Hits all the way with Queen tribute show

Killer Queen, Ipswich Regent

There is a little bit of Freddie Mercury in all of us.

If I had just learned to play the guitar as a teenager and joined a band - my singing talent would have been spotted, I am sure.

If only....

Yes, anyone who has sung along to Queen’s music in the shower, or confused other drivers belting out their songs to the radio in the car and knows their hits, believes in their own undiscovered talent.

We all know most of the lyrics, don’t we?

Given the chance I think I could have stepped into to Freddie’s shoes.

Killer Queen, one of the best tribute acts, gave us all the chance to be Freddie for the one night.

Although it was Patrick Myers on stage, strutting and pouting through the lead lyrics as the top man, this was a show more about audience participation.

All over the theatre wannabe Freddies were dancing and singing along to the many favourite hits.

Men and women sang along with gusto at every opportunity - and there was plenty of opportunity with I Want It All, One Vision, It’s A Kinda Magic, Fat Bottom Girls, Radio Ga Ga, I Want To Break Free, Don’t Stop Me Now and, of course, Somebody To Love.

I particularly liked Under Pressue and These Are the Days of Our Lives.

Queen never took themselves too seriously, and were almost a parody of what a rock band should be, gloriously flamboyant and over-the-top.

But they wrote some fine pop and rock songs, with amazying lyrics and memorable tunes.

This show was a chance to celebrate and enjoy them, and sing along.

When the music starts, the lyrics pop into your mind straight away.

It seems like half the adverts on TV seem to have borrowed snippets from Queen songs these days.

Back to the show.

Lead man Patrick, took to the piano at times, ala Freddie, especially for the intro to Bohemian Rhapsody

And he got the fans up on their feet, punching the air and bouncing along to the wailing guitars and pounding beat.

Of course - he is no Freddie, - but who is?

He was one of a kind.

This show was packed full of hit songs, with the final, final encore a rousing version of We Are the Champions!

We all joined in, men, women, girls and boys.

A great night’s entertainment, to be sure.

Now where did I put that `Learn to Play The Guitar In a Day” book?

David Vincent