Long Live the Queen

Over the decades, several bands have left their mark on popular culture, their music reverberating for generations afterward. One such band is Queen and their late frontman Freddy Mercury.

On May 17, the Fat Bottom Boys, a Queen tribute band from Denver, Colorado, performed a number of the band’s classic hits at the Parco-Sinclair Historical Theatre.

The Fat Bottom Boys first performed as a Queen tribute band at Cheers, a bar in Northglenn, Colorado. People loved their performance and they eventually decided to travel

Patrick Knaubert, lead vocal and guitar for the Fat Bottom Boys, said he joined the band when he met guitar producer Anthony A-man on Facebook. He said A-man was looking for a lead singer and he responded.

“About two and a half years ago, I found Anthony and the rest of the band on Facebook,” Knaubert said. “They were looking for a new singer and I contacted them. We got together and started as a blues jam band. We had some success with a couple of Queen covers and that’s how we started.”

Knaubert has been involved in music from a young age, growing up in a musical family. Then, in college, he performed with several bands.

“I am a son of a pastor and a teacher, “ Knauber said. “My four siblings—two brothers and two sisters—and I would sing special music at church all the time. I have been singing since I was five years old. I have been in a couple of bands in college and studied music. I would sing at cathedrals and choirs. I played in four different bands before I joined Fat Bottom Boys.”

A-man is from Russia and has lived in Colorado for over 25 years.

“My mom dreamed that one day I would play a musical instrument,” A-man said. “When I was in high school I also attended a musical school and played in several bands in Russia. One of the bands I played for in Russia I have been with for 15 years.”

Bass player Steve Bailey said music has been a big part of his life. He said he learned to play different musical instruments in a school band.

“I have been in music all my life,” Bailey said. “ I learned to play the piano and keyboard in the 1st and 2nd grade. I played those instruments until I could play in a school band. They did not have any keyboard players in the band so I picked up a baritone and trombone and played them throughout high school.”

Bailey said, after high school, he wanted to continue in music. He found interest in playing rock music but noticed most rock bands did not play the baritone so I decided to do something different in music.

“Once I became a young adult I wanted to pursue my music further and rock music became my interest. I figured out that most rock bands did not have baritone players. So, at that point, I already knew how to play the bass side of music. I immediately picked up the bass guitar. Once I started playing the bass guitar, it became my favorite instrument.

Bailey said Fat Bottom Boys is the seventh band he has played in. He said moving to Colorado has taken his music career on a great adventure.

“I moved to Colorado about 14 years ago,” Bailey said. “Fat Bottom Boys became the seventh band I have joined and I became a full-time band member. It is the only band I have been with since I moved.”

Bailey said he has done a little of everything since he has been a musician

“I have played every type of music and every place you could imagine, “ Bailey said. “From tiny bars, large corporate events, and wedding receptions to birthday parties and people’s backyards. I have done all kinds of music with different audiences.”

Bailey said performing at wedding receptions is his favorite because it brings smiles and happiness to his audience.

“Wedding receptions have the best audience,” Bailey said. “It is because everyone is happy to be there and eating a great meal. People get free drinks and have a great time on the dance floor. This makes it a fun environment to perform in especially when people appreciate the music you play.”

Larisa Gorodinski, keyboardist, said she started playing music at a young age. She credits her mother for helping her develop an interest in playing the keyboard.

“I started to learn how to play music when I was 6 years old,” Gorodinski said. “ My mother also loved music, especially jazz and she put me and my sister into music school. “

Gorodinksi said when she lived in Moscow (Russia), She played music in college and played in a band. Gorodinksil would later move to Colorado.

“I played with other bands in Moscow in college,” Gorodinksi said. “When I moved to Colorado, I worked as a piano teacher and played at a church. Anthony invited me to become the piano player for the Fat Bottom Boys and try their music.”