Freddie Mercury Will Rock You Once Again Via Hologram

In a performance that will celebrate the 10th anniversary of Queen’s musical ‘We Will Rock You,’ a hologram of Freddie Mercury will appear as part of the show. Guitarist Brian May promises that people will leave London’s Dominion Theatre saying, “’Did we actually see Freddie?’” (Answer: No. You saw a hologram.)

Even though Queen drummer Robert Tayler said he would not want to perform alongside a hologram of the late Freddie Mercury, the May 14th show will use the hologram effect first introduced to the public in the form of Tupac Shakur at the Coachella festival last month. Unlike Snoop Dogg, however, the band will not be performing with it.

Taylor said, “I don’t think I want to. It just doesn’t sit too well with me. I don’t want to appear with a hologram of my dear friend. It’s the real one or no hologram for me.” He also said he did not object to the use of a Mercury hologram, he just doesn’t want to share the stage with it.

While the technology is similar, the band will not use the same technique that was employed during the Tupac performance. May indicated that the effect does not produce a true hologram. He also said they would not be using it in every show during the ‘We Will Rock You’ run. “It’s something we’ve looked at ourselves, but I think probably for a show that runs eight shows a week, it’s not really quite practical,” he explained.

Even so, it’s possible there might be other opportunities to see the Mercury hologram, if fans so desire. Queen also confirmed that they will play a third concert in London this summer with ‘American Idol’ winner Adam Lambert performing lead vocals. And, the Queen Extravaganza official tribute show, created by May and Taylor, is currently on tour in the US. So fans might just get to see Hologram Freddie belting out 'Bohemian Rhapsody.' And, if not, there's always this guy's version.