10-09-2004 – Blabbermouth – Hollywood Rockwalk Induction

Surviving QUEEN members Brian May and Roger Taylor were inducted into Hollywood’s RockWalk on Wednesday (Sept. 8) following the Las Vegas premiere of the musical “We Will Rock You”, a rock theatrical stage show featuring 20 of QUEEN’s greatest hits. Their handprints will be placed in cement along with a special plaque in memory of late QUEEN vocalist Freddie Mercury, who died in 1991 following a battle with AIDS. Check out photos of the induction ceremony from Wire Image.

The official opening performance of “We Will Rock You” at Paris Las Vegas was attended by a number of rock legends, including Steve Vai, Kevin DuBrow (QUIET RIOT), Nuno Bettencourt (EXTREME), Glenn Hughes (DEEP PURPLE, BLACK SABBATH) and Eric Singer (KISS). Also in attendance was co-producer Robert De Niro.

Following the premiere (Wire Image, Film Magic), a VIP post-party was held on the Paris Las Vegas pool deck where May and Taylor gave an electrifying performance of rock favorites with principal cast members and several of the attending musicians including Meat Loaf, Vai, Bettencourt, Chad Smith (RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS), Hughes, Simon Phillips (TOTO) and Steve Lukather (TOTO).

The “We Will Rock You” production has been playing to sold-out shows since 2002 in London and will open in Toronto in 2005. The extended engagement at Paris Las Vegas marks the first run of the show in North America and the first time a musical of this caliber will debut in Las Vegas.