| Saif 25.06.2008 14:00 |
I want to know people's thoughts about the Tribute Concert. What is the general consensus? Do you think it was really "the biggest send-off in history"? It's too bad I was only 4 and a half at the time. I didn't even know what Queen was. :( I continue to blame my existence to this day for not having been born earlier. I got a copy of this on VHS recently, from an uncle who lives in Canada. I personally think Brian pulled it off fantastically. I believe it to be the greatest send-off for any person in history till now. ;) And is that really James Hetfield where they all sing "We Are The Champions"? I'm a big Metallica fan but I didn't expect him to sing along to it. XD Furthermore, why is Robert Plant not singing along to Liza Minelli's "We Are The Champions"? Everyone else is but he's the only one whose lips are sealed(literally)... |
| pittrek 25.06.2008 14:23 |
An extremely emotional concert. Even the recordings make me almost cry sometimes, which is definitely not the feeling I'm used to have during rock concerts :-) I remember seing it on czechoslovak TV live, I didn't know what it is (I was only 11), but I suddenly realised that I know the songs, so I watched it till the end and I spent many years searching for a proper recording :-) Well James Hettfield is a big Queen fan, like members of many other heavy metal bands, so it doesn't surprise me that he's there, I was more surprised by Axl's appereance, since he had some anti-gay comments in the past |
| Major Tom 25.06.2008 17:03 |
I think that the Freddie Mercury tribute concert is one hell of a gig. From the beginning to the end. Open up with Metallica in their prime. Rock on with Guns, Roger Daltery, Robert Plant, Bowie, Extreme and so on, and so on. What could go wrong? For me it's a very emotional concert. Bowies prayer and then singing Heroes is just right. Robert Plant singing Thank you, Innuendo/Kashmir as a tribute to Fred ,just right. Tony Iommi stepping on and of stage, sidekicking Brian and occationally beating off his signature powerchords, great. And who would have thought they see Axl Rose and Elton John on the same stage ,at the same time, singing the same song lovingly hugging eachother. The only "let down" is Liza Minelli who doesn't give me any chills. I think Freddie would have been proud, I think he is. Great job by Brian, John, Rog and their support. I don't think we'll se a tribute concert of that caliber again. No, I don't. |
| new one 25.06.2008 19:20 |
A fantastic concert indeed. The calibre of acts on show was a true testiment to the influence queen had on other bands/musicians. I definitely felt at the time that the various acts were there for the rights reasons not just for self pubicity. Not to mention the fact that many well acclaimed vocalists struggled with trying to emulate the great man. A true tribute but it often saddens me to think had he just been that bit more carefull in his private life about who he hung about with that he may stll be here today and the tibute concert would never have happened. Sorry, strayed slightly off message there. |
| Saif 25.06.2008 23:12 |
Yeah, I didn't like Liza Minelli's performance either. But Metallica, GN'R George Michael w/ Lisa Stansfield and ESPECIALLY Extreme were my highlights of the concert. :D I don't think any major band had done anything for another major band like what Extreme did for Queen. Also, I loved it at the end of Extreme's performance when Gary Cherone quips "There's really not a lot to say, we know why we're here today, we know why you people are here today. We love you, Freddie!" But why isn't Robert Plant singing at the end, during "We Are The Champions"? BTW, pittrek, I don't think Metallica are really BIG Queen fans. I mean they may be fans, but they really appeared to boost their popularity in the UK. |
| Rick 26.06.2008 02:56 |
For me the highlight is when John is talking to the audience. And his way of announcing "METALLICA!" |
| ANAGRAMER 26.06.2008 03:04 |
I was at the concert. To be honest, some of the 'guest' acts were a bit pointless. I would like to have seen a bit more creativity in the set-list and choice of vocalists Too much of the heavy side was in evidence, would've been nice to have more 'pop' friendly stuff! I know he's unfashionable, but I think Cliff Richard would've been an excellent and appropriate guest - Radiogaga for him. How about Tom Jones, Prince, McCartney... |
| P-Staker 26.06.2008 06:01 |
It was huge and powerful. Not all acts quite delivered (Zucchero, Seal), but overall, what a celebration of good rock and respect for the Man. Yes, I think it was the "biggest send-off in history" and one of the greatest moments of rock. My favorite bits? The Axl Rose/Elton John duet - to me, it was a message of tolerance. Bowie and Lennox with their haunted, sexy version of Under Pressure. Metallica playing stuff from their Black Album. Robert Plant's chilling Innuendo/Kashmir. Brian's deeply intimate première of Too Much Love Will Kill You. |
| Major Tom 26.06.2008 08:53 |
And they'we given their time and energy really, to make this tribute to Freddie a reality. So, now, the show must go on. And we'll start off with a band from america. Please welcome: METALLICAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! (Wrote this from memory, it might be wrong but you'r right, John sure has a metal voice...) |
| Brian_Mays_Wig 26.06.2008 10:18 |
I was there too, I was 15 at the time. Looking back...yes it was a fantastic day out, I attended with my uncle and my cousin, but now I feel as though it was a bit of an ego trip from Brian. Why IWIA? Why LPDA? Why HTF? Lets open with TYMD. I would rather it had been based around the songs that Freddie had written. I would have also like to have seen Cliff Richard, Mick Jagger and Rod Stewart there. Paul Young was terrible. |
| Benn 26.06.2008 12:01 |
It was great - the "opening acts" were pretty groovy, considering the audience of grandparents, their children and their children's children. The typical Queen pop audience was treated to a killer lineup of early 90's rock acts. I remember Metallica launching their set and a flock of pidgeons, literally, shitting themselves! Liz Taylor was a complete and UTTER embarassment; I couldn't think of a person less suited to espousing the merits of safe sex. Given the number of her marriages and high profile affairs, I wonder how much safe sex she took part in? Liza, well, it was a nod to Freddie's love of her, but, other than her great legs, she didn't exactly set the place on fire and WATC was a low-key finale. George Michael was obviously the highest profile success, but Daltrey, Iomi and Plant for me were the great successes. Seeing Brian's, Roger's and John's faces as they played with their heroes and battled the emotions when they suddenly realised that Freddie couldn't be with them again, truly touched anyone there that night. |
| pittrek 26.06.2008 12:33 |
Brian_Mays_Wig wrote: I was there too, I was 15 at the time. Looking back...yes it was a fantastic day out, I attended with my uncle and my cousin, but now I feel as though it was a bit of an ego trip from Brian. Why IWIA? Why LPDA? Why HTF? Lets open with TYMD. I would rather it had been based around the songs that Freddie had written. I would have also like to have seen Cliff Richard, Mick Jagger and Rod Stewart there. Paul Young was terrible.Well every singer chose the song s/he did perform, so if they've chosen Brian's songs, it's their thing. |
| pittrek 26.06.2008 12:35 |
henke1980 wrote: And they'we given their time and energy really, to make this tribute to Freddie a reality. So, now, the show must go on. And we'll start off with a band from america. Please welcome: METALLICAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! (Wrote this from memory, it might be wrong but you'r right, John sure has a metal voice...)And they've given their time and energy, to make this tribute to Freddie a reality to happen today. First of all, the show must go on and we'll start with an american band, 3 times grammy award winners, please welcome - METALLICA ! |
| Major Tom 26.06.2008 17:25 |
pittrek wrote:And there you have it! So close, yet so far.henke1980 wrote: And they'we given their time and energy really, to make this tribute to Freddie a reality. So, now, the show must go on. And we'll start off with a band from america. Please welcome: METALLICAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! (Wrote this from memory, it might be wrong but you'r right, John sure has a metal voice...)And they've given their time and energy, to make this tribute to Freddie a reality to happen today. First of all, the show must go on and we'll start with an american band, 3 times grammy award winners, please welcome - METALLICA ! |
| john bodega 27.06.2008 03:35 |
While I do feel "Innuendo" is pretty shambolic, there were a couple of moments in there where Plant did get the notes he was after. He's still pretty badass. Highlight for me was Roger Daltrey. He was probably the only guy to do his chosen song in the original key, without sounding like crap. I don't know who invited Axl Rose but they should've thought about it a bit more. George Michael was awesome, for once. Liza Minelli was hilarious. This is purely because I'm sentimental, but I did enjoy seeing the survivors of Queen doing "Tie Your Mother Down". "Too Much Love Will Kill You" was understandably shaky in spots, but I say it's a highlight, definitely. |
| john bodega 27.06.2008 03:38 |
Brian_Mays_Wig wrote: but now I feel as though it was a bit of an ego trip from Brian. Why IWIA? Why LPDA? Why HTF? Lets open with TYMD. I would rather it had been based around the songs that Freddie had written.I think that would've been a terrible mistake. Bohemian Rhapsody was embarrassing enough as it was. Morally, you are correct - a Freddie Mercury tribute would in theory be better off with more Freddie Mercury songs. But if you look at it musically, how many of those guest singers would seriously stand a chance of doing any of the songs justice?? |
| kingogre 27.06.2008 07:16 |
Ive heard rumours that Lars Ulrich is virtually obsessed with Roger Taylor. He actually looks remarkably like him when playing, down to the hairdo, the clothes and drummins style. It was a great show, I remember it from being a child. I also remember that it was very big for years afterwards with homerecorded tapes being borrowed and copied. |
| Togg 27.06.2008 10:19 |
I was lucky enough to get a ticket and it was one of the most emotional day s of my life. The video doesn't ever capture what the 'spirit' is like there but rest assured it was indeed the best send off ever... Mind you although smaller the george Harrison one a few years later was pretty dam amazing too. Freddie would have loved every minute I am sure, and although things were not note perfect it didn't seem to matter, in a way it added to the emotion |
| Saif 27.06.2008 11:43 |
kingogre wrote: Ive heard rumours that Lars Ulrich is virtually obsessed with Roger Taylor. He actually looks remarkably like him when playing, down to the hairdo, the clothes and drummins style. It was a great show, I remember it from being a child. I also remember that it was very big for years afterwards with homerecorded tapes being borrowed and copied.I heard this a long time ago. But I doubt it's true. I know Kirk Hammett is the big Queen fan in their band because when Metallica performed in Sweden in 2000(or was it 2001?), I was in attendance and after the concert Kirk Hammett was talking about Queen II with some Swedish musicians(some Death metal folks). At the time, I didn't know ANYTHING about Queen so it didn't make sense to me so I thought it was some dumb in-joke when he was saying that he was the "Lord of all darkness". I think I hated Queen then, lawl. What a dumbass I was! |
| kingogre 27.06.2008 13:01 |
Not sure if I believe it either. But he seems to at least have had some influence on him. Ive gotten the impression they are Queen fans though. At least it wouldnt be surprising since many hard rock/metal-musicians that grew up in the 70s are. Ive heard somewhere James is a big Aerosmith fan. Wasnt it 1999? I attended their Stockholm-concert that year. I dont remember if they played in 2000 or 2001 again. I didnt care much for Queen then either. It was only Metallica and Slayer and that stuff. Since then Ive started listening to a lot of music I wouldnt have thought back then. |
| Appolo Jupiter 27.06.2008 13:34 |
henke1980 wrote: ...And who would have thought they see Axl Rose and Elton John on the same stage ,at the same time, singing the same song lovingly hugging eachother.I started to believe in miracles when i saw them two on stage huging and singing like a perfect couple:lol: It was a real suprise... Tribute was realy good... it was realy killing... Loved when Robert and Brian did the mixture of Thank You/Crazy little Thing Called Love... Loved when George Michel singed Somebodie To Love, Lisa Stansfield singed I Want To Break Free along with the whole crowd... When crowd started singing tears started to fell like rain from my eyes... It was realyu great... It a pity that the vidio that i have doesnt include the appearence of Brian Johnson and The Young Brothers... |
| Saif 28.06.2008 00:18 |
kingogre wrote: Not sure if I believe it either. But he seems to at least have had some influence on him. Ive gotten the impression they are Queen fans though. At least it wouldnt be surprising since many hard rock/metal-musicians that grew up in the 70s are. Ive heard somewhere James is a big Aerosmith fan. Wasnt it 1999? I attended their Stockholm-concert that year. I dont remember if they played in 2000 or 2001 again. I didnt care much for Queen then either. It was only Metallica and Slayer and that stuff. Since then Ive started listening to a lot of music I wouldnt have thought back then.Sorry, must be 1999. Bad memory XD. |
| JoxerTheDeityPirate 28.06.2008 06:19 |
glad to see that there were a few of us there and that we wernt all in nappies in that year on this site. me,i was up to the left of the stage as you look towards it. Metallica were ok,Extreme were brilliant and knew what they were there for.did a nice little medley and then Love Of My Life and More Than Words,Def Leppard were complete bollox and can someone explain why Spinal Tap were on the bill? mind you,62,000 people telling them to 'fuck off' was rightly given to them. i still try to ignore the fact Liz Taylor was there in the hope that it will be erased [in time] from history,the woman is the original 'good time had by all'. the main gig was fine apart from Robert Plant being on any other planet apart from Earth and fucking up Innuendo all over the place and his version of 'cWazy little thing called love' still makes me laugh out loud,to me he sounds like Elma Fudd :-p but yeah,there were a lack of Freddie's friends on the gig,no Cliff for one,but then ive always thought that the gig was aimed more at the US audience market [remember that they had just signed with Hollywood records] and not at all to do with giving Freddie a 'send off'. watching the show next day on video was even worse,Tony Wilson's [founder of factory records and manager of Joy Division] commentary on BBC2 was just the pits and a piss poor choice,he hardly knew the videos of Queen he was introducing. |
| Saif 28.06.2008 07:46 |
Appolo Jupiter wrote:WHAT!!?!?! AC/DC WERE THERE!?!?!?!? WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERE!?!?!?!?henke1980 wrote: ...And who would have thought they see Axl Rose and Elton John on the same stage ,at the same time, singing the same song lovingly hugging eachother.I started to believe in miracles when i saw them two on stage huging and singing like a perfect couple:lol: It was a real suprise... Tribute was realy good... it was realy killing... Loved when Robert and Brian did the mixture of Thank You/Crazy little Thing Called Love... Loved when George Michel singed Somebodie To Love, Lisa Stansfield singed I Want To Break Free along with the whole crowd... When crowd started singing tears started to fell like rain from my eyes... It was realyu great... It a pity that the vidio that i have doesnt include the appearence of Brian Johnson and The Young Brothers... |
| Cwazy little thing 28.06.2008 09:24 |
JoxerTheDeityPirate wrote: the main gig was fine apart from Robert Plant being on any other planet apart from Earth and fucking up Innuendo all over the place and his version of 'cWazy little thing called love' still makes me laugh out loud,to me he sounds like Elma Fudd :-p but yeah,there were a lack of Freddie's friends on the gig,no Cliff for one,but then ive always thought that the gig was aimed more at the US audience market [remember that they had just signed with Hollywood records] and not at all to do with giving Freddie a 'send off'.Firstly, Plant made me laugh enough a few years ago I made it my Queenzone name! :D Secondly, I think thats a little bit cynical - I cant believe for a second they were paying any attention to re-establishing themselves in the US during an event like that. I reckon it was purely about Freddie and AIDS awareness, and dealing with grief to a point as well. And as for what some people are saying about Axl Rose being homophobic - whilst I cant say he isnt for a fact any more than I can for anyone else there that night, this business all comes from him writing "One in a Million" I think, which has some line about "immigrants and faggots" - I think you'll find the song was written as if through the eyes of someone else, and those werent Rose's sentiments. Given he's a Queen fan I therefore done think its surprising at all he was there/invited. |
| Saif 28.06.2008 09:38 |
Anyway, can anyone tell me if what Appolo Jupiter is saying is true? He says AC/DC's Brian Johnson and the Young Brothers were there in the concert but I've never heard this. Is it true? |
| Neinbull 28.06.2008 10:01 |
He is just high. AC/DC are staying out of any extra appearences. |
| Major Tom 28.06.2008 17:04 |
Saif wrote:Indeed you were.kingogre wrote: Ive heard rumours that Lars Ulrich is virtually obsessed with Roger Taylor. He actually looks remarkably like him when playing, down to the hairdo, the clothes and drummins style. It was a great show, I remember it from being a child. I also remember that it was very big for years afterwards with homerecorded tapes being borrowed and copied.I heard this a long time ago. But I doubt it's true. I know Kirk Hammett is the big Queen fan in their band because when Metallica performed in Sweden in 2000(or was it 2001?), I was in attendance and after the concert Kirk Hammett was talking about Queen II with some Swedish musicians(some Death metal folks). At the time, I didn't know ANYTHING about Queen so it didn't make sense to me so I thought it was some dumb in-joke when he was saying that he was the "Lord of all darkness". I think I hated Queen then, lawl. What a dumbass I was! |
| Brian_Mays_Wig 30.06.2008 00:02 |
Zebonka12 wrote:I can understand what youre saying but, the opening 3 songs of the 2nd set were Brians songs, surely they could have opened with a Freddie song. Sometimes I wonder if John left because of Brians ego..he didnt even attend Brians wedding remember!Brian_Mays_Wig wrote: but now I feel as though it was a bit of an ego trip from Brian. Why IWIA? Why LPDA? Why HTF? Lets open with TYMD. I would rather it had been based around the songs that Freddie had written.I think that would've been a terrible mistake. Bohemian Rhapsody was embarrassing enough as it was. Morally, you are correct - a Freddie Mercury tribute would in theory be better off with more Freddie Mercury songs. But if you look at it musically, how many of those guest singers would seriously stand a chance of doing any of the songs justice?? Cynical I know, but thats what its like around here these days! |
| kingogre 30.06.2008 03:18 |
They usually opened the shows with Brian songs like WWRY (fast) or TYMD and lets face it TYMD is a pretty much a perfect way to start a show. |
| new one 01.07.2008 08:11 |
I must apologise if this has been covered hundreds of times before as I've not bothered to check. I was wondering if according to Brian that Paul Rodgers was one of Freddies heroes and the free fire and water album was one of queens "bibles" then why wasn't Paul invited to perform at the tribute concert? I'm quite sure if asked he would have been delighted to given the scale of the event if nothing else. Is Brian embellishing things again or am I just being a wee bit cynical. By the way I love the Q+PR project, went to see them in 05 and am going twice this year so not looking to bash Paul or Brian for that matter. It was just something that occurred to me earlier and I thought I'd ask. |
| gnomo 01.07.2008 08:33 |
henke1980 wrote: And who would have thought they see Axl Rose and Elton John on the same stage ,at the same time, singing the same song lovingly hugging eachother.The highlight of the night for me was Roger's smile as he looked at them from behind his drum kit... Another favourite bit still is Robert Plant's Innuendo/Kashmir medley: what a let-down when it was left out of the official release. And TMLWKY (plus intro) is probably what truly sparked my love for Brian... |
| Brian_Mays_Wig 01.07.2008 11:02 |
new one wrote: I must apologise if this has been covered hundreds of times before as I've not bothered to check. I was wondering if according to Brian that Paul Rodgers was one of Freddies heroes and the free fire and water album was one of queens "bibles" then why wasn't Paul invited to perform at the tribute concert? I'm quite sure if asked he would have been delighted to given the scale of the event if nothing else. Is Brian embellishing things again or am I just being a wee bit cynical. By the way I love the Q+PR project, went to see them in 05 and am going twice this year so not looking to bash Paul or Brian for that matter. It was just something that occurred to me earlier and I thought I'd ask.Youre probably right, you know what Brians like! |
| Gaabiizz 09.04.2012 11:42 |
The big farewell of the history! |
| Rubbersuit 09.04.2012 11:52 |
Incredible show, incredible send-off. I think it's pointless to nit-pick songs/performances, just being able to pull off a show like that and not have it be embarrassing is remarkable. My favourite moment happened by accident. Brian wasn't supposed to start TYMD... Joe Elliott got lost on his way to the stage and Brian had to start. Hello Wimbleton! |
| Gaabiizz 09.04.2012 12:18 |
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| Vocal harmony 09.04.2012 14:06 |
Rubbersuit wrote: Incredible show, incredible send-off. I think it's pointless to nit-pick songs/performances, just being able to pull off a show like that and not have it be embarrassing is remarkable. My favourite moment happened by accident. Brian wasn't supposed to start TYMD... Joe Elliott got lost on his way to the stage and Brian had to start. Hello Wimbleton!Really. . .? you dont think that at that level every one who was meant to be on or back stage wouldn't be. You don't think that Rick O' Brien could do his job as stage stage manager or any number of assistance, do their job. The idea that they would walk to the stage without the vocalist they need is plain stupid. And the idea of a show with Brian singing the 1st verse and chorus isn't a possibility. Did you get a chance to see how the back stage are worked. Or did you just get mixed up with the Spinal Tap movie. |
| Fireplace 09.04.2012 14:46 |
What I remember most was Roger's part in the show. He looked formidable, sad and contented with the turnout at the same time. I could read the emotions on his face from song to song, and it struck me that he was more of a "musical director" than I'd ever realized before. He really looked like the driving force behind the whole tribute, both on and off stage. It was the only time I was ever impacted by the logo on a bass drum... Somehow I suspect that after the show he got himself royally drunk to numb the pain of having to do it without Freddie. |