Photo Credit: Deborah Lea
Born in Leeds but raised in Blackpool, Rob Lea has been touring across the UK and Europe for the past 10 years in one of the worlds biggest Queen Tribute Bands – Majesty. Performing as the legendary Freddie Mercury has given Rob amazing opportunities to perform in front of huge crowds and even compete on the ITV show Starstruck as his idol. Now Rob is ready to step into the limelight as himself with his debut release ‘Reflection’. The single is being released via Nashville record label WBA, whose roster includes John Oats, The Little River Band, Michael Londra and many more talented artists. Rob credits the audiences he’s performed to and the fanbase he’s garnered over the years as the motivation for getting his own music out into the world!
‘Reflection’ is an impassioned piano-led ballad infused with pop sensibilities, showcasing Rob’s emotive and melodic vocals with his own words. An introspective and intimate offering, the song expresses the hidden thoughts felt through depression.
Rob in his own words about the inspiration behind the song:
“Even though we have come a long way in highlighting mental health and wellbeing, we still have a long way to go in breaking down the stigma of feeling anxiety and depression and the need to hide such feelings, especially with Men who have some of the highest suicide rates.”
1. Tell us more about Starstruck. What was the most valuable lesson for you?
I was in a bit of a dilemma when Starstruck came along. On one hand it was an opportunity to finally get in front of a mainstream audience on prime time television, but on the other hand it could go terribly wrong. Not only do I have to live up to the legend that is Freddie Mercury, but I also have to make sure I’m the best Freddie as I’ve been doing it as a career for several years and if I failed, well it could have had a huge impact on my career. That said, it was a quick decision. I’ve never wanted to be a Freddie Tribute all my life, and one thing I’ve learnt over the years of working in this industry is these opportunities don’t come around often.
Starstruck became more than a competition for me. Since a young man I have suffered from crippling anxiety. I would have panic attacks whenever I felt uneasy and religiously threw up before going on stage for years. However, from looking at others that suffer from the same anxiety, I realised it’s something that never leaves you and if you don’t address it, it can consume you. I decided to force my way through life battling against it. It’s made me who I am today. Starstruck was my final challenge. The thought of going on a stage like that when I first suffered from anxiety would send me running, but in that moment performing in front of the nation, I felt invincible and still do now. I would love to show people that have suffered in the same way I have for over a decade that it is possible to control it and it is possible to conquer it.
2. What was the most difficult moment?
Wearing the skimpy thong the costume department gave me from my outfit.
3. How did you manage to imitate Freddie so well?
I’ve been performing as Freddie for years. I can tell you easily I never started that good and even though I had that experience behind me, I didn’t go into this competition thinking I had it in the bag. In fact, I worked harder than I ever have before, re-visiting Freddie’s vocal, studying his on stage persona and researching who the man was off stage. It helps that I trained as an actor at drama school because there is a lot of work creating a character which is not only convincing, but so natural you wouldn’t feel like it’s an imitation. The vocal has always been the hardest as I don’t really have Freddie’s tone, so I have to do a lot to create the space in my mouth and throat to get his sound. I also tried to study how Freddie sang the songs as he did in the studio as I knew that most people when they hear don’t stop me know hear Freddie’s voice as a younger man in the 70s.
Other than that I closed my eyes, crossed my toes and hoped that all that work would come out on the stage when I did it live, whilst trying hard not to get vertigo from hanging on a floating star from the rafters of an aircraft hanger!
4. Tell us more about your debut single and signing
Well I will say, this signing was in the works way before Starstruck. I had been working my arse off to get my music out there and after making a connection through my Queen tribute, I finally got the opportunity to do it. When Starstruck came along it was a no brainer to use the momentum of the show to release the first single.
For me, Reflection isn’t your typical first single. I think people expect an upbeat, catchy song that can be heard on the radio (don’t worry, that’s on its way!). After talking with my label, ultimately he told me to follow my gut and this song was one I had written a few years ago. Whenever I played it to fans at shows, I would always get such a different reaction. It had a lot of meaning to so many and has a lot of meaning to me. With my own battles with anxiety and then facing my work disappearing overnight for nearly two years through the Covid pandemic, I thought there could be a lot out there that can relate to the lyrics. It’s a piece which I hope will resonate and help others, but there’s much more to come. I’m working on a piece which we’re planning to release next which is my “Summer Hit” – in fact it’s called “Summer in the morning” and I’m so excited for people to hear it soon.
5. How do you want your audience to see you and your music?
That’s a difficult question and probably one I wouldn’t want to answer. I wouldn’t want to go out trying to shape the way I’m perceived by an audience, all I can do is give everything that is inside me and Hope others will come along with me on the journey. I’m a product of listening and studying a wide array of music, from Queen to Debussy. I’m also a product of watching and studying iconic performers. Whenever I write a piece of music I always think to myself, “how would this translate in a live show.” I’m all about live performance. Music is digested in such a way these days that it would be near impossible to make any sort of memorable impact from purely releasing music. My music is made to ultimately experience it live. My ambition for my album is to take people on a journey that will allow them to express themselves in every way possible. A lot to live up to, I know! But those who have seen me live know already, you get a lot more than you bargained for!
6. What’s your second most influential artist of all time after Freddie?
Steve Tyler had a big impact on me growing up. Frontmen like Freddie and Steve Tyler fascinated me. The energy of their songs, the theatrical journey of their live shows and everything they gave to their audiences inspired me. These days I try and look for new artists that are not so mainstream but I can see are trying to reach those elements in their music and performances. Mainstream artists like Harry Styles, Adele, Alesia Keys, Florence and the Machine, Pink, are some of many I find those magic ingredients of which I hope to live up to.
