If get this right, there will be many cover versions by future bands. I shall try and link live versions if they exist from the tellybox or a film, the sound quality may not be the best, but there is nothing like watching a real talent live.
Let the haters hate, but Queen have been, indeed with Adam Lambert, still are one of the greatest bands ever.
Queen are a British rock band formed in London in 1970. Their classic line-up was Freddie Mercury (lead vocals, piano), Brian May (guitar, vocals), Roger Taylor (drums, vocals) and John Deacon (bass). Their earliest works were influenced by progressive rock, hard rock and heavy metal, but the band gradually ventured into more conventional and radio-friendly works by incorporating further styles, such as arena rock and pop rock.
Before forming Queen, May and Taylor had played together in the band Smile. Mercury was a fan of Smile and encouraged them to experiment with more elaborate stage and recording techniques. He joined in 1970 and suggested the name “Queen”. Deacon was recruited in February 1971, before the band released their eponymous debut album in 1973. Queen first charted in the UK with their second album, Queen II, in 1974. Sheer Heart Attack later that year and A Night at the Opera in 1975 brought them international success. The latter featured “Bohemian Rhapsody“, which stayed at number one in the UK for nine weeks and helped popularise the music video format.
The band’s 1977 album News of the World contained “We Will Rock You” and “We Are the Champions“, which have become anthems at sporting events. By the early 1980s, Queen were one of the biggest stadium rock bands in the world. “Another One Bites the Dust” from The Game (1980) became their best-selling single, while their 1981 compilation album Greatest Hits is the best-selling album in the UK and is certified nine times platinum in the US. Their performance at the 1985 Live Aid concert is ranked among the greatest in rock history by various publications. In August 1986, Mercury gave his last performance with Queen at Knebworth, England. In 1991, he died of bronchopneumonia—a complication of AIDS. Deacon retired in 1997. Since 2004, May and Taylor have toured under the “Queen +” name with vocalists Paul Rodgers and Adam Lambert.
Queen have been a global presence in popular culture for more than four decades. Estimates of their record sales range from 170 million to 300 million, making them one of the world’s best-selling music artists. In 1990, Queen received the Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to British Music. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001, and with each member having composed hit singles all four were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2003. In 2005 they received the Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding Song Collection from the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers, and Authors, and in 2018 they were presented the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
Seven Seas of Rhye (Live 1974) – I first head this and I just knew they would be huge,
Killer Queen (Top Of The Pops, 1974) – super performance
Now I’m Here (Live at the Hammersmith Odeon, 1975)
You’re My Best Friend (Live at Earls Court 1977)
Somebody To Love (Live at Milton Keynes Bowl, 1982)
We Are The Champions (Live Aid 1985) – Another from Live Aid, to my mind the greatest performance of any live band.
Fat Bottom Girls – Milton Keynes 1982 – Great song, great performance.
Don’t Stop Me Now – great tune. Of note is how Freddy can stand up, playing the piano and singing into the microphone. A true class act.
Love of My Life (Live at Wembley -1986) – lovely
Crazy Little Thing Called Love (Official Video)
Radio Ga Ga (Live At Wembley Stadium, Friday 11 July 1986)
A Kind of Magic (Live In Budapest 1986)
There are many more great tunes and classics from this wonderful band. In addition to Bo Rap another of my favourites is this: Under Pressure (First Time Ever Live)
Singalong, enjoy and be happy!
Links to previous Legend articles:
Featured image: “Queen Greatest Hits (Remaster 2011)” by Brett Jordan is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
© Phil the ex test manager 2022
