More about: Queen
Endorsed by Queen's Roger Taylor and Brian May, in honour of his 70th birthday
In a year that commemorates Freddie Mercury's 70th birthday the Academy of Contemporay Music revealed the first ever scholarship in the iconic Queen frontman's name.
The prestigious scholarship will fully fund a student's entire three-year course, and is worth up to £27,000. Both Queen band members, Roger Taylor and Brian May are patrons of the organisation and are delighted to see the award offered to a promising student.
Roger Taylor stated, “Freddie’s name endures in so many ways so it’s therefore great to have this scholarship celebrating his musical genius!”
Guitarist Brian May added, “This scholarship will be a lasting tribute to Freddie and the path he blazed. He would be happy to see young talent being helped to blossom. Of course Metropolis holds a very special place in Queen history, and it’s a pleasure to continue that link.”
It's a fitting tribute to the singer that continues the strong relationship between Queen, ACM and Metropolis Studios. It was one of Freddie’s favourite recording studios, and where Queen recorded much of their 'Innuendo' album, their last in Freddie’s lifetime.
According to the ACM, the degree programme offers unlimited access to the studio, one of the world’s largest independent recording facilities, where over 50% of the UK’s Top 40 is serviced. And, it marks an incredible opportunity for a student, with applications now open for places beginning September 2016.
Queen and Lambert will be headlining this year's Isle Of Wight Festival - which takes place between 9 and 12 June 2016 at Seaclose Park, Newport. Buy Isle Of Wight tickets and get more information here.
Karen O: "Well, Freddie Mercury is a really huge rock star in my head. I've always thought he was just so tough and such an amazing entertainer, really a contradiction in many ways as well. So he was incredible."
Katy Perry: "Freddie Mercury was - and remains - my biggest influence. The combination of his sarcastic approach to writing lyrics and his 'I don't give a fuck' attitude really inspired my music.”
Cee-Lo Green: "The music industry is all about art versus product. What's left to do, but implode? Please, at some point in the day, play 'Bohemian Rhapsody' to the kids. Make them listen. Show them the possibilities."
Dave Grohl: "Every band should study Queen at Live Aid. I consider Freddie Mercury the greatest frontman of all time. You'd imagine that Freddie was more than human, but you know how he controlled Wembley Stadium at Live Aid in 1985? He stood up there and did his vocal warm ups with the audience. Something that intimate, where they realize, 'Oh yeah, he's just a fucking dude."
Lady Gaga: "I adored Freddie Mercury and Queen had a hit called 'Radio Gaga'. That's why I love the name. Freddie was unique - one of the biggest personalities in the whole of pop music. He was not only a singer but also a fantastic performer, a man of the theatre and someone who constantly transformed himself. In short: a genius."
Twin Atlantic: "The most influential artist of the past 25 years is Queen's Freddie Mercury."
Lupe Fiasco: "I have an understanding of Queen and the way Freddie Mercury did his harmonies."
Kurt Cobain: "I used to take a nap in the van and listen to Queen. Over and over again and drain the battery on the van. Then we'd be stuck. That happened a few times. We'd be stuck with a dead battery because I'd listened to Queen too much."
Adam Lambert: "Freddie's voice has so much texture to it. It’s super sexy. He kind of grabs at everything, he squeezes it. He was completely over the top in the best possible way."
Wiz Kalifa: "I jumped up in the air and landed on my knees and made my back touch the ground, it looked awesome, like some Freddie Mercury shit."
David Bowie: "Of all the more theatrical performers, Freddie took it further than the rest. He took it over the edge. And of course I always admire a man who wears tights!"
Matt Bellamy: "The best band in the world is Queen, definitely."
Brandon Flowers: "You think of Freddie Mercury onstage in a tank top and a pair of jeans, and he was free to perform. Had he been confined to a three-piece suit, he wouldn't have been the performer that he was."
More about: Queen
Photo: WENN
