Was/Is it true that QUEEN recorded a studio l.p. in the early 2000's with John Farnham?

[rpt81]

For some reason I've always had this memory of reading that it was WATC with Robbie that caused John to quit the band. The timing just doesn't seem to match up though, and there doesn't seem to be anything on the net about it so I don't know where that memory comes from. Maybe he was just asked about it at the time and said it was rubbish?

I think he had already quit the band by then. But there was a Press article about John apparently stating the song was crap and Freddie would be turning in his grave or something similar.

Yeah, that's right. Found a version of the article on Brian's site, and can only think I perhaps misinterpreted the quote from John as him announcing his retirement rather than reiterating it.

https://brianmay.com/john/sun21apr01.html

[MusicalProstitute]

Yeah, that's right. Found a version of the article on Brian's site, and can only think I perhaps misinterpreted the quote from John as him announcing his retirement rather than reiterating it.

https://brianmay.com/john/sun21apr01.html

That's the one. Of course, one never really knows if this was simply tabloid BS; but, then again, John was one for being brutally honest, so it would not surprise me. I did read that they were thinking of releasing the song but thought differently after hearing what Deaky said.

[A-Kind-Of-Magic]

'I heard what they did and it's rubbish''. I like John's candour! He was absolutely right. That Five song was utter crap too.

[Kes]

But it got to #1 in the UK, something the original didn't. The purpose of it was to try and catch some new people who hadn't been exposed to the catalogue. Did it work? I don't know.

There's so many things have occurred since 1995 that some or others of us have raised eyebrows at, but Queen are still in the top five of legacy artists, so someone's doing something right.

I think AOBTD has been released about three or four times, in various redone or remixed versions (Wyclef Jean, Queen vs. Miami Project, Annie Crummer, etc), and Mr Deacon has made a few quid out of them, for doing pretty much nothing.

[sbrown]

Yeah, that's right. Found a version of the article on Brian's site, and can only think I perhaps misinterpreted the quote from John as him announcing his retirement rather than reiterating it.

https://brianmay.com/john/sun21apr01.html

That's the one. Of course, one never really knows if this was simply tabloid BS; but, then again, John was one for being brutally honest, so it would not surprise me. I did read that they were thinking of releasing the song but thought differently after hearing what Deaky said.

I can't find the quote, but I seem to remember that John said he didn't realise he was talking to a journalist, he was just chatting to a random person at the event. Once it ended up in the press he basically stopped doing anything related to the industry.

[MusicalProstitute]

I can't find the quote, but I seem to remember that John said he didn't realise he was talking to a journalist, he was just chatting to a random person at the event. Once it ended up in the press he basically stopped doing anything related to the industry.

I recall something similar. Although I do not clearly remember if it was John himself who stated that he did not know who he was talking to or someone from the Queen family defending him.

I do remember being shocked to read any quote from him at the time though, as I think the last time he had stated anything in the Press was some time in about 1992.

[Kes]

This is what comes up on a general websearch.

Deacon has reportedly spoken unfavourably about the May/Taylor/Robbie Williams cover of "We Are the Champions", recorded for A Knight's Tale. Deacon has stayed out of the public eye since retiring. He chose not to be present at Queen's induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001.

[sbrown]

I can't find the quote, but I seem to remember that John said he didn't realise he was talking to a journalist, he was just chatting to a random person at the event. Once it ended up in the press he basically stopped doing anything related to the industry.

I recall something similar. Although I do not clearly remember if it was John himself who stated that he did not know who he was talking to or someone from the Queen family defending him.

I do remember being shocked to read any quote from him at the time though, as I think the last time he had stated anything in the Press was some time in about 1992.

yup. that is in line with my memory. And yes, it might actually have been Jacky defending him. Did we used to have a Yahoo Groups chatroom or something? Seems so long ago.

[MusicalProstitute]

yup. that is in line with my memory. And yes, it might actually have been Jacky defending him. Did we used to have a Yahoo Groups chatroom or something? Seems so long ago.

Yes, I think someone spoke out about his alleged quote - I just cannot remember who (I don't recall it being Jacky though). And I think the only other quote I had read from him after Freddie's passing was his 'Queen is dead without Freddie' one around early part of 1992. But, as you say this is all so long ago now everything is more than a little blurry! Time has just flown; it hit me the other day that Made In Heaven will be 30 years old in a couple of years...mind blowing.

[Leigh Burne]

But I do love the version with John Farnham too.

I remember the first time I heard it. The first few seconds, I initially thought I was just listening to the original Queen track, then I the singing started and I was a little disappointed that it was pretty much just a 'karaoke' version using the original's backing track.
Then, during the 2nd chorus, I heard the guitar feedback 'hum' getting louder, and I thought "That's not supposed to be there yet", and then another 'hum' joined in and I realised the last half of the song was going to be different ... and I was excited!
I love this version, not in preference to the original, but as an alternative version.

I really like it too. Like you said, it starts out feeling pretty uninspired and forgettable, but then suddenly it takes off in a completely different direction and turns into something great. And Farnham’s vocals just get better and better as it goes along.

Can’t say I have much appreciation for the other similar Queen+ covers they’ve done over the years, but I dig that one.