Meet Marc Martel, the extraordinary musician hailing from Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Born in November 1976, Martel’s musical journey began as a Canadian rock artist. Growing up in Canada to parents Barbara Beresford Martel and Michel Martel, he attended Briercrest College in Saskatchewan.
In 1999, Martel co-founded his first band, Downhere, with his roommate and friend Jason Germain. But it wasn’t until Martel’s solo performances that his talent truly shone. With a vocal range and tone reminiscent of the legendary Freddie Mercury from Queen, Martel’s uncanny ability to emulate Mercury’s vocals has captivated audiences worldwide.
Martel’s Queen covers on YouTube have garnered millions of views and garnered praise from astonished Queen fans. His meticulous attention to detail, mastering the nuances and subtleties of Mercury’s performances, elevates his renditions to new heights of excellence.
In 2011, Martel seized the opportunity to join The Queen Extravaganza, an official Queen tribute band project alongside Roger Taylor, Queen’s original drummer. His rendition of “Somebody To Love” quickly went viral, amassing over a million views in just days.
Martel’s association with Queen didn’t end there. In 2018, he contributed vocals to the biographical film “Bohemian Rhapsody,” stepping in for Rami Malek, who portrayed Freddie Mercury. The film’s producer, Graham King, praised Martel’s vocal prowess, stating that his recordings, alongside Queen’s master tapes, contributed significantly to the film’s singing scenes.
Martel’s striking resemblance to Mercury’s voice caught the attention of Queen’s Brian May and Roger Taylor, affirming his status as a worthy successor to Mercury’s iconic vocals. With Martel’s contributions, Queen’s legacy lives on, captivating audiences old and new with his remarkable talent.