Still The Champions

When rock legends get together, it’s almost“Dragon Attack.”
always something incredible. And when legends asFinally, Queen + Paul Rodgers have recorded an
iconic as Queen and Paul Rodgers get together toalbum together—the first new studio album to
form a musical partnership, then take it on tour,carry the Queen name since the Freddie Mercury
it’s even better. Taking it one step furtherdays.
into the realm of rock-fan heaven, that musicalRockin’ the House
partnership has turned into a band of itsWith the new album comes a new tour. Queen +
own—Queen + Paul Rodgers announced a newPaul Rodgers are hitting the road for an extensive
tour, and a new album full of their own material.28-date tour, taking them to 14 countries in seven
For long-time fans of classic rock, it’s still hardweeks, covering Europe and the UK. The album is set
to imagine Queen without Freddie Mercury, but backto hit stores in September, and the Cosmos Rocks
in late 2004, a collaboration between QueenTour starts 15 September 2008 in Moscow. Queen +
members Brian May and Roger Taylor and RaulPaul Rodgers then heads to Germany, Belgium,
Rodgers of Free and Bad Company fame broughtFrance, Italy, Switzerland and the Netherlands before
crowds to their feet at the UK Music Hall of Famethey land in the UK in early October for six dates,
awards with performances of “We Will Rockincluding London’s O2 Arena on 13 October.
You,” “We Are theAfter making the rounds of Nottingham, Glasgow,
Champions” and “All RightCardiff, Birmingham and Liverpool the band is off to
Now.” The successful chemistry was not lostSerbia, Hungary, Spain and Austria.
on the trio of experienced performers and Queen +Queen + Paul Rodgers concerts feature songs from
Paul Rodgers was born.their new album, of course, but these guys are
The “new” group was officiallyveteran performers and crowd pleasers. The concert
formed and their first public performance togethersets will also include material from both Queen and
was March 2005, in South Africa, supporting NelsonPaul Rodgers history. Sure to be included in the set
Mandela’s 46664 AIDS awareness campaign.lists are Queen mega-hits “Crazy Little Thing
A tour quickly followed with the rock legends playingCalled Love,” “Another One Bites the
32 sold out dates across Europe and the UK. TheDust,” “We Are the
23-date North American tour went on the road inChampions,” “We Will Rock
2006 and the live concert “Return of theYou” and of course, the classic rock anthem
Champions” simultaneous CD/DVD release“Bohemian Rhapsody.” Expected
followed soon after. Up until now, they’veRodgers hits include “Feel Like Makin’
been playing theLove,” “Wishing Well,”
“classics”—giving fans what“Can’t Get Enough” and
they wanted to hear—favourite rock anthems“All Right Now.” The new album
and tunes.features all new material by May, Taylor and
Every now and then, concert fans would get a tasteRodgers, plus “Say It’s Not
of something different when on tour Queen + PaulTrue,” previously released at the end of 2007
Rodgers would treat concertgoers to surpriseas a World Aids Day download.
additions to the set list. Fans in Japan heard “IMaking the Rounds
Was Born to Love You,” while those at theThe Cosmos Rocks Tour starts at the Moscow SCO
Hyde Park concert heard a cover of JohnOlympic Arena 15th and 16th September, then
Lennon’s “Imagine.” Perhapsmoves to Berlin, Antwerp, Paris, Rome, Milan and
paying tribute to Cream, on reunion tour at the sameends September in Zurich. October takes Queen +
time in London, Newcastle audiences were treated toPaul Rodgers to Munich, Mannheim, Hannover,
“Sunshine of Your Love.” NorthHamburg and Rotterdam before landing the band at
American dates saw a frequent addition ofthe Nottingham Trent FM Arena on the 10th.