For Paul Rodgers, singing in 1970s super-group Free just wasn't enough.

After the band's demise in 1973, three years after their hit All Right Now, the vocalist went on to form another chart-topping band, Bad Company, and the rest of the 1980s saw a successful solo career as well as teaming up with Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page in The Firm.

It's an impressive CV, but will it be enough to fill the shoes of one of the music world's most famous frontmen? Rodgers is hoping to fill the gap left by Freddie Mercury by lending his world famous vocals to Queen.

With Rodgers' bluesy no-frills approach to performing, it might seem an unlikely union, but with a new album and a UK tour, fans can judge for themselves.

"It started when Brian May asked me if I'd like to sing with them on a couple of European shows, as Queen + Paul Rodgers, just for a bit of fun," he says. "A couple
of shows back in 2004 turned into a full-blown European tour, which then developed into a worldwide tour. It's taken on its own momentum."

Since then, Queen + Paul Rodgers have toured the world, all the while readying themselves for perhaps the biggest challenge – recording new music. The Cosmos Rocks was recorded over the "best part of two years" and sees a slight change in direction from the Queen we all know and love.

"No one is trying to take Freddie's place, no one ever could. I accept that," says Paul. "He was a great singer, great performer and great songwriter, and I wouldn't attempt to impersonate him.

"The most important thing for me is the music, it always has been."


Queen + Paul Rodgers, Sheffield Arena, Oct 19. 0114 256 5656. www.sheffieldarena.com