Since when was Paul Rodgers so big in the US? I'm 27 and I don't know anyone my age who has even heard of him. Regardless of whether he was popular at one point, it appears that his music has not really withstood the test of time.
On the other hand, if you go around and talk to most young Americans, I can assure you that the only thing that they know about Queen (assuming that they know anything at all) is the name "Freddie Mercury". After all, Freddie really was the star of Queen. That is why people most people remember him and not the other three members. Every once in a while I will run into someone who also knows the name "Brian May", but it is not as common. He is not even in the almanac or under www.biography.com. Let's face it, Freddie is what most people know and remember about the band. Furthermore, it is worth asking why, if Brian and Roger are the equivalent of Queen, they have they not produced anything of significance in the past 15 years.
Because it can be argued that Freddie=Queen, it is definitely reasonable to argue that the current Queen+ Paul Rodgers tour is nothing more than what most Americans know it to be: a huge joke.
My final comment involves the fact that it is really annoying to hear Europeans complain about Americans' lack of taste in rock music. After all, we INVENTED rock and roll back in the 1950s. OK, it was actually mostly black Americans who invented it, but without them, there wouldn't be any rock and roll at all!
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tiffany
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What you say is true. But one thing you didnt mention. The U.S could not get over the fact that Freddie was gay. And I'm sure thats why Freddie and the rest of Queen, turned their backs on the U.S as well in the 80's. I dont blame them.
To L. Cooper,
Yeah, I have to agree that it really is too bad that the US is such a homophobic country. On the other hand, I think that you make a good point to further support my overall argument when you bring up the issue of Queen's lack of success in the US during the 1980s. Ultimately, this is basically the logic that Americans used when they dismissed Queen at that point (when AIDS was emerging):
Queen = Freddie Mercury
Freddie Mercury = gay
therefore, Queen = gay
This is true regardless of whether the other 3 members in the band say that they are straight.
At least the US gives Freddie the credit that he deserves for being the most important member of the band though.
Because it could be aruged that Freddie Mercury is the essence of Queen, many legitimate Queen fans may wish to boycott the "Queen" + Paul Rodgers concerts out of respect for the real star of the band.
Yeah, I have to agree that it really is too bad that the US is such a homophobic country. On the other hand, I think that you make a good point to further support my overall argument when you bring up the issue of Queen's lack of success in the US during the 1980s. Ultimately, this is basically the logic that Americans used when they dismissed Queen at that point (when AIDS was emerging):
Queen = Freddie Mercury
Freddie Mercury = gay
therefore, Queen = gay
This is true regardless of whether the other 3 members in the band say that they are straight.
At least the US gives Freddie the credit that he deserves for being the most important member of the band though.
Because it could be aruged that Freddie Mercury is the essence of Queen, many legitimate Queen fans may wish to boycott the "Queen" + Paul Rodgers concerts out of respect for the real star of the band.
Your statement perfectly demonstrates American ignorance. Those Europeans that annoy you who are reading this are laughing at you. You just made us Americans look even dumber than before with your ignorant thread.
1. I'm 4 years older than you, granted, but I am pretty sure at least 70%(likely more) of your age group have heard of Bad company and know the songs 'Feel Like Making Love', 'All Right Now' and 'Shooting Star'. I'm speaking around our age. People in their 40's and 50's know Bad Company + Free very well because they were a very successful and popular band.
2. A pathetic thing about America is our attention to flash and charisma and how it influences our thinking. A wonderful songwriter/singer like Siouxsie Sioux can write and play her talents incredibly, but she could scarcely outshine a mediocre talent like Britney Spears. Why? Figure that one out. In your case, you are pointing out how Freddie is the whole band to us(actually, not intelligent Americans I will note). Intelligent people might think that one of those quiet, less flamboyant guys supporting Freddie might have something to do with the creating the music as well. And I am pretty sure Queen would be a tad bit different in sound if they went with another guitarist who did not invent the Red Specal/Brian May sound(not to mention Deacon contributing his amp to the mix). Freddie is no doubt the most noticed, but this isn't a popularity contest, it's music. What can't be replaced musically is Mercury's contribution to the band's creativity(I'd guess that covers no more than 35% of the total creative output of Queen), Freddie's piano and keyboard playing and above all, his voice. Just because you judge a book by it's cover, that doesn't mean the rest of us do. May and Taylor have collectively contributed more to Queen's music than Freddie, they just are nowhere near as noticeable on the stage or on camera.
3. "Because it can be argued that Freddie=Queen..."
Oh yeah, you can totally argue that. I could argue with you that we should legalize rape. Anyone can argue about anything, but that doesn't mean that they are even close to accurate with their argument. The only good argument is that you couls say Freddie is glaringly the image of Queen and the leader presence(frontman) of their live ventures. Do you think in the United States that President Bush is the government?
4. "My final comment involves the fact that it is really annoying to hear Europeans complain about Americans' lack of taste in rock music. After all, we INVENTED rock and roll back in the 1950s."
Yeah dude, we also invented VHS players which are no longer even made in the United States. The white man invented basketball which is dominated by blacks. The "annoying" point Europeans make is that this rock music we Americans invented, has been taken over and dominated by the English. The original art is almost always the worst. It's greatness comes from it's originality and uniquness at the time, but what's going to be better virtually everytime is the next evolution of that art. American rock 'n roll were the roots that bands like the Beatles, Stones and Queen sprouted from.
This tour, whether you realize it or not, is 50% of Queen touring with three very talented supporting members, a legendary vocalist that came out of their era, and a wealth of material consisting of the Queen catalogue mixed with some of Rodger's history. Give it a chance and don't jump to conclusions based on thw wrong information. I could pull out 4 quarters where 3 are old and dirty while one came shining fresh off the mint. That doesn't mean that it's worth any more than 25 cents. Enough of this, I'm going WAY to long.
1. I'm 4 years older than you, granted, but I am pretty sure at least 70%(likely more) of your age group have heard of Bad company and know the songs 'Feel Like Making Love', 'All Right Now' and 'Shooting Star'. I'm speaking around our age. People in their 40's and 50's know Bad Company + Free very well because they were a very successful and popular band.
2. A pathetic thing about America is our attention to flash and charisma and how it influences our thinking. A wonderful songwriter/singer like Siouxsie Sioux can write and play her talents incredibly, but she could scarcely outshine a mediocre talent like Britney Spears. Why? Figure that one out. In your case, you are pointing out how Freddie is the whole band to us(actually, not intelligent Americans I will note). Intelligent people might think that one of those quiet, less flamboyant guys supporting Freddie might have something to do with the creating the music as well. And I am pretty sure Queen would be a tad bit different in sound if they went with another guitarist who did not invent the Red Specal/Brian May sound(not to mention Deacon contributing his amp to the mix). Freddie is no doubt the most noticed, but this isn't a popularity contest, it's music. What can't be replaced musically is Mercury's contribution to the band's creativity(I'd guess that covers no more than 35% of the total creative output of Queen), Freddie's piano and keyboard playing and above all, his voice. Just because you judge a book by it's cover, that doesn't mean the rest of us do. May and Taylor have collectively contributed more to Queen's music than Freddie, they just are nowhere near as noticeable on the stage or on camera.
3. "Because it can be argued that Freddie=Queen..."
Oh yeah, you can totally argue that. I could argue with you that we should legalize rape. Anyone can argue about anything, but that doesn't mean that they are even close to accurate with their argument. The only good argument is that you couls say Freddie is glaringly the image of Queen and the leader presence(frontman) of their live ventures. Do you think in the United States that President Bush is the government?
4. "My final comment involves the fact that it is really annoying to hear Europeans complain about Americans' lack of taste in rock music. After all, we INVENTED rock and roll back in the 1950s."
Yeah dude, we also invented VHS players which are no longer even made in the United States. The white man invented basketball which is dominated by blacks. The "annoying" point Europeans make is that this rock music we Americans invented, has been taken over and dominated by the English. The original art is almost always the worst. It's greatness comes from it's originality and uniquness at the time, but what's going to be better virtually everytime is the next evolution of that art. American rock 'n roll were the roots that bands like the Beatles, Stones and Queen sprouted from.
This tour, whether you realize it or not, is 50% of Queen touring with three very talented supporting members, a legendary vocalist that came out of their era, and a wealth of material consisting of the Queen catalogue mixed with some of Rodger's history. Give it a chance and don't jump to conclusions based on thw wrong information. I could pull out 4 quarters where 3 are old and dirty while one came shining fresh off the mint. That doesn't mean that it's worth any more than 25 cents. Enough of this, I'm going WAY to long.
To L. Cooper,
Yeah, I have to agree that it really is too bad that the US is such a homophobic country. On the other hand, I think that you make a good point to further support my overall argument when you bring up the issue of Queen's lack of success in the US during the 1980s. Ultimately, this is basically the logic that Americans used when they dismissed Queen at that point (when AIDS was emerging):
Queen = Freddie Mercury
Freddie Mercury = gay
therefore, Queen = gay
This is true regardless of whether the other 3 members in the band say that they are straight.
At least the US gives Freddie the credit that he deserves for being the most important member of the band though.
Because it could be aruged that Freddie Mercury is the essence of Queen, many legitimate Queen fans may wish to boycott the "Queen" + Paul Rodgers concerts out of respect for the real star of the band.
I assume you didn't make the high school debating team
Awesome reply, AmeriQueen!
Glad to read there are intelligent US-Queen fans after all ;)
Glad to read there are intelligent US-Queen fans after all ;)
Paul Rodgers has always been well liked here in the US. Many of his songs are rock radio standards or were rock radio hits when released either with Free, Bad Company, The Firm(with Jimmy Page and ex-David Gilmour drummer Chris Slade), solo or The Law(which featured ex-Faces and ex-Who drummer Kenney Jones). Queen have sold 32.5 or 33 million albums here in the US which is two more than Bratney Sneers. Bratney was a teen idol whose days were numbered after turning 20. Queen and Pink Floyd will still be held in high regard in 30 years whilst Bratney will be a washed up joke!
oh ladies, most of the kids are not able to say the names of all four beatles!
Excellent post, AmeriQueen. Just excellent.
Freddie is no doubt the most noticed, but this isn't a popularity contest, it's music. What can't be replaced musically is Mercury's contribution to the band's creativity(I'd guess that covers no more than 35% of the total creative output of Queen), Freddie's piano and keyboard playing and above all, his voice. Just because you judge a book by it's cover, that doesn't mean the rest of us do. May and Taylor have collectively contributed more to Queen's music than Freddie, they just are nowhere near as noticeable on the stage or on camera.
Both you and the original poster make some very valid points, but the bottom line is, from the perspective of an average music fan, Freddie Mercury was Queen.
oh ladies, most of the kids are not able to say the names of all four beatles!
But overall, the number of people who can name all four Beatles far exceeds the number of people who can name all four Queen members.
oh ladies, most of the kids are not able to say the names of all four beatles!
But overall, the number of people who can name all four Beatles far exceeds the number of people who can name all four Queen members.
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And the Stones? Mick and Keith, no-one else! U2? bono and The Edge, no-one else!
its always the lead singer who gets most of the atention and is the most popular
I hear Bad Company and Free on the radio more than Queen lately.
And not many young teens know of Queen, but older adults from the 80s, and before, will know.
Actually, Freddie did a lot more than Roger in Queen. Freddie basically re-did everything Roger and John made. The only big gigantic hits of Rogers... "Radio GaGa"... and "A Kind Of Magic"... Freddie has said he re-did them both. And other members said the same thing.
And not many young teens know of Queen, but older adults from the 80s, and before, will know.
Actually, Freddie did a lot more than Roger in Queen. Freddie basically re-did everything Roger and John made. The only big gigantic hits of Rogers... "Radio GaGa"... and "A Kind Of Magic"... Freddie has said he re-did them both. And other members said the same thing.
its always the lead singer who gets most of the atention and is the most popular
Not in AC/DC.
its always the lead singer who gets most of the atention and is the most popular
AC/DC