QueenZone discussion #479717
Freddie's Favorite singer was...
| PhoenixRising 21.02.2005 20:10 |
I hear a lot recently from Brian's comments how Freddie said Paul Rodgers was his favorite singer. But this quote proves otherwise: From a Freddie Interview (The Circus Tapes)by Don Rush: "Back in the old days, we were often compared to Led Zeppelin. If we did something with harmony, it was the Beach Boys. Something heavy was Led Zeppelin. Robert Plant was always my favorite singer-and he's said nice things about me, you know. He actually said he liked "Killer Queen." |
| PhoenixRising 21.02.2005 20:31 |
Perhaps Brian meant 'one of his favorites' |
| Lester Burnham 21.02.2005 20:44 |
I think I remember reading somewhere that Freddie's absolute favorite singer was Aretha Franklin. |
| Scott_Mercury 21.02.2005 21:07 |
Aretha Franklin....I have that on like 3 different interviews with King Mercury. |
| Zander05 21.02.2005 21:18 |
Freddie had a lot of favourites. Aretha Franklin John Lennon Montserrat Caballe' The Three Tenors The list goes on. |
| Sebastian 21.02.2005 21:32 |
In the Queen For An Hour thing he said Aretha, Robert Plant and George Michael. He probably admired Lennon more as a composer and integral musician than as singer per se. I suppose Montserrat too is one of his favourite singers, and of course Freddie Mercury. |
| Serry... 22.02.2005 01:37 |
Aretha. P.S. I didn't know that Paul was one of his faves 'till the fuss with Tour started.... |
| nasty_queenie 22.02.2005 02:11 |
I don't know about favourite but apparently he was jealous of Peter Straker's voice. |
| BlueRock 22.02.2005 03:19 |
King Mercury also admired Paul "Macca" McCartney - he was definitely one of his favourites. |
| deleted user 22.02.2005 04:38 |
Maby he just had more that one favorite singer. Or he had a favorite singer once and then he change later. He couldn't have just one favorite singer all these years ? |
| valentine 22.02.2005 10:10 |
Lester Burnham wrote: I think I remember reading somewhere that Freddie's absolute favorite singer was Aretha Franklin.Me too |
| valentine 22.02.2005 10:12 |
BlueRock wrote: King Mercury also admired Paul "Macca" McCartney - he was definitely one of his favourites.I remember reading that Queen sold a HOLE to Macca and his band the Wings when they were touring... |
| Mayboy 22.02.2005 13:33 |
I remember him saying he thought Tears For Fears were very good |
| The Fairy King 22.02.2005 15:05 |
Mayboy wrote: I remember him saying he thought Tears For Fears were very goodU talk to ur momma with that mouth?? xD |
| Lord Blackadder 22.02.2005 16:19 |
Look guys. Brian isnt going to lie about something like that. All i've read is that Brian said Freddie and Queen admired Paul. |
| deleted user 22.02.2005 18:22 |
<font color=#FF399> Linda Of The Valley wrote: I'm not sure about his absolute favourite but def in the list are Arethat Franklin Robert Plant Paul RodgersWhat makes you so sure. Did Freddie talk to you personally or what?. There is no proof Freddie liked or even thought about Paul Rodgers. Freddie never mentioned it in any interview nor is there any hint or photo (with Freddie and Paul) to confirm it. Aretha Franklin and Robert Plant are well known and confirmed favourites of Freddie, plus lots of other artists (Minelli, Lennon, Spandau Ballett), but Rodgers is never mentioned by anyone writing about Freddie or interviewing him during the past thirty years. Apparently that story was invented by Brian to justify this tour. |
| Sebastian 23.02.2005 03:35 |
The fact Fred never mentioned Paul in an interview doesn't mean he didn't know him or admire him. For the same effect, the fact Brian says so doesn't mean it's absolutely true. This is a possibility (one of the millions): (Some Ibex + Smile party in 1969 or early 1970): - Brian: That bloke, Paul Rodgers, he's great - Tim (simultaneously with Brian): More vodka? - Roger: Yes (meaning he also thinks PR is great) - Freddie: Yes (meaning he wanted more vodka) BUT they got confused and... (Same party, 5 minutes later, Tim served vodka to Roger) (Somewhere in the world, 2005) Brian: Yes, Paul Rodgers was a huge inspiration for Freddie, one of his absolute favourites. I'm utterly certain. (and many statements with the same message) |
| Little_Queenie 23.02.2005 10:37 |
"Apparently that story was invented by Brian to justify this tour." I don't see any fuckin reason why Brian should invent things like this... He doesn't have to justify to anyone, and especially he doesn't need to do it because they're going to tour again. Brian actually KNEW Freddie, and we didn't. Who knows, maybe Freddie did like Paul's voice... We'll never know. I'm just saying I really really doubt Brian would lie to justify the tour, he has no reason to do that. For fucks sake, they're musicians, it's perfectly natural they want to play and tour again. It really gets on my nerves listening to people constantly bitchin about it... |
| Little_Queenie 23.02.2005 10:39 |
"Apparently that story was invented by Brian to justify this tour." I don't see any fuckin reason why Brian should invent things like this... He doesn't have to justify to anyone, and especially he doesn't need to do it because they're going to tour again. Brian actually KNEW Freddie, and we didn't. Who knows, maybe Freddie did like Paul's voice... We'll never know. I'm just saying I really really doubt Brian would lie to justify the tour, he has no reason to do that. For fucks sake, they're musicians, it's perfectly natural they want to play and tour again. It really gets on my nerves listening to people constantly bitchin about it... |
| freddie4ever92 23.02.2005 13:12 |
I don't know for sure but I have read that these are some of his faves ... Aretha Franklin Monserrat Caballe Luciano Pavarotti Prince Michael Jackson and there's probably much more!! :-) |
| deleted user 23.02.2005 13:26 |
Little_Queenie wrote: "Apparently that story was invented by Brian to justify this tour." I don't see any fuckin reason why Brian should invent things like this... He doesn't have to justify to anyone, and especially he doesn't need to do it because they're going to tour again. Brian actually KNEW Freddie, and we didn't. Who knows, maybe Freddie did like Paul's voice... We'll never know. I'm just saying I really really doubt Brian would lie to justify the tour, he has no reason to do that. For fucks sake, they're musicians, it's perfectly natural they want to play and tour again. It really gets on my nerves listening to people constantly bitchin about it...Well it was a little bit harsh ... but I can't stand it that people say that Freddie admired Paul Rodgers when in fact we will never know (since he is gone), if he liked or hated him. You can't take it as a fact when Freddie never said so.... but people continue to take it as the absolute truth. |
| Little_Queenie 24.02.2005 11:33 |
No, no, I don't take it as absolute truth, not at all, I'm just saying it doesn't make any sense Brian would invent things.. Especially something like this. Maybe Freddie once even said he liked Rodgers, and Brian now told it publically. Who knows. |
| Leppar 24.02.2005 13:08 |
Everybody knows Freddies fave singer was Joe Elliott! Only joking in fact i'm pretty sure he said his fave was Aretha Franklin somewhere or other. |
| quackman 24.02.2005 14:44 |
Britney Spears and the other girl from the pepsi ad. |
| Ander Vørschört 15.03.2005 18:41 |
He was a Michael Jackson fan |
| doremi 15.03.2005 19:09 |
Aretha Franklin, I heard him say it often. |
| doremi 15.03.2005 19:09 |
Aretha Franklin, I heard him say it often. |
| Ray D O'Gaga 15.03.2005 19:35 |
<b><font color="red">Peter Cetera</b> wrote:Do you ever think anything you don't say?Little_Queenie wrote: "Apparently that story was invented by Brian to justify this tour." I don't see any fuckin reason why Brian should invent things like this... He doesn't have to justify to anyone, and especially he doesn't need to do it because they're going to tour again. Brian actually KNEW Freddie, and we didn't. Who knows, maybe Freddie did like Paul's voice... We'll never know. I'm just saying I really really doubt Brian would lie to justify the tour, he has no reason to do that. For fucks sake, they're musicians, it's perfectly natural they want to play and tour again. It really gets on my nerves listening to people constantly bitchin about it...Well it was a little bit harsh ... but I can't stand it that people say that Freddie admired Paul Rodgers when in fact we will never know (since he is gone), if he liked or hated him. You can't take it as a fact when Freddie never said so.... but people continue to take it as the absolute truth. |
| My Melancholy Blues 15.03.2005 21:22 |
Besides the ones already mentioned, Freddie liked Gilbert O'sullivan in late '70s. He was talking about it in an interview when Queen came to Japan in '79. Freddie began to hear him from the era of releasing Bo Rhap. And he had some albums of Gilbert. |
| JohnC 16.03.2005 04:31 |
Liza Minnelli, Aretha Franklin... |
| Rich35 20.03.2005 10:23 |
I think Sebastian hit the right spot! LOL That's how it went... |
| doremi 21.03.2005 14:19 |
Sebastian wrote: The fact Fred never mentioned Paul in an interview doesn't mean he didn't know him or admire him. For the same effect, the fact Brian says so doesn't mean it's absolutely true. This is a possibility (one of the millions): (Some Ibex + Smile party in 1969 or early 1970): - Brian: That bloke, Paul Rodgers, he's great - Tim (simultaneously with Brian): More vodka? - Roger: Yes (meaning he also thinks PR is great) - Freddie: Yes (meaning he wanted more vodka) BUT they got confused and... (Same party, 5 minutes later, Tim served vodka to Roger) (Somewhere in the world, 2005) Brian: Yes, Paul Rodgers was a huge inspiration for Freddie, one of his absolute favourites. I'm utterly certain. (and many statements with the same message)Right On The Money!!!! I never heard or have read where Freddie even so much as mentioned Paul Rodgers as one of his Favorite singers, course Freddie still may very much have liked Paul's singing....but, I would be more inclined to go with your statement about Brian...a little re-write of history there, a little nip a little tuck, and good PR to put the fans at ease about the choice of Paul for the Reunion Tour...we can only wonder... "I wonder wonder wonder who...who wrote the book of love!!" "A weem a wack in the jungle, the mighty jungle, the lion sleeps tonight"!! |
| mike hunt 21.03.2005 15:25 |
freds favorites are 'liza' and 'aretha' i think those two are his favorite singers of all time, later 'Caballe' would join them. MR. plant was his favorite in the early days, but still liked him later (innuendo) is proof of that. lennon was also a favorite, but i think more as a composer. michael jackson? i personally don't like the guy or his music, but fred loved his early stuff, jackson 5 and his early solo stuff, i wouldn't say michael was one his favorite singers, but one of freds favorite performers. freds all time favorite singers are aretha, liza, caballe, plant, probably in that order. |
| ricky rudd 22.03.2005 16:50 |
Aretha Franklin.I've heard him say that on a few documentaries. As for this paul rogers / rodgers bloke getting in on the act,all i and probably many other fans can say is:1.who is he exactly? 2.who does he think he is? 3.don't do the freddie stand in 4.cancel the shows......sharpish!!! |
| Richard Orchard 23.03.2005 01:44 |
I think that the Paul Rodgers thing might be a bit of Spin. I don't think you would be able to find one single quote of freddie talking about Paul Rodgers. |
| doremi 24.03.2005 17:41 |
Richard Orchard wrote: I think that the Paul Rodgers thing might be a bit of Spin. I don't think you would be able to find one single quote of freddie talking about Paul Rodgers.I agree with the spin...or as they said in that Robert DeNiro film, where he plays a spin doctor...wag the dog... If you haven't seen this film, by all means please do. The power of SPIN has never been so well hung out in all it's dirty laundry. |
| doremi 21.04.2005 17:14 |
Here ya go..I found it in the library! Aretha Wins by a landslide!!!! TEARS TURN ME ON The Sun Friday July 19, 1985 Dream Freddie Quote "I love the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, above all other singers. She must have one of the best voices ever. She sings like a dream. I wish I could sing half as well as she does. It's so natural." "She puts her whole emotion into it. Each word she sings is full of meaning and expression. I could listen to it forever." |
| XcessQueen 21.04.2005 18:31 |
Freddie's Favorite singer was... Montserrat Caballe. If you think different - check the book and the DVD from "Freddie Mercury - The solo collection" box set. That's the ultimate source of information, and there you'll discover Freddie's enormous love, fascination and admiration for Montserrat... He said somewhere: "I love music, and she IS the music..." Aretha Franklin? She (probably) was his favourite singer in the past... before he "discovered" his opera diva... |
| doremi 21.04.2005 18:36 |
XcessQueen wrote: Freddie's Favorite singer was... Montserrat Caballe. Who say opposite, check the book and the DVD from "Freddie Mercury - The solo collection" box set. There you'll find Freddie's enormous love, fascination and admiration for the Montserrat... Aretha Franklin? Maybe she was his favourite singer in the past... before he "discovered" his opera diva...Nope here's the full quote from the same article where he discusses Caballe AS WELL and HE HAD already discovered Caballe, and Freddie compares Caballe to Aretha! You will notice Freddie still says he loves Aretha ABOVE ALL other singers, he loves Caballe but because she sings good and he COMPARES her to Aretha. from 1985. TEARS TURN ME ONThe Sun Friday July 19, 1985 Freddie is a great admirer of modern band and current music in spite of his years in the business. He says: "I like Tears For Fears, Wham!, and Culture Club-- they're all very good. But Tears For Fears are among my favourites because they're writing music I cam really relate to. "They've got a lot of rhythm and at the same time they've got a lot of aggression. They also have very good songs." Dream "But I love the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, above all other singers. She must have one of the best voices ever. She sings like a dream. I wish I could sing half as well as she does. It's so natural. "She puts her whole emotion into it. Each word she sings is full of meaning and expression. I could listen to it forever." Freddie also reveals his deep love of opera. He says: "Montserrat Cabelle is sensational. She has that same kind of emotion as Aretha Franklin. The way she delivers a song is so very natural. It's a very different gift." |
| XcessQueen 21.04.2005 19:05 |
Before you quoted me, I added some more words into my post. Well, Freddie did say: "I love music, and she IS the music..." I think that was somewhere around 1987-1988. You see, I love Montserrat, and it's really important for me to think that SHE was Freddie's favourite singer. :) Nevertheless, I'm sure that by the time "Barcelona" album was out, Montserrat DID BECOME his favourite singer. Once again, as I said it before, read the book, see the DVD, and then I dare you to tell me that Freddie wasn't enchanted with Montserrat! |
| mike hunt 21.04.2005 19:42 |
don't forget liza, but cabelle rules. i think aretha was his all time fav. |
| ANAGRAMER 23.04.2005 02:40 |
Just listen to the Queen vocals and you can clearly hear the infuences - Aretha: AKOM especially, Robert Plant: GTML...... You can even hear Noel Coward in some of the wackier stuff You can't ever hear a PR influence |
| igormiskovic 24.04.2005 14:57 |
I just want to say one thing. Do YOU think that if you read all the FM interviews, you know everything he thinks? You must be very foolish if you think so. People are complex. It would take 1000 years to say what you think. And that is if you lived only one month....... |
| MercuryArts 25.04.2005 13:31 |
If you have the first of many mini greatest hits box sets, which came in the green cover released in 1992. There is an interview disc w/ the four of them from May/June 89 just after the Miracle was released. During the interview Freddie is asked who he enjoys listening to the most. Without skipping a beat he responds w/ Aretha. Above all else he would like to hear her sing Somebody To Love. I really would have liked to see that at the tribute concert. George was great but I think Aretha would have been even better. |
| great king rat 1138 25.04.2005 14:04 |
Leppar wrote: Everybody knows Freddies fave singer was Joe Elliott!Bless you Leppar, can I come and live in your special litle world? ;-) |
| doremi 25.04.2005 14:21 |
MercuryArts wrote: If you have the first of many mini greatest hits box sets, which came in the green cover released in 1992. There is an interview disc w/ the four of them from May/June 89 just after the Miracle was released. During the interview Freddie is asked who he enjoys listening to the most. Without skipping a beat he responds w/ Aretha. Above all else he would like to hear her sing Somebody To Love. I really would have liked to see that at the tribute concert. George was great but I think Aretha would have been even better.That is something I KNOW would have been awe inspiring..especially if Freddie & Aretha had sung it together...with maybe each taking a verse at a time...Oh to DREAM!!!! :) |
| Bobby_brown 26.04.2005 13:56 |
At Guitar Legends´92 in sevilla Brian May presented Paul Rodgers with this words: "In many years as a guitar player i have known great guitarrists and great singers. And you know what?- If you ask anyone of those guys who inspired them when they were coming up, they all will end talking about this guy! Ladyes and gentlemen, a great previllege to welcome Mr. Paul Rodgers." So, it´s not just now that they are on tour that he speaks nicelly about Paul. He really likes him a lot!! AS for Freddie, i mean, we only have interviews. Brian lived with him and went to see- with Freddie- Free playing live, so he must know Freddie´s opinion about Paul. Take care. |
| doremi 26.04.2005 18:15 |
Vanilla Ice LOL! |
| Haystacks Calhoun 26.04.2005 18:46 |
This is ignorant. Haystacks , out |
| doremi 26.04.2005 18:48 |
Haystacks Calhoun wrote: This is ignorant. Haystacks , outJust kidding...I know don't you see my posts all thru this...Aretha Franklin...then probably Montseratt Caballe, and Liza Minnelli. |
| doremi 26.04.2005 19:25 |
arlene wrote:Gotcha! It really was Vanilla Ice and...The Partridge Family...he was a Huge fan of Shirley & Lori..to Hell with David Cassidy. Ba ba ba Ba ba ba ba "I Think I love You, so what are you afraid of, I'm afraid but I'm not sure of" Do wop!Haystacks Calhoun wrote: This is ignorant. Haystacks , outJust kidding...I know don't you see my posts all thru this...Aretha Franklin...then probably Montseratt Caballe, and Liza Minnelli. |
| deleted user 28.04.2005 00:14 |
well Aretha sang with the skinny guy...forgot his name, he's puny, oh yeah Mick Jagger. She could of sang with Freddie. Roger said "Somebody to love" was Aretha Frankin influenced in an interview. |
| deleted user 28.04.2005 00:22 |
One of Arethas songs was played at his funeral, did she go? Did she know she was one of his favorites? |
| doremi 28.04.2005 11:17 |
queen4ever2 wrote: well Aretha sang with the skinny guy...forgot his name, he's puny, oh yeah Mick Jagger. She could of sang with Freddie. Roger said "Somebody to love" was Aretha Frankin influenced in an interview.Did you mean George Michael on "I Knew You Were Waiting For Me", which I love BTW. |
| doremi 28.04.2005 11:20 |
queen4ever2 wrote: One of Arethas songs was played at his funeral, did she go? Did she know she was one of his favorites?That's interesting as Freddie adored her so. I wonder if Aretha ever knew how much of an influence she was on Freddie and how much he admired and loved her as a singer and music influence? Aretha is quite close to most of the USA music community here...and she HAS sung at many a funeral for her fallen colleagues and admirers, even MANY years ago for jazz great King Curtis..who was in her Original back up band in the 1960's. |
| deleted user 29.04.2005 11:12 |
arlene wrote:mick jaggerqueen4ever2 wrote: well Aretha sang with the skinny guy...forgot his name, he's puny, oh yeah Mick Jagger. She could of sang with Freddie. Roger said "Somebody to love" was Aretha Frankin influenced in an interview.Did you mean George Michael on "I Knew You Were Waiting For Me", which I love BTW. |
| doremi 29.04.2005 15:29 |
On this day in music history, April 29, 1967, Freddie's music idol, arguably favorite singer, Aretha Franklin, released her signature, legendary, most famous song, "Respect". For more information visit VH1's website below. 1967 Aretha Franklin releases her interpretation of the Otis Redding song "Respect." link |
| mike hunt 29.04.2005 15:32 |
as i said before, cabelle rules, barcelona rules, but aretha might have a slight edge, mabe your right, who knows. |
| deleted user 30.04.2005 19:34 |
freddie4ever92 wrote: I don't know for sure but I have read that these are some of his faves ... Aretha Franklin Monserrat Caballe Luciano Pavarotti Prince Michael Jackson and there's probably much more!! :-)I always wondered what Freddie thought about Prince. |
| QueenZeppelin 30.04.2005 20:26 |
Whether or not Freddie loved Paul is debatable, but didn't the members of Queen go and see Free live once? |
| doremi 30.04.2005 20:34 |
The May 2005 issue of Classic Rock Magazine features both a Cover Story On Free & Paul Rodgers, and the interview with Brian & Paul about the Queen+Paul Rodgers Tour. On Page 56 of the Interview/Article "Freddie Would Love It" with Brian & Paul about the Queen+Paul Rodgers Tour, Paul discusses how right before the tour and his initial work with Brian began, Paul did a live concert in Detroit, USA to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of The Four Tops, and he performed with The Four Tops, as well as Sam (of Sam & Dave who originally recorded "Soul Man"), ...and with.... ....Aretha Franklin....Freddie's idol! Just thought that was neat. Lucky Paul! :) Also Paul discusses previously meeting Queen & Freddie at an audition for Managers way back when Free was managed by Peter Grant, and that Paul has previously worked with Brian, before the Queen+Paul Rodgers tour and events that led up to it. ....And yes, I think I have read where Roger has said that Queen saw Free I think at The Marquee Theater, either in Mojo or Uncut. |
| dimcyril 05.05.2005 11:26 |
i have an old questionaire somewhere from about 1984 and it said freddie's fave singer was john lennon and his favourite band was the alarm. apparently according to jackiex at the fan club he turned up early at wembley 86 to watch the alarm play. but he defo said about robert plant on the radio 1 thingy. i'm sure he liked paul rodgers. everybody likes paul rodgers don't they? |
| doremi 09.05.2005 15:46 |
QueenZeppelin wrote: Whether or not Freddie loved Paul is debatable, but didn't the members of Queen go and see Free live once?Finally, NOW i know/remember where I read that Roger said Queen had seen Free alot at The Marquee Club in London (I've read so much press the last few months, hard to remember which publications I read what) It was In the USA Mag. Guitar World. Here you go. See the second column, Roger's quote. link |
| Daburcor? 09.05.2005 17:29 |
PhoenixRising wrote: Freddie's Favorite singer was...MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!! *ACK!!!* ^----- The sound of me choking on my ego. |
| alibat 13.05.2005 10:56 |
On a radio interview I have from 1989, Freddiie says his favorite singers are Arethra Franklin and Robert Plant (also mentions George Michael as a favorite from the music around at that particular time). Can quite believe that he liked Free in the early 70s given that it is well known that he was a massive Hendrix fan at the time. |
| doremi 13.05.2005 11:34 |
I read that at Freddie's funeral, they played songs by both Aretha Franklin and Montseratt Caballe. Never knew that. |
| Knute 13.05.2005 16:05 |
Arlene R. Weiss wrote: The May 2005 issue of Classic Rock Magazine features both a Cover Story On Free & Paul Rodgers, and the interview with Brian & Paul about the Queen+Paul Rodgers Tour. On Page 56 of the Interview/Article "Freddie Would Love It" with Brian & Paul about the Queen+Paul Rodgers Tour, Paul discusses how right before the tour and his initial work with Brian began, Paul did a live concert in Detroit, USA to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of The Four Tops, and he performed with The Four Tops, as well as Sam (of Sam & Dave who originally recorded "Soul Man"), ...and with.... ....Aretha Franklin....Freddie's idol! Just thought that was neat. Lucky Paul! :) Also Paul discusses previously meeting Queen & Freddie at an audition for Managers way back when Free was managed by Peter Grant, and that Paul has previously worked with Brian, before the Queen+Paul Rodgers tour and events that led up to it. ....And yes, I think I have read where Roger has said that Queen saw Free I think at The Marquee Theater, either in Mojo or Uncut.Also Arlene there's that part in the mag( I just got it YAY!) where Brian says: "Freddie used to give me a hard time if I wrote something that really didn't suit him, and he'd say: 'Look, Brian, you're fucking writing this for Paul Rodgers, I can't do this' It became a joke between us." That's sounds like a measure of respect from Freddie for Paul to me. Free was a big band in the UK back in the early seventies. I have no doubt that those guys dug and respected Free. How about that part where the guys from Free were in the queue for the ferry to go play the Isle of Wight festival and Pete Townshend stuck his head in the window and told them how much he liked All Right Now. The guys in Free were starstruck and giddy after that. So if they resonated with Townshend, why wouldn't Queen have liked them? |
| mike hunt 13.05.2005 17:36 |
there's no reason not to like free and bad company, are both legends, only slightly behind queen and the who, also i read alot of interviews with fred and i don't remember him saying anything about liking prince. |
| doremi 14.05.2005 12:36 |
Knute wrote:Yeah! I read that part about Pete Townshend catching and talking to Free on the Ferry and asking them to play The Isle of Wight too! I mean HOW COOL IS THAT! Free sounded awestruck that Townshend was a huge fan of them and asked them to play. Did you see the photo too! Luckies! Wasn't that the same Humongous Festival that The Allman Brothers Band also played at that time and tons of other HUGE classic rock artists?Arlene R. Weiss wrote: The May 2005 issue of Classic Rock Magazine features both a Cover Story On Free & Paul Rodgers, and the interview with Brian & Paul about the Queen+Paul Rodgers Tour. On Page 56 of the Interview/Article "Freddie Would Love It" with Brian & Paul about the Queen+Paul Rodgers Tour, Paul discusses how right before the tour and his initial work with Brian began, Paul did a live concert in Detroit, USA to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of The Four Tops, and he performed with The Four Tops, as well as Sam (of Sam & Dave who originally recorded "Soul Man"), ...and with.... ....Aretha Franklin....Freddie's idol! Just thought that was neat. Lucky Paul! :) Also Paul discusses previously meeting Queen & Freddie at an audition for Managers way back when Free was managed by Peter Grant, and that Paul has previously worked with Brian, before the Queen+Paul Rodgers tour and events that led up to it. ....And yes, I think I have read where Roger has said that Queen saw Free I think at The Marquee Theater, either in Mojo or Uncut.Also Arlene there's that part in the mag( I just got it YAY!) where Brian says: "Freddie used to give me a hard time if I wrote something that really didn't suit him, and he'd say: 'Look, Brian, you're fucking writing this for Paul Rodgers, I can't do this' It became a joke between us." That's sounds like a measure of respect from Freddie for Paul to me. Free was a big band in the UK back in the early seventies. I have no doubt that those guys dug and respected Free. How about that part where the guys from Free were in the queue for the ferry to go play the Isle of Wight festival and Pete Townshend stuck his head in the window and told them how much he liked All Right Now. The guys in Free were starstruck and giddy after that. So if they resonated with Townshend, why wouldn't Queen have liked them? |
| Knute 14.05.2005 13:17 |
Hmmm...you might be thinking of Watkins Glen which was in 1973 and had the Grateful Dead and The Band sharing the bill with the Allmans. It's still the all time record holder for attendance. 600,000+. The Isle of Wight was a three day fest in late August 1970 and was the British Woodstock so to speak. It's notorious for being one of Jimi Hendrix(he would die mere days later) and Jim Morrison's last ever public performances. It's still the record holder in the UK I believe(500,000+). Free played in the afternoon on the last day and their set is generally considered one of the better ones of the festival. I have the performance on DVD. It's cool seeing PR as a scrawny, hippie looking 20 year old. He was exceptional even back then. Here's a website dedicated to the festival: link |