!
While I sure would miss Brian...I would have still followed the band.
However, if Brian died in 1991.... 20 years after creating this legacy...then I say LET IT REST. The legacy has been laid. Don't fuck with it.
So, by 1991.... with Queen being the same 4 for 20 years, if one members leaves or dies (in this case Freddie)... I just want the band to stop. Right there. Dead in their tracks.
I don't care which one left/died... after 20 years, to me, its itched in STONE. Thats the 4, if the lineup changes, or anyone is not there...Then it isn't Queen.
On top of this. Its Freddie who has died....which, one more time... wrote the most songs, wrote the most hits, is by far the most famous, named the band, designed the bands logo...need I go on??
Of course the 3 others were key members... unlike alot of bands, Queen had 4 talented songwriters within.... but to people who are not fanatics such as all of us.... Queen was Freddie Mercury's band.
To many, remember, I own a music store...."Queen" is just a nickname for Freddie Mercury.
And really, it is.
I understand your position cleary, mainly because it's been expressed in many different ways on this forum.
My point is that even if Bri and Rog did nothing but make fart noises in the microphone and Paul wandered the stage wearing only a diaper with a Q stamped on the back. This would do nothing to take away what Freddie left us.
In fact, in my mind, the only one who could damage Freddie's legacy would be Freddie himself had he lived. Let's hypothetically say Freddie decided to take Queen into Nu-Metal territory. Or even if he didn't do that and was just a balding, overweight
60 year old version of himself, the critics would blast him saying "why didn't he quit while he was ahead?". And even then it still wouldn't destroy the great aspects of Queen.
So there is nothing this current tour threatens.
In fact it's the most tasteful display of the Queen legacy post Freddie yet, except for maybe the tribute concert.
A cheesy off-broadway play? No way!
A collaboration with Wyclef and that 5 alive thingy? Hardly!
A pepsi commercial? Yeah right!
A tour with one of rock's most respected vocalists and two of Freddie's best friends is MUCH, MUCH more fitting a tribute to Freddie's greatness than any of that crap I mentioned above.
And once again it's not all just about Freddie, in fact I think they only do two of his tunes.
When you realize that the only tour in Queen's history to make any money was their last one in 86
then it becomes clear why Bri and Rog choose to use the Queen name. And they are using a modified version of it to boot. And they waited 14 years after Freddie's passing to do something.
Queen will only be Queen again when Bri, Rog, and John pass on and join Freddie in heaven.
Let's enjoy them now while they're here.
My point is that even if Bri and Rog did nothing but make fart noises in the microphone and Paul wandered the stage wearing only a diaper with a Q stamped on the back. This would do nothing to take away what Freddie left us.
In fact, in my mind, the only one who could damage Freddie's legacy would be Freddie himself had he lived. Let's hypothetically say Freddie decided to take Queen into Nu-Metal territory. Or even if he didn't do that and was just a balding, overweight
60 year old version of himself, the critics would blast him saying "why didn't he quit while he was ahead?". And even then it still wouldn't destroy the great aspects of Queen.
So there is nothing this current tour threatens.
In fact it's the most tasteful display of the Queen legacy post Freddie yet, except for maybe the tribute concert.
A cheesy off-broadway play? No way!
A collaboration with Wyclef and that 5 alive thingy? Hardly!
A pepsi commercial? Yeah right!
A tour with one of rock's most respected vocalists and two of Freddie's best friends is MUCH, MUCH more fitting a tribute to Freddie's greatness than any of that crap I mentioned above.
And once again it's not all just about Freddie, in fact I think they only do two of his tunes.
When you realize that the only tour in Queen's history to make any money was their last one in 86
then it becomes clear why Bri and Rog choose to use the Queen name. And they are using a modified version of it to boot. And they waited 14 years after Freddie's passing to do something.
Queen will only be Queen again when Bri, Rog, and John pass on and join Freddie in heaven.
Let's enjoy them now while they're here.
Knute-
And if everyone understood your last sentence...then I would quit kicking the shit out of this dead horse.
Personally, had Freddie lived, I think Innuendo was the direction that the band would have been heading towards.... a 55 or 60 year or Freddie will still have been a vain, perfectionist with obessesive compulsive disorder and A.D.D (my favorite qualities about him by the way).... but I think that new Queen music in 2001 , or 2005 would be very much like what us real Queen fans would have wanted...
A dark, melodic, intricate...moody, English sounding album.
Certainly, in 2005, what would have changed is a 59 yr old Freddie, who, presumable would still be living with his (husband) of 20 years Jim, would know that his prime days of being "sexy" were over.... in 2005, the hetero/bi/gay/tri ..etc charrade would be over.... we'd all know he's gay, living with his boyfriend... and we would all care less, because the music would kick ass... and thats his own business.
Yes, Queen in 2005, would be about serious music...and fine music I believe it would have been, with studio albums rivaling their best work of the 1970's.
I do feel that bands that do lame, weak ass tours can ruin their overall legacy....Kiss, The Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, are all examples of bands that should wrap it up.
Poor Lynyrd Skynyrds legacy has been destroyed by the younger brother that can't sing.
Freddie would have never let this happen... by now, a appoaching 60 yr old Freddie would probably have slowed down touring anyway, and Queen would probably have got back together every 4-5 years, and put out a Innundo quality album.
My favorite band, Queen... with my four favorite musicians, from 1973-1991 had 18 years of albums, concerts, and tours, that in my opinion are flawless.... I even love Hot Space.
I just don't want this legacy cheapened, or tarnished in any way. If May and Taylor come near, I'm going to go see them, just so I can see 2 of my favorite musicians in the world.
But, at best, the music to me, will be like seeing a tribute band...at best.
Its gotta be those original 4, or its not Queen.
Nothing will ever change my mind on this.
And if everyone understood your last sentence...then I would quit kicking the shit out of this dead horse.
Personally, had Freddie lived, I think Innuendo was the direction that the band would have been heading towards.... a 55 or 60 year or Freddie will still have been a vain, perfectionist with obessesive compulsive disorder and A.D.D (my favorite qualities about him by the way).... but I think that new Queen music in 2001 , or 2005 would be very much like what us real Queen fans would have wanted...
A dark, melodic, intricate...moody, English sounding album.
Certainly, in 2005, what would have changed is a 59 yr old Freddie, who, presumable would still be living with his (husband) of 20 years Jim, would know that his prime days of being "sexy" were over.... in 2005, the hetero/bi/gay/tri ..etc charrade would be over.... we'd all know he's gay, living with his boyfriend... and we would all care less, because the music would kick ass... and thats his own business.
Yes, Queen in 2005, would be about serious music...and fine music I believe it would have been, with studio albums rivaling their best work of the 1970's.
I do feel that bands that do lame, weak ass tours can ruin their overall legacy....Kiss, The Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, are all examples of bands that should wrap it up.
Poor Lynyrd Skynyrds legacy has been destroyed by the younger brother that can't sing.
Freddie would have never let this happen... by now, a appoaching 60 yr old Freddie would probably have slowed down touring anyway, and Queen would probably have got back together every 4-5 years, and put out a Innundo quality album.
My favorite band, Queen... with my four favorite musicians, from 1973-1991 had 18 years of albums, concerts, and tours, that in my opinion are flawless.... I even love Hot Space.
I just don't want this legacy cheapened, or tarnished in any way. If May and Taylor come near, I'm going to go see them, just so I can see 2 of my favorite musicians in the world.
But, at best, the music to me, will be like seeing a tribute band...at best.
Its gotta be those original 4, or its not Queen.
Nothing will ever change my mind on this.
Great posts Scott and Knute.
Yes, it's not Queen, but it's the spirit of Queen living through Brian, Roger, Paul, the rest of the band, and the audiences.
I can't wait to see a show, whenever that will be! The bootlegs are sounding great so far!
Yes, it's not Queen, but it's the spirit of Queen living through Brian, Roger, Paul, the rest of the band, and the audiences.
I can't wait to see a show, whenever that will be! The bootlegs are sounding great so far!
Scott Wrote: "I just don't want this legacy cheapened, or tarnished in any way. If May and Taylor come near, I'm going to go see them, just so I can see 2 of my favorite musicians in the world."
Scott, Thats great that you would go and see them, I will tell you that you WILL come away from the gig as hypped and happy, with no voice, sore hands and arms etc.. just like in the old days. But please go with an open mind, please go to have a good time, otherwise you wont enjoy it.
Trust me, IMO Brian, Roger, Paul and the rest of the band do not cheapen or tarnish the wonderful Queen legacy in any way at all, if anything it is the oppersite, Freddie is there with you, in more ways than one, BM,RT and PR want it that way, thats why there are little things in the show to remind us (as if we need it) of Freddie.
Paul has great respect for Freddie, Queen and us fans, you could tell this by his body lang at Brixton (and I am sure at other shows). If you have heard the bootleg of Brixton, you will hear that when they played "I want to break free" due to the wonderful backing singers, ie.. us fans, Paul hardly sang, he was so overcome by us that he let us take over the song.
I do understand what you are saying, but please give Paul credit, he is not trying to be Freddie in any shape way or form, and give BM and RT credit for wanting to bring the Queen legacy to us all once again, its a great new chapter in the history book of Queen.
As Knute wrote, "Queen will only be Queen again when Bri, Rog, and John pass on and join Freddie in heaven.
Let's enjoy them now while they're here."
Scott, Thats great that you would go and see them, I will tell you that you WILL come away from the gig as hypped and happy, with no voice, sore hands and arms etc.. just like in the old days. But please go with an open mind, please go to have a good time, otherwise you wont enjoy it.
Trust me, IMO Brian, Roger, Paul and the rest of the band do not cheapen or tarnish the wonderful Queen legacy in any way at all, if anything it is the oppersite, Freddie is there with you, in more ways than one, BM,RT and PR want it that way, thats why there are little things in the show to remind us (as if we need it) of Freddie.
Paul has great respect for Freddie, Queen and us fans, you could tell this by his body lang at Brixton (and I am sure at other shows). If you have heard the bootleg of Brixton, you will hear that when they played "I want to break free" due to the wonderful backing singers, ie.. us fans, Paul hardly sang, he was so overcome by us that he let us take over the song.
I do understand what you are saying, but please give Paul credit, he is not trying to be Freddie in any shape way or form, and give BM and RT credit for wanting to bring the Queen legacy to us all once again, its a great new chapter in the history book of Queen.
As Knute wrote, "Queen will only be Queen again when Bri, Rog, and John pass on and join Freddie in heaven.
Let's enjoy them now while they're here."
I will admit, you got to give Paul credit, he obviosly is very secure in who he is, to be able to try to fill in for Freddie.
Many professional singers would view trying to fill Freddie shoes as two things:
* Career Suicide
* "I'm not filling in for anyone, I'm ______ _______ and I don't play second fiddle to anyone."
Its just weird for me... I'm trying to adjust... but seeing anyone besides Freddie in front of Brian & Roger is kind of "pissing on Freddie's grave" to me... eventhough I know it is not meant or represented that way.
Many professional singers would view trying to fill Freddie shoes as two things:
* Career Suicide
* "I'm not filling in for anyone, I'm ______ _______ and I don't play second fiddle to anyone."
Its just weird for me... I'm trying to adjust... but seeing anyone besides Freddie in front of Brian & Roger is kind of "pissing on Freddie's grave" to me... eventhough I know it is not meant or represented that way.
I think this is a great thread, with passionate people airing their views. If they hit Canada, I'll go see them with mixed feelings. It'll be great to see two of my favourite musicians, and my hero for his musical genius and decency as a person (Brian), but having seen Queen with Freddie and John six times, it won't be the same. I'm sure it'll be a great night of great songs, and that'll be enough. My feeling is that I've had an experience of seeing the real deal that was a powerful force in my life. If some kid seeing Brian and Roger with Paul Rodgers and some other guys gets the same feeling that I got seeing Queen for the first time, then it'll all be worthwhile.
I will admit, you got to give Paul credit, he obviosly is very secure in who he is, to be able to try to fill in for Freddie.
Many professional singers would view trying to fill Freddie shoes as two things:
* Career Suicide
* "I'm not filling in for anyone, I'm ______ _______ and I don't play second fiddle to anyone."
Its just weird for me... I'm trying to adjust... but seeing anyone besides Freddie in front of Brian & Roger is kind of "pissing on Freddie's grave" to me... eventhough I know it is not meant or represented that way.
No offense to Paul...but * you have to have a career in order to potentially commit career suicide. I have followed Paul's 3rd tier C List "career" as a has been for the last decade and a half playing crappy cow palaces and county fairs...and Opening???? for Steve Miller in 1993..which I saw by the way. I like Steve Miller, but his career was washed up in the early 80's and he relies on touring purely as an oldies act...and Paul had to OPEN!!!! for him in 1993. What does that tell you about Paul's career?
*Paul is NOT taking any real career risks by doing this tour and comparisons to Freddie, or a backlash about people saying he's trying to fill Freddie's shoes or take Freddie's place, ot playing second fiddle to anyone, because Paul doesn't have enough of a name or career or record deal...to damage. He gambled and risked nothing. It's easy to take risks when you have nothing to risk. I'm not being sarcastic or mean either. I'm being blunt and honest. Paul has had no real record deal and had only put out a handful of get this...Cover Tribute Albums on bottom of the rung independent record labels for over a decade. I mean he had a brand name here in the USA to an extent...but so do lots of 3rd tier has been acts that play county fairs and have no record deal..and tour on the oldies circuit...America, The Guess Who, The Atlanta Rhythm Section, Three Dog Night (MINUS their lead singer/songwriter Chuck Nigron and they SUCKED)..I saw all 4 of these acts at various county Festivals for FREE sponsored by our Oldies radio station.)
Anyhow...I think Paul was pinching himself when Brian & Roger approached him thinking he's won the lottery and how damn lucky he is...because you can be sure that he thought about any potential backlash from Queen fans...but they are not necessarily diehard Paul Rodgers fans, he has No big deal career, he had nothing to lose...and figured if this pans out...Wow, my career takes a quantum leap from bottom of the barrell oldies 3rd tier, light speed jump to International Icon...and if it blows up in a backlash, I can go back to my OWN Paul Rodgers fans and continue playing gigs across the USA at fairs and such. Win/Win Situation no matter how you slice it for Paul...