One reason I really liked Run To The Hills (the authorized biography of Iron Maiden) is because it didn't focus on antics. The book exists to show how Iron Maiden got to be Iron Maiden and is therefore mostly about their hard work. I also learned that they are pleasant guys and fairly ordinary people. Had I known that when I was standing a few yards away from Dave Murray, maybe I would have said hi!
Another special bonus is that I found out that Paul Di'Anno is a jackass. I enjoy that because I have a special allergy to Paul Di'Anno. I don't like him, and I won't acknowledge the first two Iron Maiden records because they contain too much Paul Di'Anno. Anything more than zero percent is too much Paul Di'Anno as far as I am concerned. "Just think of them as Steve Harris solo albums!" says LCG, "you like solo albums!" Nice try.
But I think my favorite thing about the book is Rod Smallwood. As it turns out, I love Rod Smallwood and didn't even know. Rod Smallwood is their manager, and I have nothing but respect for the man. He cares about the band as people, as musicians, and as friends.
He has worked with them to maintain the integrity of the band and always has their best interests in mind. From the minute he joined up with them he made sure that their money was managed properly, so the band was never in debt and the members had sound personal investments. I appreciate the close watch he has kept on the business, and I think it's a shame that not all managers act that way.
And when I say not all managers I am actually thinking of one specific manager. It seems the mystery of who grants rights to the use of Queen songs? has been solved. Side note: apparently granting rights does not necessarily apply to covers. A reader informed me that if a song is covered once, permission no longer needs to be granted for other covers.
However, I was told to use this information with caution since it originated from an article about Alien Ant Farm's version of Smooth Criminal. They said they didn't need permission from Michael Jackson since it had been covered before. I really need to buy a book about music publishing so I can figure this stuff out without having to reference Alien Ant Farm.
As much as the William Hung cover of We Are The Champions ruins my day, it's still not as bad as hearing Queen songs in commercials. I would guess that requires permission every time since the commericials are using original versions. And I found out who has been granting permission! My new nemesis! I got the original answer from Megala:
Found this off Brian's website on the Viagra commercial.
Brian: When I heard about this, I said to Jim, our Manager, "Are you sure about this?" and he said, "Do you know how much Freddie would've laughed about this?"
So that answers the question, I think...it's all up to management.
Hope this helped.
It helped piss me off, but that's not her fault. It's the fault of my new nemesis! And not one day later, I got email from Someone Who Knows. This is the same tipster who wrote with proof that Brian May was not dead. If you will recall, Brian May was in Someone's office at the time. And here is a Queen update:
I have the answer to the "who is letting Queen's music be in all this crap stuff?" The answer is two words. Jim. Beach. Queen's manager. He is the motivator (along with Brian & Roger) of all the Queen stuff that happens these days.
I told Megala that her suspicion was right on and she said, "Well, looks like we can blame their manager for everything now and not hate Brian and Roger's guts as much for it." I rejected that idea because if I let my guard down they will do something else to make me mad. Happens every time. Since my attitude already sucked, yesterday she felt free to tell me the latest scoop.
Megala: Let me tell you this then: Queen underwear for the American launch of We Will Rock You.
I wish I could just laugh this off and skip away through a meadow swinging a basket of Queen undergarments, but I can't. I shouldn't be annoyed, these are the same people who brought us the Nude Bicycle Race poster in the Jazz album. But it's not the same. I went over to LCG's house for some Aqua Teen Hunger Force and pizza and glowered about the Queen unmentionables.
Me: So. There's gonna be Queen unda-pants for the musical.
LCG: Oh, no.
Me: Stupid manager. Rod Smallwood would never approve such a thing!
LCG: Um. You know that there are Eddie boxer shorts, right?
Me: That doesn't count. Rod upholds the integrity of the band, and Eddie is his own merchandising entity.
LCG: True.
Me: Plus boxer shorts are a fairly common merch offering. And you know they are careful about where they put Eddie. This isn't about Eddie on boxer shorts, this is about stupid Queen underwear for a stupid musical and their manager not maintaining the integrity of the band.
Not that I would ever acquire such a crappy piece of memorabilia but if I did, my greatest hope would be that there is a bull's eye on the bottom. That would give Jim and Brian and Roger a clearly marked target when I tell them to kiss my ass.