CMU is reporting that Queen and Paul Rodgers are going to tour together.
Brian May has confirmed rumours that Queen are planning a reunion tour with
former Free / Bad Company front-man Paul Rodgers taking as lead singer.Writing on his official website May told fans: "It really all came about because of the Fender 50th Anniversary gig that I did with Paul Rodgers. We were both so amazed at the chemistry that was going on in All Right Now, that suddenly it seems blindingly obvious that there was something happening here. Barring accidents, Queen and Paul Rodgers will be on the road, pretty much for sure, around April 2005"...
I am betting that tickets for these gigs will sell-out damn fast, so get yours right away.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Eric Olsen
very interesting news, thanks Marty! What an odd pairing: Paul and Freddy sound about exactly nothing alike
2 - Mark Saleski
geezuz! this is almost as weird as finding out about the pairing of elvis costello and diana krall.
3 - Eric Olsen
Paul and Freddy won't be living together, however
4 - JR
Since the power trio behind Freddie Mercury tended toward sounding like Cream on those early Queen albums, I can see how this could work. They certainly shouldn't call it Queen, but a Paul Rodgers version of "Dragon Attack" or "Tie Your Mother Down" or even "Get Down Make Love" wouldn't be a big stretch.
5 - diane
I dunno about this one, I mean, it doesn't sound like it would work real well. Is Rodgers going to be SINGING?
He has a great voice and all but not anything like Freddy.
6 - Andrew Ian Dodge
Its been obvious for a while that Queen want to tour. They have been feeling out several other singers like Robbie Williams.
I have to say the awesome Paul Rodgers will be a heck alot easier on the ears that hearing someone like Robbie butcher the songs. The fact that you will get Free/Bad Co and PR's solo stuff as well is a bonus.
7 - Mark Saleski
too bad there's so much bad karma with george michael....because he's the one.
seriously.
8 - Bill Lamb
All of the comments seem to add up to what I believe - there isn't another Freddy.
Paul Rodgers has the vocal chops but nothing approaching the showmanship that so many of Queen's classics demand.
I think the George Michael suggestion is an intriguing one, but George Michael really is a ballad and R&B/Dance singer...I really can't see him tackling the more overt Rock material.
Personally...I wish the remaining Queen members would move on with a different project with a different name. Freddy was an integral part of Queen...he was THE queen...and can't be replaced.
9 - Lono
I can't say I am even remotely excited about this. Sadly, it seems Paul Rodgers has fallen to become simply a characiture of his swinging 70s self. He doesn't treat the Bad Company catalogue with reverence these days. His live versions sound like tacky vegas lounge singer covers. This saddens me because I love Bad Company.
As for the queen aspect of this, I would advise the band to let sleeping dogs lie.
10 - Shark
Queen?
Jeez, aren't they dead?
Shouldn't they be touring with Lynard Skynard?
Man, when greed meets nostalgia, anything is possible.
Have some integrity:
Boycott this dead horse.
11 - Eric Olsen
my main concern with this from a fidelity standpoint is that I can't imagine Rodgers throwing himself fully into the "mincier" elements of the Queen ouevre, as would be required
12 - Mark Saleski
but George Michael really is a ballad and R&B/Dance singer...I really can't see him tackling the more overt Rock material.
the only reason i suggested this is that i remember seeing him on that Freddy Mercury tribute many years back....and was very surprised to see how well he handled the material. tunes like "Somebody To Love" are all over the place and he was right there with 'em.
13 - Eric Olsen
and he rocked pretty well on "Faith"
I think George would be a much better fit than Rodgers but he is all serious and adult these days - I don't think he wants to be seen as "flamboyant" either
14 - Andrew Ian Dodge
Heh, one might expect Queen to concentrate more on the more rocker/metal side of their repetoire. I rather doubt they will do some uber-camp like "i'm going slight mad' or 'Crazy Think Called Love'. He certainly has the pipes for 'We will Rock You' et al.
15 - SFC Ski
Damn, sHark, is there anything that doesn't piss you off these days?
16 - Mark Saleski
Damn, sHark, is there anything that doesn't piss you off these days?
anna kournikova.
maybe.
17 - djradiohead
This idea is about as good as Ian Astbury filling in for Jim Morrison on a 'Doors' reunion tour.
18 - djradiohead
This idea is about as good as Ian Astbury filling in for Jim Morrison on a 'Doors' reunion tour.
19 - Shark
re: PFC SKI: "Damn, sHark, is there anything that doesn't piss you off these days?"
Babe, I never get pissed off. I just point out the underlying Canons of Life when viewed through the distorted lens of my inner Peter Finch:
"...when greed meets nostalgia, anything is possible."
You can quote me, mano.
And yer welcome.
20 - Shark
Saleski, re: anna kournikova --
Hey, at this point in life, if it's carbon-based and got legs...
21 - Temple Stark
Figures a shark would be a leg man
22 - Temple Stark
anything (well .. ) that gets Queen songs back out there is a good thing. Rodgers can hit the high notes - and he's English (right?) so he'll like dressing up in women's clothing or camping it up a bit.
23 - Kari
i can't think of anybody in this whole world besides paul rodgers who has the vocal talents to even consider filling freddy's shoes george michaels may be a queen but he is no queen you go paul
24 - Marc Katz
An Open Letter To Brian May & Roger Taylor
“The Show Must” Not “Go On”!
(as presently lined up)
Dear Brian & Roger,
I have been a FAN of your music for the last 27 years!! I was very fortunate to see QUEEN live in the late 70’s & early 80’s as well as “The Brian May Band” in 1993.
I love your music. It has helped me get through my personal journey in life as well as uplift my spirits to play music myself & to carry on. You are the Greatest!!
When I first heard of the plans for a tour with Paul Rodgers, I was ecstatic! As my hunger to see you live again is ravaging (I amongst others " In the STATES).
After seeing & listening to the QUEEN " On Fire 1982 tour, it brought back found memories because I saw the show at Madison Square Garden during the late Summer of 1982.
Excellent show, as always. However, it struck me extremely deeply that Freddie (especially during this performance) was undoubtedly as irreplaceable as John Lennon was to the Beatles. Including many other deceased mega-legends.
One question that has always puzzled me is that both of you (Roger & Brian) are accomplished lead singers in your own right. This is no secret to anyone.
In closing, I would greatly appreciate it if you would reconsider a new QUEEN line up of:
Roger Taylor (lead vocals, percussion), Brian May (lead vocals, the Red Special), John Deacon (our “illustrious” bass player) and Spike Edney on Piano & Keys.
{Please John}. (Even Tim Staffell would be an ideal addition)?
Please know that I admire Paul Rodgers very much; as I do other lead singers, but if I may say, without Freddie, it may be a tad emotional.
AND FOR ALL YOU QUEEN FANS & OTHERS
1) The Rock band QUEEN was founded by Brian May & Roger Taylor from the ashes of “SMILE”. Listen to the record!!
2) Approximately 63% of all QUEEN material was written by Brian, Roger & John.
3) Roger & Brian are LEAD VOCALISTS.
4) QUEEN is a Rock Band, not one person!
In closing please accept my letter as just an opinion from an emotional & one of a Billion or so
QUEEN admires.
Thank you for reading.
Be Well,
Marc Katz
Richmond, Maine U.S.A.
marc@wiscasset.net
25 - jcara
I heard Paul Rogers do the intro to BR once before, and it gave the song a great feeling, much like Paul Mcartney when he did HELP at half tempo on the solo tour in 88