Queen
Days Of Our Lives
Eagle Vision DVD
www.eaglerockent.com
By George W. Harris

I doubt that there is anyone in the Western Hemisphere that hasn’t
heard a song performed by the arena-rock group Queen. Songs like “We
Will Rock You” and “We Are Then Champions” are anthems played at
everything from soccer/football matches to weddings these days. This
two hour dvd (also in Blue-Ray) is a collection of a pair of
documentaries as well as some intriguing archival footage that includes
vintage interviews with the famous quartet as well as contemporary
material from guitarist Brian May, drummer Roger Taylor and their most
famous producers, friends and managers.

The first part goes through a fascinating history of how the band got
together, went through their struggles and worked through the various
frustrations to become a seminal band, always adhering to their musical
and cultural vision. The clarity of May, a man who gave up a future as
an astrophysicist to become a rock musician, is a fascinating part of
the disc, as he reflects on his parent’s reaction to his career path as
well as his own analysis of the band and lead singer. Freddie Mercury,
who is given an intriguing bio her, is revealed quite intriguingly
through various stages of his life and career, all the way through his
battle with AIDS. The disc also covers the tribute concert to Mercury
at Wembley Stadium, which featured star performances by David Bowie,
Roger Daltry and Robert Plant.

The informative disc can be interpreted or spun in a couple of ways,
not necessarily contradicting each other. On one hand, the
extraordinary tenacity of the band to fight through artistic and
managerial battles over their musical vision is inspiring. Freddie
Mercury, in particular, kept a laser like focus on what he wanted in
life, and even through his fight with the fatal effects of AIDS, he
displayed a remarkable courage that was palpable. At the same time,
from an eternal perspective, you can’t help but question the
self-indulgent lifestyle of “living for today” and “getting the most
out of this life.” Is that really why we were put on this earth, to eat
everything from the knowledge of good and evil, with no thought of an
eternal reward or punishment? It’s questions like these that make the
dvd intriguing, making you this documentary serve as either an
inspiration or a warning.