speats

Growing in up under the influence of my older brothers record collection, the joyful noise I was first introduced to (as Ive mentioned before) was the holy triumvirate of KISS, Queen, and Styx.

When the 80s officially became The 80s (round about July 22nd , 1984), these bands largely fell out of favor and my brother hitched his acid-washed star to Depeche Mode, Erasure, and New Order (driving his new allegiance home with requisite Human League Haircut and K-ROQ bumper sticker). His old arena rock records gathered dust and quickly I became the Keeper of the Flame. (Come Sail Away and Bohemian Rhapsody spoke to me in ways back then that People Are People and Blue Monday never could).

Critical-darling-bands like The Velvet Underground (for me) arrived round about the time I started developing a taste for club soda and pricey British music rags like Q and the NME (right around late high school). And even then (and still now), every time I became of a victim of Music-Journalism-Hype-Syndrome and a new band (or a band new to me) would ultimately disappoint me, I would run screaming into the reassuring arms of my Queen records.

If I had to quantify why their music in particular meant so much to me, all could say is that it makes me feel damn good. It goes back to what Duke Ellington said about Jazz (or was it Louie Armstrong?), that if you had to explain the music then youve already missed the point.

But I digress. As time past and music became The Center of My Universe and disposable income plunged headlong into entire back catalogs, I started taking in rock concerts like senior citizens entering the Publishers Clearing House Sweepstakes. At one point or another I got to witness all my childhood heroes (in one incarnation or another) on stage. Except for one glaring omission and all that changed two nights ago.

AIDS took away Freddie Mercury nearly 15 years ago and with that snuffing out one of the most beloved bands of Classic Rock Era. Though Queens music has endured and flourished since his passing, the fans have had to settle for the occasional compilation as all band activity for obvious reasons ceased after Freddies death. Until now.

Now I have to admit I was really skeptical and naturally suspect when I heard Queen was touring with Paul Rodgers (of Bad CompanyI mean WHAT THE FUCK?? Do I really want to hear the Feel like Makin Love-guy singing MY Queen songs????) All of us collectively scratched our heads and wondered out loud why they didnt pick a Robbie Williams or a George Michael to front them (At least that would have made a bit more sense). But Bad Company Guy??? It was as if Paul McCartney had recruited Micky Dolenz to take Lennons spot on a reconstituted Beatles tour. Livid? Not quite. Disappointed? You betcha.

But time and reassurances from those who witnessed the new incarnation of Queen softened my stance. After all, so many second and third generation U.S. fans never got to see them at all (the band stopped touring America in the early 80s), so who am I to begrudge them for giving us an opportunity to hear this music live at all? We all know that its never going to be like it once was but something when done right and with taste is better than nothing at all.

So at the behest of one of the faithful, I accepted an invitation to see the Queen + Paul Rodgers show that came through town Monday night. My fears were eased almost immediately as what I initially perceived as a crass attempt to cash in on their legacy turned out to be a spirited celebration of Queens music and a very emotional tribute to the memory of Freddie Mercury. It was the best musical leap of faith Ive ever made. All the cynicism this self-proclaimed Music Snob had went out the door as the lights dimmed and the band kicked into Tie Your Mother Down.

I cant tell you how much it meant to here those songs live and with so many of the faithful singing along to them.

Hell it damn near made me a Paul Rodgers fan. Emphasis on the damn near part.

Here are some of the highlights:

Love of My Life (from A Night At The Opera) - Brian May sang and played this solo on his 12-string acoustic...the entire audience joined him for the chorus. Fucking beautiful

Dragon Attack (overlooked album track from The Game) - Just because they did it. Paul sang the shit out of this one. A real pleasant surprise.

Radio GaGa (One of their biggest 80s singles) Roger Taylor and Paul Rodgers shared the vocals, everyone clapped along appropriately during the chorus.

These Are The Days of Our Lives - Roger sang this track from the Innuendo album beautifully to a backdrop of early Queen footage. A very sentimental moment.

Under Pressure - This had the deepest emotional impact of all the songs, with Brian, Roger Taylor, and Paul Rodgers all sharing the vocals. Amazing. I've seen Bowie do this before, but this was better.

Bohemian Rhapsody - This really was moving as the band played live to a clip of Freddie to the first half of the song and during the middle part featured a montage of Freddie thru the years and then the band kicked in live for the end of the tune. Really Powerful.