Queen + Rodgers: New album details

More details have started to surface about the latest project from Queen and singer Paul Rodgers. Guitarist Brian May recently told Rolling Stone that the set, tentatively titled The Cosmos Rocks, will arrive in September. The latest band line-up features May, drummer Roger Taylor, and Rodgers, who hails from the groups Bad Company and Free. They first got together in 2005 on tour.

May said, "It was clear that if we were to go out again, we needed some new stuff. It needed to be an ongoing, living, evolving, organic unit. This album has done that." May said that late Queen singer Freddie Mercury would probably approve, saying, "I often think of Freddie smiling -- I think he's enjoying it."

Queen and Paul Rodgers will tour Europe this year. A U.S. leg is being scheduled for spring 2009. May said, "It's wonderful to know that people want to hear us out there. It's been a real voyage of discovery."

May recently became the chancellor of Liverpool's John Moores University. He was honored with the distinction due to his experience in astrophysics.

The successful London musical We Will Rock You, which is based on the songs of Queen, will likely have a sequel. May revealed that it's in the planning stages.