Spoof Sleeves & Covers

I didn't know Paul Rodgers that well when they announced he would start touring with Queen, I think only "All Right Now", but I listened to some of his stuff, and was happy to give him a shot. I liked what I heard (I went to one show, Antwerp 2005), but, despite the songs, I felt I was listening to something quite different from Queen. And, I think, many of the people who didn't like the shows at all (not those who just thought there was room for improvement) were hoping for something much closer to Queen with Freddie.

I think Q+PR could have worked, even long-term, but that would have taken something Brian and Roger clearly weren't (and still aren't) willing to do: drop most if not all of the hits, and dig through the back catalog for those songs that really do fit this new vocalist well. I think there's plenty there that could have worked really well for Paul Rodgers, but it would've meant disappointing many of the "Greatest Hits"-type fans who, let's face it, probably make up the bulk of the ticket sales. And that, in turn, would probably have meant playing smaller venues for a different kind of audience.