Queen Extravaganza tour kicks off in Quebec

[That 70s Guy]

blabbermouth.net

'The Queen Extravaganza' Tour Kicks Off In Quebec; Video Available - May 28, 2012
The Queen Extravaganza, the spectacular touring concert show designed to take the glorious music and the live experience of legends of rock QUEEN to generations of fans in cities coast-to-coast across the U.S. and Canada, kicked off its North American tour this past Saturday, May 26 at Grand Theatre du Quebec in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.

Behind The Queen Extravaganza are QUEEN — legendary guitarist Brian May and iconic drummer Roger Taylor — whose talents as writers and musicians have inspired such legends of modern times as the FOO FIGHTERS, RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS, Katy Perry, and even Lady Gaga, who took her name from one of Taylor's biggest hit songs. Taylor's idea was to the create the ultimate QUEEN concert experience in an electrifying road show that celebrates the band's music and legacy performed by some of the best new music talent out there today. Taylor personally takes the role of producer and music director.

To guarantee the touring show matches the fabled design and excitement of QUEEN at its live best, Taylor has enlisted a heavyweight production team headed by stage designer Mark Fisher. Fisher has been responsible for some of the most memorable rock concerts ever staged, including "The Wall" for PINK FLOYD, every THE ROLLING STONES show since 1989, and, working with lighting designer Willie Williams, every U2 concert.

The Queen Extravaganza touring band — four vocalists and five musicians (two guitars, bass, drums and keyboards) — were hired after an intensive 12-week online audition search. The buzz surrounding the public auditions sparked worldwide interest with video submissions generating more than 10 million views. Television host Ellen DeGeneres was so impressed with the level of talent, that she invited one hopeful to perform his audition on her show. That contestant, Nashville's Marc Martel, secured himself a place in the final band. The rest of The Queen Extravaganza band includes vocalist and The Queen Extravaganza contestant Jennifer Espinoza along with addition vocalists Yvan Pedneault and Jeff Scott Soto (TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA, TALISMAN, JOURNEY, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN); bassist Francois Olivier Doyon; guitarists Brian Gresh and Tristan Avakian; drummer Tyler Warren and keyboardist and musical director Brandon Ethridge.

Commented Soto: "Fabulous opening night of The Queen Extravaganza in Quebec. The audience was on fire, sold-out show and they truly ate us up like it was a real QUEEN show! The band were killing and we had an amazing time blazing through the show to an audience finally... I have a feeling this is gonna be fun! Come and join us all, you won't be disappointed!"

In a show which will run just over two hours of playing time, with a 30-minute break, The Queen Extravaganza band is performing close to 40 true QUEEN classics drawn from a list of the band's biggest all-time chart hits — "Bohemian Rhapsody", "Another One Bites the Dust", "Crazy Little Thing Called Love", "Under Pressure", "We Will Rock You/We Are the Champions", "A Kind of Magic", "Radio Ga Ga", "Somebody to Love", "Killer Queen" — as well as highlighting some of the band's finest heavy-duty rock based anthems which have long been at the core of their live performances, so audiences can also expect a healthy dose of early-period QUEEN with songs such as "I'm In Love With My Car", "Tie Your Mother Down", "Seven Seas of Rye" and "In the Lap Of The Gods" among them.

Production values are being boosted with the inclusion of never-before-seen video footage.

Remaining The Queen Extravaganza tour dates:

May 29 - Toronto, ON - QE Theatre
May 31 - Detroit, MI - Fox Theatre
Jun. 01 - Chicago, IL - House of Blues
Jun. 02 - Minneapolis, MN - The Brick
Jun. 05 - St. Louis, MO - The Pageant
Jun. 07 - Philadelphia, PA - Theatre of Living Arts
Jun. 08 - Washington, DC - 9:30 Club
Jun. 09 - Wallingford, CT - Oakdale
Jun. 10 - Bethlehem, PA - Event Center
Jun. 11 - Boston, MA - House of Blues
Jun. 12 - Huntington, NY - Paramount Theatres
Jun. 15 - Tampa, FL Louis - Lykes Ferguson Hall
Jun. 17 - Orlando, FL - The Plaza Live
Jun. 19 - Dallas, TX - Grand Prarie
Jun. 20 - Houston, TX - House of Blues
Jun. 23 - Las Vegas, NV - House of Blues
Jun. 24 - San Diego, CA - Humphrey's
Jun. 25 - Los Angeles, CA - Club Nokia
Jun. 26 - San Francisco, CA - Regency
Jun. 28 - Seattle, WA - Showbox
Jun. 30 - Vancouver, BC - Orpheum
Jul. 02 - Calgary, AB - Jack Singer
Jul. 03 - Edmonton, AB - Jubilee

 

[LG]

Whilst I have no problem with Massive historically successful bands touring and enjoying themselves keeping their legacy alive and introducing their music to a new generation...there simply is No Queen without Freddie Mercury.

This is a tribute tour, or extravaganza as they are calling it. I wish them luck but wouldn't go even if they did swing out west and stop here.

 

[Astrid Kirchherr65]

Whilst I have no problem with Massive historically successful bands touring and enjoying themselves keeping their legacy alive and introducing their music to a new generation...there simply is No Queen without Freddie Mercury.

This is a tribute tour, or extravaganza as they are calling it. I wish them luck but wouldn't go even if they did swing out west and stop here.

Agreed

I love Brian May..and am tempted to bring my son to see him ..his legendary guitar , but I think my disgust without Freddie...will spoil it for me..and truly..I don't want my sons first sight of 'QUEEN' to be w/o Freddie..whatever they want to call it...it's NOT QUEEN..

in some bands ..it doesn't matter if members are replaced/subsituted, etc ..but when the members personality..is in the very fibers of the band..NO one can fill their shoes..no one should..even in tribute..

respect your legacy...This Classic Rock..it's not Pop Idol..
John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, Freddie Mercury..Trex{Marc Bolan, the list goes on..it matters to some of us

 

[billyporter]

queen have been the BIG band for me during my life. i think its fine what roger is doing with this show, but i'd never go and see it.
its great for people to be able to hear queen music, but to me this is like going to a stage musical.
i can't stand musical theatre, including the show we will rock you. i find it very embarrassing tbh.

all the singers seem to have really lovely sweet voices[sarcasm!] and that isn't rock music to me.
as far as realy rock and roll goes, this is the same as steve tyler, brian may and roger taylor doing those stupid talent shows.

 

[Astrid Kirchherr65]

queen have been the BIG band for me during my life. i think its fine what roger is doing with this show, but i'd never go and see it.
its great for people to be able to hear queen music, but to me this is like going to a stage musical.
i can't stand musical theatre, including the show we will rock you. i find it very embarrassing tbh.

all the singers seem to have really lovely sweet voices[sarcasm!] and that isn't rock music to me.
as far as realy rock and roll goes, this is the same as steve tyler, brian may and roger taylor doing those stupid talent shows.

Good points and true

 

[METALPRIEST]

It'll make a nice tribute, but this is an extreme circumstance where you need "THE GUY"....any way Astrid, you have the DVD's?? Or any DVD's??

I blow 'em up for the kids all the time. They love watchin' QUEEN...my son really does!!

 

[LG]

I see they are stopping here, it's the last date on the list 70's G posted...and the Jubilee is a very nice auditorium.

But if I want a full Queen concert experience I will ask MP for a DVD recommendation, for my money that would be a better investment.

 

[Astrid Kirchherr65]

It'll make a nice tribute, but this is an extreme circumstance where you need "THE GUY"....any way Astrid, you have the DVD's?? Or any DVD's??

I blow 'em up for the kids all the time. They love watchin' QUEEN...my son really does!!

I actually don't but I am going to get some..I watch videos on youtube with Alex ..he knows and LOVES who Freddie is..and what QUEEN is and ISN'T for that matter...he is a huge fan..and understands the theory of all elimates that make a band great and legendary..

we have the roots of music properly taught in this house lol

Do you have any suggestions ? I do have Live Aide ..which is amazing !