| Silken 08.02.2011 11:10 |
Taken from "Pelo" Magazine, March 1981 --------------------------------------------------- A long trail of consequences Queen's tour left a trail of consequences in different fields: in show organization, in press, in Argentinian musicians and, of course, in the audience. Everyone, in the course of time, will benefit from this. But these shows are giving a yield that not many Argentinians know: Queen, at their own expense, invited a large number of journalists from all over the world. The results of these visitors are already appearing: two weeks ago, Melody Maker, England's most important music magazine, dedicated two spectacular pages to Queen's performance in Argentina. In that chronicle they praised the warmth of the local people, the organization that Queen and everybody envolved enjoyed, and highlighted the opening of a great market for international rock. It is good that Argentina begins to be well known for the rest of the world. And it is very good that this happens through the rock audience. Because that people are not only audience, they are also the ones who support our own rock music, the ones who go to massive concerts, the one that in those concerts, including Queen's, do the peace symbol, and practice peace. They are the ones who look for beauty and art through music. And it is a good thing that the world knows about it. In this series of articles, you will find one about a dinner that "Pelo Magazine" shared with the four members of Queen. There we told Brian May "Queen will never have an idea of how you have helped the Argentinian people and the Argentinian rock music with your performances here". Brian May answered that he had the feeling that he was doing something more than just playing on a stage, and that he was touched and happy, especially as a human being. And he meant it. Over and above what each one of you might think about Queen music and their shows, one thing is true: they showed us their good vibes. Probably because we treated them in the same way. -- Arrival - The band and their delegation arrived at Mar del Plata airport six hours before the concert. A great number of people were waiting for them in the airport hall and its surroundings, waiting for the moment they could get close to the musicians. The departure to the hotel was cinematographic, with patrol cars with sirens on, while a group of fans in motorbikes were unsuccessfully trying to get close to the cars. Security - Despite the deployment in the first moments, there were serious security problems at the Mar del Plata stadium. During the show many people entered through forbidden places and try to get to the stage. After that, Queen had a meeting, the four of them alone. The proposal that followed was clear: if they didn't have the necessary security guarantees, there would be no show in Rosario. Show - The show in Mar del Plata was the poorest of the tour. The members of the band were nervous due to the evident security problems and they had to deal with some inconveniences on stage and back stage. Brian May had his dark night: he first broke a string of his guitar and when he replaced it he realized that the new one wasn't working properly either. He gave up his solo. Friends - The only ones within the group that are friends with each other are Roger Taylor and Brian May. Together with photographer Neal Preston they make an inseparable trio. The rest: each one cares about their own lives, but it's not true that there is tension or that they don't talk to each other, as it is rumoured. Help - The translators worked very hard but were always willing to help anyone in need. They were an indispensable link between the band and the press. Professionals - The professionalism with which the group worked all the time was extraordinary. Something very difficult to achieve by local organizers, accostumed to the flexibility of our bands. But they soon had to get ready to keep up with the precise and strict rhythm of the band's activities. Rehearsal - It was surprising the professionalism displayed by the musicians during the soundchecks. They come separately and each one tries their instrument and voice. Then the four go on stage together and play a song. Then the technician asks them to briefly play some notes and quickly adjusts the sound. Change - After the tension suffered in Mar del Plata, everything changed in Rosario. Security worked perfectly and the band performed one of the best shows in the tour. Despite a persistent drizzle, the audience (thirty thousand people) was receptive and created the adequate framework for Queen to do a brilliant concert. Gesture - It was unusual because Mercury is the less demostrative member of the band. At the end of the show in Rosario, Mercury was given some flowers. Outside, a group of policewomen were standing guard. Unexpectedly Mercury appeared tossing the flowers, that were caught by a happy policewoman. Film - During every show, the making of the film "Queen on tourne" continued, for which eight cameras were used. The film will be completed with images from the San Pablo and Rio concerts, in Brazil. Of course, there will also be images from the american and japanese tours. Press - The Mar del Plata press was the less competent: newspapers commented on the concert in a sensationalist tone and lacking real information, for example "John Deacon is an excellent drummer" and "Roger Taylor is a great bass player". Set list - The show was the same every time. After the first gig in Buenos Aires they added "Somebody to love" and "Fat Bottomed Girls". At the farewell concert in Buenos Aires there was another change: they added one more song, the show started with an ardent version of "Jailhouse rock". Prices - The band members and their assistants were surprised by the prices of different products. The musicians complained about how expensive everything was compared to Europe and USA, and recommended their staff to reduce their extra expenses. The most affected was the official photographer, Neal Preston, who had to buy roll film. He was astonished at the extremely high costs of photography materials in Argentina. Comment - On their way back to Buenos Aires, all the band members agreed that the Argentinian audience was one of the best. They even pointed out that some mistakes in the organization (due to lack of experience in this kind of events) had been solved with the best of intentions by the organizers, and that the love of people had minimized every problem. Tension - There were some tense moments before the beginning of the last concert at Velez Sarsfield. The stadium was crowded and there were people fighting for entering. Some of them fainted and needed medical assistance. The police had to cut the wire fence in order to help those people. Farewell - Last dinner at the riverside path was very emotional. The whole group was visibly touched by what had happened a few hours earlier. Everyone felt the sense of relief after the nervous preliminary hours. May, Deacon, Mercury and Taylor agreed that the Argentinian tour was a milestone in Queen's career. |
| Silken 08.02.2011 11:19 |
Additional translation - captions Photos page 2 May, carrying his child, gets off the plane in Mar del Plata Prenter and Mercury had their hair cut before they travelled to Mar del Plata May arrives at the stadium besieged by local television Freddie Mercury and a guard waiting for the soundcheck Roger Taylor and his assistant exchanging ideas about the stadium. The soundcheck was an example of professionalism and promptness. Photos page 3 Strictly watched over, Queen enters the Mar del Plata stadium. Brian May had a dark night, the guitar failed during his solo. Mercury was inexplicably attacked by a sector of the audience. The equipment was moved in eight trucks like these. In Rosario security was tightened in order to avoid incidents. James Khalaf is responsible for Queen's sound. Photos page 4 During the soundcheck the band were in a better mood. More than thirty thousand people attended the show at Rosario Central. This time Mercury could communicate with the audience. In piano and guitar Brain May did a very good performance. Encouraged by the audience, Queen did a very hot show. In Rosario Mercury did one of the best performances of the tour. |
| Ruperto Pesto - FER 09.02.2011 09:08 |
Film - During every show, the making of the film "Queen on tourne" continued, for which eight cameras were used. The film will be completed with images from the San Pablo and Rio concerts, in Brazil. Of course, there will also be images from the american and japanese tours. *********************************************************************************************************************************** Thank you Silken for this posting. I have read it some time ago, but this quote above still call my attention. So, QP had several film takes we don't even know about this tour? |
| The Real Wizard 09.02.2011 23:21 |
Fantastic, Silken ! I've credited you on my website for your translation. There are a few very interesting points in there, but I'll focus on this one: "The film will be completed with images from the Sao Paulo and Rio concerts, in Brazil. Of course, there will also be images from the american and japanese tours." This article was written after the Argentina shows (March 8 being the last one), and the Rio show was scheduled for March 19... so the show was canceled very late in the game... perhaps even a week prior ! And one other thing.. "The show was the same every time." Almost .. on the first night they played the full medley, and dropped three of the songs for the rest of the shows. |
| Silken 10.02.2011 05:41 |
Sir GH, that's very nice of you! :) |
| Silken 11.02.2011 07:00 |
By the way, I didn't know that the Mar del Plata concert was originally scheduled to be in Córdoba (my hometown). I was only 18 months old back then, but still... :( It would have been a memorable event for our city. |