NEWS OF THE WORLD
Media Appearances, Press Coverage & Industry Recognition
Over the years Supersonic Queen and frontman Phil Copping have appeared on television, radio, in national newspapers and at major cultural events connected with Queen and Freddie Mercury.
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From interviews and exhibition appearances to media coverage and industry recognition, these moments tell the story of a production that has grown far beyond the stage, becoming an active part of the wider Queen community.
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Explore the media appearances, press coverage and memorable encounters that have helped put Supersonic Queen firmly in the spotlight.
WE DON'T JUST PLAY THE MUSIC, WE KEEP THE LEGACY ALIVE
Shared Moments & Industry Connections
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THE HUMAN LEAGUE
Support Act - backstage
TOPLOADER
Support Act - backstage
RICHARD YOUNG
Queen's Photographer
FAYE TOZER
Steps - Social event
JOE PASQUALE
Comedian sees the show
BUCKS FIZZ
Social event
EDDIE HOWELL
Singer-Songwriter - meeting
HARAMI-CHAN
Japanese Pianist & YouTuber
OLIVER BARKER
Sotheby's Event
MIKE MORAN
Songwriter - Social Event
Media Recognition
Television appearances, national press coverage, interviews and independent media features from around the world.
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BBC Radio 5 Live
Phil Copping as Freddie being interviewed by Radio 5 Live in June 2023 regarding the announcement of Sotheby’s Auction of Freddie’s personal effects on 6th September 2023
Metro Online Feature
A lovely article from the Metro in September 2023 talking about the extraordinary atmosphere at the Sotheby’s Evening Auction…
And a great picture of our Freddie – Phil – having his photo taken with fans at the auction
Other mentions for Phil or the band were received from as far away as the US – the US Times Post and Vulture
Metro Newspaper Article
Phil was interviewed by the Metro at Sotheby’s Freddie Auction in September 2023:
“Freddie lookalike Philip Copping (50) said if money was no object he would have loved to bid for the rock legends moustache comb. “I’m probably one of the only buyers who would have actually got some use out of it!” he quipped.
WATCH VIDEO OF PHIL AS FREDDIE AT AUCTION
Phil gets a mention by chief auctioneer Oliver Barker at the Sotheby’s Evening Auction in September 2023
The Independent / Telegraph Newspaper Article
The Independent Newspaper commented:
“In the crowd among the suits, is a Freddie doppelganger. Wearing a wife beater vest, matching skinny jeans and a wonderfully thick moustache, he is the spitting image of the man we’ve all gathered here tonight to honour. (As it turns out, he is Phil Copping, the lead singer of a well- respected tribute band called Supersonic Queen)
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This was also picked up by The Telegraph Newspaper
The Metro News Article
Amongst the audience was Freddie look-alike, Philip Copping, 50, who is the lead in Queen tribute band ‘Supersonic Queen’ and had been hoping to get his hands on the moustache comb.
If money had been no object he said ‘I would probably be one of the only people who would actually get any use out of it, so I would love it.’
He said he had been to visit the exhibition three times and also played at Sotheby’s with his band just over a month ago.
Dressed in white skinny jeans, a white vest, and Adidas trainers and told Metro: ‘I see all of these items as the mortar of Freddie, of all of the parts of his life that we’ve never been able to see before.
‘The books and the music and his lyrics are the bricks, but everything on sale here is the mortar and the insight into what he was really like.’
He added: ‘Sadly there’s no way I can afford anything here but I have learnt so much just being around his items, and getting an insight into his life.
Some of the items up for sale were personal gifts between Freddie and Elton John and the proceeds will go to charity.
‘It has given me a deeper understanding of Freddie so I can go back to what I do everyday and do it with a greater knowledge of the great man.
‘He would have loved this auction, it’s a bit of drama and a bit camp, exactly what he would have wanted.’
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Supersonic Queen
Support The Human League
The band had the pleasure of supporting The Human League at the “Feile an Phobail” Belfast Festival back in August 2022 to an audience of 13,000 people. Phil Oakey is shown here backstage with Phil Copping (Supersonic Queen’s Freddie) signing an autograph. One of their biggest hits, 'Together In Electric Dreams' was our Phil's wedding song, so it was lovely to share stories about this him.
Meeting Joe Pasquale
On seeing Supersonic Queen in 2022, Joe commented “Supersonic Queen are head and shoulders above other Queen Tributes: they have a great energy and sound fantastic – highly recommend you see them!”
Joe Pasquale is a comedian, actor and television presenter. He won the fourth series of I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! in 2004 and participated in the eighth series of Dancing on Ice in 2013. He also hosted the revived version of the game show The Price is Right.
Supersonic Queen support Toploader
On Tuesday 20th June 2023, Supersonic Queen supported the fabulous Toploader (most famous for their best selling hit “Dancing in the Moonnlight”) at the Downing College, Cambridge University Ball
Toploader are a British indie rock band from Eastbourne, UK. The four-piece are made up of lead singer Joseph Washbourn (pictured here with our Freddie Phil Copping), Dan Hipgrave (guitar/vocals), Matt Knight (bass) and Rob Green (drums)
Oliver Barker, Sotheby's
Supersonic Queen were chosen from over 40 Queen Tributes in the UK to work with Sotheby’s for their staff party in July 2023 and as a result of this were asked back for a private tour of the Freddie Mercury Exhibition including some invaluable time alone with the vast collection of 33,000 items time after the public had left. Here is our Freddie Phil Copping pictured with Oliver Barker – Chairman for Sotheby’s Europe.
Watch our interview with 3 key members of Sotheby’s Staff regarding the exhibition
Supersonic Queen meet Faye Tozer from Steps
Faye Tozer has successfully combined a pop career with infamous 90s choreographed band STEPS with her theatre work on notable shows like the incredible “Over The Rainbow – the Eva Cassidy Story” and more recently “42nd Street”. Shown here meeting our Freddie Phil Copping.
Supersonic Queen meet Mike Moran
Towards the end of 2023, Rob had the opportunity to spend some time with the amazing Mike Moran (the creative talent who collaborated with Freddie and helped him hone the masterpieces, such as Barcelona, How Can I Go On and All Gods People.
Rob says that although he was nervous meeting this legend, Mike quickly put him at ease: "We spoke before the show for about 10-15 minutes, about all things Queen, Supersonic Queen, the auction, and the things that he’d notarised... Such a lovely guy!"
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Supersonic Queen meet Harami-Chan
Back in January 2024, we met Harami-Chan (@harami_piano) the famous and amazingly talented pianist, YouTuber and presenter. In her incredibly busy schedule filming in London, she took time out to catch our show… and we invited her to join us onstage - this was filmed by her TV crew and was aired in March on NHK, the Japanese public broadcasting network.
Supersonic Queen meet Richard Young
In January, Phil spent a few hours talking with Queen's photographer, Richard Young. Richard spent years photographing Freddie and the band with unlimited access 'behind the scenes'... his work is equally intimate AND stunning! His first comment when he welcomed Phil into his gallery was "It's Freddie!"... such a warm and interesting gentleman, he spent hours talking about his life and times documenting the band and the personalities that were in the bands orbit. A kindred spirit!
Supersonic Queen meet Bucks Fizz
In November, Phil met the Pop and Eurovision legends, Cheryl Baker and Jay Aston from Bucks Fizz. Now performing as The Fizz with Matthew & Nikk, they still have the magic performing live. Phil's Wife Vicky is a massive fan and they were both invited to see The Fizz at Tonbridge Old Fire Station - a real intimate setting for super-fans from all over the world. Here is Phil camping it up as usual.
Supersonic Queen meet Eddie Howell
In the Summer Phil had the good fortune to meet the legendary singer/songwriter, Eddie Howell, who had worked with Freddie and Brian in the Studio in 1975 on his track 'The Man From Manhattan'... so well known by Queen fans for it's Queen-like production and unmistakable harmonies. They spent the afternoon talking about what it was like to work with Freddie, how the music industry was so different in the 70's, and a shared love of Charlie Chaplin! Check out Eddie's new song honouring Freddie's legacy, here.