Queen! (But who’s Paul Rodgers?)

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This entry was published at least two years ago (originally posted on March 1, 2006). Since that time the information may have become outdated or my beliefs may have changed (in general, assume a more open and liberal current viewpoint). A fuller disclaimer is available.

Queen (plus Paul Rodgers) is going to be performing in Seattle!

Who’s Paul Rodgers? Aside from the obvious answer of “the guy singing because Freddy‘s not around anymore,” that is. Apparently, he’s had a solo career along with being the vocalist for three bands — Free, Bad Company, and The Firm. Bad Company is the only one of those three that I’ve ever heard of.

Hrm.

It’s a dilemma. On the one hand, I’m a long time Queen fan, and they have been one of the groups I’ve always wished I’d had a chance to see live — something I’d given up on when Freddy died. So the chance to see even 3/4 of Queen with someone else standing in is very enticing.

On the other hand…it’s not Freddy. Will the show still sound right? Does Paul have the stage presence that Freddy did (while I never saw them, I love listening to the live album ‘Live Killers‘ in large part because of the incredible rapport Freddy had with his audience)? There are sample downloads on the Queen + Paul Rodgers website, but they’re in a Windows Media format that doesn’t seem to play nice with OS X, so I can’t listen to any of them.

Ooh, wait…in the ‘Media‘ section, there are some clips in a .wmv format that does play nice in OS X. I’m…not sold. The music is right, but the vocals…I’m not sure. While I wouldn’t expect it to sound exactly like Freddy (and I really do like the job George Michael did with them a few years back…I thought he made a very impressive pseudo-Freddy), Paul’s got enough of a different timbre that it makes it a little jarring to my ears.

No matter what, I should decide soon: the show’s on April 10th (a Monday night), and tickets are a little painful (ranging from $50 to $200.00!). Decisions, decisions, decisions…

iTunes “Dreamer’s Ball (Live)” by Queen from the album Live Killers (1979, 3:42).

6 thoughts on “Queen! (But who’s Paul Rodgers?)”

  2. Sorry, for me Freddy wasn’t part of Queen he was Queen. I’m sure the band is good and I’m sure they mean well but Freddy was such a driving force behind it all I just can’t imagine seeing them, without him.

  3. Actually, it will only be 2 of the 3 remaining members in the concert. Brian May and Roger Taylor will be playing but John Deacon has “retired” and will not join them on tour at all. I’m a huge Queen fan, so I’ll still be going to see them in Pittsburgh on March 20. I’ll let you know how the show is!

  4. I am a huge Queen fan and have the Gold package to see them in Columbus on March 21. I have waited my whole life to see them. While it is not Freddy, it’s still better than nothing. Paul Rodgers does sound great. One of the good things about it is he is not trying to sound like Freddy nor be Freddy. He is just being Paul and that is what makes it work. I read where Roger Taylor said at one time when they first started, Freddy was actually trying to sing like Paul Rodgers. The DVD is pretty much the same show and it looks and sounds great. Paul actually does a pretty good job on the Queen songs. I can’t wait. I am taking my 5-year old daughter with me who also loves Queen.

  5. well who is Paul Rodgers ? He is the best male rock/blues and soul singer in the last 3 decades – including Freddie .

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