Michael Allred

from www.musictap.net;

Hollywood Records will be releasing a Queen + Paul Rodgers album on August 30th. No details as to *what* this is yet but I'm willing to bet it's a live album, no doubt to tie in with a probable US tour. I'd imagine a DVD wouldn't be far behind (if not out at the same time.) I can't imagine it'd be a studio album of new material, I don't think they've had the time to do it.

Also, Hollywood Records is releasing a Queen tribute album July 12th. The only confirmed artist/track so far is Sum 41 doing a version of "Killer Queen." Rumored artists include Green Day (who have been ending their concerts lately with "We are the Champions",) Metallica and Elton John. Velvet Revolver *could* have a track as well since they confirmed doing a version of "Tie Your Mother Down" as a B-side.

The Infidel

Pass.

You want to pay tribute to Queen? Avoid this Paul Rodgers debacle and go out and purchase every Queen album, if you haven't already. Then turn your friends on to their music, and have them go out and purchase every album.

That's how you can pay tribute to Queen.

Matthew Chmiel

Isn't the musical We Will Rock You tributing Queen enough?

I'd rather pay and see that than hear the no talented hacks known as Sum 41 rape a Queen classic.

[And before anybody says anything, I've seen We Will Rock You on six occasions. It's a brilliantly done musical paying perfect tribute to Queen's music and their legacy. I just wish the Vegas show wasn't cut for time and content, unlike the original British show.]

ViewAskewbian

Milk that "Q" for all it's worth, Brian and Roger. Next you guys will be in a Pepsi commercial with Britney Spears singing We Will Rock Y-...

Oh yeah!

Spiderbite

Great post. I completely agree.

Why don't they spend their time going through their vaults and doing something like The Beatles did with their Anthology series? I have several bootlegs and god knows there is a ton of alternate takes, demos, unreleased songs, etc. out there that could be remastered & sold legitimately which could make the cash hogs Brian & Roger is even richer.

Has John Deacon made any statements in regards to all of this crap?

The Infidel

From what I understand, John pretty much seperated himself completely from anything to do with Queen after Freddie died.

Michael Allred

That kind of implies that he does not like what Brian & Roger are doing which is not the case. Besides, since Freddie died John performaed at the Freddie tribute concert, recorded the "Made In Heaven" album & the "No One But You" single plus their final performance together with Elton John in Paris, 1997.

John has simply retired from music completely, he doesn't even grant interviews. Recording and performing were never his passion and now he just wants to live the quiet life. John has given Brian & Roger his blessings to do what they wish.

As for Queen + Paul Rodgers, I do wonder if those that harshly criticize the collaboration have actually *heard* any of their performances yet. I'm thinking they haven't because from the MP3's that I have heard, I've rather enjoyed it.

Regarding the tribute album, what exactly is so bad hearing bands cover some of their favorites and perhaps introduce Queen's music to a younger generation?

stinkeye

I think what's ruffling people's feathers is that they're continuing to represent themselves as Queen. No doubt they're all responsible for the for the legacy of the band, but Queen was one of the few groups in rock that was so closely identified with their unique lead singer. Anyone else in that role is blasphemy to a lot of fans.

The collaboration may yet prove to produce some great music. And maybe people could open their ears to it, if it wasn't so easy to feel the shadow of Mercury hanging over it.

As for the tribute album, I think the best way to expose a younger generation to the music is through the original recording. There are few bands, who I think have to be from the same bloodline musically, that can pull off a great cover of someone else.

Michael Allred

Well as long as people realize that Rodgers has not actually *joined* the band or anything. Hence the Queen + bit. It's not like he's a replacement or is trying at all to be like Freddie what so ever. It's unique and different enough to be appreciated on it's own terms.

Were people this hard on AC/DC?

The Infidel

I think you read a little too much into my statement, friend. I never said he didn't like what they were doing. What I said about John's involvement with Queen over the years is essentially true. You basically just added a few tidbits of information to back it up.

The Infidel

Two totally different things. AC/DC were not quite at a Queen level of popularity when Brian Johnson joined them. Hell, for the longest time I never even knew Brian was a replacement (of course, I was never a huge AC/DC fan)! AC/DC continued after the original singer died, and quite successfully. Queen died with Freddie, and all Brian and Roger are doing is, as many have already put it, milking the past.

stinkeye

No doubt, but if they're using the Queen moniker it's not unique, they're dragging the baggage in themselves. It's not my point to say that it can't be great music, I just understand why some people are p.o.'ed.

What a unique situation that was! They replace their singer and become even more popular. Maybe Van Halen is the only other group that did this (for some people anyway).

UAIOE

Sum 41 kinda kills even considering the album (but so does Metallica...but thats another story).

Honestly, I have my mind set that if there ever was a tribute album James Brown *AND ONLY JAMES BROWN* should be doing a cover of "Another One Bites the Dust".

Only in a perfect world


I am interested in that Velvet Revolver cover though.

Matthew Chmiel

Agreed.

That or take the children to Vegas to see the musical. The people in the musical have a lot more talent than say Sum 41 or Metallica.

Michael Allred

I probably did read too much into what you were saying then....but still, how you wrote it did make it somewhat misleading. That's all I'm sayin'.

Michael Allred

I dunno, I just don't see it as them "milking" anything. They don't need the money and still had an itch to go out there live. It's not like they're saying "Paul's better than Freddie ever was!" or anything.

Michael Allred

The music that is coming from this new puzzle is indeed unique.

If you (this is in reference to anyone) and a partner had created Microsoft and your partner passed away, would you simply throw away the name you worked your whole life to make known/popular/identifiable? In addition, your partner worked just as hard and you knew he wouldn't want his life's work to die with him.....what would you do?

It's damn rare for it to happen of course but unlike the Queen + Rodgers thing, Johnson and Hagar actually became members of the band.

Michael Allred

With all due respect, the rock lovin' kids of today wouldn't be caught dead going to a musical.

Matthew Chmiel

I know tons of "rock lovin' kids" who have seen the show and have loved it. Hell, even my die-hard Queen fan who thought the musical would be a disgrace to Queen ended up enjoying it.

stinkeye

My point is (and I do have one somewhere), is that using the Queen name is going to bring comparisons between Rogers and Mercury due to the fact that Mercury is the first person most people think of when you bring up the Queen name. He is so identified with the group (like Bill Gates is with Microsoft) that it can't help color the expectations of most people when someone else appears to take his place.

Michael Allred

but you're talking about kids who are already Queen fans.

Your average "punk" fan won't be going as musicals aren't "cool."

Michael Allred

Well then all I'd have to say is if a person can't get over a *name* then it's their problem. They're the one losing out.

Michael Allred

Currently confirmed list of acts and the tracks that they will be covering
for the forthcoming Hollywood Records Queen Tribute album are as follows:

Gavin Degraw "We Are The Champions"
Jason Mraz "Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy"
Josh Kelley "Crazy Little Thing Called Love"
Joss Stone "Under Pressure"
Los Lobos "Sleepin On The Sidewalk"
Nickelback "We Will Rock You"
Rooney "Death On Two Legs"
Sum41 "Killer Queen"
Shinedown "Tie Your Mother Down"

Other acts unconfirmed but in line to contribute are The Flaming Lips
(Bohemian Rhapsody), Godsmack, POD, Queens Of The Stone Age and Harry
Connick Jr (Fat Bottomed Girls).

Michael Allred

From Musictap:

"Hollywood Records announces two interesting DVD titles for September 13,
with one from Jesse McCartney and another from Queen. The projects are
title-less for now."

Matthew Chmiel

WOW! THAT'S A WHOLE LOT OF SHIT!

[I take that back. The Los Lobos cover may be decent considering the song, but everything else listed is still shit.]