Here is the link to the Toronto Sun review of the show:
http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/2006/03/17/1492290.html
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Here is my review of the show:
Queen Plus Paul Rodgers at the ACC
Twenty-four years ago on August 3rd 1982 I had the extremely good fortune to see the legendary Freddie Mercury fronting the rock band Queen. These guys were my first favorite band as a child and I got to see them with my uncle at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto. Freddie was the consumate showman. Flamboyant and majestic. The last time he toured was in 1986. Sadly Freddie passed away from AIDs in November of 1991.
When the announcement came on December 11th, 2004 that guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor intended to reform the band for a European tour I was apprehensive. Bassist John Deacon had opted not to participate and instead sit in his mansion collecting royalty cheques. However the choice of incredible vocalist Paul Rodgers to front the group intrigued me. Rodgers was the leader of classic rock bands Free and Bad Company. There was no question that the man could sing and the idea of the reunion piqued my interest. They embarked on a succesful European tour in 2005 and then announced dates for a North American tour this year.
Last night the reformed group rocked the Air Canada Center. Brian, Roger and Paul, along with auxilary players Spike Edney (who toured with the band in the 80's), bassist Danny Miranda and rythm guitarist Jamie Moses were in top form.
After an intro that included the sweet It's A Beautiful Day and the Eminem song Lose Yourself the band took the stage. Paul sang the wonderful Reaching Out before the boys dove into a rocking assault of classic Queen tunes. A smoking Tie Your Mother Down led to a great Fat Bottomed Girls followed by singalong classic I Want To Break Free. These tunes were well played and Paul acquitted himself nicely on the vocal chore. He then took guitar in hand and led the band on a new song Take Love. This is a rocker reminiscent of 70's Bad Company stuff. Very nice. Next was the rockabilly tinged Crazy Little Thing Called love. The audience (about 90% capacity) was pumped.
Brian May then took the stage with an acoustic guitar and played the wonderful Love Of My Life. The crowed sang along on this tune dedicated to Freddie. Next up was an acoustic Hammer To Fall which dove into a rocking second half of the tune. At this point Brian mentioned that we were about to get a first. He explained that he had been under a lot of pressure to play this one tonight. Roger yelled from the drum kit "Just play it!" and they launched into Under Pressure. The first time this incarnation had played it on this tour and a rare one even on the European leg. It was a little rough around the edges but a wonderful surprise. Next Paul sang the Bad Company classic Feel Like Making Love. The crowd adored it. A short drum solo led into Roger's fan favorite I'm In Love With My Car. Brian then went into an extended guitar solo which featured elements of Brighton Rock, Chinese Torture and Last Horizon.
Suddenly a grand piano rose from beneath the stage and playing it was Paul. He struck the familar opening notes of the song Bad Company. Man this tune was incredible. The version was absolutely smoking. I was so happy they brought it out for this leg of the tour. After it was done Paul said "Thank you for remembering that one! Now you may know this as well!" Can't Get Enough (another Bad Company song) followed and it was incredible as well. The audience was on fire for these tunes and Paul sure felt comfortable singing his songs he had been doing for years.
It was funky time now with the double shot of Another One Bites The Dust and Dragon Attack. Dragon Attack is new to the setlist and Paul muffed the vocals a bit but recovered nicely. Roger Taylor then sang again. This time the reflective song These Are The Days Of Our Lives followed by Radio GaGa which had the audience joining and clapping along. Paul did the vocals on the second half of the tune. The Show Must Go On followed and then came
Queen Plus Paul Rodgers at the ACC
Twenty-four years ago on August 3rd 1982 I had the extremely good fortune to see the legendary Freddie Mercury fronting the rock band Queen. These guys were my first favorite band as a child and I got to see them with my uncle at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto. Freddie was the consumate showman. Flamboyant and majestic. The last time he toured was in 1986. Sadly Freddie passed away from AIDs in November of 1991.
When the announcement came on December 11th, 2004 that guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor intended to reform the band for a European tour I was apprehensive. Bassist John Deacon had opted not to participate and instead sit in his mansion collecting royalty cheques. However the choice of incredible vocalist Paul Rodgers to front the group intrigued me. Rodgers was the leader of classic rock bands Free and Bad Company. There was no question that the man could sing and the idea of the reunion piqued my interest. They embarked on a succesful European tour in 2005 and then announced dates for a North American tour this year.
Last night the reformed group rocked the Air Canada Center. Brian, Roger and Paul, along with auxilary players Spike Edney (who toured with the band in the 80's), bassist Danny Miranda and rythm guitarist Jamie Moses were in top form.
After an intro that included the sweet It's A Beautiful Day and the Eminem song Lose Yourself the band took the stage. Paul sang the wonderful Reaching Out before the boys dove into a rocking assault of classic Queen tunes. A smoking Tie Your Mother Down led to a great Fat Bottomed Girls followed by singalong classic I Want To Break Free. These tunes were well played and Paul acquitted himself nicely on the vocal chore. He then took guitar in hand and led the band on a new song Take Love. This is a rocker reminiscent of 70's Bad Company stuff. Very nice. Next was the rockabilly tinged Crazy Little Thing Called love. The audience (about 90% capacity) was pumped.
Brian May then took the stage with an acoustic guitar and played the wonderful Love Of My Life. The crowed sang along on this tune dedicated to Freddie. Next up was an acoustic Hammer To Fall which dove into a rocking second half of the tune. At this point Brian mentioned that we were about to get a first. He explained that he had been under a lot of pressure to play this one tonight. Roger yelled from the drum kit "Just play it!" and they launched into Under Pressure. The first time this incarnation had played it on this tour and a rare one even on the European leg. It was a little rough around the edges but a wonderful surprise. Next Paul sang the Bad Company classic Feel Like Making Love. The crowd adored it. A short drum solo led into Roger's fan favorite I'm In Love With My Car. Brian then went into an extended guitar solo which featured elements of Brighton Rock, Chinese Torture and Last Horizon.
Suddenly a grand piano rose from beneath the stage and playing it was Paul. He struck the familar opening notes of the song Bad Company. Man this tune was incredible. The version was absolutely smoking. I was so happy they brought it out for this leg of the tour. After it was done Paul said "Thank you for remembering that one! Now you may know this as well!" Can't Get Enough (another Bad Company song) followed and it was incredible as well. The audience was on fire for these tunes and Paul sure felt comfortable singing his songs he had been doing for years.
It was funky time now with the double shot of Another One Bites The Dust and Dragon Attack. Dragon Attack is new to the setlist and Paul muffed the vocals a bit but recovered nicely. Roger Taylor then sang again. This time the reflective song These Are The Days Of Our Lives followed by Radio GaGa which had the audience joining and clapping along. Paul did the vocals on the second half of the tune. The Show Must Go On followed and then came
and...what about The Show Must Go On??
That's true.
That was quite possibly the only chance I will ever have to see Queen live.
And I relished it.
Still can't stop smiling...
That was quite possibly the only chance I will ever have to see Queen live.
And I relished it.
Still can't stop smiling...
i like toronto!
The concert was mind-blowingly amazing... It was a surreal experience to actually be there and see the guys in the flesh, sing along with them, clap live to Radio Ga Ga... The ACC was throbbing! Brian May is a genius - I knew that but now have seen him live to confirm it - the Red Special sound gave me goose bumps, Brian sounded fantastic, like he had an entire orchestra behind him! I was also happy to see Roger take centre stage and loved it when he threw his sticks at the end, so Rog :-)
IMO Queen + PR is a huge fan experience for those who know their story not only their awesome music - there were many touching moments from the past, like the picture of Brian's clogs from the 70's in the images from the Japan tour that they played with Those Were The Days of Our Lives, the images of Freddie singing BoRhap at the Wembley concert in '86 in his Betty Boop top, etc. Having said that, they're fresh, alive and actual, they're on fire - and they ROCK! I loved the mix of pure house-shattering rock with emotional moments like Love of My Life, nostalgia in Those Were the Days of Our Lives, and awesome surprises like Under Pressure. I waited about 15 years for a Queen concert, and last night was fantastic and unforgettable.
Brian seemed not only to enjoy himself but to be really moved by the wave of love and adoration coming from the crowd... He said something along the lines of "this is such a surprise, it's such a bonus in my life", and I was like "what do you think it's like for me, then?!"
IMO Queen + PR is a huge fan experience for those who know their story not only their awesome music - there were many touching moments from the past, like the picture of Brian's clogs from the 70's in the images from the Japan tour that they played with Those Were The Days of Our Lives, the images of Freddie singing BoRhap at the Wembley concert in '86 in his Betty Boop top, etc. Having said that, they're fresh, alive and actual, they're on fire - and they ROCK! I loved the mix of pure house-shattering rock with emotional moments like Love of My Life, nostalgia in Those Were the Days of Our Lives, and awesome surprises like Under Pressure. I waited about 15 years for a Queen concert, and last night was fantastic and unforgettable.
Brian seemed not only to enjoy himself but to be really moved by the wave of love and adoration coming from the crowd... He said something along the lines of "this is such a surprise, it's such a bonus in my life", and I was like "what do you think it's like for me, then?!"
they better fucking play UP at cleveland or detroit!
A review from Toronto Star for anyone who is interested:
http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1142549413488&call_pageid=968867495754&col=969483191630
http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1142549413488&call_pageid=968867495754&col=969483191630
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]Mr Faron Hyte wrote: [/QUOTENAME]Under Pressure was first played live in Canada, wasn't it? Back in '81?[/QUOTE]
Actually it was played for the first time live in Mexico '81
Actually it was played for the first time live in Mexico '81
My pictures turned out anywhere between mediocre and all right, but my cousin managed to snag video clips from IILWMC, WATC, the drum solo, Radio Ga Ga, and the very end when the band takes their bows.
It was awesome! I thought roger was at his best! His drumming rocked! Brian, rocked and i loved love of my life! Very moving. Bad Company songs were played really tight as well, take love is a pretty good tune. Like others said about 95% full. My nephew (he's 20) was blown away also. I almost died when i heard UP though! My fav. queen song. Vocally a little rough though, but still rocked! My camera broke, so i had to buy a disposable:( bah! All in all a great night!!
tour books were 25 dollars!!
tour books were 25 dollars!!
I liked UP, it was a jumble but that was what was so good about it, the fact that they tried. Also when Brian was introducing the song, Rog was saying; "We're gonna do it." repeatedly.
Did they start with Fat Bottomed Girls?? That's what is says on Queenonline..
No, they started the same as the other shows
does anyone know where I might find photos of the show?
thanks..
thanks..