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Remembering Freddie Mercury
Commemorating the 20th anniversary of Mercury’s passing, the concert will benefit the fight against the disease that took his life, with all proceeds from ticket sales and merch going to the AIDS Project Los Angeles.
Brendon Small of the virtual band Dethklok on Adult Swim’s Metalocalypse, Brendan McCreary of Young Beautiful In A Hurry and Bear McCreary who composed music for the re-imagined “Battlestar Galactica” as well as AMC’s “The Walking Dead,” have put together a lineup that includes guitarists Mike Keneally (Frank Zappa, Steve Vai), Rick Musallam (The Roots, Gwen Stefani), bassist Pete Griffin (Zappa Plays Zappa), drummer Gene Hoglan (Dethklok) and backing vocalists Raya Yarbrough and Felice Herandez.
“Queen is my favorite band on Earth,” Small said in a statement. “If I hadn’t heard the ‘Flash Gordon’ theme at the age of seven, I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be in show business. I’m excited to play some of my favorite songs and share the stage with some of the best musicians in the industry.”
When Mercury died Nov. 24, 1991 at the age of 45 he was quite possibly the best frontman rock had ever seen. He could command an audience’s attention simply by walking across the stage. That fans still mourn his passing 20 years later is a testament to the man’s talent and charisma.