QueenZone discussion #1505293

scottmax wrote: Is 38-40 classed as a fairly old man??

ANAGRAMER wrote: Interesting topic Would Freddie still want to tour at 70; probably no His performance was high energy; always switched on and in the moment, even on The Magic Tour but, if you look closely, you can see he is visibly out of breath even early in the set (Tear it Up at Wembley)

on my way up wrote: In Freddie's case - sadly - there was also a virus in his body and I think it's no too far stretched to say that as early as 1984 some effects were showing. And if you take into account that he didn't adjust his behaviour (still sleeping little etc.) yet, then it's no surprise that some effect is seen in his performances.

musicland munich wrote:

on my way up wrote: In Freddie's case - sadly - there was also a virus in his body and I think it's no too far stretched to say that as early as 1984 some effects were showing. And if you take into account that he didn't adjust his behaviour (still sleeping little etc.) yet, then it's no surprise that some effect is seen in his performances.

I doubt that his infection was a factor during The Works Tour but I am not a doctor... Things surly changed during the Magic Tour for sure.It was their first Stadium only Tour ( with a few exceptions). That should keep the motivation to perform outstanding night after night to a maximum level imo. Aside of that they played lots their 70's material like their own tribute band. leaves me with a bland taste wich makes my impression even worse .

scottmax wrote: So because they played their 70’s material, which is only 7 years previous, they became their own tribute band? That statement absolutely baffles me....

thomasquinn 32989 wrote:

scottmax wrote: So because they played their 70’s material, which is only 7 years previous, they became their own tribute band? That statement absolutely baffles me....

I read it as "they played their '70s material *in such a way* that it sounded like they were a Queen-tribute band". And I tend to agree with that: most of the older material was played in a lazy and casual manner.

miraclesteinway wrote: I don't think that 38 is old, and in fact these days 38 year olds are a lot younger in mindset and in body than 38 years olds of the 1980s. But you're talking about touring rock stars. There is no doubt that Freddie was unwell by the time he was 38, but add to that the gruelling touring, which must have involved eating at odd times, sleeping at bad times, and they had also gone through years of excessive drinking and drug taking that, even if they'd stopped a lot of that by then, causes damage that takes a long time to repair. It was known that Freddie drank heavily in the late 70s and early 80s, and I'm pretty certain the only way he stayed so trim was through not eating as much as he needed to. In some ways Freddie looked better on the Miracle videos than he did in the Magic and the Works tour clips. Yeah, he was more frail, but he looked fresher. I understand there was make up used, and all that, but he had an alertness about him, and also he had a visible hunger for wanting to get the work done. Even on Slightly Mad where he is visibly not well, there is an enthusiasm about him which was less apparent in some of the earlier work. We know that he looked after himself much better in the last 4 years of his life. Even on Barcelona, he is like a tornado again, compared to some of the magic videos where he looks kind of heavy hearted. I'm quite sure had Freddie lived into the era of combination therapy then the care that he was taking of his body would have resulted in him regaining much of his youthful energy, and looking much better than he did on the works tour. Of course, he didn't live and so it's only hot air speculation. Anyway my point is, it's not age that is the problem, but the levels of abuse they all subjected their bodies to during the peak of their fame. Even look at the Q plus AL tour - Brian takes care of himself. He doesn't drink excessively (I don't know if he even drinks at all these days), he eats a plant-based diet, he takes regular exercise, and he looks very fit and healthy considering he's about to turn 71. He's probably fitter than a lot of 30 year olds who are still going out on the piss and smoking truck loads. Roger on the other hand is more the bon viveur. He likes to get plastered, he doesn't have a healthy diet, and he still lives a rock star life. He looks old, and he looks ill. Roger is younger than Brian by 2 years. You are what you eat and drink. It is known now that ageing can be reversed through diet and exercise. Obviously you can't stop some things, but wrinkles will reduce in appearance, hair will maintain its colour for longer, collagen will increase in your bones and muscles, and if you eat a diet which is anti-inflammatory you will stay fitter and healthier for longer. Drink a lot of alcohol, eat a diet full of rich foods, and don't exercise, and you'll find at any age that your energy is low. Especially if you add some hard drugs to the mix and don't sleep properly.

miraclesteinway wrote: Freddie drank heavily in the late 70s and early 80s, and I'm pretty certain the only way he stayed so trim was through not eating as much as he needed to.

miraclesteinway wrote: I read in one of the books about Queen, that Freddie drank excessively as well. However, snorting coke isn't going to do much for the old vocal chords either.... (or folds as they're called now). Thanks!