I just noticed that all news pertaining to Paul Rodgers is now mentioned in the QUEEN NEWS section of Brian May's website brianmay.com. Does this mean that Rodgers is an official member of Queen? Should they change the name to Queen+PR News?
They also had news about Robbie Williams and Jeff Scott Soto and anyone else who worked with Brian and Roger, but that doesn't make them members of Queen.
er, they included the article because Brian and Roger were mentioned in it.
"...he would be joined by a special guest guitarist. Rumours had everyone from Queen's Brian May..."
There's no doubt that Brian and Roger are 'courting' Paul to be their lead singer.
They ended up hanging out with him and being part of the photo ops when he went and recieved his award for 3 million airplays of All Right Now, and they attended his RAH gig.
But like all good courtship strategies, they have to be careful not to wear their hearts on their sleeves, lest they scare Paul off..lol
So to answer your question, yes I think he is being treated like a member of the band, but the distinction here is that it's a 'new' band.
At least that's how Brian and Roger look at it.
Think about it, they were basically laying dormant for years and lo and behold they are playing in a dream scenario with a vocalist they have admired for years.
They are having such a fantastic time getting to feel that big rush again and I'm sure they would love nothing more then to carry on with it.
No matter how much money you make, or how old you get, I think you never lose that desire to be part of music's glorious highs if you are a musician, unless of course...you are John Deacon. ;)