Queen tour scheduled for next year

Queen, the British band that rocked the 70s and 80s, are planning a tour next year. Guitarist and vocalist Paul Rodgers will replace legendary frontman Freddie Mercury, who died of Aids in 1991.

Details about what would be the first Queen tour since Mercury's death were being worked out, but it could include shows across Europe beginning in the northern spring.

Rodgers, from 70s blues band Free, impressed the remaining members of Queen when he joined them for several performances this year.

Rodgers and Queen guitarist Brian May performed Free's hit All Right Now at a Royal Albert Hall concert to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Fender Stratocaster guitar this year.

May and Queen drummer Roger Taylor then asked Rodgers to stand in for Mercury when the band was featured on a British TV channel's hall of fame show.

On his website, May said there was "amazing chemistry" with Rodgers.