Queen, Adam Lambert to rock Oscars with live performance

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British rock band Queen will perform live at Sunday's Oscars ceremony, organizers said on Monday, following the blockbuster success of best picture nominee "Bohemian Rhapsody."

"Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? We welcome @QueenWillRock and @adamlambert to this year's Oscars!," the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced on its official Twitter account.

A Twitter screenshot of The Academy's announcement.

The band, whose late frontman Freddie Mercury is the subject of "Bohemian Rhapsody," is now made up of original members Brian May and Roger Taylor with former "American Idol" star Adam Lambert taking on vocals.

"Queen and @adamlambert will ROCK YOU," the band tweeted in response, giving the February 24 date of the Oscars ceremony in Hollywood.

Queen's post and Adam Lambert's post on Twitter.

"Bohemian Rhapsody" has five Academy Award nominations, including a best actor nod for Rami Malek, who takes on the role of Mercury in the film.

Mercury died of AIDS in London in 1991 at the age of 45.

The movie has raked in more than 854 million U.S. dollars at the global box office to become the most successful musical biopic ever.

The biopic also played loud from the beginning of this awards season with the film picking the best film drama award while Malek pocketed the best actor in a motion picture drama at last month's Golden Globes.

Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama for "Bohemian Rhapsody" winner Rami Malek (C) poses with Queen band members Roger Taylor (R) and Brian May (L) during the 76th annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, California, U.S., January 6, 2019. /VCG Photo

The academy did not say what songs Queen would perform or when they would appear on stage during the telecast, which is going ahead without a host for the first time in 30 years.

"Bohemian Rhapsody" is not nominated for its songs or soundtrack, but other musical performances at Sunday's ceremony will include Lady Gaga and actor-director Bradley Cooper singing their Oscar-nominated song "Shallow" from "A Star is Born," while Bette Midler will sing best original song contender "The Place Where Lost Things Go" from the film "Mary Poppins Returns."

(With inputs from Reuters)

(Cover: Adam Lambert (L) and Brian May(R) of Queen perform at the O2 Arena in London, England, July 1, 2018. /VCG Photo)