5 Seconds of Summer have covered Queen’s ‘Killer Queen’ to honor Freddie Mercury and raise funds for the Mercury Phoenix Trust fighting AIDS worldwide.
Says 5SOS, “Queen have been such a massive influence on us as a band. Their unique harmonies, the fluidity to their songwriting and how they each used their own musicality to back each other up have always inspired us. We chose to cover, ‘Killer Queen’ because we kept hearing it while writing our third album, Youngblood and were so enamored by the production and their early realisation of the minimalist approach to the track. For us, the exploration of individual vocalists in a band is incredibly important and Queen helped us to see the future of how we want to sing, in addition to how we play our instruments. As a pioneer of individuality, Freddie taught us what it means to embrace the idea of truly being yourself and that’s a part of Queen that lives on in their music now, more than ever.”
Queen manager Jim Beach said, “Everyone at the Mercury Phoenix Trust is thrilled that 5 Seconds of Summer have joined our global campaign fighting AIDS in celebration of the movie Bohemian Rhapsody. Thank you 5SOS for giving us such an impeccable version of Freddie’s classic Killer Queen.”
About The Mercury Phoenix Trust
Following the moving and hugely successful Tribute Concert in 1992, Brian May, Roger Taylor and Jim Beach set up The Mercury Phoenix Trust (MPT) in memory of the iconic Freddie Mercury who died from AIDS related causes in 1991. The Trust is a core part of rock band Queen and Freddie’s legacy, with the passion and power behind the music forming the bedrock of the MPT. The MPT has reached millions in the fight against HIV/AIDS worldwide, providing USD17 million to over 1,000 projects in 56 countries. The MPT predominantly funds smaller organisations it assesses and vets as they effectively work at grassroots level, where governments, larger NGOs and markets don’t often reach. Through grassroots movements, events and social media, the MPT provides a platform for the voice of youth to be heard. It also provides a way in which Freddie’s devoted followers and new generations of fans can celebrate his life, keeping Freddie’s memory powerfully alive. With an estimated 36.9 million people living with HIV/AIDS and 1.8 million more becoming newly infected with HIV in 2017 alone, the battle is far from over making the work of the MPT and its global partners all the more essential. For more information on the organization please visit: http://www.mercuryphoenixtrust.com
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