“I’m gonna be singing and playing piano.” says the confident 14 year old standing in front of Howie, Heidi, Sofia and Simon. He is Dylan Zangwill and at his age, already knows his life’s calling.
Simon even asked Dylan about his situation in school, what with people knowing he’s a musician and all. Dylan says he doesn’t like talking about himself and that he’d rather to listen to other people’s work.
His song of choice is what blew everyone away.
Queen’s 1976 hit, “Somebody to love” is reputed to be Freddie Mercury’s favorite song. The gospel style ballad infuses rock with a melancholic singing of a man asking God why he can’t find love.
Singing a Freddie Mercury song is not an easy thing to do.
But Dylan Zangwill sat on the America’s Got Talent stage with his piano and serenaded the audience with his own rendition of the classic.
The native of Exton, Pennsylvania is a guitarist and keyboardist and also writes his own songs. Dylan lists some of his musical influences as David Bowie, Greta Van Fleet and The Beatles.
He was “singing as soon as he could speak,” and picked up the guitar at a Christmas party. Dylan learned all the major and minor chords in a few months and developed the “growl” in his voice at 11 while singing “All You Need Is Love” by The Beatles.
Where Freddie starts this song at a higher pitch with a softer tone, Dylan’s big booming voice gives the Queen hit a different vibe, less gospel and more modern.
But what a voice for a 14 year old!
And he’s singing it all on his own. Just a piano and a kid’s confidence here, whereas Freddie had Brian May, John Deacon and Roger Taylor blending with him. Dylan’s got the judges smiling!
“He’s an old soul. The fact that he’s so humble as a 14 year old he’ll get far in life. He is truly amazing and talented ❤”
Observed a viewer.
Dad is so proud of his son and even Terry Crews can’t help but applaud Zangwill!
Now keep in mind that he had the guts to sing a Queen ballad for his audition. At his age, with his voice, he’s only going to get better. That voice is only going to get smoother and more powerful.
A viewer named Louisa Stoltzfus had a little story to share:
“i don’t wanna be that person, but i competed in a talent show with him in coatesville pa. he sang “house of the rising sun” and won the whole thing!! he shocked us all and i’m so happy to see that he is sharing his gift with more people!! 😁😁”
There you go. Dylan is going places.
This young man has an old soul and the rocker from Pennsylvania got a standing ovation from everyone but Simon. But no matter as we will be seeing more of Zangwill in the future.
Watch Dylan’s incredible audition below!
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