|
|
Post by Madwoman on Jul 14, 2005 6:52:06 GMT -5
the Mirror did an interview with paul (sorry can't remember when) and in it he said that he (Paul) rather enjoyed the private planes and limos on tour, it made the gruelling schedule bearable( or words to that affect) He also talked about crashing into Brian a few times on stage, but he has apologised for it. He sounded like he was having fun all in all.
|
|
|
|
Post by Brigitte on Jul 15, 2005 6:10:12 GMT -5
Thanks, Madwoman. I found it on their website. Here it is!
8 July 2005
WELL, I'M ALL RIGHT NOW
FORMER FREE STAR PAUL RODGERS ON REPLACING FREDDIE MERCURY IN QUEEN
Gavin Martin
Finding someone who could take up the role Freddie Mercury vacated in Queen was never going to be easy. Eyebrows were raised earlier this year when it was announced that Paul Rodgers - formerly of Free and Bad Company - was to tour with Roger Taylor and Brian May under the Paul Rodgers and Queen banner. It seemed odd, replacing one of the campest men in rock with one of the butchest.
"I was surprised too," chuckles Rodgers. "The initial idea was to go out as May, Taylor and Rodgers, but when it became Queen and Paul Rodgers the whole focus changed. It meant major touring and major commitments. I had to put my solo career on hold. I had to think twice about it, they're such a huge band.
"I watched their Live At Wembley show and was blown away by what they had achieved. To step into that and still be myself was quite an undertaking. But I played We Will Rock You and We Are The Champions with those guys at the UK Hall Of Fame opening and it had felt very natural. They felt as if they were my songs. And when they played All Right Now it took on a new kind of energy."
Born in Middlesbrough 55 years ago - but now resident in Canada where he moved after meeting his wife, Cynthia, a former Miss Canada - Rodgers admits that the more flamboyant Queen material is a challenge for his gruff, bluesy style.
"But a lot are very close," he admits. "Slipping into things like Fat Bottomed Girls is very my kind of thing, and The Show Must Go On is very dramatic material, so I look forward to the challenge of that. I expected an incredible musical experience and I've had even more than that."
Rodgers was one of Mercury's favourite singers, but the pair never really knew each other.
"We passed on the stairs in a management office once and that was about it," says Paul. "But I feel close to him because I've had to study Freddie's technique and way of singing the songs in order to make them my own.
"His mum, sister, niece and nephew came to a show in Sheffield, and that was one of the highlights of the whole thing - being accepted by them. It was quite an emotional moment. Freddie's mum was like royalty and you can see his eyes when you look at her.
"She asked me if I knew Freddie and I said, 'No, but I felt I did now'. She looked at me with those wonderful eyes and said, 'I know what you mean because I can feel him here too'. That was a blessing for me and the Queen fans have all welcomed me warmly as well. It's been a heart-warming experience, fabulous."
Another famous fan of Rodgers' voice is Prime Minister Tony Blair.
"I sung for him at the Labour Party conference and met himself and his good lady," says Paul. "Cherie said to me, 'Ooh, rock stars! Let's all take our clothes off!' I said, 'Madam, we don't do those things nowadays but, for you, I think we could make an exception'. It was a laugh, but I'm not really sure I should say that."
Maybe he's worried about blowing his chances of receiving a gong?
"I don't think about it, Gavin, to be honest," he smiles. "I'm just concentrating on the music."
In their heyday, Queen were famous for their excessive sex and drugs lifestyle. Rodgers admits he had a period of heavy cocaine use too, although now he avoids substances, eats well and keeps fit, all to protect his voice.
"I went through the phase that everyone seemed to in the old days - overdoing things on the road," he says. "But I have very strong willpower and I just quit everything. It wasn't difficult because as soon as the music or my voice was affected, that was it.
"There was no rehab or anything necessary. I certainly wasn't damaged otherwise I wouldn't be able to do what I do now. For me, the party has always been onstage. Everything outside of that is geared toward my voice - I do lots of stretching, yoga and meditation."
On their current tour, Queen - now without original bassist John Deacon who has retired - have travelled in the regal style they are famed for.
"It's been lovely flying across Europe in private jets and eating caviar," Rodgers admits. "It was a gruelling schedule, but a lot of the sting was taken out of it by having private planes and being met by limos on the tarmac."
With drugs off the menu, the most dangerous activity seems to be Rodgers' legendary mic stand swinging.
"I've clobbered myself on the head a couple of times," he admits. "And Brian and I have crashed into each other a few times too. I apologised, but we've been moving around so much that it's inevitable we charge into each other."
|
|
|
|
Post by Tina on Jul 15, 2005 7:19:02 GMT -5
I like this man! It's cute when he admits having clobbered on his had with his mic stand. ;D Very symphatic!  |
|
|
|
Post by jazz "The Mysterious" on Jul 15, 2005 8:51:55 GMT -5
And he has such a beautiful wife.  |
|
|
|
Post by IloveRogerT on Jul 15, 2005 16:23:27 GMT -5
does anyone have a photo of Mrs. Rodgers??
|
|
|
|
Post by IloveRogerT on Jul 15, 2005 16:24:15 GMT -5
Before Paul Rodgers joined Queen I really didnt care for him. But astime is going bye he is starting to grow on me. Im starting to like him more and more. He was a great choice to join the band.
|
|
|
|
Post by jazz "The Mysterious" on Jul 15, 2005 19:31:25 GMT -5
Yes, he is.
|
|
Maria
Loneliness…
Posts: 5
|
Post by Maria on Jul 16, 2005 4:51:09 GMT -5
I don't like Paul. The only good thing about him I see is taking the guys back on the road.
|
|
|
|
Post by Brigitte on Jul 16, 2005 13:02:10 GMT -5
Hi Maria and welcome to the board (you are Member No 100 btw).
I know I didn't know too much about him except some songs I knew and wasn't too happy about him as a singer when I first heart of him. But now after seeing him perform live I must the guys made a wise choice to take him on tour. Did you see them play? And if yes, what don't you like about him?
|
|
|
|
Post by Tina on Jul 17, 2005 3:15:04 GMT -5
I totally agree, Brigitte. Paul is the best that could happen to Roger and Brian. It's pretty obvious those guys get along brilliantly. And he's got an impressive voice too, different from Freddie yes, but still one of the best I've ever heard! So powerful and bluesy. Btw, welcome to the board, Maria! Have fun and post much. |
|
Maria
Loneliness…
Posts: 5
|
Post by Maria on Jul 17, 2005 10:10:05 GMT -5
Thx for the nice welcome  )) I'm member 100? So where is my bouquet of roses?? ;-)) I've seen them live two times: in cologne and leipzig. And well, I think he is not a bad singer at all. I just don't like him personally. He seems so ... artificial to me. Maybe it's just my imagination and not true - but I simply find him unsympathic, y'know? |
|
|
|
Post by Tina on Jul 17, 2005 13:28:14 GMT -5
I understand what you mean, but he's not the way you discribe him. Brigitte and I happened to met him in Cologne and he was just lovely. In the beginning I also thought he would be artificial, but he seems to be a nice chap indeed.  |
|
Maria
Loneliness…
Posts: 5
|
Post by Maria on Jul 17, 2005 14:21:20 GMT -5
Probably you're right, really. I never talked to him nor do I know much about him. It was just my first impression.
However, there's at least one good thing about him which maybe should be enough reason to like him. Or do you think the boys would be on tour right now if they haven't met him?
|
|
|
|
Post by Jmochampion on Jul 17, 2005 15:19:34 GMT -5
I wasn't gonna log in today but I read this and felt like responding!! Firstly hi Maria - welcome to the board!! ;D Thanks boss for copying the article for us! I LOVE PAUL!! I don't agree with the 'artificial' comment at all!! He is such a sweet and lovely man and is slightly cheesy but no way is he artificial!! Maria in what frame of mind did you go to the gigs with? If you went expecting something like the DVD/Video's you've been watching then I wouldn't be surprised that you were disappointed but I think if you went with an open frame of mind and the feeling of wanting to be entertained then you would LOVE paul I'm sure of it Still I'm sorry to hear you don't like him............please don't feel like I'm having a go I just wanted to type my opinion. From what i've read it sounds like he could do with some support LOL |
|
|
|
Post by whitequeen1983 - the petite on Jul 17, 2005 18:40:15 GMT -5
i love paul. i met him 3 times in this tour and he has always been nice to people. cynthia (his wife/manager) is a lovely woman... paul doesn't pretend to be freddie, in fact he told me in florence he was surprised to see that so many fan have accepted him and he was grateful to be part of the queen family and he knew how important freddie was and is for us all and he was proud to interpretate the songs... he is such a great musician, i will definately go to see his solo tour as well... and i really hope they will work together again, they rock together so much!!
|
|
'He is a lover not a fighter' 
| OB - SWB!
)) I'm member 100? So where is my bouquet of roses?? ;-))
