"Queen are" or "Queen were" is surely the most emotional topic on this board. Scott Mercury and others beleive that Queen ceased to exist in 1991. I do too. They are appalled by the Queen + Paul Rodgers tour. I like the idea, since he's so far removed from Freddie that they're not replacing him.
However, if I can speak for Scott and MegaMike, I'm guessing that it's the idea of "Queen", not the actual name that we have trouble with. For me, Queen in the beginning were like Michaelangelo or Picasso or Shakespeare, artists of the highest order. In the 80s, their creativity dwindled, but they remained a fantastic live act. That's how I remember Queen. Brian and Roger, or Queenzoners can't force me to change my memories of what constitutes Queen. I can't and wouldn't ask people who like the new formation to accept my views because they may be deprived of a live experience with Queen + Paul Rodgers that equals what I've been through. But I find the "get over it, this is Queen" crowd very unaccepting of dissenting opinions.
I wish them well on the tour, and find it quite exciting that they will play great rock and roll approaching 60, which very few bands (Stones are blues based) have ever done.
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Lastly, do I believe you seen Queen 23 times...NO
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believe what you want....
but its a fact jack......
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believe what you want....
but its a fact jack......
So there is the Freddie/Queen fans on one side, the Queen W/Paul Rodgers team on the other, and I'm sure this debate will never end.
But note, that when Bob Geldof decided to ask Queen to perform at Live Aid...and Geldof KNEW that Queen would be without a doubt, an unstoppable force that would make Live Aid a hit (and likewise keep the global audience tuned it and therefore pledging much needed donations to the Benefit Concert),
according to press and quotes from Geldof and such...he KNEW that it was Freddie who was the KEY to Queen being THE Headline draw at Live Aid.
So when Geldof asked Queen to perform at Live Aid, he specifically made it a point to make his request through management...to communicate to Freddie that he wanted Freddie to be there...with Queen. Geldof said something to the effect of "Tell the old F*****t, it will be the biggest show ever."
Geldof knew that for Queen to be the marquee major draw he wanted to headline at Live Aid, to hold the global audience of millions, that Queen had to have Freddie fronting them...Period.
And of course Freddie and Queen performed at Live Aid and the rest is history.
Unfortunately, when Paul Rodgers performed (and flubbed) with Queen at 46664 Fancourt, when global fans became split down the middle...yes many fans loved it...but many fans hated it, and tuned out.
Likewise the global audience watching 46664 Fancourt, many of whom were unfamiliar with Queen but were not "won over" by a great performance tuned out, (unlike the global audience at Live Aid, where even people totally unfamiliar with Queen were glued to their TV's around the world because Freddie & Queen were so brilliant, which was what Geldof wanted),
and so the 46664 Fancourt Concert..which was after all a BENEFIT concert to raise funds and awareness for AIDS, lost alot of its audience, and with it, much needed charity donations.
So while Paul Rodgers may be an enjoyable, capable singer, and things may improve on this tour (and I hope that they do), the point is if I go (and I probably will just to see and support Brian & Roger), that...you can debate it through the ages...it's not Queen without Freddie. Freddie is what made Queen the legendary band that it IS and will always be...due to HIS contributions, his talent, his showmanship.
Oh and Yes, Freddie did forget lyrics to the songs. He wasn't perfect. That's not the point either.
Freddie could have sung the phone book and it would have sounded great with that incredible voice and his amazing showmanship.
I love Brian & Roger, (and John who I wish would join them), but Freddie, the magic "Spark that ignited the fire" (as Roger stated in the Capitol Gold Interview)..is gone.
But note, that when Bob Geldof decided to ask Queen to perform at Live Aid...and Geldof KNEW that Queen would be without a doubt, an unstoppable force that would make Live Aid a hit (and likewise keep the global audience tuned it and therefore pledging much needed donations to the Benefit Concert),
according to press and quotes from Geldof and such...he KNEW that it was Freddie who was the KEY to Queen being THE Headline draw at Live Aid.
So when Geldof asked Queen to perform at Live Aid, he specifically made it a point to make his request through management...to communicate to Freddie that he wanted Freddie to be there...with Queen. Geldof said something to the effect of "Tell the old F*****t, it will be the biggest show ever."
Geldof knew that for Queen to be the marquee major draw he wanted to headline at Live Aid, to hold the global audience of millions, that Queen had to have Freddie fronting them...Period.
And of course Freddie and Queen performed at Live Aid and the rest is history.
Unfortunately, when Paul Rodgers performed (and flubbed) with Queen at 46664 Fancourt, when global fans became split down the middle...yes many fans loved it...but many fans hated it, and tuned out.
Likewise the global audience watching 46664 Fancourt, many of whom were unfamiliar with Queen but were not "won over" by a great performance tuned out, (unlike the global audience at Live Aid, where even people totally unfamiliar with Queen were glued to their TV's around the world because Freddie & Queen were so brilliant, which was what Geldof wanted),
and so the 46664 Fancourt Concert..which was after all a BENEFIT concert to raise funds and awareness for AIDS, lost alot of its audience, and with it, much needed charity donations.
So while Paul Rodgers may be an enjoyable, capable singer, and things may improve on this tour (and I hope that they do), the point is if I go (and I probably will just to see and support Brian & Roger), that...you can debate it through the ages...it's not Queen without Freddie. Freddie is what made Queen the legendary band that it IS and will always be...due to HIS contributions, his talent, his showmanship.
Oh and Yes, Freddie did forget lyrics to the songs. He wasn't perfect. That's not the point either.
Freddie could have sung the phone book and it would have sounded great with that incredible voice and his amazing showmanship.
I love Brian & Roger, (and John who I wish would join them), but Freddie, the magic "Spark that ignited the fire" (as Roger stated in the Capitol Gold Interview)..is gone.
They sure have the right to go on tour, and we have the right to disagree, no matter how much we love them...
It's just sad to see them make a coverband of themselves...
Fairy
You're not a cover band if you're playing your own material.
Well, you're right but this is kind of how they sound...
*edit* actually, it's just not worth the trouble.
I don't think, Arlene, that anyone (except crazy fans) has ever said that Paul Rodgers is "replacing" Freddie. In fact, that's why he's a good choice over Robbie Williams, who is a marginally talented singer who would be looked at as a Freddie replacement for his admittedly decent showmanship. I've moved solidly into the camp of enjoy the show whoever is performing. I don't think it's Queen but if they perform Queen music very well, go for it!
I don't think, Arlene, that anyone (except crazy fans) has ever said that Paul Rodgers is "replacing" Freddie. In fact, that's why he's a good choice over Robbie Williams, who is a marginally talented singer who would be looked at as a Freddie replacement for his admittedly decent showmanship. I've moved solidly into the camp of enjoy the show whoever is performing. I don't think it's Queen but if they perform Queen music very well, go for it!
Where did I say that Paul Rodgers was "replacing" Freddie? I never said that. And I don't think most of Queen's fans think that either, if they are halfway rational and have listened to and read what Brian, Roger & Paul have said all along, that this is Queen singing WITH Paul Rodgers.
I just don't like Paul singing Queen's songs. Maybe if he had gone on the tour, had Queen back HIM up on HIS songs if he liked, since it would be HIS songs from Free, Bad Company, etc. & Queen could act as his back up band.
But when Queen performs their songs...I would still, as I have said many times, prefer to hear Brian & Roger sing the Queen tunes. It's their band, I have faith in their talents...and it would somehow seem right to the Queen legacy...I mean Brian & Roger ARE Queen...as you all say..so why don't they give it a go and sing Queen's songs.
By the way...when John got back with Brian & Roger, AFTER "Made In Heaven", for "No One But You", I LOVED it! It just would have been so great to have John be a part of this...no Paul Rodgers..unless he had been part of a Double Bill, that would have been OK. And have John, Roger, Brian be Queen and sing Queen tunes (and their solo material too, which I love).
KEY
Geldof knew that for Queen to be the marquee major draw he wanted to headline at Live Aid, to hold the global audience of millions, that Queen had to have Freddie fronting them...Period.
lol, love how you think you know...but when he found out Queen was gonna do the show, he was like oh shit, another major band that wants to close, it was the band that decided to come on at 6, as at 6 the show connected with the one in the states, and the 1st act Americans would see would be Queen, and for the headliner, was it not sir paul who was the major act that Geldof wanted. You are confusing pride of your favorite lead singer get in the way, Freddie was good, but he was not all that a lot of people make him out to be.
KEY
Geldof knew that for Queen to be the marquee major draw he wanted to headline at Live Aid, to hold the global audience of millions, that Queen had to have Freddie fronting them...Period.
lol, love how you think you know...but when he found out Queen was gonna do the show, he was like oh shit, another major band that wants to close, it was the band that decided to come on at 6, as at 6 the show connected with the one in the states, and the 1st act Americans would see would be Queen, and for the headliner, was it not sir paul who was the major act that Geldof wanted. You are confusing pride of your favorite lead singer get in the way, Freddie was good, but he was not all that a lot of people make him out to be.
I said headline as in one of the MAIN acts that Geldof wanted, I never said THE FINAL Closing act which was Paul McCartney. And you can read nearly every interview with Geldof and he will state what I said Geldof said, he did say, over & over.
Also, you can read every ounce of International press and books as well done when Live Aid was originally broadcast in 1985, and NOW that Live Aid is released Currently on DVD...and word for word...press and books alike, tell this the same way...and all conclude and use the SAME words...that "Queen (the Queen with Freddie fronting them and John, the Original 4 members of Queen)...was the band that stole the show".
So you wish that only Brian and Roger would sing the songs.
Like the old saying goes, you can wish in one hand and crap in the other and see what fills up first.
It's a done deal. Why get so worked up about it.
Why can't you just go and enjoy your favorite guitarist and drummer do their thing and back up one hell of a singer. They don't want to be the main singers or else they would've done it years ago.
They are the ones who invited Paul. Why can't you just accept the fact this is who Brian and Roger felt was good enough to go out have fun playing music with.
Paul is a righteous guy. He has nothing but respect for the material and he will do a fine job. You'll see.
Like the old saying goes, you can wish in one hand and crap in the other and see what fills up first.
It's a done deal. Why get so worked up about it.
Why can't you just go and enjoy your favorite guitarist and drummer do their thing and back up one hell of a singer. They don't want to be the main singers or else they would've done it years ago.
They are the ones who invited Paul. Why can't you just accept the fact this is who Brian and Roger felt was good enough to go out have fun playing music with.
Paul is a righteous guy. He has nothing but respect for the material and he will do a fine job. You'll see.
Being a Queen fan I am just happy that Brian and Roger are touring. I'm not really that familar with Paul Rodgers and all. I know that he has screwed up some of Queens best songs, but hey give the man credit! I feel that Paul Rodgers is not trying to BE FREDDIE! There is no one like Freddie. And Paul Rodgers was one of Freddies favorite singers. Just imagine what could have happened if Brian and Roger had Michael Jackson out front!!!
<an evil grin appears on MegaMike's face>
Yes.... yes.. that's right.. keep going, and soon your journey to the dark side will be complete.. hahahahhaahhahahhahahaha..
You pathetic morons don't even realize that I intended on heating this arguement... I really could care less WHO sings for Queen, or how poorly they do.. I just wanted to cause some excitement.. I have been watching your board and noticed that it was getting QUITE boring..
To quote our lovely Freddie... "Baby you've been had....."
Yes.... yes.. that's right.. keep going, and soon your journey to the dark side will be complete.. hahahahhaahhahahhahahaha..
You pathetic morons don't even realize that I intended on heating this arguement... I really could care less WHO sings for Queen, or how poorly they do.. I just wanted to cause some excitement.. I have been watching your board and noticed that it was getting QUITE boring..
To quote our lovely Freddie... "Baby you've been had....."
To quote our lovely Freddie... "Baby you've been had....."
Doubt we been had, as this was bound to come up sooner or later, As you can start to tell from other topics, just more ppl prefered to voice what they were feeling in this topic.
Doubt we been had, as this was bound to come up sooner or later, As you can start to tell from other topics, just more ppl prefered to voice what they were feeling in this topic.
OH WOW MIKE YOU SURE DID GET US! WHAT A CARD YOU ARE, MIKE!
Yeah Mike, I'm really splitting my sides with laughter......