A conversation in the back of a taxi on Saturday Night was what started me thinking about Freddie.
The question posed was this:
“If you could go and see any band, from any point in time performing any of their albums, who would it be?”
I didn’t need to think for more than a second.
For me personally it would be Queen in 1975 playing the entire track listing of “A Night at the Opera”. In the right order of course.
I was only six years old that year but, of course, in this fantasy world I can be any age I want. So I wouldn’t be six. That would be silly. You don’t want to go to all this trouble of inventing a fantasy world, firing up the Delorean, getting it up to 88mph and then not be allowed in the door for being underage.
Later on, as I fell asleep, I thought more and more about Queen and Freddie Mercury in particular. I’m more the Nirvana age myself, and most people my age probably shed more of a tear at the death of Kurt Cobain. But even now, the thought of Freddie Mercury dead makes me tear up a little. Kurt ended it all; but Freddie loved life and had so much more to willingly give but had his life cut short by a disease that people didn’t even have a name for, when Freddie caught it.
He was…and I don’t use this lightly, a genius. There’s no-one else remotely like him; neither before or since
I grew up listening to Freddie. My Mum bought that first album in 1975 the week it came out and it was all that was played in our house for a good while.
Years later, stuck in on a wet Sunday with nothing to do but entertain ourselves, me and my brother and sister would mime to Queen and on occasion my brother would eyeliner in Freddie 'tasche for extra authenticity. Live-Aid Freddie is still his Halloween costume of choice. Rightly so.
So yesterday I’m in at the radio station and one of the music news items being read out is that Queen are to tour again, but with a different singer. I felt myself going watery eyed all over again. It ain't right.
I still can’t get over Freddie being dead. There should be no Night at the Opera without him.
********
What would your choice be for the dream live concert: band and album, please.(I particularly want to encourage my band of lurkers to switch off their cloaking devices and comment on this one? Please; to the comments box you go. Thanks for reading chaps!)
31 comments:
This is easy.
Same concert as you! I'm a huge Queen fan but never got to see them live. So, mind if I tag along?
And you are right, he was a genius. End of discussion as far as I'm concerned.
I still can't listen to the CD of the '88 tour when, during Who Wants To Live Forever, he says (referencing rumours of Queen spliting up) "we'll be together until we fucking well die".
The New Seekers.
No, I'm only joking!
How about Bill Haley and the Comets?
Gordon: I'm the same- never saw them live...to be honest would be happy to see them in any year, but 1975 when they were still shy of being a stadium band, and Freddie was still clean shaven and wearing all in ones. Heaven. Which is where I guess he's rockin' now. Bless his heart.
Gorilla: Really, I'm so pleased you didn't go for Gorillaz, or heaven forfend, the Monkees.
Oh, and Gordon...whoever finishes their time machine first, has to let the other know..it's a date!
You know, that really wouldn't have been a bad one to attend!
But there are so many dream concerts I'd give my ... well, perhaps not my (useful) right arm but a pinky to attend: The Beatles, circa Sgt Peppers; The Who, around the same time; Led Zep after IV; Deep Purple just before Gillan left; Wings when they were Over America, Derek and the Dominoes during the brief time they existed ...
But, you know, maybe the best would be a variation on yours: I'll take Queen working their way through the earlier of their Greatest Hits albums - a real sing-along show :)
NOBODY rocks like Queen, and I like my rock.
I agree with Ro about Deep Purple and Led Zep but my biggest regret is never seeing Queen live! It seemed at the end of the eighties they would go on forever and there would be plenty of time to catch a concert.
So it would have to be the Wembley 1986 concert when Queen were at their most fabulous prime for me. I have the CD's and can sing along to every word but nothing would compare to actually being there.
However I can't say that I'm enthralled to hear that the remainder of Queen will tour again, their recent stuff has been utter Gash.
Hmmmm. So many choices. Hendrix around 1967 when he was still all there and still enjoying performing. The Beatles at any point, but especially anywhere between 1966 and 1969 (I'd love to see them perform Sgt Pepper, Magical Mystery Tour or The White Album in full). The Stone Roses playing their debut album on a good day.
Woodstock 1969 (which happens to be the year I was born). I want the whole experience... Still love Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, etc.
Adam and the Ants circa 1981 playing Kings of the Wild Frontier.
I wouldn't mind if they also played from Dirk Wears White Sox - but Adam during Kings is quite often part of my fantasy life ;)
I would be as old and wise as I am now with my 19 year old body.
ps I agree with everything you said about Freddie.
That would be The Smiths, circa The Queen is Dead. But you knew that, right?
Hmmm.... I would have to say Pink Floyd, circa Dark Side of the Moon, or else The Wall. But not Animals.
Or, Depeche Mode in about 1986.
I don't try to reconcile my musical tastes, at one time or another I've listened to almost everything...
I love Freddy Mercury too especially in that seventies phase where he used to wear that low cut leotard exposing his chest. But I am also a total hippy and I would have loved to have been at Woodstock seeing Jimi Hendrix live. He is genius.
Oasis, Definitely Maybe (it was the soundtrack of my teenage angst) or Kate Bush, Hounds Of Love. Because she is a genius and I love her.
At first I didn't think I was going to have an answer, but now I know: Status Quo, Don't Stop tour! I've seen it on video several hundred times, to the point where I don't think the tape works anymore. To see that live would've been flabbergasting.
Didn't see that coming from a 21year old did ya? ;)
Ro: So really a front row spot at Queen doing their Live Aid slot would be just the ticket. How good were they that day? Unbelievable...
Jaggy: You would be guaranteed an amazing show no matter which year, I guess. After I wrote this post i went onto You Tube and watched some live clips. Can I recommend you do the same. Fabulous.
Groanin': Interesting choice with the White Album. That would have been incredible..especially given that the Beatles had to give up playing live because of the screaming and didn't get to tour those (more interesting, IMO) albums. I love Rubber Soul also but it would have to be Sgt Pepper, if presssed.
Hanlie: Born that year too. Fabb-o music aside, I reckon those topless hippies might've got my nerves tho!
Taex: How weird, my visiting friend said today that she'd seen Adam and the Ants when they toured KOTWF! Dropped off and picked up by parents tho! That would have been immense! Good choice!
Cat: Yes, I did, my dear! I was there I saw them do Meat is Murder and Q is Dead at the Capitol. Unfortunately Morrissey got dragged into the crowd in the second one and went off in the huff after 17 mins. Very disappointing. BTW I'm talking about the Smiths doc (it's not good btw) in my Movie podcast on Original this week. Also, my bother had the exact same answer as you. Me...I like Meat is Murder more. By a smidge.
Gray: Depeche Mode were the first band I saw live...the tour was the "Some Great Reward" tour. I saw them three times after that too. They are a fantastic live band. But bloody hell. Floyd...genius. How great would DSOTM live be? Unfortunately have only seen Australian Pink Floyd...but my sis saw Roger Waters live and said he brought tears to her eyes.
Emma: Agree re the Freddie outfit. I remember my mum being slightly disappointed when he came out as a homosexual (like one day, he might turn up for her). Hendrix...flippin' great answer. Think my sister would agree with you on that one.
Lady shambles: Kate Bush- That is indeed a great album. I felt her comeback wasn't what it should have been, eh?
Boy: You wrote that comment hours ago...I have only just come round....
I have to say I'm quite disturbed that "Boy" wants to see Status Quo. I'm beginning to wonder if his blog is really written by some old bald middle-aged bloke...
I also would have loved to have seen The Smiths live but, alas, I came to them in the early nineties when it was too late. I would only have been 10 when they split. I can actually remember seeing Morrissey on Top of the Pops at one point, though, waving his flowers about. I was a bit confused. I was a bit confused by Boy George, too, but I liked them both.
As for choice of dream concert, ooh, there are too many to choose from....Personally, I would like to go back in time to 1992 when I saw The Manic Street Preachers live in The Glasgow Mayfair (it's now The Garage). I was only fourteen, and it was my first ever concert. So, okay, the Manics were a wee dubious musically but, well, at that age I never knew that and this was when Richey and Nicky looked like proper glam rock stars, replete with eyeliner and fake fur! My God! It was great! It was the start of puberty! My sexual awakening!
That was the only Queen LP I ever bought. Iconic, and yes on vinyl at its release when I was a plookey 16 year old.
Luckily for me I can still see my favourites annually on tour. Check the audience next time round for slapheads. Me, I've still got hair, but it'll be hidden under my blue hat with the bell.
Slutty: Never got into the Manics personally, but I do like the way Nicky Wire looks. My androgenous confusion started with Nick Rhodes of Duran Duran (around 1983..not now!). I don't admit that often.
And yes, I share your shock about Boy's confession.
Noddy: Can't say I know much about Wishbone Ash...will investigate...
a lurker joins in...
have to agree with you on Queen, although followed closely by Elvis and Prince. Mind was swayed when I read the Adam Ants comment, that would be right up there too!
As you can see I have somewhat eclectic tastes
nice blog by the way
Lurker: Thanks for de-cloaking! Oooh Prince doing Purple Rain. That would be outstanding. One of my favourite albums of all time, that. And again, someone I've never seen live. Thank you for your kind comment about the blog and for reading!
Agreed indeed about The Bush. Too many jazz fags have taken their toll on the lady. (See lyrics for examples, including repetitious 'Washing machine, washing machine, washing machine...' ad infinitum.)
I feel it was less come back, more sit back and watch the royalties roll in.
Personally I would have loved to have been around in the mid 50's and heard the likes of Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis and such when they toured together under the Sun label.
Lady: Maybe she needed the cash for a new washing machine and thought she should, at least, be upfront about it?
T and A: I can see you with the slicked back hair and the leathers actually.
Queen. With Freddie.
That is all.
Farty: When i get the time machine sorted, I'll give you a shout. Gordon's working on the onboard computer..I'm looking at paint and carpet samples.
hello!
i'm a lurker, de-lurking for the first time.
hmmm, too many to choose from. but i think i would have to choose my all time favourite, buddy holly, perhaps doing his famous gig at the harlem apollo. but if you've got a spare queen ticket, i'd love to come along to that too.
Gillian: thanks for delurking and commenting. My dad chose Buddy too!
America : Hearts,
Leonard Cohen : The Future,
and if I can have just one single track performed live, Dixie Chicks : Not ready to make Nice.
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