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Most bands take it as a mark of respect when they’re so iconic and their fan base is so large that guys who kinda, sorta look like them and have learnt all their songs get up on RSL stages to pay tribute to their majesty. Of course, a lot of them are really terrible, just ask Queen‘s Roger Taylor.
Speaking recently to The Express, Taylor recounted how he auditioned for members of his own Queen tribute act online. Dubbed The Queen Extravaganza, the band is fronted by French-Canadian vocalist Marc Cartel and though Taylor isn’t a member, he’s produced some of their work.
“I spent some weeks with them in Canada rehearsing but they’ve found out what works and what they’re good at, they’ve got some brilliant arrangements of a lot of our old stuff and I’ve sort of let them get on with it now. It’s great – I just go and see them occasionally and they’re wonderful.”
With the renowned theatricality and distinctive costumes of late frontman Freddie Mercury and the characteristic locks of guitarist Brian May, it’s little wonder Queen left a legion of tribute bands in their wake. But Taylor admits that he’s not as impressed with them as The Queen Extravaganza.
“Some of them are very funny and some of them are really not funny at all,” he said. “The terrible ones are cheesy and panto-like, more about dressing up in… a Freddie moustache and what they’re missing out is the fact that the music is quite complicated and actually not easy to perform.”
Watch: The Queen Extravaganza – Somebody to Love on American Idol
QUEEN + ADAM LAMBERT National Tour Dates:
Tickets on sale 10am Wednesday, 28th May
Friday, 22nd August
Perth Arena, Perth
Tickets: Via Ticketek
Tuesday, 26th August
Allphones Arena, Sydney
Tickets: Via Ticketek
Friday, 29th August
Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
Tickets: Via Ticketek
Monday, 1st September
Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane
Tickets: Via Ticketek
