QUEEN guitarist Brian May has cast serious doubt over whether the band will ever tour the United States again, citing safety concerns that he says are increasingly difficult to ignore.
Speaking in a new interview with the Daily Mail, the 78-year-old musician reflected on QUEEN’s long and successful history in America, while acknowledging that the current situation has made large-scale touring there far less appealing. “America is a dangerous place at the moment, so you have to take that into account,” May said, stressing that the issue goes beyond logistics or scheduling.
Despite his concerns, May made it clear that the decision is an emotional one. “It’s very sad because I feel like QUEEN grew up in America and we love it, but it’s not what it was,” he explained. “Everyone is thinking twice about going there at the moment.” His comments suggest that QUEEN are far from alone in reassessing the risks involved with touring the U.S.
The hesitation is notable given QUEEN’s immense popularity in the country. The band has sold nearly 109 million records in the United States alone, while global sales are estimated to be between 250 million and 300 million recordings, cementing their status as one of the most successful rock acts of all time.
According to the Daily Mail, May’s wife, actress Anita Dobson, has also been encouraging him to reduce his live workload. Dobson previously suggested in December that QUEEN’s touring days might be over, particularly in light of May’s ongoing health issues.
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