Step aside, Jay-Z. If Bey is the Queen, then this man is the King.
It’s one thing to cover Beyonce. It’s another to take all of her best songs, combine them in a perfectly arranged acapella mash-up, and then sing it as a duet…with YOURSELF. Sound too good to be true? Well, clearly you’ve never been privy to the talent that is Cameron J.
There truly are no words for this. Just watch in total shock and awe with your mouth dangling open and try to control the drool.
Game of Thrones is definitely not for everyone but being one of the most pirated shows on television right now should count for something (EIGHTEEN DAYS UNTIL THE PREMIERE!). That something warrants a high school re-imagining and now a 1995-esque intro.
Yes, we know the first instalment of George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series was first published in 1997 but I kind of love Queen’s “I Want It All.” Seriously, can you get more epic than Queen? The answer is no, you can not.
WATCH THE 1995 GAME OF THRONES INTRO BELOW:
An Israeli and Palestinian sign for peace in NYC
Barack Obama knows his McKayla Maroney Internet memes
Rap colouring book for swag kids
One Direction meets the Queen
Pixelated Solitaire playing cards Read more…
Psy got super nostalgic speaking at Oxford University last Wednesday, speaking about how he got his start in music. When he was 15 he saw video footage of Queen at Wembley Stadium singing “Bohemian Rhapsody” and was completely shocked at how it combined rock, opera and ballads. Upon graduating he went to the U.S for school and started making music… admittedly just to meet girls.
The “Gangnam Style” Korean singer made his speech to the 89-year-old Oxford Union Club at the university. He was mobbed by screaming fans when he arrived in Britain from France on Wednesday for his three day visit.
While we’re not sure how Psy relates to the debate society, his inspiring speech will surely motivate them to kick major ass. The best advice he gave? One of the things that sets him apart from his fellow artists is his humorous and accessible dance moves. While most artists implement complex choreography into their routines, people saw Psy’s dance moves and thought “Wow, I can do that!” He also wanted to keep his music and choreography humorous because the world was going through a tough time economically. ”I tried my best to be as ridiculous as possible,” he said.
I think he totally nailed it: People love his music because it makes them feel happy and they love his dance moves in because it feels interactive.
Watch it here
Katy Perry has her own biopic coming out on July 5 and now she apparently wants to star in one of her idol’s biopics. The pop star hopes to play Mary Austin, Freddie Mercury’s long-time girlfriend in an upcoming film about the Queen frontman.
We’re not sure if this is fact or fiction right now, especially considering it was reported in The Mirror and they spoke with a “friend.” Right now, Sacha Baron Cohen is attached to the role of Mercury, which would make this dream casting.
According to the Mirror, a friend of Katy’s said: “Katy would love to be in the film as she is such a huge fan. She would want to play Mary Austin ideally. Katy has a similar look to Mary and would be a brilliant foil to Sacha.”
Personally, I’d love to see her in a Freddie Mercury biopic. I mean, the girl dressed up as him for Halloween.
Samuel L. Jackson gave interesting advice to anyone who’s going to see The Avengers. Then we show you how to troll a monkey and take a trip with the coolest dad ever, who sings Bohemian Rhapsody with his kids on the way to school.
This is one of the coolest dads ever. It’s become a morning habit for him, his two daughters and baby son to sing Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” on the way to school every morning. There’s nothing like channeling Freddie Mercury to pump up before grammar lessons.
He says on YouTube: “Depending on traffic, we can usually start the song as we pull out of the driveway, and pull into the school just as the song ends.” This is the way everyone should start their day! Also, perhaps a collaboration should be in the works between this family and the infamous drunk guy who sang it to a cop that arrested him. Those harmonies are just waiting to be explored.
Watch it here:
Though he’s not pitch perfect, I admire this guy’s determination to see the bright side of life. After being arrested for intoxication, he sang yelled Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” in its entirety. What’s most impressive is that despite being totally shlammered, he managed to remember all the lyrics.
In his head, he probably sounds amazing.
Also, be sure to watch until the very end when the guys puts on his glasses, and therefore, becomes serious.
In andPOP’s new “Hit and Miss” column, Portia Baladad, chronicles the best and worst in celebrity news. This week she tackles Hulk Hogan’s sex tape (gag) and gushes over Prince Harry.
Hits
Prince Harry goes on the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Tour
He’s touring the Caribbean in the Queen’s place, looking dashing and acting very prince-like. Surprisingly, no controversy here.
Oprah lands an interview with Whitney Houston’s daughter
Oprah gets Bobbi Kristina Brown, 19, to open up on Houston’s death for her non-Oprah Show show. After all, Oprah may have “retired” but she’s still the almighty Queen of talk shows.
Hollywood heavyweights do a reading of “8”
Big names such as Brad Pitt, George Clooney and Jane Lynch did a reading of the gay-marriage play, 8. The reading was directed by Rob Reiner and penned by Milk screenwriter Dustin Lance Black. Black penned the play using the transcripts of the Perry v. Schwarzenegger trial which challenged the legality of Prop 8.
Misses
Latest Dancing with the Stars cast list is revealed
Esteemed “stars” include singer Gavin DeGraw, The View’s Sherri Shepard, and everyone’s favourite nerd Steve Urkel Jaleel White. It’s depressing to think that every celebrity who’s been on the show believes it’s a great way to re-establish their relevancy when, in reality, it’s where careers come to die.
Rush Limbaugh calls Georgetown co-ed a slut after she advocates for insurance coverage for birth control
According to Rush Limbaugh, “she’s having so much sex that she can’t afford to pay for contraception.” Apparently, Limbaugh thinks you’re supposed to take the pill every time you have sex.
Hulk Hogan has a sex tape (gag)
Better yet, he has no idea who the brunette in the video is! According to TMZ, he apparently went on a four month alcohol-fueled sex binge and has no idea who he banged. The video’s being shopped around but really, no one wants to see a leathery and wrinkly Hulkmania in action.
Adam Lambert’s latest video ‘Better Than I Know Myself’ dropped yesterday, it uses the tired concept popularized by another Adam.
The Sandler-like multi-character plot (or Eddie Murphy or Peter Sellars or Jerry Lewis) features the familiar Glambert persona with the guy liner, spikey hair and all black everything versus a clean cut, happier, tea-drinking version of his ego. Could it be a battle of the Adam past and Adam future? Introversive and extroversive? Is this some sort of psychobabble that we cannot grasp?!
“It’s about the relationship you have with yourself between your dark and light side,” Lambert explained to MTV News. “It’s about duality. It’s about that balance and finding it and struggling to maintain it and what that means. It’s an emotionally complicated video and I hope people are open-minded about it. I thought really hard and long about what was covered in it and what I was trying to say with it.”
The video nods to his ‘Whataya Want From Me’ video. “It’s a cousin to that. … There is something similar to ‘Whataya Want From Me.’ I think that domesticated version of myself is my idealistic better version of me,” he explained. “It’s the me I want to be in my right mind. It’s the most happy, content, peaceful, wholesome version of myself.”
One thing is for certain, he’s definitely no Freddy Mercury. Hey dude – you brought on the comparisons yourself.
Adam Lambert, the flamboyant American Idol alum, was rumoured to be joining Queen for a performance at the Sonisphere Fest in July followed by a string of tour dates.
As we reported yesterday, Lambert gloated to the Daily Mail: ”The intention is to pay tribute to Freddie and the band by singing some f***ing great songs,” he allegedly said. “It’s to keep the music alive for the fans and give it an energy that Freddie would have been proud of.”
Lambert then took to his Twitter to dismiss the rumours on Friday evening:
“Oooh them clever reporters takin my quotes outta context…. I haven’t confirmed any guest appearances. I was talking about the EMA’S,” he tweeted, without directly referencing the report. “That being said, I’m truly flattered by your jump to such glorious conclusions mr journalist!! 
”
They had all performed together at the 2009 American Idol finals as well as a November gig at the MTV EMAs.
Lambert’s sophomore album Trespassing is due in March.
Freddie Mercury is irreplaceable, but unfortunately, Adam Lambert never got the memo.
The flambouyant “American Idol” winner thinks people will still pay attention to Queen now that he’s their brand new lead singer. Mercury died of bronchopneumonia brought on by AIDS in 1991. Queen was just never the same.
Now, 21 years later, the rest of the band wants to ressurect their sound and carry on. Lambert’s busy promoting his new album “Trespassing” that comes out next month but Rolling Stone reveals he’s set to tour with Queen in the summer.
“The intention is to pay tribute to Freddie and the band by singing some great songs. It’s to keep the music alive for the fans and give it an energy that Freddie would’ve been proud of,” Adam tells reporters.
I doubt anybody is proud that the band constantly tries to replace Freddie. Sometimes you just got to give up and start something new.
There’s a fine line between sampling a song and straight ripping off someone else’s artistic integrity. Imitation is recognized as the highest form of flattery – but at what point does it go too far?
Most recently, Madonna finally spoke out about her insane influence of Lady Gaga, with focus on ‘Born This Way‘ and it’s similarity with Madge’s 1989 hit ‘Express Yourself’. And in the spirit of that buzz – we’re delighted to bring you a little sampling, thirteen songs that famously ripped off others (and were pretty successful in their own right). Some of which dealt with court settlements and others were able to slip through the legal cracks. For those arguing that the likes of Hammer and Vanilla Ice had the right to sample – both were busted by the predecessors for their use. Ice even argued in an episode of VH1′s ‘Behind the Music’ that it was completely original and the sampling accusations were bogus.
Tell us what you think! Below are thirteen examples, first being the song that ripped off the following song:
Jennifer Lopez “On The Floor (Ft. Pitbull)” VS. Los Kjarkas “Lloranda se fue”
The Muppets are back! Kermit, Miss Piggy and the gang are ruling the Thanksgiving box-office this weekend and the world is officially in a nostalgic frenzy.
Before Jason Segel revamped the series, the adorable characters were famous in their own right. Their television program (1976-1981) featured a variety of celebrity cameos, from Alice Cooper to 007′s Roger Moore, in the final episode. It’s the family friendly programming that transcended generations. The franchise includes a seemingly endless stream of beloved films such as “The Muppets Take Manhattan,” “The Muppet Christmas Carol,” “Muppet Treasure Island,” “Muppets From Space” and “The Great Muppet Caper.” If this is all breaking news to you, then I highly recommend you check them out – or at least add it to your wish list this year.
Since legendary puppeteer Jim Henson created the Muppets in 1974, there has been an incredible assortment of Muppets appearances, performances and moments. Aside from the hilarious parody trailers and Saturday Night Live appearance recently, it felt appropriate to take a moment to reflect on the classics. We pulled together our favourite ten, let us know yours!
Bohemian Rhapsody (2009)In 2009, the gang released their rendition of Queen’s famous song. This viral video introduced this generation to “Bohemian” just like Mike Myers did with Wayne’s World.
Kermit Cycling (1979)
“Jolson sang, Barrymore spoke, Garbo laughed, and now Kermit the Frog rides a bicycle,” began Roger Ebert’s original 1979 review of “The Muppet Movie”. “If you can figure out how they were able to show Kermit pedaling across the screen, then you are less a romantic than I am: I prefer to believe he did it himself.” Muppet magic.
Larry King Live (1994)
Kermit and Gonzo guest-hosted the show with featured guests including supermodel Carol Alt and Hulk Hogan. Surprising that neither replaced King when he retired last year, but there’s still the hope for Regis-replacement.
(Day O) Banana Boat Song (1978)
Before Lil Wayne and Jason Derulo ruined the song, Harry Belafonte and Fozzie Bear’s collaboration was pure brilliance. Fozzie even asks the question that we all want to know, “What is a “Tally Man”?”
Keep Fishin’ (2002)
Weezer resurrected the Muppets from temporary obscurity for their music video off their fourth album, “Maladroit”.
Bennie And The Jets (1977)
Elton John became a reoccuring character in the late 70s, performing many of his songs including “Crocodile Rock” and “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road”. But it is the banter between Elton and Kermit during “Bennie” that defines his involvement. You could also see where Cee-Lo took a few notes.
Alice Cooper (1978)
As Gonzo declares him “the voice of doom,” this episode also guest starred horror film-icon Vincent Price and revolved around the theme of “ghoulies and ghosties and long-legged beasties and things that go bump in the night.”
Buddy Rich VS. Animal (1981)
Two of the greatest drummers of all time face-off in this classic skit from the Muppet Show. Who won? You be the judge.
‘Treasure Island’ Roll Call (1996)
Directed by his son, Brian, this post-Jim Henson film is not the same – but it has it’s moments, like this one. Kermit’s Captain Abraham Smollet is introduced to his crew of “cutthroats, villains and scoundrels.”
The Rainbow Connection
Perhaps the greatest Muppets moment of all-time, the opening banjo strum is guaranteed to cause a lump in the throat. Covered by many, including Willie Nelson, Sarah McLachlan and Jason Mraz – enjoy!
I can’t sing. Not well, anyway. But I feel that puts me in the norm rather than outside of it. With that in mind, I sat down last week with a couple of friends who can sing, to enjoy a little SingStar: Queen.
As a huge Queen fan, I felt I had the advantage going in to this impromptu karaoke competition, at least when it came to knowing the lyrics and general dynamic of the songs. What I didn’t count on (and should have) is that my two fellow competitors were karaoke superstars. For convenience’s sake, let’s call them Brodie and his girlfriend, Chris. Read more…
Guess what is in stores now? Singstar Queen, the newest title in the series that has been trying to fill the big shoes of Guitar Hero and Rock Band with it’s vocal-only styles. Being released for the PS3 and PS2, this game promises to bring the thunder Freddie Mercury-style. What may push this newest title and give it the edge is right there in the title: Queen.
The game features over 20 of the most popular and memorable Queen singles ever released. I personally suggest you Wayne’s World it and headbang the chorus to Bohemian Rhapsody. So I will finally be able to play a singing game where I actually know the words. This could be the beginning of a new era, where I do not suck at singing games.
Man I love Queen.
Cheers.
The stars of “We Will Rock You” will soon be rocking Canadians across the country.
Mirvish Productions has announced that the production, which features the music of British icons Queen, will tour Canada after its final performance in Toronto on May 11.
The Toronto run will have lasted 61 weeks by then. The show, which won a Dora for best musical last year, was originally set to run for seven weeks but has been extended a number of times.
The original production of “We Will Rock You” is in its sixth year in London, and is currently also playing in countries including Germany and Spain.
David Mirvish said the show has “introduced live theatre to many young people, making them loyal theatregoers, if we are to judge by how often many of them have been to see ‘We Will Rock You.’”
The show was penned by English comedian, writer and director Ben Elton, with musical consultation from Queen’s Brian May and Roger Taylor. It follows a group of kids “fighting against the all-powerful Globalsoft Corporation that controls their lives and feeds them a diet of synthesized pop,” according to producers.
Details of the Canadian tour are pending.
It’s no longer fun to make fun of Britney Spears.
CBC.ca is reporting that lyrics in current hit musicals poking fun at the star have been removed due to her recent mental troubles.
Monty Python’s “Spamalot” and Queen’s “We Will Rock You” have removed references to the former pop princess from their shows.
“We Will Rock You” may see the biggest difference as there is a character named after Spears in the show.
The references have been changed to Victoria Beckham in both shows.
“The references have always been intended as good-natured fun, and even a kind of tribute to her because, as you know, we have worked with Britney. But right now, we didn’t want there to be any risk of our show adding to her pain. So we are now adding to Victoria Beckham’s legend instead,” May wrote on his website about why things were changed.
The changes apply to current showings of the hit musical all around the world – including its current run in Toronto.
In honour of AIDS day, Saturday, Dec. 1, legendary rock band Queen will release what will be their first single in ten years.
Following in the footsteps of fellow British musicians Radiohead, Queen’s single will be available for free download on the bands official website.
The band is particularly invested in the cause because Freddie Mercury, the band’s renowned lead singer, passed away in 1991 due to an AIDS related illness.
According to a statement made on Thursday by the drummer, Roger Taylor, Queen hopes to capture Nelson Mandela’s message regarding the treacherous disease.
“By making the song available for free, we hope to help Nelson Mandela with his campaign to get across the message that no one is safe from infection,” Taylor said.
“It’s in our own hands to bring a stop to this.”
Brian May wrote “We Will Rock You,” the hit anthem by Queen, after the audience sang all their hits back to the band at a concert in London. Now, “We Will Rock You” is a hit stage musical in London, and is slated for a run in Toronto starting in March of 2007.
At a press conference today attended by May, Queen bandmate Roger Taylor and writer Ben Elton, members of the press were given a sneak preview in the form of a clip of the show from London.
“I actually think that shapes up pretty well, because let’s face it, the film of stage always looks a bit crap,” said Elton. “So if you can imagine that in a live context, with all the bells and whistles actually coming to you, then I think you can imagine why people are actually getting on their feet. It is a live gig, in every sense of the word: 36 fabulous, sparkling vocal artists and an incredible live eight-piece rock and roll band.
When Elton was first approached, “We Will Rock You” was going to be a biographical musical of the band and the late Queen lead singer, Freddie Mercury, who died from complications due to AIDS in 1991.
However, Elton saw a different story for the musical set to the hit songs from the band. He let Queen know of his intentions and they gave him the go-ahead.
“I suggested that we start a legend of our own,” Elton said.
The show tells the story of a society 300 years in the future, where no musical instruments remain, and the music the society listens to is dictated to them by the higher ups. A Killer Queen runs the Globalsoft Corporation, which controls the society. The Killer Queen is served by a henchman named Khashoggi. Live music has been banned.
However, one lone guitar remains, buried in rock, for the chosen one to retrieve and perform with and reclaim music for themselves. The two leads are Galileo and Scaramouche, two rebels who fall in love and reclaim music.
“We’re thrilled to be here, we spent the last two days completely immersed in auditions and we have a fantastic new all-Canadian cast and completely Canadian band,” May said.
May also noted that Canadian audiences will be treated to a different show than what is currently running in London, because “We Will Rock You” takes on a local feel, and incorporates local references. He would not elaborate on what those changes, or references, will be though. Elton said Toronto audiences will also see new changes in the play and if the response is good, they may take the changes over to London.
“We hope it will make you laugh,” he said, “and make you cry.”
“But in a nice way,” Elton chimed in.
Taylor said that one of their main objectives with the show is to have a real, live, rock and roll band play the music.
“We like to think that ‘We Will Rock You’ is not a title, it’s a promise,” Elton said to great applause from the crowd.
May said writing a musical was not in the band’s long-term plan.
“We did have insane dreams at the beginning, we did. We had precocious thoughts, we thought we could conquer the world in a sense, but we were just four kids. We didn’t know anyone and it was very difficult in the beginning,” May said.
Although they had high hopes, they never thought they would be putting their songs into a musical context.
“Both Roger and I would certainly admit that we were both quite cautious about going into musical theatre. Musical theatre, in a sense, is what we reacted against. This is very much not ‘My Fair Lady’ or ‘The Sound Of Music,’ not that I put that down, but we’re rock musicians, and we were very conscious that this had to be a rock event. This had to be something that still has spirit, has passion, has spontaneity, and doesn’t become sort of run of the mill,” May said. That is why he and Taylor were in Toronto for the casting, because they wanted to be involved with the show the whole way through.
May credited Queen’s manager, Jim Beach, who always told the band that one day they would write a musical. “And we would say, ‘nah, we don’t want to write a musical.’ But here we are, and I tell you what, we like this musical.”
 Photo credit: Sarah Millar, andPOP |
May said it was important to have the songs incorporated into the action of the play, instead of the songs just coming out of nowhere. He said they had to stand alone, and in “We Will Rock You,” they do.
“I hope I’m not being presumptuous in saying this, but I have never seen this show fail to raise people to their feet,” he said. He explained that the audience is an important part of the show, and even takes over the show at one point, reminiscent of the relationship Queen had with their audience at their concerts.
The show features 32 of Queen’s hits; many of them remain unchanged, but some of them had to be altered lyrically to fit the mood of the show.
“The songs are pretty much as were, and the sound as was, except perhaps slightly better than could be. But ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ was never performed in its entirety live by the members of Queen because they didn’t have the voices to do it. We do,” Elton said.
Elton said that although Mercury did not live to see the premiere of the musical, his mother did send a note to him saying that above all else, Mercury loved to love, and would have loved the musical. To this day, Elton treasures the note.
“The spirit of Freddie is very strong in the musical, and consciously so. Roger and I, and Ben as well now, I know, always think of Freddie when we’re making a decision. ‘Well, what would Fred think?’ And in some cases, I think we know, because he was like a family member, we were very close,” May said.
After Mercury’s death, Taylor said the band was unsure of whether to go on together, but the spirit of the band has been reborn in new fans, which makes Taylor proud.
“For quite a few years, I think Brian and I sort of really had given up on the idea of the band. But the flames seemed to keep itself alive and our music still seems to be very popular, which we’re very, eternally grateful for,” Taylor said.
Four of the 36 cast members were announced at the press conference: Yvan Pedneault, from Sept-Îles, Quebec, as Galileo; Erica Peck, a 20-year-old midway through the theatre program at Sheridan College, who will play Scaramouche; Alana Bridgewater as Killer Queen; and Evan Buliung, who has appeared in classical and musical theatre, will play Khashoggi, the Killer Queen’s henchman.
“This has been one of the most satisfying castings that I have been a part of,” Elton said. “The young, fresh, new Canadian talent that I have seen during the auditions has just sparkled and we have assembled a truly electrifying, all-Canadian company.
May said the Toronto show puts extra pressure on him because of family he has living in Brockville, ON.
“We have to succeed here,” May laughed, “or I’m dead.”
