Queen and Paul Rodgers performed the first show of their North American tour last night, right here in Miami at the American Airlines Arena. To say that it was a night to remember is an understatement. The true Champions were in amazing form, performing the classics of Queen, Free, and Bad Company along with a couple of new songs.
Those who remembered chanting "We Will Rock You" and those who never got to raise their arms and clap to "Radio Ga Ga" came together and celebrated the music of one of the greatest rock bands of all time."You know, I seriously never thought that we'd be able to perform here ever again, thank you so much for being here tonight," Brian May, Queen's guitar player said to an appreciative crowd.
During "Love of My Life" (originally from the album "A Night At The Opera"), May was not in the spotlight. Instead, the light focused upon an empty stool next to the guitarist. Not a dry eye was in the audience while they sang along to the words written by the late, but ever-present Freddie Mercury, Queen's lead singer who lost his fight to AIDS in 1991.
Paul Rodgers, former lead singer for Free, Bad Company and The Firm, sang the Queen classics with gusto and passion, adding new life to the classic songs. Roger Taylor (drums) took center stage for hit songs "Radio Ga Ga" and "These Are The Days of Our Lives."
The crowd rose to its feet during "The Show Must Go On" which segued into "Bohemian Rhapsody." Rodgers didn't sing this one. When it comes to "Bo-Rhap," Freddie is the only person who can sing it. During the first half, a video of Freddie played singing, the band joined in and the crowd sang along. Rodgers came back for the crescendo, but Freddie and the audience finished it.
There's no doubt that marriage of Queen and Paul Rodgers is a celebration of the music by two classic rock giants. The group that gave us two sports anthems ("We Will Rock You" and "We Are The Champions"), a dance classic ("Another One Bites The Dust"), a gospel song ("Somebody To Love") and unforgettable stadium anthems ("Hammer to Fall," "Tie Your Mother Down," "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" just to name a few), these songs are part of the fabric of a generation. They are the songs that will live forever and now the musicians who made them get to perform them once again.

Top Ten Reasons the Queen + Paul Rodgers Kicked Total Ass
10. No opening act
9. A chance to honor Freddie Mercury
8. Brian May's unaccompanied guitar solo
7. The smile of every band member's face
6. Everyone singing along to "All Right Now"
5. Opening with "Tie Your Mother Down"
4. Hearing their new music
3. The version of "Hammer to Fall" is amazing
2. Queen are masters of knowing where their songs work best in the set
1. "We Are The Champions"

Written By: Dave Roberts
Photo Credit: QueenplusPaulRodgers.Com