| qrock 29.07.2011 11:20 |
20 years ago in 1991, saddly we lost Freddie Mercury to AIDS. Queen had released their final album with Freddie that year and since his death they have only released the fairwell album Made in Heaven, countless numbers of re-released material and compilations and a collaboration with Paul Rogers. I would have been interested to see what Queen would have done if Freddie had never died at all and never contracted AIDS. So let's take a look at some of the crucial moments in the second half of Queen's career that determined their future. In the year 1981, Queen were at the height of their popularity and power after the release of the Game and the previous seven albums before that gave them a reputation of a Classic Rock band. They had released the succesful and well-made single Under Pressure with David Bowie so things were still looking good for the band. Come 1982, Queen continued to record their 10th Album and released another single called Body Language. Although the Game was more contempary than previous releases, fans were still pleased with the overall quality of music as the band hadn't completly moved away from their 70s style. However Body Language was a step too far as fans hated the simple style of music as well as the absence of all other members except Freddie. So it came to no surprise that Hot Space was too an extent a failure as fans moved away from the band's new sound. This lead to members fighting with each other. Some people regard 1982's Hot Space as Queen's last proper album attempt as future releases were forced by certain circumstances, However The Works was released in 1984 (a year after a long break in 1983). The album did win some fans back and also lost some. Radio Ga Ga, I Want to Break Free were two massive hit singles worldwide however the latter was not approved off in the US due to its video. The album experimented one some of Queen's trademark music from the past aswell as the music of the modern day. Although the album was to an extent a move in the right direction, some fans were still not convinced as the band's attempt at their 70s hard rock was poorly produced or flat like the Crazy Little Thing recreation aswell as the trend for modern, electronic music. Now, perhaps this was Queen's last proper album if it weren't for Live Aid, Highlander or AIDS? By 1985, the band were still a force in both the charts and on a stage. Although the Works was a succesful album, the mood within the group was still tense. However Queen's amazing performance at Live Aid triggered new life into the Band as they released a decent hit single ,"One Vision". Futhermore, during that year, Queen were asked to record music for th film Highlander which kept interest within the group. However despite the optimism within the group, their next album seemed to be a return to their disjointed, individual works prior to Live Aid aswell as a collection of filler tracks. The year 1986 was succesful for the group with a notable world tour, succesful album and hit singles. However the music found on their album A Kind of Magic showed signs of lack of creativity and more of an individual piece of work, however this may have been the result of restricted songwriting for the film Highlander. Now, after that tour in 1986, perhaps that could have been the end of Queen (although that is my opinion). When Freddie contracted AIDS in the mid-late 80s, the band felt that they had to keep on working. So if it weren't for AIDS, would Queen have been around to record The Miracle and Innuendo? - perhaps not although you can't rule out releases under the name Queen. So let's say that Freddie did not contract AIDS and the Miracle and Innuendo had already been released - How would this leave the rest of Queen's career and the 1990s? Freddie, Brian and Roger are/were avid songwriters and musicans so they would obviously continue to write songs. John on the otherhand in my opinion retired from musis because Freddie was not alive and with no Freddie there is no Queen. So, in this scenario Freddie is alive and John would probably want to continue working with Queen. In My Opinion, Queen would have continued but the question is how many albums/tours and for how long? Well, I would imagine that the band would have released atleast a further four albums during the decade. Depending on how John is feeling, Queen may eventually have come to an end some time in noughties however with Freddie there it's possible that Queen could continue with three members or John may have wanted to continue being a rock star. One final thing to figure out is what would Queen's music be like: would they have continued in the same fashion as the 1980s with album with succesful hit singles, contempary pop/rock music with filler tracks or a more retrospective sound with their music incorporating elements and trademarks throughout their career or a return back to their 70s sound or even recording modern music of the time with 1990s immotive, pop/rock ballads, hard rock and catchy pop/funk tunes. Knowing Queen and their career up to 1991, I would imagine that their music throughout the 1990s would have evolved from a sound quite simular to Innuendo and some of their 80s output to begin with (in 1992) before using some of styles and sounds of the time aswell as some expermental tracks, ballads and powerful songs like those from Made in Heaven aswell as modern/old Queen style hard rock tunes. A lot of Queen's fate depends on success so I would imagine that the singles would have been contempary though mixed in style from pop tunes to hard rock anthems to heartbreaking ballads. Now to predict would could have happened beyond 2000 isn't easy though I would imagine that Queen would release the occasional album which would incorporate modern music from the time aswell as music from the past. I also see their output would have looked more in the way of issues in the world (although in the past they refused to get involved in those issues) and continue to release piogant tracks/ retrospective songs. Anyway just a bit of fun. Or What If....................... |
| MadTheSwine73 29.07.2011 13:52 |
I think that if Freddie was still around, Queen would be just like the Rolling Stones. They'd put out a new album every few years, but it'll be the tours that'll make them money. (and the remasters) |
| queenUSA 29.07.2011 15:28 |
MadTheSwine73 wrote: I think that if Freddie was still around, Queen would be just like the Rolling Stones. They'd put out a new album every few years, but it'll be the tours that'll make them money. (and the remasters) ============ I agree completely. Further, I think we would have seen some very interesting work from Freddie and possibly with Queen in the creation of a rock Opera. In 1986, Phantom of the Opera, by Andrew Lloyd Webber, burst onto the scene with its premiere on the West End of London. It now celebrates it's 25th year. You could already see Freddie heading in the direction of Opera - why not work with Queen and create their own rock Opera for the stage. I think Freddie as well was completely capable of singing the lead in Phantom - if he were to be interested in any type of stage performance of that kind - (had he not been sick.) Why would he do it? The fun, the costumes, the voice ... etc .... If he had not been sick - they would fully be around today I feel ... and that New Year's Eve performance for 2011 in Sydney might actually be a true possibility. Just saying ... |
| dysan 29.07.2011 16:52 |
I think the clues are in the solo work we've heard - from Brian and Roger it's been pretty poor, very '80's sounding FM rock. Of course, the addition of Freddie would've steered it another direction, but it's also worth asking would The Miracle and Innuendo have been like that if Freddie was not ill? Britpop introduced new blood and a new style throughout the 90's and the internet revolution of the 00's left Queen standing. There is not reason to think that they would just be those old men that no one of a certain age actually knows what they do. Kind of like Bowie. Although he keeps getting new fans through edgier arty bands citing him as an influence, Queen just seem to inspire utter shit. Like The Darkness and The Feeling which no one is too bothered about diggin out their influences. It's a terrible thing to say, but I can't help thinking Queen would actually mean very little nowadays. i'm trying to think of a decent comparison - maybe Phil collins? |
| queenUSA 29.07.2011 17:03 |
dysan wrote: It's a terrible thing to say, but I can't help thinking Queen would actually mean very little nowadays. i'm trying to think of a decent comparison - maybe Phil collins? ============== That's no way to think - you need to change your way of thinking! Both MUSE and Foo cite great admiration for Queen - so they matter to someone - and alot more than Phil Collins - I guarantee. |
| Isle0fRed 29.07.2011 19:57 |
dysan wrote: Queen just seem to inspire utter shit. Like The Darkness The Darkness are not at all shit. Maybe you just don't like their music |
| Isle0fRed 29.07.2011 20:03 |
queenUSA wrote: That's no way to think - you need to change your way of thinking! Both MUSE and Foo cite great admiration for Queen - so they matter to someone - and alot more than Phil Collins - I guarantee. I agree with you. If Freddie was still alive, and Queen were still going. I bet Muse or the Foo Fighters would most likey be there opening act, or at least share a tour together. I do think John Deacon at some point though would leave the band if the band was still running |
| dysan 30.07.2011 03:41 |
We're not looking at this deeply enough - perhaps if Queen kept going, there would be no Muse or Foos. There would've been no Tribute concert, the world wouldn't have seen how bad Extreme are and THEY would now be the stadium gods with Brian May doing guest appearances everytime they so much as sneeze. TBH I don't mind the Darkness - I just mean Queen seem to inspire fluff that haven't really inspired their own fanatics. I do get depressed when I think that Muse, Foos etc are Queen's legacy. I just can't see the connection bar them liking a couple of songs. |
| mooghead 30.07.2011 04:04 |
"The Darkness are not at all shit." LOL - thanks for that... cheered me up :-) |
| brENsKi 30.07.2011 04:11 |
Isle0fRed wrote: I do think John Deacon at some point though would leave the band if the band was still running ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ridiculous!!!! John would still be around while Freddie was around. that's the whole reason he has retired. for John no fred = no queen i think it's more likely that Freddie would've broken the band up...as he had very different ideas that "rubbed" against the Brian's "rock" and Roger's "Springsteen" sounds..... freddie was definitely headed in a more pop/r&b direction...and John was already there anyway...so i could see Freddie and john working together in that genre...and queen being no more Brian, sadly, would be David Gates' archetypal "guitar man"....read the lyrics...you'll understand |
| queenUSA 30.07.2011 09:11 |
There's room to grow & evolve and also stick together. Freddie was extremely loyal and I don't believe for a moment that he would break up Queen - he was always the peacemaker between Brian & Roger in the studio. Here's Freddie designing their logo (at the outset) with the wings of a Phoenix over all of them in a protective and everlasting manner. You don't give birth to that and then leave it. Besides - they've all fully acknowledged in interviews that their Queen work has been stronger than their solo projects and certainly sales figures tell that tale. After enjoying a break with some solo projects - they come back with Live Aid for 20 minutes and the crowd response is unmistakeable. Sometimes I wonder if others see the same heroic band I do - they truly are the Champions (just like in the song) and also ... The Show Must Go On (and it would have!). The last 20 years would have rocked as much as the first 20. |
| brENsKi 30.07.2011 11:17 |
ffs - listen to what Brian and Roger have done since Freddie died.... 1. MIH took some of Freddie solo songs and rocked them up - that was not Freddie's plan 2. TCR - emphasis on Rocks..... evidence that Freddie and John were headed in vastly different musical direction to Roger and Brian you say FM was loyal and you paint him like some plaster saint that can do no wrong...you should listen to some of his interviews....he openly says THEY all fought i stand by my comments Roger would be living the |RnR lifestyle and possibly on his third liver by now.....doing springsteen-tribute-soundalike tunes Brian would be "Gates' Guitar man" Then the lights begin to flicker and the sound is getting dim The voice begins to falter and the crowds are getting thin But he never seems to notice he's just got to find Another place to play, Anyway Got to play, anyway Got to play as i said Freddie and John may still be working together...but my guess is that (if still alive) they'd have both retired and still be very close friends |
| qrock 30.07.2011 11:53 |
brENsKi wrote: 1. MIH took some of Freddie solo songs and rocked them up - that was not Freddie's plan Am I right in saying that Freddie wrote Liar, Great King Rat, Ogre Battle and John wrote If You Can't Beat Them, Spread Your Wings and Need Your Loving Tonight and Roger wrote Fun It, Radio Ga Ga, Don't Lose Your Head and Brian wrote Who Wants to Live Forever, Dear Friends and Good Company. |
| Your Fairy King 30.07.2011 12:03 |
Freddie's hair would be gone. Maybe he would have shaved it, grown a goatee, pumped up at Gold's Gym, got a chest wax, some tats, and earrings. Freddie would have continued his solo exploration further away from "rock.." John would have massive worldwide top ten hits with his new band, or other artists he wrote for and produced. Roger would continue to be arrogant toward his fans and living up to his status of "legend in his own mind". And, as brENsKi points out, one of the world's greatest guitarists would continue to churn out mediocre middle of the road work. |
| queenUSA 30.07.2011 14:41 |
Full Stop. You guys are way off. Zero of the above would have happened. As Freddie has gone off to the Lap of the Gods, we will never truly know. Your lack of respect for Brian is startling. Right about now, "You and I" is being released as the 4th single from Born this Way. I guess someone wanted his "mediocre" abilities (as you said, not me). And one other thing, find another song to listen to other than Guitar Man - it's bringing everybody down. |
| brENsKi 30.07.2011 16:16 |
qrock wrote: brENsKi wrote: 1. MIH took some of Freddie solo songs and rocked them up - that was not Freddie's plan Am I right in saying that Freddie wrote Liar, Great King Rat, Ogre Battle and John wrote If You Can't Beat Them, Spread Your Wings and Need Your Loving Tonight and Roger wrote Fun It, Radio Ga Ga, Don't Lose Your Head and Brian wrote Who Wants to Live Forever, Dear Friends and Good Company. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ what the f**k has that got to do with anything? all you do is show your ignorance.....yes Freddie and John did write some rockers...but Freddie's were mainly early-70s, John's were late 70s check the direction of their songs in the 80s...then come back and make your point...if you have one |
| brENsKi 30.07.2011 16:19 |
queenUSA wrote: Full Stop. You guys are way off. Zero of the above would have happened. As Freddie has gone off to the Lap of the Gods, we will never truly know. Your lack of respect for Brian is startling. Right about now, "You and I" is being released as the 4th single from Born this Way. I guess someone wanted his "mediocre" abilities (as you said, not me). And one other thing, find another song to listen to other than Guitar Man - it's bringing everybody down. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ i doubt very much that it is bringing everybody down...just you. and if you can't appreciate the intelligence of a well-observed lyric such as Guitar man, then it shows your own myopic musical views..... fact is, it's not just a statment about guitarists.....(although apt about Brian)...it's an essay on celebrity status, and chasing fame...every last drop of it...even after it's disappearing over the horizon |
| queenUSA 30.07.2011 16:45 |
^ Well if they are chasing every last drop, as you accuse - it must be working because they just raked in $70 million on the remasters to date - KA CHING! The last time I looked that's not exactly what i would call disappearing over the horizon. Perhaps what is disappearing over the horizon is just the edge of your own tankard. |
| lifetimefanofqueen 30.07.2011 17:06 |
the mircal and innuendo theme would continue and, and much as i adore queen, i think itd all go a wee bit down hill and theyd do wee concerts celebrating releases of their probaby 100th greatest hits album. idk i just think theyd have faded out a bit like status quo, never hear much bout 'em |
| Your Fairy King 30.07.2011 18:51 |
queenUSA wrote:. Right about now, "You and I" is being released as the 4th single from Born this Way. I guess someone wanted his "mediocre" abilities (as you said, not me). That's Brian May on that track? *sarc* Sure can't tell. Mediocre is the word, my friend. |
| queenUSA 30.07.2011 19:53 |
Your Fairy King wrote: "That's Brain May on that track?" ==================== ^ I wonder if "Brain" will like his new name? Perhaps "Brain" can use his brain to add up all those nice royalties coming in from You and I. Must be nice! Congratulations "Brain" ... it seems your rainbow always ends in a pot of gold. |
| john bodega 31.07.2011 02:27 |
They did a realistic CG composite of what the band might've been like back in 2008. link I think it's pretty accurate. |
| brENsKi 31.07.2011 03:39 |
queenUSA wrote: ^ Well if they are chasing every last drop, as you accuse - it must be working because they just raked in $70 million on the remasters to date - KA CHING! The last time I looked that's not exactly what i would call disappearing over the horizon. Perhaps what is disappearing over the horizon is just the edge of your own tankard. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ...of course the "rehashes" (remasters) will sell. they are classic queen - there'll always be a huge market for that.....Greatest Hits volumes 45- 50 prved that!!!! but that's not what i was referring to you need to stop quoting people "out of context". you knew exactly WHAT i was referring to in the David Gates' song analogy....The cosmos Rocks, American Queen Idol, collaborations with 5ive, Blobbie Williams, McFly etc etc etc......the guitar man is clinging desperately to what's left of the spotlight |
| McNulty 09.08.2011 13:52 |
They would have jumped the shark. |
| malicedoom 09.08.2011 14:41 |
"Zebonka12 wrote: They did a realistic CG composite of what the band might've been like back in 2008. link I think it's pretty accurate." ---------------------------------------------- My God. Why did I laugh at that?? |
| drmurph 09.08.2011 17:20 |
It seems to me that the albums The Miracle and more so Innuendo would probably not have the same emotional edge to it had the whole situation not arisen. Many of the songs on it may not have been written and other less intense songs written. If you consider the emotions all members were going through it must have had a great impact on the songs they were all writing at the time (These are the days, The show must go on, the Hitman... well maybe not so much). It is sad to say it but Freddie's death probably secured Queen's legend status as with so many other artisits who died young(ish). Had they continued it would only diminish with time with more albums which only have relevance to their hardcore fans. Live, I think with their live reputation established they would sell out stadiums performing a greatest hits set and boring casual fans with new songs which make no impact on the charts. Undoubtedly Freddie would have looked to pursue other interests outside Queen, opera (phantom of) etc. Same with the others and their solo work and then come back together to make a "Queen" record. I guess the Stones similarity (maybe even the Who, in fact you could insert almost any once great musician [Paul McCartney...]) would be accurate. An ageing band living off past glories. |
| LAP 09.08.2011 20:54 |
No doubt with the resurgence of Queen interest in 1992, Queen would have undertaken a massive U.S tour, and release albums sporadically throughout the decade. I am sure their music would be different compared to that of Innuendo. Would have been interesting to say the least! |
| mike hunt 10.08.2011 02:53 |
dysan wrote: I think the clues are in the solo work we've heard - from Brian and Roger it's been pretty poor, very '80's sounding FM rock. Of course, the addition of Freddie would've steered it another direction, but it's also worth asking would The Miracle and Innuendo have been like that if Freddie was not ill? Britpop introduced new blood and a new style throughout the 90's and the internet revolution of the 00's left Queen standing. There is not reason to think that they would just be those old men that no one of a certain age actually knows what they do. Kind of like Bowie. Although he keeps getting new fans through edgier arty bands citing him as an influence, Queen just seem to inspire utter shit. Like The Darkness and The Feeling which no one is too bothered about diggin out their influences. It's a terrible thing to say, but I can't help thinking Queen would actually mean very little nowadays. i'm trying to think of a decent comparison - maybe Phil collins? Bullshit!......Queen inspired almost every artist from the 80's and beyond. check out this list sucker!.......GNR, metallica, Anthrax, megadeth, Iron Maiden (especially Bruce Dickinson), Rob Halford, Smashing pumpkins, nirvana/foo fighter's, Dream theater, Queensryce, Muse, The cars, The Styx, Def leppard, steve vai, The killer's....... Among many others who have said queen were one of their Influences....The list is so long i don't even have the patience to list them all.....too many influences to mention. |
| LAP 10.08.2011 18:02 |
Hear Hear!!! Queen are one of the most influential bands of all time, I remeber in the 90's when I was hitting my late teens, how so many big bands of the day, including some of the bigger grunge bands loved Queen as they were growing up, even though I hated most of the grunge bands, I thought it cool that even grunge bands dug Queen! |
| kdj2hot 10.08.2011 18:15 |
I think they definitely would've had a resurgence, Freddie probably would've gotten that Aretha Franklin duet. After grunge faded they would've probably been considered the best band in the world. I don't know if Innuendo wouldve happened because a lot of things were put in perspective. I think they definitely wouldve returned to their roots and made modern rock albums that harking back to their early albums just because of modern production alone. No drum machines and less electronics than their later albums. It sucks that it didnt happen. |
| Isle0fRed 11.08.2011 23:47 |
I could imagine Freddie using twitter if he had been still alive today @Phoebe, I told you to feed the fuckin cats! |
| malicedoom 12.08.2011 08:38 |
Freddie on Twitter - now THAT would be awesome. |
