INTERVIEW WITH SERGEY RADCHENKO

Serry is a fundamental part of the Queen community. Member of Queenzone for almost five years now, he's the self-proclaimed "link-man", always quick with crystal clear answers.

He's a marvellous writer as well, having exactly the kind of humour William Davis used to like (it makes one laugh for five seconds and think for ten minutes), and he's famous for his "sorry for my terrible English / sorry for my perfect Russian" signatures.

A very nice intelligent bloke who's been a big help for this site too. Here's the interview he kindly conceded to me on 3rd September 2006 (exactly two years after I corrected Brian on his website):

- How did the "sorry for my bad English" slogan begin?

One guy on QZ (I won't mention his name though I still remember him very well) told me that I should "take my English too much seriously", so instead of using the advice I've started to use "sorry for my terrible/bad English" signature.


 - Would you be interested in writing a book someday?

I've already written a few tales (not for the print though). But on my wonderful Russian. And one of my articles has been published in F1 Russian Edition magazine even.


 - The way Queen are associated with football is partly the core of their success. But often people tend to ignore their epics because they regard them as merely arena rock. Do you think Queen should have been an album band instead of a singles band?

Yes, they should. But 'The Works' and 'AKOM' didn't help a lot to create the image of an album band.


 - Did you like 'Made In Heaven' when it came out? Did you suspect it was a compilation rather than a posthumous album?

I've started to listen to Queen after GH2 release but before Freddie's death, so technically 'MIH' was my first "new" and awaiting album ... very special recollections.


 - What would you like to see in upcoming Queen sites next year and beyond?

Interesting reading written by experts.


 - Which is the most valuable item in your collection, both personally and financially?

Personally - 'Blue Rock' CD. I was in the music store (in 1997/98) where you couldn't find half of Queen albums even and when I've seen 'Blue Rock' over there ... but the problem was that I didn't have enough of cash money. I've got back to my home on other side of Moscow, I was running like a rabbit because in each man or woman who I've met I saw the person who's going to that music store and who's gonna buy MY 'Blue Rock' CD! They were here, there and everywhere, high and low and they all wanted my damned CD (as I thought) and they all had enough money. I took my money and it's all started again but in the opposite direction. In the end I bought 'Blue Rock'... Financially - I can't say for sure, we had a lot of economic troubles here so it's impossible to compare old prices with new and say what's higher. Some vinyl releases and Freddie's box set I think.


 - Are you a musician too?

My music abilities belong to the kindergarten league. I'm learning to play on bass ... I'll learn English rather...


 - You and I seem to share the opinion that people should respect John Deacon instead of making up loads of guesswork about his whereabouts. Yet if you were to meet him, would you ask anything about his opinion on recent projects or would you avoid the topic?

No. He keeps silence and I suppose that 55-years old man knows what to do. He's the man in whom real Queen spirit lives on. And by the way - it's nice to begin a question about John with words "You And I" ;).


 - Queen experts have covered concerts, demos, discography, songwriting, London places and even some informal Q&A with Barry Mitchell. What's left for researchers to work on, besides improving the aforementioned fields?

Details of working in the studio. I still can't believe that John used 5-string bass in Slightly Mad!


 - If you could choose owning one Queen instrument, which one would you pick and why?

Roger's drumsticks. It's easy to carry and more useful for me.


 - Which is your personal theory regarding Mother Love songwriting credits?

One song credited to Roger, few songs credited to the whole band, few songs credited to Fred, 1/3 of song credited to Brian ... don't take offence at my innuendo, Bri!


- Massive music is often pigeonholed as being either successful or admirable, or neither, but not both. Why do you think that is?

Envy of people who's pigeonholing ... especially if their fave band is not successful.


 - Would you support the creation of a Queen Museum? If so, where would you place it?

Internet, otherwise a lot of people won't be able to visit it.


 - What prompted you into doing your web?

Repeated questions on QZ ... and I'm afraid of large "Favourites" folders in Internet Explorer, so I use my own site myself even!


 - If you could choose a third Queen song to be a sports anthem which one would it be?

I've seen one boxing match where the guy from England used A Kind Of Magic ... Oh my God ... Princes Of The Universe perhaps. Freddie knew how to write such tunes!


- Which would be your ideal scenario for Brian & Roger's involvement with Paul Rodgers?

Another name, no Jamie Moses, no strange looking guitar that Brian and Paul use for Crazy Little Thing Called Love, another bass player (not John but not Danny either).


 - Is there any collectible item that you wish to have more than the others?

'Queen Live' by Greg Brooks with his lovely autograph ... well, I don't know. Maybe Freddie's statue? Not from Montreux, but small copy at least.


 - Some of us have complained about some small mistakes found in Queen documentaries and magazine articles. Many point out that it's not easy to make them in the first place and those aren't directed to the band trivia-gurus but to the general public. What do you think?

Being a member of the general public is the first step for being the band trivia-guru therefore mistakes are not welcome. Last Freddie's interview from 'Champions Of The World' is still believed to be real by many fans 'cause they've seen it in the official authorized Queen documentary...


- If there ever was a book containing the top Queenzone threads, which one would you vote to go as the main chapter and why?

Collection of "No subject, I wanted to push 'Post reply' button, sorry" threads. Seriously, "Ultimate Collection" by John S. Stuart - it's the Holy Book for collectors and it's open for the corrections. And please, special chapter for the Penetration_Guru replies to newbies!


- What should we expect from Serry in 2007?

Staying alive. I'll try! And I promise to learn such wonderful English words like "nasopharyngeal", "earwig" and "wiggle-waggle"!