“American Idol” Hosts Queen Tribute Episode, The Rockers Perform

Musicians Roger Taylor and Brian May of Queen perform. Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images

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While some classic rockers have turned their noses up at singing competitions like American Idol, Brian May and Roger Taylor of Queen appear to be in the same camp as Idol judge Steven Tyler, having thrown their support behind the show with multiple appearances.

In fact, on last night’s (April 25) episode, Idol dedicated a whole episode to the rock legends, and Brian May and Roger Taylor were there to lend a hand. The Queen guitarist and drummer, respectively, watched the six remaining contestants give their best Freddie Mercury impressions, where some succeeded more than others.

Contestant Jessica Sanchez used her operatic talents to belt through “Bohemian Rhapsody” and make it different than Mercury’s famous rendition – no easy task – and it earned her praise from the judges. Watch below.

Soulful finalist Joshua Ledet picked the right Queen song for his vocal style – the rockabilly-tinged “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” – and succeeded greatly with his swinging cover. Watch below.

Contestant Phillip Phillips chugged through “Fat Bottomed Girls” with equal parts charm and vocal power. Watch below.

But Queen wasn’t just there to observe the contestants’ covers. To kick off the show, May picked up his axe while Taylor got behind the drum set for a medley of Queen hits – “Fat Bottomed Girls,” “Another One Bites The Dust” and “We Are The Champions” – alongside the top six contestants.
Watch below.

The “Bohemian Rhapsody” rockers first performance on Idol, in which they performed with contestant Adam Lambert during 2009′s finale episode, has spawned a lasting bond with Lambert. The pop star’s impressive pipes and flashy showmanship have earned him the role of Queen frontman on more the one occasion, including a handful of European concerts this summer.

–Jillian Mapes, CBS Local

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