One thing I can say without much hesitation is that my musical tastes and those of my brother probably don't coincide very often. But one area in which we are in total agreement is that the rock group Queen was an awesome band. The rock landscape of the 70's and 80's would not have been the same without Freddie Mercury's voice, which could alternatively soar and growl with the best of 'em. Sadly, that voice came to an untimely end when Mercury died in 1991.
My question is, why can't people leave well enough alone?
Apparently (this is just a guess), the surviving members of Queen (not counting bassist John Deacon) forgot to set aside money for their retirement, and so had to think of something, quick. I wish they would've kept thinking.
They enlisted the help of former Bad Company lead singer Paul Rodgers and hit the concert trail, rechristening themselves "Queen + Paul Rodgers". But that's what I call bad math. Don't get me wrong, I like Paul Rodgers' Bad Co. work. Hell, I even liked him in The Firm (the short-lived band he had with Led Zep's Jimmy Page). But, here, Rodgers is the wrong guy for these songs. I'm embarrassed for him that he couldn't realize that himself.
Paul Rodgers has a great rock & roll voice, even today. It's just the wrong voice for singing Freddie Mercury's songs.
Queen + Paul Rodgers? Sorry, it just doesn't add up.
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4 insane rambling:
There is no replacement for Freddie.
5/08/2006I think there might have been a couple of American Idol wannabes who could have done a better job. Obviously Simon didn't critique this before they made the attempt.
5/09/2006Jackie Sue
I am such a rabid Q+PR fan that my first instinct was simply to post "you're a fat, stupid fuck". However, I thought instead I'd just say this: Brian May and Roger Taylor aren't trying to replace Freddie Mercury. I think instead they are trying to continue doing what they do best: playing Queen's music, with the aid of another live singer. They certainly don't need the money, contrary to your suggestion. Fat, stupid fuck.
6/03/2007I have to admit, your retirement comments were very funny and made me laugh out loud.
8/22/2007My take is that the "Queen + PR" group should just tie the knot already and have a baby. They can call themselves "Queen II" if they want.
[Translation: What they need are NEW songs, never sung by Freddie. That would totally avoid the comparisons in voices (and there is none--really--no one can ever sing like Freddie, period). I read on Brian May's website that they're supposedly in the studio working on something.]
Anyway, thanks for the smile this evening.
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