JOHN Farnham has been asked to join famed British rock band Queen.

Industry sources say Queen guitarist Brian May offered Farnham "the gig of a lifetime", after they recorded a new version of the classic We Will Rock You in Melbourne two weeks ago.
"Watch this space very closely," a source close to Farnham told the Herald Sun yesterday.

"It is hard to impress Brian May but John nailed this song – Brian knows it – and we have not heard the last of John Farnham and Queen."

On his website, May praised Farnham's vocal as "truly awesome . . . and the marvels of a great singer.

"You Oz guys and girls are going to love this," May said.

"It sounds huge."

Queen's UK-based management team will be in Melbourne on Tuesday to discuss Farnham's commitment to the band beyond the We Will Rock You track.

Farnham, 53, recorded the song with May and Queen drummer Roger Taylor for worldwide release as an official 2003 Rugby World Cup theme.

Late yesterday, Farnham's manager, Glenn Wheatley, confirmed there had been discussions between Farnham and May.

"When everybody gets into town we will look at what this all means, review the position of where we are at and see what the step forward really is," Wheatley said.

"John has fulfilled the task that was there, but what does it mean for the future?"

Wheatley refused to discuss the matter further.

But sources say Farnham fronting Queen "is simply a matter of availability and desire for both parties".

"There are a couple of opportunities that have been presented."

Farnham is already said to be concerned about perceptions of replacing Queen's former frontman, the late Freddie Mercury.

"We are talking sacred ground here," one source said.

"The last thing John would want is for fans to think he is trying to slip into Freddie's shoes."

Queen perform at select festivals or special events.

This would suit Farnham, who retired from major touring two months ago.

For now, May and Taylor are focusing their efforts on the Queen musical We Will Rock You, which opens in Melbourne on Thursday.

"If it came to fruition, John would probably do it," a source said.

"It would take a little bit of discussion, but John is not afraid of hard work."

Queen was one of the world's biggest and most influential bands of the 1970s and 1980s.

Their hits include Bohemian Rhapsody, Another One Bites The Dust and Crazy Little Thing Called Love.

Freddie Mercury died in 1991 of complications related to AIDS.

George Michael and Robbie Williams have fronted Queen in rare live performances.

(By NUI TE KOHA, Herald Sun)
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This would b awesome 2 see.
im not a huge Queen fan,but John Farnham has,perhaps one of the most amazing voices in rock'n'roll.
with this,hopefully people outside Australia will discover his talent,having been in the industry since the 1960s.

onya Farnsy!

Hmmm, why can't George Michael get up off of his arse, get back to rockin' a stadium and do it again? He was excellent at Freddie's tribute concert all those years ago.

Ooh, BTW I bought the DVD of Queen's 1986 Wembley concert this week

Ellie,do u know who John Farnham is?


i wonder if anyone outside OZ can recognise him

I only know about his 'Whispering Jack' album. Not much else. I really like fellow Aussie artist Jimmy Barnes, and Farnham did back-up vocals for him once.

Farnham has the right voice for Queen. Would be nice to see him with the guys.

BlueNote

Ellie said:

they did a cover of "when something is (wrong with my baby)"
& Diesel (Mark Lizotte) played guitar on it.beautiful cover.
Barnesy is great,tho u'll b hard pressed 2 understand a word he is singing live!


he's from my hometown,farnham was born here i think too.
also The BeeGees lived in Adelaide during their younger years & members of AC/DC i think also did.

damn Adelaide rocks

My step-dad used to be a roadie in Australia in the early 70s. I told him about Farnham fronting Queen now and he started laughing. He saw them both on the same day for the first time in 1971.