Legendary Queen singer Freddie Mercury could return to stage as a hologram 33 years after death
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM: Decades after his untimely death at 45, legendary Queen frontman Freddie Mercury may soon make a jaw-dropping return to the stage. Through modern hologram technology, the iconic singer could be set for virtual performances that allow new generations of fans to experience his unmatched vocal prowess and flamboyant persona.
This astonishing development comes amid reports that Queen is nearing a record-shattering $1.2B sale of their music catalog. This proves that even after 30 years, Mercury's name still generates immense excitement and fortune, thanks to the enduring admiration for his peerless creativity and showmanship, as per Daily Mail.
Freddie Mercury died at 45 in 1991 from AIDS complications
The singer died in 1991 from AIDS complications, cutting short an iconic career that saw him become one of the most captivating performers in rock history. But now, Mercury could find himself back in the spotlight, digitally recreated to once again delight audiences.
The company managing Mercury's estate has filed a trademark for his name to be used in "immersive 3D virtual, augmented, and mixed reality experiences" as well as video games.
This paves the way for a potential Mercury hologram show, allowing new generations of fans to experience his incomparable stage presence and flamboyant style.
It would mimic the success of fellow classic rockers ABBA, who in 2022 launched their highly acclaimed Voyage concert residency in London using digital avatars dubbed 'ABBAtars.' As that technology continues to advance rapidly, a Mercury hologram spectacle appears increasingly viable.
Freddie Mercury's hologram not yet approved by other Queen members
However, not all of Queen members are fully on board just yet. In a recent interview, Queen guitarist Brian May expressed a preference to continue playing live rather than rely on virtual replacements.
"We've talked about and looked at, very seriously, holograms of Freddie and stuff," May explained. "But while we're here I want to play live. I don't want to be a hologram, I want to be me."
Queen to hit $1.2B sale of recordings and publishing rights
While holograms may not be May's first choice, Queen has previously incorporated video footage of Mercury into their concerts, much to fans' delight. So the door is clearly open to honoring his legacy with the latest technology.
And in a further sign of Mercury's undiminished lucrative appeal, Queen is said to be nearing a staggering $1.2B sale of their recordings and publishing rights, blowing past the previous record set by Bruce Springsteen.
The eye-popping deal would grant buyers ownership of Queen's master recordings and publishing royalties across the globe. It represents over double what Springsteen fetched last year and defies a recent catalog valuation slump that has seen some investors devalue song acquisitions by up to 14 percent.
