| Mr.Jingles 28.09.2004 18:51 |
Many of you might know that Axl Rose from Guns N' Roses, and Sebastian Bach from Skid Row have many times mentioned how much they have been influenced by Queen, and how much they admire and respect Freddie Mercury. Seems a little weird to me when these two guys have been well know for sparking anti-gay controversy. Axl Rose made the headlines with the song 'One In A Million' from the album 'Lies', which includes racist, and homophobics comments through the whole song. Here's a small part of the lyrics... << Immigrants and faggots They make no sense to me They come to your country And think the do as they please Like start a mini Iran Or spread some fucking disease They talk so many goddamn ways It's all greek to >> Axl has defended his position by saying that the song has been taken out of context, and it doesn't reflect his personal opinions but it is intended to rather show issues like racism, homophobia, and violence as a common reality. I think I read somewhere (forgot which book) that Axl mentioned in an interview back in 1989 that he would be very glad to meet Freddie Mercury in person, to what Freddie responded... "I'd like to meet him too, so I can spit on his face" (something like that). Now, the thing with Sebastian Bach from Skid Row is even more controversial... Bach was pictured in a metal magazine in 1990 wearing a T-shirt that read "AIDS kills fags dead" (a parody of an insecticide slogan). Asked by MTV News about the shirt, Bach laughingly said, "I do not condone, comprehend, or understand homosexuality in any way, shape, form, or size." In the face of mounting public outrage, Bach stated that he had friends who were gay and that he disapproved of gay bashing. Recently on VH1's 'I Love The 80s', Sebastian Bach talked a bit about Queen and their 1980 hit 'Another One Bites The Dust'. Sebastian Bach mentioned how Freddie Mercury was one of the greatest frontmen of all time. Any thoughts? |
| LiveAidQueen 28.09.2004 18:54 |
Split personality? I think so... |
| deleted user 28.09.2004 19:22 |
Maybe they like his musical talents, and not his personal life. But it doesn't make very much sense to me. |
| Brian_Mays_Wig 28.09.2004 19:28 |
I love GnR and I love Skid Row, at the end of the day, these were bands that were not long just starting out, they needed to create an image and if thats what they chose to do then so be it. Ive seen both bands live and theyre both fucking excellent. Skid Row really surprised me, great live act. All I can put it down to is 'As you get older you get wiser!' Freddie would have forgiven Axl, his documentary was pretty heartfelt I thought, and If Bach chooses Fred as an influence and praises him then What a Guy! And remember, Axl got hammered at the tribute whice resulted in the 'Shove It' during Paradise City', I think he learned his lesson! People deserve a second chance. |
| Brian_Mays_Wig 28.09.2004 19:29 |
Brian_Mays_Wig wrote: I love GnR and I love Skid Row, at the end of the day, these were bands that were not long just starting out, they needed to create an image and if thats what they chose to do then so be it. Ive seen both bands live and theyre both fucking excellent. Skid Row really surprised me, great live act. All I can put it down to is 'As you get older you get wiser!' Freddie would have forgiven Axl, his documentary was pretty heartfelt I thought, and If Bach chooses Fred as an influence and praises him then What a Guy! And remember, Axl got hammered at the tribute which resulted in the 'Shove It' during Paradise City', I think he learned his lesson! People deserve a second chance. |
| Brian_Mays_Wig 28.09.2004 19:30 |
oops, i think you get my drift! |
| Brian_Mays_Wig 28.09.2004 19:31 |
Sorry to carry on by the way but , MJ, what a great topic!! |
| Albyboy 28.09.2004 19:38 |
Brian_Mays_Wig wrote: I love GnR and I love Skid Row, at the end of the day, these were bands that were not long just starting out, they needed to create an image and if thats what they chose to do then so be it. Ive seen both bands live and theyre both fucking excellent. Skid Row really surprised me, great live act. All I can put it down to is 'As you get older you get wiser!' Freddie would have forgiven Axl, his documentary was pretty heartfelt I thought, and If Bach chooses Fred as an influence and praises him then What a Guy! And remember, Axl got hammered at the tribute whice resulted in the 'Shove It' during Paradise City', I think he learned his lesson! People deserve a second chance.Yes, I agree with B_M_W... Especially about Seb: at the time he did that interview, he was barely in his twenties... So, even if I don't want to justify such an idiot statement, I think that everybody deserves a second chance... About Axl, I never liked him too much but, in this case too, I think his tongue went faster than his brain... Anyway, it's quite easy to generalize when you've got a background similar to Axl's: don't want to justify anybody, absolutely, but... :-) Albyboy |
| Giacco 73 28.09.2004 19:38 |
Also Sebastian Bach performed live with my second all time favourite singer,Rob Halford of Judas Priest.It happened in 1992 and Rob in 1997-98 came out of the closet by saying that he was gay.Bach while performing was claiming Rob his own metal idol.Well maybe if he knew he was gay he probably would change his mind...Or he just made a separation between the man and the artist.We never can tell. By the way,also Rob Halford said that he really love Queen music and admire Freddie as a singer and was shocked for his death.He met Freddie once in the island of Mikonos,Greece,known for its gay clubs.I think he influenced Freddie outfits during the Jazz era,1978/79,all the black leather stuff and Queen influenced early Judas Priest albums. |
| Brian_Mays_Wig 28.09.2004 19:47 |
I cant stand Rob Halford, JP were shite! But fair play if hed shown respect for Freddie later on, I know they didnt get on in the 70's. |
| MayFan 28.09.2004 20:16 |
When I was watching the Freddie Tribute concert when they were broadcasting it live on MTV, at the end of Bo Rhap when Axl came out with Elton John to sing the end part together ("nothing really matters...."), Elton put his arm around Axl and I swear you could see Axl's whole body stiffen like he was disgusted or something. That always stuck in my mind. I don't care if Elton John is gay, straight, bi, purple, or thinks he's Zues, he is one of the greatest performers, musician, singer, and songwriter in rock and roll! Have some respect, ya bastard!!! Sorry....I feel better now.... I loved G'NR, but hate Axl. IMHO, he thinks he's a legend in his own mind. |
| Penis - Vagina 28.09.2004 20:16 |
Homophobic comments are easily forgivable I guess. Same thing happened with Eminem & Elton John (though you can't blame Elton for forgiving such a cute guy) |
| Zander05 28.09.2004 20:26 |
All any famous person has to say, after having said something way out of line, "that was taken out of context" and all is forgiven. That's stupid. I don't think Seb wore the AIDS shirt to offend gays, but maybe it was just funny to him. I'm not, however, defending what he said, though. In the end, it doesn't matter, music is music. One person's sexuality doesn't make you rock more or sound more talented. We just have to learn to be at peace with the fact that a lot of straight men will sometimes say something homophobic. And for the record, Axl is a f*cking t**t! |
| joeyjojo 28.09.2004 21:15 |
"Any thoughts?" Who cares what two washed up pretty boy rockers think? ;o) To be serious, crap and controversy sells. They're smart enough to know that. |
| MayFan 28.09.2004 21:19 |
"To be serious, crap and controversy sells. They're smart enough to know that." 2 words...Marilyn Manson. 'Nuf said. |
| deleted user 28.09.2004 21:22 |
3 words: POOR WHITE TRASH |
| Mr.Jingles 28.09.2004 21:43 |
Eminem defends his position on using the word 'faggot' on his records by saying that 'fag' or 'faggot' is commonly used as an insult to describe someone's lack of courage rather than to describe someone's sexual preferences. The only part in which I defend Eminem is that he's not the first rapper to use that word. |
| Mr.Jingles 28.09.2004 21:49 |
Now speaking of Elton John, he opened a can of worms lately when he called some news reporters in Taiwan 'PIGS'. Many people took it as a racial insult, but I think Elton John was only bothered by the fact that the news reporters were up his ass and hardly allowed him to walk through, and calling them 'Pigs' was never meant to be a racist remark. |
| BackToHuman 28.09.2004 23:01 |
Elton had a problem with have reporters up his ass? (sorry....it was too easy) |
| GonnaUseMyPrisoners 29.09.2004 00:35 |
People learn. People grow. Myself included. Even I used to be outwardly intolerant when I was in the closet, yes in the closet (the irony is too blatant for words). All I can say is that I'm glad I don't have anyone around me to remind me of the bizarre, scared, hateful things I've said in the past. |
| joeyjojo 29.09.2004 01:11 |
"the irony is too blatant for words" I think that says a lot about our society's (illogical, but prevalent) norms. When a country starts talking about writing into their constitution explicit discrimination based on ones sexual orientation, it's hard not to find a pervasive homophobia out there. |
| jasen101 29.09.2004 01:39 |
I don't care what they think! |
| rockyou 29.09.2004 02:07 |
you guys think too much, people say lots of thing and put stuff in their lyircs, ie in MOTBQ freddie says nigger and in The WHO's Helpless Dancer Daltrey says Queer does make them racist, i dont think so lyrics always have a deeper meaing then the face value. besides its common knowledge that Axl's favourite singer is Elton John. |
| egret 29.09.2004 02:30 |
When we speak of Axl Rose's offensive lyrics or that other one's horrendous shirt, we're not speaking of a couple of insecure guys who had a few drinks too many and spoke their reptile minds. Who hasn't said something they regretted sometimes? That would be entirely forgivable. But what they did was, in the case of the lyrics, write, perform, record, release and publish those hateful words. There were ample opportunities to step back soberly and think, "Is that the thought I really want on my album?" I'm sure if they'd had issues with the guitar solo quality, there would have been time for a retake. This was not a "heat of the moment" statement, but was presented as art and/or entertainment. In the case of the shirt, it's hateful and not funny and he chose to wear it on a TV program. No one forced him to wear it. He didn't just see it in a shop and laugh at it -- he put it on his body and wore it on TV. Not a "heat of the moment" statement. Not that anyone's a saint. Queen is, after all, the band that played Sun City. And maybe some people still like Guns and Roses and want to say, "Oh, his politics don't affect his music." That's great. Enjoy his music, then. But don't say, "Oh, he didn't really understand what he was saying, he didn't really mean it." etc. He meant it. --Egret |
| Mercuryking 29.09.2004 06:39 |
Did Freddie really say that he wanted to spit on Axl's face? When and why did he say that? |
| Roger_in_Tigerskin_Trousers 29.09.2004 09:16 |
egret wrote: When we speak of Axl Rose's offensive lyrics or that other one's horrendous shirt, we're not speaking of a couple of insecure guys who had a few drinks too many and spoke their reptile minds. Who hasn't said something they regretted sometimes? That would be entirely forgivable. But what they did was, in the case of the lyrics, write, perform, record, release and publish those hateful words. There were ample opportunities to step back soberly and think, "Is that the thought I really want on my album?" I'm sure if they'd had issues with the guitar solo quality, there would have been time for a retake. This was not a "heat of the moment" statement, but was presented as art and/or entertainment. In the case of the shirt, it's hateful and not funny and he chose to wear it on a TV program. No one forced him to wear it. He didn't just see it in a shop and laugh at it -- he put it on his body and wore it on TV. Not a "heat of the moment" statement. Not that anyone's a saint. Queen is, after all, the band that played Sun City. And maybe some people still like Guns and Roses and want to say, "Oh, his politics don't affect his music." That's great. Enjoy his music, then. But don't say, "Oh, he didn't really understand what he was saying, he didn't really mean it." etc. He meant it. --EgretI totally agree with you. Well said. |
| PrincesofTheUniverse 29.09.2004 10:38 |
Absolutely spot on Egret. Well said. |
| Brianmay1975 29.09.2004 12:11 |
Roger_in_Tigerskin_Trousers wrote:Me too. Very very well said.egret wrote: When we speak of Axl Rose's offensive lyrics or that other one's horrendous shirt, we're not speaking of a couple of insecure guys who had a few drinks too many and spoke their reptile minds. Who hasn't said something they regretted sometimes? That would be entirely forgivable. But what they did was, in the case of the lyrics, write, perform, record, release and publish those hateful words. There were ample opportunities to step back soberly and think, "Is that the thought I really want on my album?" I'm sure if they'd had issues with the guitar solo quality, there would have been time for a retake. This was not a "heat of the moment" statement, but was presented as art and/or entertainment. In the case of the shirt, it's hateful and not funny and he chose to wear it on a TV program. No one forced him to wear it. He didn't just see it in a shop and laugh at it -- he put it on his body and wore it on TV. Not a "heat of the moment" statement. Not that anyone's a saint. Queen is, after all, the band that played Sun City. And maybe some people still like Guns and Roses and want to say, "Oh, his politics don't affect his music." That's great. Enjoy his music, then. But don't say, "Oh, he didn't really understand what he was saying, he didn't really mean it." etc. He meant it. --EgretI totally agree with you. Well said. |
| Voice of Reason 2018 30.09.2004 08:28 |
I have to admit, I always thought 'One in a Million' was quite a clever song. After the words you've quoted above have shocked you, the song finishes with something like 'it's been such a long time since I knew right from wrong, it's all a means to an end, I just keep moving along'. I always thought it was about someone who's fed up with the way his life has gone and is looking around for someone to blame... |
| SergeantPepperDG 30.09.2004 08:37 |
<font color="purple">The Thin Dark Duke wrote: Let me tell you a story about a guy I know. The guy was called Freddie (ass well) It was a very soft guy and one day he turned out being gay. Immediatly the next day he started to wear lether jackets, lether caps. You know what gays wear. The guy was'nt himself because he was gay, that's sick.He wasn't himself because he was gay? Sorry, but that makes absolutely no sense to me. |
| T84K 30.09.2004 11:40 |
I think Axl Rose did admire Freddie and Queen. I just think he's run out of things to say in his song. And I think it's possible that a person could admire somone just out of pure admiration of what they do. not what they are. |
| deleted user 30.09.2004 13:41 |
Axl Rose said that when he was stoned. Watch the clip again (from the FMTC DVD). never trusted that poor excuse for a musician. |
| Sir Archie 'Tiffany' Leach 30.09.2004 18:22 |
Sorry totally disagree with the Axl part. All the blame seems to be put on Axl Rose but there were several band members, producers, etc who were involved and did nothing to stop it. I may be wrong but isn't David Geffen, whose record label they belonged to gay. He also appears to have done little about it. Plus is this song about Axl's own views or just somebody in a song who is looking to blame others? |
| Penis - Vagina 01.10.2004 04:58 |
I always thought the 'n' word in MOTBQ was a bit unnecessary. It could have so easily been "A little BIT OF sugar" and in fact it sounds close enough they could have at least printed the lyrics that way :) |
| CBScorpio 01.10.2004 10:27 |
I am not of fan of Gun & Roses or Skid Row But when I was a kid growing up in the 70's I was a fan of Queen. In fact, they're 1 of my favorite rock bands. I remember seeing numerous performances by them and never once did I think that Freddie Mercury was gay. I just thought he had a unique stage presence, that his performance style was different. A child's innocence is incomparable. As an adult, I do not endorse homosexuality. However, I can appreciate anyone that is a talented musician.....Freddie Mercury was definitely a talented musician. To me, sexuality and musicianship/talent are 2 VERY DIFFERENT things! No one's sexuality is the source of their talent. Anyone with ears has to acknowledge that Freddie Mercury's vocal ability was phenomenal!! Of that, there is no doubt. Despite whatever happened when he got off stage, I loved what he did while he was on it. Queen's music enriched my life. They made rock music beautiful...there's nothing sexual about that. |
| YourValentine 01.10.2004 11:16 |
You think you are tolerant when you say you don't mind what Freddie did offstage. But you don't respect him as the person he was - and he was a gay man. You don't know which influence his sexuality had on his creativity, maybe he would have created other music had he been straight - because then he would have been another person. Obviously, you have no idea how offensive your comments are. As to Axl, Skid Row and Eminem, I always find it disgraceful how "celebrities" act as the punks they are and when they are challenged they come up with such lame excuses that they did not mean it and that "fag" is in fact a cigarette and no harm meant - that's really pathetic. |
| CBScorpio 01.10.2004 19:13 |
YourValentine wrote: You think you are tolerant when you say you don't mind what Freddie did offstage. But you don't respect him as the person he was - and he was a gay man. You don't know which influence his sexuality had on his creativity, maybe he would have created other music had he been straight - because then he would have been another person. Obviously, you have no idea how offensive your comments are.YourValentine, I do not understand how you think the "pretense" of tolerance comes into play with anything that I said. I don't believe that Freddie's sexuality or the sexuality of any other performer has anything to do with their musical ability, period. They're either talented or they're not. How could I respect the music he made and not respect the musician that made it?!? Did I not say that I thought he was a phenomenal vocalist?!? Unless you knew him personally, how can you honestly say what kind of person he was? And please, please tell me that you think there was more to him than his being gay! For heaven's sake, the man created the music he was meant to create, just like Hendrix, Lennon and other great musicians that passed before him. And I believe they all did so regardless of their sexuality. What is obvious to me is that this subject is a very sensitive 1 for you. I wasn't trying to step on or break anyone's toes. I was just expressing my opinion. |
| LiveAidQueen 01.10.2004 19:21 |
You guys have WAY too much to say... |
| SergeantPepperDG 01.10.2004 19:52 |
whirled <font color=#6B8E23>peas</font> wrote: I always thought the 'n' word in MOTBQ was a bit unnecessary. It could have so easily been "A little BIT OF sugar" and in fact it sounds close enough they could have at least printed the lyrics that way :)That's EXACTLY what I thought. That's what I do when I sing it out loud. |
| deleted user 02.10.2004 02:29 |
Art for art's sake, that's what they say. |