Killer Queen, the tribute band, was formed back in June 1993 with lead singer Patrick Myers at the helm as Freddie Mercury. Their first public shows were at London University, following in the footsteps of the real Queen who had played their first shows there 21 years earlier.
By 1995, Killer Queen's UK popularity had grown to such an extent they secured a residency in London's Strand Theatre attracting nationwide BBC coverage - the first tribute to have a show in the West End.
The band also scored a number one hit when they were asked to recreate Queen's harmonies for "The Real Life" with Fatboy Slim in 2001.
In 2016, Killer Queen took the show to America including Red Rocks Arena in Colorado - one of the country's most prestigious venues - The Beatles, Springsteen, and U2 have all played there. They will be returning there as a part of their 3rd US tour in 2018. (For dates on this tour,
Myers has received much praise for his uncanny resemblance, both physically and in performance, to the late Freddie Mercury. "Very accurate. Almost frightening. The show, singing, music and appearance are unbelievably similar to the original," wrote a reviewer from the German website Der Western. "Skipping across the stage with his three and half octave broad tenor powering through the arena, Patrick" s="" spark="" set="" the="" 10,000="" Ahoy="" audience="" on="" fire.="" They="" danced,="" sang="" and="" clicked="" their="" fingers,="" all="" under="" Myers'="" direction.="" The="" best="" thing="" since="" Queen!"=""
Patrick Myers as Freddie Mercury
EDGE spoke with Myers as the group is about to embark on their U.S. tour.
EDGE: Why Freddie Mercury?
Patrick Myers: He is an extraordinary icon and for me as a teenager watching him perform at Live Aid was electric. I really fell for his writing and voice. Such pathos and passion and devilish humor. Top chap.
EDGE: How do you balance who Freddie was as a performer with your own sense of style and sound into the music?
Patrick Myers: I'm not really onstage to present myself but represent Freddie - as much as anyone can. I love his onstage energy and that charged connection to the moment in music he has, so that's the kind of ballpark I pitch towards when I'm onstage. He had such a wonderful sense of fun and celebration that was really inclusive towards the audience. That for me is what makes this a real joy to do. That and the fantastic music.
EDGE: What do you think of Freddie Mercury, the man?
Patrick Myers: I love his humor. He makes me laugh. He's known for being flamboyant onstage but there's a cool, detached deadpan style to a lot of his style off stage that's also really funny and quite often risqu�. I feel sorry that his rise in fame coincided so exactly with the rise of then unknown HIV and we lost him just before effective meds arrived. But I really admire his bravery and work ethic. Recording beautiful and extraordinary songs with his wonderful voice right till the end with good humor and grit.
Patrick Myers as Freddie Mercury
EDGE: Which Queen song is your favorite to perform?
Patrick Myers: "Bohemian Rhapsody," "Days of Our Lives," and "Show Must Go On" are all great to perform.
EDGE: Which is the hardest song to perform?
Patrick Myers: "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "Show" are both tough ones - but rewarding. None of this stuff is a walk in the park, so you need seriously good musicians to nail this stuff. Queen were all great writers and arrangers.
EDGE: Does Freddie's sexuality play a part in your performance?
Patrick Myers: I think his sexuality is an extension of his wider approach to life. A hunger for something different and a desire to shine brightly, shake things up and get things going. So in that respect, it plays a part in what I take to the stage. He was his own blend of both macho and camp onstage, but that onstage charisma was kind of pan sexual - aimed at everyone.
EDGE: As Freddie Mercury was the first major rock star to die of AIDS, does the band do anything to help raise awareness of HIV/AIDS?
Patrick Myers: Queen established the Mercury Phoenix Trust right after he died. They gather funds and distribute to a really wide range of aid organizations all over the world. Elton John has also done extraordinary stuff with EJAF too. Elton's book "Love is the Cure" is really worth getting a good idea of just how much can be done and how much needs to be done.
EDGE: Have any of the guys in Queen have seen or acknowledged your band?
Patrick Myers: Brian May's website has said some lovely things over the years but really we look to Queen fans for their reaction - either those that have missed out on seeing Freddie or the ones that were lucky enough to see Queen in their heyday. I'm delighted when we get emails saying how much people got out of the show and what it means to them. And how much fun they had! The shows are pitched as a party after all. Enjoyment is the name of the game.
Patrick Myers as Freddie Mercury
EDGE: Freddie's continued popularity continues to grow. What are your thoughts about the new film, "Bohemian Rhapsody," coming out?
Patrick Myers: It looks fantastic from the trailer. I think Rami (Rami Malek from "Mr. Robot") is a real smart piece of casting. The guy playing Brian, Gwilym Lee, has really nailed it too. I'm really excited. Rock biopics aren't always that great and can sometimes feel cheesy or clich�d. Or they just get stuff wrong and are poorly researched which is just infuriating. I've got a feeling this will rise above all that. I really can live without ever seeing yet another Star Wars or superhero film again. This film will be different. Queen managed to create a very definite kind of magic and seeing that realized in film dramatically is going to be such a massive treat for me and I guess a zillion other people.
EDGE: What can we expect from your show? Any preview you can give us?
Patrick Myers: The best rock music ever written combined with the feel and atmosphere of a classic Queen performance is the mission statement. Queen gave the world the blueprint for a perfect rock and roll show. So that's what we've looked to recreate. Great costumes, great songs - a night to remember and sing your heart out to. I think if you can bring people together and get a whole arena, auditorium or whatever singing and sharing great music as one it's a beautiful thing. And a whole heap of fun.
For more information on Killer Queen, visit . To purchase tickets to see them perform at the Lynn Auditorium in Lynn, MA on July 5th visit visit the venue's website.
