British rock band Queen will open this weekend's Oscars, ending the mystery over how the telecast would begin without a traditional host.
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The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced on Tuesday that Queen would be among the performers at the February 24 ceremony in Hollywood, but did not say when the band would take the stage.
A representative for Queen duly said the band "are opening the show".
The Oscars ceremony is to go ahead without a host and an opening monologue for the first time in 30 years after the withdrawal last year of comedian Kevin Hart because of past homophobic tweets.
Queen and its late frontman, Freddie Mercury, are the subject of Oscar-nominated best picture "Bohemian Rhapsody."
The current line-up includes original members Brian May on guitar and Roger Taylor on drums, with former "American Idol" star Adam Lambert on vocals.
"Bohemian Rhapsody" has taken in more than $854 million at the global box office to become the most successful musical biopic ever.
Australian Associated Press
