Majority of similar topics focus on Freddie, but what are John, Brian and Roger's era's for best or most consistent of performances? I ask because I just flicked through to Vh1 which is showing Wembley right now, and Freddie is mostly shouting his way through Tie Your Mother Down, yet the base is coming across so prominent.
I know John, Brian and Roger where accomplished performers, but what periods did they provide their best live work in your opinion?
Flip side... worst?
(I know Freddie had his nodules, but some of Brian's guitar work wasn't always mind blowing imo)
EDIT : I'm aware I didn't mention Brian in the topic heading, but as I wrote I realised that it is mostly Freddie who gets the attention on these boards... so thought he deserved to be included.
Have to agree.... John came into his own later on... funky dance moves and dressing to get noticed, until the mid 80's I think he always ever saw himself as 'just' the bass player. Roger was best about the same time I think.
Conclusion... Queen got better as time went on......
Artistically John is very indispensable element of the Queen image. You may compare him to King Crimson's Robert Fripp, who's appearance on scene is almost invisible, however he's necessary to the whole image of the band.
Johns bass playing was best live around the mid to late 70's. In the 80's he dumbed it down a bit and started using picks. For example, he stopped playing the studio version chorus and solo bassline of tie your mother down in the 80's and didn't do the bass work during the intro of WATC all the time. They are only two examples, but his bass playing was better in the 70's live performances, however is stage presence was better in the 80's.
In the Rock Montreal DVD Roger and Brian comment on John's performance. Roger says something like "John is really charged up today" or something like that. and Brian says something like "Interesting what it does to people when they know they are on camera". LOL!!