| coops 10.05.2016 07:28 |
While I have the utmost respect for Brian as a humanitarian, animal protector, musician and scholar, I am not in the least interested in hearing him complain about how noisy his neighborhood is. Those of us just managing to get through life living in areas that are always noisy ( airports, freeways, crime etc) just don't relate to having to put up with noise in his million dollar mansion in Kensington. At least he has several more houses to go live in should he choose. I don't know why he thinks readers to his website would care about this. Am I missing something? Whats next? Airlines taking an inch away from passenger seating in first class? Down to my last $90 million? Perhaps I am being too harsh. He does a lot of good work and everyone needs to vent a little. I just get a little irked when, celebrities particularly, complain about how difficult their life can be when they have the one thing thing their money brings them. Options. |
| Togg 10.05.2016 08:41 |
Well, I do think it's an interesting depate, I understand his point given he works largely at night and sleeps a lot during the day. The property market in London is now at the point where a first time buyer needs to be earning £100k to manage to buy, which is crazy, and just making massive houses bigger is not helping much as it does mean everywhere in London is being dug up Where I grew up they have totally ruined the area by people selling gardens and large buildings going up instead, I think people do have a right to improve there property, but I also think you have to respect the others in your area and two years of constant drilling next door would make most of us go mad I think what i object to is not so much the fact they do it, more the fact that planning officers let totally inapproporiate work go on. I think more consideration for neighbours, would go a long way to make this better, but I do take your point, if you live under runway two at heathrow it must be a pain, but I guess it was there before you were so in so ways I guess it's something you have to factor in when moving there |
| mooghead 10.05.2016 11:45 |
Care to divulge what the bollocks you are talking about? |
| matt z 10.05.2016 12:04 |
mooghead wrote: Care to divulge what the bollocks you are talking about?It's written there pretty clearly. It's a complaint about Brian May 's complaints. Basically saying: shut up Brian, your "troubles" aren't all that bad. I have no part in it. Just trying to sum it up concisely for you |
| stevelondon20 10.05.2016 12:54 |
100k a year my arse. Move just outside London. 200k for a 2 bed House. Easily affordable on a 30k salary. |
| scottmax 10.05.2016 13:34 |
stevelondon20 wrote: 100k a year my arse. Move just outside London. 200k for a 2 bed House. Easily affordable on a 30k salary.Not easily affordable at all!! 1k a month mortgage repayment is hardly affordable, but anyway....... |
| mooghead 10.05.2016 14:16 |
Depends where you are, in the North East of England (outside of the big towns/cities) a 2 bed house, lets presume you mean a semi detached, will cost 130 grand. But in a non big town/city you will not get a 30k job... it is too big a subject to generalise. But yes, Brian May has lived a fairytale life we can only dream of but though he has never struggled financially he cannot relate to the same things as me, his points of reference are way off. He has as much right to be upset at what he sees as injustice as anyone. |
| stevelondon20 11.05.2016 01:02 |
Mooghead. If you look hard enough and have the qualifications needed, then a 30k job is possible in many areas outside of London. It anyone has a negative attitude, then they won't end up anywhere. Brian lives in an area where work is constantly being done. If he doesn't like it, then he should consider moving. |
| Richard Orchard 11.05.2016 02:47 |
Brian has turned into a bit of a whinger.... unless he has always been one. He should cheer up. |
| Togg 11.05.2016 02:51 |
He did move, the building has been going on for 7 years in houses around him, he currently has 5-6 construction projects going on all around his house, constant piling and digging all day. btw the Halifax (I think) confirmed the £100k min salary on breakfast TV the other day. |
| Costa86 11.05.2016 03:50 |
A 30k job is indeed possible outside of London. It might not be the first job you get on leaving university, but in 5 years or so, if you have the necessary qualifications (university degree, or a technical or trade qualification, which are probably better than a degree anyway) and have gained 5 or so years' experience, a 30k job is what would you'd expect. But it is true that around 100k is needed to live in London and be able to afford a mortgage on a two bedroom semi in a good area. If it's a semi off the tube line, you can get it on less than 100k. If you have kids and want to send them to a private school, you'd need even more, even if it's just one kid. So if you're planning on having a full life in central London with a house in a nice neighbourhood, a wife and a child enrolled in a posh school, unless you find a very rich wife, you'd need 100k. Rent-wise, you're not going to get a studio flat in a good area of central London for less than £1100-1200 a month. I live in Oxford, probably the second most expensive after London, and you can't get a one-bed flat in a good area close to town for less than £750-800. Outside of London things are a lot more reasonable. But it's very, very difficult to get a mortgage to buy a reasonably nice smallish house in the UK if you don't have a partner, especially in the South East. A combined average salary can be around 55k, which would allow you to purchase a decent place. But even if you earn 30k, if you're single, you're going to be hard pressed to get the bank to loan you enough money for a decent house, unless you have enough saved to put down a big deposit and take out a smaller mortgage. Things get better the further north you go. The less desirable a city/suburb/town is to live in, the more affordable it is. You can rent a terraced house in Stockport for £450-500. |
| pidge123 11.05.2016 10:38 |
Do feel slightly sorry for Bri but if you want peace and quiet I'm not sure the middle of London is your best option. A huge house in Surrey seems a better bet...oh he has one! |
| luthorn 11.05.2016 14:23 |
Rich peoples problems. Brian could by a caravan and live in the field with badgers. link |
| Sebastian 11.05.2016 14:25 |
Didn't Brian own at least one place in Surrey and one in Wales? I suppose those could be used to chill out. Anyway ... sure, rich people problems, but still, good luck to him with that. If that's annoying him he's entitled to complain. |
| Costa86 11.05.2016 16:24 |
Yeah, good luck to him, he's earned it. Though if I had the millions he had, I don't think I'd be relaxing in the UK, with this bloody weather. Southern France more like it. Or a nice place somewhere in Italy, close to the sea. Easy to jet to and from the UK for work. |
| Togg 12.05.2016 02:43 |
His main house is in Surrey, where his recording studio is, however they need a home close to London, Anita does a lot of work in the West End and that means having a home that's easy to get to. They have now said they are selling up and leaving so I think after 7 years of it and moving already once to avoid it they've finally given up. In his original post he accidentally left his email and address on there, I sent Jen a message and she quickly removed it... I think he really is truly fed up with it, and I can't really blame him, whenever we have had building work close to our home its been a royal pain, and that's only been for about a year at a time! |
| Holly2003 12.05.2016 08:47 |
I've been thinking about putting in a basement but the guy in the apartment beneath me isn't too keen. badda boom tish! |
| flash00. 17.05.2016 16:49 |
I understand Brian's argument but like others have stated I don't sympathize people cannot relate to a millionaire rock star with several homes, especially in this day and age job losses, food banks and people struggling to keep a roof over there heads or those who don't even have a home, I'm sure he also has a penthouse flat as well. Roger has the right idea . If he likes his silence he should move to a home with no neighbours its a no brainer, its common knowledge that Brian has always been a whinger even back in the Queen days but he's even worse now, who remembers him whining about another neighbour using his leaf-blower, nightmare neighbours from hell lol. I bet if the basement neighbour was an A-list celebrity Brian wouldn't say a thing or maybe he would but he's always been a celebrity arse kisser even more so if they happen to mention they like Queen. This sounds a bit harsh but ask those who have all lost there jobs in the steel industry and many are facing losing there homes. Brian you do amazing work for animal welfare etc life is too short to be moaning. |
| Costa86 17.05.2016 16:55 |
^Too right. |
| Togg 18.05.2016 04:38 |
flash00. wrote: I understand Brian's argument but like others have stated I don't sympathize people cannot relate to a millionaire rock star with several homes, especially in this day and age job losses, food banks and people struggling to keep a roof over there heads or those who don't even have a home, I'm sure he also has a penthouse flat as well. Roger has the right idea . If he likes his silence he should move to a home with no neighbours its a no brainer, its common knowledge that Brian has always been a whinger even back in the Queen days but he's even worse now, who remembers him whining about another neighbour using his leaf-blower, nightmare neighbours from hell lol. I bet if the basement neighbour was an A-list celebrity Brian wouldn't say a thing or maybe he would but he's always been a celebrity arse kisser even more so if they happen to mention they like Queen. This sounds a bit harsh but ask those who have all lost there jobs in the steel industry and many are facing losing there homes. Brian you do amazing work for animal welfare etc life is too short to be moaning. I dont really understand what is income has to do with anything here? this situation is more about people respecting others and allowing a community to live together without creating the need for people to be forced out of there homes, It seems people have an issue with Brian having money in his bank account, and that apparently trumps his ability to have a say on anything... wtf? His neighbours are Simon Cowell and Charles Dunstan so fairly A list I guess, As well as his own rights, he is standing up for two old ladies in their 80's who are surrounded on 4 sides by building work and can't go in there garden anymore as a result, now after 7 years of it I'd say he has a right to shout, wouldnt you? what his income got to do with it other than jealously? Sure there are lots of terrible things going on in the world other than this? but what do any of us do about anything that doesnt effect us personally in some way? do you help homeless people in your city? do you give them handouts? a meal? did you write to the government about the Steel loses? or does the fact that you have an income mean you have no right? maybe you earn above £26k the national average wage UK, does that mean you have no right to complain about anything below that? Income has absolutely nothing to do with this, the only people that seem to bring it up, then follow it up with the fact that he can go move anywhere else becuase of his vast fortune... so can anybody that has a house? or rents one, we all have a choice where we live even homeless people have the choice to find help, go to hostels, very few have no choice but to live on the street in the UK for more than 1-2 days there are places to go to get help, but often they choose to live there for other reasons. Just because someone has done well, worked hard and earnt the money to buy a big house doesnt mean they then have no voice, we are all entitled to speak out on issues that are unfair or affect our lives. And I'd say more than most out there Brian gets involved in issues that he can really help out on due to his fame, not many others actually do that, they stay behind there big walls and swimming pools. If his fortune irritates people so much dont buy his records... you're just feeding the monster |
| Chief Mouse 18.05.2016 06:01 |
Agree with Togg. I think most people would be 'whining' if they were in Brian's shoes regardless of their income. |
| AlbaNo1 18.05.2016 17:37 |
I'd never live in Kensington no matter what my income was |
| Vocal harmony 18.05.2016 17:49 |
Togg wrote: I dont really understand what is income has to do with anything here? this situation is more about people respecting others and allowing a community to live together without creating the need for people to be forced out of there homes, It seems people have an issue with Brian having money in his bank account, and that apparently trumps his ability to have a say on anything... wtf? His neighbours are Simon Cowell and Charles Dunstan so fairly A list I guess, As well as his own rights, he is standing up for two old ladies in their 80's who are surrounded on 4 sides by building work and can't go in there garden anymore as a result, now after 7 years of it I'd say he has a right to shout, wouldnt you? what his income got to do with it other than jealously? Sure there are lots of terrible things going on in the world other than this? but what do any of us do about anything that doesnt effect us personally in some way? do you help homeless people in your city? do you give them handouts? a meal? did you write to the government about the Steel loses? or does the fact that you have an income mean you have no right? maybe you earn above £26k the national average wage UK, does that mean you have no right to complain about anything below that? Income has absolutely nothing to do with this, the only people that seem to bring it up, then follow it up with the fact that he can go move anywhere else becuase of his vast fortune... so can anybody that has a house? or rents one, we all have a choice where we live even homeless people have the choice to find help, go to hostels, very few have no choice but to live on the street in the UK for more than 1-2 days there are places to go to get help, but often they choose to live there for other reasons. Just because someone has done well, worked hard and earnt the money to buy a big house mean they then have no voice, we are all entitled to speak out on issues that are unfair or affect our lives. And I'd say more than most out there Brian gets involved in issues that he can really help out on due to his fame, not many others actually do that, they stay behind there big walls and swimming pools. If his fortune irritates people so much dont buy his records... you're just feeding the monsterThis ^^^^^^ |
| AlbaNo1 19.05.2016 02:39 |
You are way over thinking this. People are just tired of Brian moaning. Whether it's about The Voice, Donald Trump, Sacha Baron Cohen or badgers there are too many snippets of whinging emerging.He is mis using his status in the UK. |
| Sebastian 19.05.2016 06:21 |
Nah... I disagree there. Misusing his status would be if he, for instance, ripped people off via his celebrity, or used his money to prompt a politician to shut down a hospital to get him a recording studio paid for by people's taxes. *That* is misuse of fame/status/position. Or, for instance, if he sold fake recordings. All he's doing is complaining about what annoys him. Some can agree, some can disagree, but he's not harming anyone. |
| AlbaNo1 19.05.2016 07:12 |
I'd say your examples are abuse rather than misuse |
| Sebastian 19.05.2016 12:40 |
Yeah, you're right, I went too far :D I stand corrected. |
| Togg 20.05.2016 02:54 |
Sorry but how can it be misuse? there's no charter, actually he is using his staus perfectly, people will listen to him, would they listen to the two old ladies next door? they suffer from the issue more than he does, but they get no air time. If being a public figure means you can't speak on anything other than your chosen profession someone had better tell every celeb pretty damn quick. Because folk like Jamie Oliver, Mark Ruffalo, George Clooney, Roger Moore, Bill Gates, etc are all activists in chosen areas they passionately believe in. Being an activist because you have a public persona and air time, isnt misuse, in his case he is bringing to the publics attention a subject that affects us all, local planning is a major issue to anyone that owns a property, votes in an election or has any modicom of a view on the world we all live in. Just because he's not talking about Queen all day every day people get so fed up, but guess what, the title of his platform is 'Soap Box'... Google that |
| Vocal harmony 20.05.2016 11:25 |
^^^^ agreed but isn't the dislike of BM's involvement just the result of people (fans) confusing BM in his professional life with BM the person who has many interests outside of the confinement of rock stardom. Fans of most stars would find a very different person, in many ways, if they really knew the celebrity on a personal level. |
| Chief Mouse 20.05.2016 11:32 |
. |
| AlbaNo1 20.05.2016 12:51 |
This is getting painful. Nobody is confused . Nobody , or very few, want to listen to "celebrities" or their opinions, or give them any credibility. In this particular case I care even less . You think these two old ladies in Kensington have a hard life? Wake up |
| Togg 23.05.2016 03:45 |
And there you have it 100% failure to understand what's being said... D'oh btw Why just because someone's a celebrity does that mean they have no credibility? I'm thinking the old green devil has raised his head? So someone who has done nothing of note is automatically more credibile than someone who has managed to earn a decent sum of money?? really Your argument is all based on the fact you are clearly miffed he lives in a bigger house than you do, doesnt really seem to hold much credibility that does it? I sincerely hope you never amount to anything because clearly at that point you forefit all rights as a human being |
| The Real Wizard 23.05.2016 13:00 |
And that's the clincher - it also gives them impetus to refrain from doing something with their lives, because then they won't be able to bully and slander those who have. |
| AlbaNo1 23.05.2016 14:40 |
Worst thread ever. So you really think of all the problems in the world, all the problems you may personally have, that badger welfare and old ladies in Kensington are up there? What seismic geopoltical trend do you want to hear Brian complain about next. The decreasing quantity of blueberries in muffins? Brian may have a right to say what he wants but his image was that of a nice guy in rock a few years ago. Now he is becoming a celebrity talking head and if he is not careful public opinion will turn on him.Just look at the comments in newspapers under his articles from general people. Not sad Queen fanatics who endorse everything he does. If you don't get that then I really despair. Do not tell me I want a bigger house . In fact I have just bought one. You f@cking d!ck. |
| AlbaNo1 23.05.2016 14:51 |
Apologies for last three words |
| AlbaNo1 23.05.2016 15:00 |
Help me understand oh great Togg. Successful rich person uses media status to promote own interests . That's good . Oh yes of course I get it now. |
| Saint Jiub 23.05.2016 19:54 |
The Real Wizard wrote: And that's the clincher - it also gives them impetus to refrain from doing something with their lives, because then they won't be able to bully and slander those who have. Do you mean Togg should stop bullying and slander?? Brian's and his crotchety soapbox has been a running joke for years. The old ladies and Brian should just move out. My 80 year dad sold his house and moved out of his neighborhood when the construction got too bad while the town did nothing. He is much happier now. |
| Saint Jiub 23.05.2016 19:54 |
badger badger badger badger badger badger badger badger ... |
| Togg 24.05.2016 06:29 |
AlbaNo1 wrote: Worst thread ever. So you really think of all the problems in the world, all the problems you may personally have, that badger welfare and old ladies in Kensington are up there? What seismic geopoltical trend do you want to hear Brian complain about next. The decreasing quantity of blueberries in muffins? Brian may have a right to say what he wants but his image was that of a nice guy in rock a few years ago. Now he is becoming a celebrity talking head and if he is not careful public opinion will turn on him.Just look at the comments in newspapers under his articles from general people. Not sad Queen fanatics who endorse everything he does. If you don't get that then I really despair. Do not tell me I want a bigger house . In fact I have just bought one. You f@cking d!ck. You say you have zero interest in what he says, yet clearly you read it, His soapbox is just that, it's his place to comment on issues that he believes in or is affected by, why do you bother to read it if you hate everything he says? What 'seismic' issues do you feel you have the right to comment on given that you are not a celebrity? Global Warming? EU referendum? School dinners? I assume your opinion is far more valid than Jamie Oliver, Boris Johnson, or Al Gore? because your not a celebrity, sure there are bigger issues in the world other than Badger welfare or Basement building, but he feels he must get involved in those issues because they have some resonance with him, if you don't like it why read it so closely?...oh wait you don't, well you seem to know a lot about his views for someone that doesnt care... I certainly don't endorse everything he does or says, I dont agree with his politics for one, but I'm happy to hear balanced views from all sides, and as he is a highly intellgent and thoughtful person I'm interested to see what he thinks on subjects, he doesnt need to resort to insults to argue his case, he puts a passionate case forward every time, did you watch him on Question Time talking about the NHS? or was that too awful to watch as well... Brian's opinions are usually thoughtfully considered and balanced, Roger Taylor on the other hand has very polerized opinions, and often speaks openly in a very critical way on everything from religion, the press and other celebraties, yet his far more contraversail veiws often dont get picked up by the general press. Why are you here on Queenzone? if you are not a fan? I'm a fan of a number of bands yet I dont belong to a fan forum on any other than Queenzone, I assume you like the music? doesnt that make you wonder about the people that created it? As Queen are not really producing much new music these days why join a fan forum when the best days are behind them? I'm pretty sure you knew about Brian before you joined so it seems strange when he clearly irritates you so much? What you fail to understand is that Brian champions causes that would otherwise get forgotten, if someone like him doesnt do it, who will? would the public listen to you? no So while you may feel life is all about the big seismic stuff, spare a thought for all the individuals that get involved at grassroots level and actually DO something other than sit there an moan. |
| AlbaNo1 24.05.2016 11:51 |
Togg: Jamie Oliver: does work in improving childrens diets which is related to the talent that made him a celebrity Al Gore: is a long term politician with consistent interests throughout his professional life Boris Johnson: pompous dangerous c*nt Brian May: got into badger welfare after a life time of coining it in one of the world's most commercial rock bands Yes I saw Brian on question time. Like other actors and musicians who take that slot he appeared well meaning, but a bit lightweight and other than that fine. I always liked Brian but feel he has lost the run of himself. I'm not in a "fan" competition. |
| AlbaNo1 24.05.2016 15:37 |
Interesting intervention from the Bank of England governor on the Brexit debate. Presumably , Toggers will be waiting for John Deacon, the most financially savvy member of Queen, to entire the fray with a decisive contribution. Assuming Dr Bri hasn't already informed us. Because I like the guitar solo in I'm going slightly mad I'd be interested to know his Brexit views. |
| Togg 25.05.2016 03:24 |
I'll let you know when he does |
| AlbaNo1 25.05.2016 06:25 |
Cheers Togg |
| NickGreen 29.05.2016 16:13 |
Yer..I like Brian and he has a right to say what he likes when he likes, and to be fair the basement thing has been going on for 7 years aka permanently, i sympathise, it doesn't matter how rich someone is, there's too much jealousy around this I feel, and he has worked for it, the guy is a workaholic, he's knackered and at the end of his teather. I don't agree with his political views and resent some of the things he says as ignorant, but he has a right to say them, sometimes I feel ' if it's so bloody awful in England Brian bugger off then' but he's a certain age..everyone turns a bit into a old moaning git sometimes. So I say just let him do what he wants to do, some of it is nonsense but whatever, worry about your own life, if you have bugger all to show for it then that's a bit sad. |
| AlbaNo1 29.05.2016 18:23 |
This "jealousy" thing is really weird. Do you not think taste comes into it? Do people think everyone genuinely aspires to an upper class English lifestyle? With a bit of money you could be anywhere. The problem with Brian s causes is they are BORING and UNINSPIRING to most other people. I hate rock stars moaning but even Bono or Bob Geldof at least have universal causes , which are not of immediate self benefit to them |
| Costa86 17.08.2016 07:52 |
http://www.brianmay.com/brian/brianssb/brianssbjul16.html#32 Very good write-up by Brian here. Especially the bit where he mentions the "Establishment". He's absolutely right - the super-rich do as they please, and the law is designed not to help the ordinary citizen, but to make his/her life harder. And Brian is not exactly an ordinary citizen, yet even his life was made very hard in his quest for finding some peace and quiet in his own home. So what hope does the average man in the street, seeking any kind of redress, have? The bit about the "proportionality rule" is also spot-on. |
| The Real Wizard 17.08.2016 15:11 |
Court is all about who argues best, not who's right. It's basically a glorified high school debating team with a payroll. But nobody wants to hear a rock star speak the truth, because all they're qualified to do is play music, right? Excellent and articulate piece from Brian, as always. And frustrating that big money wins yet another battle with no fair and just solution in sight. Not many people have 140,000 quid to eat up legal fees. |