| mickyparise 12.12.2011 21:13 |
Legendary guitarist Brian May has admitted that he thinks that without Freddie Mercury and bassist John Deacon, any work that him and Roger Taylor put out under the Queen name will simply not be the same as the Queen everybody knew and loved. There have been a lot of rumours and speculation flying around the web that Queen would be returning to the music scene too, with a host of different singers (including Lady Gaga and Adam Lambert) tipped to be the replacement for the iconic Freddie Mercury. But May has told the BBC that they aren’t really the same band without Mercury or Deacon, asking, ‘Are we Queen?’ “Are we Queen? In a sense we are but in another sense we never can be,” May said. “We keep getting asked to do things which is great but it's that being Queen thing, I think we'll have to make a film 'Being Queen', what does it mean? The good thing about it is, we are a sort of open book, we can interact with people when it comes up.” Regardless of the statement, it’s likely that you’ll see Queen performing once again with a stand in singer and bassist. What do you think of Queen’s on-going career? Tell us in the comments section below. link |
| rhyeking 13.12.2011 08:30 |
link It seems a lot of their recent focus has been on the various 40th Anniversary stuff, like the re-issues, appearances and things like that, so nothing's really on the books for immediate future yet, except the DSMN remix contest and the Queen Extravaganza, which is Roger's baby. It's telling that Brian makes a point of saying he does not want to be misquoted about working on anything in the vault and that recording new material doesn't seem to be in the cards right now. The FM + MJ tracks might be the only recording work they're considering. I wish she'd asked about solo work, if Brian's got anything on the go I guess all we can take from this is that nothing new is planned that we don't already know about and anything can happen from this point on. 2012 may be relatively quiet. |
| Micrówave 13.12.2011 11:43 |
It only took him 21 years to realize this!!! |
| Kevinrm15 13.12.2011 13:08 |
rhyeking wrote: link It seems a lot of their recent focus has been on the various 40th Anniversary stuff,like the re-issues, appearances and things like that, so nothing's really on the books for immediate future yet, except the DSMN remix contest and the Queen Extravaganza, which is Roger's baby. It's telling that Brian makes a point of saying he does not want to be misquoted about working on anything in the vault and that recording new material doesn't seem to be in the cards right now. The FM + MJ tracks might be the only recording work they're considering. I wish she'd asked about solo work, if Brian's got anything on the go I guess all we can take from this is that nothing new is planned that we don't already know about and anything can happen from this point on. 2012 may be relatively quiet. That is where you are wrong. All the live albums will be remastered and reissued next year. Besides that and the FM + MJ tracks, I don't know what else to expect for next year. |
| Vocal harmony 13.12.2011 14:06 |
This is all a little strange. Brian is questioning whether Queen can be Queen. Well we all know it's not Queen as it was. They managed to tour twice with Paul Rodgers and record and release two live albums, a studio album and three live DVD's. During this time their was no sign of Brian or Roger questioning if they where Queen or not. So what's changed? This year Brian said on his web site a couple of months ago that he and Kerry Ellis were beginning to work on new songs and they were thinking about live dates next summer. Then Roger Taylor said that he feels to old to do more Queen shows, hence the Queen Extravaganza. But then a week ago he said that he and Brian were thinking about live dates next summer. On top of this Brian has mentioned a live TV show with Lady GAGA as vocalist. |
| Queen4ever13 13.12.2011 14:22 |
Amen Brian, so glad that you've finally verbalized this. |
| ParisNair 13.12.2011 15:10 |
"Are we Queen? In a sense we are but in another sense we never can be,” May saidI feel I can now listen to Q + PR with an open mind. |
| mrbadguy82 13.12.2011 15:48 |
as much as i love Brian May & Roger Taylor and the stuff they do together, Queen will only ever be Queen when i hear Roger's drums, Brian's guitar, Johns bass and Freddie's voice. |
| MattB 13.12.2011 20:15 |
I've been a Queen fan for 30 years and they're my favorite band of all time. Coincidentally, my favorite singer is Paul Rodgers. Naturally when Queen and Paul Rodgers teamed up, I was happy as a clam. Having seen 3 of the US shows (Continental Arena, DCU Center, and Nassau Coliseum), I believe it was an enormous success and while not really Queen, a terrific effort. I was not as impressed with the ensuing album "The Cosmos Rocks" though. I don't see a problem with Brian and Roger continuing as Queen + Adam Lambert, Lady Gaga or anyone else. In our star-obsessed culture, we fail to recognize the humanity of our idols. Queen did NOT die in 1992 with Freddie Mercury. Brian, Roger and John are still living (whether or not John chooses to participate) and are entitled to build on the body of work they created. Elton John once said that it must be like keeping a Ferrari in the garage for Brian and Roger. How true! Brian and Roger can still out-rock virtually any band on the planet. Why should they not continue as Queen? No one expects Freddie to be replaced and Brian and Roger have never remotely suggested it. Anything they do is a tribute to the greatness of Freddie and Queen. Personally, I hope that Brian and Roger are back here on US shores in the near future. The Worcester DCU Center show in 2006 was one of the greatest shows I've ever seen. |
| rhyeking 13.12.2011 23:10 |
Kevinrm15 wrote:rhyeking wrote: http://www.bbc.co.uk/6music/news/20111212_brianmay.shtml[/QUOTE] It seems a lot of their recent focus has been on the various 40th Anniversary stuff,like the re-issues, appearances and things like that, so nothing's really on the books for immediate future yet, except the DSMN remix contest and the Queen Extravaganza, which is Roger's baby. It's telling that Brian makes a point of saying he does not want to be misquoted about working on anything in the vault and that recording new material doesn't seem to be in the cards right now. The FM + MJ tracks might be the only recording work they're considering. I wish she'd asked about solo work, if Brian's got anything on the go I guess all we can take from this is that nothing new is planned that we don't already know about and anything can happen from this point on. 2012 may be relatively quiet. ************************ That is where you are wrong. All the live albums will be remastered and reissued next year. Besides that and the FM + MJ tracks, I don't know what else to expect for next year.***************************** I did say "relatively." Compared to everything issued this year, they aren't predicting *as much* for next year. It could change, for sure. |
| queenUSA 13.12.2011 23:41 |
I can't exactly quote Brian without listening to it again - but he also stated something to the effect of ..... trying to go forward as Queen with a new singer doesn't really work and made a comparison to attempting to go forward in life with a "replacement" brother or a "new" father - just not possible. |
| rhyeking 14.12.2011 00:08 |
They never did replace Freddie. The Queen+ releases were collaborations. Paul Rodgers was never a member of Queen, nor was George Michael or Robbie Williams or any of the others. And since Brian and Roger can sing lead, and have on numerous Queen recordings, tracks like "No One But You" avoided the need to replace Freddie. |
| k-m 14.12.2011 05:58 |
rhyeking wrote: They never did replace Freddie. The Queen+ releases were collaborations. Paul Rodgers was never a member of Queen, nor was George Michael or Robbie Williams or any of the others. Andsince Brian and Roger can sing lead, and have on numerous Queen recordings, tracks like "No One But You" avoided the need to replace Freddie. In my opinion, "No-One But You" was the last true Queen song. The three of them together, paying a tribute to their friend. I'd rather they put it on "Greatest Hits III" though, the "Rocks" album was unnecessary. So yeah, John's departure sealed the end of the band for me, really. Having said this, things like "Days of Our Lives" DVD or "Stormtroopers..." exhibition do work for me and I wish them luck on SIMILAR projects. |
| gerry 14.12.2011 07:43 |
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| Benn 14.12.2011 10:22 |
You'd NEVER believe that the guy actually has a doctorate, woud you? What a genius. |
| L-R-TIGER1994 14.12.2011 12:04 |
Micrówave wrote: It only took him 21 years to realize this!!!
You took the words out of my mouth! I'm glad Brian and Roger are still working and making music but the Queen+ projects had begun to frighten me. |
| queenUSA 14.12.2011 19:17 |
Benn wrote: You'd NEVER believe that the guy actually has a doctorate, woud you? What a genius. Was it necessary to state this on Brian? Your bad manners are showing and I have no patience for it today. |
| SimonFerocious 15.12.2011 00:47 |
Let's be honest, Freddie's absence has forced Brian and Roger to work with some people that don't belong on the same stage as them (Dappy???). That's the thing I hate most about the death of Freddie, that these extremely talented musicians, producers and songwriters are reduced to that. Having said that, I do feel sympathy for the guys. They love to perform live and to work with other performers and they're taking every chance they can to do that. If there's one hope left, it's that John Deacon will reunite with them soon. We'd all love to see that so much. Come back, John! |
| myusername 15.12.2011 06:12 |
I can't believe that Brian May is going to be performing with Lady GaGa...she doesn't even deserve to be in the same room as him. Queen can NEVER be Queen with Freddie...I can't believe it took Brian this long to understand that. As much as I would love for Queen to go on, I think Brian needs to just...let it go. It was great while it lasted and it still is and it always will be. Queen will be Queen. Queen will be THE Queen that everyone knows and loves. I want to remember Queen like it used to be, not with some autotuned freak singing Freddie's sacred lyrics. |
| alBHMfan 15.12.2011 10:18 |
Simonferocious wrote: "a lot of people are up there with queen that don't belong there. That's the thing I hate the most about the death of Freddie" Really??? The thing I hate the most about the death of Freddie is that he suffered terribly. He was in such tremendous pain towards the end of his life that musicians &/or music, no matter how good they were, is the last thing you think about when faced with death. |
| mickyparise 15.12.2011 19:05 |
audio link |
| tero! 48531 15.12.2011 23:53 |
SimonFerocious wrote: Let's be honest, Freddie's absence has forced Brian and Roger to work with some people that don't belong on the same stage as them (Dappy???). That's the thing I hate most about the death of Freddie, that these extremely talented musicians, producers and songwriters are reduced to that. Having said that, I do feel sympathy for the guys. They love to perform live and to work with other performers and they're taking every chance they can to do that. If there's one hope left, it's that John Deacon will reunite with them soon. We'd all love to see that so much. Come back, John! --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Damn that selfish Freddie for dying of a horrible disease, and forcing Brian and Roger to play with every second-rate act just to stay in the headlines when their own material isn't good enough... :P |
| deleted user 16.12.2011 21:56 |
Queen can never be Queen without Freddie Mercury and John Deacon. While I do understand that Brian and Roger want to continue performing, they should not use the Queen name for their collaborations with other performers. Anyway, Freddie is absolutely the 'voice' of Queen, and can never be replaced. Neither can Deaky. So, sorry Brian, but it is time to retire the 'Queen' name. Let us remember Queen in all its glory as it used to be. |
| alber800 20.12.2011 12:34 |
If you look - listen - to the post-Freddie material, you know it isn't the same as the music befor. Surely Roger and Brian are excellent musicians, but the strengt of Queen has always been the creative and critical approach of each member towards the other. For instance, Made in Heaven is a good album and Freddie's is well mixed technically. But it simply misses 'signature' from the band, compared with the older albums. Also, George Michael and Paul Rogers are fantastic singers and gave us some great performances, but Freddie's voice and stage performance can never be replaced. And although more a backround guy, the same applies for John and his brilliant base lines. Therefore, let us be happy with the current legacy and interesting Queen projects, who keep the catalog alive but can never replace the real thing! |
| Day dop 20.12.2011 16:48 |
Where did it say that? - Just because he's said it, doesn't mean he's just realised it. I think anyone would be a fool to think otherwise. Either that, or they are underestimating Brain's intelligence. |
| Day dop 20.12.2011 16:49 |
Can't you go spurt your shit elsewhere? |
| matt z 20.12.2011 17:42 |
How is this something new? he's been on record saying this for years. It's not like they CAN work with Freddie... a Curtis Mayfield song comes to mind. Geez... why are people here so "VENGEFUL" about his saying this? QPR wasn't bad (until they released THE COSMOS ROCKS) eh, although i empathize with y'all after shiiite like 5IVE and BRitney, etc... i'm sure somewhere they've got to represent the catalogue and expose the band again whenever they get the chance.... it's just a shame they haven't gone with the best of the best available: real songWRITERS like Chris Cornell and Annie Lennox (either one would do IMHO) even if it's just a one off collaboration. |
| GlasgowFan 09.02.2012 11:54 |
With all that has been said we all still love Queen and perhaps carrying on with the "Queen" brand may be wrong but what else would you call them? Roger Waters still carried on doing Pink Floyd stuff but toured under his own name. Paul McCartney also carried on touring under his own name rather than under the Beatles brand. But these two bands eventually came to the end of their shelf-life and disbanded rather than losing their lead singer. Although John Lennon was killed they had long since stopped touring as the Beatles. Queen were still going strong together and that's why Freddie gave them as much material as he could before he died so they could still release stuff. I do agree that with John leaving then Brian and Roger should have perhaps rebranded, but they would still be playing Queen classics as Roger and Brian did during their solo tours. When Paul Rodgers was first mentioned people slated it and then got used to it, but their album (Cosmos Rocks) was a bit of a flop and could have been way better. I do think that when they eventually do retire they will do a farewell tour and perhaps John will come back for the entire tour or will perhaps make some appearances, he did become very depressed after Freddie died and never really got over it. This is very evident when he last played alongside Elton John in Paris, 1997. But that was very good and had all the characteristics of Queen. Queen and touring with Queen had been a big part of Brian and Roger's life so stopping it left a big hole in their lives with even Brian almost wanting to end it at one point because he felt it was too hard to continue but he got past it. It least gives us "younger" fans the chance to enjoy watching Queen with whoever as some of us were too young to watch them back in '86 when they last toured together (I was only 6). Brian and Roger may have continued to perform with their own stuff but the venues they were filling were small to say the least, anywhere up to 5,000. This is a far cry from performing in front of 50,000, 75,000, 125,000 at Knebworth or even 250,000 in Rio (please correct me if I'm wrong). Although stuff keeps getting remastered and re-released some say they are clutching at straws and are just money grabbing ba****ds, but these guys make millions each year, made millions while they were touring and playing as Queen and will continue to make money whether or not they tour. They tour for the thrill and the enjoyment, not for the money. |