Freddie Mercury Hologram? Queen Drummer Roger Taylor Says No Thanks

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While some might argue that touring with a former "American Idol" contestant as a stand-in is worse than using technical trickery to resurrect a dearly departed frontman, Queen drummer Roger Taylor says he wouldn't play with a hologram Freddie Mercury.

"I don't think I want to," Taylor told Billboard.com, months before embarking on a string of five summer shows that will feature "Idol" runner-up Adam Lambert on vocals. "Were somebody (else) to use a hologram of Freddie, I would have no objection... It just doesn't sit too well with me. I don't want to appear with a hologram of my dear friend. It's the real one or no hologram for me."

Holograms have been the talk of the music industry since last month, when Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg used the technology to perform with late buddy Tupac at Coachella.

Taylor says he and guitarist Brian May -- who, in addition to joining him with Lambert this summer, is helping him to prep the nine-member Queen Extravaganza tribute band for its upcoming run of concerts -- actually thought about using a hologram of Mercury for the musical "We Will Rock You." They later changed their minds.

This summer, the Lambert-fronted Queen will play a total of five shows -- one in Poland, one in Russia and three in London. As for whether the lineup could schedule additional shows, Taylor isn't sure.

"Who knows what might happen," he said. "Brian and I are not the young men we were. We're not as bendy or flexible as we were...We really don't want to commit ourselves to too many things. I'm also committed to the Extravaganza right now."

Watch 'Queen Star Pays Tribute to Mercury'

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