Roger Taylor of Queen Rarites Fansite
"I am a musician by profession, that's my whole life, and I didn't want to waste it in easy retirement"
Charts Lyrics VideosTours Roger & Brian Gallery Links 
Wersja polska
"I am a musician by profession, that's my whole life, and I didn't want to waste it in easy retirement"
Charts Lyrics VideosTours Roger & Brian Gallery Links Wersja polska
Roger Taylor's latest work is round the Nelson Mandela campaign. It was set to fight with HIV/ AIDS in Africa, because 26 million people in the world (out of all 40 million infected with HIV/ AIDS) are from Africa. It is a great problem there as there is no information on the disease and its cure. Most people are poor and cannot fight, cannot buy medicaments to help them cure themselves. And because the HIV/ AIDS issue was always important to Roger and Brian they support such campaigns. Not only they started Mercury Phoenix Trust but also take part in as many concerts connected somehow as possible. And probably that's why they supported 46664 and musical directors of that.
The event was scheduled to take place on February 2, 2003. But that idea collapsed, and artists were told off. Some of them appeared on later date, some of them didn't appear at all (Macy Gray for example). But that concert, which did take place, started like that: First, somewhere at the beginning of year 2003 they went to Cape Town to record some songs with David A. Stewart for future use of 46664 campaign. Then all was silent about it until they had some rehearsals and there was a date for the concert stated.
They met a lot of musicians, they recorded some songs with other musicians for being later put on CDs and singles. They had, just before the concert, meeting with Mandela (a night dinner at Mandela's), then they went to visit a nearby island together with many other stars. Then there was a time for some rehearsal and the concert...
29th November 2003 the concert was launched. 'Queen' were much part of it. All have been recorded and is issued as double DVD set.
Fourth song on Disc 1 is Taylor singing his newly written "Say It's Not True", along with accompanying Brian and David A. Stewart on guitars. It is clear at the time, just a day light. Roger supports himself a bit with the words written down but it still is a GREAT piece of work! I love the song, and how he sings that one! The best moment of the whole concert!!! Next 'Queen' thing on the disc is "Invincible Hope", song by Roger with excerpts from Mandela's speech, which is followed by Brian's "The Call" (really great Roger drums, the beginning of the song is incredible, later on it's not that good, although nice and typical May) and Queen's "The Show Must Go On" with three vocalists: Zoe Nicholas, Treana Morris and Chris Thompson (Treana is surely the best here, most suitable for the song). Roger also does bvc's here.
Disc 2 presents us with Roger Taylor accompanying The Corrs by their arrangation of "Toss The Feathers" (instrumental one) on drums. Then 'Queen' appears on Zucchero's "Everybody's Got To Learn Sometime" (written by Edward James Warren) with Sharon Corr. After Eurthymics and Bono & The Edge come 'Queen' for a bunch of their song. These are new "Amandla" (written by Stewart, Anastacia, May, Louw), sung by Anastacia and Bono; "Bohemian Rhapsody" (third part as usual), "I Want It All" (not too good while Zucchero sang, not really a voice for Queen songs), "I Want To Break Free" in which Thandiswa Mazwai forgot all the second part of the song's lyrics and as usual "Radio Ga Ga" sung by Roger. Then at the end comes Anastacia again doing Queen's "We Will Rock You" and "We Are the Champions" - and once again, why such a choice for a voice so unfortunate for Queen songs? Even if someone's after her vice and that style she sings, which she surely does, no doubt, then there is not a good voice for this songs, unfortunatelly.
Currently, 5 April 2004 I guess, a 2 DVD set and a 3 CDs set have been issued covering the whole event. This is a very nice piece to watch but if you don't like African 'folk' music, can be hard for you at times. Anyway, I'd say better to watch this than just listen. And it is good that the climate (mood) there is good, among all those stars.
There was a studio album to be issued with all the stuff that has been recorded, but that hasn't been done yet, we have to wait for a full "Invincible Hope" song version, with Roger on vocals.
Now I'll give you details on official releases:
All CDs were released on April 5, 2004. CD 1 is grey coloured, CD 2 - yellow/ red, CD 3 - violet. There is also an all 3 CDs set available - coloured from top: yellow, violet, grey; also issued April 5, 2004. DVD cover is black & brown colour. 
There was to be another 46664 concert, called Latino, and was to take place in Benidorm on August 21, 2004 but was cancelled and no exact cause was given. Still, Roger, Brian and David stay 46664 Ambassadors.
SOURCE is all I know about the event and what I saw on my DVD version of the concert, all I heard and read before it has been issued and from the official 46664 site, 46664.com
After 'long' introduction by the Italian speaker (shouting: Quuueeeenn!) we have Brian and Roger coming from backstage for "We Will Rock You". First Brian welcomes: "Bona sera Modena! How you're doing?" And typical Brian: "You wanna sing?" (plus in Italian the same) and then he sings "We will we will rock you"... "I know you did, beautiful". "Belissimo". Good opener, as this was an openning to the whole concert! Few years ago Brian was alone at Pavarotti and friends, this time Roger was also. A version is full of choirs, not like the one Roger did back in 1998 at his Cyberbarn. The last mentioned version was the greatest he ever did. Beautiful double percussion, no words for that! But coming back to Modena... a welcome to Mr Pavarotti and "God bless you all". "Have a beautiful evening".
Then somewhere in the middle we have our most beloved ;) Roger singing his "Radio Ga Ga". Just a bit of a pity he doesn't sing other song. I am always very, very happy that he does sing, but you know, sometimes I want sth more, maybe not that I want, I just long for... nothing very distinctive to this version. Just the first part of the song is sung, and the its ending. I always wondered why only that short version. "Everybody! All we hear is radio ga ga, radio gu gu, radio ga ga, all we hear is radio ga ga, radio blah blah, radio what's new?" - yes, nothing THAT new.
Another song comes "Too Much Love Will Kill You", with Brian on vocals (of course) but together with Luciano Pavarotti - and plus Italian words. Brian sings English; Pavarotti mostly Italian. I like the version because Brian did pretty well. This is a great song for him, just exactly tight for him. :) Sometimes seems even a bit slower than that original 1992 Brian version.
Next comes "We Are The Champions". Brian tells us story of how he asked his brother to sing this song with him, who answered he couldn't sing that, which he finally did, of course. But not a proper choice, I suggest. I always thought Liza Minelli was to sing that one, but due to her leg problems couldn't arrive at the concert ;) Second part is sung by Brian. For me a shame Roger didn't sing more. His duets with Treana Morris or someone are always good. Hope he'll do some more one day. It seems that he's not valued as much as Brian is - although he has a better voice. Long ending with "we will rock you" shouts.
This event took place at the Buckingham Palace and lasted long hours. Many celebrities were present and the Queen's family. This was the Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee day. The show was live on BBC Television on June 3, 2002.
The Jubilee starts with Brian May on the Palace roof, with his guitar, playing "God Save The Queen". Accompanying friends are Roger Taylor and Ray Cooper on drums. A spectacular one.
After some less to me important artists, but still well known, Roger takes stage to join Phil Collins on his "Can't Hurry Love", playing drums instead of Phil, who only sings the song and plays tambourine.
Another time when Roger is back on stage is for "Radio Ga Ga". Roger is not too expressive but how one could if one spent most of his career behind the drum kit playing?! Maybe that is why Brian is more popular as a band member - is more recognizable and more expressive to fans I guess. Brian uses hands, mimic to show off in a way - and that isn't Roger's way - from what we see. Still, another piece of art when one can see Roger singing. And that is sth interesting to see, because he is so different here and now, comparing to what was during The Cross years. He seems to be more static now ;) But I'm not saying whether it is right or wrong. I am happy it is different.
Immediately after that song comes "We Will Rock You" by 'Queen' and "We Are The Champions" by 'Queen' and Will Young, who is London's WWRY Musical cast member and who won English edition of "The Idol" programme. "Bohemian Rhapsody" sung by the WWRY London cast follows the songs. This time the hard part of the song, its middle, is sung. Brian only plays to Joe Cocker's "With A Little Help From My Friends" and finally all appear to sing along to "Hey Jude", which closes the night.
There have been a CD and a DVD issued, all in white layout with golden letters. The full setlist I give below:
House band by that concert was: Phil Collins, Wix Wickens, Phil Palmer, Pino Palladino, Ray cooper, Eric Robison. Backing vocalists - Sam Brown, Margo Buchanan, Claudia Fontaine. Musical director was the late Michael Kamen, with Royal Academy of Music Symphony Orchestra and Royal Academy of Music Jazz Horns. TV director - Geoff Posner.
This was a full 'Queen' concert, long as for what the two did lately. The band is Roger Taylor; Brian May; Eric Singer - dr; Jamie Moses - gtr; Steve Barnacle - bs; Spike Edney - kbr; Patti Russo - vc; Traisha - vc; Zoe Nicholas & Susie Webb - bcv's.
The concert's setlist was as follows:
This is the concert where RMT sings a lot (or at least not too little :P). A great performance by Patti Russo, although she does a little worse in those low parts by "Another One Bites The Dust". But generally a great thing. A bit of words mislead by RMT in "No-one But You"; he sings word 'hell' a bit too early ;).
The concert was released as a Heineken promotion or sth, but it was hard to buy at the time, just via Internet I guess.
There have been speculations for a long time, and finally it happened. Robbie Williams sung with 'Queen'. BUT fortunatelly just in one song, "We Are The Champions". And fortunatelly just because he is someone completely different to Queen, to what they did and to Freddie, with his incredible voice, which cannot be changed to someone else's.
I was a bit afraid to hear what comes out of it all, but when I finally heard the single, I felt like it was even good and I really didn't expect that. Robbie seemed to sing a bit in Freddie's style but of course kept that feeling of his.
The song was issued as a part of a film soundtrack to a new film: "A Knight's Tale". This complete new version of "We Are The Champions" was used in the film along with Queen's original version of "We Will Rock You". The recording sessions took place the two first weeks of April 2001. There was a rumour, by The Sun newspaper, that John Deacon was completely against this collaboration and that he did say some unpleasant things. Then Brian commented it, that the write everything in newspapers these days. Let's wonder then what was true. Below a little cite from the article:
"I didn't want to be involved with it and I'm glad," Deacon told the newspaper. "I've heard what they did and it's rubbish. It is one of the greatest songs ever written but I think they've ruined it." The bassist added, "I don't want to be nasty but let's just say Robbie Williams is no Freddie Mercury. Freddie can never be replaced - and certainly not by him."
The taglines for the film: 'He Will Rock You' -- 'He didn't make the rules. He was born to break them.' The film was both written and directed by Brian Helgeland. Also it was co-produced by him with Todd Black and Tim Van Rellim. The film is 132 minutes long and is the USA production. Original music by Carter Burwell plus non-original music by various artists, i.e. Queen, AC/DC or for example David Bowie.
To give you an overview of the plot, I give you the summary below:
Inspired by "The Canterbury Tales," this is the story of William, a young squire with a gift for jousting. After his master dies suddenly, the squire hits the road with his cohorts Roland and Wat. On the journey, they stumble across an unknown writer, Chaucer. William, lacking a proper pedigree, convinces Chaucer to forge genealogy documents that will pass him off as a knight. With his newly-minted history in hand, the young man sets out to prove himself a worthy knight at the country's jousting competition, and finds romance along the way.
In the roles mentioned above:
Heath Ledger as Sir William Thatcher aka Sir Urlich Von Lichtenstein of Gelderland; Paul Bettany as Geoffrey Chaucer, Sir William's Herald; Mark Addy as Roland, Sir William's Squire; Alan Tudyk as Wat Falhurst, Sir William's Squire.
The film had its theatrical release on May 11, 2001; on video appeared on September 3, 2002 on Columbia Pictures.