You can hear the many hit songs of British rock band Queen live Thursday in Portland when tribute act Killer Queen performs at Merrill Auditorium.
Killer Queen is an England-based, international touring band, fronted by singer Patrick Myers, with guitarist Simon Small, drummer John Howells and bassist Brad Waissman.
The band formed in 1993, two years after the death of Queen’s singer, Freddie Mercury.
At the time, Myers was a student at London University. He and his friends played Queen songs around a laundry room piano on campus.
More than 30 years later, Killer Queen continues to draw big crowds, and Myers said during an interview that his love for Queen’s music has never wavered.
“There’s so much rich moving music with Queen. It’s lovely to make audiences happy everywhere and seeing them having a good time. But also it’s great fun being in the company of the songs,” said Myers.
The first time Myers ever performed in front of an audience was as a teenager, during a school assembly in Leicester. He played Queen songs on guitar but, at the time, was too nervous to sing. Since he’s gotten the nerve to belt them out, he’s never tired of it.
“That’s like asking a conductor if he gets bored of conducting a Beethoven symphony,” he said. “These songs are great, they’re witty, they’re cleverly arranged, they’re moving, they’re fun and they’re a whole range of emotions.”
Among Myers’ most beloved Queen songs is “It’s Late,” from the 1977 album “News of the World,” which he loves for the lyrics, Mercury’s vocals, the bright guitar, and the drum sound. “The arrangement is so good on that song.”
He’s also a huge fan of “Mother Love,” from the 1995 album “Made in Heaven,” released four years after Mercury’s death. Myers said it’s the last song that Mercury recorded. “He didn’t have the energy to go into the studio and record anything after that, and Brian (May) had to finish the song vocally for him.”
Myers’ favorite song to perform live is “These Are The Days Of Our Lives,” from the 1981 album “Innuendo.”
The song is not well known to fans in America, but Myers gravitates to it because it comforted him during a difficult time in his life. “It felt so big for me and so wonderful to hear his voice and that beautiful melody. I’ve always been very grateful to that song.”
But, of course, he loves singing “Bohemian Rhapsody” too.
Killer Queen
7:30 p.m. Thursday. Merrill Auditorium, 20 Myrtle St., Portland, $45 to $105. porttix.com
There’s a unique opportunity on Sunday to add to your vinyl collection, while hearing a DJ spinning records and enjoying a variety of drinks and snacks.
Lambs, close to Casco Bay Bridge in South Portland, is a neighborhood go-to spot for beer, wine, cocktails and tasty tidbits like tinned fish, bread from Night Moves and Middle Eastern mezze.
During Record Hang at Lambs, a dozen vinyl sellers will be set up from 4-7 p.m., and the album unicorn you’ve been searching for just might be in one of the crates. The bar will remain open after the sale ends. Because Lambs is a bar, the event is open only to people 21 and over.
“I’ve been listening to as well as buying and selling records since I was in high school, thanks to a cool older brother and record stores owned by record nerds,” said Lambs owner Wade Ritchey.
This is the second time such an event has been held at Lambs. The first one was last winter. Ritchey’s reasoning for presenting Record Hang at Lambs is specific.
“I’ve gotten a lot out of how vinyl can lead you to explore new artists and genres, more specifically, the spaces in the way of record stores and how they had listening stations, where nerds, musicians and artists selling the records behind the counter, through conversation and shared passion, would introduce me to new things,” said Ritchey.
Ritchey also knows that many share his appreciation for the vinyl music format.
“I really get a lot out of the physical media itself, something we all have less of these days when consuming art. Knowing that a lot of other folks out there feel the same, I wanted to invite more people to connect over a shared love for the format,” he said.
Record Hang at Lambs
4-7 p.m. Sunday. Lambs, 695 Broadway, South Portland. On Instagram.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
We invite you to add your comments. We encourage a thoughtful exchange of ideas and information on this website. By joining the conversation, you are agreeing to our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is found on our FAQs. You can modify your screen name here.
Comments are managed by our staff during regular business hours Monday through Friday as well as limited hours on Saturday and Sunday. Comments held for moderation outside of those hours may take longer to approve.
Join the Conversation
Please sign into your Press Herald account to participate in conversations below. If you do not have an account, you can register or subscribe. Questions? Please see our FAQs.