Queen Is Back

Thirteen years since their last work, Made in Heaven, and seventeen since the death of Freddie Mercury, Queen, with a new front man, a new album, and at the eve of a new world tour, has been practically reborn.

The British rock group, who dominated the musical scene of the 1970s and 1980s, disbanded and were secluded from the spotlight for nearly a decade. During that time, they accomplished numerous personal goals such as Brian May's Ph.D. thesis in astronomy, solo productions, and once in a while appeared onstage at some fund-raising event.

The band's newest release, The Cosmos Rocks, has as lead singer, former Bad Company and Free singer, Paul Rodgers. Conspicuously absent is bassist John Deacon, who has opted out of all band-related activity. On the new album, Brian May and Rodgers share bass duties; onstage, the parts are played by Danny Miranda, formerly of Blue ?yster Cult, whom they poached from the Las Vegas production of We Will Rock You. "Whenever we tour," says May, "we always put a little feeler out and say, 'Perhaps you might be interested, John.' But he's not."

As for the other missing member, May and Roger Taylor insist that Mercury would be pleased with their choice of front man. "Freddie was a huge Paul Rodgers fan," says Taylor. "Absolutely adored his voice. He was a different animal, but he would have loved to be able to sing like that."

According to Rolling Stone Magazine, shortly before finishing the album this summer, the trio gathered for lunch in the garden of Taylor's 13th-century estate - a former priory southwest of London - to discuss the events that led to the creation of The Cosmos Rocks, which was recorded upstairs in this very residence. "Writing together," says Taylor, "was a dive into the dark - really tentative at first." But when Rodgers offered up a song called "Time to Shine," the ice was broken. "It was very suitable for us," says Taylor. "Quite grand and big." Adds May, "That song was the first time we thought, 'Ooh, we have a record here - this actually sounds like us.'"

It is going to be hard and weird to listen to Queen's beautiful tunes without the unique tenor voice Mercury had. However, Rodgers is a fully experienced front man, and will be successful in filling Mercury's spot. He will do this without trying to imitate him but by expelling his own charisma and expertise and making his own mark on stage. Rodgers is, without doubt, the best man for the job.