Queen drummer to announce "Extravaganza" winners Thursday

By: Lauren Moraski
Topics: Music

Queen drummer Roger Taylor is in Los Angeles narrowing down the winners of "The Queen Extravaganza" Tour of 2012.

(Credit: Queen Extravaganza Tour/Hollywood Records)

(CBS) Queen drummer Roger Taylor has been holed up in the Foo Fighters' Los Angeles studio this week - not to record new music, but to narrow down the winners for a Queen tribute band, set to embark on a North American tour next year.

This fall, more than 700 vocalists, guitarists, drummers, bassists and keyboard players from all over the U.S. and Canada auditioned, hoping to become part of The Queen Extravaganza Tour. The major production will find the winning musicians performing Queen's biggest hits live on tour in 2012.

Queen's original drummer is among the people making the selections. It wasn't easy, though, choosing the winners, which will officially be announced Thursday.

"It was very difficult," Taylor told CBSNews.com on Tuesday, a day after the final auditions. "We had a great standard of talent and we really had to work out the eight people we thought would make the best cohesive band unit. I think we really have a great lineup."

Taylor said he enjoyed hearing a new generation of musicians playing Queen's songs. "There was a lot of love there," he said. "They're such charming people ... In some regards I hate to lose them, but you can't take everybody."

Both Taylor and Queen guitarist Brian May will help shape the tour, which Taylor says will feature an "imaginative staging" of their songs. The band will go deep into Queen's catalogue, and both Taylor and May will likely make surprise guest appearances on select tour dates.

The competition happens to coincide with Queen's 40th anniversary as a band. It's also been 20 years since the death of lead singer Freddie Mercury.

So, why a tribute band?

"I got fed up with seeing all of these tribute bands," Taylor told CBS. "The emphasis is on quality, really. We wanted our music to be represented by something excellent."

"We want to put together a celebration of our music over the years," Taylor added. "It won't be just a jukebox."

The outing gets underway in North America in 2012, and if all goes well, The Queen Extravaganza Tour will go global.

For more info and to see the winners, set to be unveiled on Dec. 8, go here.

Check out one of the contestant's audition videos:

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by no2marc December 7, 2011 2:15 PM EST

Marc Martel should NOT be the center of Queen's stage! He has great vocals, but just doesn't belong to the rock band and the fact that he has a lot of experience as a vocalist of a christian band just confirms that fact. He has never been a big fan of Queen and he admitted that the only reason that he is participating was his similarity to Freddie. When we take a closer look at Sean Slaughter who is a local rock band vocalist and always has been the biggest Queen's fan, who not only has vocals, passion and desire to sing Freddie's songs but knows all of them and ready to perform any day!

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by ckent12 December 8, 2011 2:55 PM EST: If you knew anything about Marc you would know that Freddie Mercury was one of his top three influences growing up (check out any of his interviews) and has been singing Queen songs live for many years. Check out this recorded in 2008 with nearly a million YouTube hits: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGcDpnxtqsc


by wesj53 December 7, 2011 11:05 AM EST: Marc Martel is clearly the finest talent of the final 8 vocalists. Not only does he sound like Mercury, but has a tremendous range as well stage presence based on his experience as one of the lead singers of the group Downhere. Between him and fellow vocalist and keyboard player Jason Germaine, they are a dynamic duo! Check out the band at www.downhere.com for some great tunes!; Reply to this comment


by jules2005 December 7, 2011 10:32 AM EST: Can't believe it's been 20 yrs since Freddie's passing. Miss his talent so much! I would go see Marc Martel sing, he sounds great and even looks a bit like Freddie. As for the female singers, none of the 3 are adequate for the musical style/sound of Queen. If Marc Martel isn't the choice, I don't see many tickets being sold.; Reply to this comment


by rwsmith29456 December 7, 2011 1:33 AM EST: 'Emphasis is on quality'. Well, I can't fault them for that even if tribute bands don't do anything for me.; Reply to this comment


by cookiedookie December 7, 2011 1:22 AM EST: Love & miss you Freddie Mercury. The greatest singer/songwriter/entertainer.; Reply to this comment