MERCURY RISING
Queen tribute in city June 8
Attention to detail. That’s what sets apart the show Queen: It’s a Kinda Magic from other tributes to the legendary U.K. rock band. Windsor fans of Queen can witness the authenticity themselves when the touring show comes to the Chrysler Theatre on June 8. Featuring the musical skills and costumed stage presences of Giles Taylor, Richie Baker, Kyle Thompson, and Steve Dennett, the show also has a secret weapon: Consultant Peter Freestone, who was a close friend and biographer of the real Freddie Mercury. Attendees will enjoy a two-hour set list of Queen’s greatest hits, meant to recreate a concert from the band’s triumphant 1986 world tour.
We had a chat with vocalist Giles Taylor about taking on the role of one of the greatest frontmen in rock history.
Q What’s the hardest thing about portraying Freddie Mercury?
A A lot of people think it’s the vocals, but when it comes to the singing, you either have the range or you don’t. The hardest thing is that Freddie Mercury was so fit — He was constantly running around the stage. When you combine the fast-paced movement with the singing, that’s when it becomes a real challenge.
He moved very unnaturally. His knees were always locked out, and he would bend ridiculously for- ward or ridiculously backward. I have to do a lot of stretching before gigs just to mimic these bizarre positions.
Q What’s the most difficult Queen song to pull off live?
A Bohemian Rhapsody. It’s effectively three complex songs stuck together. That’s why other Queen tribute bands don’t really do it live: They either do just half of it, or they leave the operatic middle section to a recording, which is what Queen did. We’re the only band, to my knowledge, who play the whole thing live. We spent months and months getting the harmonies down.
Q What’s your favourite Queen song to perform?
A Fat Bottomed Girls. It was not their biggest hit, but it was the first song I remember my father playing for me. I just like the structure of it. It makes absolutely no musical sense. It’s one of those songs that seems simple, but is actually ridiculously complex. Harmonically speaking, it really doesn’t make sense.
Q What do you think about the Freddie Mercury biopic, Bohemian Rhapsody, that will be in movie theatres later this year?
A Firstly, I’m a big fan of Rami Malek, who’s playing the lead. I think he’ll do a cracking job of it. But secondly, it doesn’t matter how good the actors are — It comes down to whether you have a good script, a good story. Part of the problem is that they want to make a nice, familyfriendly sort of movie. Freddie Mercury was not a family-friendly guy. He was a very controversial human being who did a lot of controversial things, especially during that time. We’ll see when the film comes out how truthful it is.
Q Although the movie will bring new attention to Queen, they’re a band whose music has never really left the public consciousness. Why do you think that is?
A The tunes themselves are timeless. There are certain songs that really stand the test — and Queen has them. Further generations will no doubt appreciate them for their musicality and because they feel good, frankly.