As we all know, there were many rumors of Queen splitting up in the mid-80s.
Can anyone remember specific rumors? Was there speculation of who might leave and who might replace them? I'm sure most of it reached a fever pitch when Brian, Roger, and Freddie all released solo projects.
Also, I bet the tabloid press and rags carried these rumors. Did anyone keep clippings of these rumors?
I'm just curious what the general sentiment was in the 1980s.
Absolutely nothing specific that I can remember.
Although, on one job I did back in 1986 one of the client's staff did say they'd probably break up after the tour..
The first I ever heard was after the Hot Space album, citing "Artistic Differences" between Freddie & the reat of the band. They alleged that Freddie forced the disco style upon the rest of the band. Total crap of course.
Then every year until The Works came out.
I didn't keep any clippings, I never do.
BTW I like the thread title. Always made me laugh.
Freddie solo project was making more headlines then the band was, as they really did nothing after works-pre live aid, the works tour was not a big headlining event sans south afirca affair.
I remember prevailing wisdom (a relative term) being that Freddie would leave the band and go solo. As much as I wanted him to be successful on his own, if that's what he wanted, I hoped that it wouldn't mean the band would split up.
Rumours were provoked by Queen members' own interviews too. When John says "We're not so much a group anymore... We were doing so little. I got really bored and I actually got quite depressed because we had so much time on our hands... We were doing some filming for the new video, right, and after that there was this enormous row going on between Freddie and Roger... Live Aid turned our world upside down. Before it, we'd promised ourselves a good long rest - no touring, no work, no band" it doesn't help to stop rumours.
But it seems like in the end of 1985 and 'till the end of the Magic Tour they all have started to talk about "we're not gonna split up, none of us want Queen to split up, I cannot see an end" etc. Recording of AKOM helped them to believe in themselves as in the band with future perhaps.
Considering Mr Bad Guy, Strange Frontier and Starfleet, as well as John & Roger playing for Elton John's albums, Queen albums taking quite long to be issued, lack of US tours, other important groups splitting up (ABBA in '82, Wings in '81, Wham in '85, Police in '84, Thin Lizzy in '83), the increasing need of additional musicians both live and in the studio (Bowie & Mardin in 'Hot Space', Mandel in half of 'Works', Spike, Lynton, Steve, Michael Kamen & Joan Amatrading in 'Magic'), the lack of success in Brian's and Freddie's singles compared with 'Rock You'/'Champions' or 'Bo Rhap', the emerging of new acts and styles taking over the mainstream, the fact that only twelve new songs were released or performed between late '82 and late '85 (compared to almost fifty released or performed between late '72 and late '75)... it all added up.
Sebastian wrote: Considering Mr Bad Guy, Strange Frontier and Starfleet, as well as John & Roger playing for Elton John's albums, Queen albums taking quite long to be issued, lack of US tours, other important groups splitting up (ABBA in '82, Wings in '81, Wham in '85, Police in '84, Thin Lizzy in '83), the increasing need of additional musicians both live and in the studio (Bowie & Mardin in 'Hot Space', Mandel in half of 'Works', Spike, Lynton, Steve, Michael Kamen & Joan Amatrading in 'Magic'), the lack of success in Brian's and Freddie's singles compared with 'Rock You'/'Champions' or 'Bo Rhap', the emerging of new acts and styles taking over the mainstream, the fact that only twelve new songs were released or performed between late '82 and late '85 (compared to almost fifty released or performed between late '72 and late '75)... it all added up.
Yeah, that pretty much sums it up. Good post.
Which Elton tracks did John play on? I know Roger played on the Ice On Fire album.
Sir GH<br><h6>ah yeah</h6> wrote:
Cool, thanks Serry. :) But I don't think John is credited on the liner notes.
No, Bob, actually he is credited...
From "Ice On Fire" sleeve: "ROGER TAYLOR and JOHN DEACON appear courtesy of EMI Records Ltd" (it's written between credits to George Michael and Nik Kershaw)
To "Too Young": Drums: ROGER TAYLOR Bass: JOHN DEACON (synths by Fred Mandel, by the way!)
From "Leather Jackets" sleeve: "ROGER TAYLOR AND JOHN DEACON APPEAR COURTESY OF EMI RECORDS LTD" (now it's between Cliff Richard and Kiki Dee)
To "Angeline": DRUMS ROGER TAYLOR BASS JOHN DEACON