| Queen Matt 24.11.2009 07:35 |
I was just thinking were Brian & Roger disrepectul To Freddie after he died because after he died Brian was putting out Back to the light and touring and Roger was touring with the Cross was it too quick after Freddie |
| pittrek 24.11.2009 08:09 |
No |
| pma 24.11.2009 10:20 |
Yes, they were literally dancing on his grave. And releasing those solo ventures immediately after his death did not help. Brian May went as far as deliberately hiding brilliant songs from the band during the Innuendo sessions so that he could later release those gems on his solo album. Unfortunately a cat ate the demo tapes, which contained those brilliant gems, and that's why he recorded "Back to the Light" instead. |
| GratefulFan 24.11.2009 10:28 |
Brian's own thoughts on the matter, via a piece written a few days after Mercury's death: "Not surprisingly, Mercury's last words to May sang of outrageous wit. The guitarist's first solo studio album is due out in May, and his first solo single was recently released in England. When Mercury's condition began to deteriorate, May began to feel uncomfortable about turning out product while his bandmate of 20 years was confined to bed. Explains May: "I was a little upset about the timing of my record. It had taken me all of these years to get something together. Then it was already about to hit the shops in England, my solo record, when he was just about to go. “And I started to feel worried because I felt like it was a tasteless thing to have a record out while this was happening to him. I didn't want to go out and be grinning on a stage and performing when he was slipping away. I felt really bad about it. "Well," continues May with a sigh, "the last quote from Freddie that came to me was actually through our manager. I'd seen Freddie the previous day, but hadn't realized how close it all was. “And our manager was there the next day, and he said to Freddie: 'Look, Brian's a bit worried and he feels like it might hurt your feelings or it might not be the best time to have all this stuff happening.' “And Freddie said: 'Don't be stupid, darling, it's the best publicity you could have.' So right to the end he was able to maintain his sense of humor, even knowing that he was probably not going to last the weekend." Full article at http://www.brianmayinterview.com/ There was some tension surrounding it though, as I saw a later interview with Roger Taylor that referenced the timing. The interviewer was basically poking Taylor implying that Brian has said uncharitable things about the success of his work with 'The Cross". Taylor snapped that he didn't really want to hear what Brian had to say because Brian's solo work came out around the time of Freddie's death. The implication was that Brian had benefited from that timing and it had been in poor taste. It was during that time that it seemed that Roger and John were of like minds on things and Brian was a bit on the outs. |
| pittrek 24.11.2009 11:39 |
Sorry guys but it's Freddie who died. Not Brian, not Roger. |
| jonno 24.11.2009 13:26 |
I must tell you that Roger Taylor showed a great deal of respect when Freddie Mercury died. Contrary to what you believe Roger had completed touring in Europe and furthermore - and more pointedly - WITHDREW his new European release with The Cross which was the single Life Changes out of respect for Freddie. I can also tell you that some people suggested he would benefit from the publicity by bringing The Cross back to the UK to tour during 1992 which he was not interested in doing despite the fact the band by that stage had enjoyed commercial success in Germany and other European countries. He had no interest whatsoever in capitalising on Freddie's death for his own solo gain. Indeed, his whole approach with The Cross was organic insofar as he didn't even want promoters to use the Queen connection to shift tickets which was commendable but would have made far more commercial sense. I think that Brian May, being a very pleasant, considerate man did genuinely have misgivings about his release at the time and I personally think it was an error of judgment going ahead with it. He benefited commercially no end from the publicity that came to him with Freddie's death without him actively going out looking for it, that is undeniable. Referring to another commentator's point, Brian may have withheld Too Much Love Will Kill You from Queen in 1988/9 because he felt it was very personal to him, possibly even inappropriate to present to Queen given Freddie's situation and further more it was co-written by two other people and that wouldn't have fitted with Queen's in house policy. |
| GratefulFan 24.11.2009 13:57 |
First Jonno, welcome. :) Great Taylor history there - thanks. "Too Much Love Will Kill You" was recorded with Mercury on vocals in 87 or 88 or around there and was slated for 'The Miracle', but there was some kind of problem with publishing rights or something for May's cowriters at that time. Mercury's version eventually of course showed up on "Made in Heaven". I actually like May's rendition better - I think because it was such a personal song to him, that showed. |
| Sebastian 24.11.2009 14:24 |
I don't think it's disrespectful to release a record at that moment. I do think it's disrespectful to put words on a dead man's mouth (e.g. saying Paul Rodgers was Freddie's favourite singer). |
| mooghead 24.11.2009 15:21 |
The only disrespectful thing they have done in MY OPINION is record a new record and gone back on the road as Queen with a different singer. I have heard their reasons but at the end of the day their reasons are 'we have to use the 'Queen' brand, fewer people would be interested if we were called something else'. i.e we would make less money. Hateful. |
| Bo Rhap 24.11.2009 15:42 |
Oh dont be silly. Thats not hateful. Freddie would not have stood in their way of continuing their career as Queen.As far as i'm concerned they had the best singer that they could possibly get in Paul Rodgers.He did not imitate Freddie.And that is to his credit. |
| mooghead 24.11.2009 16:07 |
Bo Rhap wrote: Oh dont be silly. Thats not hateful. Freddie would not have stood in their way of continuing their career as Queen.As far as i'm concerned they had the best singer that they could possibly get in Paul Rodgers.He did not imitate Freddie.And that is to his credit. "Freddie would not have stood in their way of continuing their career as Queen" You simply do not know that. If thats what Brian and Roger said well, what else would they say.....? My opinion, as yours is yours. Ok not hateful. Detestful. |
| Thistle 24.11.2009 16:18 |
I agree with Bo Rhap. We wanted something new, we got it. When they (Queen and Rodgers) got together, it sparked waves of excitement, I seem to recall. Whilst I was initially against it, I soon came to realise that Paul Rodgers would not be a replacement of Freddie but an excellent singer who would do Queen songs justice in his own style and that this would ultimately provide a means for me seeing my heroes live on stage at last. And the addition of Free and Bad Company hits to the live setlist was a welcome bonus, IMO. Rodgers is a fantastic vocalist and, whilst not in the same ilk as our dear Mr. Mercury, was not there to dance on his grave or to imitate - and he certainly admitted himself that he was not there to do so or to take anything away from the "Queen" brand. That collaboration provided us a service and we should be thankful for that. Moving back onto topic, I would say that Brian's release of "Back To The Light" perhaps looked like poor timing but was certainly not disrespectful. Brian was (sorry, is) just as important a part of Queen as Freddie was, and has every right to make music and live on the fruits of a name he was an important part of (although this is not license to produce another hits album lol). If Freddie saw no harm in it, then that's testament to the great man we all know he was. I don't think Brian released the album so close to Freddie's death just for added sympathy sales. And Roger is a gentleman. We all know he cancelled single releases and tour dates out of respect. Maybe Brian's release of BTTL was out of respect for Freddie's wishes. And I'm sure that they would have been that the remaining members kept their drive and passion and, to nick a phrase, that the show went on. As I grow older, I am not so much the stepford I used to be and I am of the opinion that the current release of AG, the appearances on the X factor and the apparent urge to turn up at the opening of a crisp packet from BM and RT has kind of killed the legacy, the name, and the values of Queen just a little. But no doubt, I'll find my way home again and deep down I know I love those two really. But in no way are they disrespectful. They loved Freddie as much as we still do. I still miss you Freddie. |
| ParisNair 24.11.2009 18:10 |
Sebastian wrote: I don't think it's disrespectful to release a record at that moment. I do think it's disrespectful to put words on a dead man's mouth (e.g. saying Paul Rodgers was Freddie's favourite singer).Wow!! OK, Bian and Roger claimed that PR was Freddie's fav singer when it suited them but by posting it in every other thread you've beaten it to death. They have all moved on to other things, so let it go man. |
| ParisNair 24.11.2009 18:21 |
What ever they have done, Brian and Roger have been simply carrying on with their lives. In no way have they been disrespectful to Freddie IMO. Everyone has commitments and obligations has it is not always possible to just cancel plans already made. And if Freddie had already given is blessings to Brian to carry on with the work and release of his solo album then I think Brian did the right thing in not chnging his plans. That is what Freddie would definitley have wanted, and you don't have to be Peter Freestone to understand that. |
| Joeker 24.11.2009 19:05 |
Both of them going out and doing their own solo recordings, albums, and tours were their way of dealing with the pain. Keeping busy takes your mind off pain alot of the time. Not disrespectful at all. |
| Bo Rhap 24.11.2009 20:25 |
Thistleboy 1980 wrote: I agree with Bo Rhap. We wanted something new, we got it. When they (Queen and Rodgers) got together, it sparked waves of excitement, I seem to recall. Whilst I was initially against it, I soon came to realise that Paul Rodgers would not be a replacement of Freddie but an excellent singer who would do Queen songs justice in his own style and that this would ultimately provide a means for me seeing my heroes live on stage at last. And the addition of Free and Bad Company hits to the live setlist was a welcome bonus, IMO. Rodgers is a fantastic vocalist and, whilst not in the same ilk as our dear Mr. Mercury, was not there to dance on his grave or to imitate - and he certainly admitted himself that he was not there to do so or to take anything away from the "Queen" brand. That collaboration provided us a service and we should be thankful for that. Moving back onto topic, I would say that Brian's release of "Back To The Light" perhaps looked like poor timing but was certainly not disrespectful. Brian was (sorry, is) just as important a part of Queen as Freddie was, and has every right to make music and live on the fruits of a name he was an important part of (although this is not license to produce another hits album lol). If Freddie saw no harm in it, then that's testament to the great man we all know he was. I don't think Brian released the album so close to Freddie's death just for added sympathy sales. And Roger is a gentleman. We all know he cancelled single releases and tour dates out of respect. Maybe Brian's release of BTTL was out of respect for Freddie's wishes. And I'm sure that they would have been that the remaining members kept their drive and passion and, to nick a phrase, that the show went on. As I grow older, I am not so much the stepford I used to be and I am of the opinion that the current release of AG, the appearances on the X factor and the apparent urge to turn up at the opening of a crisp packet from BM and RT has kind of killed the legacy, the name, and the values of Queen just a little. But no doubt, I'll find my way home again and deep down I know I love those two really. But in no way are they disrespectful. They loved Freddie as much as we still do. I still miss you Freddie. Thistleboy. I totally and whole-heartedly agree with you in everything that you have said.In actual fact,i couldnt have put it better myself. When i went to see Queen +Paul Rodgers last year at the S.E.C.C,i had every admiration for what Paul was doing.He was not,as you put it,there to dance on his grave.He did the Queen songs every justice.But he did them his way.And didnt try to copy Freddie.Also he helped bring Freddie's music to the youngsters of today who had not been around when Freddie was here. Freddie IS WAS AND ALWAYS WILL BE my hero.I saw him 9 times live in concert,along with the lads. |
| USQUEENFAN 24.11.2009 22:38 |
Well I must say that Elton John said right after Freddie passed that he felt Brian Roger and John were as a band like a ferrari not being driven meaning they are the heart of the greatest band on earth Im sure Bri and Rog gave John quite a few oppertunities to rejoin them and Paul every one with half a brain knew that Paul is a legend in his own right and Freddie Praised his work with free and bad co as well so hell no it wasnt disrespectful of them in the least infact i think it was the press that got to P.R. constantly about the comparisons and if he was trying to out do the mercurial one and i dont blame him they were making music for five years and those redundant questions kept on coming and coming i think he said i had enough thats my opinion if it wasnt for the idiotic press queen and pr would of toured north america last winter as for brian being disrespecful? another hell no reason being its on many others opinions on this thing here freddie told him to do it what better publicity do you want man when i read that that guy became a true god an icon he knew he was going to die he had his brilliant sense of humor up till the day he died i know u are up there with jimi john and many others go give elvis a kick in his ass he he i heard roger is going to do a brief tour with taylor hawkins? any chance of a so calif date? |
| The Real Wizard 24.11.2009 22:59 |
Thistleboy 1980 wrote: Whilst I was initially against it, I soon came to realise that Paul Rodgers would not be a replacement of Freddie but an excellent singer who would do Queen songs justice in his own style and that this would ultimately provide a means for me seeing my heroes live on stage at last. And the addition of Free and Bad Company hits to the live setlist was a welcome bonus, IMO. Rodgers is a fantastic vocalist and, whilst not in the same ilk as our dear Mr. Mercury, was not there to dance on his grave or to imitate - and he certainly admitted himself that he was not there to do so or to take anything away from the "Queen" brand. That collaboration provided us a service and we should be thankful for that. Superb post. |
| thunderbolt 31742 24.11.2009 23:29 |
My only thoughts on the matter: Do you really think Brian would have played "Love of My Life" on every subsequent tour he's done--and dedicated it to Freddie *every single freaking time* if he wasn't genuinely paying tribute to his fallen friend? Did the timing of BTTL help Brian? Sure. Did he plan it that way? No. No no no no no. |
| mike hunt 25.11.2009 02:19 |
pittrek wrote: Sorry guys but it's Freddie who died. Not Brian, not Roger. wow, your such a fucking genious!....I wish I had a mind like yours. I thought it was roger who was dead all this time. |
| skip 25.11.2009 02:47 |
mike hunt wrote:pittrek wrote: Sorry guys but it's Freddie who died. Not Brian, not Roger.wow, your such a fucking genious!....I wish I had a mind like yours. I thought it was roger who was dead all this time. And you're such a fucking idiot! BTW, it's you're, not your, dumbass. |
| javiera&Queen 25.11.2009 05:19 |
im not agree! I think that they werer shocked and the best way to think in another thing is doing what you like, besides i know that they still think in freddie everyday... and they were really right theres no one but him! only the good die young. (i think john was really shocked!) but i wanst even born so i dont know |
| prescott2811 25.11.2009 06:24 |
I don't think they were to be honest. All I know is Roger had to split up from the cross cos of freddies health reasons and he wanted to put his mind towards Queen and Innuendo at the time. With brian I think he struggled it took him a while to get back to the light album out. Roger spent the first 5 years after freds death at home, taking things easy n doing this and doing tha, and after a while wrote songs n had enough to make n album If u listen to Happiness? most of Roger had Fredd in the front of his mind... |
| john bodega 25.11.2009 10:33 |
So it is disrespecting a guy who believed in the concept of "The Show Must Go On" and literally lived the ideal until he croaked, by continuing to pursue one's goal in life?? Ouch!! I'd hate to live by some of the moral codes displayed on this forum, I'm sure I wouldn't be able to leave the house without someone insisting it was a grave offense to someone else! Haha. |
| Wiley 25.11.2009 11:53 |
Zebonka12 wrote: So it is disrespecting a guy who believed in the concept of "The Show Must Go On" and literally lived the ideal until he croaked, by continuing to pursue one's goal in life?? Ouch!! I'd hate to live by some of the moral codes displayed on this forum, I'm sure I wouldn't be able to leave the house without someone insisting it was a grave offense to someone else! Haha.Agree. That "church of Freddie" hollier-than-thou attitude annoys me. And don't get me started on other posters' redundant "X said Y was Z's favorite singer" posts. It wasn't funny the first time, why would it be funny the 20th time? Q+PR was good for what it was worth. Could have been better, maybe if Brian decided to go all the way in pursuing a new endeavour in the music business. The Cosmos Rocks was a half-hearted effort on his part, even if I think the overall result with Paul and Roger's input was "good". Ten years ago, I would have expected Brian to be the chief composer of any new Queen album, not Roger, but also I have noticed that in the last 5 years or so my respect has been gradually shifting from Brian to Roger. Roger being a lot nicer when I got both their autographs back in 2005 might have helped, hehe :). |
| dragon-fly 25.11.2009 12:15 |
I don't think they were disrespectful either. It was said enough about Roger. But as for Brian.... His life was the mess at that time- a death of his father, a divorce, the end of Queen and new project. Many things for a headache. He looked like a martyr (that's how I see it, anyway). As for John- I doubt there's a person who would blame him in disrespect for Freddie. |