| john bodega 03.05.2008 05:34 |
It's in the news but I just felt like bringing it up anyway. --------------------- The new album, The Cosmos Rocks, is the first the band has recorded without Mercury, who passed away in 1991. “I feel like he’s still very much part of the band,” May says. “We reference him every day. He always really enjoyed Paul’s work. He used to have a go at me in the studio when I tried to have him sing bluesy stuff. He’d say, ‘Brian, you’re trying to make me fucking sound like Paul Rodgers, and I can’t do it!’” --------------------- Well, no use of the 'hero' word Sebastian loves so much... this is slightly more credible I suppose, but a cynic would look at this as more revisionism by Brian. Personally I don't think it's too outlandish to imagine Freddie having some admiration for Paul Rodgers, in that he sang in a field Freddie perhaps thought he couldn't do as well. Either way, it's a funny quote. |
| Serry... 03.05.2008 05:50 |
Cynic already did. link P.S. It's not Sebastian who loves that word so much, it's Brian who used that word towards Rodgers several times. |
| new one 03.05.2008 10:30 |
I'm sure Brian first said that during a press conference in Japan on the last tour didn't he. I reckon that its got more of a chance of being true than the whole Paul is a hero of Freddies idea. |
| Donna13 03.05.2008 10:30 |
Great thread title. Haha. (I've been hearing about experiments where they stimulate parts of your brain to bring back vivid memories.) |
| Mr Faron Hyte 03.05.2008 11:36 |
I just got a copy of the 1987 version of the Queen Fan Club biography/discography/whatever a couple of weeks ago. On Freddie's page, he lists his favorite song of all time as Lionel Ritchie's "All Night Long", so I think I rather prefer to believe the Paul Rodgers business. I mean, really, "All Night Long"? What the fuck? |
| john bodega 03.05.2008 14:35 |
Mr Faron Hyte wrote: I just got a copy of the 1987 version of the Queen Fan Club biography/discography/whatever a couple of weeks ago. On Freddie's page, he lists his favorite song of all time as Lionel Ritchie's "All Night Long", so I think I rather prefer to believe the Paul Rodgers business. I mean, really, "All Night Long"? What the fuck?That must've been a practical joke. |
| Pim Derks 03.05.2008 15:21 |
Well, maybe Freddie wasn't the intellectual genius some people claim he was. A genius' last words surely can't be "pee pee", can they? |
| john bodega 03.05.2008 15:53 |
He probably had something better lined up but dropped dead before he could get it out. |
| Sicmot 03.05.2008 20:57 |
Pim Derks wrote: Well, maybe Freddie wasn't the intellectual genius some people claim he was. A genius' last words surely can't be "pee pee", can they?You stupid twat.. he was in his dead bed.. What the fuck you can expect an individual ravaged by aids to say but the most lowest level of needs by short sentences.. die by gagging into your own shit you idiot. |
| Tero 04.05.2008 03:30 |
Mr Faron Hyte wrote: I just got a copy of the 1987 version of the Queen Fan Club biography/discography/whatever a couple of weeks ago. On Freddie's page, he lists his favorite song of all time as Lionel Ritchie's "All Night Long", so I think I rather prefer to believe the Paul Rodgers business. I mean, really, "All Night Long"? What the fuck?Maybe his favourite was whatever he was into at that moment? It's not like he's ever been a heavy blues man, has he? That's more of Brian's interest. And it's not that Paul Rodgers songs are inherently better than Lionel Richie's... Most Queen fans would just think so because they prefer rock, unlike Freddie who was very much into other types of music in the 80's. (It's pretty amazing how some people haven't noticed that after Hot Space, Mr Bad Guy and Barcelona.) |
| kirkpatrickuk 04.05.2008 06:00 |
Having worked in the music biz for the last 13 years, I can't remember ever meeting a singer who didn't think that Paul Rodgers has an amazing voice. In the rock singing world, he is simply rated as one of the best. I think what Brian is trying to say is that Freddie would've also of been of this opinion. That's not to mean that he sat at home listening to Free albums all day but that he would have been aware of PR and would have held a certain amount of respect for him in the same way a guitarist would for Jeff Beck or Jimi Hendrix. So I think what Brian says is true, Freddie would have liked and respected PR, probably didnt buy his records, but I think BM's words are purposely left open to interpretation maybe to give the venture more validity. |
| Zak Royen 04.05.2008 12:31 |
Tero wrote: . (It's pretty amazing how some people haven't noticed that after Hot Space, Mr Bad Guy and Barcelona.)it's pretty amazing how seriously you seem to take yourself. are you and Guru one and the same? |
| Tero 04.05.2008 13:01 |
Zak Royen wrote:I'm just me, and I wouldn't say I take myself all that seriously. (I also don't insult other people even when they are rude towards me and ignore the actual discussion.)Tero wrote: . (It's pretty amazing how some people haven't noticed that after Hot Space, Mr Bad Guy and Barcelona.)it's pretty amazing how seriously you seem to take yourself. are you and Guru one and the same? I do have the habit of answering seriously to other people's serious posts, but I can be just as lighthearted as the poster I'm replying to. |
| Knute 04.05.2008 20:30 |
kirkpatrickuk wrote: Having worked in the music biz for the last 13 years, I can't remember ever meeting a singer who didn't think that Paul Rodgers has an amazing voice. In the rock singing world, he is simply rated as one of the best. I think what Brian is trying to say is that Freddie would've also of been of this opinion. That's not to mean that he sat at home listening to Free albums all day but that he would have been aware of PR and would have held a certain amount of respect for him in the same way a guitarist would for Jeff Beck or Jimi Hendrix. So I think what Brian says is true, Freddie would have liked and respected PR, probably didnt buy his records, but I think BM's words are purposely left open to interpretation maybe to give the venture more validity.Well said. That's exactly it. I can easily see Freddie saying that to Brian in defiance of being asked to sing something bluesy, which really wasn't his thing. |
| Serry... 04.05.2008 23:59 |
After having worked in the music biz for the last 13 years you have to know such things like PR campaign, marketing, publicity... C'mon, guys, the only reason why this Freddie's quote seems to be authentic is in using the word 'fucking' in it. I'm really not sure if Paul Rodgers needs in such kind of defence. That decries his own weight in that music biz. |
| Ken8 05.05.2008 00:42 |
"He always really enjoyed Paul’s work. He used to have a go at me in the studio when I tried to have him sing bluesy stuff. He’d say, ‘Brian, you’re trying to make me fucking sound like Paul Rodgers, and I can’t do it!’” Brian May in that interview. Brian May never fails to disappoint me lately. Why even say something like that, even if it were true, which I doubt. Does he seriously mean to suggest that although he was lucky enough to have a unique vocalist like Freddie Mercury he wanted to make him sing like someone else?? This is just yet another lame attempt to "sell" Rodgers as the vocalist for "Queen". Just have the balls to let the music do the talking please Mr May, without going to ever increasingly ridiculous attempts to justify teaming up with Paul Rodgers. It's not even fair on Paul Rodgers himself, a vocalist who shouldn't need to be justified in such a lame manner. If anything this displays that May is well aware of the public's lack of confidence in the CONCEPT of an incarnation of Queen without Mercury, not anyone's musical ability. Sadly, the passing of Freddie Mercury comes off lately sounding like a liberating musical experience for Brian May. |
| john bodega 05.05.2008 02:34 |
Sorry, I trust Brian May more than anyone in this thread when it comes to quoting Freddie. HOWEVER, and this is a biggy; no one really knows the context of the quote. Who says that Freddie was worshipping Paul Rodgers by saying this? Maybe he was just throwing the name of a contemporary blues singer in the air?? You people really need to spend more time thinking and less time bitching. |
| Serry... 05.05.2008 02:43 |
If you trust more to Brian, then welcome to the world where My Fairy King is from QII and the magic toy koto sounds are in Teo Torriate. I more trust to Freddie in quoting Freddie than to anyone else in this thread and the world. Ritchie, Michael, Franklin, Plant, nothing has been said about Rodgers. John's mentioned All Right Now as his fave song, that's true, but not Freddie. End of story. Period. Fact. Get over it. |
| Winter Land Man 05.05.2008 03:23 |
I never considered Bad Company as blues |
| Ken8 05.05.2008 04:22 |
Zebonka12 wrote: Maybe he was just throwing the name of a contemporary blues singer in the air?? You people really need to spend more time thinking and less time bitching.More time thinking? Like you can talk! It must be wonderful to be so naive! You could see no reason as to why May would be pushing Rodgers in such a fashion at this point in time? Not sure if you've heard, but there's a new Queen album out soon with somebody else singing on it. A lot of people are unsure of the idea. When you get older you'll discover your sense of cynicism develops. If it was nothing more than a throw away name with no real credit implied, why use it? It gets under people's skin because the quote is used to suggest that Mercury was no Paul Rodgers when it comes to the blues. Of course he wasn't, he was Freddie Mercury. The once irreplaceable front man for Queen....until Rodgers came along and singing "bluesy" like Rodgers is now revealed to be something beyond Mercury's vocal abilities, which frustrated Brian's attempts at "blues" in Queen. Not being able to sound like Paul Rodgers really held them back in the old days, didn't it? Sorry, but I fear Brian May has lost the plot. |
| john bodega 05.05.2008 06:40 |
Ken8 wrote: More time thinking? Like you can talk! It must be wonderful to be so naive! You could see no reason as to why May would be pushing Rodgers in such a fashion at this point in time? Not sure if you've heard, but there's a new Queen album out soon with somebody else singing on it. A lot of people are unsure of the idea. When you get Rah rah rah rah rah w revealed to be something beyond Mercury's vocal abilities, which frustrated Brian's attempts at "blues" in Queen. Not being able to sound like Paul Rodgers really held them back in the old days, didn't it? Sorry, but I fear Brian May has lost the plot.Might it just be that my cynicism only extends to being very wary of shoddy theorising on a Queen forum? Truth is, I don't actually care if Brian is concocting stories to convince the hypothetical masses that his new album will be okay. Don't care one iota. The only point I was addressing is that Freddie may well have said such a thing in the past. It's not that outlandish. As I said though, since the manner in which Freddie said it is lost to time (if he ever did say it), then any debate over it is utterly pointless. Furthermore, if he was inventing a Freddie quote, would he not have used the word 'dear', and not 'fucking' ? |
| john bodega 05.05.2008 06:40 |
PS. Brian lost the fucking plot years ago. WWRY Musical. |
| YourValentine 05.05.2008 07:57 |
“ He used to have a go at me in the studio when I tried to have him sing bluesy stuff. He’d say, ‘Brian, you’re trying to make me fucking sound like Paul Rodgers, and I can’t do it!’” According to that logic Freddie was a huge fan of the Andrew Sisters, too (see One Vision documentary. |
| Mr Mercury 05.05.2008 09:40 |
“He used to have a go at me in the studio when I tried to have him sing bluesy stuff. He’d say, ‘Brian, you’re trying to make me fucking sound like Paul Rodgers, and I can’t do it!” No offense to Brian, I just wish he would stop trying to convince us that Freddie really liked Paul. If I wasnt dubious about that before, I am now. Its like he is still trying to justify having Paul as the lead singer. |
| Donna13 05.05.2008 10:40 |
I would guess that Brian would have been very keen on understanding Freddie's points, especially points regarding music while in the studio creating new music. |
| Micrówave 05.05.2008 10:51 |
You know, in all these PR bashings, there's one thing that CANNOT be denied. Paul Rodgers WAS, IS, and ALWAYS WILL BE a lot more popular in America than Freddie Mercury. So what, because the UK fans don't like anything NOT having Freddie in it, it's doomed for failure? That's pretty short-sighted, don't you think? And what's wrong with Lionel Richie? All Night Long was a great song from a great album. Can't Slow Down produced SIX Top Ten Singles from an album containing EIGHT songs. Somebody with a Big Brain here please reference another artist or band to accomplish that same ratio or better? Plus Lionel wrote Lady for Kenny Rogers. |
| Serry... 05.05.2008 11:36 |
Micrówave wrote: You know, in all these PR bashings, there's one thing that CANNOT be denied. Paul Rodgers WAS, IS, and ALWAYS WILL BE a lot more popular in America than Freddie Mercury.These are BHM bashings, man. It has nothing to do with Rodgers. Nothing at all. P.S. PR is almost unknown in the most of East Europe countries, so what? Free is not even in the same league with Uriah Heep and Nazareth over here. |
| kingogre 05.05.2008 13:59 |
i actually dont find it hard at all to believe that freddie was a fan of paul rogers. free were were big and played many of the same circuits as queen in the early days. and paul was and still is an amazing singer, not strange at all that he should be one of freddies inspirations. paul kossoff is obviously one of brians biggest influences, just listen to how he plays. |
| gem27 05.05.2008 14:03 |
Well I agree with Microwave about Lionel Richie. I don't have any music by him but he is very radio friendly and I can't see any harm in the guy and I haven't read up on the facts myself but I will take Microwave's word on how well that album did and fair do's. I don't agree that Paul Rodgers is and was and always will be more popular than Freddie in America though. 1976, Bad Company with Rodgers released the album Run With The Pack that reached #5 on the North America Billboard chart. Queen with Freddie released A Day At The Races the same year which reached #5 on the North America Billboard chart. 1977 and Bad Company with Rodgers released the album Burnin' Sky which reached #15 on the same Morth America Billboard chart while News Of The World, Freddie and Queen's 1977 release made #3. 1979 Rodgers and Bad Company release Desolation Angels which reached #3 on the North America Billboard chart where the following year 1980 Queen and Freddie released The Game which got to #1 in America going 4 times platinum so the facts don't point to Freddie Mercury not being popular as Paul Rodgers in America, in fact he was more popular. As for knocking the UK for being short sighted people that's a laugh. The Americans are the most arrogant short sighted people in the world who believe the mighty America is the be all and end all. The comment made was "more popular in AMERICA" which I think by the chart # I proved was not the case but even if it were, so what. Does that make it right? There are a lot of things more popular in America that the rest of the world don't find interesting. Baseball, American Football are two and if you want a third, college kids running around their campus with guns blowing people away. |
| Micrówave 05.05.2008 14:12 |
But is Queen... er I mean Brian concerned about Yugoslavian ticket sales or Romanian album sales? I don't think so. And this is not directed at you Serry, just answering your point. Paul Rodgers is extremely marketable, still to this day. Probably more so than Brian & Roger. But when you stick both entities on the bill, it will draw much more appeal than billing it: "Brian May + Roger Taylor + Paul Rodgers + some guys" So who does that piss off? a) the fans b) the promotors c) the record companies Yes, that would be (a). But (a) isn't trying to make money off a business venture. Recording an album and touring, while fun and enjoyable, is a business venture. I'm sure Brian could strap on an acoustic and go around singing the "hits of Queen", but I'm thinking they want to do something on a bit bigger scale. They tasted the waters with the ROTC, and people came to the shows. So because Tony, who has 18 Queen albums, doesn't think it's genuine, they should cancel recording sessions, tours, radio promos, etc.? And those Brian "Freddie is with us" quotes? You don't really think those are for the general music buying community, do you? No. They are for all of you who still have a problem with all of this. Freddie said it. Freddie's friends confirmed it. The masses seem to want it. Keep on going as Queen! |
| Mr Mercury 05.05.2008 14:25 |
Just to clarify that I like Paul. I think he is a damn fine singer. My point is Brian's quotes regarding what Freddie may or may not have said about Paul. I am just a bit dubious as to the truth of it all. All in all though it will not spoil any enjoyment of the future tour and album. |
| Serry... 05.05.2008 14:44 |
Actually, no, IMO. It makes masses more angry then it comes to using 'Queen' name and all those Freddie's references (you can see it in this thread, 'Queen RIP' subjects weren't widely available in the recent months on QZ, but after just one short quote from Brian's interview... Whooa!). Leave the guy on heaven and go on. I wouldn't buy any single record of Aretha, just because Freddie liked her, I wouldn't have sex with other men, just because Freddie liked that kind of the out-of-school activities. I don't care if he liked Paul Rodgers or not, it won't change my mind about using 'Queen' name. But it'll make Brian the embellish businessman. As well as it makes Paul Rodgers the diffident musician who needs in Freddie's posthumous blessing. But it seems like Paul Rodgers doesn't need it and also seems like Brian is not very prosperous Queen's frontman. |
| The Real Wizard 05.05.2008 15:37 |
Serry... wrote: If you trust more to Brian, then welcome to the world where My Fairy King is from QII and the magic toy koto sounds are in Teo Torriate.Yeah... damn Brian for the odd oversight regarding things he did over 30 years ago! Everyone has a photographic memory. |
| Micrówave 05.05.2008 18:23 |
Serry... wrote: I wouldn't have sex with other men, just because Freddie liked that kind of the out-of-school activities. I don't care if he liked Paul Rodgers or not, it won't change my mind about using 'Queen' name.Yes, but would you have sex with PAUL RODGERS? I think that's the real question here. I mean, yeah you're gonna get teased by your buddies, but it is the celebrity exemption, right? Just like you HAVE to "do" Elizabeth Taylor, even though she's 79-ish, right? But BTT, I do think it puts Paul is a very difficult position. (I mean the Brian quotes, not the sex thing!!!) Paul doesn't need Freddie's or anyone else's endorsement. I think the gold records on the wall do that just fine. But seriously, are "the masses" really THAT upset? It's been 17 years since a real Queen release. Haven't most of those people either (a) moved on to another band or (b) are glad just to hear something outta the Queen cave? |
| Yara 05.05.2008 20:24 |
I just wonder why is it so difficult for people to believe - yeah, it's a question of trust, although the quote per se is by no means outlandish - that Freddie recognized qualities in Paul Rodgers. That's just all too usual between musicians, even between those who don't even know each other. Good musicians are often, not always, it's not a 100 % rule, but they are often humble about their own skills, and it's not a fake attitude, it's just that music is too wide an art form for someone to claim that he can do anything. I'm not getting into the marketing thing. From the point of view of a musician, the claim has a lot of credibility. Musicians do it all the time: they curse as often as they lavish praise on other people. "X is crap, but, wow, Y does this kind of thing, I don't like it and I can't do it, but he does it fine...", it's just so...natural. Freddie praised, in public, Boy George, and, like, Boy George is no genius, Freddie just thought it was interesting music being made and praised him. Take Richter (Russian pianist) whose history Serry knows much better than any of us. The guy was not given to praise: he pretty much bashed everyone. But sometimes he'd come from nowhere and praise people who were being massacred by critics at the time, totally against the grain and risking sounding like an idiot (his praise of Glenn Gould's renditions of Bach's pieces, by then quite controversial, when Glenn went to East Europe, for instance). So even for a absolutely arrogant and selfish musician like Richter, it was possible to praise other musicians even if they were not considered that sound (Glenn Gould was controversial at the time). He praised people who never made it into a studio to record anything. So... NOOOOOW. lol. I believe Brian, I don't think the claim is preposterous. The question here, I think, is: is it right for Brian, even if what he's saying is true, to bring Freddie's memory back as a way of marketing his product? It'd not be good neither for the image of Queen as a band nor for Paul Rodgers, who'd be in need of Freddie's "approval" everytime he records anything with the guys. That's Serry's question, I think, and he can correct me if I'm wrong. It's something like: "stop doing business over the words of a guy who died! Stop exploiting his memory!", I thing Serry's point is a moral one, but I could be wrong. And, again, if I got Serry's point right, it doesn't have anything to do with Paul's skills as a musician. It's just that there's no "Queen" anymore. There can be another interesting band formed by this guys, but not carrying on the name of Queen. I thinking aloud, sorry. lol I want to understand Serry's point, because my impression is that his point is much more a moral one than a musical one - Paul Rodgers could be twin brother of Freddie, but he'd not be Freddie and, therefore, there'd be no Queen without its legenday frontman who people are still so attached to, for better or for worse. So, is this the point? Because the quote per se is not absurd. I can picture Freddie saying that, no prob. The question is: Freddie must have said lots of things we don't know. Is it right to bring it all up for marketing reasons? That's the only real, legitimate discussion I can think of. If that's not Serry's point, then I rest my case and confess I don't know what the arguing is about. By the way, I have no problem with Brian's answer. He was likely questioned by a journalist "Do you think that Freddie would have..."..."Do you still remember Freddie...", and he gave what seems to be a very honest answer, I have no reasons to doubt it. I do think the guy must really miss Freddie sometimes - it's not soap opera lol - and answered the question honestly, in good faith, from the perspective of a guy who saw Freddie working until his last days and knew Freddie didn't want the band to vanish. I'm ok with the int |
| Knute 05.05.2008 21:30 |
gem27 wrote: Well I agree with Microwave about Lionel Richie. I don't have any music by him but he is very radio friendly and I can't see any harm in the guy and I haven't read up on the facts myself but I will take Microwave's word on how well that album did and fair do's. I don't agree that Paul Rodgers is and was and always will be more popular than Freddie in America though. 1976, Bad Company with Rodgers released the album Run With The Pack that reached #5 on the North America Billboard chart. Queen with Freddie released A Day At The Races the same year which reached #5 on the North America Billboard chart. 1977 and Bad Company with Rodgers released the album Burnin' Sky which reached #15 on the same Morth America Billboard chart while News Of The World, Freddie and Queen's 1977 release made #3. 1979 Rodgers and Bad Company release Desolation Angels which reached #3 on the North America Billboard chart where the following year 1980 Queen and Freddie released The Game which got to #1 in America going 4 times platinum so the facts don't point to Freddie Mercury not being popular as Paul Rodgers in America, in fact he was more popular. As for knocking the UK for being short sighted people that's a laugh. The Americans are the most arrogant short sighted people in the world who believe the mighty America is the be all and end all. The comment made was "more popular in AMERICA" which I think by the chart # I proved was not the case but even if it were, so what. Does that make it right? There are a lot of things more popular in America that the rest of the world don't find interesting. Baseball, American Football are two and if you want a third, college kids running around their campus with guns blowing people away.But you can't leave out for the sake of completion: 1974 BadCo's debut #1 1974 Queen II #49 Sheer Heart Attack #12 1975 Straight Shooter #3 1975 Night at the Opera #4 So it's close to a wash. Both bands were huge here in the seventies. Neither touched Zeppelin though. I think just about every Zep record from II on went #1 in the US and UK. They had an amazing run by anyone's standards. |
| Ken8 05.05.2008 23:04 |
Zebonka12 wrote: PS. Brian lost the fucking plot years ago. WWRY Musical.Yeah, good point! |
| Serry... 05.05.2008 23:47 |
Sir GH<br><h6>ah yeah</h6> wrote: Yeah... damn Brian for the odd oversight regarding things he did over 30 years ago! Everyone has a photographic memory.Poor excuse. Very poor excuse. But okay, if Brian doesn't have photographic memory how can you trust him in the reality of this Freddie's quote? You all guitarists seems to have something like code of conduct, whenever there's thread about Brian it's always the same people who defends him whatever he said or did. |
| Serry... 05.05.2008 23:57 |
Micrówave wrote: But BTT, I do think it puts Paul is a very difficult position. (I mean the Brian quotes, not the sex thing!!!) Paul doesn't need Freddie's or anyone else's endorsement. I think the gold records on the wall do that just fine.Yes, this is one of my points. Rodgers is fucking legend (Freddie told me that once 30 years ago, I have photographic memory for the quotes) and all those 'he was Freddie's hero', 'Freddie liked his voice', 'Freddie knew he couldn't sing like Paul' are the childish attempts to make Paul's tenure of Queen's vocalist more comfortable for some fans, press... and maybe Brian himself, since Roger is seems to be more cautious in the Freddie's quoting business and Queen's history. Yara wrote: It's something like: "stop doing business over the words of a guy who died! Stop exploiting his memory!", I thing Serry's point is a moral one, but I could be wrong. And, again, if I got Serry's point right, it doesn't have anything to do with Paul's skills as a musician. It's just that there's no "Queen" anymore.Yes, these are my points. |
| john bodega 06.05.2008 03:33 |
Serry... wrote: You all guitarists seems to have something like code of conduct, whenever there's thread about Brian it's always the same people who defends him whatever he said or did.You really need to stop smoking whatever it is you're smoking. It isn't hard to recognise when and where Brian has made big fuckups. It's plain to see: 5ive collaboration, Robbie Wiliams collaboration, GHIII, "The Call"..... I understand it's your job to bitch about Brian, but can't you wait until something actually WORTH bitching comes around? It's a bit on the nose for Brian to bring up this alleged quote from Freddie - whether or not it's true or not is anyone's guess. But 'a bit on the nose' is it. That's all. If putting words in Freddie's mouth and bullshitting were a crime, you'd have to hang half of Queenzone - certainly most of us in this thread! Brian at least has the small qualification of having known Freddie. Y'know.. nothing big, I guess. |
| Serry... 06.05.2008 06:20 |
You have just proved my theory. |
| john bodega 06.05.2008 06:53 |
Serry... wrote: You have just proved my theory.You're proving a theory of mine, too. Honestly - I don't really care for what a lot of Brian does. How exactly is that sticking up for him? |
| Serry... 06.05.2008 07:07 |
Zebbie-boy, I call it 'the Greg Brooks effect' - when people are afraid to say "Sad, but I have to agree" or "You're right". Most of the posters have agreed that it was unnecessary Freddie's reference by Brian - true or not, but... you (not exactly you) still argue. 'Brian did it because of this reason', 'Brian could say that because of that reason', 'There's chance that Freddie said something like that', 'Brian doesn't have photographic memory', bla-bla-bla. What's the point in this? If you agree, why do you argue? What for? For the sake of not saying "I agree Serry"/"You're right"? Or because he's Brian May and he's out of undiplomatic criticism? |
| pittrek 06.05.2008 07:33 |
You guys are wondering about Brian's comments ? To be honest I will be glad if I will be able to say my name in Brian's age :-) |
| john bodega 06.05.2008 07:35 |
Serry... wrote: For the sake of not saying "I agree Serry"/"You're right"? Or because he's Brian May and he's out of undiplomatic criticism?Neither. What drew me to the discussion (indeed, to start the thread in the first place) was the possible implication that the quote never existed at all. That's all I was really addressing. Though when I think about it, what really gets my goat is how everyone's an expert on Brian's motives. You've got your theory, fair enough. I think you're starting to get your opinions mixed up with facts, though. The only fact we have is that Brian said this stuff about Freddie in a magazine. Whether it really happened, and his reasons for quoting it in the first place..... all total conjecture. He might be doing it just to be crafty, he might be doing it out of insecurity, it might just be an amusing coincidence that he's remembered after all these years, having finally recorded an album with Paul Rodgers.... Who knows? You certainly don't. I don't deny for a second that what you're saying is possible. That's all it is though; possible. There's other possibilities and not all of us like being close minded enough to miss out on them. |
| Serry... 06.05.2008 07:48 |
"Who knows? You certainly don't." No-one knows... Have you expect Brian to come here and give an explanation of his words? |
| john bodega 06.05.2008 08:04 |
Serry... wrote: "Who knows? You certainly don't." No-one knows... Have you expect Brian to come here and give an explanation of his words?Not precisely, and of course it's hardly the kind of question he'd answer. Though it would be nice if someone had the balls to bring it up in an interview. That's all I'm getting at in the first place. The absence of fact is not a fact in itself. There could be fifty reasons for bringing up Freddie + Paul Rodgers again. I'm leaning towards thinking Brian's got jitters and is just sticking with what he knows; at this stage of the game, Freddie quotes. I think it's a bit too much like character assassination to automatically assume that there's an unpleasant motive behind all of Brian's words and actions. I say again - I'm not a Brian gusher. I think he's done some tremendously questionable artistic decisions. I just don't think this one qualifies. |
| kingogre 06.05.2008 08:49 |
dont want to get into an argument here, but freddie and paul were at the same place (the London rock scene) at the same time (late 60s early 70s) is it really so impossible to think that freddie didnt to some part admire paul. free were pretty much the hottest group in town during that time and freddie was finding his identity as a singer/frontman. never mind what freddie said 15-20 years later, I for one dont believe that freddie became who he was by listening to boy george or lionel richie or whatever. brians reasons for saying what he said is another matter, but i can very well imagine that it is true. anyway, dont want to anger anyone. all the best! |
| Boy Thomas Raker 06.05.2008 09:46 |
IMHO, Queen didn't become Queen, and Freddie didn't become Freddie Mercury until Queen II so it's certainly possible that the style of music on Queen, which was pretty much straight ahead rock and roll, was influenced by Free and Paul Rodgers. And given Brian's oft stated reverence for his heroes (George Formby, Rory Gallagher, The Beatles) it wouldn't be a stretch to believe that he wanted Freddie to sing a song like Liar a la Paul Rodgers. After the first album though, all bets are off. Freddie became 100% Freddie Mercury, and comparisons with anyone were off given the wildly differing material that he sung, which was unlike any other band befoer or since. |
| kingogre 06.05.2008 10:17 |
I agree with you to the most extent. Still I think that there are certain influences during a formative period that to so some extent make up any artists identity. For freddie it is obvious that for example Liberace, the Who and the Kinks and certain 19th century "fantastic" art and literature was a big influence on what he did in the 70s. Later on he adopted diverse aspects of the 80s gay culture. And of course Freddie was an extremely unique personality and artist so he made all of these things his own in a very original way. My point is that it is not at all impossible that Freddie used to go to Free concerts and maybe incorporated certain things from Pauls singing and/or stage persona into his own. Especially since Brian has obviously done the same with Paul Kossoffs playing and if Im not mistaken he has also mentioned in interviews that they used to see free concerts in the early days. |
| Sebastian 06.05.2008 11:49 |
What I find suspicious is that: 60's: Freddie was heavily into Led Zeppelin (as commented by Ibex, Wreckage and Sour Milk Sea bandmates), and he was obviously influenced by The Beatles. 'As It Began' mentions him playing 'Tommy' ('...Can You Hear Me?' I reckon) on his Tele and waking everybody up in the pre-Queen days. 70's: Fred mentions Robert Plant as his favourite singer. Their 'Opera' manager comments Fred had Liza's 'Cavaret' soundtrack. His driver mentions that at the time he used to listen to Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and (on 1979) Jacko. Aretha also comes up frequently in interviews. 80's: Fred mentions Robert Plant, Paul Young, George Michael, Aretha, Montserrat... but not once he mentions Paul Early 90's: Brian, Roger and John invite some of Fred's idols to the tribute. That is, Robert Plant, for instance. But for some strange reason no Paul Rodgers. Late 90's, early 2000's: Whenever asked about Fred's influences (which wasn't very often, but happened), Roger and Brian mentioned people like John Lennon or even Elvis. Late 2004: Overnight, now they happen to notify us that Paul Rodgers was Fred's favourite singer all those years, just when they're about to begin a tour with him. After circa 34 years of never mentioning him in interviews, now he's Freddie's hero, idol and his frustrated dream was to be like Paul. Did he admire him? Maybe, maybe not. Was he his hero? Absolutely not. |
| john bodega 06.05.2008 12:36 |
For one thing, they also invited Axl Rose to the Tribute. That show could hardly be used as a litmus test for who Freddie did and didn't respect. Second; you really are exaggerating what was said by Brian, here. Not only that - you are actually putting what you want to hear, on paper, and saying 'that's what he said'. An absolutely hilarious way of doing things. If you had run your site that way, people would take it about as seriously as they do the Queen page on Wikipedia. |
| Serry... 06.05.2008 12:49 |
Zebonka12 wrote: For one thing, they also invited Axl Rose to the Tribute.The very core of the subject was in whom they haven't invited. |
| Yara 06.05.2008 12:56 |
Brian also said that the real cause of Freddie's death was the chronic depression Freddie developed when he realized he'd never sound like Paul Rodgers. In fact, Brian went even further, Sebastian is not being totally honest here, Brian said that "I Love Paul Rodgers, Bring him Here" were Freddie's last words. By the time of Freddie's death, Rodgers was not his hero anymore, but a GOD. Brian tells us in an interview that Freddie used to go all around saying that Paul Rodgers was God and that's why people made up the AIDS thing, because Christian conservatives thought that what Freddie was saying was a blasphemy. The real cause of death was lack of what is known in genetics as "Paul Rodgers' genes", a specific set of genetic info that Freddie lacked, much to his disgrace. Otherwise, Sebastian's account of what Brian said is pretty accurate. |
| Micrówave 06.05.2008 13:44 |
gem27 wrote: I don't agree that Paul Rodgers is and was and always will be more popular than Freddie in America though.And then you go on and compare their bands. I'm talking individuals here. gem27 wrote: As for knocking the UK for being short sighted people that's a laugh.So where are the US "Queen is not QPR" people. I don't see too many of them. gem27 wrote: The Americans are the most arrogant short sighted people in the world who believe the mighty America is the be all and end all.Well, when talking record sales, sorry but that is the standard that the INDUSTRY judges it on, not me. gem27 wrote: There are a lot of things more popular in America that the rest of the world don't find interesting. Baseball, American Football are two and if you want a third, college kids running around their campus with guns blowing people away.Soccer introduced us to the "urine bomb". Well good for soccer!! And only in the UK would soccer fans threaten to KILL their team's owner. See Liverpool. But then, it is Tom Hicks... |
| Holly2003 06.05.2008 14:03 |
Micrówave wrote: And only in the UK would soccer fans threaten to KILL their team's owner. See Liverpool. But then, it is Tom Hicks...Yes, but that don't always do it, which is progress. Back in the 1960s, football club owners rarely survived to Xmas. |
| Sebastian 06.05.2008 14:07 |
Baseball is very popular in Canada, Japan and other territories as well. |
| john bodega 06.05.2008 14:57 |
Serry... wrote:Quite right; but I figure if they invited a ratshit voiced guy like Axl Rose, it's really more a comment on what was popular at the time, and Brian + Roger's willingness to pander.Zebonka12 wrote: For one thing, they also invited Axl Rose to the Tribute.The very core of the subject was in whom they haven't invited. Personally, I would've had Axl Rose along to the show and then cut the power to the PA during his set. That's just me. |
| Boy Thomas Raker 06.05.2008 16:26 |
Axl Rose and Guns n Roses were invited because Freddei actually was a hero of Axl's, which has been quoted many times, and Slash was a huge Queen fan. I have a pretty encyclopaedic memory of everything Queen related I've ever read or heard or seen (in my fanatic days) and I can honestly never recall hearing mention of Paul Rodgers from any of them. Having said that, none of us were there for their private conversations so maybe Paul Rodgers did come up. Again, the usual artistic curve is imitation/innovation. The Queen album was very rock and roll due to studio limitations, very Zep or Free like and nothing in particular to say this band would one day rival The Beatles. By Queen II, they started to find their way in the studio (MOTBQ, FFMS) and were becoming innovators. BY SHA, Queen had a full blown identity and were totally innovative and sounded nothing like Zep, Free, or anyone else. |
| dobo 06.05.2008 16:36 |
I have seen a clip of Roger on a game show and one of the answers is Paul Rodgers he says i think "argh thats the legendry Paul Rodgers" or words to that affect anyway |
| Knute 06.05.2008 19:00 |
dobo wrote: I have seen a clip of Roger on a game show and one of the answers is Paul Rodgers he says i think "argh thats the legendry Paul Rodgers" or words to that affect anywayClose. It looked like it was a quiz show from the early eighties and that particular category was 'name this band's former bands'. So they showed a bit of the BadCo 1975 Good Lovin' Gone Bad promo clip. Roger had no problem and said "Easy! That's Simon Kirke and Pa.." then he stopped himself and said with emphasis "the GREAT Paul Rodgers from Free." Anyone, especially English musicians, who were into the heavily blues-influenced phase of rock n' roll that was all the rage in Britain in the late sixties and early seventies would have considered Paul Rodgers to be the cream of the crop as far as vocalists in that genre. There's just no two ways about that. It's about as sure as death and taxes. It's no stretch of the imagination that Freddie had admiration for the guy. Doesn't mean he worshiped the ground he walked on. I mean would some of you only believe Brian was telling the truth if he said "Oh Freddie fucking hated Paul Rodgers!" because that suited your negative orientation about all of this? |
| john bodega 07.05.2008 01:00 |
Boy Thomas Raker wrote: Axl Rose and Guns n Roses were invited because Freddei actually was a hero of Axl's, which has been quoted many times, and Slash was a huge Queen fan.Treasure Moment are big Queen fans. Would you invite THEM to the tribute show?!?!? |
| The Real Wizard 07.05.2008 02:10 |
Serry... wrote: Poor excuse. Very poor excuse. But okay, if Brian doesn't have photographic memory how can you trust him in the reality of this Freddie's quote?Just an inkling, but... he kind of knew Freddie for a few years, unlike any of us. You all guitarists seems to have something like code of conduct, whenever there's thread about Brian it's always the same people who defends him whatever he said or did.You've run out of argmuments, so now you're attacking people based on the primary musical instrument they play? Classy. We're not "defending" him so much as we're acknowledging his right to exist without criticism from people like you who have nothing to base their defamatory remarks on. |
| Serry... 07.05.2008 02:18 |
"Just an inkling, but... he kind of knew Freddie for a few years, unlike any of us." Freddie knew Freddie for over 45 years and haven't mentioned Paul. Not a fact? Not an arguement? "You've run out of argmuments, so now you're attacking me based on the primary musical instrument I play?" Where's attack? What kind of arguements do you want? Brian has said that 'My Fairy King is from QII', Serry's quoted him, Mr W. says 'Serry, you've run out of arguements'. Classy as well. "We're not "defending" him so much as we're acknowledging his right to exist without criticism from people like you who have nothing to base their defamatory remarks on." Remark about photograhic memory is the strongest remark I've ever seen. Based on something personal perhaps. My defamatory remarks (hmm... who've post one of the most rude and arrogant defamatory remarks ever about people with mp3 files in their PCs? Who was it? My photographic memory serves me bad today, but I have feeling that you should write 'people like you and me' for being more unprejudiced gentleman) bases on facts (or lack of them) and Freddie's quotes (or lack of them). Classy for the second time. |
| john bodega 07.05.2008 05:38 |
Sir, you are doggy-paddling in a sea of flawed logic. It's not like you don't have a point to make. It's the fact that you're acting like a silly extremist, simply refusing to accept that it's probably not all as bad as you make it out to be. Your argument rides solely on what wasn't said by Freddie Mercury. You realise, this relies totally on your perception and absolutely nothing else? What if he'd died a day earlier and never got around to telling the world he'd had AIDS? Would we still be guessing about it? I suppose we're getting into Schroedinger's Cat territory here by wondering if something exists when we don't know about it.... and that's where I get bored. |
| Serry... 07.05.2008 05:57 |
"It's the fact that you're acting like a silly extremist, simply refusing to accept that it's probably not all as bad as you make it out to be." What's the difference from you? Refusing to accept that it's probably all as bad as I make it out to be? Being optimist is good and being pessimist is bad? Is that point? Freddie is just tired, he doesn't have AIDS? "You realise, this relies totally on your perception and absolutely nothing else?" I do. But it's my opinion. This discussion goes in very interesting way: Freddie's never mentioned Paul -> Photographic memory -> Freddie's never mentioned Paul -> Serry's silly extremist -> Freddie's never mentioned Paul -> Serry smokes something! -> Freddie's never mentioned Paul -> Fuck off you Serry, stop attacking us and make those defamatory remarks! P.S. "Would we still be guessing about it?" - fair point, that's why my silly extremists' opinion is Brian (who's the 'interested party') should leave the dead guy and go on without those references about FM and PR. |
| Sebastian 07.05.2008 06:33 |
Throughout the years Freddie made loads and loads of interviews. When asked about his favourite singers, he answered Aretha Franklin, Liza Minelli, Montserrat Cabballe, George Michael, Robert Plant, Paul Young, I think he even mentioned Michael Jackson once. When (occasionally) asked about Freddie's favourite singers, Roger and Brian used to answer (before the collaboration) Arethe Franklin, and (indirectly) John Lennon. When asked about Freddie's heroes, Peter Freestone mentioned Lennon and Elvis. As far as I know, neither Jim Hutton nor Phoebe mention Paul at all in their biographies. Freddie's driver (who's actually much more qualified than Brian to tell about Mercury's tastes) mentioned Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and Michael Jackson among others as Freddie's favourite popular musicians. And among those others, not a single mention of Paul. In several magazines (or the 'KQ' video on 'Flix') Fred lists Beatles, Zeppelin or others as his favourites. But NEVER Paul Rodgers or Free or Bad Company. Does all of that mean that Freddie hated Paul? No. Does that mean that Paul was Freddie's hero and favourite singer (or even 'one of his favourite singers')? I think it's quite clear that he wasn't. Same for other great singers Mercury never mentioned - e.g. Ian Gillan. IMO, it's so bloody obvious that Brian and Roger are pathetically trying to convince us that, unexplainable, all of those years Paul was Fred's favourite, just he (and they!) happened to omit him everytime. Well, if they omitted him, then he wasn't THAT favourite after all ;) Everybody's entitled to their own way of doing things, and even if I've never agreed (and never will) with the use of the 'Queen' name after Freddie died (even for 'No-One But You', which I love), I'd respect Brian and Roger a million times more if any of the following two situations happened: Q: What would Freddie think about this Q+PR thing? B and/or R: He died, so sod him! Q: What would Freddie think about this Q+PR thing? B and/or R: I think he'd agree, after all, he respected Paul Rodgers and he'd know he's ace. But let's see how things are: Q: What would Freddie think about this Q+PR thing? A: Actually, Paul was a huge influence for Freddie. He was his favourite singer. Freddie would've been delighted about such a legend filling his shoes! Sort of suspicious that there's an unasked explanation/emphasis every time the topic pops up. |
| gem27 07.05.2008 06:38 |
To Microwave - Yeah I compared the bands. How else can you compare the two as individuals. Freddie never ever toured by himself as a solo artist. An album Paul Rodgers released by himself in 1983 called Cut Loose got to #135 on the Billboard Chart. that's not exactly successful now is it come on. As for the "Industry" judges artists for if they were popular in America, no they don't. Take Janet Jackson, the woman has had 10 US #1 singles and 7 #1 albums but over here in the UK she has NEVER had a #1 single and only 1 #1 album which was back in 1993. Does that mean she isn't successful? She just isn't successful in the UK. In 1986 Queen were very unsuccessful in the US but they sold out all over Europe and the album A Kind Of Magic hit #1 in the UK. Does that mean that just because Queen weren't selling in the US they weren't big or popular? it's two different countries with very different tastes. I went to America in 2006 and got talking music to a guy out there who said his fav band is the Dave Matthews Band and was telling me how big they are I had never heard of them. In the UK they are pretty small. That doesn't mean they are not successful just not so much here. Just because an artist is big in the US and not in the UK doesn't mean anything. There are plenty that are the other way round. Roger Taylor says in interviews that in the mid 80's when Queen were no longer as big in the US they didn't even care or hardly notice because they were huge pretty much everywhere else. |
| Holly2003 07.05.2008 07:24 |
Sebastian wrote: Does that mean that Paul was Freddie's hero and favourite singer (or even 'one of his favourite singers')? I think it's quite clear that he wasn't. Same for other great singers Mercury never mentioned - e.g. Ian Gillan. IMO, it's so bloody obvious that Brian and Roger are pathetically trying to convince us that, unexplainable, all of those years Paul was Fred's favourite, just he (and they!) happened to omit him everytime. [/quote] How do you get from brian repeating a throwaway remark from Fred that "your'e trying to make me sing like Paul Rodgers" to "Brian and Roger are pathetically trying to convince us that...Paul was Fred's favourite"?Sebastian wrote: Sort of suspicious that there's an unasked explanation/emphasis every time the topic pops up.I was thinking that when your brought up your dislike of the band using the Queen name, depsite the fact it has little or nothing to do with the subject of this discussion. |
| Yara 07.05.2008 07:44 |
Sebastian, no one is saying that Paul Rodgers was Freddie's favorite singers, it was a side comment by Brian who wanted to do a certain kind of sound, and Freddie said: "You want to make me fucking sound like Paul Rodgers", and that's all, and he mentioned that Freddie admired the guy, which is a fair claim and answer, remember he was asked about that: "Do you still remember Freddie...", "Do you think Freddie would", so he's answering from the point of view of a guy who knew Freddie for years and knew Freddie didn't want Queen to vanish. So no one but you is doing this claim. But there's more, my little froggie. lol So, Freddie's driver is more reliable than BRIAN as far as Freddie's musical tastes and influences are concerned? I mean, it's not only that you put words in Brian's mouth to make your points - you do "stretchs" all the time to make your points, even if it sounds ridiculous, like the infamous "half-way first species counterpoint" which incidentally became a joke here at the music school, and there are fine musicians here, believe me, who go around the world making terrific music, so it's not a personal feud - you also keep trying to cast into ridicule a guy who is an amazing musician and guitar player and a quite clever interesting guy, I mean, it's open season on Brian because he's one of the guys trying to carry on the legacy, who's exposing himself doing rock n roll when he's not that young anymore - I think it's great, but it demands passion for music, really -and he really didn't need to do that these days if you think about what his bank account must look like. I mean, do you think Freddie didn't talk about music with Brian? Music was what brought the guys together! And you say, as far as music taste is concerned, Freddie's driver should be believed not alongside Brian, which would be fine, but INSTEAD of Brian. I mean, you're not serious. You're the first person in Queenzone that I can clearly see that behave dishonestly, childish and goes to the point of making a ridicule of yourself to make a stupid point. People know that I get angry once in every two years, I guess. lol I'm not really angry, but annoyed because, really, I hate it when people go out of their way to try to discredit a respectable musician who for sure has made his share of mistakes as anyone else - "and bad mistakes, I made a few...lol - but who's there doing his stuff and trying to keep the band alive. It's a try, he may fail miserably, but it's good he's trying to keep the show going on despite all the odds, the most obvious being Freddie's departure. Every fan has a bone to pick with Brian, I'm sure. But you're being dishonest. You're putting words in his mouth and trying to cast him into ridicule. And that's shameful, ugly, low, stupid. Sorry all, it's my first rant here, but it's a rant I don't regret. I think one's entitled to his opinions as anyone else, and I think Serry has done great remarks and points, but Serry makes serious arguments, I can see where he's getting at. Disagreement is great, but behaving like ME (lol), like a teenager, because you want to make a point, that's really ridiculous. And I love Brian. Peace. Stop that. It's irritating. Behave like an adult, for Christ sake. |
| john bodega 07.05.2008 07:55 |
Serry... wrote: What's the difference from you? Refusing to accept that it's probably all as bad as I make it out to be?That would imply I were refusing to accept an inalienable truth, or something undeniable. As you said yourself, this is just an opinion of yours. I can only say this so many times... I think it's a bit on the nose for Brian to have (twice now, if not more times) bringing up what Freddie thought of Paul Rodgers. As for why he's doing it; maybe he thinks there's people out there who want to hear it??? Who fucking cares! It does not make him a villain, no matter what you'd like to think. He's done worse... Sebastian wrote: Q: What would Freddie think about this Q+PR thing? A: Actually, Paul was a huge influence for Freddie. He was his favourite singer. Freddie would've been delighted about such a legend filling his shoes! Sort of suspicious that there's an unasked explanation/emphasis every time the topic pops up.Could you link me to where Brian used the word 'favourite' ? I haven't seen that. |
| gnomo 07.05.2008 07:58 |
Yara wrote: And I love Brian.Uh?!? Well, no one would ever have suspected that, really!!! :-P :-D :-) |
| Serry... 07.05.2008 08:18 |
"As for why he's doing it; maybe he thinks there's people out there who want to hear it??? Who fucking cares! It does not make him a villain, no matter what you'd like to think." I'm not discussing about his reasons, I'm discussing about the suspicious (IMO, IMHO, just my silly extremists' opinion, etc. etc. etc.) Freddie's quote and about discovered few times since 2004 Freddie's worship to Paul Rodgers. Answering your question: I fucking care. I also fucking care when instead of saying 'replica of my guitar', Brian says 'replica of my guitar that uses by wonderful chaps in our brilliant most-selling musical We Will Rock You'. Brian gave us (silly extremists) many reasons to be sceptic about his promotion language. |
| pittrek 07.05.2008 08:53 |
Knute wrote:Ouch, you're faster then me :-) I just wanted to post it :-) And the name of the show was Pop Quizdobo wrote: I have seen a clip of Roger on a game show and one of the answers is Paul Rodgers he says i think "argh thats the legendry Paul Rodgers" or words to that affect anywayClose. It looked like it was a quiz show from the early eighties and that particular category was 'name this band's former bands'. So they showed a bit of the BadCo 1975 Good Lovin' Gone Bad promo clip. Roger had no problem and said "Easy! That's Simon Kirke and Pa.." then he stopped himself and said with emphasis "the GREAT Paul Rodgers from Free." |
| Donna13 07.05.2008 08:59 |
At least one additional opportunity for discussion about Paul Rodgers (besides the quote under discussion here) would have occurred when they passed him on the stairs. Musicians are usually fans of other musicians and I think that moment would have been something they would have remembered and talked about. It would be a "wow" moment. Relying on Freddie's interviews for all information about him is maybe not the most logical thing to do. He didn't give many interviews at all, and when he did, he was trying to present a certain image. I'm not saying he would lie, but he might not mention all facts. It might be that when asked about his favorite singers, he would only name those that popped into his head quickly. Maybe he wasn't the sort to make lists and speak with lots and lots of details, like some here. He might have admired hundreds of artists and never mentioned their names in interviews. How boring would that be if Freddie had a long list and rattled it off during an interview? Another point is that Freddie was never directly asked about Paul in an interview. In addition, you have to look at the credibility of the individual when you are "fact finding". In my opinion, Roger is credible, Brian is credible, Mary is credible, Freddie's mother and sister are credible. If any of those five said anything about Freddie, I would believe it. If any two of them agreed on one point, it would strengthen even further the likeliness of that point being accurate. A little mistake, such as which song is on which album is not lying - it is a little mistake (different thing). But I think if you are talking about "spin" Serry, you may be right. I think that Brian is a professional and knows what the interviewers are interested in - the points that will make the article interesting. Notice that in this particular article in Rolling Stone, there is no list of questions and answers, so there is no way to know if Brian were trying to emphasize Freddie's admiration for Paul or not. There could have been 20 questions, and the information from just 3 or 4 of them was used. Notice also that the writer mentions Freddie in the first sentence of the article, and then again in the final sentence - with the quote. I think the writer wanted to get that quote to make the article important (and definitely mention Freddie for the interest of the reader). Brian had answered that Freddie admired Paul in other interviews and the writer would have been aware of that. It might be that he had a follow up question to ask "what were Freddie's words, exactly?" It would be interesting to get the actual interview from this writer if he has a tape recording of it. |
| john bodega 07.05.2008 10:58 |
Serry... wrote: I also fucking care when instead of saying 'replica of my guitar', Brian says 'replica of my guitar that uses by wonderful chaps in our brilliant most-selling musical We Will Rock You'.See, yeah... if anything, that itself is a shameless plug. He's being self-referential there, though. He's no fool, if you think about it - surely he KNOWS how silly self-advertising looks. He'd have to be blind not to. Hell, he even does it in that video where he walks out on the interviewer... and didn't exactly sound deadly serious, for a man who's about to walk out on someone. Serry... wrote: Brian gave us (silly extremists) many reasons to be sceptic about his promotion language.You're all too willing to play the part, aren't you? For the record (and maybe I'm getting bogged in semantics) I did say 'acting like a silly extremist', and not 'you are a silly extremist'. You don't need to be convincing me of anything, so I hope these posts of yours are pointed more towards other people. I already felt that it was a tiny bit dodgy to (again) bring up the Freddie thing - notice how, in my first post, when I said 'cynics' I did not separate myself? I just happen to feel it's a bit more benign than you're making it out to be. For what it's worth, musicians at Brian's level are basically prostitutes anyway. |
| Sebastian 07.05.2008 14:09 |
> How do you get from brian repeating a throwaway remark from Fred that "your'e trying to make me sing like Paul Rodgers" to "Brian and Roger are pathetically trying to convince us that...Paul was Fred's favourite"? I don't mean the 'throwaway remark', but the many times Brian and/or Roger have said, that Paul was Fred's idol, or favourite singer, or a huge influence, or at least one of his favourites. > I was thinking that when your brought up your dislike of the band using the Queen name, depsite the fact it has little or nothing to do with the subject of this discussion. Actually, it does: some people say that we attack Brian because we disagree with the use of the name, and hence everything he does we automatically regard as wrong. Well, that's not the case. > Freddie's driver is more reliable than BRIAN as far as Freddie's musical tastes and influences are concerned? Yes: Brian was Fred's band-mate (i.e. co-worker). Music tastes must have been obviously a frequent conversation topic between them but as far as knowing about what Fred enjoyed (in terms of food, films, music, sports, etc) I trust way more those who were in his social life (i.e. his boyfriends, his personal friends, his driver, his chef, his PA...) > you also keep trying to cast into ridicule a guy who is an amazing musician and guitar player and a quite clever interesting guy I've never tried to set him up. Now, if he ridicules himself, that's not my fault. > who's exposing himself doing rock n roll when he's not that young anymore - I think it's great So do I, although I disagree with two things: the use of the 'Queen' name, and the absurd attempts to re-write history. > but it demands passion for music If it was all about the music, then he wouldn't need to say Paul was Fred's idol, nor he'd have to use the 'Queen' name. If it's about fame, glory, or money, then he'd do ... what he does! > > And you say, as far as music taste is concerned, Freddie's driver should be believed not alongside Brian, which would be fine, but INSTEAD of Brian. No, not instead. MORE, which is different. > I mean, you're not serious. I am, very. > You're the first person in Queenzone that I can clearly see that behave dishonestly, childish and goes to the point of making a ridicule of yourself to make a stupid point. If so, then why wasting time reading what I write and answering to me? > You're putting words in his mouth No, HE is putting words in a dead man's mouth > and trying to cast him into ridicule. I've never tried to set him up. Now, if he ridicules himself, that's not my fault. > And that's shameful, ugly, low, stupid. If so, then why wasting time reading what I write and answering to me? > Could you link me to where Brian used the word 'favourite' ? I haven't seen that. I'll look it up, but there are surely several examples. > Relying on Freddie's interviews for all information about him is maybe not the most logical thing to do. But it's much more reliable than Chinese whispers and second-hand quotes. > He didn't give many interviews at all I think I've read about 80, which is indeed 'many' even if that represents only 3 per year in his professional career. And in those 80 (there must be loads and loads more), he's been asked about his favourite singers, and not once (to my knowledge) he's mentioned Paul Rodgers. > It might be that when asked about his favorite singers, he would only name those that popped into his head quickly. And if in all those (many) cases he answered Paul never popped into his head quickly, then he wasn't THAT favourite after all. > Another point is that Freddie was never directly asked about Paul in an interview. Indeed. So it'd be unfair to say he hated him, but it'd also be unfair to say he worshipped him. |
| kingogre 07.05.2008 14:22 |
Think its a kind of big leap from brian and roger saying that Freddie was a fan of Paul or an influence of his, something he might VERY well have been, to saying that theyre trying to rewrite history. I for my part have never read anyone of them claiming that Paul was Freddies number one influence or hero or whatever. Rather theyve said that he was a fan or that he would have approved of Paul singing with the band. And this last story is probably not meant to be taken to seriously, its just a fun story that most likely happened in some way. Of course theyre trying to promote the album and the tour and to say that Freddie was a fan of Paul is a good marketing-strategy, but as for rewriting history Brian and Roger more than anyone would know what happened since they were there when it did and they knew Freddie closely for 25 years. |
| Serry... 07.05.2008 14:55 |
"to say that Freddie was a fan of Paul is a good marketing-strategy" Too much good for this planet. |
| Donna13 07.05.2008 14:56 |
D: Relying on Freddie's interviews for all information about him is maybe not the most logical thing to do. S: But it's much more reliable than Chinese whispers and second-hand quotes. D: I agree that a quote directly from a person while they are alive is more reliable (if they are telling the truth) than a quote from a person who is re-telling the story the way they remember it 30 years later. If Brian had gotten the information second hand, I would also say it was unreliable. But Brian heard it with his own ears ... so it can hardly be referred to as gossip. It still comes down to credibility, in my opinion. If you have a hard time believing all people about what they heard or saw, I think life would be quite difficult. You would have to verify everything and trust nobody. I like to go by the principle (or I like to assume, I guess) that most people are telling the truth most of the time. It is much easier that way. I think you can hurt yourself by being so skeptical regarding others and their character. If you are overly skeptical you might protect yourself from the rare trick or dishonest person, but you also would probably alienate all "normal" and honest and nice people by insulting their integrity. Is it worth it? D: He didn't give many interviews at all S: I think I've read about 80, which is indeed 'many' even if that represents only 3 per year in his professional career. And in those 80 (there must be loads and loads more), he's been asked about his favourite singers, and not once (to my knowledge) he's mentioned Paul Rodgers. D: Well, I'm sure if he had, we would have heard the quote by now on Queenzone, since this has now been discussed for a couple of years here. I didn't know he gave that many interviews. I always learn something from you Sebastian. D: It might be that when asked about his favorite singers, he would only name those that popped into his head quickly. S: And if in all those (many) cases he answered, Paul never popped into his head quickly, then he wasn't THAT favourite after all. D: Agree. Maybe Paul was not in the top tier. Maybe Paul was not one of his favorites that would be listable in an interview. D: Another point is that Freddie was never directly asked about Paul in an interview. S: Indeed. So it'd be unfair to say he hated him, but it'd also be unfair to say he worshipped him. D: But nobody said either "hated" or "worshipped", did they? So I don't think there has been any unfairness of that sort. |
| john bodega 07.05.2008 14:59 |
Sebastian wrote: No, HE is putting words in a dead man's mouthHehe, you sound very certain. |
| Sebastian 07.05.2008 15:40 |
> Think its a kind of big leap from brian and roger saying that Freddie was a fan of Paul or an influence of his, something he might VERY well have been, to saying that theyre trying to rewrite history. Claiming PR was Fred's favourite singer is re-writing history. > as for rewriting history Brian and Roger more than anyone would know what happened since they were there when it did and they knew Freddie closely for 25 years. Brian was there when they recorded 'My Fairy King', yet he said it was on 'Queen II'. He was there on 20th November '74 when they played at the Rainbow, yet he wrote it was on '76. And so on. > If Brian had gotten the information second hand, I would also say it was unreliable. I'm not implying that whatever Brian says is unreliable (and I know you're not implying I'm implying that either, but just for the record...). I do think, though, that a direct quote, and, more to the point, loads of direct quotes, are much more reliable than marketing comments (especially considering that Brian and Roger also 'forgot' to mention Paul as Fred's idol during the entire 1970-2004 period). > I like to go by the principle that most people are telling the truth most of the time. Indeed, but IMO (call it a 'hunch' if you will), this is an exception. > Well, I'm sure if he had, we would have heard the quote by now on Queenzone, since this has now been discussed for a couple of years here. Totally agree. > I didn't know he gave that many interviews. For being a public person and the lead singer of a hugely successful rock band, his interview-count was fairly low. But, as I said, even if he granted one per month, that'd mean that there are almost two hundred interviews 'out there'. More than Deacy, less than May. Some quotes: Some quotes: Brian May, Rolling Stone, January 2005: 'Rodgers was a real hero to Feddie. And a big influence - you can hear it on the early stuff' Roger, Q Mag, March 2005: 'Paul was genuinely one of Fred's all-time favourite singers' Roger, Buko Mag: 'Paul had always been one of our favorite singers and he was certainly one of Freddie’s idols, because he used to base his early style on Paul Rodgers' Brian, Q Mag, March 2005: 'Paul was such a huge influence on Freddie's life' |
| Boy Thomas Raker 07.05.2008 16:05 |
Much like the dispute over the use of the name, people are going to believe what they believe. On the one hand, Sebastian is right when he says that no one can ever recall a Paul Rodgers reference when Freddie was alive. On the other hand, Paul Rodgers was sort of huge at a time rock singing and music was changing, and hearing All Right Now, I'm sure Freddie was aware of who Paul Rodgers and Free were. The first Queen album is a rawer, more stripped down album than anything else so who's to say that Brian didn't want Paul to sing a big open A chorded song like Liar a la Paul Rodgers? Sebastian is dealing in absolutes, which is absurd (although I agreee with him in principle.) He wants proof of a private conversation to validate Freddie's idolatry of Rodgers, yet unequivocally believes that Freddie shared more with his driver about music than with his band members. Great! If so Seb, show us proof! There were probably 20 million conversations amongst the band members in their time together. Maybe Brian confided in Freddie that marrying Chrissy was a mistake and he felt trapped? Maybe Roger, who didn't like the musical direction of AOBTD and played a loop in protest, told John that a shift to funk would kill the bands US audience? Maybe John told all 3 that he never felt like an original band member since Barry Mitchell was there before him? We never heard any of that, so we speculate and criticize. All I can say to Sebastian, is that I've never heard anyone from the Queen camp say that when they were in the studio in the 70s, they warmed up by playing cover versions. In your eyes, that would mean that there is no recorded music of Queen doing anything but Queen music. OR, there is a treasure trove of Queen doing Barracuda, Walk this Way, Layla and countless others. Lack of confirmation in the public record doesn't mean that something didn't happen. |
| Yara 07.05.2008 16:20 |
Absolutely fair and great. I was wrong on that, you were right. Brian did say these words, and, yes, I never thought he'd go to such lengths to promote the album: very sad mistake, he didn't have to, or, to put it correctly, he shouldn't. And then, yes, YOU ARE RIGHT, SEBASTIAN.LOL I'm perfectly fair and happy to admit it. Not angry anymore - my anger of the years lasted 2 hours. :) You were being serious there, and I was ignorant of the info. I apologize. Really. My admiration for Brian took the best of me, and I shouldn't have said those words. Sorry for having said you were dishonest for putting words in Brian's mouth. He did said all that...and then, frankly, I agree with you: if Rodgers were such an influence on Freddie, one of Freddie's all-time favorite singers and a real hero to Freddie, Paul Rodgers name would have come up one day, somewhere. I think, it's my opinion, I can't be 100 % certain, as I was wrong just a few hours ago (lol), that he did lie for marketing reasons. Knocked out. [Yara strechted uncounscious on the floor] |
| Sebastian 07.05.2008 16:53 |
> Much like the dispute over the use of the name, people are going to believe what they believe. Indeed > He wants proof of a private conversation to validate Freddie's idolatry of Rodgers No, I want Brian to stop mentioning Freddie's alleged idolatry for Paul, even in the case it's true, because it's unethical. Again, if he says 'sod Fred, he's dead, we're alive, and we'll collaborate with whomever we want to', or if he says 'Fred would've OK'd it, because he was aware that Paul's marvellous', I'd respect him. But if he gets all 'Paul was a huge influence on Freddie's life' or 'Paul was Freddie's idol', that's ridiculous and opportunistic. On the same league as those politicians and papers Dr May criticises so much. Still, he'll do what he pleases, and so will I, I suppose. > yet unequivocally believes that Freddie shared more with his driver about music than with his band members. What I wrote, verbatim: '...as far as knowing about what Fred enjoyed (in terms of food, films, music, sports, etc) I trust way more those who were in his social life (i.e. his boyfriends, his personal friends, his driver, his chef, his PA...)' That's VERY DIFFERENT to 'unequivocally believe'. 'I trust way more...' is not 'kneel down to me and accept that what I say is written on stone'. > There were probably 20 million conversations amongst the band members in their time together. 20 million conversations would mean 2739 conversations per day... not even two lovers do that ;) > In your eyes, that would mean that there is no recorded music of Queen doing anything but Queen music. OR, there is a treasure trove of Queen doing Barracuda, Walk this Way, Layla and countless others. Yes and no... let's put it this way, theoretically: for years and years, whenever Queen are asked what do they record in the studio, and for years and years they all answer 'original material' or 'we try out each member's songs'. They never say 'we don't record covers', but it's so plain obvious that it's not the centre of their attention. Then, suddenly, Brian and Roger decide to make a cover album, and to justify it, they say 'we always recorded songs by other artists, doing that was our favourite studio activity'. That's my point. Fred could've respected and admired Paul Rodgers (IMO, anybody who's heard him sing would), but from there to 'Paul was Freddie's favourite singer' (or 'one of his all-time favourites', or 'idol', or 'hero') there's a huge difference. And to invent (or at least overstate, stretch or exaggerate) a newfound side of Freddie (never commented before late 2004 on the literally hundreds of interviews to him, to people close to him, to people who worked with him and for him, etc.) just as they're, coincidentally, promoting and justifying their collaboration with Paul is, IMO, something to expect from a coward politician or a frustrated pseudo-artist, NOT from people as professional, intelligent and musically-clever as Brian or Roger. That's the root of all my complaints: disappointment. > Lack of confirmation in the public record doesn't mean that something didn't happen. Of course. But this isn't a black or white case. Not even grey... |
| Boy Thomas Raker 07.05.2008 17:39 |
I agree with you Sebastian, it seems like a bit of revisionist history from Brian and Roger, but they have product to sell and even if it's a half truth they probably feel it legitimizes the whole affair. These days, Brian's a businessman first, a politican second, and a musician third or fourth or fifth. I'm not a big Brian basher (QPL and business wise, yes, as a person, he's amazing) but for someone who uses his Soapbox to rail on people who don't see eye to eye with him on smoking, hunting, light pollution or the merits of the musical, he absolutely refuses to answer any hard questions about the use of the name Queen with anything but "we've earned the right" to use it. Agreed. But Brian, who is my favourite band member, would probably go nuts if Queen carried on with guitar legends, but stylistic misfits Keith Richards or The Edge and called themselves Queen. But I know lots of people here who have posted those questions to his site and never get a response. Given his rage about people who don't do things his way, I would greatly respect it if he said something like "Paul Rodgers is a wonderful singer who is not trying to replace Freddie because Freddie is irreplaceable, and the magic of Queen died when Freddie and John were no longer with the band. We'll carry on the spirit of Queen, which Freddie would have wanted and John wants, but we know that there can only ever be one Queen." That's the truth, but as someone said, no confidence in their music to carry on without a brand name. IMHO, which is probably not shared by all :) |
| Donna13 07.05.2008 18:48 |
I like it that they talk about Freddie! It is so easy for some people here to distrust someone and think the worst of them, just from a few speculative opinions shared here. Anyway, the quotes and seeing them all together were helpful to me. Thanks Sebastian. It seems they were referring to an early influence only. That would make sense. |
| Yara 07.05.2008 19:08 |
Donna13 wrote: I like it that they talk about Freddie! It is so easy for some people here to distrust someone and think the worst of them, just from a few speculative opinions shared here. Anyway, the quotes and seeing them all together were helpful to me. Thanks Sebastian. It seems they were referring to an early influence only. That would make sense.It was great! Thanks, Sebastian! |
| The Real Wizard 08.05.2008 02:39 |
Serry... wrote: Freddie knew Freddie for over 45 years and haven't mentioned Paul. Not a fact? Not an arguement?Oh yes, I forgot. Everything Freddie ever said was written down and/or preserved on tape. (hmm... who've post one of the most rude and arrogant defamatory remarks ever about people with mp3 files in their PCs?Changing the subject (and your misquoting/ignorance of said subject) doesn't exonerate you from your idiocy. Back to topic... Free were a HUGE band in the UK in the early 70s. Plenty of rock bands at the time were influenced by them in one way or another, and Queen was one of them. Son And Daughter has Free written all over it, both musically and vocally. |
| Serry... 08.05.2008 03:27 |
"Oh yes, I forgot. Everything Freddie ever said was written down and/or preserved on tape." Brian May played 'Yesterday' on the St-Petersburg show in 1998, it wasn't taped, I've never mentioned it in the last 10 years, but I was there. It was great! Hope to see this news tonight on your site, since facts and proofs means not too much for you, Sir Earbasher. "Changing the subject (and your ignorance of said subject) doesn't exonerate you from your idiocy." What a gentle, non-arrogant and sweet remark! Proves that I wasn't wrong in my opinion about you. Pity that I didn't call you idiot before you did. My fault. I haven't changed the subject, I've 'inkled' to the fact you're not who may judge for being 'defamatory'. |
| The Real Wizard 08.05.2008 03:30 |
Serry... wrote: Brian May played 'Yesterday' on the St-Petersburg show in 1998, it wasn't taped, I've never mentioned it in the last 10 years, but I was there. It was great!Brian has never claimed that he played Yesterday at that show nor any other show, so that argument is pretty futile. "Idiocy" is definitely the correct word, considering how low you're continuing to stoop simply to bash Brian May. Why must you spend so much time going out of your way to be so negative? What a gentle, non-arrogant and sweet remark! Proves that I wasn't wrong in my opinion about you. Pity that I didn't call you idiot before you did. My fault. I haven't changed the subject, I've 'inkled' to the fact you're not who may judge for being 'defamatory'.You've made a sport out of attacking me here, so I'm simply returning the favour to some extent. No hard feelings, when it comes down to it. But what exactly makes my words arrogant? I'm just stating my opinions like you or anyone else... not that I ultimately care what someone half-way around the world thinks of me based on a few things I write on a forum. |
| Serry... 08.05.2008 03:44 |
"Brian has never claimed that he played Yesterday at that show nor any other show, so that argument is pretty futile." Yeah, do you expect him to have photographic memory? C'mon, he's a man like you and me, not an alien. He forgot. I was there and I tell you - he did. What kind of other proofs do you need? And if you do - why I can't need in them in this FM/PR case? "You've made a sport out of attacking me here, so I'm simply returning the favour. No hard feelings, when it comes down to it." What's an attack, Sir? "Guitarists seems to have code of conduct" is an attack (at least you call it so in one of your previous posts)? I'm sorry if those words hurt your feelings then. It was too much rude, cruel and barbarous attack. They should hang me for that in 1946. "And what exactly makes my words arrogant?" Your attitude. You're the great Queen expert (one of the best), wonderful writer, the man who made one of the best 'benchmark' (sorry if I use non-correct word) researches ever (about LK), but when there's smell of discussions about musical, mp3 or something critical about Brian - you show your arrogant side of the character. There could be dozen of threads 'John Deacon is motherfucker' and you won't bother yourself to reply, but when there's at least one about Brian - many idiots will be found by you over there. |
| The Real Wizard 08.05.2008 04:05 |
Serry... wrote: Yeah, do you expect him to have photographic memory? C'mon, he's a man like you and me, not an alien. He forgot. I was there and I tell you - he did.Two audio recordings of the St Petersburg show don't have the song. When during the show did he play it? Can anyone else who attended the show vouch for you? Why are you the first to mention it in 9 1/2 years? Your attitude. You're the great Queen expert (one of the best), wonderful writer, the man who made one of the best 'benchmark' (sorry if I use non-correct word) researches ever (about LK), but when there's smell of discussions about musical, mp3 or something about critical Brian - you show your arrogant side of the character.I appreciate your feedback about the Live Killers work. But I'm not *defending* Brian. Nothing at this time can prove or disprove Brian's words about Freddie being influenced by Paul Rodgers. You are choosing to assume he's lying, and I am choosing to entertain the possibility that he's telling the truth, in the absence of evidence. That, and he gets a few extra points for having known Freddie, a person who rarely spoke publically about himself on a personal level. Logic is synonymous with arrogance only to those who don't see the logic. As for mp3... I don't believe in destroying the quality of recordings. The only people who see this stance as arrogant are the people who don't realize the importance of quality preservation. As for the musical... I'm very proud of it, having been a part of it for the last year and a bit. I have witnessed it bring the best out of people night after night. Like it or hate it, it has brought Queen's music to millions of people worldwide, and it has given work to hundreds of devoted performers. My apologies for being genuinely happy to share that joy with others. |
| Serry... 08.05.2008 04:18 |
"Two audio recordings of the St Petersburg show don't have the song. When during the show did he play it? Can anyone else who attended the show vouch for you? Why are you the first to mention it in 9 1/2 years?" Any questions why I don't believe Brian? "Logic is synonymous with arrogance only to those who doesn't see the logic." I'm the idiot and silly extremist, what have you expect from me? You know me for not one week, don't you? Don't waste your time on replying then, like you don't do it with other trolls and spammers. "As for mp3... As for the musical..." Jesus, Bob, listen to FLAC, play in musical, do whatever you want, but stop being arrogant to those who listen mp3 and doesn't like musical! Don't tell me about quality of audio files and I won't tell should you enjoy to be part of WWRY or not. |
| john bodega 08.05.2008 06:07 |
Serry... wrote: Don't tell me about quality of audio files and I won't tell should you enjoy to be part of WWRY or not.Yes. Let's all stop posting. Wouldn't that be the best forum ever? |
| Sebastian 08.05.2008 06:39 |
> Oh yes, I forgot. Everything Freddie ever said was written down and/or preserved on tape. Well, not everything, but loads of times he was asked about his favourite singer(s), and in all those times (which were either printed or broadcasted) he mentioned different people, but NOT Paul. > Plenty of rock bands at the time were influenced by them in one way or another, and Queen was one of them. Maybe, maybe not. > Son And Daughter has Free written all over it, both musically and vocally. Sort of, but it doesn't necessarily mean Fred was a fan of Paul's. > Brian May played 'Yesterday' on the St-Petersburg show in 1998 Can you tell us more about it? Acoustic or electric? Did he sing it? > Brian has never claimed that he played Yesterday at that show nor any other show, so that argument is pretty futile. Freddie had never claimed that he loved Paul Rodgers or that he was a huge influence on his life, so that argument (Brian's) is pretty futile. > Two audio recordings of the St Petersburg show don't have the song. When during the show did he play it? Can anyone else who attended the show vouch for you? Why are you the first to mention it in 9 1/2 years? Loads of printed interviews, video interviews, radio interviews, comments by Fred's bandmates (in the 1973-2004 period), people who worked for him, people close to him (e.g. Jim Hutton), don't mention Fred's alleged idolatry for Paul. Why are B+R the first to mention it in 30 1/2 years? > Nothing at this time can prove or disprove Brian's words about Freddie being influenced by Paul Rodgers. Sure, but loads of things can disprove that 'Paul was one of Freddie's all-time favourites'. > You are choosing to assume he's lying I can't speak for Serry, but I'm, personally, not. I don't know if he invented Fred's presumed secret huge admiration for Paul, or if he's merely exaggerating. In either case, I'd expect that from a politician or a coward so-called artist, not from Brian. > in the absence of evidence. There's no absence of evidence. > That, and he gets a few extra points for having known Freddie, a person who rarely spoke publically about himself on a personal level. But he did speak or write about himself on a musical level and regarding favourites and idols. So did the people who were close to him (including Brian and Roger) and during the 1973-2004 period none of them ever mentioned Paul Rodgers as Fred's favourite, one of his favourites, a huge influence, or whatever. I think that gives our suspicions a lot of extra points for having been (mostly) unbiased occasions, as opposed to marketing for a collaboration between Roger, Brian and Paul. > Logic is synonymous with arrogance only to those who don't see the logic. Indeed! |
| Serry... 08.05.2008 06:54 |
"Can you tell us more about it? Acoustic or electric? Did he sing it?" Of course I can, Seb, why not, but it won't make that true fact though. If I'd ask a couple of other guys to confirm that even then it won't be true fact - though no-one can say for sure if I'm lying, but they'll call me liar, attention-seeker and WUM, then the same happens with Brian - it's another story of course, only idiots and silly extremists cannot trust him in everything what he says. |
| Sebastian 08.05.2008 06:59 |
No, I wasn't asking you in order to confirm if it's true. I honestly want to know, because I'm curious. I've always thought Brian would sing it beautifully, but I don't like how it'd sound with the Collings, so maybe an electric version or a piano one, or having Brian just singing with Jamie on acoustic, would fit the song better. So I wanna know how it went ;) |
| Serry... 08.05.2008 07:06 |
He sung in bluesy style and then told us short story "Once Freddie has asked me to sing Tear It Up like Paul Rodgers, 'Who?', 'My hero and inspiration, you hairy astronomer, 'I can't fucking do it!' I replied him, but now I'll try to sound like another Paul. Yesterday, ladies and gentlemen". He really said that. |
| john bodega 08.05.2008 07:35 |
Sebastian wrote: Sort of, but it doesn't necessarily mean Fred was a fan of Paul's.... doesn't necessarily mean he wasn't, either! My Gosh, this is almost as boring as tennis. Sebastian wrote: There's no absence of evidence.Uhm.... what else would you call it? If you had a tape of Freddie going "Paul Rodgers isn't one of my heroes" etc. then you'd have what you call Evidence. As we don't have anything definite, apart from anecdotes from two guys you don't trust anyway.. it's called an Absence of Evidence. Because there's nothing there. Absence. |
| john bodega 08.05.2008 07:48 |
Serry... wrote: Of course I can, Seb, why not, but it won't make that true fact though. If I'd ask a couple of other guys to confirm that even then it won't be true fact - though no-one can say for sure if I'm lying, but they'll call me liar, attention-seeker and WUM, then the same happens with Brian - it's another story of course, only idiots and silly extremists cannot trust him in everything what he says.I was wrong. You're less of a silly extremist and more of a child, than anything else. You wouldn't happen to be at 'your time of the month', would you? :/ |
| Winter Land Man 08.05.2008 08:03 |
LoL it's funny how most of the people here mention Paul Rodgers with Free, when here in my part of the USA, they never mention Free, just Bad Company. Also, they mentioned Queen + Paul Rodgers last night on the radio, they said Paul was the singer for Bad Company. |
| Yara 08.05.2008 08:17 |
[Still knocked out on the floor] Please, someone give me a hand and help me stand. lol |
| gnomo 08.05.2008 08:48 |
Serry... wrote: "to say that Freddie was a fan of Paul is a good marketing-strategy" Too much good for this planet.... but just right for the Cosmos...? :-D |
| Knute 08.05.2008 09:08 |
Someone should write Brian, ask him to clear up the issue once and for all and link this thread to show the controversy it is creating. LOL. Any takers? |
| Yara 08.05.2008 09:11 |
Knute wrote: Someone should write Brian, ask him to clear up the issue once and for all and link this thread to show the controversy it is creating. LOL. Any takers?Hahaha. I thought about that, it'd be funny. But I love Brian, regardless. I LOVE YOU BRIAN (as if he were reading me). I'm nervous...I have to play and sing today, audience, and all, and it's not going to work, and I'm already nervous and anxious, and I wanted to get a cold or something just to come up with a better excuse than "I'm afraid". Oh, lord. |
| john bodega 08.05.2008 10:34 |
I hope he quotes Freddie again, this is the first spirited thread I've been in for God knows how long! |
| Sebastian 08.05.2008 10:53 |
Regarding the alleged absence of evidence: We've got loads of quotes from Freddie, from people who worked with him, from people close to him... all those mention Lennon, Jackson, Young, Franklin, Presley, Plant, Michael, Caballe... but not once Paul Rodgers, until B+R decided to tour with him. That's enough evidence that PR was NOT Fred's idol or favourite singer, or one of his favourites. As for FM liking, respecting or admiring PR, there's, indeed, absence of evidence, so I'd trust Brian (and Roger) for that. But from there to being a huge influence on Freddie's life there are light years of distance! |
| john bodega 08.05.2008 11:04 |
They didn't specify at what period Freddie supposedly admired Paul Rodgers. It's obvious that it only would have been an early influence, but who knows to what degree it might have been in those early days. Listen to Wreckage or Ibex (or whatever band it was, I actually don't remember) - he is quite plainly still finding his voice. Literally anyone might have given him ideas. Personally, if Brian was going to bring up any Freddie quotes on this again - I'd prefer it if he'd go into lots of detail so we don't have this problem in future. Hell - it'd piss people off, but at least we'd have the specifics nailed down. |
| The Real Wizard 08.05.2008 12:06 |
Serry... wrote: stop being arrogant to those who listen mp3 and doesn't like musical!I'd appreciate it if you'd stop calling me arrogant with no grounds for doing so. Just because I like to express myself candidly and emphatically doesn't make me arrogant. Have fun with your self-proclaimed extremism on someone else. Sebastian wrote: > Son And Daughter has Free written all over it, both musically and vocally. Sort of, but it doesn't necessarily mean Fred was a fan of Paul's.Right, but that doesn't eliminate the possibility either. Freddie would have been influenced by Paul in the early days, as Free was a huge band in the UK. Freddie certainly wasn't talking about musical influences in the early 70s. And he sure wasn't influenced by people like Aretha and Montserrat in 1973. You can't prove that Freddie wasn't influenced by Paul at that point in his career. It's just mind-boggling how much time and energy so many people put into their personal agendas against Brian and Q+PR. But let's suppose for a moment that if was somehow proven that Brian made the whole thing up. If you were lucky enough to meet him for 10 seconds, would you mention this stuff, or would you thank him for 35 years of music that has made hundreds of millions of people around the world happy? Jacob Britt wrote: LoL it's funny how most of the people here mention Paul Rodgers with Free, when here in my part of the USA, they never mention Free, just Bad Company.It's nothing funny at all. From a US perspective, Paul was most popular as the singer of Bad Company. But in the UK, Free are legends. Almost everyone in the early 70s UK rock scene looked up to Free in some way. There they were about as big as Zeppelin. |
| Sebastian 08.05.2008 12:51 |
> You can't prove that Freddie wasn't influenced by Paul at that point in his career. Right, but I can prove that Paul wasn't Freddie's hero, one of his favourite singers, his favourite singer, or a huge influence on his life. > It's just mind-boggling how much time and energy so many people put into their personal agendas against Brian and Q+PR. I'm not against Brian or the tour and album made by Paul with B+R. I'm against the coward and unethical way to portray Paul as Freddie's all-time favourite (or one of...), when he clearly wasn't. > But let's suppose for a moment that if was somehow proven that Brian made the whole thing up. If you were lucky enough to meet him for 10 seconds, would you mention this stuff, or would you thank him for 35 years of music that has made hundreds of millions of people around the world happy? I'd actually do neither. Maybe I'd take a pic with him. But this isn't a live talk with Brian, this is an internet forum, where I've got a hell of a lot more than 10 seconds, so I can split the time between analysing his music, respecting his input, and complaining about his coward and unethical attitudes. |
| The Real Wizard 08.05.2008 12:54 |
Sebastian wrote: But this isn't a live talk with Brian, this is an internet forum, where I've got a hell of a lot more than 10 seconds, so I can split the time between analysing his music, respecting his input, and complaining about his coward and unethical attitudes.Fair enough, if that's what floats your boat. But in terms of that last 1/3, you could perhaps spend that time doing something a bit more positive and meaningful. But that's just me. |
| Serry... 08.05.2008 13:09 |
'Have fun with your self-proclaimed extremism on someone else.' Self? I'm not Zebonka, you know, he called me extremist, you called me an idiot (on the case if my idiocy will become self-proclaimed also), I was here to talk about Brian's quote, but we smoothly got into discussion about Serry's possible mental problems. |
| john bodega 08.05.2008 13:13 |
Serry... wrote: Self? I'm not Zebonka, you know, he called me extremistOh please! I quite clearly said 'acting like an extremist'. There's a difference. Though, I have to say you're eroding the distinction just by being a baby about it. Sebastian wrote: so I can split the time between analysing his music, respecting his input, and complaining about his coward and unethical attitudes.Pfft haha. 'Coward' is an awful big word to bandy about on the internet... I guess it all comes down to us seeing what we want to see, and that applies to everyone in the thread - as none of us have a crystal ball to say what's right or wrong. Having said that; there's a mailman going past your house Seb, you might want to rush out and make sure he doesn't go through your mailbox. He *might* be a coward and a thief. |
| gem27 08.05.2008 13:16 |
Free were almost as big as Zeppelin only that they weren't anywhere as big. Free's 1970 album - Highway got to #41 in the UK album charts and #190 in America so not really. Didn't Zeppelin get to #1 both sides of the pond with pretty much every album? |
| Serry... 08.05.2008 13:20 |
"I quite clearly said 'acting like an extremist'. There's a difference." No, silly extremist. Prudent diplomacy. 'You're like a wanker, no, no, no - you're not a wanker, you're like a wanker', yeah? If I'm acting like silly extremist, it's allowed for you to call me silly extremist, without 'like', I won't cry too much. |
| Yara 08.05.2008 13:32 |
Now I do have to go. If I had a little bit more time with Brian May (more than 10 seconds...!), I'd, after having a sheer heart attack, and if I recovered, ask him how could he play to such huge audiences with that flair, elegance and calm. I haven't started warming up yet and I'm already shaking like a baby born in the snow, and soon going to be crying, for sure. lol Just for the record: I learned a hell lot with this thread. Sebastian's posts were really great and helpful. I got angry because it seemed he was defaming an icon of mine, but I soon found out it was not the case and that he was not only well intentioned, but very knowledgeable too and had a lot of info and thoughts which I could benefit from. I know much more about the band than before the thread started, that's great. So, thank you all. :-))))) I love Brian, of course (lol), and that's not going to change for the time being. I partially agree with Sebastian and Serry in that Brian shouldn't have made such remark even if it were absolutely true and correct. It's not respectful of Paul, I guess, who doesn't need other musician's approval to be part of this band (I think it's Queen, you think it's not, fine, lol), and it's not respectful of Freddie because a dead guy obviously can't speak for himself and set the record straight in the event of someone saying anything false about him or using his name to advance personal interests. Brian in all fairness can only say what he thought it was true about Freddie; Freddie, however, is no longer there to say if Brian's perception is accurate or not. Besides, bringing back the name of Freddie knowing that, even if it's not your intention, it'll sound as marketing strategy, and Brian knows that fully well being an intelligent man as he is, isn't the right attitude either, even if what he saying is really his way of seeing things. I'd rather see him answer: "I don't want to talk for Freddie, he's not here anymore", but he didn't, and it's not the worst thing in the world, and that doesn't diminish or undermine the HUGE love and admiration I have for Brian May. What else? Serry added interesting thoughts too and I really don't think that calling him names is fair, he was being correct, straightforward and by no means "idiocy" there can be interpreted as a proportional reaction to anything, so, as much as I admire SirGH, and I do admire him, he's a knight, very generous, good-hearted, intelligent and dedicated, he's THE guy, but I wished he hadn't writen that. :op So, my two idols disappointed me: SirGH and Brian May. lol But I love them all the same. SIRGH: you're still my knight. :-)) And...that's it, I have to go and fail miserably on stage and get embarassed in front of everyone and cry for hours. Someone interested in coming? lol Bye! Thank you all! |
| The Real Wizard 08.05.2008 13:32 |
gem27 wrote: Free were almost as big as Zeppelin only that they weren't anywhere as big. Free's 1970 album - Highway got to #41 in the UK album charts and #190 in America so not really. Didn't Zeppelin get to #1 both sides of the pond with pretty much every album?Indeed they did. I'm talking more about the respect from fellow artists. Influence is priceless, and can't be measured by record sales to the public. |
| john bodega 08.05.2008 14:12 |
Sir GH<br><h6>ah yeah</h6> wrote:Right on. I'm pretty sure if respect is worth anything, The Band are made out of solid platinum asteroids.gem27 wrote: Free were almost as big as Zeppelin only that they weren't anywhere as big. Free's 1970 album - Highway got to #41 in the UK album charts and #190 in America so not really. Didn't Zeppelin get to #1 both sides of the pond with pretty much every album?Indeed they did. I'm talking more about the respect from fellow artists. Influence is priceless, and can't be measured by record sales to the public. |
| john bodega 08.05.2008 14:20 |
Serry... wrote: I won't cry too much.Well, it's only 6 pages. I've seen worse. |
| Sebastian 08.05.2008 14:24 |
Zebonka12 wrote: Having said that; there's a mailman going past your house Seb, you might want to rush out and make sure he doesn't go through your mailbox. He *might* be a coward and a thief.My postman hasn't give me any reasons not to trust him. Brian and Roger have. |
| kingogre 08.05.2008 14:33 |
Seems like the controversy has ended somewhat:) Just wanted to add a couple of things about some of that has been discussed. As for Brians previous mistakes, it can be added that Ringo Starr for example is known to make huge mistakes about his career with the Beatles. Last year I read an interview where he didnt remember what songs were played during the roof-top concert. Dont think anyone regards Ringo as a bad source, he just doesnt pay that much attention to detalis about his past life. I dont really think the claims Brian and Roger have made about Freddie admiring Paul is very unlikely, rather the oppposite considering Pauls status during the early years. Remember Brian mentioning Jimi Hendrix as another early influence on Freddie aswell some years ago. |
| john bodega 08.05.2008 15:24 |
Sebastian wrote: My postman hasn't give me any reasons not to trust him.None that you 'know' about! If you were to be unusually suspicious - or even paranoid - you could well make a case for your postman rattling packages and holding things up to the light in order to get a good feel for what's inside! I know it's not a very good working example; all's I'm saying is, there's a world outside of our own perceptions. I'm glad you're so committed to your point of view, but keep three words in mind : "You never know!". |
| Sebastian 08.05.2008 17:20 |
kingogre: But the case of Hendrix is different - Brian and Roger commented Fred's admiration for Jimi many times throughout the years, and not only in the 2004-2008 period. Moreover, Freddie himself confirmed that many times. Zebonka: Fortunately, I never get too valuable things on the post, only the odd letter from friends or family overseas, which is obviously priceless but I doubt a postman would be interested in stealing that... as for 'being committed to (my) point' (or something to that effect), well, yes, and again, I'm not saying Brian's a liar, but I do think it's very suspicious that after 30 1/2 years of no Rodgers mention at all (and there had been many many many many opportunities), now he's suddenly the pinnacle of Freddie's existence. |
| Bobby_brown 08.05.2008 20:09 |
The first time i see Zebonka in a discussion :-) I don´t know why people think that Brian and Roger need to say that Freddie was a fan of Paul if he wasn´t. That doesn´t make it more acceptable or less acceptable for the fans, and i can´t think of anyone buying the album just because Freddie liked Paul. Paul wasn´t choosed on that logic, he was choosed after Hall of Fame in 2004 - more like a coincidence. And it´s ver normal for people to like musicians and not saying it on interviews because they can´t list them all. In the studio every musician uses others as examples when recording. It´s like a second language for them to express the kind of sound they want. For example: During the "Black album" from Metallica, Kirk Hammet was asked to play a solo with an Eric Clapton style. He understood what he was being asked, but he never states Clapton as is guitar hero if he talks of guitar players in general ( i think he´s into Van Halen). But if you ask him about the most influential guitar players there´s no way he can not mention Eric. So, it´s more than possible that Freddie would mention Paul Rodgers in a studio to make others undesrtand what effect he wanted (or not wanted) in a song. He could say something " I can guive it a bit of rodgers in this bit" and everybody would understand what he was talking about. Musicians have this kind of comunication. So, in my opinion i find it plausible that Freddie liked Paul Rodgers- because even if we don´t like the man, he really has a tremendous voice and great technique- even though throughout the years Freddie would start enjoying other kinds of music. And that´s why you see so many references to artists who where into the genre that he was at the time. As far as i know he idiolized Montserrat since 1982, but he only mentioned in an interview when Queen played in Spain in 1986 ( as far as i know). Paul Rodgers IS a vocalists vocalist! And this is true for Freddie also. So, anyone who considers himself a singer can´t by any means say that they suck. They may not like their musical style, but they will have respect for any one of these singers. Untill this day, only in Queenzone do i see people saying that Paul sucks and ruin songs. I don´t have a doubt that Freddie respected Paul as a singer, because Paul was on the premier league. The same goes from Paul to Freddie too! Paul wasn´t into Queen in the eighties but that doesn´t mean that he lost the respect for them. It was simply not his style! And abot Brian memory: it´s only normal for fans to know more facts about their idol than their idol himself. Freddie couldn´t remember lot´s of songs names either, but to say that Brian can´t remember conversations just because he misplaced a song, i think it´s not polite. The interactions with people are more difficult to forget than simple things as knowing the running order of the album songs. Take care |
| Knute 08.05.2008 20:47 |
There's some compelling evidence that early Queen could count Free as one of their influences. First of all, there's The Hangman, a song even more Free than Son and Daughter. link In this live version Freddie starts off with a patented PR "Uhnn!" after Roger plays a drum intro lifted straight from the tune Mr. Big. Then Freddie sings a melody that was definitely created with PR in mind. There's no doubt in my mind. He's going for that same kinda approach on this tune. Secondly there was that list the John Deacon made in the 80's of his favorite singles. It was an eclectic mix to be sure, but his number one song was All Right Now. Thirdly was Roger calling him the 'great' Paul Rodgers on the Pop Quiz show. These things add up to suggest to me that in the early days Fire and Water was indeed one of their 'bibles' and probably spent a lot of time on the turntable. Also weren't they more communal in them days? Didn't Roger and Freddie live together? I can totally see in my mind's eye them hanging out on a Saturday afternoon in their flat with Paul Rodger's voice blasting thru the stereo speakers. How could one not admire such a powerful rock vocalist such as the young Paul Rodgers? I think all of them were definitely fans. |
| Sebastian 09.05.2008 00:11 |
>I don´t know why people think that Brian and Roger need to say that Freddie was a fan of Paul if he wasn´t. I don't think they 'need' to say it; but they still do, dunno why. > And it´s ver normal for people to like musicians and not saying it on interviews because they can´t list them all. But if Fred's listed 10+ singers and Paul was never there, it's obvious that (even if he liked him or admired him, which he probably did) he wasn't his favourite, his idol, one of his all-time favourites or a huge influence on his life. > So, in my opinion i find it plausible that Freddie liked Paul Rodgers Of course, but he wasn't his favourite singer, one of his all-time favourites, his idol or a huge influence on his life. > As far as i know he idiolized Montserrat since 1982, but he only mentioned in an interview when Queen played in Spain in 1986 ( as far as i know). Sure, but there are also accounts from Phoebe (for instance) about that, and so on. The whole PR thing was 'a secret' until November 2004... that's suspicious! > Untill this day, only in Queenzone do i see people saying that Paul sucks and ruin songs. And I disagree with that: Paul's marvellous and I actually prefer his voice than Freddie's in some (not all) cases, e.g. 'We Are the Champions'. I'd love to listen a 'Somebody to Love' sung by Paul too. > I don´t have a doubt that Freddie respected Paul as a singer, because Paul was on the premier league. Indeed, but Paul Rodgers wasn't Freddie's favourite, one of his favourites, his idol or a huge influence on his life, as Brian and Roger have tried to put it during the last few years. > but to say that Brian can´t remember conversations just because he misplaced a song, i think it´s not polite. I'm not saying he can't remember conversations, I'm saying his memory isn't eidetic, which it isn't. > First of all, there's The Hangman, a song even more Free than Son and Daughter. Even if that was true, we're talking about two songs, each one lasting around five minutes. So, that's 10 minutes in Queen's 10-hour-long catalogue: 0.03%. > Secondly there was that list the John Deacon made in the 80's of his favorite singles. It was an eclectic mix to be sure, but his number one song was All Right Now. ARN was NOT his #1 song. He clearly stated that the list was NOT in order of preference. Yet, yes, that meant he liked it. But: 1. It doesn't mean Paul was his idol, his favourite singer, one of his favourite singers or a huge influence on his life. 2. Even if it did, do you realise that John isn't Freddie? > Thirdly was Roger calling him the 'great' Paul Rodgers on the Pop Quiz show. 1. Calling someone 'great' doesn't mean that Paul is his idol, his favourite singer, one of his favourites, or a huge influence on his life. 2. Even if it did, do you realise that Roger isn't Freddie? > These things add up to suggest to me that in the early days Fire and Water was indeed one of their 'bibles' and probably spent a lot of time on the turntable. There are many acts the band members referenced a hell of a lot more often than Free or Bad Company, so all of them were also Freddie's favourites, huge influences on his life, and his idols. The Police, for instance (talking about late 70's of course). > How could one not admire such a powerful rock vocalist such as the young Paul Rodgers? He probably admired him, but from there to say that PR was Freddie's favourite singer, one of his favourites, his idol or a huge influence on his life there's a huge difference. > I think all of them were definitely fans. Not at all. I like 'Karma Chameleon' but it doesn't turn me into a Culture Club fan, nor it makes Boy George my idol, my favourite singer or a huge influence on my life. So, John liking 'All Right Now' doesn't mean he's a Free or Bad Company fan, or that Paul was Freddie's idol, favourite sin |
| The Real Wizard 09.05.2008 01:58 |
Sebastian wrote: > First of all, there's The Hangman, a song even more Free than Son and Daughter. Even if that was true, we're talking about two songs, each one lasting around five minutes. So, that's 10 minutes in Queen's 10-hour-long catalogue: 0.03%.And how many Queen songs are influenced by Aretha Franklin? Again, you're just spending so much time trying to convince people that Paul Rodgers wasn't an influence on Queen in the early years. Why? What do you have to gain by this? Early Queen has many shades of Free in it, among many other influences. But just because Queen II wasn't a carbon copy of Fire And Water doesn't mean the band weren't influenced by them. Just don't make your next reply "But it doesn't mean they were, either." Tell us something new, please. |
| Sebastian 09.05.2008 02:34 |
I'm not trying to convince anybody. But this is a forum, hence, I can state my opinion. Was Paul Rodgers a singer Fred respected? Most likely Was Paul Rodgers a singer Fred admired? Very likely Was Paul Rodgers Fred's favourite singer? No Was Paul Rodgers Fred's idol? No Was Paul Rodgers one of Freddie's favourite singers? No Was Paul Rodgers a huge influence on Freddie's life? No Hence: are Brian and Roger lying (or bearing false witness, or at least exaggerating) when they say Paul was Fred's favourite singer, one of his favourite singers, his idol or a huge influence on his life? Yes. Crystal clear in my book. And btw, what do THEY have to gain by trying to convince us that Paul was red's favourite singer, one of his favourite singers, his idol or a huge influence on his life? Again, you're just spending so much time trying to convince me that I'm 'just spending so much time trying to convince people that Paul Rodgers wasn't an influence on Queen in the early years' (which I'm absolutely not). Why? What do you have to gain by this? The catalogue of interviews made to Queen + related people in the 1973-2004 period has many shades of Freddie's favourite singers in them, and Paul was NOT amongst them. But just because Fred could've liked or admired Paul (and probably did) doesn't mean Paul was his favourite singer, one of his favourite singers, his idol or a huge influence on his life. Just don't make your next reply 'what do you gain by it?'. Tell me something new, please. |
| kingogre 09.05.2008 02:38 |
You can add to the list of why Queen were influenced by Free that Brians guitar playing has many similarities to Paul Kossoffs. I dont agree that Brian and Roger claims that Freddie worshipped the ground Paul walked on for his entire life, neither that he only were aware of and respected him. Theyre simply saying that he was an influence in the early days. I can very well see Freddie idolising Paul like he did with Jimi Hendrix during the late sixties. As mentioned before Free were huge in those days especially among the musicians on the London rock scene that both Freddie, Brian and Roger were members of. The traces of Free can be seen in many ways on the early Queen, including in Freddie in my opinion. There are similarities in how they acted on stage and also in some ways in their singing. This goes for the early Freddie Mercury, but since this period was when he created his identity as a singer and performer it can definitely be said that he influenced how his life became and I think this is what Brian means. Just because Brian doesnt remember some song titles correct or whatever doesnt mean that he that he somehow "misremembers" a conversation that never took place. Remembering facts and remembering things that happened are not the same thing. And isnt you point that he is lying anyway. Not to rude in any way but degrading Brians and Rogers roles in Freddies life to co-workers is precisely what many would claim to be rewriting history. Any way, take care! Its nice to be talking some Queen with other people. |
| Sebastian 09.05.2008 02:47 |
kingogre wrote: You can add to the list of why Queen were influenced by Free that Brians guitar playing has many similarities to Paul Kossoffs.Yes, but having similarities doesn't mean that Paul (Kossoffs in this case) was Brian's idol, one of his favourite guitarists or a huge influence on his life. And even if it did, it doesn't mean that the same thing happened with Freddie and Paul Rodgers. kingogre wrote: Theyre simply saying that he was an influence in the early days.Brian May, Rolling Stone, January 2005: 'Rodgers was a real hero to Feddie. And a big influence - you can hear it on the early stuff' Roger, Q Mag, March 2005: 'Paul was genuinely one of Fred's all-time favourite singers' Roger, Buko Mag: 'Paul had always been one of our favorite singers and he was certainly one of Freddie’s idols, because he used to base his early style on Paul Rodgers' Brian, Q Mag, March 2005: 'Paul was such a huge influence on Freddie's life' That's MUCH MORE than 'simply saying that he was an influence in the early days'. From 'an influence' to 'one of Fred's all-time favourite singers'. kingogre wrote: I can very well see Freddie idolising Paul like he did with Jimi Hendrix during the late sixties.No way: Hendrix was often mentioned in interviews, biographies, accounts by people who knew him (both personally and professionally), Paul had never been listed as one of Fred's idols before late 2004. kingogre wrote: As mentioned before Free were huge in those days especially among the musicians on the London rock scene that both Freddie, Brian and Roger were members of.Yes but for that matter, Edison Lighthouse, Dave Edmunds, Bob Dylan, Andy Williams, Black Sabbath and a dozen of other artists were also Freddie's idols and pinnacles of his existence. |
| Serry... 09.05.2008 03:03 |
"But this is a forum, hence, I can state my opinion" I ain't sure about it anymore, Sebastian. P.S. Hendrix was mentioned in Freddie's song. As well as Lennon. |
| kingogre 09.05.2008 03:41 |
It clearly means that Queen were influenced by Free in their formative years. Brian has numerous times said that Paul Kossoff was an early hero of his, but maybe he is lying about that too. It also shows that the Paul Rodgers/Free mentionings dont come from nothing. Both Brian and Roger has also mentioned the band going to Free concerts. Furthermore Free as has been mentioned were the centre of the same musicscene that members of Queen were part of during that time. There is no arguing about Frees influence on British rock in those days. Edison Lighthouse were a studio-only non-hit wonder bubble-gum band, Dave Edmunds was associated with the London blues-rock-scene, but mostly recorded novelty songs like sabre dance on those days. Black Sabbath were a Birmingham-band. Why Paul hasnt been mentioned earlier is anyones guess, maybe the band were to image-conscious too mention Free that virtually everyone in the same position as they were influenced by, maybe they didnt want to associate themselves with the more macho-rock of Pauls later band Bad Company, maybe they wanted to gain a mystique about themselves. My main point is that what Brian and Roger has said seems rather logical to me. Apart from Rogers quote about Paul being one of Freddies all-time favourite singers I cant see them saying anything else than that Paul was a favourite of Freddie in the early days. But maybe we interpret it differently:) |
| gnomo 09.05.2008 04:22 |
Sebastian wrote: what do THEY have to gain by trying to convince us that Paul was Fred's favourite singer (...)?... just wondering: is it us, or THEMSELVES, that they are trying to convince...? |
| Sebastian 09.05.2008 08:04 |
gnomo wrote:Very good pointSebastian wrote: what do THEY have to gain by trying to convince us that Paul was Fred's favourite singer (...)?... just wondering: is it us, or THEMSELVES, that they are trying to convince...? |
| Serry... 09.05.2008 09:43 |
Well, food for brain of some people in this thread. Just two quotes from Brian talking about how he got into AC30s. 'I went to see Rory Gallagher at the Marquee club one night - and Rory had the sound that I was looking for. I just completely fell in love with it. I loitered around after the show to ask him how he got his sound, and Rory, being a real gentleman - I was only a kid and he was a star - told me "Well, Brian, it's basically the AC30 and I have this little treble booster, it's a Rangemaster. That's what makes it sing." So the very next day I went out scouring the secondhand shops for an AC30 and a Rangemaster' - Brian, January 2008 'I plugged into all different amplifiers and I never could quite get what I needed. One day I walked into Top Gear in Wardour Street and there were some AC30s. I plugged into an AC30 with a little treble booster and suddenly the sound was there, it just sang to me. And that was it.' - Brian, Autumn 2005 Both quotes not contradicts each other - he went to the shop (I've not idea about Top Gear being the secondhand shop though) and there was AC30, but guys, let's be honest stories are a little bit different. He went for AC30 because Rory told him and he loved the sound or he 'plugged into all' and then SUDDENLY the sound was in AC30? There's still possibility that the sound could be in Rory's guitar and there wouldn't be magic with the Red Special so he tried and suddenly the sound was there, okay, assumption only though, but anyway 'plugged into all' and 'I went out scouring the secondhand shops for an AC30' are not identical. I'm not declaring that Brian is liar, who am I to judge and open my mouth on the man who wrote '39? But his words are really fishily different from the year to year. |
| Donna13 09.05.2008 10:12 |
This thread is still very interesting to me and there have been some really good posts in the last 24 hours. I nominate this as thread of the year. Haha. Interviews are usually about the current or upcoming project - for promotion purposes only, but it is a waste, really. Some of the stuff could just be taken from a press release. I did think the Guitar Player magazine article did a good job. But there is so much more interesting information there I think. Probably a lot of these interviewers are not knowledgeable enough to ask a good follow-up question. It would be great to read a book on all this with lots and lots of original information from Brian and Roger (and hopefully John). Maybe they are working on such a thing but are not talking about it at this point. I hope so. If they wait until they are in their 80's I think they might need the help of brain stimulation. But maybe by then it will be a common thing, like going to the dentist. Ha. |
| Boy Thomas Raker 09.05.2008 10:13 |
Whether or not Brian is full of shit about this Paul Rodgers stuff, let's remember that at the time, Queen was struggling to get out there and just get their first album released. Paul Rodgers was the front man in a rock band that was popular and respected. Freddie Mercury was selling his drummer's jackets in a clothing stall to avoid the indignity of having to travel on a bus. Why wouldn't or couldn't Paul Rodgers be a hero to him? He was "doing it" and Freddie was a clothing salesman. Look at Sir GH. I think the musical's goofy, haven't seen it and won't see it because it holds no attraction to me. But as I sit in my room and jam along to Queen on my iTunes, would I trade places with Sir GH? In a heartbeat. He's out there "doing it", he loves what he's doing and there is a great honour and getting out there and living your dreams. Paul Rodgers was living his dream, and Freddie's dream also. I find that worthy of admiration, and if he didn't use the words "Paul Rodgers is MY HERO", I would bet that Paul Rodgers was "A" hero to Freddie because he was doing it. |
| Sebastian 09.05.2008 11:17 |
'A' hero maybe, as well as many many others. 'One of his all-time favourites', absolutely not. |
| kingogre 09.05.2008 11:26 |
Agree with the above post. Paul should have been one of the singers Freddie would have looked up to in the early days. As a beginning singer/frontman looking at other artists for inspiration or learning Paul is a very good bet for one of the places where he would have looked. Also: tried to post this earlier but it seems it got lost somehow. It clearly means that Queen were influenced by Free in their formative years. Brian has numerous times said that Paul Kossoff was an early hero of his, but maybe he is lying about that too. It also shows that the Paul Rodgers/Free mentionings dont come from nothing. Both Brian and Roger has also mentioned the band going to Free concerts. Furthermore Free as has been mentioned were the centre of the same musicscene that members of Queen were part of during that time. There is no arguing about Frees influence on British rock in those days. Next to Led Zeppelin they were the cream of the crop. Edison Lighthouse were a studio-only non-hit wonder bubble-gum band, Dave Edmunds was associated with the London blues-rock-scene, but mostly recorded novelty songs like sabre dance on those days. Black Sabbath were a Birmingham-band. Why Paul hasnt been mentioned earlier is anyones guess, maybe the band were to image-conscious too mention Free that virtually everyone in the same position as themselves were influenced by, maybe they didnt want to associate themselves with the more macho-rock of Pauls later band Bad Company, maybe they wanted to gain a mystique about themselves. Also these kind of mentionings seem to turn up when the artist in question is newsworthy somehow. Lennon for example after he died, Hendrix has had numerous revivals. Paul has always been very much been musicians favourite. My main point is that what Brian and Roger has said seems rather logical to me. Apart from Rogers quote about Paul being one of Freddies all-time favourite singers I cant see them saying anything else than that Paul was a favourite of Freddie in the early days. But maybe we interpret it differently:) |
| Donna13 09.05.2008 12:03 |
Serry... wrote: Well, food for brain of some people in this thread. Just two quotes from Brian talking about how he got into AC30s. 'I went to see Rory Gallagher at the Marquee club one night - and Rory had the sound that I was looking for. I just completely fell in love with it. I loitered around after the show to ask him how he got his sound, and Rory, being a real gentleman - I was only a kid and he was a star - told me "Well, Brian, it's basically the AC30 and I have this little treble booster, it's a Rangemaster. That's what makes it sing." So the very next day I went out scouring the secondhand shops for an AC30 and a Rangemaster' - Brian, January 2008 'I plugged into all different amplifiers and I never could quite get what I needed. One day I walked into Top Gear in Wardour Street and there were some AC30s. I plugged into an AC30 with a little treble booster and suddenly the sound was there, it just sang to me. And that was it.' - Brian, Autumn 2005 Both quotes not contradicts each other - he went to the shop (I've not idea about Top Gear being the secondhand shop though) and there was AC30, but guys, let's be honest stories are a little bit different. He went for AC30 because Rory told him and he loved the sound or he 'plugged into all' and then SUDDENLY the sound was in AC30? There's still possibility that the sound could be in Rory's guitar and there wouldn't be magic with the Red Special so he tried and suddenly the sound was there, okay, assumption only though, but anyway 'plugged into all' and 'I went out scouring the secondhand shops for an AC30' are not identical. I'm not declaring that Brian is liar, who am I to judge and open my mouth on the man who wrote '39? But his words are really fishily different from the year to year.You should try talking to my grandmother. Well, I also don't see the two versions as conflicting. I guess it would just be a matter of asking for clarification. It could be put together like this: "I plugged into all different amplifiers and I never could quite get what I needed.... I went to see Rory Gallagher at the Marquee club one night - and Rory had the sound that I was looking for. I just completely fell in love with it. I loitered around after the show to ask him how he got his sound, and Rory, being a real gentleman - I was only a kid and he was a star - told me "Well, Brian, it's basically the AC30 and I have this little treble booster, it's a Rangemaster. That's what makes it sing." So the very next day I went out scouring the secondhand shops for an AC30 and a Rangemaster.... I walked into Top Gear in Wardour Street and there were some AC30s. I plugged into an AC30 with a little treble booster and suddenly the sound was there, it just sang to me. And that was it." |
| Serry... 09.05.2008 12:29 |
Yes, it's possible, but as you see we have to mix those quotes in the special way, add some of our imagination, then add a dash of salt and say 'It could be like that'. Could? Could. Couldn't? Couldn't. But why the story can't be the same whenever someone asks about it (meeting with Rory wasn't that important? He said himself 'he was a star' and he was a boy, this legend about Rory's advice should be repeating thru the decades, IMO, just like another one about Hendrix asking 'Which is way')? Why the new details are always appearing to the event that was short in terms of time and which happened damned 40 years ago? I don't make conclusions, I'm asking - why? It's like to talk with the girl when you wanna know if she's single or not: I was married once... Was? Great! Now I'm married for the second time. Ouch... And I have the kid. Jesus... Three. Three kids actually. New facts come with new quotes about the SAME event. That's just an example how Brian's memory works, it's not something like 'He didn't met with Rory', it's more like (IMO) - he still can't find the answer for himself what was more important for him - Rory's advice, the sound, the illumination of truth about the amps in the secondhand shop Top Gear. It's a well-known that Brian is a good friend of Paul for many years. 'Smile' was billed once above 'Free' on one event and that thrilled Brian; Brian's invited Paul on Guitar Legends in 1991; Brian's thanked him in Back To The Light; Brian's played on Paul's track, 'cause bass line was 'reminiscent' of Crazy Little Thing Called Love for Brian, etc. etc. etc. But on other hand some biographies says that Paul Rodgers and Queen knew each other very well since the mid-70s though Paul himself (or someone else, I don't remember sorry) said that he met with Freddie just once, told him 'Hello' and that's it. No any "knew each other very well". Paul's quotes about Freddie are respecteful, but sober on other hand, "I didn't always rush out to buy the Queen's new albums"; he's trying not to talk about Freddie, not to make remarks about him, he's more level-headed towards Freddie than Freddie towards him in Brian's version. |
| on my way up 09.05.2008 15:30 |
I'm sure Freddie amdired many many people. And Paul was a star when Queen wasn't even founded. So at that time all talented artists who made it were probably huge examples for the guys from Queen who wanted to make it themselves. Freddie was not the incredible singer we all adore in the early 70's so I can easily believe Brian. And it has been said before: Brian and Roger KNEW freddie personally. Brian stated in an interview for ' seven ages of rock' that Freddie tought The Police was going to be huge. I don't think Freddie even said that himself either and we all believe Brian there. |
| Donna13 10.05.2008 09:46 |
Serry: Yes, it's possible, but as you see we have to mix those quotes in the special way, add some of our imagination, then add a dash of salt and say 'It could be like that'. Could? Could. Couldn't? Couldn't. But why the story can't be the same whenever someone asks about it (meeting with Rory wasn't that important? He said himself 'he was a star' and he was a boy, this legend about Rory's advice should be repeating thru the decades, IMO, just like another one about Hendrix asking 'Which is way')? Why the new details are always appearing to the event that was short in terms of time and which happened damned 40 years ago? I don't make conclusions, I'm asking - why? Donna: I would guess that it would be a matter of how long Brian wanted his answer to be. For example, if he wanted to cut it short, he would probably go with the version where he walked into that one shop and plugged into an AC30 for the first time and how he remembered that special moment. Maybe he doesn't always want to go into the Rory thing. So, maybe it is a timing issue with the interview and Brian's schedule. Serry: It's like to talk with the girl when you wanna know if she's single or not: I was married once... Was? Great! Now I'm married for the second time. Ouch... And I have the kid. Jesus... Three. Three kids actually. Donna: Did this really happen to you? Haha. Serry: New facts come with new quotes about the SAME event. That's just an example how Brian's memory works, it's not something like 'He didn't met with Rory', it's more like (IMO) - he still can't find the answer for himself what was more important for him - Rory's advice, the sound, the illumination of truth about the amps in the secondhand shop Top Gear. Donna: Hmm. You could ask him. Serry: It's a well-known that Brian is a good friend of Paul for many years. 'Smile' was billed once above 'Free' on one event and that thrilled Brian; Brian's invited Paul on Guitar Legends in 1991; Brian's thanked him in Back To The Light; Brian's played on Paul's track, 'cause bass line was 'reminiscent' of Crazy Little Thing Called Love for Brian, etc. etc. etc. But on other hand some biographies says that Paul Rodgers and Queen knew each other very well since the mid-70s though Paul himself (or someone else, I don't remember sorry) said that he met with Freddie just once, told him 'Hello' and that's it. No any "knew each other very well". Donna: It might be the writer thought "knew each other" (music/talent/career) meant that they all knew each other as friends, Freddie included. Serry: Paul's quotes about Freddie are respecteful, but sober on other hand, "I didn't always rush out to buy the Queen's new albums"; he's trying not to talk about Freddie, not to make remarks about him, he's more level-headed towards Freddie than Freddie towards him in Brian's version. Donna: True. I think he was aware of Freddie's talent, but obviously, he was not a big fan of their music. (I need some little emoticons here: laughing, questioning, sad, crying, rolling eyes, blank stare, mouth open....) |
| Yara 11.05.2008 09:33 |
I think it all boils down to the fact that Freddie's death was a powerful, all too powerful blow on Brian and Roger and John. Losing Freddie was like losing a part of himself - the guy, as a musician, had always Freddie in the back of his mind and was as shaped by Freddie as a musician as he was as a human being. This sentence is likely true: "Freddie IS such a huge influence on Brian's music and life". If you keep in mind that, apart from losing a friend and a band mate, Brian actually lost one of his main musical references: he may have had whatever disagreements with Freddie on studio, but the fact is that he wrote the songs for Freddie and thinking about Freddie's voice and style and input. He looks like a teenager watching Freddie's performance in Montreal, 1981, of "Save Me": he tells how beautiful was Freddie's rendition of the song. And then all gets silent, and the guy does seem to stop to listen to Freddie once again, and to watch him sing, and there's this feeling of: "That was the song I wrote? I couldn't have thought it was SO beautiful and good", and you can translate it as: "I dind't know Freddie knew me so much...". So, it's a terrific blow. You keep watching the guy being interview in the 90's, he's devastated. Freddie must not have been the only reason, for sure, but the guy is devastated. In Budapest, 1993, in a famous interview, he even says what many people say TODAY: "There's no Queen team without Freddie", and he keeps repeating that he wants to "make that clear". In an interview in 2008, he says, en passant, as a side comment when talking about the single for "say it's not true", that, well, they kept the name "Queen" because in fact he couldn't come up with a better name, so: Queen + Paul Rodgers. He says Rodgers sounds quite good, but then, what's really striking, he says: "It still sound like us, doesn't it?", because the ending has that, epic atmosphere. So it's like he's saying: "We still sound, here and there, as if we were the Queen team with Freddie, but we're not "us" anymore". It's kind of funny to listen to a guy say: "It still sound like us, doesn't it?". lol Well, it should because they are doing the music, but what he meant is that it sounds like us (Queen with John and Freddie), but it's NOT Queen as most people, and he himself I think, understand it. The quotes are very easy to understand. The guy feels, still feels after all these years, that he has, on a personal and emotional level, to justify what he's doing in the eyes of a guy who passed away more than 10 years ago. He didn't have to - but I think it comforts him and gives him strenght to think that Freddie is in someway there, that Freddie would be saying his "ok" to it all and happy for the guys to keep going on with the music. So, even if what they're saying is not quite accurate (maybe exaggerated, and so on) on the factual level, it's true on the emotional level: they do think that Freddie's there in someway and that saying that Rodgers was such an influence on Freddie is like saying they still have Freddie in someway or another: it's the way he deals with all this stuff. It's true on a personal, emotional level: I do believe that, for him, Freddie is still in the back of his mind as a musician and "there" with the guys, watching it all and so on. Did he lie? Thinking about it better, no, I don't think so. Rodgers must have been an influence on Freddie's early career and a wrong perception of things isn't the same as a lie. I think that's the way Brian actually see things: he needs Freddie on various levels and he's saying just that, the truth, that he still needs Freddie's influence, presence, friendship and approval. It was a very oblique way of telling something that I believe is true for him. It'd be a lie if he was thinking: "I know Freddie |
| Donna13 11.05.2008 11:02 |
Excellent post, Yara. |
| kingogre 11.05.2008 12:46 |
Im not really a big fan of calling it Queen+Paul Rodgers, but I also understand that the Queen name gives the project a completely different status that May-Taylor-Rodgers or something like that when it comes to marketing, the sort of venues they would play and so on. If they were called something new they it would be like their soloalbums and tours a matter for the biggest fans and I dont think they want to do that. It also seemed like Paul wouldnt have been so keen on doing the album if that had been the case. They can certainly handle the big arenas so why should they play in theatres. They are in some way trying to carry on the Queen-legacy aswell, as much as it can be done today. I seriously believe that theyve wanted to do another album and tour for a long time, like theyve got unfinished business. Like Elton John once said "It must be like having a Rolls Royce in the garage and not have a driving license" And this is pretty much their last chance to do it. "So John doesnt want to be a part of it, thats bad but well do it ourselves instead." Also as has been said many times, it was their band so they can do ultimately do what they want with it. Freddie is dead and John doesnt want to be a member anymore so that leaves them as whats left of the band. Apart from Freddies vocals they can still recreate that Queen sound aswell. And playing as a band with a fabolous singer like Paul is way better than being a cabaret-act playing We will rock you and We are the champions like in Amsterdam. Personally I really want to hear some new music aswell, much more than having another repackaging of the same songs or another DVD with an 80´s performance. Being a fairly young fan, Ive never experienced the buzz of a new Queen album or even a soloalbum so Im excited about it for that reason aswell. What Im trying to say is that while I dont really like the idea of Queen without Freddie and John I still support what Brian and Roger are doing for these reasons. Got a bit off topic here but I felt this fitted in. Excellent post Yara, youve got many good points in my opinion! |
| Dusta 13.05.2008 07:26 |
Yara, you continue to amaze me with your insight. Such a lovely post. And, damned funny, too. I was laughing out loud at your, "fan girl screaming," bits... Are you quite certain you are not a fifty year old music professor? |
| Donna13 13.05.2008 11:24 |
Dusta wrote: Yara, you continue to amaze me with your insight. Such a lovely post. And, damned funny, too. I was laughing out loud at your, "fan girl screaming," bits... Are you quite certain you are not a fifty year old music professor?You were laughing? Ha. I was crying. This part from Yara got me reaching for my Kleenex: "I think it all boils down to the fact that Freddie's death was a powerful, all too powerful blow on Brian and Roger and John. Losing Freddie was like losing a part of himself - the guy, as a musician, had always Freddie in the back of his mind and was as shaped by Freddie as a musician as he was as a human being. This sentence is likely true: "Freddie IS such a huge influence on Brian's music and life". If you keep in mind that, apart from losing a friend and a band mate, Brian actually lost one of his main musical references: he may have had whatever disagreements with Freddie on studio, but the fact is that he wrote the songs for Freddie and thinking about Freddie's voice and style and input. He looks like a teenager watching Freddie's performance in Montreal, 1981, of "Save Me": he tells how beautiful was Freddie's rendition of the song. And then all gets silent, and the guy does seem to stop to listen to Freddie once again, and to watch him sing, and there's this feeling of: "That was the song I wrote? I couldn't have thought it was SO beautiful and good", and you can translate it as: "I dind't know Freddie knew me so much...". So, it's a terrific blow. You keep watching the guy being interview in the 90's, he's devastated. Freddie must not have been the only reason, for sure, but the guy is devastated." |
| vadenuez 13.05.2008 15:21 |
Yara, why do you waste your talents in a music forum? your writing is amazing... you should be writing your first book instead, really! You know exactly what do you want to say and how to say it. You almost convinced myself (an old Q+PR is not Queen supporter ;-)). Ok, you didn't convince me, but now I can see Brian's point of view under a different light. Keep it up! |
| Yara 13.05.2008 18:16 |
You gave me a warm welcome, kind words and understanding, I thank you all! :-))) But it's been no bed of roses...hahaha. Thanks, guys, but I love "talking" to people here and I learn a whole lot. So, again, thank you. And...well, I'm much more childish and girlish than you can imagine. I wished the private messaging were working. :-( |
| 12yrslouetta 13.05.2008 18:51 |
Damn, Im much more cynical. If Queen+PR want to sell they have to convince the huge amount of Queen fans and the record buying public that its credible, and what better way than to say that "Paul Rodgers was freddies idol". Thats like an endorsment from Freddie Mercury himself. Doesnt matter whether its true or not really, its surely just a sound business move. And as the release date gets closer, im guessing theyll ramp up the "freddie would definately love this album", "freddie tried to model his voice on paul" and "freddie tried to control stadium audiences like he was paul rodgers" quotes. Itll be interesting to see how the album sells in this age of the ipod |
| Dusta 13.05.2008 19:52 |
I also was moved to tears by the bulk of the post, which is why the, "screaming fangirl," bits caught me off guard, and, made me laugh.
Donna13 wrote:Dusta wrote: Yara, you continue to amaze me with your insight. Such a lovely post. And, damned funny, too. I was laughing out loud at your, "fan girl screaming," bits... Are you quite certain you are not a fifty year old music professor?You were laughing? Ha. I was crying. This part from Yara got me reaching for my Kleenex: "I think it all boils down to the fact that Freddie's death was a powerful, all too powerful blow on Brian and Roger and John. Losing Freddie was like losing a part of himself - the guy, as a musician, had always Freddie in the back of his mind and was as shaped by Freddie as a musician as he was as a human being. This sentence is likely true: "Freddie IS such a huge influence on Brian's music and life". If you keep in mind that, apart from losing a friend and a band mate, Brian actually lost one of his main musical references: he may have had whatever disagreements with Freddie on studio, but the fact is that he wrote the songs for Freddie and thinking about Freddie's voice and style and input. He looks like a teenager watching Freddie's performance in Montreal, 1981, of "Save Me": he tells how beautiful was Freddie's rendition of the song. And then all gets silent, and the guy does seem to stop to listen to Freddie once again, and to watch him sing, and there's this feeling of: "That was the song I wrote? I couldn't have thought it was SO beautiful and good", and you can translate it as: "I dind't know Freddie knew me so much...". So, it's a terrific blow. You keep watching the guy being interview in the 90's, he's devastated. Freddie must not have been the only reason, for sure, but the guy is devastated." |
| Ken8 13.05.2008 23:37 |
May might be trying to justify it to himself, but it comes over as tacky. It's all about selling tickets and CD's. If Freddie's premature passing is still being dealt with emotionally by May, and the album and tour is all for AIDS charities, then I'll shut up. I don't begrudge anyone making a buck, but these guys have made millions, and good on them. What makes so many cynical is obvious, unless you're a dyed in the wool May apologist. |