Brian May Wants Lady Gaga To Front Queen

Cloud-haired astrophysicist and Queen guitarist Brian May told a reporter at yesterday's BMI awards something that sounds like he and the band are eyeing Lady Gaga to front Queen. The reporter's publication, Express, puts it absolutely ("Brian May tells us he’s in negotiations to get Lady Gaga to front"). In reality, the evidence is not so stark:

We talk about going out on the road all the time but there’s a bit of a singer problem, to put it mildly. We get a lot of offers to work with other people. I worked with Lady Gaga and she’s very creative and is someone we’ve talked about singing, fronting the band with. She’s not just a singer, she writes her own material.

The "singer problem" May is referring to is the absence of legendary Queen frontman Freddie Mercury, who died in 1991 of complications from AIDS. Since then, May and drummer Roger Taylor have performed with various guest artists under the open moniker "Queen +," as in "Queen + Wyclef Jean," "Queen + Robbie Williams," et cetera. There's no indication if May's quote implies a Queen + situation with Gaga or if he has higher, way unrealistic hopes.

Because there is no way Gaga is going to front Queen. Even though she is wont to cry when talking about their songs, and named herself after the Queen song "Radio Gaga," it is not going to happen. Gaga is the George Clooney of pop stars. She may duet occasionally with a deserving partner, but girl can't be reined. Whoever this sneaky journalist is who managed to finesse poor Brian May into sounding like that's what he expects, shame on you, and also...clever move! You made us read your story, didn't you.

WATCH Gaga cry about her new band Queen:

(express.co.uk via idolator)

CORRECTION: A previous version of this article stated that Freddie Mercury died of AIDS. It has been changed to note that he died of complications from AIDS.

Comments

[er9796]

08:50 AM on 10/11/2011

Love the Gaga... but... She doesn't have the chopps to front Queen. She is what she is, a POP star, and that's all she'll ever be. Queen is a rock band that needs a rocker. Besides the fact that she's phenomenal at what she does, and would probably never even consider it.

[Lauren Kottwitz]

08:37 PM on 10/10/2011

I think it'd be phenomenal, but I don't see hardcore Queen fans being supportive of that.

[viachicago2012]

11:33 PM on 10/09/2011

Just do a tribute to Freddie type of thing and everyone is happy with low expectations. Personally I think it would be a smashing hit. Then Gaga goes on her creative way and Queen gets to take a well deserved bow.

[dennybop]

04:16 PM on 10/09/2011

I have to hand it to somebody. A single pairing Lady Gaga and Queen wouldn't hurt either of their careers! And I say that even though I'm not a huge fan of either. Good PR, Brian...or whoever.

[stefiz]

09:29 PM on 10/09/2011

Brian May did work with Gaga on her Song U and I...

[eve mahar]

03:43 PM on 10/09/2011

I think it would be amazing, if even just for a concert or a CD. Gaga loves Queen and would probably do something, but no way would she become a permanent member of the band. She's way too busy with her own music and tour.

[Kamereon]

01:02 AM on 10/09/2011

It is sad how many supposed Queen fans think Freddie would approve of this. Absolutely not. Regardless whether or not she writes her own material, she's not right for Queen. Freddie and her are on two completely different styles and levels of talent. Queen influenced generations of musicians, Gaga, while an expert showman, is just one-upping Madonna.

[lacrosselamore]

12:18 PM on 10/09/2011

I think Freddie would have wanted Queen to continue on after him even if it had to evolve into something different.
I doubt that Lady GaGa would give up the artistic autonomy to do it anyway. No one can replace Freddy, no one could come close. But if Queen could gain some new fans doing a single tour WITH Lady GaGa (ala Elton John/Billy Joel) it would benifit them both. Ga Ga could and woluld learn alot from Brian May.

[Bill J4321]

08:35 PM on 10/09/2011

I'd kinda trust the professional musicians who worked with Mercury for decades to make Queen's creative decisions rather than a message board commentator.

[Kamereon]

10:48 PM on 10/09/2011

Oh poor widdle guy, do we you have to find lonely unused forums to vent your rage? It'll be okay, take a deep breath, maybe get a popsicle.

Wow, talk about your nipples on a bull kind of comment.

[r henry]

10:26 AM on 10/11/2011

I agree with you

[butchcliff]

06:05 AM on 10/08/2011

It would be fun to see her and other singers front the band on different occasions. Bring back Queen's fabulous music to a new and old generation.

[lacrosselamore]

12:20 PM on 10/09/2011

Similar to how Billy Joel and Elton tour together once in a while. That would be AWESOME! I'd pay 600 bucks to see that.
I'd also like Elton and GaGa to tour together.

[dennybop]

04:17 PM on 10/09/2011

You've got 600 bucks?!!!

[stefiz]

09:32 PM on 10/09/2011

I got floor tickets for her Phoenix show last March for 210.00...saw her in Denver with decent seats for 150.00

[ETAOINSHRDLU]

01:53 AM on 10/08/2011

That is absolute genius. Spot on, Brian! It would be generation spanning……piles of money to be made from re-energizing the Queen back library. Freddie is missed…but this would be a great way to go forward.

[o4tuna]

11:21 AM on 10/08/2011

You have morals.

[ETAOINSHRDLU]

03:52 PM on 10/08/2011

Great Screen Name, Fortuna! Obviously a "Confedaracy of Dunces" fan. "O Fotruna, do no t crush us beneath your spokes, but raise us on high, divinity!"

[Viceroy Fizzlebottom]

12:38 AM on 10/08/2011

meh... Don't get me wrong, Lady Gaga is very talented. I wouldn't mind hearing her cover some Queen songs and I don't blame Queen for trying to appeal to a new generation, but I think they can do much better.

[dublindude]

09:38 PM on 10/07/2011

Queen is the band that made me fall in love with rock n' roll. I admire Gaga. She is super talented and writes her own material. She is self made. I don't understand all the negativity directed at her. I think it would be a fantastic mash-up and I think Freddie would approve.

[lacrosselamore]

12:24 PM on 10/09/2011

I don't think Lady GaGa would want to give up her artistic autonomy to front Queen in any case.
It would be AWESOME if they did an album and a Tour together though. Ga Ga would learn alot from Queen and Queen would gain alot of new fans while they try to find a permanent lead voice.

[dennybop]

04:19 PM on 10/09/2011

I'm not knocking Gaga. But it's telling how far pop music has fallen when people have to point out a star who actually writes their own music!

[nmmagyar]

07:40 PM on 10/09/2011

Didn't Carol King (or Kane or something like that) write most of the big hits in the 70's?

[Duffy Sinclair]

11:51 AM on 10/10/2011

You are completely wrong. Most pop singers and groups from the 50's and 60's sang songs written by writing teams like, Leiber & Stoller, Goffin & King, Holland/Dozier/Holland, etc. Remember, Elvis never wrote a song!

By late 60's though, you had most groups (Beatles, Stones, etc.) writing all of their own material. And by the 1970's you had the singer/songwriter craze starting.

[gregory57]

02:33 PM on 10/07/2011

I think it'd be more like Queen becoming Gaga's backup band.

[PathofTotality]

01:21 PM on 10/07/2011

"May is referring to is the absence of legendary Queen frontman Freddie Mercury"

Well I'm glad that's all cleared up because I had no clue what the statement meant. Sorry but this article is.......................well, I don't know what it is.

As for Lady Gaga working with Queen, I think it would be interesting to see and listen to. Freddy Mercury and Lady Gaga do have their similarities.

[o4tuna]

11:16 AM on 10/08/2011

Yes, both Gaga and Freddie are/were air breathing mammals, and both play/ed piano. Outside of that, eh. Frankly, I can't think of any two rock/pop stars who are so much opposites. Freddie lived an outrageous life. With what's her name, it's all image. In 30 years, Gaga's music will be long forgotten and kids who have yet to be born will go right past her stuff, and hopefully, they will have talent that rivals that which came out of the 60's and 70's.

[duncansdad]

05:01 PM on 10/08/2011

You wish.

[lacrosselamore]

12:25 PM on 10/09/2011

LAdy Ga Ga is the real thing. Brian May is not easily impressed and he thinks she is great. I think Brian May is a better judge of staying power than you are.

[daverfuller39]

10:05 AM on 10/07/2011

I'm one of Queen's biggest fans, and I'm not so sure what to think of this, pros and cons involved for sure. Gaga would certainly help Queen get the exposure in North America that they deserve though.

But what is with the last paragraph? It's so opinionated. Very poor journalism.

[David Nucci]

07:50 AM on 10/07/2011

Brian May has already found the perfect girl to front Queen. The Anthems tour he did with British singer Kerry Ellis proved to be a fantastic choice.

[froggyola]

04:19 AM on 10/07/2011

Gaga would make an excellent frontwoman for Queen and FREDDIE WOULD LOVE THE IDEA. See, he was creative and not narrow,like most of the people posting here.

[duncansdad]

05:02 PM on 10/08/2011

Freddie would love Gaga.

[dennybop]

04:24 PM on 10/09/2011

I agree Freddie whould like the idea. I'm not saying I agree, but that's not relevent. Freddie was pretty open to new things. I'm almost certain many people today would disapprove of him doing a duet with David Bowie.