MR

With a new album in the pipeline — the first new studio album to carry the QUEEN name since the Freddie Mercury sessions — QUEEN is heading back on the road for a four-month tour, once again in the company of musician/singer/songwriter Paul Rodgers who joined the band for the highly successful 2005/2006 world tour, the European leg of which ended with the band's spectacular London Hyde Park open air concert before going on to play the U.S. and Japan.

In all, the band's tour was attended by more than a million people.

Together Brian May, Roger Taylor and Paul Rodgers have recorded their first album's worth of material, jointly written and produced. With the title yet to be disclosed, the album is being readied for release September 1, two weeks ahead of the start of the tour.

The QUEEN + PAUL RODGERS 28-date arena tour will take in 14 countries in just seven weeks, and take the band to Northern Eurasia, Central and Southern Europe, and the UK, and is expected to wind up at the end of the year with the band's highly anticipated return to South America, the setting of some of its most historic tours in the early '80s.

QUEEN's historic Latin America dates set new world records for the numbers of the audiences it attracted. At the 1985 Rock in Rio concert the band played to an unheard of audience of 300,000 and was watched on television by nearly 200 million people throughout the South American continent.

The 2008 tour kicks off mid-September in Russia with two dates at Moscow's SCO Olympic Arena, moves on into Poland for a massive free concert at the historic Gdansk Shipyard, and then follows a path through Germany, Belgium, France, Italy, Switzerland and the Netherlands before arriving in the UK early October for 6 dates including London's 02 Arena on October 13.

The UK dates see the band additionally play Nottingham, Glasgow, Cardiff and Birmingham with a final UK date at Liverpool Arena on October 18 before continuing on to Spain, Hungary, Serbia, Czech Republic and Austria for seven further dates.

Tracks on the new QUEEN + PAUL RODGERS album will include "Say It's Not True" (see video below), previously released at the end of last year by QUEEN + PAUL RODGERS as a special World Aids Day download for Nelson Mandela's 46664 HIV AIDS charity , plus a "first" for a QUEEN album — a cover version. The remaining tracks are all newly written by May, Taylor and Rodgers during the late 2007/early 2008 recording sessions.

One of these tracks, "C-lebrity", will receive a sneak preview when the band make a by-demand return to the UK's ITV "Al Murray's Happy Hour" for the final show on April 4.

QUEEN's last studio album was "Made In Heaven", released in November 1995 and containing the last recordings with Freddie. The LP became the band's biggest selling studio album, with world sales in excess of 20 million.

QUEEN's "Greatest Hits 1" album has achieved the distinction of being the UK's biggest selling album of all time, having sold a staggering 5,407,587 copies in Britain alone (source: VH1/The Official UK Charts Company. November 2006).

Paul Rodgers' voice is one of rock's platinum assets and as a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter as front man of FREE and BAD COMPANY and as a solo artist he has written, produced and recorded some of radios biggest hits.

Between them, QUEEN and Paul Rodgers have released more than 50 albums during their long careers and sold in excess of a staggering 300 million records.

Tickets for all UK dates will go on sale at venue box offices and usual ticket agents from Saturday April 5.

QUEEN + PAUL RODGERS tour dates:

Sep. 16 - Moscow, Russia - SCO Olympic Arena
Sep. 17 - Moscow, Russia - SCO Olympic Arena
Sep. 20 - Gdansk, Poland - Shipyard
Sep. 21 - Berlin, Germany - Velodrom
Sep. 23 - Antwerp, Belgium - Sportspaleis
Sep. 24 - Paris, France - Bercy
Sep. 26 - Rome, Italy - Palalottomatica
Sep. 28 - Verona, Italy - Arena
Sep. 29 - Zurich, Switzerland - Hallenstadion
Oct. 01 - Munich, Germany - Olympiahalle
Oct. 02 - Mannheim, Germany - SAP Arena
Oct. 04 - Hannover, Germany - TUI Arena
Oct. 05 - Hamburg, Germany - Color Line Arena
Oct. 07 - Rotterdam, Netherlands - Ahoy
Oct. 10 - Nottingham, England - Arena
Oct. 11 - Glasgow, Scotland - SE&CC
Oct. 13 - London, England - 02
Oct. 14 - Cardiff, England - Arena
Oct. 16 - Birmingham, England - NIA
Oct. 18 - Liverpool, England - Arena
Oct. 22 - Barcelona, Spain - Palau Sant Jordi
Oct. 24 - Murcia, Spain - Estadio Municipal
Oct. 25 - Madrid, Spain - Palacio de Deportes
Oct. 28 - Budapest, Hungary - Sportarena
Oct. 29 - Belgrade, Serbia - Arena
Oct. 31 - Prague, Czech Republic - 02 Arena
Nov. 01 - Vienna, Austria - Stadthalle

No thanks, I'll pass.

I'd rather shoot a cross bow through my schrotum than see this concert.

Saint John wrote:I'd rather shoot a cross bow through my schrotum than see this concert.

Is that the kosher way to spell scrotum?

Saint John wrote:I'd rather shoot a cross bow through my schrotum than see this concert.

Why?

I like Queen, I like Paul Rogers, sounds good to me

Missed them when they were in Jacksonville in '06 because I believe that was the same weekend (or within a week) as DL/Journey in Orlando. Hope they come back to the US...I'd like to try and catch a show.

Paul Rodgers is as much Queen as Hugo is Journey! The guy is DREADFUL singing Queen tracks...Absolutely AWFUL!


John from Boston

Enigma869 wrote:Paul Rodgers is as much Queen as Hugo is Journey! The guy is DREADFUL singing Queen tracks...Absolutely AWFUL!

I couldn't envision it, but was blown away by the live Queen DVD. Nobody can replace Freddie, but "Queen with Paul Rodgers" is a great tribute to him.

Enigma869 wrote:Paul Rodgers is as much Queen as Hugo is Journey! The guy is DREADFUL singing Queen tracks...Absolutely AWFUL!


John from Boston

I agree. This would be like Journey hiring Lemmy from Motorhead to pay tribute to Perry.

Enigma869 wrote:Paul Rodgers is as much Queen as Hugo is Journey! The guy is DREADFUL singing Queen tracks...Absolutely AWFUL!


John from Boston

QUEEN with PAUL WAS AWESOME live. saw them at St Paul March of 06. My biggest regret was never seen queen with freddie when i had the chance in the fall of 81.
for only being in it for about 8 months before they went on tour---he sang the songs great. and the free and bad company stuff was just amazing with
Brian on guitar.




Rick

NealIsGod wrote:
I couldn't envision it, but was blown away by the live Queen DVD. Nobody can replace Freddie, but "Queen with Paul Rodgers" is a great tribute to him.

Glad you enjoyed them, NIG, but for me, it's HORRENDOUS! I watched "Queen with Paul Rodgers" for the one and only time on the VH1 Rock Honors show last year, and I cringed through the entire performance. EVERY single classic Queen track was completely re-arranged and simply unrecognizable from their original versions! I don't count myself as a huge Queen fan, but was MORTIFIED when I watched the performance I watched! I will NEVER consider that group "Queen", with or without Paul Rodgers!


John from Boston

lights1961 wrote:
QUEEN with PAUL WAS AWESOME live. saw them at St Paul March of 06. My biggest regret was never seen queen with freddie when i had the chance in the fall of 81.
for only being in it for about 8 months before they went on tour---he sang the songs great. and the free and bad company stuff was just amazing with
Brian on guitar.

Rick

Ditto.

The show here at the Hollywood Bowl was AWESOME as well! Slash came out and jammed with them too on Bad Co. tune.

lights1961 wrote:

Enigma869 wrote:Paul Rodgers is as much Queen as Hugo is Journey! The guy is DREADFUL singing Queen tracks...Absolutely AWFUL!


John from Boston

QUEEN with PAUL WAS AWESOME live. saw them at St Paul March of 06

I was at that show and thought it was great!!! Paul did a great job!

If I expound on this subject too much, there would undoubtedly be those who say my opinion of the Q+PR project is tainted by my long-standing acquaintance with Paul, which goes back to the time I interviewed him for the local daily I was working for, to advance a solo PR concert a few months prior to the all-original Bad Company reunion in 1999.

Fact is, nothing could be farther from the truth. When I first got word that Paul was going to work with Brian and Roger, believe me, I was as surprised as anyone. Having been broken in on eight-track tapes, A Night At The Opera was the very first vinyl album I ever bought, so the Queen catalog has special significance to me.

Once I had time to think it through, however, I realized that Paul wouldn't do it at all if he felt he couldn't do the legacy of the music proud.

And he has certainly done that.

So I'll just say, to each his own. Skip the CD and ensuing tour, if that works best for you. Me? I'll look forward once again to seeing Q+PR live, on stage, displaying the talent they were blessed with. The Hollywood Bowl and San Diego shows I saw on their previous outings were tight, and a great experience for those, like me, who never got to see Queen proper while Freddie was still with us.

;^)

I just don't think..never have..that Paul is that great of a singer. Nothing to do with him replacing Freddie.

piecesofeight wrote:I just don't think..never have..that Paul is that great of a singer. Nothing to do with him replacing Freddie.

You'd be in the minority then. There's a reason just about anyone jumps at the chance to work with him, and it ain't because they feel sorry for the guy, lol.

But as I said already, to each his own...

;^)

I personally love Queen with Paul Rodgers. I loved Bad Company, and of course, Queen. It works for me and I'd definitely go see them in concert.

johnroxx wrote:

piecesofeight wrote:I just don't think..never have..that Paul is that great of a singer. Nothing to do with him replacing Freddie.

You'd be in the minority then. There's a reason just about anyone jumps at the chance to work with him, and it ain't because they feel sorry for the guy, lol.

But as I said already, to each his own...

;^)

Exactly..no biggie..so what. I'm just not a fan of the guy. Never have been. So I don't follow queen anymore.
It's not as if the guys sucks..he's does good enough..he can sing..but he's not that great of a singer.
You gotta' remember..I'm very strict about the lead singer being able to really, really SING. A lot of people can be a 'singer'

Interesting that some here who have put down Journey for going with a singer that sounds similar to the legacy sound, disagree with Queen for going into a totally different direction on vocal sound. Perhaps this is the same argument some would take if _ _ _ were singing lead for Journey?

texafana wrote:Interesting that some here who have put down Journey for going with a singer that sounds similar to the legacy sound, disagree with Queen for going into a totally different direction on vocal sound. Perhaps this is the same argument some would take if _ _ _ were singing lead for Journey?

Interesting thought. I think queen sounds pretty good with their new direction with Paul rogers, even though hed never touch Freddie M , just as Journey would sound great with a new direction with JSS , even though hed have never touched Steve Perry.


the difference perhaps is that Queen of course had no other choice but to choose a different lead singer if they wanted to still peform, do music.
Some would argue that Journey has the option of having the origninal singer, if the affected parties would agree to it.

Enigma869 wrote:I watched "Queen with Paul Rodgers" for the one and only time on the VH1 Rock Honors show last year, and I cringed through the entire performance. EVERY single classic Queen track was completely re-arranged and simply unrecognizable from their original versions! I don't count myself as a huge Queen fan, but was MORTIFIED when I watched the performance I watched! I will NEVER consider that group "Queen", with or without Paul Rodgers!


John from Boston

I saw that performance too and didn't have any problem recognizing the songs. Granted he's no Freddie, but I thought he did a good job.

Lady Luck wrote:Missed them when they were in Jacksonville in '06 because I believe that was the same weekend (or within a week) as DL/Journey in Orlando. Hope they come back to the US...I'd like to try and catch a show.

Priorities.. priorities.. I'd like to catch them as well.

texafana wrote:Interesting that some here who have put down Journey for going with a singer that sounds similar to the legacy sound, disagree with Queen for going into a totally different direction on vocal sound. Perhaps this is the same argument some would take if _ _ _ were singing lead for Journey?

I can tell you that I NEVER once criticized Journey for looking to replicate their "legacy" sound. In fact, I have been openly critical of people on this board who believe Journey should completely re-invent themselves. I've always thought the suggestion was absurd, and was never a proponent of Journey going in a "more hard rocking direction" with Jeff. I like Jeff as a human being, but didn't believe he sounded anything like Journey, in spite of his very strong voice. I don't think Neal Schon and company have always made brilliant business decisions, but in this case, I think it was absolutely the correct decision! Bands don't and shouldn't re-invent themselves after 30 years! It's idiotic and illogical!


John from Boston

Saint John wrote:I agree. This would be like Journey hiring Lemmy from Motorhead to pay tribute to Perry.

Wouldn't you like to hear Lemmy singing Open Arms?

Ratgirl wrote:

Lady Luck wrote:Missed them when they were in Jacksonville in '06 because I believe that was the same weekend (or within a week) as DL/Journey in Orlando. Hope they come back to the US...I'd like to try and catch a show.

Priorities.. priorities.. I'd like to catch them as well.

I would too, I bet it would be a fun time.

Here's the difference: Journey is still trying to sound like Journey.

To me, calling this Queen is like calling The Firm "Led Zepplin" or Bad English being called "Journey." I'm glad at least Schon and Cain were sensible enough to know that John Waite + Journey = New Group and it would never work as "Journey." I hate the way Journey released JSS but I'm sure this is exactly the reason why they decided he wasn't the right fit for "Journey."

I would be much more excited to hear these same guys explore new territory and start a new group – not pretend to be something they aren't. IMO PR leading "Queen" is like putting a square peg in a round hole. I'm a huge fan of everyone involved but, while he's probably one of the best rock vocalists to ever live, Paul Rogers sounds nothing like Freddie and his vocal style is too high and not suited for the type of layered heavily-produced songs Queen is known for.

I would actually really dig Queen with an outstanding vocalist with a big voice that would do justice to their previous catalog while still move them forward (George Michael comes to mind). IMO, they would have every right to do so and I would support them all the way.

Lady Luck wrote:Missed them when they were in Jacksonville in '06 because I believe that was the same weekend (or within a week) as DL/Journey in Orlando. Hope they come back to the US...I'd like to try and catch a show.

I didn't....I was there....In Jacksonville....and I know Jacksonville very well...have friends at Radio there, so the wife and I were out bouncing around town a few hours before the show....and hookin up with my friends at the point station...and we saw a bunch of limousines coming towards us on one of the roads right down on the riverfront that goes in the "back way" to the vet....and paul rodgers waved at my wife....my wife's biggest concert claim to fame, shy of meeting joan baez...."Paul Rodgers Waved At Me!!!!" - and it was at her...we were one of two cars on the road next to them LOL.

One HELL Of a show by the way... Shook Hands with Paul and Brian from the catwalk into the crowd....pretty well the coolest and most braggable concert experience of my life so far...

KISSNTIME wrote:Here's the difference: Journey is still trying to sound like Journey.

To me, calling this Queen is like calling The Firm "Led Zepplin" or Bad English being called "Journey." I'm glad at least Schon and Cain were sensible enough to know that John Waite + Journey = New Group and it would never work as "Journey." I hate the way Journey released JSS but I'm sure this is exactly the reason why they decided he wasn't the right fit for "Journey."

I would be much more excited to hear these same guys explore new territory and start a new group – not pretend to be something they aren't. IMO PR leading "Queen" is like putting a square peg in a round hole. I'm a huge fan of everyone involved but, while he's probably one of the best rock vocalists to ever live, Paul Rogers sounds nothing like Freddie and his vocal style is too high and not suited for the type of layered heavily-produced songs Queen is known for.

I would actually really dig Queen with an outstanding vocalist with a big voice that would do justice to their previous catalog while still move them forward (George Michael comes to mind). IMO, they would have every right to do so and I would support them all the way.

No, here's the difference:

Paul Rodgers was Freddie's favorite singer, and he would listen to him before shows to pump himself up. When asked to join Queen, Paul was honored and truly understands the shoes he is filling.

Journey is on singer #3 since Perry, and found somebody who can sing in the same register, but that's about it.

NealIsGod wrote:

KISSNTIME wrote:Here's the difference: Journey is still trying to sound like Journey.

To me, calling this Queen is like calling The Firm "Led Zepplin" or Bad English being called "Journey." I'm glad at least Schon and Cain were sensible enough to know that John Waite + Journey = New Group and it would never work as "Journey." I hate the way Journey released JSS but I'm sure this is exactly the reason why they decided he wasn't the right fit for "Journey."

I would be much more excited to hear these same guys explore new territory and start a new group – not pretend to be something they aren't. IMO PR leading "Queen" is like putting a square peg in a round hole. I'm a huge fan of everyone involved but, while he's probably one of the best rock vocalists to ever live, Paul Rogers sounds nothing like Freddie and his vocal style is too high and not suited for the type of layered heavily-produced songs Queen is known for.

I would actually really dig Queen with an outstanding vocalist with a big voice that would do justice to their previous catalog while still move them forward (George Michael comes to mind). IMO, they would have every right to do so and I would support them all the way.

No, here's the difference:

Paul Rodgers was Freddie's favorite singer, and he would listen to him before shows to pump himself up. When asked to join Queen, Paul was honored and truly understands the shoes he is filling.

Thanks Nig...spot on.

;^)