| brENsKi 05.02.2005 05:55 |
i've heard a couple of little niggles lately about this great song - i think one was during the "making of " bbc docu where Brian is beginning to play down the greatness of the song...and also he's "bigging up" his part in it.... i'm beginning to think he's trying to rewrite history a little. and now i'm convinced of it - and worse still i think it's through petty jealously - because he didn't "create" queen's finest moment read this month's "UNCUT" mag and tell me he's just not-so-ever-so-slightly starting to belittle this great song....what next Bri? WWRY is queen's defining moment? and Bo Rhap just a bit part? |
| Adam Baboolal 05.02.2005 09:05 |
How about telling us the part you're talking about so we can listen for ourselves. I don't remember anything bad about it. Peace, Adam. |
| brENsKi 05.02.2005 10:35 |
as i said they were just "niggles" in the bo rhap story - - i felt he was trying to take credit for huge chunks of the song - esp as he said " the other three did the backing track and then Fred left him to fill in all the guitar parts" - surely the song-writer would be "directing traffic" - esp THAT early in queen's career.... but here's the latest niggle from UNCUT magazine Did Bohemian Rhapsody change everything? Brian: quite honestly bo rap wasn't that big a deal to us. It was a pivotal momment for us. But it was one of many, many pivotal moments. |
| Adam Baboolal 05.02.2005 11:06 |
I don't see it. Sorry. Especially not that second quote. peace, Adam. |
| brENsKi 05.02.2005 11:12 |
Adam Baboolal wrote: I don't see it. Sorry. Especially not that second quote. peace, Adam.sorry Adam - what DON'T you see? that 2nd quote os from this month's UNCUT magazine it also heavily promotes the new queen - ie for their tour - but those comments re Bo-Rap not being a big deal are fairly astounding - is brian trying to understate Queen's (and Freddie's) greatest song - and the song that consistently tops world-wide greatest song polls? - why is that? i think he's jealous of that song |
| Hank H. 05.02.2005 12:22 |
Without knowing the context of this utterance, it sounds to me as if he is talking about the feelings they had when they recorded the song. It's perfectly understandable that recording Bo Rhap was not a life-changing experience, since they already had equally complex songs in their repertoire. No jealousy there for me. |
| Adam Baboolal 05.02.2005 12:32 |
What I meant by not seeing what you're talking about, is that it sounds like it refers to the band's usual stance. Freddie's comment at the end of the BBC docu states a more direct response about it, i.e. belongs to a different era, a different time and that's over. So why would they say any different from their usual response. No need to get heated about it! lol Peace, Adam. |
| Sebastian 05.02.2005 12:56 |
Perhaps the royalty thing did affect Brian, moe in terms of respect and admiration than money, and that's why he took credit of I Want It All, for instance, it can be possible. I mean Brian's a great person but as nearly everyone, he's got some flaws, his is to be falsly modest and subtly claim himself as a hero. IMHO. |
| brENsKi 05.02.2005 13:31 |
Adam Baboolal wrote: What I meant by not seeing what you're talking about, is that it sounds like it refers to the band's usual stance. Freddie's comment at the end of the BBC docu states a more direct response about it, i.e. belongs to a different era, a different time and that's over. So why would they say any different from their usual response. No need to get heated about it! lol Peace, Adam.sorry Adam, wasn't getting heated but the question was clearly : Did Bohemian Rhapsody change everything? and Brian's response was: "quite honestly bo rap wasn't that big a deal to us. It was a pivotal momment for us. But it was one of many, many pivotal moments." now to my mind - as the interviewer is asking if the song changed everything, then Brian's trying to say it didn't...well of course it did!!! and that makes him a little jealoous in my book it smacks a little of Mccartney's (god love and respect him) attempt last year to get all the writing credits changed ffrom Lennon/McCartney to Mccartney/Lennon - on the surface it doesn't change much, but when you look below the surface it is a little bit of inferiority andjealousy slipping through - brian can't change the past - but he is trying to alter the populist view of that past - but it don't wash with me. |
| brENsKi 05.02.2005 13:46 |
Adam Baboolal wrote: What I meant by not seeing what you're talking about, is that it sounds like it refers to the band's usual stance. Freddie's comment at the end of the BBC docu states a more direct response about it, i.e. belongs to a different era, a different time and that's over. So why would they say any different from their usual response. No need to get heated about it! lol Peace, Adam.sorry Adam, wasn't getting heated but the question was clearly : Did Bohemian Rhapsody change everything? and Brian's response was: "quite honestly bo rap wasn't that big a deal to us. It was a pivotal momment for us. But it was one of many, many pivotal moments." now to my mind - as the interviewer is asking if the song changed everything, then Brian's trying to say it didn't...well of course it did!!! and that makes him a little jealoous in my book it smacks a little of Mccartney's (god love and respect him) attempt last year to get all the writing credits changed ffrom Lennon/McCartney to Mccartney/Lennon - on the surface it doesn't change much, but when you look below the surface it is a little bit of inferiority andjealousy slipping through - brian can't change the past - but he is trying to alter the populist view of that past - but it don't wash with me. oops double post - apols |
| Mr. Farenheit 05.02.2005 14:47 |
<B><font color=#ff7f00>Brenski</B> wrote:Well....the truth is it DIDNT "change everything"...you may want to pin some mystical historical signficance to the song....but it really has none. Its a great song....interesting...and unique in its time.....but so what? Pop music in general....is incredibly easy to compose....for a musician. Non-musicians dont realize this. For him to say "not a huge deal"....is him being honest. Its just another pop/rock and roll song....although a bit longer than most....and it has some operatic stuff thrown in the middle. It AINT that big a deal. Fun song? Yes. Classic Queen? Yes. Important in the grand scheme of things? Nope.Adam Baboolal wrote: What I meant by not seeing what you're talking about, is that it sounds like it refers to the band's usual stance. Freddie's comment at the end of the BBC docu states a more direct response about it, i.e. belongs to a different era, a different time and that's over. So why would they say any different from their usual response. No need to get heated about it! lol Peace, Adam.sorry Adam, wasn't getting heated but the question was clearly : Did Bohemian Rhapsody change everything? and Brian's response was: "quite honestly bo rap wasn't that big a deal to us. It was a pivotal momment for us. But it was one of many, many pivotal moments." now to my mind - as the interviewer is asking if the song changed everything, then Brian's trying to say it didn't...well of course it did!!! and that makes him a little jealoous in my book it smacks a little of Mccartney's (god love and respect him) attempt last year to get all the writing credits changed ffrom Lennon/McCartney to Mccartney/Lennon - on the surface it doesn't change much, but when you look below the surface it is a little bit of inferiority andjealousy slipping through - brian can't change the past - but he is trying to alter the populist view of that past - but it don't wash with me. |
| Sebastian 05.02.2005 14:49 |
I agree. Bo Rhap is unique and imo very important historically, but still it didn't change everything. How many Bo Rhap-like pieces do you find in the radio today? Or any year? |
| Mr.Jingles 05.02.2005 14:58 |
So just because Brian mentions that he wrote the guitar parts on Boh Rap does it mean that he's a cocky and arrogant? C'mon people! Freddie and Roy Thomas Baker have also mentioned that Brian indeed wrote those guitar parts. Is it a problem if Brian just mentions it again? Bohemian Rhapsody was perhaps Queen's finest moment, but arguably there were other great moments as well (which were as big, or perhaps even bigger) and I think that what Brian meant is that 'Bohemian Rhapsody' is not seen by Queen as their finest moment as "one hit-wonders" enjoy their moment of popularity with one single song. |
| ernie 05.02.2005 15:00 |
well it wasn't easy to compose, freddie himself said it wasn't easy...and i really can't think of any songs like bo rhap on the radio right now and even if there were, would they be memorable? probably not |
| Fireplace 05.02.2005 15:34 |
I thought Bo Rhap finally established Queen as a professional band. If I understand correctly, they would have been just about bankrupt if the single hadn't worked. Sounds like a very important pivotal point to me! No Bo Rhap= possibly no more Queen. |
| brENsKi 05.02.2005 16:52 |
Sebastian wrote: I agree. Bo Rhap is unique and imo very important historically, but still it didn't change everything. How many Bo Rhap-like pieces do you find in the radio today? Or any year?yeah but queen were on the verge of financial ruin....they had been "ripped off by their management" changed managers, and went against EMIs recommendation adn decided to release the single in it's entirety - EMI wanted to edit it - and the gamble certainly did change eveything...had it not worked they wouldn't have been the major act they are/were....as it was - it was THE defining moment - when the band became global |
| Sebastian 05.02.2005 18:08 |
The band was already famous in Europe and the States, and of course UK. Killer Queen had been #2. Bo Rhap was certainly their biggest hit but the band would have certainly survived without it. Not with the same success of course, but they would have survived. |
| Adam Baboolal 05.02.2005 19:37 |
I need to read these comments in context to really understand what this is all about. It's just not clear enough. A big moment for Queen? Or is it for music in general? Need to read it. Peace, Adam. |
| ryancoke 06.02.2005 03:38 |
<B><font color=#ff7f00>Brenski</B> wrote: as i said they were just "niggles" in the bo rhap story - - i felt he was trying to take credit for huge chunks of the song - esp as he said " the other three did the backing track and then Fred left him to fill in all the guitar parts" - surely the song-writer would be "directing traffic" - esp THAT early in queen's career.... but here's the latest niggle from UNCUT magazine Did Bohemian Rhapsody change everything? Brian: quite honestly bo rap wasn't that big a deal to us. It was a pivotal momment for us. But it was one of many, many pivotal moments.You know what? Sod off! The past few comments I've read of yours have all been ones of negativity or bringing down of Queen. The song wasn't a big deal to them, but it meant a shitload to the public. Is that really something to turn against Brian? If you want to critique something, why don't you assess your habit of jumping to conclusions so quickly with the band that you clearly aren't understanding. |
| YourValentine 06.02.2005 05:32 |
No need to become rude, it's just a discussion, ryancoke. I agree with those who think that BoRhap made all the difference. It turned an averagely successful band into a household name over night. Everybody knows Bohemian Rhapsody and it made Queen huge stars. I don't think that Brian wants to downplay the role of BoRhap for the band's career or he would not have taken part in the recent BBC documentary about the song. Maybe the quote in the Uncut mag was a misunderstanding. |
| deleted user 06.02.2005 06:58 |
I really admire all those folks who are able to decipher other people's attitudes and flaws on such a shallow basis without even knowing them. Are Queen fans a bunch of clairvoyants ? Apparently. |
| Sebastian 06.02.2005 07:23 |
I disagree. As from my post, I referred to Brian's flaw clearly visible through 30 years of interviews, in which he falsly modestly and subtly does claim a lot for himself (and the band as well, like the whole Thriller - Hot Space thing). Still that's IMO (as I specified), and also IMO it isn't a reason to put him down; more to the point, I'm not putting him down by saying that. |
| deleted user 06.02.2005 07:43 |
How can these things become "clearly visible" when all you have is 30 years of loose interview-passages (second-hand tradition) and ambiguous written comments ? Interviews always look completely different when they're printed compared to what you perceive when you watch the same thing on video. And even a video can be misguiding. That's heuristically not satisfying. Historians or philologists would admonish caution. I wouldn't want to be judged on that basis. You're entitled to your opinion, of course, and I don't want to tell you that you're wrong, but maybe you should critically challenge the way you gain your insights more often, especially since you tend to indulge in a kind of scientific approach to Queen (no pun inteded. You're simply one of our experts after all.) |
| Mr.Jingles 06.02.2005 09:06 |
Sebastian wrote: I disagree. As from my post, I referred to Brian's flaw clearly visible through 30 years of interviews, in which he falsly modestly and subtly does claim a lot for himself (and the band as well, like the whole Thriller - Hot Space thing). Still that's IMO (as I specified), and also IMO it isn't a reason to put him down; more to the point, I'm not putting him down by saying that.I have to say that the whole 'Hot Space / Thriller' thing didn't make much sense to me. However, I have to say that the fact that both Queen and Michael Jackson were friends around the time when both artists were experiencing an increasing amount of popularity, which I think helped both to learn from each other. I think that Michael learned from Queen that crossing over to other genres could be a great thing. Take for instance that 'Off The Wall' was a highly successful album, but it still seemed to stay inside Michael's common ground of black genres like soul, funk, and R&B. 'Thriller' and the following albums by Michael were more daring in crossing over in that sense. Funny thing is that as Michael's music became whiter, so did his skin. |
| Lord Blackadder 06.02.2005 13:59 |
Freddie was not Queen's guitar player. Although he wrote a few songs on guitar he wasn't the player Brian was or is. Brian always would have almost always had to come up with guitar parts in the Freddie songs, duh. And when brian speaks of freddie he has nothing but admiration for him. Stop tryin' to make trouble. All he said was he came up with the Bohemian Rhapsody guitar solo, which he did. |
| brENsKi 06.02.2005 14:26 |
i don't know WHO you are replying to (but in case it was my original thread that your (ahem!) repsonse was aimed at) when you have read the quote from UNCUT mag then come back and say there isn't just the slightest hint of "playing down bo rap" one fact will always remain - if Queen had not gambled on bo-rap -and stuck to their guns re the full version being released then they would not have been the success they were - the band was almost bankrupt - no i know some wont believe this - but it is well documented Queen had had two top-10 albums and two top ten singles and still had not seen any royalities - the management group were paying them £50 a week! if the bo-rap gamble had not paid off - then queen would have become another typical mid70 band that didn't have world-wide success....and yes - they may have made some money and had a few more hits - but they could well have been no bigger than (say) UFO, Rainbow or Whitesnake - that is my point |
| deleted user 07.02.2005 07:12 |
After reading all the posts, I guess you are right, Brenski Without BoRap they would have never been THAT big. And they had other defining moments, but none was bigger than the opus magnum: Bohemian Rhapsody (I think that Brian has forgotten it was a number one hit TWICE!!! -> 1975 and 1991). |
| Sebastian 07.02.2005 07:13 |
Philipp Nothaft wrote: How can these things become "clearly visible" when all you have is 30 years of loose interview-passages (second-hand tradition) and ambiguous written comments ? Interviews always look completely different when they're printed compared to what you perceive when you watch the same thing on video. And even a video can be misguiding. That's heuristically not satisfying. Historians or philologists would admonish caution. I wouldn't want to be judged on that basis. You're entitled to your opinion, of course, and I don't want to tell you that you're wrong, but maybe you should critically challenge the way you gain your insights more often, especially since you tend to indulge in a kind of scientific approach to Queen (no pun inteded. You're simply one of our experts after all.)I agree to disagree in there. IMO, a person is reflected by what he/she writes or says, you can more or less interpret my personality just by reading my posts. It's "risky" in the way that drawing deep conclusions is to be taken carefully, but still it's not impossible. That's what the IMO thing is about. IMHO Brian is arrogant. Not in a Roger Waters kind of way (which is more direct), but subtly, using fake modesty and "accidentaly" sweeping his insights. But that's just my opinion, I don't mean to change anyone's perspective whatsoever. He did a great job and he's got a point in being so proud of it, and proud of the band he cofounded, still IMO he goes too far sometimes, or several times, in his soapbox, or his interviews. It doesn't change the fact that I like the songs, neither I'm judging him, he's got flaws like everybody else, as I've got mine (and very annoying btw), etc. I just expressed my opinion. Cheers |
| Teo_torriate04 07.02.2005 07:42 |
I've read the article ( and the other related articles in the mag ). I can see where Brenski's coming from and maybe there is a hint of something in how Brian answered the question. I would suggest that it's not so much jealousy as someone who's just tired of answering the same old question. Let's face it, Brian's contribution to the band is hardly inconsequential, He wrote one of the best known songs in the world (WWRY), the story of his guitar is always fascinating, he is recognised by his peers as being just about the best in the business at what he does. He's been pivotal in bringing to the stage one of the most successful musical productions of all time. He and Roger have announced one of the most eagerly awaited tours for many years. With all of those achievements and many more not mentioned, wouldn't you be just a little pissed off if somebody then asks you (for the millionth time) about a song that you didn't write? |
| Fenderek 07.02.2005 08:10 |
<B><font color=#ff7f00>Brenski</B> wrote: as i said they were just "niggles" in the bo rhap story - - i felt he was trying to take credit for huge chunks of the song - esp as he said " the other three did the backing track and then Fred left him to fill in all the guitar parts" - surely the song-writer would be "directing traffic" - esp THAT early in queen's career....I don't think Fred was writting guitar solos for Brian... :S And also- you're forgetting about different thing he said- he said that when Fred was writting BoRhap he wasn't involved for at the same time he was working on Prophet's Song- that's not really taking the credit, is it? |
| Mr.Jingles 07.02.2005 09:56 |
I need to remind you guys that even after 'Sheer Heart Attack' came out Queen was nearly bankrupt, not because they weren't selling well enough but because their managers at Trident were screwing them up, and stealing money from them. That's when EMI came along, worked a deal with Trident, and then John Reid took over as a manager after Elton John recommended his services to Freddie. |
| kohuept 07.02.2005 10:55 |
Brian admits that it was an important moment, but not THE important moment. Certainly the release of a band's first single/album is important and for Queen WatC/WWRY were important as well. Not to mention that AOBtD was their biggest selling song. I've never heard him downplay someone's ability to promote himself. The HS/Thriller issue is a band thing. It's a bit weird, but it wasn't directed at himself. He is a very modest person, that has been mentioned, and just because he recognizes his own tallent every now and again doesn't mean he is "letting his facade down". He is entitled to be proud of his work. At the time, as someone mentioned earlier, it wasn't unusual at all for Freddie to present the band with something like BohRhap. Listen to the "...and I'm going to call it Bohemian Rhapsody" quote from GVHI. He's not downplaying the song, but pointing out the usualness of it. Either way, context of quotes is very important. |
| BakaTuljan 07.02.2005 15:05 |
This is so very wrong... I had enough examples in my own life of people being slanderd for nothing or quickjudging. Grow up! Informations rarely survive few hours without being deformed or ill-treated in some way for some reason. Leave the man alone. Nobody can say for sure what's in his head, so stop explainig it to others like you own it! Surely you have some better things to do. I didn't saw that interview, but in other one I clearly remeber that same BRIAN specifically saying how Bohemian Rhapsody had nothing to do with rest of the band, it was solely Freddie's baby and he gave him full credit for it. Damn! He even mentioned that heavy guitar riff was written by Freddie not him. |
| mike hunt 07.02.2005 16:37 |
i'm not sure if it was metioned but brian did mention that freddie wrote the heavy part in bo rap, that's the guitar part. brian said it was all freddies, so i'm not sure if that means anything. |
| BakaTuljan 07.02.2005 16:38 |
mike hunt wrote: i'm not sure if it was metioned but brian did mention that freddie wrote the heavy part in bo rap, that's the guitar part. brian said it was all freddies, so i'm not sure if that means anything.What are you trying to say? |
| Awesome-O _4000 07.02.2005 17:50 |
Mr.Jingles79 wrote: So just because Brian mentions that he wrote the guitar parts on Boh Rap does it mean that he's a cocky and arrogant? C'mon people! Freddie and Roy Thomas Baker have also mentioned that Brian indeed wrote those guitar parts. Is it a problem if Brian just mentions it again? Bohemian Rhapsody was perhaps Queen's finest moment, but arguably there were other great moments as well (which were as big, or perhaps even bigger) and I think that what Brian meant is that 'Bohemian Rhapsody' is not seen by Queen as their finest moment as "one hit-wonders" enjoy their moment of popularity with one single song.Agreed. In the words of Mark Twain: "It ain't braggin' if you done it" And honestly, I listened to an interview w/ Brian, where the reporter was a real jerk, trying to make Brian admit credit for alot of things. One specific one was: "But you did lots of the stuff on Bohemian Rhapsody right?". And Brian was like," No actually, that was the other three more so than me" He may have a big head (w/ good reason, look what he's accomplished!), but he's REASONABLE and FAIR and frankly I trust him to know the band's accomplishments better than any one of us. |
| deleted user 07.02.2005 18:01 |
I think some of you are also downplaying the fact that BoRap indeed was their defining moment - even if WWRY, WATC, AOBTD or Radio Ga Ga are probably as famous. It was their first number one single in the UK, it was the only Queen song to soar to number one twice in the UK charts (16 years apart!!), it turned them into superstars, partly because of BoRap the album "A Night At The Opera" is seen as one of the best rock albums of all time. Not WWRY gets voted usually as the best song of all time but BoRap. Its also seen as the first true music video (very important fact!). Its considered the best rock/pop song by many critics (even by those he hate Queen) and usually as the defining queen song. When Freddie died there was no question which song would be released to honour him! I also guess its still their best selling single in the UK. It was not their only important moment. But it is the moment everything that queen did later on is measured up against. So Brian did downplay this fact really if his answer is true. Hell, its the only Queen song a whole documentary is devoted to!!! Brian can say what he wants, but Freddie will always be the greatest songwriter of them!!! |
| Queen Katherine 07.02.2005 18:41 |
Well, I saw on the VH1 dvd that he says he did come up with little counter melodies etc, but the heavy bit at the end was all Freddie's. |
| Lord Blackadder 09.02.2005 15:16 |
In the UNCUT interview, what is the thing Brian replies to immediatly after he said Bo Rhap wasn't that big a deal to Queen? He said "Quite honestly, I don't think there are any better songs. I certainly can't think of any. Even the Stones... I don't think they did anything to match Bo Rap". Sounds to me as though he thinks it's quite good really. |
| Adam Baboolal 09.02.2005 17:07 |
Well, well, well... Good work LB! I knew we'd have to read the article for ourselves. Peace, Adam. |
| GonnaUseMyPrisoners 09.02.2005 23:37 |
Seems to me that his comment about there being many turning points was simply trying to make a point that there exists a danger of placing too much significance on one song, especially by rock media. The view is just too simplistic. There are MANY great Queen songs (turning point or not), and Brian is just trying to point out how narrow a view the journalist's question is. If left to their own devices, the ignorant might form a very misinformed point of view that BoRhap was Queen's only great song. "Best Song of the Last 25 Years" hardly leaves room for any others. Indeed, if one believes polls or charts or countdowns one might actually get the impression that everything after BoRhap was recycle, resting on laurels, and hence dismissable. But the person who started this thread has a very tabloid point of view, of which only Rupert Murdoch and Aaron Spelling could be proud. You're missing the point if you're going 'round looking for reasons to accuse other band members of this kind of thing. "Oh yes, Brian didn't write Queen's BEST SONG, so he must have sour grapes, oh yes, quite definitely." You're fabricating this out of nothing and I pity you. |
| ~Blue_Acid~ 10.02.2005 16:52 |
Brian Stated that the heavy riff all of it, is freddies. The whole vocal orchestration and chords are freddies idea and music. Of course brian sang on it he always sings backing harmonies. but the only thing that was his as far as music is the solo and the guitar tacets. He added the diffrent tone colors but the music is freddies. And news does get twisted. And bo rhap isnt that big of a deal its a good song but their are plenty of queen songs just as good and better...the prophets song, somebody to love, long away, white queen, father to son, was it all worth it and many many more. |
| ~Blue_Acid~ 10.02.2005 16:55 |
so leave bri alone hes just as good as freddie if not better. |
| brENsKi 10.02.2005 17:14 |
GonnaUseMyPrisoners wrote: If left to their own devices, the ignorant might form a very misinformed point of view that BoRhap was Queen's only great song. But the person who started this thread has a very tabloid point of view, of which only Rupert Murdoch and Aaron Spelling could be proud. You're fabricating this out of nothing and I pity you.don't accuse me of having a tabloid or narrow view - it was a direct quote from BHM why don't you read what i actually said...and the later quotes i added from the interview Bo_Rhap was THE KEY moment on queen history for the reason i suggested - queen were flat broke, the management were paying them £50 a week - ffs even labourers were getting more back then!!! and the gamble on refusing to edit bo-rhap down to "single size" could have backfired and if it had the THEY WOULD'VE been bankrupt - as many others on here agreed!!! - that's why it was a pivotal moment and Brian's comment that there were many pivotal moments belittle's the significance of not only the song - but 1. it's affect on music lovers - not many songs are evoke either love or hate - you can't ignore this song! 2. queen's future success....the commerciality of it gave them the grounding to take further risks 3. it took them from averagely successful to a major band status so please don't dismiss my comments with your "tabloid" sweeping statement point - if you are going to assess (such as yours was) my comments - at least have the decency to read all my posts in this thread and the interview in UNCUT mag |
| kohuept 10.02.2005 18:14 |
I happen to agree with GUMP (Ha! funny initials). AND, who are any of us to designate importance to BohRhap. There are only 3 people alive today who can answer that question. According to Roger when they recieved the award for the song (it's on GVH1) he suggested that Freddie himself yould have said: "Oh it's nothing dears. There's pleanty more where that came from." It's all a matter of perspective. |
| Sebastian 10.02.2005 20:03 |
I find utterly ridiculous to think that they'd have been out of business without Bo Rhap. They had already signed with John Reid, they didn't make as much money as they wanted but they made enough for Fred to buy a piano and have some Japanese furniture. They were well known in several parts of the world (Japan, USA, UK, Holland), and even if they weren't "superstars", their new album would certainly have good reception. Without Bo Rhap, A Night continues being fantastic. Perhaps they wouldn't have sold millions, but at least they'd get gold imo, and that's enough to allow them eat and have some luxuries. Of course Roger wouldn't have that mansion or that huge guitar collection, but he wouldn't be bankrupt. Same for the rest. Bo Rhap turned them into superstars, but to say they'd be nothing without it is nonsense. |
| FriedChicken 10.02.2005 21:16 |
I agree with Sebastian. Even if Borhap wasn't written, it didn't turned out to be on the album. Or didn't make it to the radio. They would have written songs like Champions or Rock You. and those are the songs, atleast here in Holland where they are most famous for. |
| deleted user 11.02.2005 07:01 |
FatStrat wrote: so leave bri alone hes just as good as freddie if not better.haha ... surely you don't really believe this. They wrote all good songs, but without Freddie they would never have been that big. They didn't have any chart-success at all with their solo projects (well, Driven By You was probably the only one) after Freddie died. You may have your favorite member of the band, but at least face the facts - most of the songs Queen is remembered for, were written by Freddie. |
| Sebastian 11.02.2005 11:54 |
Without Freddie they wouldn't have been that big. True. But without John, same story. Without Brian, same story. Without Roger, same story. |
| brENsKi 11.02.2005 14:24 |
one final point on this Freddie was THE KEY to this band. the bo-rhap thing was a huge gamble to release unedited...John reid and BM both said as much - they pitched all they could afford into it queen would've existed without it but not on the same scale - they'd have been an average size rock band - like maybe UFO or whitesnake.... let's not ignore one point - up until the game - Freddie always wrote the first UK hit off an album - check it out queen - Keep yourself alive (BM) - did not chart queen II - SSOR (FM) top10 SHA - killer queen (FM) no2 ANATO - bo rhap (FM) no1 ADATR - somebody to love (FM) no2 NOTW - we are the champions (FM) no2 Jazz - Bicycle Race/FBG (FM/BM) no11 game - Crazy Little thing (FM) no2 this would prove who was the bigger commercial mind in the band...freddie's gamble with Bo Rhap did change everything - none of these hits could've followed without it. where would he get these ideas from if he hadn't gambled on bo rhap? queen could well have devloped in a totally different path |
| GonnaUseMyPrisoners 11.02.2005 18:55 |
Honestly, I find very little of your last post to quibble with. In fact I once posted a similar comparison of Freddie's vs. Brian's chart successes, so I agree with much of what you OBSERVE there. But I disagree with your CHARACTERIZATION of Brian's words as "downplaying" or "belittling" BoRhap. Maybe after almost 30 years of interviews on the subject of "Bohemian Rhapsody" he's grown weary of telling newbie journalists that he has no additional insight into the song! It was Freddie's song, only Freddie knew what it really meant, so how many more times will we ask Brian to discuss it? It would be wrong for him to try to put words in Freddie's mouth, so "You'd have to have asked Freddie" is the RIGHT ANSWER. And it can only come out of Brian's or Roger's mouth so many times before they grow weary of saying it! Maybe he'd just like to branch out & oh, I don't know, discuss one of his own songs, or the new tour, for example? Those are subjects on which he is the authority. THIS DOES NOT imply that he has devalued BoRhap's importance in his career! The comment about many pivotal points is asking the journalist to open their eyes to more than just one song. And the way it was asked was rude... as though everything to that point had been rubbish. "Tabloid" is yellow journalism - the kind where you don't feel the need to have relevant facts backing up your conclusions. You've fallen under that heading because you made the grandiose leap of inferring Brian's opinion of a song's importance from what is far more likely a well-grounded reluctance to discuss its details! When you say something like this: "i'm beginning to think he's trying to rewrite history a little. and now i'm convinced of it - and worse still i think it's through petty jealously - because he didn't "create" queen's finest moment" You are no longer OBSERVING, you're ASSIGNING an attitude of jealousy and resentment WITHOUT CAUSE, and trying to CREATE A SCANDAL. And that is what I disagree with & call tabloid. Your characterization of Brian's demeanor, informed by a few quotes in a magazine, is illogical and needlessly damning. And any newbie journalist that has never heard Brian say that about BoRhap before ought to be fired, pimp-slapped, & doused with honey & left naked on a bee farm in Mississippi in the August sun. Just as we on Queenzone urge newbies to read a bit before asking routine (dumb) questions, so should journalists read up on Queen basics before asking that same goddamn questions that have been asked by multitudes of mindless talking heads a thousand times prior. Quit wasting his time asking him questions he does not feel qualified to answer!!! And "fans" shouldn't add insult to injury by accusing him of petty jealousy for that! |
| Adam Baboolal 11.02.2005 18:57 |
So it turns into a Freddie versus the band. Nice. And your above 'selection' of songs are just that, very selective. Peace, Adam. EDIT: Nice post above, gump! Exactly how I felt about B's comments. |
| GonnaUseMyPrisoners 11.02.2005 18:58 |
sorry, double post |
| GonnaUseMyPrisoners 11.02.2005 19:05 |
Oh, and one more thing. I actually think that Brian IS responsible for penning Queen's finest recorded moment: "The Show Must Go On". I'm not ENTIRELY alone in this opinion, either. That doesn't make me right, it just means I reject the notion that Brian could be jealous of BoRhap. Utterly. |
| Sebastian 11.02.2005 23:11 |
Instead of jelous, I'd say Brian is proud of it. Proud of being in the same band with the person who wrote it, as much as Fred surely was proud of being in the same band with the man who wrote You're My Best Friend or the man who wrote Prophet's Song or the man who wrote Days Of Our Lives. He was privileged to "have" them as much as they were to "have" him. |