Hitting the right note
QUEEN frontman Freddie Mercury is hailed by many as the most charismatic and flamboyant performer in contemporary rock, with an unmistakeable voice still loved by fans around the world today.
Townsville fans can relive the magic that is Freddie Mercury with the Queen Bohemian Rhapsody Greatest Hits Tour, featuring Thomas Crane as Mercury.
Crane has more than 25 years of experience as a Freddie Mercury impersonator, and featured on Australia’s Got Talent for his portrayal, competing against the likes of Jack Vidgen and magician Cosentino.
He said the Greatest Hits show was a celebration of the best of one of the world’s most iconic groups.
“Every song that we play, you’re guaranteed to know what it is,” he said.
“What we’re aiming for is to bring people the sound of what they remember. There’s a lot of Queen tribute bands around, and Queen themselves, and I find people just really want to hear their records at the end of the day.”
Crane has toured the country performing as Freddie with his band, and said Don’t Stop Me Now was one of the most popular songs that got crowds up and moving.
“We have the costumes, I play the piano and the guitar, which is only one song but it’s what Freddie did, I’ve got the teeth, I’ve got the moves,” he said.
“If people want to hear the records, come and see us. We’re one of the only bands in the world that play the songs in the original keys. If expectations are high, I don’t expect anything less. It’s memories for people, Queen brought a lot of memories to us over the years and that’s what I like to keep alive for people. It’s hard to beat these days.”
Crane said the success of last year’s Bohemian Rhapsody smash-hit film starring Rami Malek inspired a new generation of Queen fans, and reignited a love of the band in older listeners.
“When I was a kid that’s when Queen were around, and it’s all happening with a new generation coming through again because of the movie,” he said.
“Plus I’ve become five times busier, I’m looking at 50 shows in front of me.
“They’ve been inspired. They’re singing all the songs word-for-word. I don’t even get a chance to sing the songs these days because they’re so into it, they know the words. I can’t believe how young they are and they’re singing word-forword.”
Catch the
at The Ville Resort-casino on August 9. Visit www.moshtix.com for tickets.