"Phoney Beatlemania has bitten the dust" or so The Clash said. It's not exactly 'Queen Mania" but there is a thin line between hokey cover band and legit tribute.
One element is having a member of the actual band chose the musicians involved. Such is the case with the Queen Extravaganza Tribute band, Brian May and Roger Taylor are in on it. The guitarist and drummer of one of the most legendary bands held a contest to form this tribute band. What?
It cheapens the legacy, in my eyes. It really is nothing more than a money making tour scheme. I cant quite understand how legends such as May can even allow such a thing. After working so hard for so long, what's the point?
Said Taylor: "We did the first 10 years of our career with just the four of us, no additions, you know the technology wasn't there," says Taylor. "We were relying on stripped down adrenalized versions of our songs and our own personalities. But with this band, we continue to push all the musical boundaries with technology that was not available to the four of us originally. This band is a powerhouse of talent. To hear our songs performed by them gives fans a chance to hear them (our songs) now as they could have done then and perhaps technically, even better!!"
The contest was an online search voted on by the public those winners were then sent LA to perform for Roger and Brian May who now is in the role of producer.
I dont suppose anything good will come of this but if you're so inclined here are the local dates
Queen Extravaganza
2013 North American tour
Jan 11 – Tarrytown, NY – Music Hall Theatre
Jan 12 – Wallingford, CT – Toyota Presents the Oakdale Theatre
Jan 13 – Huntington, NY – The Paramount
Jan 15 – Englewood, NJ – Bergen Performing Arts Center