This was posted on Brian's site, with the comment "give this man a rose" for his complimentary piece about Q+PR:
"The old Queen did not rock. That doesn’t mean it wasn’t great, just that it didn’t have any Little Richard or Muddy Waters or even Buddy Holly in it. Like David Bowie (a fiend for mine and Anthony Newley), the Persian-parented Freddie Mercury was a theatrical warbler who figured the 1970s way to do The King and I was with about a jillion watts of guitar and drums. Tight and white.
Not till Paul Rodgers (Free, Bad Co.) replaced the late Freddie, and Queen released 2005’s much-cringed-over Return of the Champions (live CD and DVD), did the light dawn about how much tooth-grinding Brian May and Roger Taylor must’ve suffered long ago as ministers to their exceedingly talented monarch. With Rodgers exhaling the stanky smoke of whorehouse blues, suddenly the remaining original Queensmen relocated their guitar and drum gonads and let their love tumble. “Tie Your Mother Down” replaced swish with slosh. “Fat Bottomed Girls” got some real butt in it. The 57-year-old May generated so much noise, he sounded like he just got his ax for Axmas. And when they smashed into Free’s “Wishing Well” and “All Right Now” — damn, this rock & roll shit is fun."
I fail to see how this differs from a lot of the shit that Brian has responded to via letters to the editor or writer of the offending articles. If the writer believes that, it's incredibly offensive to Brian, Roger, John and Freddie's memory. Brian has taken people to task for more knowledgeable statements. If the writer believes the real Queen didn't rock, then he knows squat about Dead on Time, It's Late, Hammer to Fall, Great King Rat, and about 20 other rock songs that Freddie doesn't theatrically warble through. There isn't a singer alive who could've sung It's Late (which Circus magazine called "the most moving 3 chord wonder since The Who" and said Freddie sang it "like it was a mighty tree faliing") better than Freddie, Paul Rodgers included. This article is complimentary only to the Paul Rodgers incarnation, it's incredibly wrong in its thesis and insulting to the original lineup.
brian is as odd one. because he saw a bit of praise for his latest venture, the writer can say what he likes about anything else.
when's this paul rodgers crap going to end anyway? anyone know? after this us tour? the fact that rodgers is only a known name in rock in america says a lot.
Thanks for the reply, NC. I find it amazing that Jen or Brian think this is a complimentary article. The writer has basically called Queen a rock band that didn't rock, and whose members indulged and endured Freddie, but that's okay because Paul Rodgers is a bluesy rocker. If I were Brian, I'd be sending off my letter to the editor saying that Queen were at one time as heavy as Led Zeppelin, and their rock music influenced bands as diverse as Metallica, Extreme and the Scorpions, how can you seriosuly say we don't rock. Paul Rodgers is a great blues/rock singer, but there is no way on God's green earth that he could sing a song like It's Late better or rockier than Freddie Mercury. Perhaps if I'd called the thread "Freddie Mercury sucks big hairy cock" I'd have gotten a few more responses.
Here's the article, Adam. And by diverse, I meant in the "rock" sense, Thanks, not George Michael or Monserrat Caballe sense of pop. Tons more rock artists they influenced, top of my head thought.
**Fri 06 Jan 06**
COMPLIMENTARY USA QPR PIECE - GIVE THE MAN A ROSE!!!
LA WEEKLY - FEATURES
Jan6 - 12, 2006
Zeitlist: Culture
Rock Like an Egyptian
a.k.a. The Year in Greg Burk: Metal Went Mideastern, Paul Rodgers became Freddie Mercury, and Diana Krall did not become Ella Fitzgerald
by GREG BURK
Extract....
Part Two: I Want To Break Free
"The old Queen did not rock. That doesnt mean it wasnt great, just that it didnt have any Little Richard or Muddy Waters or even Buddy Holly in it. Like David Bowie (a fiend for mine and Anthony Newley), the Persian-parented Freddie Mercury was a theatrical warbler who figured the 1970s way to do The King and I was with about a jillion watts of guitar and drums. Tight and white.
Not till Paul Rodgers (Free, Bad Co.) replaced the late Freddie, and Queen released 2005s much-cringed-over Return of the Champions (live CD and DVD), did the light dawn about how much tooth-grinding Brian May and Roger Taylor mustve suffered long ago as ministers to their exceedingly talented monarch. With Rodgers exhaling the stanky smoke of whorehouse blues, suddenly the remaining original Queensmen relocated their guitar and drum gonads and let their love tumble. Tie Your Mother Down replaced swish with slosh. Fat Bottomed Girls got some real butt in it. The 57-year-old May generated so much noise, he sounded like he just got his ax for Axmas. And when they smashed into Frees Wishing Well and All Right Now damn, this rock & roll shit is fun.
Congratulations to all for pulling this thing together against all prudence, just for the thrill of it. God knows you dont need the money."
Of course this is rubbish. But, I could see how Brian and Roger may have at one time or another resented Freddie's style, if not him personally. I've heard Brian say as much. To say that they now "rock" harder than ever is preposterous and without merit, but Brian often spoke, back in the day, of the "compromise" that went along with being in a band with other creative people. It is my sincere belief that what made Queen so great was the sort of tension that existed among the four very creative, very diverse, talents. I remember reading their "favourites" on the "Greatest Flicks" laserdisc (yeah, I'm old.) and being surprised that Freddie mentioned Diana Ross, while Roger mentioned Bruce Springsteen! oou just can't have a band with influences like that without some sparks. Whatever--the result was truly "magic," as they've often said.
I agree. I wrote another thread about Brian's ego issues...maybe that was too strong. I did not see this thread or I just would have responded here. He seems to have a need to be relevant....which is baffling to me. The music world has regressed as far as Im concerned...and he should be proud that he was part of a much better time. Perhaps that's my age speaking...but I think rock music (and the people making it) were more interesting in the 60-70's (and the 80's to some extent).
He's eager to jump on anything positive that is said about him or the band...or his current projects....but he's very thin skinned when it comes to any criticism.
I dont mind the guys playing with Paul Rodgers....if they are enjoying it...and people want to see it....thats fine. But Queen is over. ANd thats ok....but he seems to be holding onto some sort of glimmer of hope that he can make it happen again with Paul....and the truth is he can't.
Brian's hard to figure out. He seems like such a nice guy...and totally with it.....but he really buys into the idea that rock music and rock stars are important somehow. Of course...they are not. They are fun....but thats about it.