Following the great success of the inaugural Born Free Tour in 2012, legendary Queen guitarist Brian May and singing sensation Kerry Ellis are teaming up again for a second Born Free Tour with a further 10 shows all performed by candlelight at venues around the U.K. and Ireland and which will visit Liverpool on Sunday 23rd June.
This much-requested return by Brian May and Kerry Ellis to the stage presents the U.K. with a rare opportunity to witness one of the world’s greatest ever guitar players performing in a close-up situation, paired with the uniquely powerful voice of Britain’s newest First Lady of song. It adds up to a magical evening of music performed in aid of the Born Free Foundation.
Kerry Ellis was the creator of the role of Meat in Queen’s Rock theatrical, We Will Rock You and went on to become a sensation on both sides of the Atlantic starring as the Green Witch in the musical Wicked. Throughout this time, Brian May and Kerry Ellis maintained a special musical partnership, with May producing the fine Ellis debut album Anthems in 2010. Their first tour of this material played 12 successful dates around the U.K. in 2011, including two sold-out nights at London’s Albert Hall, for which Kerry won the Best Solo Performance award from Whatsonstage.com. The two then returned to the road with the eagerly anticipated Born Free Tour in November last year, a triumphant 11 date national tour which has paved the way for this second outing.
Born Free is a global organisation which works to protect and conserve threatened species, particularly Africa’s magnificent Lions which are now in serious decline across much the continent. Kerry and Brian were moved by the work of the Born Free Foundation after a visit to the Shamwari game reserve and rescue centre in South Africa. Having already recorded a version of Oscar-winning song Born Free, the duo made the decision to release the track as a single, pledging all proceeds to the foundation. Recently Ellis and May signed up for the launch of Born Free’s campaign to save the tiger in a special event at London’s St. Pancras Station.
The Born Free Tour once again promises an intimate and exceptional evening of acoustic music, including stripped down versions of Queen classics alongside a number of Brian and Kerry’s personal favourite songs, showcasing Kerry’s extraordinary voice with Brian accompanying her on both guitar and vocals.
The tour will take in venues such as the Bournemouth Pavilion, Birmingham’s Town Hall and the Salford Lowry.
Brian May said, “Although life has taken me into so many new areas recently, music is still what makes me tick – the greatest joy. And Ms Ellis is the perfect band member. I’m grateful for the opportunity to bring this show to a wider audience. I’m already working on hardening up the finger ends!”
Kerry Ellis added, “I am so excited to be taking Born Free out again with Brian, the audience reactions were so special on the first tour I can’t wait to see what happens next. I’m so fortunate to love what I do and to able to perform for a good cause, whilst spreading the Born Free word, is even better.”
Kerry and Brian have performed together to wide acclaim on a number of occasions over the last few years. Preceding the Anthems and Born Free tours, they stole the show when they performed together at the Royal Variety Show in 2008 and at the B.B.C. Proms in the Park and at 2010’s The Night of 1000 Voices. Along with T.V. appearances, they also memorably opened the Remembrance Day concert at the Royal Albert Hall in 2010.
When they lat performed in Liverpool they bought the roof down, a very special night which they are sure to repeat.
Tickets for Kerry Ellis and Brian May’s Born Free night at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall on Sunday 23rd June are available from the Box office, the Credit Card Hotline on 0844 758 758 or visit www.ticketzone.co.uk. Tickets are priced at £39 for all venues in the U.K.