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Queen to tour again - why?

Brigade du jour

22:23 / 18.12.04

According to Brian May's website, he and Roger Taylor have decided to take the old band on the road again next year.

One problem - the singer's dead. Bollocks. Oh well, let's get Paul "All Right Now" Rodgers in instead, he can sing a bit.

The obvious answer to the question in this thread title would be 'money'. But I just can't believe that. I mean, these guys are all in their fifties, all multi-multi-multi-millionaires, so why even bother? And why wait until nearly 20 years after you last toured. 'Tis a most perplexing mystery ...

I can't find a Queen thread on Barbelith, so let's not confine comments to the news story itself, eh? Just thought it would be a good starting point. Come on, I can't be the only former fan on here? Can I? Hellooooooo ...

XXII:X:II = XXX

05:45 / 19.12.04

This smacks of "The Doors of the 21st Century." Sounds like someone has tried making a go of being a solo recording artist, has found it wanting in comparison to their former glory, and wishes to recapture that former glory despite key elements being lacking. And they need a new summer cottage. Oh yes, that.

Had Macca, Harrison and Ringo done anything more than those two tracks for "Anthology" they'd have been treading on that turf, too; some'd say they jumped onto it and quickly skittered away.

Of course, they could always get the singer from Electric 6 to fill in for poor ol' Farouk; I'm to understand their cover of "Radio Gaga" is pretty spot on.

/+,

Haus of Mystery

13:25 / 19.12.04

Maybe they just wanna tour again. It is kind of what they do, and who can blame them?

Jack Fear

15:58 / 19.12.04

Yeah, sure, but--God, I'm mystified: why Paul Rodgers, of all people? I'd be hard pressed to name a less suitable frontman for Queen.

Rodgers hasn't got the range, hasn't got the tone, hasn't got the theatricality--he's an unassuming blues shouter, really. there's nothing in his work with Free or Bad Company or The Firm (and on and on) that indicates he's got that jivey, unhinged operatic streak that made Freddy both magical and irritating.

This is going to be nothing but pub-rock writ large and loud--plodding, "gritty," white blooze. The stink of disaster hangs over the idea--artistic disaster, anywez. It'll probably make boatloads of money, though.

Haus of Mystery

16:14 / 19.12.04

Of course it'll be shit (they were on the Brits this year, cos that Rogers fella got a 'lifetime achievement' award or something. Now it seems they were just introducing the world to the 'new' Queen. How vile.) but I merely mean, it's not that hard to fathom why they're doing it, is it?

Jack The Bodiless

18:52 / 19.12.04

Well, saw them play We Will Rock You and We Are The Champions at that horrendous UK Rock N' Roll Hall Of Fame thing a few weeks back, and Rodgers easily has the chops to do most of Queen's more guitar-based numbers - he's not got Mercury's full range, but then few singers have, to be honest. Apparently they'll be doing various Free/Bad Company songs as well as the Queen material, so they'll probably do what most touring bands do when they have a new singer who's not a perfect fit - find the songs that best fit his range and do those. Rodgers also plays piano... and recently he has a startling physical resemblance to his predecessor (not that that's important, naturally, just a big coincidence).

Brigade du jour

20:06 / 19.12.04

Plus, I suppose he's in good shape for a man his age - screw your eyes up if you're sitting in the back row and they'll look young and vibrant and fresh.

I second Vladimir's suggestion of the dude from Electric 6 - that Radio Ga Ga cover is pretty flipping good, IMHO.

Do any of you remember after the big tribute thing there were rumours that George Michael would tour with them?

Oh, and who's going to play bass? Bill Wyman? heh heh x

Seth

10:41 / 20.12.04

Jesus. Mike Patton would have been perfect.

Brigade du jour

12:14 / 20.12.04

Actually, you know what? As long as Brian May plays that beautiful made-out-of-a-100-year-old-fireplace guitar of his I don't really give a shit.

And I'm not that bothered about Deacon either, he just stands there anyway.

And they better play 'Death On Two Legs'.

And I'm a bit drunk, sorry ... I'll probably regret expressing these opinions in the morning!

Regrettable Juvenilia

14:56 / 20.12.04

Fundametally, you have to respect what they do, don't you?

Haus of Mystery

16:19 / 20.12.04

Fundametally?

AAwwwwwwwwwwright.

Brigade du jour

18:29 / 22.12.04

\m/

I tried to draw a massive afro but couldn't find the right keys.

(((o)))

I think.

mmm
mmmmmmmmm
mmmmmmmmmmmmm
mmm o o mmm
mmm j mmm
mmm ___ mmm
mmmm mmmm
mmmm mmmm
mmmm mmmm

Looks a bit too Egyptian though ... isn't Brian May from Teddington?

Brigade du jour

17:43 / 23.12.04

Oh dear. That didn't work very well, did it?

BARISKIL666

00:50 / 25.12.04

Queen were pretty OK,not my favorite band ever,but it's their choice,if Freddy's dead that's that.The other guys wanna play together as Queen and have every right to do so.
Rodger's is a great vocalist,he is no Freddy Mercury,and never will be,he's his own man.This will be Queen,just a different Queen,bands evolve,if you can't recognise that then don't buy the new album or go to the show.I personally would love to see this new line-up.The show they did with Rodgers at the rock'n'roll hall of fame thing was excellent.Hearing Brian May play Just Like Makin Love by Bad Company would be phenomenal!

ONLY NICE THINGS

13:14 / 25.12.04

if Freddy's dead that's that.

But.... what about the promise of eternal life?

Brigade du jour

15:16 / 25.12.04

If Freddy's Dead that's that - the final nightmare.

Wow, Alice Cooper could be the new singer!

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