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October 14, 2009
Classic Rock Briefs For October 14, 2009
Brian May Hints At Queen on Rock Band
Brainy guitar man Brian May says that there may be a Queen version of the popular video game Rock Band at some point in the future.
"Yes we’re into it, I think it may happen," May said regarding the subject during a BBC interview.
Pink Floyd’s Gilmour To Receive Honorary Degree
Anglia Ruskin University has decided to bestow upon David Gilmour an honorary degree to recognize his “outstanding contribution to music as a writer, performer and innovator.”
The honorary doctor of the arts degree will be awarded next month, according to the Cambridge News.
Acoustic Innovation Keeps Jethro Tull’s Music Engaging
Iconic frontman for Jethro Tull, Ian Anderson is another aging rocker who is not quite ready for the rocking chair.
Currently Anderson is working his way through a solo tour that will bring him to the Lyric Opera House in Baltimore tomorrow night.
According to the man himself, “It’s a good idea not to expect anything. "We’re liable to do anything, so it’s a good idea to keep an open mind.”
With the introduction of classically trained violinists and new material woven into well-worn Tull classics, Anderson’s advice seems well worth any ticket holder’s consideration. Read more at the Washington Examiner.
July 6, 2009
Brian May Not Happy About Mercury-Jackson Recording Leaks
My earlier report regarding the whereabouts of the recordings made by Michael Jackson and Freddie Mercury during the 1980’s may have been a bit premature. It has become apparent that whomever it was that was in possession of them has somehow allowed them to be leaked to the internet. Something that does not sit well with Queen guitarist Brian May.
What’s a little strange is that it appears as if the two songs May makes reference two have been on YouTube for quite some time. I was quickly able to locate both “State of Shock” as well as “There Must Be More To Life Than This” on YouTube, and they have apparently been posted there for three years.
Whether or not May realized that the material was posted that long ago on YouTube or was just venting his frustration during this time when there is so much attention focused on Jackson’s death is not clear. The Queen guitarist was quoted as saying, “The music thieves at work as usual.”
Brian May is also in the news for reasons other than his comments about the Mercury-Jackson material. May was injured during a performance in the U.K. on July 2nd.
May and drummer Roger Taylor were on stage at the Birmingham Hippodrome when the accident occurred. A platform that was used to support Taylor reportedly malfunctioned as it was moving forward and failed to stop before hitting May, resulting in a nasty bruise.
Although May laughed off the incident, it was reported by someone who had seen May’s injury that it was worse than May had admitted. Roger Taylor reports that the accident was no fault of his, but just demonstrates that the show was live and that May is all right.
May and Taylor were on stage as part of a production known as “We Will Rock You,” – a musical that is based on Queen’s greatest hits.
For more on the mishap, visit the Sunday Mercury.
July 2, 2009
Who Knew? A Queen-Michael Jackson Connection
As millions of fans around the world mourn his untimely passing, it has come to light that Michael Jackson had become friends with Queen’s late singer Freddie Mercury during the 1980’s. As described by Brian May, the two met up when Jackson would go to see Queen in concert and the two eventually ended up recording some material together at Jackson’s home.
The recordings have never been released, but there is bound to be a lot of curiosity among fans of Jackson as well as Queen fans about how those tracks came out. There is no word on whether they will ever be heard by the public or who is actually in possession of the recordings at this time.
May also says that the legendary Queen hit “Another One Bites The Dust” may have never achieved its number one status if it were not for Michael Jackson. Having heard the song at one of the group’s shows during “The Game” tour Jackson suggested that it be released as a single. The rest, as the well-worn saying goes, is history.
Jackson’s extraordinary talent was not lost on Brian May. On his personal blog he writes: “I think he qualifies as a great artist; he devoted his whole body and soul to his art. It’s as if, with all the changes he introduced to his body, his art actually became his body and his persona.”
You can read all of Brian May’s comments on his blog at BrianMay.com.
December 5, 2008
Brian May: No Queen Breakup
The rumor seems to have originated on an Austrian website that reported Queen and Paul Rodgers performed together for the last time when they played in Rio de Janeiro on November 29.
The site in question, www.oe24.at reported that a “cryptic message” on Brian May’s personal web site was an indication that the group was planning to split up. The reason for the split was reported to be due to dismal sales of the group’s recent album The Cosmos Rocks.
The Cosmos Rocks sold only 12,000 copies during the first week of its release and debuted at position number 47 on 
The Billboard 200 Chart.
According to Brian May, who recently posted a response to the report on his website said there are no plans for the group to part company, and he insists that they are just taking a break following their tour.
Replying to a fan from Finland who inquired about the reported breakup, May responded by saying, “Well, I don’t know where anyone got that idea – Roger and Paul and myself haven’t made any decisions whatsoever about the future … We just need a rest!”
November 6, 2008
Classic Rock Briefs For November 6, 2008
Queen’s Brian May Baffled By Missing Tracks on Guns N’ Roses Album
Already making news with the release of a new album, Brian May, of the group we now know as Queen And Paul Rodgers, is also making news with his reported exclusion from an album by another group that is soon to be released.
May recorded some guitar tracks for the long-awaited Guns N’ Roses album Chinese Democracy, but has recently learned that those tracks may not have been included. Recorded in 1999, May’s work was to be included on a song entitled “Catcher N’ The Rye,” and was indeed heard on a leaked version of the album a while back.
Since then, a fan who claims to have seen the album’s liner notes reported on May’s personal website that there is no mention of May’s contribution. Full Story.
Oliver Wakeman Set To Make Father Proud on Yes Tour
With legendary keyboardist Rick Wakeman bowing out of the upcoming Yes tour, his son Oliver will be sitting in for him, and doing his best to recreate the Yes experience that fans expect. A feat that is probably more difficult in view of the fact that Yes frontman Jon Anderson will not be touring with the group this time.
According to bassist Chris Squire, the younger Wakeman is living up to his dad’s reputation, and despite the uncertainty over whether he will don his father’s trademark silver cape, his performance is otherwise described as realistic.
“Don’t know if he’s going to go as far as the cape but he’s pretty realistic with the rest of the way of handling the big keyboard," Squire said after time spent rehearsing with their new keyboardist.
Carrie Underwood Cuts Loose On Politically Active Celebrities
This is one of those times when we take a little detour away from classic rock news and veer a little into the realm of another genre. Besides, I’m actually a fan of Carrie Underwood’s music. She is my favorite America Idol winner so far. She had me when she belted out Heart’s “Alone” during season four.
This time however, what we are hearing from Underwood has more to do with politics, and less to do with music than might otherwise be expected. The hugely successful country star is speaking her mind about fellow celebrities that publicly support political candidates.
Although Underwood does not name names, for some reason a voice in my head keeps whispering, “The Boss, The Boss.” Seriously though, he stands out as one of the most – if not the most – active celebrity campaigners of this recently (and mercifully) completed campaign.
Carrie Underwood’s recent comments are relevant here for two reasons. First, I happen to like her and her music. I don’t listen to a lot of country music, but when I do, it’s likely to be Carrie Underwood. Secondly, I happen to think she’s right on the money with her stance on this subject, which makes me like her even more. Full Story.
