**Wed 31 Oct 07**
ANNIE CRUMMER ROCKS AS KILLER QUEEN

STUFF.CO.UZ
Western Leader | Thursday, 1 November 2007

Homegrown Annie Crummer is the talk of the town after the opening of We Will Rock You - the acclaimed musical by the surviving members of English super group Queen and writer Ben Elton.

The show is playing at the Civic Theatre until November 11 and stars Crummer - who grew up in Avondale, in the role of Killer Queen.

Crummer was born in 1966 and first came to prominence in 1986 singing a duet with Malcolm Black on the Netherworld Dancing Toys song, For Today.

She was also part of the chart topping all-women vocal group When the Cat's Away with Debbie Harwood, Kim Willoughby and former Blockhouse Bay resident Margaret Urlich.

Their single, Melting Pot, went to No. 1 in 1988 and they won group of the year at the 1989 New Zealand Music Awards.

Crummer, who has released two solo albums, made headlines earlier this year after being asked to record a remake of Another One Bites the Dust - a huge hit made famous by Queen during the 1980s. [BM.com Editor's note: This remake was in fact relased July 2004.]

Queen came to a grinding halt after the death of charismatic frontman Freddy Mercury in 1991.
Original members Brian May and Roger Taylor are still kept involved with various musical projects including their collaboration with Elton on We Will Rock You.

It was through the stage show that they spotted Crummer's talent and asked to her to join them on the separate recording project.

Crummer has been involved with the multi-million-dollar musical since it started touring the world in 2002. She stars alongside Rock Star INXS finalist Miguel Ayesa and a cast of nearly 30 performers.

We Will Rock You is set in the year 2350 when live music is banned on Earth, but the kids are in rebellion, fighting against the all-powerful Globalsoft Corporation which controls their lives and feeds them a diet of synthesised pop.

It features 24 of Queen's legendary hits including Bohemian Rhapsody, We Are The Champions, Radio Ga Ga and Crazy Little Thing Called Love.

© brianmay.com

**Wed 31 Oct 07**
QUEEN MAGIC! WORLDWIDE PREMIERE IN MEXICO

Melodicrock.com reports:

Press Release / On stage productions and Chris Catena is proud to announce the premiere of the rock show dedicated to one of the biggest bands in the world Queen called Queen Magic!

Where magic, dance, heavy chords, classic music, visual effects, acting, lights featured this beautiful event. The show took place in Guanajuato (Mexico) National Auditorium on 21 and 22 September 2007.

WebLink: www.extension.ugto.mx/queenmagic/elenco.html

The show registered two nights of sold out with more than 3500 people per night and two standing ovations, each

performance. Among the special guests worthy of mentioning is the Italian singer Chris Catena, the guitarists Janne Stark and Michael Gapys, three musicians from the Italian queen tribute band Innuendo including the singer Luigi Lusi, the drummer Giovanni Gregori, the keyboard player Eugene Valente and the bass player Nicola Valente, the singer of the Swedish band Crucified Barbara, Mia Coldheart, the pop singer Katiuscia and more...

The show has been directed by Gianmaria Romagnoli, helped visually by the VJ Simone Amicucci.

© brianmay.com

**Tue 30 Oct 07**
QRM REVIEW ON DVD.NL

DVD.nl are excited about the new release of QRM and have featured as follows.... with a report and comparative screenshots between the new version and the old....

Chief Editor and reviewer for Dutch DVD website www.dvd.nl writes:

---

I'm really excited about the new QRM DVD release. I did an extensive review on the new 2-DVD release. Our review has screenshots, so the reader can see how really beautifull the image has been restored.

Here you find the review.

The first and fourth screenshot can be compared with our review of the older (Pioneer) version, so people can see the difference. Not only in the way the image is cleaned up, but also that the framing has been corrected for some shots. Here is our review of the previous DVD release: http://www.dvd.nl/reviews.php?reviewid=432

The report is in Dutch - summary in English as follows....

In November/December I will review the Blu-ray Disc release of QRM also.

To summarize. I state this concert is Queen peaking in music performance, but the crowd and sphere can not be compared with for example the Wembley concert.

The image is nearly perfect, with a perfect job of DTS Digital Images.

The sound is also of high praise, with the DTS 96/24 sounding really great, and the PCM track with more detail. As with all Queen releases there is no Dolby Digital track.

The extra's with the Live Aid concertpart and the interviews are great stuff. So, a release every Queen fan must have.

By the way. I'm so hoping you will bring another studio record in re-release like you did with the A Night At The Opera release. That album in DTS 96/24 sounds so great.
www.dvd.nl/reviews.php?reviewid=2205
www.dvd.nl/reviews.php?reviewid=2444

Arnold van Oostrum

© brianmay.com

**Tue Oct 07**
QRM REVIEW FROM CLASSICROCKNEWS

QUEEN ‘Rock Montreal & Live Aid’ Eagle Rock (2007) www.eagle-rock.com

A real treat this one for Queen fans as not only do you get the Montreal gig from 1981, which originally came out in 1984 as ‘We Will Rock You’ but has been lovingly updated but also Queen’s seminal Live Aid performance. Bonus wise there is some rehearsal and interview footage pre-Live Aid and a rather bizarre US TV news piece called ‘PM Magazine’. The latter gives a quick potted history of the band and sees drummer Roger Taylor in a very nice set of bright green trousers!

The Montreal set is heavily dominated by 1980’s ‘The Game’ and luckily is pre-‘Hot Space’ the band’s weakest album to this fan’s ears. You just can’t beta a setlist that contains ‘We Will Rock You’, ‘Save Me’, ‘Brighton Rock’, ‘Killer Queen’, ‘Tie Your Mother Down’, an awesome ‘Somebody to Love’ – the whole set is magic. Brian May and Roger Taylor have also added recent commentary to the Montreal concert and they give insight to the show and some very good quips to keep you entertained.

Freddie Mercury, without a doubt the best showman and front man in rock and their Live Aid show has gone down in history as one of the best live music performances ever. As Bob Geldof said at the time Queen were one of the few bands to get the idea of his global jukebox i.e. the band just play their most well known songs in twenty minutes and Queen did just that.

One for Queen fans everywhere and a great selection of their classics.

*****
Jason Ritchie
classicrocknews@yahoogroups.com

© brianmay.com

**Tue 30 Oct 07**
KERRY ELLIS (FORMER WWRY OZ) ON "LOOSE WOMEN"

See Kerry Ellis on TV tomorrow...

Wed 31 Oct - ITV1 12.30pm
Loose Women
The loose ladies present a Halloween special, featuring a performance from the star of the musical Wicked - Elphaba the Green Witch.

© brianmay.com

**Mon 29 Oct 07**
QUEEN ROCK MONTREAL & LIVE AID - WRITE-UP

VIDEO BUSINESS
Cyril Pearl
EAGLE VISION
Street: Oct. 30
Prebook: now

Arty British rockers deliver two live shows recorded during the height of their powers.

It must be noted that both of these shows have been available before—the Montreal gig on Pioneer’s Queen: We Will Rock You and the Live Aid set in Rhino’s Live Aid box set—but the Canadian show has been digitally re-mastered from the original film and the sound has been newly mixed and mastered for DTS Surround Sound and PCM Stereo from the original multi-track tapes. That said, the 1981 Montreal show remains a lot of fun, with the band at the height of its powers as it pummels through such solid catalog entries as “Killer Queen,” “Crazy Little Thing Called Love,” “Bohemian Rhapsody” and an up-tempo version of “We Will Rock You.” Also notable is the first-ever live performance of “Under Pressure” and the fact that the Montreal show would prove to be the only Queen show ever shot on 35mm film (which explains the period texture of the image). Supplements include Live Aid rehearsal footage, a couple of vintage interviews and a new audio commentary on the Montreal show featuring band members Brian May and Roger Taylor.

Shelf Talk: Though these concerts have been available before, the price is right for this release and there are sure to be fans old and new interested in updating their collection, particularly with the new audio and video mixes. And, for what it’s worth, the eight-song Live Aid set is frequently polled in Britain as “the greatest live performance of all time.” Queen Rock Montreal also is available as a single disc for $14.98.

Music, color, NR (nothing offensive), 138 min., DVD $19.98, BD or HD $24.98 (street Dec. 4)
Extras: Montreal concert musician commentary, rehearsal footage, band interview, 1982 PM Magazine segment
First Run: Live Aid-MTV, July 1985.

© brianmay.com

Queen - We Will Rock You
Script: Ben Elton
Songs: Queen
Director: Ross Girven
Musical Director Bryan Schimmel

at Civic Theatre, Auckland

Reviewed by Kate Ward-Smythe, 29 Oct 2007

Queen fans all over New Zealand will be on their feet screaming for more when they go to We Will Rock You as essentially this loud high energy rock musical is a showcase for the glam band's greatest hits.

While Ben Elton's script provides a simple story of a futuristic world, where musical instruments, writing lyrics and any other sort of creative individualism has been outlawed by "Globalsoft's" mass marketing and monolithic grip on all music, his tale is little more than a convenient device to move us from hit to hit.

And why not? The music and lyrics of Queen are so operatic and dramatic in sentiment and scale; they are the perfect fit for this genre. The opening night audience didn't mind Elton's digestible tale full of easily recognisable characters one little bit, and was highly appreciative of this expensive production, taking every opportunity to interact, clap and sing along. The capacity crowd leapt to their feet not once, but twice, as silver confetti snowed down on us all, during the final company bow.

While the vast majority of the crowd was swept away by this epic Queen revival extravaganza, a few in the audience did sit perplexed and slightly alarmed by the tide of hype around them. Brief eye contact and raised eyebrows seemed to indicate something along the lines of "goodness me, not my cup of tea, no room for subtlety here huh.... But gosh, who are we to argue with this happy crowd?"

I was wholeheartedly impressed by the: smooth technical wizardry (technical supervision Ted Irwin and technical director Alistair Kilbee); heroic rock concert lighting, including the impressive use of trussing and 'audience blinders' in the design (Richard Pacholski, based on original design by Willie Williams); largely note-perfect executions of Queens' originals, thanks to an exceptional band and cast under the guidance of Musical Director Bryan Schimmel, Vocal arrangers Brian May and Mike Dixon* and orchestral arranger Steve Sidwell); world-class sound design, (Michael Waters based on original design by Bobby Aitkin), which is especially evident in One Vision and Bohemian Rhapsody; expansive set (Mark Fisher) and flamboyant costumes (Tim Goodchild).

Even though some of the ensemble's choreography is predicable, occasionally detracting from the main performer, as in Another One Bites the Dust, (International Choreographer Lisa O'Dea, resident choreographer Jill Somers), the video direction is fairly obvious (Mark Fisher and Willie Williams) and the direction overall is quite heavy-handed (Ross Girven), the entire production proudly screams glam-rock and Queen forever.

Performance-wise, Annie Crummer, playing the Killer Queen, is an absolute stand out. She is every bit the rock diva required for the role, channelling the best of Tina Turner's on stage strut and vocal cut, but also devouring the chance to grab Queen's classic hits, and make them unmistakably her own. Her massive range and exquisite vocal control, in particular in Now I'm Here, is stunning, and in Fat Bottomed Girls she takes singing to a level of vocal gymnastics. Taking full control of the stage, at one point throwing in a pukana, it is a pleasure to see her triumph in front of her home crowd.

MiG Ayesha, playing the young hero, Galileo, is the ideal leading man. Pitch perfect with strong vocal attack; he delivers. Neels Clasen is impressive in stature and character, but is no vocal match for Crummer in It's A Kind Of Magic. Stephen John Van Neikerk is highly entertaining playing one of the 'bohemians', Britney. He's all cave man muscle and brawn, milking every chance to show off his talents and inject comedy into the role. Fellow bohemian Carly Graeme holds her own next to him, and like Talia Kodesh, who plays Scaramouche, is a strong singer. Both women are well capable of hitting big long hero notes when it's their turn in the limelight. Hippie dude Pop, played by the very likable Malcolm Terrey, provides good comedy in the second half, and the ensemble make a big visual impact, especially when they appear in their tight white pants and mini skits.

*Mike Dixon is also Music Supervisor

© brianmay.com

**Mon 29 Oct 07**
QUEENSRYCHE’S TAKE COVER WITH INNUENDO
NOW STREAMING ONLINE.

Queensryche’s upcoming collection of covers, Take Cover, doesn’t come out for another couple of weeks, but you can listen to it in its entirety at ArtistDirect.com. The record features the band’s versions of hits from U2, Peter Gabriel, The O’Jays, Queen, Pink Floyd and many more. It hits shelves on November 13th.

VH1

Preorder from amazon

© brianmay.com

**Mon 29 Oct 07**
MIRIAM STOCKLEY NEW ALBUM

After USA, Japan and South Africa, Miriam Stockley's latest album "Eternal" is finally released in the UK. The CD, distributed by Absolute/Universal, features 14 tracks, including a new version of the hit "Adiemus".

The album includes contributions by the tenor Alessandro Safina, the orchestral arranger Ian Lynn and italian lyricist Alexander Macinante.

Miriam is a very respected vocalist and during her long career she collaborated with all the greatest singers/bands, including Queen. She took part to the recordings of the “Barcelona”, “Back To The Light” and “Made in Heaven” albums, was one of the backing singers at the 1992 Freddie Mercury Tribute and toured South America with the Brian May band. Miriam will be promoting the album in the UK in mid-November. Keep an eye on her official website www.miriam.co.uk for updates.

ETERNAL
Miriam Stockley Audio CD (22 Oct 2007)
Number of Discs: 1
Label: Absolute

© brianmay.com

**Mon 29 Oct 07**
FLASH: SEEN AT 'WE WILL ROCK YOU' OPENING PARTY

More New Zealand WWRY opening press coverage:

Annie Crummer and Mig Ayesa.
Photo / Norrie Montgomery

View Photos

The cast of We Will Rock You received a standing ovation from the sell-out crowd at Saturday's opening-night performance. Stars Mig Ayesa and Annie Crummer mingled with invited guests at the official after-party. The cast enjoyed a much-deserved drink, but were due back on stage at 1pm the next day and again at 5pm.

The Auckland season of the show, written by Ben Elton, runs until December.

* Highlight: Seeing so many local celebs cut loose on the dance floor - Peter Mochrie, Miriama Kamo, Fleur Saville and Lucy Wigmore to name a few.

* Lowlight: The DJ's abhorrent timing, which saw him cut songs off just as people had realised what they were.

© brianmay.com

**Sun 28 Oct 07**
FAN CLUB ON DUTCH RADIO

Jacky Smith of the Official InternatIonal Queen Fan Club was interiewed live on air at Radio Band Width, Amersfoort, Holland last Friday evening. Listen HERE

With thanks to the radio station.

Anyone interested in joining the Queen Fan Club will find details at www.queenworld.com. The Dutch Queen Fan Club can be found HERE.

© brianmay.com

See BRIAN'S SOAPBOX COMMENT

BM.com Editorial: This is more like it !!! A much truer impression of a first night. More like the reviewer was actually there. You can almost hear the cheering.

GayNZ
Larry Jenkins

'Killer Queen' Annie Crummer
We Will Rock You by Queen/Ben Elton, at The Civic, Auckland

Annie Crummer Rocks!!! New Zealand's own pop diva is in star mode for her role as Killer Queen in Ben Elton/Queen's smashing, thumping, pulsating hit musical We Will Rock You now playing until December at Auckland's atmospheric Civic Theatre.

But Annie isn't the only attraction. Despite her show-stopping numbers, the highlight of which is perhaps Fat Bottomed Girl, she has a strong cast to compete with for honours, and the likes of MiG Ayesha (Galileo) and Stephen Van Niekerk and Carly Graeme as the Bohemian leaders Brit and Oz are towering talents.

Other stellar characterisations are Neels Glasen's Khashoggi and Talia Kodesh's Scaramouche. And the chorus, demanding as their many production numbers are, just go on and on and on like the Eveready Rabbit.

Using mostly South African and Aussie actors/singers/dancers, this production of the musical features a band that emulates Queen to a "t". Production values are the highest seen in Auckland for some time, and the Musical Director, Bryan Schimmel, on his first ever trip to Asia and the Pacific on this tour, has the decibels cranked up and the rhythms pumping the entire evening. There's no let up in energy and one wonders where all that power comes from in the musicians and actors, because number after number, all the music of maybe the best rock band of them all, comes tearing off that stage like a cyclone.

The premise of the show is clever – take all those immortal songs like Radio Ga-Ga, Killer Queen, I Want It All, Another One Bites The Dust and many more, and construct a story that involves good and evil, captivity and freedom, perdition and salvation- a moral tale that warns us all of the dangers of globalisation, falsification, urbanisation, and a lot of other “-ations” and let it loose, really, to blow the audience's mind. Which it does. No doubt about that.

If some of the plot has to be contrived to fit the songs, well, who cares? Certainly not the Auckland audience on opening night. We were STOKED, man. It was just CHOICE, and yours truly was hopping up and down bellowing the lyrics with everyone else. It felt so good. It was meant to. By the time the cast performed Bohemian Rhapsody as a finale, the punters were out of their seats, hands clapping above their heads. We might have been at Wembley Stadium forty years ago.

Production values of this calibre we don't see here very often, and Mark Fisher's set, Richard Pacholski's lighting, Michael Walters's sound, Tim Goodchild's costumes, Lisa O'Dea's choreography, and Alistair Kilbee's technical direction all join Ross Girven's direction as more than usually excellent.

Rock on down to the Civic for the best thing you'll see in 2007.

© brianmay.com

**Sun 28 Oct 07**
WE WILL ROCK YOU AT CIVIC THEATRE

See BRIAN'S SOAPBOX COMMENT

NEW ZEALAND HERALD
29 Oct 07
By Shannon Huse

Annie Crummer as Killer Queen,
with Neels Clasen as Khashoggi,
is the musical's best special effect.
Photo / David Rowland.

Bunk, bunk, bish, bunk, bunk, bish. No, it's not the thunking beat of Queen's We Will Rock You but Ben Elton hitting you over the head with his luddite prejudices.

Elton's got an axe to grind and unfortunately it's not one of Brian May's Red Specials.

Set in 2350, We Will Rock You is Elton's vision of the globalisation end game. Live music is banned and the Globalsoft Corporation controls everyone's thoughts. So corporate greed, malls, junk food, global warming, the internet and any music made after the 70s are bad.

It's fairly shallow sloganeering, obviously designed to appeal to a nostalgic Baby Boomer audience hungry for their younger days, but it grated over the two-and-a-half-hour show.

To give Elton his due, the celebrity send-ups in the script are funny and he has cleverly weaved the Queen hits into the storyline.

And anyway, no one goes to big, cheesy musicals to think - it's all about the spectacle and the songs.

We Will Rock You delivers plenty for Queen fans. There are 24 tunes including Bohemian Rhapsody, We Are The Champions, Radio Ga Ga, Another One Bites The Dust, Under Pressure and I Want to Break Free.

On the spectacle front the show ticks the big musical boxes thanks to Richard Pacholski's energetic lighting design and Mark Fisher's set of many parts, with its giant video screen and real cars and motorbike.

But the greatest special effect of all is Annie Crummer playing the aptly named Killer Queen. Camp and diva delicious, she is in strong voice and obviously enjoying playing to a home crowd. Her costumes make her look like Tina Turner in the Mad Max movies but even then she works it. To use Freddie Mercury's words, she's dynamite with a laser beam.

Leading man Mig Ayesha, of INXS reality show fame, wisely puts his own spin on the songs rather than trying to sound like Freddie.

Also enjoyable are Talia Kodesh as the feisty rock chick Scaramouche, Neels Clasen as henchman Khashoggi and Malcolm Terrey playing humorous Hippie Pop. They and Stephen John Van Niekerk (Brit) and Carly Graeme (Oz) all display fine comic timing and vocal chops.

The chorus sound good but their dance moves were clunky and not as impressive as those of Saturday Night Fever and Dirty Dancing - similar big-budget musicals recently in Auckland.

The grunty live band of seven players is turned up chest-thumping loud, which is great for rock fans, but at times all the singers save Annie seem overpowered despite wearing head mics - surely, a job for the engineers to address in future shows so that the volume remains along with the vocals.

It's kind of interesting to speculate what Freddie Mercury would have made of his greatest hits being turned into neutered family entertainment.

Perhaps he would take comfort in the fact that it takes a cast of 29 to sing Queen's songs with the same power he did alone.

We Will Rock You is a guilty pleasure of the highest order, especially if you can turn off that cynical part of your brain that questions some of the show's pompous musings on the nature of real rock.
After all isn't it just a tiny bit hypocritical for a corporate-sponsored tribute show to take pot shots at American Idol?

And while I'm going against the flow, could we please have Crummer sing Bohemian Rhapsody next time?

© brianmay.com

**Sat 27 Oct 07**
MiG'S JOURNAL

Check out MiG's journal on his website at www.mig-music.com, where he describes leaving South Africa and something of his life in the run up to the opening of Auckland We Will Rock You.

© brianmay.com

News of fireworks set to Queen music, next Saturday in Barking Park, Barking.

BARKING AND DAGENHAM RECORDER
25 October 2007

THOUSANDS of revellers will descend on Barking Park to enjoy spectacular fireworks set to the music of Queen. The likes of Don't Stop Me Now and We Will Rock You will provide an electric background to the huge 20-minute display on Saturday, November 3. Nineties boy band 911 will perform some of their biggest hits, while "extreme rides" will thrill families at the event sponsored by the Barking and Dagenham Recorder.

Alfie Ford, of organisers Barking and East London Round Table, said: "The evening will be hosted by Del Boy lookalike Dave Byrne and will feature giveaways and competitions. The Heart 106.2 FM ground patrol will also be attending the event and handing out goodies to the crowd."

The display is set to start at around 8pm, when Barking and Dagenham mayor Cllr Fred Barns will start the countdown.

Last year, about 6,000 people attended the popular event marking the anniversary of the Gunpowder Plot, which was rumoured to have links to Eastbury Manor House in Eastbury Square, Barking. This year's event, which has been organised in partnership with Barking and Dagenham Council, includes free admission for all primary school age children.

Gates will open in Longbridge Road at 5.30pm, with live entertainment from 6pm. Tickets cost £5 and £1 for children under 16, who must be accompanied by an adult. More dazzling fireworks will go off at St Erkenwald's in Levett Road, Barking, the same evening.

Food will be available from 6pm and the display will begin at 7pm. Tickets cost £2 with free entry for children under 12. For more information, call Rev Clive Pooley on 020 8591 3251.

© brianmay.com

**Fri 26 Oct 07**
COVER VERSION: "KILLER QUEEN" SINGLE BY DILANA

Remember the lovely, gutsy Dilana, fromt the American Rockstar Supernova.... she has recorded a single - a cover version of Killer Queen, as theme for USA Women's Tennis Championships. She write on her latest blog...

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Thursday, October 25, 2007
KILLER QUEEN AIRWAVES TONIGHT!!

WANNA HEAR THE THEME SONG FOR THE WOMEN'S TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP ON VERSUS NETWORK !?! DILANA'S KILLER VERSION is hitting the airwaves tonight. PLAYED FOR THE 1ST TIME!!

Tune into www.womenrockradio.com tonight at 10.30pm EST/or 7.30pm PST. It will be packed so if you can't get in its cuz the spots are all full, Charmaine will make sure and play it again. YOU RAWK WOMAN!!
Charmaine Brooks Host of 'Doing Time' on www.womenrockradio.com Every Wed @ 9pm EST
www.charmainebrooks.com

ALSO IF YOU'RE IN ICELAND...
At 2am tomorrow I am doing a LIVE radio interview with BYLGJAN (9am in Is FRIDAY)! Ivar will be the 1st to play the single there! My favorite DJ in Iceland!! TAKK Ivar!!

KILLER QUEEN IS AVAILABLE ON iTUNES REAL SOON!!!!
Enjoy!

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In fact you can hear it HERE and available to buy on iTunes USA Store.

© brianmay.com

**Fri 26 Oct 07**
QRM (+ LIVE AID) DVD GOLD IN POLAND

First Gold!

Before premiere in Poland - DVD Queen Rock Montreal & Live Aid has achieved Gold Award status (sales 5000) in Poland.

Thanks to Dagmara

© brianmay.com

**Fri 26 Oct 07**
WE WILL ROCK YOU (NZ) OPENS CURTAINS

OUT OF HER WAY: Kiwi singer Annie Crummer stars as Killer Queen in the
Ben Elton-penned musical We Will Rock You. FIONA GOODALL/Fairfax Media

VIDEO HERE
includes interview footage with MiG Ayesa and Annie Crummer

EAST AND BAY COURIER
26 Oct 07

Rock Star INXS finalist Miguel Ayesa blew away his first Kiwi audience in Auckland today.

The star of the TV talent quest joined Kiwi pop princess Annie Crummer in the media call for the Queen and Ben Elton musical We Will Rock You at Auckland's Civic Theatre.

The show has become a global sensation with more than six million people around the world seeing the show in five years.

Teen heartthrob Ayesa plays Galileo, a role he made his own in the West End, while Crummer is the Killer Queen, a part she has played in Melbourne, Sydney, Perth and Japan.

We will Rock You features 24 of Queen's greatest hits, including Bohemian Rhapsody, We Are The Champions, Another One Bites The Dust and Crazy Little Thing Called Love.

We Will Rock You
October 26 - November 25: The Civic, Auckland
Tickets: Ticketek.co.nz
Official website: www.queenonline.com/wewillrockyou

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MORE AUCKLAND PRESS

QUEEN'S MUSICAL OPENS IN AUKLANDA
Oct 26, 2007

Video HERE

It is a familiar chant at sports stadiums, but now the words made famous by Queen's Freddie Mercury are coming to the stage.

The musical We Will Rock You opens in Auckland on Friday and in the lead role is a New Zealand singer with a killer makeover.

Fans of rock band Queen always knew their music would live on and if a new stage musical opening in Auckland is to be believed, people will be listening to their songs 300 years from now.

The futuristic stage play has been a West End hit, and stars New Zealander and former When The Cats Away singer Annie Crummer.

"I haven't done anything for a while...I'm unsure of who may remember me...we'll always remember Queen," says Crummer.

The futuristic musical weaves 23 of the rock group's hits into the flimsiest of storylines.

"Well really it's just an excuse to sing some rock n' roll isn't it," says one of the actor/singers of the musical.

Crummer is the only Kiwi in the all Australian cast and she has been on the road with them for the past four years. But opening night in front of a local audience is slightly freaking her out.

"I was reluctant to do this gig, not only because I was at home and I was scared, but also the workload is quite arduous," says Crummer.

Added to the stress, the high tech spectacle means things do not always go to plan.

"Even last night it didn't come out...well you know what, too bad you just get out there," says Crummer.

And as the words of the song go, We Will Rock You, it is a promise they have made to 60,000 Queen fans who have already bought tickets.

Source: ONE News

© brianmay.com

**Fri 26 Oct 07**
ON THIS DAY... "UNDER PRESSURE"

ON OCTOBER 26TH…

In 1981… UK release of David Bowie and Queen “Under Pressure”, by all accounts recorded in Montreux, Switzerland in the summer, following Queen's South American tour.

VH1 (with additional info Patrick Lemieux)

© brianmay.com

**Wed 24 Oct 07**
E-CARD FOR QUEENSRYCHE 'TAKE COVER' ALBUM

To celebrate the upcoming release of their Take Cover album, Queensryche has released an e-card. You can check out the virtual card, which promotes the band’s collection of covers, at Rhino.com.

Meanwhile, Take Cover, with Queensryche’s versions of hits from Queen ["Innuendo"], U2, The Police, The O’Jays and many more, hits shelves on the 20th (in USA). The group is venturing on a tour of the UK next month in support of the record. They spoke to KimodoRock.com about that tour, as well as their latest one in the states this past summer, when they hit the road with Heaven and Hell and, in doing so, took a hiatus from working on new music.

VH1

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TAKE COVER - pre-order at Amazon and good stores
Audio CD (12 Nov 2007)
Number of Discs: 1
Label: Rhino

Queensrÿche pay tribute to some of their favorite songs with an adventurous collection of covers that range from Black Sabbath and The O’Jays to Italian opera and Broadway musical. Singer and chief songwriter Geoff Tate, guitarists Michael Wilton and Mike Stone, bassist Eddie Jackson, and drummer Scott Rockenfield put their stamp on 11 classic tracks with TAKE COVER.

Tracklist
1. “Welcome To The Machine” (Pink Floyd)
2. “Heaven On Their Minds” (Jesus Christ Superstar)
3. “Almost Cut My Hair” (Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young)
4. “For What It’s Worth” (Buffalo Springfield)
5. “For The Love Of Money” (The O’Jays)
6. “Innuendo” (Queen)
7. “Neon Knights” (Black Sabbath)
8. “Synchronicity II” (Police)
9. “Red Rain” (Peter Gabriel)
10. “Odissea” (Carlo Marrale & Cheope)
11. “Bullet The Blue Sky” – Live (U2)

© brianmay.com

The 2:24 minute long track will initially be made avaibable through the official QOL download store. iTunes will follow shortly afterwards.

© brianmay.com

**Tue 23 Oct 07**
QUEEN - LIFE IN PICTURES

Further to our earlier news item mentioning the Queen Photographic exhibition in Auckland. This special Exhibition, specially produced to mirror the photographic exhibition at WWRY Madrid, will be travelling in tandem with the WWRY Sout East Asia tour.

SCOOP, NZ reports

QUEEN – A LIFE IN PICTURES
Friday, 19 October 2007, 3:05 pm
Press Release: The Edge

Tuesday 23 October - Sunday 4 November
Central City Library

Media Release Thursday 18 October, 2007

A stunning exhibition of 66 historic photos offering a rare and intimate peek into the life of rock band QUEEN hits Auckland for a limited time in late October and early November.

From Tuesday 23 October to Sunday 4 November, QUEEN – LIFE IN PICTURES will be on display on Level 1 and 2 (Heritage Floor) of the Central City Library, Lorne Street, Auckland CBD.

The visual journey spans the history of the rock band’s illustrious career and soaks in the diversity, excitement and raw energy of the world’s musical hotspots – from the UK to South America, from Japan to Mexico. World famous photographers such as Neal Preston and Douglas Pudifoot get up close and personal with individual band members.

This is a once in a lifetime chance to catch QUEEN – LIFE IN PICTURES - an exhibition that is touring worldwide in tandem with WE WILL ROCK YOU – The Musical by QUEEN and Ben Elton.

WE WILL ROCK YOU – The Musical by QUEEN and Ben Elton shows for a limited season at The Civic, THE EDGE® from 26 October. WE WILL ROCK YOU is an electrifying show that is currently in its 5th year on London's West End with productions in Canada and Germany. An enormous multi million dollar musical featuring stunning costumes, sets and lighting, the multi talented international cast includes New Zealand’s pop princess Annie Crummer as the Killer Queen and rock star INXS finalist Miguel Ayesa, who reprises his West End success, in the starring role of Gallileo.

WE WILL ROCK YOU features 24 of QUEEN’s legendary hits including Bohemian Rhapsody, We Are The Champions, Radio Ga Ga, Another One Bites The Dust and Crazy Little Thing Called Love. Bookings can be made through Ticketek,

www.ticketek.co.nz

QUEEN – LIFE IN PICTURES has been made possible with the generous support of Queen Theatrical Productions, Phil McIntyre Entertainments and Tribeca Theatrical Productions in association with Lunchbox Theatrical Productions, David Atkins Enterprises, THE EDGE®, Showtime Management and Auckland City Libraries.

**Wed 24 Oct 07**
VIDEO: MiG AYESA, STAR OF 'WE WILL ROCK YOU'

NEW ZEALAND HERALD

Watch Video: Mig Ayesa, star of 'We Will Rock You'

Musical We Will Rock You, based on the songs of Queen, opens this Friday at the Civic Theatre.

The show stars singer Mig Ayesa, better known as the man who took third place in reality show Rock Star: INXS.

Herald reporter Joanna Hunkin caught up with Ayesa at last week's New Zealand Music Awards.

* We Will Rock You is at the Civic in Auckland until December 2.

© brianmay.com

**Tue 23 Oct 07**
QUEEN ORCHESTRA WILL ROCK MELBOURNE

As reported last week - a reminder by way of this news item

UNDERCOVER
Paul Cashmere

Symphonic Queen is about to rock the city of Melbourne. Orchestra Victoria Rocks Queen will play 2 nights at The Palm at Crown Casino from tomorrow night (October 24).

The show, featuring musicians handpicked by Roger Taylor and Brian May of Queen, features a 53 piece orchestra and 5 singers including Dale Ryder of Boom Crash Opera.

In a statement, Queen's Brian May said "This sounds brilliant. The Bohemian Rhapsody Solo couldn't be in better hands...! I hope everyone has fun. Rock!" Brian May, Queen.

The show features Queen classics such as 'Bohemian Rhapsody' to 'The Show Must Go On', 'Somebody to Love', 'You're My Best Friend', 'Under Pressure' and 'We Will Rock You';

Dates are October 24 and 25 at Crown Casino.

© brianmay.com

**Mon 22 Oct 07**
ROGER TAYLOR ON LIVE EARTH DVD - DUE NOVEMBER

We can expect Roger Taylor in the opening drum SOS Allstars Extravaganze to appear on the DVD.

See track listing.

Live Earth The Concerts for a Climate in Crisis [Live] [Box set]
~ Various Artists
(3 Disks)
Available for pre-order on Amazon

BILLBOARD reported on 16 October:
Live Earth Heading To CD/DVD In November

July's worldwide Live Earth concerts will be encapsulated as a 1-CD/2-DVD package due Nov. 20 via Warner Bros.

"Live Earth: The Concerts for a Climate in Crisis" includes performances by Madonna, Foo Fighters, Kelly Clarkson, Keith Urban, Beastie Boys and Rihanna, among many others. The first single from the release will be Linkin Park's "Bleed It Out," which was performed at Maduhari Messe in Japan.

The digital version of the album will be available Nov. 6, and John Mayer's version of "Waiting on the World To Change" will serve as an exclusive track for those who pre-order from iTunes.

The event, organized by Al Gore and Kevin Wall, brought together more than 150 artists in New York, London, Sydney, Tokyo, Shanghai, Rio de Janiro, Johannesburg, and Hamburg to raise awareness for the climate crisis. An estimated 2 billion people tuned in to the live broadcast.

Proceeds from the CD/DVD will benefit the Alliance for Climate Protection, which works to persuade the public of the urgency of developing solutions for the climate crisis.

Track list for "Live Earth":

© brianmay.com

**Mon 22 Oct 07**
QUEEN ROCK MONTREAL GETS NEW SPECS/DATE

AS YET UNCONFIRMED

According o News on BLU-RAY.COM .....

Eagle Rock Entertainment has revealed that they have delayed the upcoming high-def release of 'Queen Rock Montreal' two weeks to December 4th. Production issues was the reason given for the delay, but fans will be happy to know that this release is packed with additional content not announced previously.

In addition to the newly remastered versions of the Montreal and Live Aid concerts, the release will also include an audio commentary with Brian May and Roger Taylor. Additionally, the release will have rehearsal footage for Live Aid, a newly released band interview, media coverage of the historic event, and a "Before & After" video restoration comparison.

© brianmay.com

**Mon 22 Oct 07**
WWRY SE ASIA TOUR

WWRYopens in Auckland, New Zealdnd this Friday, 26 October, which kicks off its South East Asian tour.

Dates as follows:
Auckland - 26 October to 2 December
Seoul - 22 January to 2 or 9 March (tbc)
Singapore - 27 March to 4 May
Hong Kong - 22 May to 22 June
Bangkok - 4 July to 20 July (tbc)

© brianmay.com

**Mon 22 Oct 07**
BBC-TRIBUTE TALENT SEARCH

The BBC are on the look out for talented tribute artists...

Do you want to sing like Whitney Houston?
Move like Tom Jones?
Strut the stage like Robbie Williams?

We're looking for singers for a new primetime talent show to become successful tribute artists for these musical superstars:
Elton John, Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, Robbie Williams, Rod Stewart, Freddie Mercury, Tom Jones, Cliff Richard, Lionel Richie, Madonna, Whitney Houston, Diana Ross, Tina Turner, Mariah Carey, Kylie Minogue, Cher, Britney Spears, Dusty Springfield.

If you can sing, then this could be your chance to hit the big time. We will transform you to look, sound and move like the world's greatest stars.

At stake is a fantastic opportunity - a performance contract in Las Vegas, the showbusiness capital of the world!

So if you think you can sing like a star contact us now!

For an application form go to: www.bbc.co.uk/ultimatetribute or call 09011 27 27 27

Calls cost 25p from a bt landline. Mobiles and other networks may vary.
Cost of the call covers call handling and operational costs.
Applicants must be 18 or over and eligible to enter the United States.
Other terms and conditions apply; full details on application.

© brianmay.com

**Mon 22 Oct 07**
JENA QUEEN HEAVEN LASER SHOW RE-OPENED

Queen Heaven Laser Show has now returned to the Planetarium in Jena,Thuringia, Germany

The show was closed for refurbishment in 2006 and new technical equipment and now has opened the again, and fitted with new technical possibilities, it should be better than before.

The URL to the Planetarium site is www.planetarium-jena.de/planetarium/programme.php - though only available in German language.

On the left side under the text "Die neuen Programme im Planetarium", which means the new programmes in the Planetarium, you can click on the Text Veranstaltungskalender to reveal the dates from October to January 2008.

On the right side is the event calendar (which is called in German, Veranstalltungskalender). When you click on a date there you can see one window down the programme for the Day you select. No show on Mondays!

For booking phone 0049 3641 88 54 88 or email to order@planetarium-jena.de
Ticket price 9 Euro.
Online booking not available at the moment.

Many thanks to Jens for information.

© brianmay.com

**Sun 21 Oct 07**
QRM PREVIEW IN COLOGNE

On the 24th of October there will be a 30 minute official preview of Queen Rock Montreal in the Foyer of the Musical Dome in Cologne. More infomation on www.wewillrockyou.de in the NEWS section. Something for German fans!!

Thanks to Christine.

© brianmay.com