QueenZone discussion #1525053
Queen decisions
| splicksplack 04.11.2018 12:46 |
Who are the marketing team behind the decisions sanctioned by QPL? It has become increasingly obvious that all releases and projects post-Made In Heaven are now governed by sales potential and absolutely zero concern for artistry or (in the case of the "bio-pic") historical accuracy. Also Freddie's dying wish not to become boring is ignored if it gets in the way of potential income (hence the continued, unrelenting, mind-numbing use of the Moustached Freddie to promote anything). The rot started not with the use of BR in Wayne's World but the subsequent inclusion of movie clips in a new video to promote the song in the US thus cheapening the song but stimulating huge sales. The brazen money grab continued with the unforgivable inclusion of Guns N Roses at The FM Tribute Concert. One of their songs featured the homophobic lyrics "faggots...do as they please...and spread some fucking disease" (Axl Rose claimed to have had a bad 'homosexual' encounter so therefore felt at liberty to condemn an entire sizeable section of the population). OK, free speech (bordering on hate crime) etc but to include that band at a tribute to a man that died of AIDS?!?!?!?! QPL knew that their inclusion would be a draw and the main beneficiary would be Queen sales (not donations to the MPT). They continued to dilute and tarnish the legacy by getting into bed with Robbie Williams, Wycliffe Jean and Five while also allowing releases featuring The Miami Project and The Muppets. Anything to sell, sell, sell regardless of quality or legacy implications. There also seems to be no limit or quality checking as to the un-relenting licensing of their music for use in adverts. A whole generation now associate the track 'Flash' with a kitchen floor cleaner. Queen is now a brand that's prime objective is to make as much money as possible irrespective of harm to the band's legacy and with total disregard to the memories and wishes of fans that have been with them since the Freddie years. The greed now manifests in these septumgerians doing another stressful money-spinning karaoke stadium world tour next year, a film that is presented as their history but is historically inaccurate (including contentious depictions of at least two people that are no longer with us to defend themselves) and aimed squarely at nothing more than getting bums on seats and dollars in the bank. And, of course, recently fleecing long-standing fans with a £120 box set that contained barely one CD of unreleased material. All sanctioned by Jim (an ex-lawyer) and RT and BM (musicians). These people are not marketing professionals. Yes, they give the final thumbs up but who is it that comes up with the ideas, trawls the landscape with the sole intention of finding ever more money making ideas irrespective of the band's place in rock history? |
| dysan 04.11.2018 13:14 |
I think the problem is more with those who approach Queen to use their material. IE they have only the most basic level of creativity and settle on route 1 - let's ask Queen! So the brand is able to piggyback on the popularity with the public of the Queen legacy. Queen at heart a humble brand and flattered to be asked so always say 'yes' to stuff. Take a leaf out of ABBA's book lads. Say No, then you can command higher rates and therefore put it back into giving the fans what they want. |
| splicksplack 04.11.2018 13:37 |
dysan wrote: I think the problem is more with those who approach Queen to use their material. IE they have only the most basic level of creativity and settle on route 1 - let's ask Queen! So the brand is able to piggyback on the popularity with the public of the Queen legacy. Queen at heart a humble brand and flattered to be asked so always say 'yes' to stuff. Take a leaf out of ABBA's book lads. Say No, then you can command higher rates and therefore put it back into giving the fans what they want.Abba are a very good comparison. In some ways way more popular than Queen among the general population but much more respectful to their legacy than Queen. |
| MisterCosmicc 04.11.2018 22:16 |
Its terrible |
| blueroom 05.11.2018 03:24 |
I actually quite like the NOTW box unlike most people, it seemed to have real care put into it with things like the AAA cut album. However I agree that it has become a money making machine first and foremost. Anything to make a quick buck. Sure, you can change the lyrics to one of our most loved songs to sell your kitchen cleaner! As long as we see the cash. And with no archival release this year it's even more depressing. I mean a lot of people didn't like On Air or the NOTW box but you have to admit it's a hell of a lot better than this "biopic". |
| Darren_1977 05.11.2018 13:45 |
They have been making obscene amounts of money since Freddie died . I suppose they need it to maintain their houses, yachts etc |
| The Real Wizard 05.11.2018 18:06 |
Don't underestimate the influence of record labels. They have a bottom line, too. But re: publishing, Queen have their own - a rarity in popular music. Of course they're going to cash in. Old bands are brands now, full stop. But I don't buy the idea of a legacy being tarnished or fans' memories being tampered with. The songs and concerts are what they were. That can't be undone by any future act. |
| Sebastian 05.11.2018 18:07 |
Exactly. Maylor can tour with Justin Bieber and Onika Maraj if they want to, that won't make Frederick's (and John's, and their own) past work any less valuable. |
| dysan 05.11.2018 18:55 |
True, but it has effected my reasons for liking them for the last 35 years. I take things badly perhaps. I have a thin Queen skin. I've had to ask myself some questions. This however has coincided with re-listening to C_Matts HD remasterings which has rekindled something of those first emotions I had beck at the start. |
| Togg 06.11.2018 11:43 |
"All sanctioned by Jim (an ex-lawyer) and RT and BM (musicians). These people are not marketing professionals. Yes, they give the final thumbs up but who is it that comes up with the ideas, trawls the landscape with the sole intention of finding ever more money making ideas irrespective of the band's place in rock history?" My guess is someone pretty clued up on marketing....QPL is probably one of the most sucessful marketing dept's out there given they have managed to keep Queen alive and well earning more now than they did when Freddie was alive... you may not like it but there's no way you can call it anything other than brilliant marketing.... they sell the same stuff over and over and people buy it. |
| Michael 06.11.2018 11:52 |
Brian and Roger are, first and foremost, businessmen. Their business is entertainment. It is the way they support themselves and their families. They are granted X number of years on this earth and, during those years, they want to live as comfortably as possible and pass down wealth to their families. Queen is a valuable trademark that generates millions of pounds/dollars each year. Looking at it from this viewpoint, it is easy to see why Brian and Roger are "milking the cow" for all it is worth. |
| MisterCosmicc 06.11.2018 12:06 |
Brian and Roger and their children and grandchildren could live off of their shares of income forever. Brian and Roger just want to feel worth something. They don’t realize they are. They should record music as solo artists |
| aristide1 06.11.2018 12:10 |
It has to be good since marketing is the only surviving department after the factory closed in 1995. There are a lot of redundant releases but I don't think the income is as high as some people like to think. |
| Vocal harmony 06.11.2018 18:17 |
splicksplack wrote: All sanctioned by Jim (an ex-lawyer) and RT and BM (musicians). These people are not marketing professionals. Yes, they give the final thumbs up but who is it that comes up with the ideas, trawls the landscape with the sole intention of finding ever more money making ideas irrespective of the band's place in rock history?You quote Jim Beach being an ex lawyer and Brian and Roger being musicians as if it's a negative. Like any successful long running artist, Queen are a brand. If they do anything the record company expects it to make money, that's what business does. As much as you may not like it, from the time they released their first album, they were in the business of selling their products. What they do now doesn't change what they achieved years ago, if you're not happy with where they are now, don't be part of it. There is nothing making you put up with or buy into anything that's offered that you don't like whether it's this band or any other artist. Or clothing, or Mongolian street food or what ever. |
| dysan 06.11.2018 18:27 |
Aye... they have been in the business since the early days of it becoming BIG business. You could argue they actually invented it. Pioneers. |
| bucsateflon 06.11.2018 19:07 |
splicksplack wrote: They continued to dilute and tarnish the legacy by getting into bed with Robbie Williams, Wycliffe Jean and Five while also allowing releases featuring The Miami Project and The Muppets. Anything to sell, sell, sell regardless of quality or legacy implications.Yes, just like they did it when Freddie was alive and "got into bed" with Top of the Pops, SNL, Sanremo '84, Sun City, etc. Anything to sell, sell, sell.. indeed you know the band pretty well. |
| rockchic65 06.11.2018 19:12 |
splicksplack wrote: They continued to dilute and tarnish the legacy by getting into bed with Robbie Williams, Wycliffe Jean and Five while also allowing releases featuring The Miami Project and The Muppets. Anything to sell, sell, sell regardless of quality or legacy implications.I would say the success of the film is pretty good proof that they haven't tarnished their legacy in the slightest. Regardless of what they do with who original Queen are beloved and will continue to be IMO. |
| dysan 06.11.2018 20:14 |
That's like saying Santa Claus is still beloved because he's preserved his dignity and mystique. No, because he's a ubiquitous whore. |
| dysan 06.11.2018 20:15 |
Woah I spelled 'ubiquitous' right |
| MisterCosmicc 06.11.2018 21:42 |
It created a new legacy for Queen... a false legacy. Sporadic touring and albums in the 80's. AIDS diagnosis before Live Aid, Freddie knew it'd be his last performance, so he gave it his all! It tarnished Freddie's legacy greatly, but no, not Queen's. |
| Golden Salmon 06.11.2018 23:45 |
Sebastian wrote: Maylor can tour with Justin BieberI am neutral on Adam Lambert, but damn... he's like a blessing compared to other possibilities. |
| Sebastian 06.11.2018 23:59 |
Togg wrote: you may not like it but there's no way you can call it anything other than brilliant marketing.... they sell the same stuff over and over and people buy it.I agree. |
| Michael Allred 07.11.2018 03:15 |
Piss and moan all you want. Cry GREED and SELL OUT till you're blue in the face but here's the deal.....Brian, Roger and Jim have worked very hard to not just keep Queen out there but promote and advertise till Queen was in everything. Everywhere. They have kept Queen music not just alive but thriving. Perhaps moreso now then they have ever been. People talk of Queen and Freddie in ways they've never been before. They're not just some old band with a few hits decades ago, they're an essential part of world culture. I'm thankful for that and as Queen fans, you should be too. |
| dysan 07.11.2018 08:04 |
Agreed |
| aristide1 07.11.2018 09:15 |
They're an essential part of world culture despite marketing acrobatics, not because of them. Anyway, your logic works better for Um Bongo rather than Queen (speaking of badly received formula changes). |
| dysan 07.11.2018 09:36 |
Yeah they are marketing themselves to remain a visible public entity. Although that said, we do get the occasion archival treat so can't grumble. |
| Michael Allred 07.11.2018 15:00 |
Aristide1, yes but on a much smaller scale. |
| The Real Wizard 09.11.2018 01:01 |
dysan wrote: Aye... they have been in the business since the early days of it becoming BIG business. You could argue they actually invented it. Pioneers.Debatable. Zeppelin were playing stadiums by 1973 and taking 90% from the promoters (Peter Grant was a beast). The Beatles and Elvis certainly didn't see a lot of coin in their heyday, but Dave Clark sure did, as he had his own publishing (just like Queen did by 1977). Not sure if Queen were *the* first to create a megacorporation out of a band, but no doubt they were one of the first. They were Britain's highest paid executives by 1980 - during the business-friendly reign of Thatcher, and without a manager. This is not to be taken lightly. To think Brian and Roger suddenly became smart businessmen after Mercury died is extremely naive. All four of them were brilliant in the board room - particularly Deacon. |
| The Real Wizard 09.11.2018 01:04 |
aristide1 wrote: They're an essential part of world culture despite marketing acrobatics, not because of them.Wrong. Michael Allred wrote: Brian, Roger and Jim have worked very hard to not just keep Queen out there but promote and advertise till Queen was in everything. Everywhere. They have kept Queen music not just alive but thriving. Perhaps moreso now then they have ever been. People talk of Queen and Freddie in ways they've never been before. They're not just some old band with a few hits decades ago, they're an essential part of world culture.Correct. And it has been a very conscious effort on their part. And working with Adam Lambert has been a massive portion of that effort in North America, as he was already very well known here. Like him or not, it was a very strategic business decision. It can be easily argued that Queen are bigger now than they've ever been, and some would even say they're more relevant to popular culture than The Beatles now. And smart PR is entirely the reason why. It sure isn't because of facebook memes. |
| MisterCosmicc 09.11.2018 01:20 |
Things will change now, but it's not because of Adam, it's currently because of the movie. While Adam keeps the Queen name flowing about with live performances, it's not bringing a big increase to Queen's albums sales. A lot of the people attending those concerts are Adam Lambert worshippers there to see him, not Queen. Do you expect an Adam Lambert obsessed little girl to go out and buy an album without Adam on it? We should analyze the sales of Adam's last solo album and Queen Forever. As said, things will change now! |
| The Real Wizard 09.11.2018 01:22 |
MisterCosmicc wrote: Things will change now, but it's not because of Adam, it's currently because of the movie. While Adam keeps the Queen name flowing about with live performances, it's not bringing a big increase to Queen's albums sales.Correct. The film is their biggest legacy piece - far bigger than any tour or box set. The film's primary target audience is people who know three Queen songs. Most people who have seem on recent tours don't fit that description. Brian and Roger's goal is to ensure the next generations know who they are after they pop off. Nothing can better secure that for a band that hasn't existed in over 25 years than a Hollywood film. Sure, they had to do the historical inaccuracy thing to play ball with the big boys in LA, but that's the price of admission. |
| MisterCosmicc 09.11.2018 01:36 |
The soundtrack to the film hit 22 on the US charts last week. Any other Queen stuff currently on the charts? |
| rockchic65 09.11.2018 09:45 |
MisterCosmicc wrote: The soundtrack to the film hit 22 on the US charts last week. Any other Queen stuff currently on the charts?I saw these posted on Queenonline, haven't checked their accuracy though. Worldwide iTunes album chart 1 Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody 2 Queen - The Platinum Collection 5 Queen - Greatest Hits 16 Queen - Live At Wembley Stadium 28 Queen - Greatest Hits II 31 Queen - A Night At the Opera 170 Queen - Queen Jewels United States iTunes songs 6. Bohemian Rhapsody 12. We Will Rock You 16. Somebody to Love 19. We Are the Champions 21. Another One Bites the Dust 24. Radio Ga Ga 29. Under Pressure 42. Killer Queen 43. Don't Stop Me Now 62. Fat Bottomed Girls 63. Love of My Life 65. Crazy Little Thing Called Love 91. You're My Best Friend 96. I Want to Break Free 135. Bohemian Rhapsody 168. Who Wants to Live Forever 176. Hammer to Fall 185. The Show Must Go On iTunes Albums 1. The Platinum Collection 3. Bohemian Rhapsody 4. Greatest Hits 36. A Night at the Opera 69. Live At Wembley Stadium 105. A Night at the Opera 179. News of the World[/quote] |
| Holly2003 09.11.2018 10:13 |
So much for Bran and Roger wanting Queen to be remembered as an album band rather than for their hits. But then we've known for a long time now to take anything they say with a pinch of salt. |
| mike hunt 09.11.2018 10:49 |
I'm tired of people saying fans only know 3 Queen songs before the movie...you must have lived under a rock not to know at least a dozen songs by Queen. |
| aristide1 09.11.2018 13:30 |
The only conclusion I can draw, based on your beliefs about great management culminating in the biggest legacy piece - the movie - is that Defecation is not a worldwide phenomenon because of bad management and lack of a biopic movie. Am I right? |
| MisterCosmicc 09.11.2018 14:43 |
Maybe they didn't know any Queen songs... they are still buying Bohemian Rhapsody, We Will Rock You, and We Are The Champions. |
| MisterCosmicc 09.11.2018 14:44 |
Imagine though kids that really haven't been introduced to Queen yet? Think of all the parents in their 20's and 30's who listen to crappy rap music and probably buy that for their damn kids. |
| The Real Wizard 09.11.2018 17:35 |
Holly2003 wrote: So much for Bran and Roger wanting Queen to be remembered as an album band rather than for their hits.Hate to break it to you, but Queen have been a hits band since 1980. |
| Iron Butterfly 09.11.2018 17:49 |
I still wonder who had the idea for Brian and Roger to do that Pepsi ad a few years ago. Man, that was bad. |
| Holly2003 09.11.2018 18:12 |
The Real Wizard wrote:Yeah I know. I would say from about 1984 though. They were still experimenting on The Game and Hot Space and it was only with The Works that they really needed a hit. Roger even made an offer to the US record company to change the lyrics of Radio Ga Ga if it would get more radio airplay. They released four singles from that album in the UK, doubling up with 12-inch versions. That was also the year of their Xmas single. Someone should remind Brian and Roger the next time they say they want to be remembered primarily for their albums that they decided to be a hits band a long time ago.Holly2003 wrote: So much for Bran and Roger wanting Queen to be remembered as an album band rather than for their hits.Hate to break it to you, but Queen have been a hits band since 1980. |
| pholidota 09.11.2018 20:44 |
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| dysan 09.11.2018 23:10 |
No disrespect emina but 80s rock 101. It came to point where bands were playing bigger venues that sponsorship was necessary - be it Heineken being the 'official drink' or, say, Bowie doing a whole Pepsi ad campaign to finance a tour that his label wouldn't touch. |
| Lamebert whoehahaha 12.11.2018 12:41 |
Maylor are a money grabbing machine They put Freddie to shame with their moustache & yellow 86 jacket merchandise, with the jewelry merchandise and with their gigs with ultimate “Las Vegas Cabaret” (Peter Hince) idols cocksucker Adam Lame bert Maylor suck big balls these days...a pity |
| Lamebert whoehahaha 12.11.2018 12:44 |
And don’t let us talk about Jim Beach and his Queen Productions. They don’t give a shit abour Queens hardcore fans. They’re just grabbing and grabbing. As Freddie would say “FUCK ‘EM!” |
| rockchic65 12.11.2018 13:35 |
Lamebert whoehahaha wrote: And don’t let us talk about Jim Beach and his Queen Productions. They don’t give a shit abour Queens hardcore fans. They’re just grabbing and grabbing. As Freddie would say “FUCK ‘EM!”Well since you clearly aren't a Queen fan what do you care? |
| MisterCosmicc 12.11.2018 14:44 |
I didn't enjoy Freddie's yellow jacket or that Betty Boop shirt. Sure looked funny seeing him sing 'Hammer To Fall' with Betty Boop! |
| bas 13.11.2018 18:03 |
You could’t be any more wrong rockchic65... I’ve been a Queen fan since the late seventies, but for me Queen ended on 24 november 1991. Maylor, Jim Beach and Queen Production have totally fucked up the once so great Queen legacy. I have a lot more respect and sympathy for Deacon’s decision to quit. |
| aristide1 13.11.2018 19:04 |
This is first class small talk seasoned with all the expired ingredients: Deacon = respect, Beach & QP = greedy, Freddie's death = end of Queen. And what exactly is "the once so great Queen legacy", never heard of such a thing? Legacy does not disappear in thin air just because someone is not pleased anymore - that's why it's called legacy. Push the fucking button to start your turntable or CD player, and spin the albums you like not the ones you didn't like or have not been recorded because... That's how listening music works for me. Since mid-seventies. |
| rockchic65 13.11.2018 19:07 |
bas wrote: You could’t be any more wrong rockchic65... I’ve been a Queen fan since the late seventies, but for me Queen ended on 24 november 1991. Maylor, Jim Beach and Queen Production have totally fucked up the once so great Queen legacy. I have a lot more respect and sympathy for Deacon’s decision to quit.My comment was to Lamebert whoehahaha, if you look you'll see I quoted him. Unless you've made two accounts and logged in with the wrong one? And as has been said a ton of times on here Deacy's decision to quit was nothing to do any of that. |
| bucsateflon 13.11.2018 22:01 |
lots of shit belly talkers here... |
| AnthonyP 09.08.2020 18:51 |
I wouldn't judge as you do. I don't know if they are marketing professionals or not but I agree that they need to be questioned about their strategy. I myself deal mostly with digital marketing companies, like this one, for instance, and I have no point to doubt their competence. |