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| DECEMBER 2007 |
Contains some Industry, General and UNOFFICIAL News from 'OUT THERE' © brianmay.com |
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| **Wed 19 Dec 07** DVD Chart - Australia (currrent week) 33 (23) 6 9 QUEEN ROCK MONTREAL & LIVE AID Queen <G> RAJ/SBME © brianmay.com |
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**Wed 19Dec 07** "The Seven Ages of Rock", which was televised earlier in the year in the UK, is currently showing this week on VH1 in the USA, commencing 17 December (9pm) and runs through till 23 December). Worth catching Episode 5 FRIDAY ON VH1 CLASSIC SATURDAY ON VH1 CLASSIC SUNDAY ON VH1 CLASSIC Reports which criticise little content freaturing American acts appear to have missed the fact tha this is a UK series. © brianmay.com |
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**Wed 19 Dec 07** Those with UK Sky TV can look forward to seeing our favourite band on the box over the festive season: CHRISTMAS DAY (25 Dec) - VH1 Classic (Sky Channel 347) BOXING DAY (26 Dec)
- Mainstreet (Sky Channel 271) © brianmay.com |
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**Wed 19 dec 07** As reported in the KOREA TIMES today.... Seoul Arts Center called off all scheduled performances of the Opera Theater until February due to a fire that broke out last week. Located in southern Seoul, Seoul Arts Center is Korea's prominent art complex with five halls and three art museums. Shows that are cancelled are the special gala concert (Jan. 19-20), the Brachetti Show (Jan. 23-Feb. 14) and the musical "We Will Rock You" (Feb. 19-March 9). The special gala concert is a collaboration performance of the National Opera Company of Korea, Korea National Ballet and the National Chorus of Korea. The Brachetti Show displays a quick-change performance by Arturo Brachetti, an Italian artist. Brachetti was chosen as the fastest quick-change artist in the world for the Guinness Book of Records 2006 and 2007. ``We Will Rock You'' is a jukebox musical based on the music of British rock group Queen. Both performances stopped selling tickets and the agencies are devising measures to make up for the financial loss with the Seoul Arts Center. Seoul Arts Center estimates that it'll take at least three months to repair the theater. The center is also considering bringing forward the date of a total renovation that was originally planned to start 2009. However, in this case, Seoul Arts Center will have to cancel all the scheduled productions next year, including opera ``Parsifal'' and other big performances celebrating the center's 20th anniversary. All other performances in Towol and Jayu Theaters and Concert and Recital Halls, which were not affected by the fire, will be held normally. For more information visit www.sac.or.kr/eng (in English) or call (02) 580-1400. Upccoming dates for SE Asia Hong Kong, HKAPA © brianmay.com |
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**Wed 19 Dec 07** Are you ready?
That's right! You asked for it and here it is! Breakthru the Official North American Queen Convention is back! Bigger and Better then ever! Detroit is the city. Live entertainment from ROCK ALA CARTE A weekend full of games, quizzes, music, auction, videos, dance, and Queen Check out www.queenbreakthru.com for complete details and to register for So... are you ready????????????? © brianmay.com |
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**Wed 19 Dec 07** Here is the link for you to pre-order your copy of the excellent Say It's Not True single... http://www.digitalstores.co.uk © brianmay.com |
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| **Tue 18 Dec 07** According to MTV ASIA Singapore - We Will Rock You, the world-acclaimed musical, will be rocking Singapore come March 2008! Currently into its sixth year on London's West End, We Will Rock You has been rocking more than six million people worldwide over the last five years. The musical is a collaboration between Brian May and Roger Taylor of rock band Queen and writer Ben Elton, but it's definitely not a Queen tribute. Instead, it's a "rock theatre" experience featuring 24 of Queen's greatest hits, including "Bohemian Rhapsody," "We Are The Champions," "Killer Queen," "Another One Bites The Dust" and "Crazy Little Thing Called Love." "This is a new breed of musical," says James Cundall, head of Lunchbox Theatrical Productions. "It is a unique collaboration between the legends of rock and one of the U.K.'s most phenomenally successful writers, Ben Elton. The show has just celebrated its fifth year in London's biggest theatre, and every night -- as it has since its beginning -- We Will Rock You is getting standing ovations from audiences of all ages." For the Singapore run of the musical, Miguel Ayesa will reprise his role as Galileo. Miguel has more than 750 performances as Galileo on the West End stage to his credit, and will come to Singapore direct from seasons in Seoul and Auckland. For those who's a fan of the TV show Rock Star INXS, you would be familiar with the actor too, as he was a finalist, right down to the final three! (Read more about Miguel in our exclusive interview here .) We Will Rock You will open at the Esplanade Theatre on March 28, 2008 for a strictly limited season. Tickets are available through all SISTIC channels from December 10, 2007, with prices ranging from S$40 to S$170. For more information, log on to www.lunchbox-productions.com. --- MIG INTERVIEW referred to above
Hard work, passion and a little bit of luck -- those are the three elements that Miguel Ayesa, otherwise known as MiG, attributes his success to. A born entertainer, MiG has been dabbling in various theatrical productions and has portrayed characters such as Ritchie Valens in Buddy, Angel in Rent, Danny Zuko in Grease, Dandini in Cinderalla, Aladdin in Aladdin, Tony in West Side Story to name a few. Among his theater credits, one of MiG's biggest roles to date is Galileo Figaro in the world-acclaimed musical We Will Rock You, whereby he has more than 750 performances of the role at London's West End. Other than being a theater actor, MiG was also a finalist on the reality TV series Rock Star INXS and has released a self-titled album of "soulful interpretations of classic rock and roll staples." Without a doubt, rock is definitely in MiG's blood. Come March 2008, MiG will be bringing his rock prowess to Singapore with We Will Rock You for a limited run. Before that happens, we managed to speak to MiG more about the musical and what it takes to be a rock star. Read on! *** When you are playing Galileo Figaro, is there a specific rock persona that you are channeling? MiG: I am channeling anyone from Freddie Mercury, Elvis, Bono and Jim Morrison but really all I'm being is myself. I do not want to be an impersonator 'coz you always end up being second best. What's your perfect ideal of a rock star? MiG: Someone who is not afraid to be who he/she is. One who makes brave decisions. One who has a mastery of his/her craft and can inspire people by example. Other than the piano, has the portrayal of Ritchie Valens and Galileo inspired you to pick up the guitar? MiG: This is my new year's resolution: to be a decent guitarist by the time I finish touring with We Will Rock You. What's your secret in delivering a high energy show night after night? MiG: I just love my job. I miss my job when I am not performing. The music carries me every time I perform it. But when all that fail, Red Bull. Tell about what's a day typically like during the run of the musical. MiG: Wake up, go for a jog, then to the gym. A big breakfast with great coffee (please!). I steam my voice, go online to answer emails and update my sites. If I'm in a new country, I try to explore a little bit, having a decent lunch somewhere along the way but make sure I am in the theatre early (about 2 hours before the show). I then do a gentle vocal warm up as I put on my makeup, followed by some stretching and a physical warm up. I go back to my room to continue my vocal warm up and get dressed into my costume. If there's a piano around, I try to work on some songs I've been writing or just sing. I do the show. After the show, I get back to my hotel room, have a long hot shower and then steam my voice while I check my emails again and work on more stuff on my computer until my eyes fall out of their sockets because I am exhausted. Sleep! For every new run, you'll be in a new country for at least a couple of months. Do you make a conscious effort to live like the locals to have a taste of life in the country? MiG: One of the greatest things about touring is to experience new cultures, visit exciting cities and meet the locals. I ache for it, and so do as much exploring as I can. I love to catch the public transport system by myself and to jog around the back streets to really see life as a local would. After touring so many cities/countries, which city/country holds a special place in your heart? MiG: I have just spent six weeks in Auckland, New Zealand and have fallen in love with the place, the people, the coffee and the lifestyle. In many ways it's how the world should be. I love touring Hong Kong, as I describe it as a place where East collides with the West like a nuclear explosion. I will always feel attached to London. It has gotten under my skin and I miss it terribly. New Orleans is such an incredible city, truly romantic and mystical. Chicago rocks, and L.A. is just bizarre and wonderful. North Queensland, Australia has got to be the most spectacular coastline I've ever seen. Sydney will always be home, however, I loved New York so much every time I toured there, I live there now. Apart from being an actor, you've released your solo debut album. Which career path is closer to your heart? MiG: I don't believe I have to be exclusively a musician or exclusively an actor. They are very similar in that they are ways I express myself and I love them equally. My plan is to do some acting as well as keep writing and recording. I do believe I can do both as I'd hate to give any of them up! How do you balance the two careers? Are there plans to pursue a second album? MiG: Music is my therapy. Music is my hobby and my first love. I turn to it in my quiet times, and my times off the stage. On my days off I would be happy to sit at a piano and write and record and perform gigs. While I am performing We Will Rock You at night, during the day I am writing new songs and working on material for my second album, so yes, my second album is well in the works. It's something I've been aiming for, for quite a while now. I am very excited about how it's turning out. I hopefully will get a chance to see it come to fruition. Lastly, what's the true spirit of rock 'n' roll in your opinion? MiG: Bourbon. But really, it's the freedom to be who you are, do what you want and to live your life to the fullest. Make no apologies, take no prisoners! *** We Will Rock You will open at the Esplanade Theatre on March 28, 2008 for a strictly limited season. Tickets are available through all SISTIC channels from December 10, 2007, with prices ranging from S$40 to S$170. For more information, log on to www.lunchbox-productions.com. |
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**Tue 18 Dec 07** In the Dutch Radio 2 "Top 2000" for 2007, Bohemian Rhapsody is yet again for the 23rd time, at Number 1. Queen had a total of 23 songs made the Top 2000. Listed HERE. 1 - Bohemian rhapsody In more Dutch radio news, we heard last week that Bo Rhap is at Number 2 this year in the Dutch Q-Music top 1000. Queen have spent a total of 360 weeks in the Dutch Top 40 and had 6 No.1’s with ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, ‘Somebody To Love’, ‘Crazy Little Thing Called Love’, ‘Under Pressure’, ‘Radio Gaga’ and ‘I Want To Break Free’. © brianmay.com |
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**Tue 18 Dec 07** PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT Freddie Mercury’s personal assistant, Peter Freestone, attended the event. He has been in the kitchen with the pupils to prepare favourite dishes of Freddie Mercury, who died in 1991 of the consequences of the Aids. Galadinners, fashionshows, concerts and parties: they were all organised and sold by pupils. The musical aspect of the dinners was also taken care of by the pupils, who were in some places assisted by special guests, such as pianoplayer Jan Vayne, Italian tenor Salvo Bruno, rappers Def Rhymz and K-liber and the Dutch Queen coverband Miracle. All proceeds of ROC(k) against Aids will be used for a resistancy project in Asia and Africa, which is conducted by the Aidsfoundation together with 3 of their partners. This research is extremely important says director Ton Coenen of the Aids foundation. Because if the Aidsvirus becomes resistant, the medication no longer works and the virus can spread widely. © brianmay.com |
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**Tue 18 Dec 07**
I was very happy when I saw the results of an internet poll in the second largest newspaper in Finland, Ilta-Sanomat - 14th December. The readers of the newspaper voted for the best rock band of all-time, and... Queen won! The Beatles came second and The Rolling Stones came third. In the article they also talked about the new single Say It's Not True. Ella (Finland) Translation: The readers of Ilta-Sanomat have chosen Queen to be the best rock band of all-time. Legendary Beatles came second, but got almost as many votes as the winning band in the internet poll. The Rolling Stones came third. Queen have just released their first new single in ten years. The band will donate the royalties of their single Say It's Not True to Nelson Mandela's AIDS campaign. The single is sung by the band's new vocalist Paul Rodgers. The original singer Freddie Mercury died of AIDS in 1991. The new song is available as a free download on Queen's website. The band is currently in the recording studio working on new album, which is expected to be released next year. Freddie Mercury has made a huge impact on those who voted for Queen in the poll. ... © brianmay.com |
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**Mon 17 Dec 07**
Starting at 3pm - 1am Pacific time Concert time approx. 9:30 pm at EQ.tv Read more HERE Watch HERE © brianmay.com |
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**Mon 17 Dec 07**
Paul Rodgers is 58 today, 17 December. We wish him a GREAT day. © brianmay.com |
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**Sun 16 Dec 07** On Friday evening, the Donna top 2000 got to an end. The (Belgian) radio station normally airs the Donna top in between christmas and New Year. My mom and I listened to it right until the no.1 and 2 were revealed and was shocked when they played No.2 and I heard Freddie's voice through the speakers, I just couldn't believe Bohemian Rhapsody wasn't number 1 anymore. |
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*Fri 14 Dec 07**
Bohemian Rhapsody is the most played song since the launch of BBC Radio 1 in 1967. TOP 10 KARAOKE SONGS FANTASY DUETS TOP VOICES WE'D LOVE TO HAVE Read more HERE © brianmay.com |
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It has been Officially confirmed today that EMI/Som Livre’s ‘Queen – The Collection’ has been certified platinum (more than 70K units sold) in Brazil. ‘Queen – The Collection’ is a special Brazil only compilation. Tracks: © brianmay.com |
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**Thu 13 Dec 07**
http://www.miracle-online.nl © brianmay.com |
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For Immediate Release: QUEEN and PAUL RODGERS TO RUSH COMMERCIAL RELEASE OF Having originally issued the track as a free download for World Aids Day (December 1) to support Nelson Mandela’s 46664 HIV AIDS campaign, rock group Queen and Paul Rodgers are responding to public demand to make their newly recorded song “Say It’s Not True” available as a commercial CD single release. All royalties from world sales will be donated to Nelson Mandela’s AIDS cause, 46664. Queen’s first new studio recording in ten years and Paul Rodgers’ first in 7 years, the track is being rush-released by Parlophone/EMI throughout the world excluding North America to be available by the end of the year. In South Africa, where the December 1 World Aids Day 46664 concert took place, the single will be on sale within a matter of days. The release has been prompted by extraordinary download demand for the track which went beyond everyone’s expectations. More then 100,000 downloads were recorded at the band’s website (www.queenonline.com) over the first weekend. Roger Taylor, Brian May and legendary singer Paul Rodgers, have been recording intensively for their first studio album together, expected to be released in 2008, and, unable to appear in the 46664 concert this month in Johannesburg, they decided to donate one of their new tracks instead…a brand new and powerful version of the song “Say It’s Not True”, penned by Taylor. The track was premiered in the Johannesburg concert with a specially commissioned video which highlights the hardship of the lives of the 5.5 million South Africans infected with HIV AIDS. Of his song, Taylor says: “It is meant to make you think about these people, about what their lives are like, and how if we each try and help, we can together do something to bring about some change for them.” Queen lost their lead singer Freddie Mercury to AIDS in November 1991. The band’s last studio recording, “No-One But You”, written by Brian May and released almost exactly ten years ago, was drawn from the experience of losing Freddie. The band promise buyers of the single the premium of hearing the track in a new mix, heightened by further studio work by the band after the necessity of delivering an early mix for download in time for World AIDS Day. The single comes as an enhanced CD release carrying the full video shown at the Johannesburg concert. While not physically available until December 31, the CD can be pre-ordered from www.queenonline.com from Monday. Says Paul Rodgers: "Having travelled to South Africa and met with Nelson Mandela, a living icon of peace, we need to stand behind his 46664 Campaign to bring awareness to and eradicate HIV/AIDS." “Say It’s Not True”. Queen and Paul Rodgers. A Parlophone/EMI release. All profits donated to Nelson Mandela’s 46664 campaign fighting AIDS worldwide. Available December 31, 2007. Editor’s notes: Under the guidance of Nelson Mandela, 46664 is a campaign vehicle of the Nelson Mandela charitable organizations. 46664’s aim is to raise awareness of the global HIV AIDS pandemic, as well as funds to support the ongoing 46664 campaign and the HIV AIDS projects it directly supports throughout sub-Saharan Africa. 46664’s project funds develop and support practical programmes for the prevention, testing, care and support for those infected and affected by HIV AIDS in Africa. 46664 recently unveiled its 2007/2008 campaign which will build on its past achievements and expand its outreach activities to communities and schools to engage the youth most affected by HIV AIDS. 46664 It's in our hands Web links/Donations to 46664: © brianmay.com |
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If you still don’t have New Year’s plans this year, fret not, you could be entertained by Paul Rodgers from the comfort of your own home. The former Bad Company singer is performing at the El Dorado Casino in Reno, Nevada on the 31st and his show will be Web cast live. Expect Paul to play classics like “All Right Now” and “Can’t Get Enough,” as well as some newer tracks off his latest release, Live in Glasgow. 
The videogame store "Game", have conducted a poll, to mark the release of "SingStar" on PlayStation 3 and "Boogie" on PlayStation 2. The poll named Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen the No.1 Karaoke Song of all time, and unsurprisingly, the artist Britons would most like to duet with is Freddie Mercury.
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