New York, U.S.A. — Eagle Rock Entertainment is proud to announce the September 25 release of the Freddie Mercury DVD and Blu-ray, ‘The Great Pretender.’

Created by the same team behind the widely acclaimed Queen: ‘Days of Our Lives’ BBC documentary, ‘The Great Pretender,’ in similar vein, presents a compelling insight into its subject matter, unearthing previously undiscovered or rarely seen footage and presented for the first time in High Definition.

Produced and directed by Rhys Thomas , life-long Queen fan and expert (to the extent that Rhys famously broke the Mastermind all time record points score with a specialist subject of Queen), Rhys has this time turned his attention to the Freddie archive, going back as early as 1976 in search of vintage gems which reveal more than ever before the inside story of Freddie’s life and career and the solo projects he worked on outside of Queen.

The extensive archive footage is drawn from rare interviews with Freddie, concerts, video shoots and personal material, much of it being seen for the first time, along with newly filmed contributions from fellow Queen members Brian May and Roger Taylor , Queen manager Jim Beach , soprano Montserrat Caballe, composers David Arnold and Mike Moran , lyricist Tim Rice , comedian and lifelong fan Matt Lucas and many more.

From it emerges a portrait of a man who was very different to his flamboyant onstage public persona.

Among the treasures to be anticipated, ‘The Great Pretender’ includes for the first time ever Freddie and Rod Stewart singing their demo for “Take Another Piece of My Heart,” an unreleased song from 1984, a snippet of the unreleased Michael Jackson / Freddie Mercury collaboration “There Must Be More To Life Than This,” and Freddie with the Royal Ballet 1979 – never seen in full before.

Rhys, whose extensive scouting for lost material turned up a copy of the band’s first TV appearance among the belongings of late comedian Dick Emery, brings to the light Freddie’s earliest filmed interview from 1976 unearthed in Australia and another unseen interview from 1976 filmed by NBC in the USA.

Rhys also found 10 cans of Freddie’s 39th Black and White birthday party in Mrs. Henderson’s nightclub in Munich in 1985. Originally filmed for the video for “Living On My Own,” and promptly banned by Freddie’s record company because of its cross-dressing theme, there’s much to be enjoyed in watching Freddie and his friends go full out in their efforts to help Freddie celebrate his last birthday before turning 40.

On top of this, The Great Pretender has a feast of outtakes from the video shoots for “I Want To Break Free,” “One Vision,” “Days of Our Lives,” “I Want It All,” “A Kind Of Magic,” “Princes of the Universe,” “Living on My Own,” Born To Love You,” “Great Pretender,” “Made In Heaven,” and “Who Wants to Live Forever.”

As bonus features [that will not make up part of the version to be broadcast by the BBC] the program includes “Freddie Mercury Goes Solo” and an extended interview with Montserrat Caballe.

Coinciding with the release of ‘The Great Pretender’ DVD will come the release of the new “Barcelona: Special Edition” album with Freddie and Montserrat’s original album re-recorded with full 80 piece orchestra [a feature on the making of this album is included on both formats] and a new book, also entitled The Great Pretender with matching artwork, in September. The Savoy Hotel hosts the second “Freddie For A Day” charity event on September 3 in aid of The Mercury Phoenix Trust – Fighting Aids Worldwide and there is a special premiere of The Great Pretender film at BAFTA on September 6.

Freddie Mercury was one of the most charismatic, complex and fascinating characters in British rock music. A generous, caring, thoughtful man with a self-deprecating sense of humor and a genuine passion for music. Freddie Mercury touched the lives of millions through his career both with Queen and as a solo performer and this new program is sure to delight and inform his legions of fans as never before.

Eagle Rock Entertainment is the largest producer and distributor of music programming for DVD, Blu-Ray, TV, Audio and Digital Media in the world. Eagle works directly alongside talent to produce top quality, High Definition and 3D programs, both concerts and documentaries, including The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, The Who, Queen, The Doors, Jeff Beck, U2, Peter Gabriel, Paul McCartney and Ozzy Osbourne. Eagle is a Grammy Award winning company and has received over 30 multi-platinum, over 50 platinum and over 90 gold discs, worldwide. Eagle Rock Entertainment has offices in London, New York, Toronto, Paris and Hamburg.

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An unparalleled blast from the past, Purple Revolver celebrates 60s and 70s popular culture with a 21st century slant on Saturday, Sept. 15 at Rainbow Lagoon in Long Beach.

A celebration of all things retro, the family-friendly event infuses classic rock, Bohemian fashions and high-performance muscle cars along with premier food trucks, a throwback beer garden, celebrity look-a-likes and a three-acre festival. Stay tuned to www.purple-revolver.com for updates.

Thousands of “hipster” and “millennial” attendees will step back to the future, rubbing elbows with Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley impersonators while soaking up the essence of American pop culture from the era.

The greatest hits from legendary bands like the Rolling Stones, Beach Boys, Eagles, Boston and Bee Gees permeate the venue while nationally recognized Tribute Bands representing the Beatles, Queen and Led Zeppelin rock the Purple Revolver stage.

What’s old is new again as coveted Muscle Cars from the 60s and 70s – Ford Mustang, Chevy Camaroand Dodge Charger – sit alongside today’s popular siblings.  Tricked out Hot Rods, Custom Roadsters, Surf Woodies and famous TV show cars add to the atmosphere.  And paying homage to the original peace & love generation, modern hippy and eco-friendly influences are abundant; among the timeless classics are the mini skirt, bikinis, tie-dye, paisley prints and bell bottoms, all of which are back in vogue today.

A festival unlike anything you’ve ever experienced, the Purple Revolver Karaoke Lounge will challenge even the most hardcore music enthusiasts.  A nostalgic beer garden will pair “blasts from the past” (Budweiser, Pabst Blue Ribbon and Schlitz Malt Liquor) with several of today’s top craft brews while Gourmet Food Trucks will serve popular retro fare.

And helping fuel this unique retro revolution are several important Pop Culture anniversaries including the 50th of James Bond, the Beach Boys and Marilyn Monroe’s death.

Purple Revolver tickets will be on sale in May with proceeds benefitting several Long Beach charities and First Responders. The event is produced by MKM, a Huntington Beach-based active lifestyle firm.  Among the company’s premier properties are “Boardfest,” “Taste of Brews” and the forthcoming “Chocolate and Cordials.”  Purple Revolver updates are available at www.facebook.com/purple-revolver.

Image Courtesy of   http://www.flickr.com/photos/heiner1947/

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On March 20, Britain’s Parliament presented Queen Elizabeth II with ‘humble addresses’ to mark the 60th anniversary of her accession to the throne.

Humble addresses are the traditional means by which Parliament communicates with the Sovereign. In most cases, these are mundane affairs that take place without much ceremony. But since this was a special occasion, both Houses assembled in their entirety to hear their respective Speakers present their addresses.

Upon arriving at the Palace of Westminster, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh were met by a host of dignitaries, including the Lord Great Chamberlain, the Lord Speaker, and the Speaker of the House of Commons. Both Speakers wore elaborate black silk robes adorned with gold lace and decorations.

But while the Lord Speaker, Baroness D’Souza, opted to wear traditional court dress (including knee breeches and tights) underneath it all, the Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow chose to wear morning dress with a green House of Commons tie.

In addition to her husband, the Queen was accompanied by a number of courtiers, including the Countess of Airlie (one of her Ladies-in-Waiting), Colonel Dan Rex (her Equerry-in-Waiting), and Sir Christopher Geidt (her Private Secretary). Led by the Lord Great Chamberlain and his white wand of office, the royal party made its way into Westminster Hall, which is the oldest portion of the Palace of Westminster.

Because the House of Lords is technically the senior house, the Lord Speaker addressed the Queen first. “You have personified continuity and stability while ensuring that Your role has evolved imperceptibly, with the result that the Monarchy is as integral a part of our national life today as it was 60 years ago,” she said.

“We rejoice in this Jubilee and we give thanks for all that it represents,” she continued.

The Speaker of the House of Commons spoke next. “If, as Gandhi asserted, ‘the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others,’ then Your Majesty must have found Yourself countless times over the past six decades.”

“You have dedicated Your life to others.  The daily example that You set, mirrored by our courageous armed forces of which You are Commander-in-Chief, is extraordinary,” he said.

Bercow, who has long been an avid supporter of gay rights, spoke of how Britain was “a land where men and women today are equal under the law and where Your people are respected, regardless of how they live, how they look or how they love.”

He went on to call Her Majesty “a kaleidoscope Queen of a kaleidoscope country in a kaleidoscope Commonwealth,” much to the apparent annoyance of Prime Minister David Cameron, who scowled at the Speaker.

When Bercow had finished speaking, the Queen thanked her Parliament for their addresses. In doing so, she paid tribute to her husband’s tireless support, saying “Prince Philip is, I believe, well-known for declining compliments of any kind. But throughout he has been a constant strength and guide.”

Referring to the elaborate stained-glass window that had been commissioned to mark her Diamond Jubilee, she mentioned that “the happy relationship I have enjoyed with Parliament has extended well beyond the more than three and a half thousand Bills I have signed into law. I am therefore very touched by the magnificent gift before me, generously subscribed by many of you. Should this beautiful window cause just a little extra color to shine down upon this ancient place, I should gladly settle for that.”

“We are reminded here of our past, of the continuity of our national story and the virtues of resilience, ingenuity and tolerance which created it. I have been privileged to witness some of that history and, with the support of my family, rededicate myself to the service of our great country and its people now and in the years to come,” she concluded.

Image Courtesy of  Zoran Karapancev / Shutterstock.com

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In its second season, the Dayton Philharmonic’s Rockin’ Orchestra Series is playing to sold-out houses at the Schuster Performing Arts Center in Downtown Dayton, Ohio . The Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra (DPO) is the first American orchestra to package rock-with-orchestra-based music into a season subscription series. The innovation has proven to be quite successful.

Both of the first series dates for the current season (Three Dog Night, 11/12/11 and Music of Pink Floyd, 2/9/12) packed the 2,300 seat Mead Theatre with excited music fans.

The latest offering in the 2011-2012 series, ”The Music of Queen: A Rock and Symphonic Spectacular,” is set for Saturday, March 10, 2012 at 8:00 p.m. - with a 3:00 matinee performance just added for the same date.

Rock ‘n roll veterans will join a DPO complement of over fifty musicians to present two dozen of the legendary group’s hits including We are the Champions, Radio Gaga, Fat Bottomed Girls, Somebody to Love, Another One Bites the Dust, and Bohemian Rhapsody. Tickets are available at the DPO website or (888) 228-3630.

“Initially created as a ‘pops’ format for boomers, the Rockin’ series is attracting music fans of all ages. Much of the rock ‘n roll canon is a great fit with the orchestral setting. This series boldly melds the two into something new,” says DPO Marketing Director David Bukvic .

The DPO welcomes four top vocalists, six rock instrumentalists and conductor Richard Sidwell for this engagement. All have earned their stripes in London’s famous musical We Will Rock You written by Ben Elton in collaboration with Queen members Brian May and Roger Taylor . Featured vocalists are Sean Jenness , Justin Sargent, Jenna Lee James and Rachael Wooding . Collectively, they boast top theatrical credits for everything from Sleeping Beauty to Boogie Nights.

Boost Rewards , concert sponsor, has a few treats in store for concertgoers.

Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra is the largest performing arts organization in the Dayton region, performing six series and six specials per season, and headed by Music Director Neal Gittleman. Location: 109 North Main St., #200, Dayton, Ohio 45402.

Image Courtesy of   https://www.facebook.com/daytonphilharmonic

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The Royal Wedding captured the attention of billions, whether they were esteemed guests flying in or viewers watching from their homes. In an event so grandiose, its environmental impact often goes unnoticed as the attention is drawn toward the lavish fashions and ceremony. Indeed, the magnitude of the wedding’s carbon footprint remained somewhat of an afterthought.

Prince Charles is a known environmentalist, so every measure was taken to ensure a high level of “greenness” at the wedding. All of the flowers were seasonal and grown in the UK. Only local, organic food was served. All documents on were printed on recycled paper. William and Kate even asked that in lieu of gifts their guests make a donation to an environmental nonprofit. However, they still managed to release over 6,700 tons of carbon emissions.

However, one wonders how unavoidable it is to have such a large carbon footprint at a gathering of this size. Their guest list stretched to 1,900 VIPs worldwide, so the fuel from their round trip flights counted for much of the emissions. Add that to the millions of people watching it on television or perhaps listening to it the radio, plus the emissions from present media sources, and that is a hefty amount. Had the royal family not taken those steps to cut down their carbon footprint, it could have been much larger than 6,700 tons. Of course William and Kate could have chosen to have a simple wedding with a limited guest list, but they are royalty and as such their lives are surrounded by pomp and circumstance. And there’s nothing wrong with that, to be sure – but I think that the lesson everyone can learn from this is that the greater the event, the larger the environmental impact.

waynehowes / Shutterstock.com

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