The majestic, iconic, legendary classic rock group Queen performed Monday night in Tel Aviv, delighting fans and snarling traffic for miles around from east to west.
The mightiest of all rock bands since its formation in 1970, Queen is down to the two final original members, super-smooth guitarist Brian May and and the always-vigorous drummer Roger Taylor.
But the British band is led by the completely talented 34-year-old Jewish American lead singer Adam Lambert – a man with glam and a range and falsetto to match the best that original front man Freddie Mercury had to offer. How much better can you get for a show in the Land?
Queen has for decades been known for its signature span of musical styles, and its ability to merge classical opera with rock, jazz and soul. ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ is just one example of the musical mashup for which the band became justly famous, and which sank numerous vocalists who tried in vain to make the wild octave jump necessary to complete the entire piece.
True afficionados have loved it, and loved Queen from childhood straight into the geriatric generation. Ask any anglo living in any city in Israel. When the news broke in June that the group would at last perform in the Jewish State, the initial whispered rumors became a roar, along with concerns “the boycott” would get in the way. But doubters had little to fear.
Nothing stopped the band from coming to Israel: Not threats of boycotts, BDS nor deeply disapproving no-no looks from snooty rock colleagues like Roger Waters. And absolutely nothing stopped loyal fans from coming to the concert at Yarkon Park from the very ends of the country. The faithful streamed in to the concert in Tel Aviv from as far away as the tiny northeastern Negev city of Arad, near the southern tip of the Dead Sea.
“”Not go to a Queen concert? You’re kidding, right?” Esty, a loyal millenial fan told JewishPress.com in horror. She and a friend and the friend’s parents were on the highway, with cell phone reception limping but enthusiasm undiminished. “We’ll hike it if we have to.”
Police later informed fellow officers and first responders via scanners and on chat with some resignation that in the wake of the concert there was little that could be done about the problems with the traffic backups.
Following a performance by Queen, traffic was simply “jammed on the main artery from east to west,” one said on a chat. “The parking lots, Yarkon Park, the University train and the drive-in — forget it. They’re just packed.”
