Queen without Freddie is a tribute band, and there may well be better Queen tribute bands out there any more (or at least, better Freddie impersonators. I'm not at all impressed with Adam Lambert.)
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Bohemian Rhapsody-- yes or no?
- Thread starter alaskaleftybass
- Start date
I've spent the last few days watching and listening to Queen documentaries, interviews, and concert footage.
Unless there is some dirt on these guys I haven't found yet, they are all good human beings as well.
Brian was going to be an astrophysicist, Roger a dentist, Deacon was an electronics whiz, and Freddie was a graphic artist. Not your typical of dead end job guys who hung out and decided to firm a cool band.
I started keeping up with Brian on his website and Instagram. He's now rescuing animals and involved in astrophysics.
-Mike
Unless there is some dirt on these guys I haven't found yet, they are all good human beings as well.
Brian was going to be an astrophysicist, Roger a dentist, Deacon was an electronics whiz, and Freddie was a graphic artist. Not your typical of dead end job guys who hung out and decided to firm a cool band.
I started keeping up with Brian on his website and Instagram. He's now rescuing animals and involved in astrophysics.
-Mike
Brian did go back and finish his Astrophysics PhD as well, so it's Dr. May, if you please.
[QUOTE="MJ5150, post: 22564001, member: 15929"
I started keeping up with Brian on his website and Instagram. He's now rescuing animals and involved in astrophysics.
[/QUOTE]
Does this have something to do with Schroedinger's poor cat?
I started keeping up with Brian on his website and Instagram. He's now rescuing animals and involved in astrophysics.
[/QUOTE]
Does this have something to do with Schroedinger's poor cat?
Has the world's best (probably only) spacetime-traveling sci-fi skiffle tune.
Are you referring to the beginning of 'Death on Two Legs'?
-Mike
No, "'39" is the one I meant - I think it's on that album? I forget to be honest, but it's my favorite Queen song.
Ahhhh, yes. That song is rad.
It's from the 'A Night at the Opera' masterpiece. When you play the album start to finish it sounds even radder.
-Mike
Alkali Ike
Gold Supporting Member
- Jan 1, 2011
- 2,855
- 15,666
- Disclosures
- I never actually learned to play very well
I watched the movie last night. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. Admittedly I could not get past “Rami Malek with prosthetic teeth” but it didn’t matter - he probably nailed the performance. I say probably because I was never a huge Queen fan and don’t think I ever bought any of their stuff.
I’m evidence that a non-Queen fan can really enjoy this movie.
I’m evidence that a non-Queen fan can really enjoy this movie.
You don't need to buy anything to find out. Here is the LiveAid performance so you can judge for yourself if Rami nailed it or not......
-Mike
There's a side-by-side version of that and the movie scene next to each other - creepily accurate right down to the cup placement on the piano, timing's just about perfect.
Alkali Ike
Gold Supporting Member
- Jan 1, 2011
- 2,855
- 15,666
- Disclosures
- I never actually learned to play very well
I finally saw the movie. I would not call myself a Queen’s “Fan”, but I have a lot of respect for them and enjoy their music.
Before I saw the movie, I had already heard of all the “inaccuracies” it contained. I was still drawn in by the performance and the story. It felt real. Most of the “band” scenes were relatable because of similar discussions I`ve had at some time with bandmates.
Rami Malek`s performance was credible. Freddie Mercury was an “over the top” performer and he did a great job in his depiction of Queen`s flamboyant frontman. But he was also human and fallible and that was what made it such a good movie. They also were able to show the darker side of Freddie without becoming just a string of unsavory tabloid article (something that most rock star biopic fails to do).
My 14-year-old nephew, who didn`t know Queen before seeing the movie, who prefer pop music over rock, is now a Queen fan and started to learn bass. That is enough for me to conclude that the movie can reach anyone.
Before I saw the movie, I had already heard of all the “inaccuracies” it contained. I was still drawn in by the performance and the story. It felt real. Most of the “band” scenes were relatable because of similar discussions I`ve had at some time with bandmates.
Rami Malek`s performance was credible. Freddie Mercury was an “over the top” performer and he did a great job in his depiction of Queen`s flamboyant frontman. But he was also human and fallible and that was what made it such a good movie. They also were able to show the darker side of Freddie without becoming just a string of unsavory tabloid article (something that most rock star biopic fails to do).
My 14-year-old nephew, who didn`t know Queen before seeing the movie, who prefer pop music over rock, is now a Queen fan and started to learn bass. That is enough for me to conclude that the movie can reach anyone.
Finally watched a few days ago on HBO. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, but overall, it wasn't good. Rami Malek was so obviously uncomfortable with the prosthetic teeth, and when compared to Freddie's actual teeth, the fake ones seemed much more noticeable. Freddie's teeth didn't look that bad in real life, so why go through all the trouble of making the actor wear them?
Aside from that, I felt like there was very little character development with Freddie. They showed us very little of who he was or why he even loved music. And based on the portrayals of the other band members, it seems they didn't even like him that much as a person.
A friend of mine described it perfectly: "It's not a good movie, but when you hear all the great Queen songs as you're watching, you stop noticing how bad it is."
Aside from that, I felt like there was very little character development with Freddie. They showed us very little of who he was or why he even loved music. And based on the portrayals of the other band members, it seems they didn't even like him that much as a person.
A friend of mine described it perfectly: "It's not a good movie, but when you hear all the great Queen songs as you're watching, you stop noticing how bad it is."
Finally got around to watching Bohemian Rhapsody last night.
As a biography of Freddie Mercury, my reaction was "meh."
Like a lot of TalkBassers, the highlight of the movie for me was probably the "Stingray" scene. (The recording session for "Another One Bites the Dust") And the beautiful P basses.
I also thought the use of visual effects was really tasteful. The Wembley Stadium shots were very well done.
The most "cringe worthy" scene for me was the Wayne's World joke.
Mushroo's grade: B
As a biography of Freddie Mercury, my reaction was "meh."
Like a lot of TalkBassers, the highlight of the movie for me was probably the "Stingray" scene. (The recording session for "Another One Bites the Dust") And the beautiful P basses.
I also thought the use of visual effects was really tasteful. The Wembley Stadium shots were very well done.
The most "cringe worthy" scene for me was the Wayne's World joke.
Mushroo's grade: B
I wasn't impressed by the Myers contribution.
To quote a famous song 'Is this real life, or is this just fantasy?'...
- Mercury already knew May et al before 'auditioning'. He was best friends with their existing singer, after all.
- May introduced him to Mary.
- He was already seeing Jim when he was recording in Germany, having already relentlessly persued him so didn't have to track him down for Live Aid.
- They'd been on tour TWICE in the year before Live Aid and had not 'not played together for years'.
- Queen didn't have to beg to play Live Aid but was ASKED to play.
- 'Paul' was American, not Northern Irish.
- Of course Mercury knew Kenny Everett as he'd previously been on his show, 'Paul' having been present.
- The big meeting with Myers' character didn't include May as he was very ill with hepatitis at the time.
I enjoyed the movie in its own terms, but historically accurate it was not.
Brian May has said in multiple occasions they did not intend to create a historically accurate movie.
At first I was mad the movie wasn't accurate, but after hearing Brian's comments I'm not bothered by it anymore.
-Mike
At first I was mad the movie wasn't accurate, but after hearing Brian's comments I'm not bothered by it anymore.
-Mike
