Courtney Murphy was an Australian Idol finalist, so not your usual addition here.
However, apparently, Courtney is a big Queen fan, and via his fan site, asked to be put on the stage of champions.
So, here you go: link
It's very cool hearing Queen performed in these idol shows. I really like this version. Backing band sounds great too.
I kind of think the same thing about this as I do about idol here in the US - you can tell the finalists under normal circumstances are really, really good but they're under so much pressure to be perfect and so damn nervous competing that they don't sing their best.
. . . but this definitely good.
Apparently he met Roger and Brian at the opening of the Sydney show and there was something mentioned about Sleeping on the Sidewalk. He's a big fan of Queen. He did bleedin' well to get to that rather high note at the end.
And, he's from Perth! Yay!
Keep in mind they have to adhere to the forty quillion advertisements, Mark Holden (judge) jumping off his seat and saying 'TOUCHDOWN!' with the audience going nuts, Ian Dickson commenting that 'this song really didn't suit you and I'm not pleased' and Marcia Hines sitting on the fence. Ugh.
The Final 12 (or maybe it was 6) did a rendition of Another One Bites the Dust which was alright. Except there was no vroooooooom or reverse pianos. Ants.
AOBTD sucked on Idol. And the guitar solo in Somebody to Love is actually there - just in the last verse, hidden by the singer.
Great stuff. I can't believe he came 3rd. If you've heard the two that beat him you'd know what I mean.
As most Queen fan sites will know I am a total Queen Fanatic (although over the years I've gone under numerous nicks) I loved Courtney's rendition of Somebody To Love and yes mass advertising during the course of the show did play a big part in full versions of the songs being shortened.
Courtney is indeed a massive Queen fan and did meet Brian and Roger personally which was one of his highlights. I must admit that he was unaware that I had submitted the song for the Stage Of Champions as I didn't want to give false hope and of course when it did go up and he was told yesterday he was totally rapt! Thank you Richard.
I will also admit that I'm an ex south African who had the great pleasure of seeing Queen perform live at Sun City back in the early 80's whilst I was employed there and got to meet each member of the band. They gave all the casino staff a party where they footed the entire booze bill and even allowed our wannabe hopefuls to jam with them! It was one of the most amazing experiences in my life and they were so down to earth considering their fame! Ah, Memory Lane...