Rolling Stone has always trashed Queen because the writers/editors are bigoted and aren't musicians....they usually seem to like the three chord stuff....and yes...they always reference Freddie's sexuality because it's a trash magazine.....I'm surprised they don't run 4 page articles about how straight Bob Dylan is (is he? I don't know and don't care what happens in the bedrooms or backseats of this world) arrrghhghgh.......isn't this supposed to be a music mag....
Thread
Posts in chronological order
Rolling Stone has always trashed Queen because the writers/editors are bigoted and aren't musicians....they usually seem to like the three chord stuff....and yes...they always reference Freddie's sexuality because it's a trash magazine.....I'm surprised they don't run 4 page articles about how straight Bob Dylan is (is he? I don't know and don't care what happens in the bedrooms or backseats of this world) arrrghhghgh.......isn't this supposed to be a music mag....
......FYI.......ALL OF QZ READ THIS.........
......Jann Wenner, Publisher, Editor In Chief, Founder of Rolling Stone Magazine, OPENLY outed himself as GAY...several years ago, this after being "supposedly" happily married for 2 decades with children.
How dare RS Magazine Gay bash Freddie and make HOMOPHOBIC, slanted, bigoted remarks towards Freddie's sexuality...
...when Rolling Stone's own Publisher, Jann Wenner is openly Gay...as are many of its writers too such as Anthony DeCurtis (who never outed himself, but his flamebouyance makes Freddie look like Mr. Macho man).
RS Magazine couldn't be more HYPOCRITICAL (and trashlike) in this manner.
Doesn't he realize there is a serious spiritual message in Queen hits like "Get Down Make Love" with eucharistic resonances in the lines "I suck your mind/You blow my head."
-when it comes down to it, Rolling Stone isn't a journalistic magazine, as they'd like to think- regardless of personal opinion, they put flavor of the month actors, teen-bop idols, reality show stars, and so on, on their covers, and are 'mainstream' and 'top 100'. who knows why hundreds of journalists have bias- and many do- against Queen? i suppose there is some slight truth that journalists would like to be musicians, and therefore, have a sort of power in slagging off bands/artists, etc.
its also worth thinking about, a popular trend is to focus on the artists who constantly are more famous for their exploits with thousands of drunk females, pounds of cocaine, drug addiction, and passing out on tour- these sorts of stories are what they enjoy writing about. honestly. in fact, look at recent Queen articles in Q, Mojo, whatever- any blurb excerpt from the article wouldn't be "that night they recorded "Save Me" or something- it'd be, "They kept an audience waiting til the Cocaine arrived". "Elton John: Freddie could party harder than me." and so forth. Nothing about music, work, sacrifice, anything- for some reason, this is what they like to focus on in music journalism. I don't need to read about that boring shit, because I can go down the street and see a dozen people who get wasted every night and have useless parties.
That being said, how can Queen compare to other bands? There are no overdoses, no public displays of addiction, and so forth- but there is alot of work, prolific output, etc. Freddie was camp, yes- but by the same token, he really enjoyed the aspects of his work so often mocked. Like the ballet scene in IWTBF- *everyone* is amused at that, and takes it tongue-in-cheek- but Freddie didn't. And so, that sort of personality- a guy who, with the rest of his band, always thought about himself as a star, was determined to succeed and be a success, and so on, is not anything a music journalist can relate to. Someone who says, this tour had to be cancelled because we shot heroin every day, I was arrested for beating my girlfriend, we were so strung out on our second album it took an extra year to release- those, for whatever reasons, are the bands that are always going to get the respect they dont deserve.
Fuck Rolling Stone. We Don't need them!
-when it comes down to it, Rolling Stone isn't a journalistic magazine, as they'd like to think- regardless of personal opinion, they put flavor of the month actors, teen-bop idols, reality show stars, and so on, on their covers, and are 'mainstream' and 'top 100'. who knows why hundreds of journalists have bias- and many do- against Queen? i suppose there is some slight truth that journalists would like to be musicians, and therefore, have a sort of power in slagging off bands/artists, etc.
its also worth thinking about, a popular trend is to focus on the artists who constantly are more famous for their exploits with thousands of drunk females, pounds of cocaine, drug addiction, and passing out on tour- these sorts of stories are what they enjoy writing about. honestly. in fact, look at recent Queen articles in Q, Mojo, whatever- any blurb excerpt from the article wouldn't be "that night they recorded "Save Me" or something- it'd be, "They kept an audience waiting til the Cocaine arrived". "Elton John: Freddie could party harder than me." and so forth. Nothing about music, work, sacrifice, anything- for some reason, this is what they like to focus on in music journalism. I don't need to read about that boring shit, because I can go down the street and see a dozen people who get wasted every night and have useless parties.
That being said, how can Queen compare to other bands? There are no overdoses, no public displays of addiction, and so forth- but there is alot of work, prolific output, etc. Freddie was camp, yes- but by the same token, he really enjoyed the aspects of his work so often mocked. Like the ballet scene in IWTBF- *everyone* is amused at that, and takes it tongue-in-cheek- but Freddie didn't. And so, that sort of personality- a guy who, with the rest of his band, always thought about himself as a star, was determined to succeed and be a success, and so on, is not anything a music journalist can relate to. Someone who says, this tour had to be cancelled because we shot heroin every day, I was arrested for beating my girlfriend, we were so strung out on our second album it took an extra year to release- those, for whatever reasons, are the bands that are always going to get the respect they dont deserve.
Fuck Rolling Stone. We Don't need them!
I don't want my fellow Queen fans to get pissed at me for going a bit off topic, so know that I mean no disrespect to board rules, ok! thanks.
Arlene.. you know, or should know, I respect you very much.. everything you write, I enjoy reading.. and we can agree to disagree on certain things, but I want to reply to you regarding your Elvis thoughts.
For the first part dear, alot of the statements made are untrue. Honestly- regardless of whether you have disdain for Elvis, and I love him, neither of us can change *facts*. So remember, nothing I say is because I'm blinded by an admiration for Elvis. In fact, until 2003, I had the same opinion, litterally. And believed much of what you get from pop culture- the Elvis Vegas thing, "thank you very much", etc. In 2003 something thats unimportant garnered my interest, and, as when I'm curious about something, I delve into it, I've since read up.
he could barely play guitar (Scotty Moore was his gtr slinger- Untrue. Factually, Elvis was incredibly gifted at guitar, bass, piano and so on- Elvis believed that, if someone is better than he is, it just makes sense to let them play. However, Elvis plays *lead* electric guitar on the 68 comeback special- to which Scotty has commented on was 'damn good'. Dancing and being attractive is a matter of personal opinion, as you already know.
..if you listen to Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, whose songs Elvis made hits without giving them a penny in royalties...per them, (and I wholeheartedly agree), Elvis ripped off their music and money, he got rich and famous and the credit for "inventing" rock & roll for being a "pioneer" and "architect" of R&R, but they did, NOT him.
-completely FALSE. What you might be thinking of is Col. Parker insisting that he gets all of the publishing for any cut Elvis made. As for royalties, everyone got them- and for your examples? Here are exact quotes:
'Chuck Berry': "Elvis was the greatest who ever was, is, or ever will be."
'Little Richard': "Elvis was God-Given, there's no other explanation. A messiah comes around every few thousand years, and Elvis was it this time."
'Bo Diddly': "Elvis was color-blind."
I could go on, from James Brown to B.B King, but you didn't list them as examples.. and for the record, Elvis didn't cut hardly any Berry tunes, and when he did add 'Johnny B. Goode' to his live act- it was in the 70s. Also, Elvis never ever credited himself for anything- during the hype in the 50s until the 70s, its been recorded at Madison Square Garden's press conference and other places- Elvis is *very* quick to give credit where credit is due. Again, I don't say this because I need to defend Elvis- it's just recorded fact.
(And every interview I have ever read or seen with these black American artists, they are still resentful and fuming at Elvis and bible belt America over this.)
What artists are these? I know the black songwriter who wrote "Dont Be Cruel", etc. (and whose name is escaping me at the moment) had very nice things to say, especially as to how he became wealthy.
I know that Elvis's singing backup group,The Sweet Inspirations, who would know better than you or myself, have been outright offended when it was suggested that Elvis could be racist in the slightest- in fact, one said he was the first man in the music industry they had met who treated them with absolute respect- and Mryna Smith had to be sedated when she heard Elvis was dead, thats how much it affected her.
There are recordings of a 70s concert (an early 70s concert, before the decline) where Elvis, out of character, angrily stops a concert after hearing a racist remark- and explains that 'nigger' can apply to any skin color- which seems sort of anti-racist to me. (and also- in the 50s, pre-fame? Elvis was pulled over by police where he was dating- wait for it- a black girl. she was so scared, and E
Arlene.. you know, or should know, I respect you very much.. everything you write, I enjoy reading.. and we can agree to disagree on certain things, but I want to reply to you regarding your Elvis thoughts.
For the first part dear, alot of the statements made are untrue. Honestly- regardless of whether you have disdain for Elvis, and I love him, neither of us can change *facts*. So remember, nothing I say is because I'm blinded by an admiration for Elvis. In fact, until 2003, I had the same opinion, litterally. And believed much of what you get from pop culture- the Elvis Vegas thing, "thank you very much", etc. In 2003 something thats unimportant garnered my interest, and, as when I'm curious about something, I delve into it, I've since read up.
he could barely play guitar (Scotty Moore was his gtr slinger- Untrue. Factually, Elvis was incredibly gifted at guitar, bass, piano and so on- Elvis believed that, if someone is better than he is, it just makes sense to let them play. However, Elvis plays *lead* electric guitar on the 68 comeback special- to which Scotty has commented on was 'damn good'. Dancing and being attractive is a matter of personal opinion, as you already know.
..if you listen to Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, whose songs Elvis made hits without giving them a penny in royalties...per them, (and I wholeheartedly agree), Elvis ripped off their music and money, he got rich and famous and the credit for "inventing" rock & roll for being a "pioneer" and "architect" of R&R, but they did, NOT him.
-completely FALSE. What you might be thinking of is Col. Parker insisting that he gets all of the publishing for any cut Elvis made. As for royalties, everyone got them- and for your examples? Here are exact quotes:
'Chuck Berry': "Elvis was the greatest who ever was, is, or ever will be."
'Little Richard': "Elvis was God-Given, there's no other explanation. A messiah comes around every few thousand years, and Elvis was it this time."
'Bo Diddly': "Elvis was color-blind."
I could go on, from James Brown to B.B King, but you didn't list them as examples.. and for the record, Elvis didn't cut hardly any Berry tunes, and when he did add 'Johnny B. Goode' to his live act- it was in the 70s. Also, Elvis never ever credited himself for anything- during the hype in the 50s until the 70s, its been recorded at Madison Square Garden's press conference and other places- Elvis is *very* quick to give credit where credit is due. Again, I don't say this because I need to defend Elvis- it's just recorded fact.
(And every interview I have ever read or seen with these black American artists, they are still resentful and fuming at Elvis and bible belt America over this.)
What artists are these? I know the black songwriter who wrote "Dont Be Cruel", etc. (and whose name is escaping me at the moment) had very nice things to say, especially as to how he became wealthy.
I know that Elvis's singing backup group,The Sweet Inspirations, who would know better than you or myself, have been outright offended when it was suggested that Elvis could be racist in the slightest- in fact, one said he was the first man in the music industry they had met who treated them with absolute respect- and Mryna Smith had to be sedated when she heard Elvis was dead, thats how much it affected her.
There are recordings of a 70s concert (an early 70s concert, before the decline) where Elvis, out of character, angrily stops a concert after hearing a racist remark- and explains that 'nigger' can apply to any skin color- which seems sort of anti-racist to me. (and also- in the 50s, pre-fame? Elvis was pulled over by police where he was dating- wait for it- a black girl. she was so scared, and E
Why in the world do you bother reading a magazine that you KNOW will upset you?
Do the math.
Do the math.
The Current May 19th issue of Rolling Stone Magazine with Orlando Bloom on the cover, once again takes nasty aim at Queen, and Freddie as well.
Page 38 has a scathing indictment of the New Pope's denouncement of Rock & Roll, which actually is on spot and fine and with which I agree.
But, through the course of the article, in discussing the artists that The New Pope denounced, Rolling Stone Magazine seems to take immense sarcastic pleasure in using it as an open opportunity to insult and slap Queen & Freddie in the face.
Here's the quote...
"The new Pope Benedict XVI has been denouncing rock for years. In 1996, he gave a sermon in
St. Peter's Square warning of "satanic messages", singling out depraved characters such as
Queen, the Beatles, the Stones, and EVEN the Eagles. Doesn't he realize there is a serious spiritual message in Queen hits like "Get Down Make Love" with eucharistic resonances in the lines "I suck your mind/You blow my head."
The article goes on to say, quote,
"Ratzinger (The New Pope) was the top Vatican commando under Pope John Paul II, where he earned a reputation as a hatchet man, smacking down any hint of disobedience like Freddie Mercury using a riding crop on the new Moroccan pool boy."
If you read the entire article, other than referring to the other artists the New Pope singles out in the New Pope's denouncement of R&R, being The Beatles, the Stones, and the Eagles..there are NO other mentions about ANY of these other artists and RS uses these artists strictly within the ACTUAL denouncement reference that the NEW Pope made, ONLY.
You will note though, that Rolling Stone adds their little and "EVEN" the Eagles. (The Eagles are critical darling favorites of RS so I noticed right away that RS added in the italicized "EVEN" as if to say How dare the Pope rag on and denounce one of Rolling Stone's babies!
Then, of all the artists above, all who had ruder, certainly more "evil" lyrics and tunes,...
(Think of The Eagles "Witchy Woman" glorifying a female drug dealer, "Life In The Fast Lane", "Hotel California", etc,),...
...(WORST of all---think of The Rolling Stones' "Sympathy For The Devil"...of ALL songs for crying out loud!!!! or "Under My Thumb"),
(think the Beatles' "Helter Skelter", etc).
Rolling Stone Magazine makes NO reference AT ALL to ANY of these other artists' "evil" lyrics or deeds.
But....who does Rolling Stone Magazine pick for a song and lyrics, in a very sarcasticly worded insulting "joke"? ha ha NOT!...Queen!
Then...with the reference to The New Pope's hardline tactics..where does Rolling Stone Magazine get off making a nasty sexual, gay bashing joke about Freddie? (The "smacking down any hint of disobedience like Freddie Mercury using a riding crop on the new Moroccan pool boy.") remark.
I was LIVID when I read this! Why does RS constantly rag On Queen...geez louise.
BTW....I am from the USA and I am proud to say..I HATE The EAGLES, always have, always will! Glenn Frey And Don Henley write the most self indulgent corporate crap quasi country excuse for rock I've ever heard. And I HATE Frey's voice it sucks! The only decent thing about that band is Joe Walsh's guitar playing.
If the Pope is this crazy about Rock 'n Roll music, I would love to see what he has to say about rap.