| likeanatombomb 15.01.2018 18:22 |
Hello. I am new to this website and the reason I joined is because I need help from the amazingly skilled Queen-fans and I thought that there cannot be a better place to ask my questions than here. Anyway, we were given a prodject on an artist or band from the 60's - 00's and I of course chose Queen. I am making a documentary-styled film but I have some questions I need answered before I can make it. 1.Who were the bands inspiration/idols (it can be a band/artist or genre) 2.What other band/artist took after the band (successors?) 3. In which way can you tell that they were active in the 70s-80's? I am very thankful for any answers I can get or any links and sources! |
| Bertus 15.01.2018 18:33 |
AbbA, mud, fleetwood mac and Genesis. |
| Penetration_Guru 15.01.2018 19:04 |
1. Wikipedia 2. Wikipedia 3. Wikipedia Kids today, they can't even copy their homework off the internet without help.... |
| likeanatombomb 15.01.2018 19:07 |
I have to do this entire prodject without wikipedia because 'its not a reliable source' so if you dont feel like helping then why comment? |
| jrd1951 15.01.2018 19:31 |
Hi there.Great band to choose...all of them were heavily influenced by The Beatles,especially the white album.Freddie,Brian and Rog loved Jimi Hendrix,Led Zep and The Who.John liked lots of Disco/Funk stuff from the late seventies and early eighties,so Chic would be one.Freddie also admired Chopin and lots of classical music. Lots of bands have been influenced by them,they were THE arena/stadium band of the seventies/eighties.The Foo Fighters,Green Day,Bon Jovi to name a few |
| jrd1951 15.01.2018 19:39 |
Sorry forgot the third part! The only way you knew of band's activities was through the radio,and shows like 'Top Of The Pops',with singles promotion.Hence the amount of singles released from an album,which helped the album,which then led by a tour.Then came a memorable video....Queen were pretty much everywhere from 1974-1986,and always came up with something different,fresh and exciting.Which to me,made them the best band of all time, |
| likeanatombomb 15.01.2018 19:53 |
Thank you sooo much, I'll be sure to put this in! |
| The Real Wizard 15.01.2018 20:08 |
Go to a library and find books on Queen or even rock music in general. Or google "Queen influences". You can even watch documentaries on YouTube. When I was your age I had to go to a video rental store and pay to rent a copy - if they had one ! You had to call in advance to see if they had it. When I was a kid I couldn't post on a forum to learn about something. I had to research it myself. You kids have no idea how good you've got it. Good luck with the project. |
| likeanatombomb 15.01.2018 20:48 |
I am very aware of how lucky I am. I appreciate your answer and I have watched at least 4-5 documentaries but I dont feel like I have gotten the answer that I'm seaching for so I was hoping to get information from someone who maybe was lucky enough to be of age and got to see Freddie and the 'old Queen' live or have any helping information. Since I'm 'lucky' enough to be able to use the internet and forums to my help with my prodjects (almost every bit of my schoolwork is built around the internet and just because yours wasn't doesn't mean that mine isn't equally challenging, it just means that I have to go through hours of reading and evluating every single source because of how much false information there is out there) then I feel like I should use it as much as possible. Thank you for your answer, I'll be sure to watch more documentaries. |
| likeanatombomb 15.01.2018 20:54 |
Im not looking for someone to do my prodject for me, Im just stuck on these last questions out of 20 I've already answered and I want other peoples inputs and opinions to inspire me. I really want this prodject to be great like the band it's about. |
| little foetus 15.01.2018 21:12 |
Not exhaustive answers. 1.Who were the bands inspiration/idols (it can be a band/artist or genre) Freddie Mercury's idol was Jimi Hendrix in his youth. He was also fan of Robert Plant, Aretha Franklin, Montserrat Caballe. One of Brian May's idols and inspirations was Lonnie Donegan. John Deacon has always been a fan of funk, soul and Tamla Motown releases. Roger Taylor was a huge fan of the Beatles (indeed all the band members were, afaik). 2.What other band/artist took after the band (successors?) again, not exhaustive list: Guns and Roses, The Darkness, Foo Fighters, Muse, Mika... 3. In which way can you tell that they were active in the 70s-80's? I don't really catch the question but i'll try to answer. Queen were VERY active from 1973 to 1982 (1 or 2 albums each year (only exception 1979 where there released nevertheless a live album, Live Killers and 1981 where they nevertheless released their first Greatest Hits), several tours each year). At the end of 1982, Hot Space fail and tensions within the band made them much less active as Queen but more as solo artists. Between 1982 and 1991, only four Queen albums: The Works (1984), A Kind Of Magic (1986), The Miracle (1989), Innuendo (1991) and only 1984-1985-1986 active as a live band (with much less concerts than during the 70ies). Last show in August 1986 and then Freddie's health excluded any live show. |
| The Real Wizard 15.01.2018 21:29 |
likeanatombomb wrote: I am very aware of how lucky I am. I appreciate your answer and I have watched at least 4-5 documentaries but I dont feel like I have gotten the answer that I'm seaching for so I was hoping to get information from someone who maybe was lucky enough to be of age and got to see Freddie and the 'old Queen' live or have any helping information. Since I'm 'lucky' enough to be able to use the internet and forums to my help with my prodjects (almost every bit of my schoolwork is built around the internet and just because yours wasn't doesn't mean that mine isn't equally challenging, it just means that I have to go through hours of reading and evluating every single source because of how much false information there is out there) then I feel like I should use it as much as possible. Thank you for your answer, I'll be sure to watch more documentaries.Cool - thanks for your reasoned response. This is from the "Classic Albums" documentary for A Night At The Opera that came out in 2005. Brian May talks about the Temperance Seven here, who influenced him to create the brilliance that is the end of Good Company: link Cream and The Shadows were a big deal to him too. Liza Minnelli's cabaret performance style was hugely influential on Mercury, and Aretha Franklin was his favourite singer. But the two biggest influences on Queen as a whole certainly were (at least in the early days) Jimi Hendrix and The Beatles. Hendrix completely changed the way the guitar was played, and Mercury was greatly influenced by him too. But the Beatles changed the scope of rock music and popular culture in a way that no single entertainer has influenced an artistic movement since. The Beatles were the blueprint for decades of artists that came after them, including Queen. |
| likeanatombomb 15.01.2018 21:47 |
Thanks for really direct and increadibly well-sourced info, I'll be sure to put this in! I have of course heard of all the names that inspired Queen like Hendrix and Minelli and Plant but your info sure made it much more easy to understand what they brought to the table and HOW they acually made an impact on them so I'm very thankful for you input! |
| Cruella de Vil 15.01.2018 22:07 |
Hi a few influences have not been listed yet (I think): Led Zeppelin in general, particularly John Bonham on Roger, but also Mitch MItchell from the Jimi Hendrix band, GInger Baker from Cream and Keith Moon. Also for Brian and Roger, The Who (the big crashing chords into Father to Son, or particularly the big opening part of Now I'm Here). Brian has also mentioned a number of times about his debt to Jeff Beck, and to Mantovani records (in respect of the guitar parts on Killer Queen). |
| Chopin1995 15.01.2018 22:33 |
Freddie liked Chopin. Here he said about it - link Cliff Richard And George Michael - link Brian likes some classical music too, like Gustav Holst - link Roger likes David Bowie. His solo music is somewhat influenced by Bowie (like "Journey's End") and one of his favourite queen song is Under Pressure - link John likes Chris Squire - link Also they liked Michael Jackson - link |
| Saint Jiub 16.01.2018 00:18 |
The Real Wizard wrote: Go to a library and find books on Queen or even rock music in general. Or google "Queen influences". You can even watch documentaries on YouTube. When I was your age I had to go to a video rental store and pay to rent a copy - if they had one ! You had to call in advance to see if they had it. When I was a kid I couldn't post on a forum to learn about something. I had to research it myself. You kids have no idea how good you've got it. Good luck with the project.Get off my lawn. LOL |
| Saint Jiub 16.01.2018 00:24 |
Get off my lawn ... |
| Saint Jiub 16.01.2018 00:28 |
Penetration_Guru wrote: 1. Wikipedia 2. Wikipedia 3. Wikipedia Kids today, they can't even copy their homework off the internet without help....Get off my lawn ... from someone (me) who can get a "senior" discount at Denny's ... and can't properly use a measage board without triple posting.. |
| dysan 16.01.2018 07:49 |
Blatantly works for Queen Productions and they've dropped their shopping about the new film |
| likeanatombomb 16.01.2018 08:11 |
Thank you Chopin1995 and Cruella De Vil for all the suggestions and links, I'm checking them you now! |
| cmsdrums 16.01.2018 08:43 |
When writing about bands or artists that were influenced by Queen, I feel it is important to emphasise the very wide range of music styles covered by those influenced by them. For example, although a number of band would say they are influenced by Metallica, pretty much all of those will be rock/metal artists. The big difference with Queen is the breadth of influence; artists that have openly stated they were heavily influenced by Queen include: Metal: Slayer, Metallica Pop: Lady Ga Ga, Katy Perry, George Michael Gospel/Jazz: Gregory Porter Rock: Winger, White Lion, Extreme, The Darkness, Foo Fighters, Guns n Roses, Def Leppard Opera: Alfie Boe Rock/Prog: Dream Theater, Muse The list goes on and is pretty extensive really. No matter what your taste, there will pretty much be a Queen song that you like/love. |
| Dr Magus 16.01.2018 08:45 |
Ignore what everyone else has said about the band's influences. Paul Rogers and Free were Brian's childhood heroes, despite being Brian being OLDER than Paul and had already earned his DEGREE when Free released their first album. Still, he said they were his childhood heroes so it must be gospel. Oh and Paul Rogers was Freddie's favourite singer. |
| Togg 16.01.2018 09:19 |
I have to say it's wonderful to see how helpful and open Queenzone is to helping people.... jeez, there was a time when forums were set up to impart information and share knowledge... not here, it seems it takes Serious genuflecting and stepping out backwards with head bowed before people respond Makes you proud |
| ANAGRAMER 16.01.2018 09:45 |
In addition to the above, I would say that Hot Space was a pivotal album for the band. The first album was an attempt to define themselves as a product of their influences which were alluded to above but this didn't really come to fruition until Queen II. As the songwriting improved, they produced Sheer Heart Attack, the first major success which combined better songwriting with simpler production The 'Marx brothers' period is when they combined mature songwriting with increasingly complex production techniques. This went very much out of fashion in the late 70s when they produced the stripped-down album News of the World - the strength of the writing allowed them to produce an extremely successful album with more staightforward production Jazz is an oddity in the sequence of albums at this time, they had stated that they wanted to combine what they had learned in production with Roy Thomas Baker who just had massive commercial success in the USA (with The Cars). I'm sure many fans would agree that, by this time, RTB was not really the ideal producer - the album lacked punch and depth and despite a few excellent songs, some of the writing/quality control had dipped. This album was also less successful in the USA, their major market at the time, hence a change was required The Game became their best selling studio album worldwide and sold by the truckload in USA. The album had a fresher feel, with this album (with Mack), they had learned to record quicker (a technique called 'dropping in) where the backing tracks could be done in segments rather than as a whole performance Mack also freshened the drum sounds and introduced other guitar sounds (e.g. Crazy Little Thing) and, for the first time; synthesisers! Another One Bites the Dust was a result of this recording technique and became their best selling single (at least 4 million) in the USA This major success changed the band dynamic; Freddie and John had a liking for funk/disco and with the support of personal manager, Paul Prenter, they became convinced that the band adopt a disco/ funk feel would lead to further major sales The resulting album was a disaster commercially and artistically; Hot Space Brian May had put this failure partly down to timing; disco had 'peaked' by then and 'Thriller' by Michael Jackson had yet to be released. Had the album emerged after 'Thriller' things may have been different but this lack of success had been a blow to the band - especially in the USA where the Hot Space tour was less well attended that previous tours and none of the singles, with the exception of Body Language made any impact on the charts They took most of 1983 off By early 84, they had returned to form with 'The Works', adopting more traditional Queen values while advancing the production and synthesisers to compliment rather than dominate the sounds, e.g. Radio Gaga, I want to break free. The songwriting was also better by miles and guitar featured heavily throughout the album pleasing many of the hard core rock fans They invested serious money in the videos for that album and it worked with one glaring exception; culturally, the American market did not seem to 'get' the humorous intention of the video for I want to break free and, from that point onwards, Queen couldn't even get arrested in the USA with no further major hits and the album stalling at 23 in the charts with sales of around 500,000 (compared to 4 million for The Game) The Works tour stared late in the cycle of the album (released in Spring, tour in the autumn), no USA dates but huge success elsewhere, especially South America and.......South Africa! The tour included dates in Sun City resulting in harsh criticism from their peers and from the music press Which brings us to Live Aid.... From then onwards their hushed success continued worldwide with the exception of the USA No tours (obvious reasons) allowing them time for various solo projects Success in the USA briefly returned after Freddie's death and in light of Wayne's world movie but, by that time it was all too late to capitalise Hope this helps |
| ANAGRAMER 16.01.2018 09:48 |
*hushed= major |
| likeanatombomb 16.01.2018 10:14 |
Thank you Anagramer and cmsdrums for the very insightful information, I'll check this out immediately! |
| matt z 16.01.2018 10:21 |
I had this problem before on a PRINCE.ORG forum about Tom Petty.... (*a NON PRINCE SECTION) and this asswipe walked in asking for help on the BEST TOM PETTY album. ... I stayed true and voiced my love for the SHE'S THE ONE SOUNDTRACK and even voiced that it was sent to my brother by mistake from BMG but I'd opened it, resealed it and copied it because i like it (*i was 12, i was full of creativity) I still think it's probably their best album up there with DAMN THE TORPEDOES. ..but this POS totally was exploiting MY knowledge to MAKE HIMSELF LOOK INTERESTING. ..didn't even bother to know things was probably using this to bate some slut who DECLARED she loved Tom Petty just because he died. Needless to say. ....i hated the experience so I'll offer this to this weekend wasteland fuck FREDDIE'S INFLUENCES: CICERO THE CLOWN, Ronnie Wood, Matthew Cumstopper JOHN'S INFLUENCES: HORTUS DICKFACE, Junior Walker, Sony and Shares ROGER: BIGGUS DICKUS, Slayer, Walter Winchell BRIAN: easy Rider, John McCartney, Paul Lennon and MOBY DICK |
| ANAGRAMER 16.01.2018 12:23 |
likeanatombomb wrote: Thank you Anagramer and cmsdrums for the very insightful information, I'll check this out immediately!One other MAJOR point that I failed to include was their live performances Having seen then (with and without Freddie) on many occasions, it must be said that, in spite of the quality of the preceding album, their live shows were always trailblazing Part of this was the fact that they came from a time when, to be successful and accepted as a serious musician (along with LED Zep, Yes and many others), they had to be virtuoso on their respective instruments As a live band, they were also pioneering in the fact that they toured extensively, and in South America were the first major act to take a full production show in spite of the logistical issues One other MAJOR factor in their live shows was Freddie Mercury's charisma and relationship with the audience- something intangible but, when he appeared on stage, he was simply spell-bounding, even if his voice was not on top form. He always gave the best of himself and, if you watch live performances, he was always in the moment, delivering what many would consider the best live performances of all time |
| Nitroboy 16.01.2018 15:51 |
likeanatombomb wrote: I have to do this entire prodject without wikipedia because 'its not a reliable source' so if you dont feel like helping then why comment?But users on an internet forum are? |
| likeanatombomb 16.01.2018 16:16 |
I have already written this before which you could've read before commenting but, I'm not looking for answers to copy, I'm looking for inspiration and to educate myself on this truly amazing band. You do not have to help at all, but I appreciate all the help I can get from the people who live for Queen and want to share all their knowledge and love for them. A big thank you to everyone who has taken time out of their day to help me, it has been a treamendous help to get me out of my mindblock and gave me a ton of new ideas. |
| dysan 16.01.2018 16:30 |
You say you're making a documentary style film? |
| Arnaldo "Ogre-" Silveira 16.01.2018 16:36 |
Great answers! If I could add something, as far as the bands' influences, I think nobody mentioned The Beach Boys. On another note, at least Brian, Roger and Freddie seemed to be influenced by John Lennon, even though some already mentioned The Beatles and "Paul Lennon". :) I would say at least Freddie and Brian had Elvis influences. Regarding Roger, I would add James Brown, Little Richard, Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan. Finally, Brian was also influenced by Buddy Holly and by The Kinks. Cheers, Ogre- |
| likeanatombomb 16.01.2018 17:03 |
Thank you so much for a great addition to the list Ogre! |
| Penetration_Guru 16.01.2018 21:04 |
dysan wrote: You say you're making a documentary style film?..and despite claiming to have watched many of the existing ones, still has inane questions. I have a question. How will OP's film differentiate itself from the aforesaid existing material? (Other than not having any actual Queen content due to lack of licensing). |
| ANAGRAMER 17.01.2018 08:56 |
Try google search for Peter Freestone; he is a great source of information -especially about Freddie from 79 onwards He might even discuss directly with you; really nice guy |
| Vocal harmony 17.01.2018 15:33 |
Dr Magus wrote: Ignore what everyone else has said about the band's influences. Paul Rogers and Free were Brian's childhood heroes, despite being Brian being OLDER than Paul and had already earned his DEGREE when Free released their first album. Still, he said they were his childhood heroes so it must be gospel. Oh and Paul Rogers was Freddie's favourite singer.You're missing an important point in your rush sling shit at Brian May. The likes of Free, Bowie, Elton John, Roxy Music and many others they were loosely in the same age group as Queen but as professional musicians were several years ahead in terms of achievement on a career level, all had hits and successful albums before the first Queen album. Queen as struggling musicians quite possibly were fans of these bands and looked up to them. Looking back from the present the early 70's were along time ago and Brian, looking back, probably remembers it being part of his life which was still very close to his childhood. In the Bo Rhap documentary he refers to Queen in 1975 as "mere boys"! |
| ANAGRAMER 18.01.2018 07:39 |
In 1975, the mere boys were almost 30! With the exception of JD |
| Dr Magus 18.01.2018 11:05 |
Vocal harmony wrote:Utter crap.Dr Magus wrote: Ignore what everyone else has said about the band's influences. Paul Rogers and Free were Brian's childhood heroes, despite being Brian being OLDER than Paul and had already earned his DEGREE when Free released their first album. Still, he said they were his childhood heroes so it must be gospel. Oh and Paul Rogers was Freddie's favourite singer.You're missing an important point in your rush sling shit at Brian May. The likes of Free, Bowie, Elton John, Roxy Music and many others they were loosely in the same age group as Queen but as professional musicians were several years ahead in terms of achievement on a career level, all had hits and successful albums before the first Queen album. Queen as struggling musicians quite possibly were fans of these bands and looked up to them. Looking back from the present the early 70's were along time ago and Brian, looking back, probably remembers it being part of his life which was still very close to his childhood. In the Bo Rhap documentary he refers to Queen in 1975 as "mere boys"! May calling Free 'childhood heroes' was no different to calling Paul Rogers 'Freddie's favourite singer'. Merely a way of selling them to Queen fans. |
| Dr Magus 18.01.2018 11:06 |
ANAGRAMER wrote: In 1975, the mere boys were almost 30! With the exception of JDPrecisely! |
| Vocal harmony 19.01.2018 10:58 |
Dr Magus wrote:The utter crap is your blanket view and inability to see the bigger picture.Vocal harmony wrote:Utter crap. May calling Free 'childhood heroes' was no different to calling Paul Rogers 'Freddie's favourite singer'. Merely a way of selling them to Queen fans.Dr Magus wrote: Ignore what everyone else has said about the band's influences. Paul Rogers and Free were Brian's childhood heroes, despite being Brian being OLDER than Paul and had already earned his DEGREE when Free released their first album. Still, he said they were his childhood heroes so it must be gospel. Oh and Paul Rogers was Freddie's favourite singer.You're missing an important point in your rush sling shit at Brian May. The likes of Free, Bowie, Elton John, Roxy Music and many others they were loosely in the same age group as Queen but as professional musicians were several years ahead in terms of achievement on a career level, all had hits and successful albums before the first Queen album. Queen as struggling musicians quite possibly were fans of these bands and looked up to them. Looking back from the present the early 70's were along time ago and Brian, looking back, probably remembers it being part of his life which was still very close to his childhood. In the Bo Rhap documentary he refers to Queen in 1975 as "mere boys"! Free were playing the gig circuit during 1968, so Brian May's comments could well be true. And as I said before saying they were fans when they were kids, may have been a figure of speach but, wasn't too far off the mark. The mere boys comment can't be disputed its what he said on film, the understanding of that can be viewed in different ways but to say its utter crap is a small minded view of the subject. |
| Dr Magus 19.01.2018 11:26 |
I'm not talking about your 'boys' comment as that has absolutely nothing to do with my original comment. A child isn't someone in their early twenties - fact. |