Queen guitarist Brian May has confirmed the band will use a Freddie Mercury hologram on a West End theatre stage.
A digital projection of the Queen frontman is set to appear next week to mark the tenth anniversary of the band’s musical tribute, We Will Rock You.
The news of the hologram came after drummer Roger Taylor confessed his doubts about performing with a simulation of the singer, who died in 1991. Controversy has surrounded the projection effect after rapper Tupac Shakur appeared with Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg at last month’s Coachella Festival, even though he was shot dead in 1996. In recent interviews, Queen were asked whether they would use the technology in the same way, with Taylor saying:
"I don’t think I want to. It just doesn’t sit too well with me. I don’t want to appear with a hologram of my dear friend. It’s the real one or no hologram for me. Were somebody to use a hologram of Freddie, I would have no objection."
However, bandmate May has confirmed Queen are to employ the effect, although they’re not planning to perform alongside the projection. THe guitarist has said:
“It’s a little unfortunate they did that thing with Tupac as we’ve been trying to make Freddie appear on the stage for quite a while. It’s something we’ve looked at ourselves, but I think probably for a show that runs eight shows a week, it’s not really quite practical.”
The projection of Freddie Mercury will be used at London’s Dominion Theatre and the original cast, along with producer Robert De Niro, will be present for the May the 14th anniversary.
Meanwhile, Queen have confirmed a third concert in London with TV gameshow winner, Adam Lambert, singing. They are set to perform at the Hammersmith Apollo on July 11th, 12th and 14th. The Queen Extravaganza official tribute show, created by May and Taylor, is currently touring the US.