 |
| May and Taylor with Adam Lambert |
My love affair with
Queen began in Christmas 1984, when my brother conned me into getting
The Works album. On little bits of paper, he wrote down the names of about ten albums by different artists and I had to pick one out. Little did I know
Queen was written on all of them. It was without doubt the greatest trick ever played on me, and my obsession with these innovator's of rock grew and grew.
So in November 1991 when
Freddie Mecury left us after a long illness, the news hit me hard. Naturally I thought that was the end of the band, there was no conceivable way they could carry on. But carry on they did, and without bassist
John Deacon. In 2004 they teamed up with former
Free and
Bad Company singer
Paul Rodgers. Seen as a gamble by a lot of critics, it was to prove a success until his departure in 2009. I must admit, the collaboration worked well for me as I'm a massive
Bad Company fan. So to see them perform
Feel Like Makin' Love and
Can't Get Enough in Dublin, was like a trip to classic rock heaven for me. If the appointment of
Rodgers was a shock to the fans, then the collaboration with
America Idol contestant
Adam Lambert must of made the most hardened of Queen fans nauseous.
 |
| Irreplaceable? the legendary Freddie Mercury |
When I heard the news, I felt like my head had done several 360's.
May and
Taylor have been heavily criticised for his recruitment, accused of using his name to gain a foothold in the American market again. Love him or hate him, you've really got to admire Lambert's confidence. To step into the shoes of one of the most revered singers of all time takes serious kahunas. I totally understand the disgust felt by some of the fans who felt they were pimping the bands history. But in fairness to them, this band has been their life for the past 44 years. Also,
Queen is every bit as much about
May,
Taylor and
Deacon as it was about
Freddie Mercury, having all penned massive hits. So I think the doubters, me included, should cut
Mr Lambert some slack and take a positive spin on it. With the announcement of a 19 date North American tour this summer tour
Queen's music will hopefully be heard by a whole new generation, which can only be a good thing. Long may she reign.
