QUEEN - Hungarian Rhapsody/Live In Budapest 9/20/12 Ziegfeld Theater, New York City

It was a great joy to return to the Ziegfeld theater after a time span of about 35 years, I saw Star Wars here in 1977 which was probably the second movie I ever saw in a "movie house", the first being a double feature of "The Land That Time Forgot" and "Frogs" so when choosing a New York theater for this screening I chose the Ziegfeld over the more intimate Chelsea Cinema for sentimental value alone. The theater hasn't changed much in all this time remaining a real 1970s classic.

Jotting down the address to the theater before leaving my house I got my signals crossed and wrote 141 West 45th street whereas the Actual address is 141 West 54th street so I power walked over and Jamie was already at the box office window chatting with the ticket booth clerk.



Come 2012 and the QUEEN Live In Budapest film and VHS tape release has been digitally remastered for clearer image and sound and retitled "Hungarian Rhapsody" and they indeed did a great job with it. The audio was superb in the theater and for once no one had to grumble "Turn It Up" as oft happens at these concert film events. The concert was preceded by the 25 minute documentary "A Magic Year" that chronicled the year leading up to the concerts in Hungary beginning with the Live Aid performance, this will be an extra feature on the upcoming DVD release.



QUEEN in alphabetical order.



Classic shot of Freddie at the keys with his Heineken and water (or is that vodka ?)



On the way in I snapped a pic of the promo poster and on the way out due in no small part to Jamie's collector's mentality we grabbed these very copies off the glass, mine is now proudly framed and on display.



two typical QUEEN fans, one of us looks like a Blueberry Muffin.




Taken from my seat, Just wanted to share the Theatrical Experience folks.



Prior to my getting to the theater I had a Lunch Special of Sweet & Sour Pork with Pork Fried Rice and my cat also almost had some as well.

QUEEN ONLINE PRESS RELEASE

White Wedding - B.B. Kings Blues Club 7/22/11 New York City

On one of the absolute Hottest days of the year as New York was going through a Heatwave (110 in the shade & I Dont Know What To Write Anymore!!!!) Our fifth performance at B.B. King.s Blues Club in Times Square was tighter than ever for the segue's and the band played dare I say nearly flawlessly. Premiered tonight was the Freddie Mercury costume that we had not seen until "onstage" during proceedings.

In my experience B.B. King's Blues Club in Times Square remain the most efficiently run juke joint on the planet (at least on the east coast) from the hospitality standpoint as there are no real questions of policy and the entertainment is treated cordially, assuredly and politely. On a Sonic level the stage monitors and house mix bar none.

My Favorite Band Ever if I was Absolutely Forced to pick.

Prized Possessions - QUEEN Autographs

From Myspace Blog 1/26/08 and hastily composed too.

MEETING QUEEN IN 1982 -

Yes, i will never forget meeting QUEEN. they were in town for 3 nights at Madison Square Garden on the "Hot Space" tour. Roger was on a local news program "Live at five" the day before and the reporter mentioned the in-store at Crazy Eddies.
I was one of the first people down there (around 10 a.m.) and hours later QUEEN arrived and got out of their cream coloured limo to much applause from us.
Brian raised his fist in the air to show approval. Very Cool to my 16 year old mind (actually still cool)

As we made our way to the room upstairs (complete with video monitors,TVs in those days playing "Queen's Greatest Flix") the staff informed us that we were only allowed one autograph per person!!! WHAT TO DO?
Brian is my favorite but even then I knew Freddie would be the toughest one to get a signature from in the grand scheme of things.

I placed my plain piece of copy paper in front of Freddie and he signed it (I didnt say anything, I was very shy and a bit starstruck). Next John asks me very nicely "would you like me to sign this?" I probably nodded yes and he did. On to Roger (who wound up being very cool) and by this time I got some courage up. I mumbled "I saw you on live at five yesterday" to which Roger replied "sorry" he didnt quite catch what I was saying and to a New Yorker's ears "sorry" was quite exotic and British compared to the typical "excuse me". I repeated myself and Rog told me "I was bloody tired" (mind you he said it very good naturedly). Finally on to Brian to whom I mumbled "Your my favorite guitar player" But alas he didnt hear me (also how many times has he heard that!!!) and I went on my way totally satisfied that I got all four signatures and met the band.

I distinctly remember having one last look back at the band sitting there and thinking "WOW Its QUEEN"

I did take some photos that day but lost them years ago. Im sure they will turn up some day,one day.