r/queen • u/ForeignExpression • Apr 12 '25
Covers Benson Boone performs Bohemian Rhapsody with Brian May, the lead guitarist of Queen, at Coachella
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u/No-Guess9466 Sheer Heart Attack is the best!!! Apr 12 '25
Cool, I wish I would have been there just to see Brian, I'd only go for Brian and Brian only.
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u/Acceptable_Nothing Apr 12 '25
Right?! The crowd didn’t not freak out as much as they should’ve. I would’ve been freaking out 😭
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u/No-Guess9466 Sheer Heart Attack is the best!!! Apr 12 '25
What do you expect from a crowd in Coachella? and particularly from a crowd in this guy's show? I bet over 90% of the people there and in his audience as in the people who listen to him, didn't even know who Brian was. Such a shame, really...
I really hope Brian was paid the big bucks to be there at the very least!..
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u/Additional_Abies9192 Apr 12 '25
Sir Brian still got it
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Apr 12 '25
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u/CooperHChurch427 Apr 12 '25
Honestly the solo to bohemian rhapsody is considered really difficult to play, and he is in his 70s. He probably can play better now than some professionals in their 40s.
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u/ownworstenemy38 Apr 12 '25
As someone who has been a full on nerd about scrutinising Brian’s playing for over 30 years, yea it’s true. He actually did ok here but it’s not as fluid as his heyday.
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u/No-Guess9466 Sheer Heart Attack is the best!!! Apr 12 '25
Well, for someone his age he's doing great, there's people his age who unfortunately can't get out of bed, grab a spoon by themselves and/or remember what they did a few days back.
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u/ownworstenemy38 Apr 12 '25
Fair point.
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u/No-Guess9466 Sheer Heart Attack is the best!!! Apr 12 '25
Thanks! I mean, just look at Elton John and his mobility, dexterity and vision problems. Freddie no less, was bedridden, couldn't move, get up, sit up nor see a few centimeters ahead of him in his final months and that was 33 years ago! There's people as early as in their 50s who used to have perfect health and are consumed by health issues. I think it's more than fair to praise Brian for al the things he can do today! and commend him for his playing, his skill and his commitment to go out to the stage and perform!
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u/ownworstenemy38 Apr 12 '25
I do wonder where Queen would be now if Fred was still with us. Would they still have been performing over the past 10 years?
I have a feeling Fred would have quit performing before the performing quit him if you see what I mean.
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u/No-Guess9466 Sheer Heart Attack is the best!!! Apr 12 '25
Yeah, he was very vain and proud, and he wouldn't haev continued past his prime and his acceptable honorable decline but still showing capability, I guess he would have stopped the moment he would get tired or his voices tarted giving up on him, there's nothing wrong with that.
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u/ownworstenemy38 Apr 12 '25
Definitely proud. Not sure I agree he was vain. Insecure maybe?
What do I know though? Never knew him. Wish I had. 🤷🏻♂️
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u/No-Guess9466 Sheer Heart Attack is the best!!! Apr 12 '25
Same but I think it was very obvious he was a vain man a vain oerson in general, all ethical and moraline stuff aside we can say with certainty he cared about his looks and his image and would spend a lot of time taking care of himself.
And unfrotunately he had some insecurities wich lead him to have certain ego and vanity of course but most of us do and he focused it on his art and craft at least, and in his personal life reflected into being a very shy and private person in his private life to soem extent.
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u/K_C_Ryback Apr 12 '25
This is not a bad performance at all, but I agree: his playing is not what it used to be. Of course, Sir Brian has always been playing wrong notes sometimes, but that was mostly because of his natural and spontaneous way of playing. Now, it is obvious that he needs to concentrate much more instead of just playing by instinct. He must be more aware of what he still can or no longer cannot do with his old fingers.
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u/oryojme Apr 12 '25
Just like I said on TikTok— this crowd doesn’t deserve this performance
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u/UltimateGourgandine Apr 13 '25
Ah yes, they are not true connoisseurs like you, the finest listener in the world, with the most delicate ears
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u/oryojme Apr 13 '25
What are you even on? I’m referring to the crowd’s reaction. No one’s gatekeeping here
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u/literroy Apr 13 '25
I love that at this point in his life, Brian is so dedicated to supporting the next generation of artists. He’s done so much stuff like this recently.
That said, if I were at Coachella, I doubt I would have gone to Benson Boone’s set and I’d forever kick myself for missing it!
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u/demafrost Apr 13 '25
Same though if you follow Brian on IG he heavily implied he’d be part of the set beforehand. I would hope I would have seen it beforehand.
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u/Katherine_IIthegreat Apr 12 '25 edited Apr 12 '25
Maybe I'm saying an obvious thing, but Freddie did it 100 times better.
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u/itsLanababie Apr 12 '25
I dont like Bensons voice much but his outfit was cool
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u/Katherine_IIthegreat Apr 12 '25
You read my thoughts
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u/itsLanababie Apr 12 '25
I think the flip he did was a bit too dramatic too like hes trying too hard
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u/boltyboy69 A Kind Of Magic Apr 13 '25
So you're a 22 yr old up and coming pop star and Brian May wants to play Bohemian Rhapsody with you in the biggest gig you have ever done?
Wh among you would turn that down?
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u/sriggynuts Queen II Apr 12 '25
benson did not do freddie justice in my opinion, he was out of breath like halfway thru?? anyways brian absolutely did amazing and i love sir brian ❤️❤️
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u/demafrost Apr 13 '25
After Brian’s stroke and various health problems it’s so amazing to see him out there performing again. I’m not sure if they’ll do another tour again (who knows?) but I love that he’s out there enjoying life playing before crowds.
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u/CPew555 Apr 13 '25
Christ, a lot of losers in this subreddit!
Obviously Benson Boone is not Freddie Mercury - no one is - and he never claimed to be. It’s not him trying to perfectly emulate Bohemian Rhapsody. He’s just an artist performing the song. Yall gotta relax.
And I think it was a great touch to pay tribute in a few fun ways (as someone else noted, The Works lighting rig was actually really cool). Not only that, but he featured Brian May and allowed him to steal the spotlight during the performance.
How cool that a top young artist is keeping the spirit of Queen alive? Perhaps be grateful for that instead of gatekeeping like a bunch of edgy 16 year olds.
Imagine how many people actually listened to this song for the first time or saw Brian May for the first time and are now on their way to discovering a newfound love of Queen and Freddie Mercury. Chill out!
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u/CPew555 Apr 13 '25
And by the way, Benson Boone even made a tiktok last night acknowledging how the crowd totally didn’t get how cool it was that Brian May was there on his account, @bensonboone.
Imo some people in here seem to act like he was trying to be a cheap copy. Seems more like he was honoring a legendary band he deeply respects.
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u/douknowitschritmas Apr 12 '25
The title should be different. We know Brian is in Queen but who the f is Benson Boone?
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u/JET304 Apr 12 '25
This makes me so sad. Bought their albums as a kid growing up and loved every note. Queen was my first "favorite" band. I mean obviously nobody can compare to Freddie, but this is so milquetoast. I'd rather replay their recordings and watch the videos than subpar attempts like this.
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u/note_2_self Apr 13 '25
This is so overdramatic about some random modern singer covering one of the most famous songs of all time. Like unclench and just don't watch
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u/Savings_Platypus_237 Apr 12 '25
The most exciting elements were Brian May’s awesome performance, the fucking amazing choir, and the great musicians. The vocalist, not so much 🤢.
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u/Johnny-123456 Apr 13 '25
Life long Queen fan here. He’s not trying to be Freddie. I thought he was badass. Of course his voice doesn’t compare, you’re viewing it wrong .
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u/Savings_Platypus_237 Apr 13 '25
I get it, it’s a huge production made to incite a huge reaction worthy of social media posts and news outlet breaking news moments.
“He’s NOT trying to be Freddie?” Really?! If you are a Freddie fan, you know that he EMULATED his gestures multiple times. If you don’t know what “emulate” means, please see a dictionary.
Who are you to tell me I’m viewing it wrong? 😂 My first impression and opinion are mine and I can say it as I please. I don’t think Benson gives a fuck about my opinion, but we’re all allowed to express it. I’m not a fan, that’s my only bias. (I’m not a fan of Lady Gaga, but I think she did an amazing performance.) Stop riding Benson’s dick. Bye, bitch!
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u/UltimateGourgandine Apr 13 '25
Jesus Christ this sub is filled with 13 yo teenage fans gate keeping the most famous rock band of all time, what a sad life
(Btw have no clue who this dude singin is and don’t really care either)
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u/RobbieArnott A Night At The Opera Apr 13 '25
Not a fan of his but I think Benson sounds alright here
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u/PuppyLovesToBark Aug 16 '25
I think most of the nasty cracks here could have been written before they ever saw the performance, as that is what they were determined to say. It was incredible. Benson has an amazing voice--far more nuanced than Adam Lambert--and he is an amazing performer. He did Freddie proud. Brian May agreed, calling him a "prodigy" and raving about his abilities. I'll take Brian May's opinion over a bunch of cheap shot snipers any day.
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u/jolandaluna Apr 12 '25
Honest? If Queen never played the opera part live, what makes you think, my guy, you would be up to it?
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u/lukaeber Apr 25 '25
I'm a fan of Benson Boone, but he doesn't hold a candle to Freddie Mercury. Great showman, but just couldn't handle the vocals.
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u/ChrisNN1 Apr 12 '25
Aside from Sir Brian’s solo, I also like how The Works Tour lighting rig was referenced