QUEEN Discography- MONTREAL '81 in theaters near you

[DragonAttack]

DragonAttack, I just want to say Thanks for this amazing discography.  I haven't commented a lot, usually because I'm left speechless by all the info being absorbed.  I love a good chronological deep dive into a band's history.  I want the dirt, all the dirt.

When you did the Jethro Tull discography (and I again send out one big 'thank you'),  that made me dig through the dirt for concerts, as well as the education of their higher total of sales and Gold and Platinum certifications in North America compared to the UK.  It also got me through the first year of the pandemic.

Sears?  I'm 99% sure I went to one in Kalamazoo in '87.  That was to pick up U2 tickets for the next day at the Pontiac Silverdome.  I was renting an apartment at the time, so I didn't buy any appliances.

QUEEN's First EP

Released:  May ’77, UK (EMI)

Charts:  UK #17 

Side One
Good Old-Fashioned Lover Boy / Death on Two Legs (Dedicated to...)

Side Two
Tenement Funster / White Queen (As It Began)

GOFLB VIDEO from 'Top Of The Pops'   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PI3LAgGBxqU  32 MILLION Views


my wife's copy

Inserted here for a couple of reasons.  One, to show one of the reasons why I love my wife   Also... performing their last North American ADATR show in Edmonton, Queen take a six week break before a very short one month European and UK tour.  Their one and only EP was released at the time.  Only 'Tenement Funster' from the EP would not be performed on that tour. 

Also, the Top of the Pops performance audio version was included as part of the 2011 reissue bonus disc.  I had heard it years before, but it was great to have a nice clean version, though it is in mono.  Roger does the Mike Stone 'hey boy where'd you get it from' line, a few BVs are not included, and Brian's instrumental is more 'raw' (and, thank goodness, his fingernails were clean )  Plus, it's always a pleasure to see them during this era.

[Stadler]

DragonAttack, I just want to say Thanks for this amazing discography.  I haven't commented a lot, usually because I'm left speechless by all the info being absorbed.  I love a good chronological deep dive into a band's history.  I want the dirt, all the dirt.

Amen, brother! As I also enjoyed your Jethro Tull thread.

I really wish more people would take advantage of these discography threads.

I know I'm a man of few words and even fewer in these threads, but I for one LOVE them.  I know enough about the bands in question that I don't necessarily need the track lists and what not, so I'm going deeper, but I love the trivia that my friends and colleagues here know.  So I'm a fan and I'm pretty impressed!   

A good example: I had no idea Queen used Elvis' plane for a tour; I knew Freddie was a big Elvis fan, and so am I, so it's a nice confluence. I've been on the Lisa Marie (it's on display at Graceland) and it's a nice adder to the lore.

[DragonAttack]

We walked on the plane and, of course toured Graceland two days after Dream Theater last played in Baltimore in '19.  DT performed at The Soundstage a couple of days later! 

If I'd only known ahead of time.....

(oh, and talk about 'excess' in regards to the Graceland house )

[DTwwbwMP]

     

Cheap Trick opened a few shows.  Meanwhile, Thin Lizzy were promoting their latest album, "Johnny The Fox". The North American leg of the their tour was supposed to begin in late November 1976, but guitarist Brian Robertson injured his hand during a fight, which led to it being postponed to January 1977. Guitarist Gary Moore stood in for Robertson.  And, as fate would have it, arrangements were made to be the warmup act for a certain British band.

Queen set out on their fourth tour of the States, once again in the winter. This would often have an effect on Freddie’s voice (as well as transporting equipment and themselves), and four California concerts were cancelled or rescheduled due his vocal problems. He often had issues hitting the high ranges throughout, his voice ‘cracks’ at times, and yet….I’ll bet no one in the audience those nights noticed (and we harp on JLB in his fifties!  )

"Part of the American leg of that tour involved the bands use of a very special plane. The plane that was originally booked was found not to be airworthy, and so a substitute was rented at very short notice from a very special place. The Lisa Marie was furnished by the Elvis Presley Organisation and we used this delightful personalised jet for several weeks. It was the closest Freddie ever got to meeting Elvis. It would have been his dream come true. At a later date, Lisa Marie actually gave Freddie a scarf which had once belonged to her father." queenlive.ca
(my wife and I were on it three years ago…..)

Queen are still playing occasional 8000 seat arenas (sold out!), but often in the largest available venues, such as Detroit’s Cobo Arena, the Boston Garden, Vancouver’s Pacific Coliseum, the Omni in Atlanta, and two nights each at The Forum in Inglewood and Madison Square Garden.

Five very good songs have been dropped on this tour: ‘Flick Of The Wrist’, ‘The March of the Black Queen’, ‘Seven Seas Of Rhye’, the surprisingly great rendition of ‘Doing Alright’, the fun and short ‘Lazing On A Sunday Afternoon’ and the first half of ‘The Prophet’s Song’. 
 
The setlist is beginning to change into what we would become familiar with for the rest of their career.  Two songs are added that would remain concert staples, while a third transformed into its current form.

The taped intro of ‘A Day at the Races’ plays to a darkened arena. Brian then plays the familiar opening riff before the lights and flash pods explode to
‘Tie Your Mother Down’.  Once again, 'Never miss the beginning of a Queen concert!....  and this was one of their best.  The familiar to some ‘Ogre Battle’ and ‘White Queen’ follow.  Even if you have tired of these by now, those seeing the band for the first time certainly enjoyed them (just listen to the Boston and NYC crowd reactions).  ‘Somebody To Love’, which they were very hesitant in performing, worked out damn well in concert.  The medley really works well , and ‘The Millionaire Waltz’ fits in quite nicely. 

The singalong ‘’39’ is great for its unique fun, and then just Freddie and piano for the ‘main’ part of ‘You Take Me Breath Away’. And his performance took away mine!

‘White Man’ is very faithful to the album version, and then the very odd vocal improv hystrionics.  Captivating in person, with Freddie under the spotlight, but it is certainly not ear candy. This leads right into the ending of ‘The Prophet’s Song’.

The major change follows:  ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ in its now familiar and forever form (other than ‘Live Aid’).

And then the reminders that they are a rock band, but still with the Queen touch, with ‘Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting)’ finding its way into the rock ‘n roll medley encore for some shows.

Sadly, there is absolutely NO available professionally filmed footage of this tour, just a few snippets from not so good views, such as San Francisco, March ’77    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7X490TGpnS4

typical set list:  Overture / Tie Your Mother Down / Ogre Battle / White Queen / Somebody to Love /  Medley: Killer Queen : The Millionaire Waltz : You're My Best Friend / Bring Back That Leroy Brown / Sweet Lady /   Brighton Rock / ' 39 / You Take My Breath Away /  White Man / Vocal Improv /  The Prophet's Song /   Bohemian Rhapsody /  Stone Cold Crazy /  Keep Yourself Alive / Liar / In The Lap Of The Gods…revisited   Encores:  Now I’m Here / Big Spender /   Jailhouse Rock /

Uploaded less than two months ago
Dane County Coliseum, Madison, Wisconsin, January 14th, 1977   Attendance: 10,000      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKV3Ezg0jdM    Quality: B-(incomplete, cuts out during ‘Liar’)  The volume goes up and down often, but it is the first available live recording of 'Somebody To Love'

 

The Kalamazoo Gazette's harsh review on   https://www.queenlive.ca/ Select a year '77  submitted by yours truly. The picture below is from
the Kalamazoo Airport 


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LcbMcAcm24   30 seconds of big spender

Of note was a great Thin Lizzy performance in Toledo, followed by half of the Queen concert, before the taper's batteries ran out.  Sadly, I the link was pulled in the last year.
 ************************************
Richfield Coliseum, Richfield, Ohio, January 23rd, 1977   Attendance: 20,270   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WYe2LfhNds     Quality: C+ to me
‘It’s good to be here in  Cleveland, the nasty Queenies are back’.  One of the last times Freddie would utter that phrase.  It is missing most of the ending from ‘Lap…’ onwards. Of note is that it is the first available North American soundboard concert, and was the first available NA concert up until two months ago.

********************
Cole Fieldhouse, College Park, Maryland  February 4th  Attendance: 14,000   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OK2-v5UI7y0  incomplete Grade:  C+
Their last university arena performance, now just down the road from me. 
I paid $20 for this subpar incomplete show over twenty years ago……
**********************************
If you care to recreate one of these evenings, here's the Thin Lizzy concert from February 6th. 
 https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=thin+lizzy+nassau+coliseum+live+1977

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtchHDR9npQW8qRqnyYc4-g-iK_B3lnhK  Nassau Coliseum

*************************************************
Madison Square Garden, New York City, February 5th, Attendance 20,000  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Txp3u1aOslw&t=121s   Grade: B
( the taped intro, TYMD and most of ‘Ogre Battle’ are missing).  Freddie’s introduction speech and ‘listen to me my darlings’ before ‘White Queen’ are included (so one can use the beginning of another concert to this point) 

This is an important show in Queen history for two reasons. For starters, this is their first performance at Madison Square Garden.  Just three years earlier, after five shows in five nights at The Uris Theater opening for Mott, Brian became seriously ill.   This night, his parents are in the audience. It is their first time seeing the band outside of the UK. 

The crowd is responsive during the intro, STL, BoRhap and claps along during ending medley 
*********************


Thin Lizzy - Live in Boston (February 9th, 1977) - Source 2 (NEW)
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAGp2imu52c   
. Around 20 minutes of the show (everything up to the drum solo during Sha-La-La) can now be heard for the first time as Source 1, taped by the one who recorded what we have of Queen's set, is heavily incomplete (but does include the last 2 songs in full). The recording is decent, but quite distant.

 0:00 - Still In Love With You (CUT) 0:14 - Johnny The Fox Meets Jimmy The Weed (CUT) 0:30 - The Boys Are Back In Town 5:53 - Cowboy Song 12:01 - Warriors 16:42 - Sha-La-La (20:49 - Drum Solo) 24:04 - Baby Drives Me Crazy (CUT)
*********************
Boston Garden, Boston, MA  February 9th  Attendance: 15,900   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iy-XT1gNcFE&t=3987s  Grade A-  

One can hear the stereo in vocals during 'Somebody To Love' and the guitar solo.  It is incomplete from “Liar onwards’  (bad performance by Freddie? I didn’t think so).

I have mentioned in my reviews of the Universal 2011 bonus disc reissues, as to what could have been included.  For ADATR, I mentioned that there are numerous ’77 and ’78 live recordings available of ‘Somebody To Love’ that could have been included in place of the ’82 Milton Keynes version.  Their performance this night would have been in the running.  From the taped intro of ‘Tie Your Mother Down’ onwards, this is a fabulous show.  And it's a damn good crowd!
*********************************
LA Forum Inglewood, California,  March 3rd,  Attendance: 18,000 second show https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8t7_F_65A0&t=1788s  Quality: A+
(minus the intro and fades in during TYMD) Made available less than two years ago.  The cream of the crop of from this tour.
***************************                 
Seattle Center Arena Seattle, March 13th, 1977 Attendance: 8,000     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3Z2Tk2y_14&t=77s  Quality: A-

It is only missing GSTQ (which I borrowed from a European concert to make complete)  The only concert of the N.A. Tour I had for about eight years.  No complaints.  I do not have MEGA, but Tim mentioned this link which includes the Thin Lizzy show as well https://mega.nz/file/gt4HUBYL#UXfptXG_tzxsXm_Q4d_P0jvgS3cxR2WqCjMDlv0FD_0  Thank you, sir!
*********************
First available Canada recording
Pacific Coliseum Vancouver, March 11th, 1977 Attendance: 17,500  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xd0SUashln8&t=54s Quality: B-

 The beginning is missing up to Killer Queen,
***************
I'll post a short European leg some time tonight, including their legendary Earl's Court concert.  And then I'll have 'Raise The Knife' and 'Unfinished Sweet' running through my head for tomorrow

Saw back to back shows on Feb.5 & 6 at Madison Square Garden & Nassau Veterans Coliseum! Incredible shows (the MSG show is in my top 10 concerts of all time....I've seen well over 700..as are BOTH MSG shows later in year, but I'm getting ahead of myself). I missed back to back varsity high school basketball games to attend these shows, wound up getting found out and suspended for a game, but WELL WORTH IT! The Queen shows I saw between '75-'77 were simply INCREDIBLE! The QUEEN I love! Not that the following tours weren't great, but NONE CAME CLOSE to this period of performances for me.
 

[DragonAttack]

Saw back to back shows on Feb.5 & 6 at Madison Square Garden & Nassau Veterans Coliseum! Incredible shows (the MSG show is in my top 10 concerts of all time....I've seen well over 700..as are BOTH MSG shows later in year, but I'm getting ahead of myself). I missed back to back varsity high school basketball games to attend these shows, wound up getting found out and suspended for a game, but WELL WORTH IT! The Queen shows I saw between '75-'77 were simply INCREDIBLE! The QUEEN I love! Not that the following tours weren't great, but NONE CAME CLOSE to this period of performances for me.

I might have seen 70 shows in my life, certainly not over 700!  Oops on the suspension, but 'oh, well'...  I can only compare seeing Q+AL at MSG twice, and just how the building shook after the taped part of 'BoRhap'.  Enviously asking for a bit more story, where you were sitting, how long you were grounded for,etc?

[DragonAttack]

A Day at the Races   European Tour

 
Freddie in his green and orange leotard (at the RnR HOF Museum my two visits eons ago)

‘Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy’ is now part of the medley. ‘Death On Two Legs’ is added at the end, in a complete version.  ‘Sweet Lady’ is played AFTER BoRhap a couple of times, and ‘Liar’ is now part of the first encore.  ‘Saturday Night’s (Alright For Fighting) as well as ‘I’m A Man’ (Bo Didley’s version) are often included.

The Scandinavium, Gothenburg, Sweden May 10th  Attendance: 14,000     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNU5kLcP6Uc     Quality: A-/B-
per Ryan Newton, Freddie sounds absolutely marvelous at this concert, and I'd say this is his best show of the whole Races Tour.
***********************
Bristol Hippodrome, Bristol, England May 23rd   Attendance: 1,950 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqDwlv1bAJc     Quality: B+
A small theater with a very responsive crowd

Just thought it was time to throw out some deserving kudos to John Deacon, since I came across some of the pictures in this post.  Often overlooked, especially when you consider what his 'lead' bass added to 'Bohemian Rhapsody', and especially on 'The Millionaire Waltz'.  Nice that he would get his moment in the spotlight in 'Liar', but how often his bass sounded as a rhythm guitar for songs such as 'Stone Cold Crazy' and 'Keep Yourself Alive'.  Plus, the man was versatile



Bingley Hall, Stafford, May 29th
This is a very important night in Queen's history. Gearing up for the encore, the audience sing "You'll Never Walk Alone" as it had and would for years. This would inspire Brian to write a song purely meant as a piece for audience participation – which would open the next album.
****************************
The Apollo Glasgow, Scotland May 30th   Attendance: 3,500       https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCL8Ab_JZwc  Grade: B+
Consistant sound throughout, with yet another responsive audience.  This has much better ‘arena’ sound to it than some of the others on the leg of the tour. Simply listen to the intro / TYMD, ‘39, KYA, and BoRhap. The crowd takes over at the end for the ‘nothing really matters’ line (similar to Wembley 86). The responses equal those of the Boston and NYC '77 crowds.  My favorite of the '77 European tour.


performing ''39'

Empire Theatre, Liverpool, June 2nd    Attendance: 2,300   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1e0VVhHLMI  Quality: B 
First of two nights in Liverpool.  The last recorded performance of ‘Sweet Lady’.
 
Oh, and if you haven't before, check out  http://queenlive.ca  Pick a year   ‘77  and check out all the pictures from Liverpool 6/3/77 



next up:  Earl's Court and the introduction of 'The Crown Jewel'.

[DragonAttack]

Two sneak previews...

First, the taped intro with 'Tie Your Mother Down'  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XS9rXU_Fpsk

Sadly.....the only filmed footage of the song during the both the North American and European tours, and Freddie's mike goes out at times.

And....the only filmed footage of 'Bohemian Rhapsody' during the ADATR tours.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjUqJ6DUOlY
(corrected link thanks to DTwwbwMP's comment)

Decades later, and nothing else compares to this song and its visuals on stage (personal bias for sure).

[TAC]

Joe, what does GOFLB stand for in the title?

[DragonAttack]

It 'did' stand for 'Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy'.  Finally an update!

After almost three decades, it is so hard not to revert to Queen shorthand.  TMOTBQ, IILWMC, ITLOTGR, etc....though 'BR' generally had to be written out, as there were three song titles with that

[TAC]

After almost three decades, it is so hard not to revert to Queen shorthand.  TMOTBQ, IILWMC, ITLOTGR, etc....

Oh I know. I couldn't figure it out or why it was in the thread title.


I see that they added DOTL (see what I did there  ) into the set for the Euro/UK tour.

The Gothenburg starts our really rough soundwise. Seems to get better as the show goes on. Definitely not an A-/B+.

The Glasgow show is awesome though. I'm going to try and take this one in tonight. This show has a great vibe. You're right, the ending to Bohemian Rhapsody is amazing.

[Stadler]

It 'did' stand for 'Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy'.  Finally an update!

After almost three decades, it is so hard not to revert to Queen shorthand.  TMOTBQ, IILWMC, ITLOTGR, etc....though 'BR' generally had to be written out, as there were three song titles with that

At least with Queen, most titles are long enough to be unique.

[DTwwbwMP]

Two sneak previews...

First, the taped intro with 'Tie Your Mother Down'  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XS9rXU_Fpsk

Sadly.....the only filmed footage of the song during the both the North American and European tours, and Freddie's mike goes out at times.

And....the only filmed footage of 'Bohemian Rhapsody' during the ADATR tours.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPmmG6ujI_4
(they just couldn't resist zooming in and doing the double imagery at times , but......this is almost how I remember it from five months earlier!)

Decades later, and nothing else compares to this song and its visuals on stage (personal bias for sure).

fyi....that bo rap vid is from houston, tx on the notw tour.

[DragonAttack]

^
thank you, and fixed (the leather jacket should have been a dead give away  )

Queen shorthand:  well, some bands have just 'S' or 'SS' or a couple of 'TA's, but they also had  TOWHTSTS 

And, Tim, the Gothenburg had 'A- / B-'.....kind of an odd way of putting things, but it does have its poor moments.

I'm burning Glasgow to discs so I can listen to it on my travels this week.  Enjoy your listen!

[DragonAttack]

Earl's Court Exhibition Center two nights sold out

London, June 6th, 1977    Attendance:  20,000   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95Ss1RqdzVE&t=4472s
Soundboard/Audience Merge Sound Quality: A-   Attendance: 20,000

Video  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gokbeySev90     (the one and only footage of TYMD and BoRhap on the ADATR tour.  And….never miss the beginning of a Queen concert!)



The band dropped £50,000 on a new lighting rig for these shows, which was a giant crown - 25 feet tall by 54 feet wide, weighing two tons. Queen were pioneers of many rock concert spectacles, including this very first mobile lighting rig. (queenlive.ca)

Procession / Overture- A Day At The Races / Tie Your Mother Down / Ogre Battle / White Queen / Somebody To Love / Killer Queen / Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy / The Millionaire Waltz / You're My Best Friend / Bring Back That Leroy Brown / Death On Two Legs / Doing Alright / Brighton Rock / ’39 / You Take My Breath Away /  White Man /  The Prophet's Song / Bohemian Rhapsody / Keep Yourself Alive / Stone Cold Crazy / In The Lap Of The Gods (Revisited)   
Encores: Now I'm Here / Liar / Lucille / Jailhouse Rock / Saturday Night Alright For Fighting / Stupid Cupid / Be/Bop/A/Lula / Jailhouse Rock (Reprise) / God Save The Queen /
**************

The end of an era in many regards, and a great way to end it.  Tonight would be the final performances of 'Bring Back That Leroy Brown', 'Sweet Lady', and 'You Take My Breath Away', as well as 'In The Lap Of The Gods...Revisited' (in this form until '86).  It is also the final performance of the full Death On Two Legs.

The first bootleg I had of the ADATR tour in the 90s.  A shame that Freddie's mic kicks out on occasion during 'Tie Your Mother Down' as it's the only video of the song during '77.  Since it is a soundboard recording, the crowd is very muted, and it does lead to some rather horrible parts, especially Roger during '39. There's also occasional buzzing noises. 

This performance includes the very infamous Roger Taylor 'OOPS' moment during 'You Take My Breath Away', as he accidentally knocks over part of his drumkit.  (easily fixed if you cut the song into two parts).  Ever the professional, Freddie doesn't skip a beat or sound rattled.  (no doubt there were some choice words soon after!)

Freddie 'throws' the occasional exploding pod during the 'Ogre Battle' instrumental, Brian provides yet another good guitar solo after 'slinging the ol' fireplace around his neck' , and he is the one mainly focused on during the film.

 

[Stadler]

Procession / Overture- A Day At The Races / Tie Your Mother Down / Ogre Battle / White Queen / Somebody To Love / Killer Queen / Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy / The Millionaire Waltz / You're My Best Friend / Bring Back That Leroy Brown / Death On Two Legs / Doing Alright / Brighton Rock / ’39 / You Take My Breath Away /  White Man /  The Prophet's Song / Bohemian Rhapsody / Keep Yourself Alive / Stone Cold Crazy / In The Lap Of The Gods (Revisited)   
Encores: Now I'm Here / Liar / Lucille / Jailhouse Rock / Saturday Night Alright For Fighting / Stupid Cupid / Be/Bop/A/Lula / Jailhouse Rock (Reprise) / God Save The Queen /

That's a hell of a setlist.  It's one of my complaints about Queen (and, to be fair, several other bands) that there aren't live recordings available that bridge the gaps.   We have the early shows, '74, and we have the later shows (Killers is what, '79, and we have shows from '81 and '82) but not that in-between stage, when they are established, but not fully to the point of doing medleys and homages to themselves.

[TAC]

The Earl's Court video is awesome. I watched it last week in its entirety, and jumped around a little on it today.

A couple things jumped out at me that I love about it..
First, I love the camera work and their placement. Too many pro shot videos are focused on close ups and well, how realistic is that for a concert going experience? I love the shot diagonal across the stage, akin to seats we've all sat in at one time or another. It allows you to visualize the show in a more realistic way.
Second, I love that the bass is extremely audible. By that I don't mean it's overpowering in any way, it's just mixed in its own space. It reenforces the Power Trio feel that jumps out at me on these early albums when they balls to the wall rock out.
The bass solo in Liar is cool as hell.

Also, in a number of spots, I love how John Deacon comes to the front of the stage and is active. I think that adds so much to it.


Amazingly, '39 is not corny at all. They manage to pull off that performance. They're just so fucking good. It's talent. How many bands try something like that and it just looks foolish?

Freddie comes out like a house painter handyman. Hilarious.

Awesome show!! Great setlist.

[TAC]

Joe, I have a couple questions...

First..

Earl's Court Exhibition Center two nights sold out

London, June 6th, 1977   

The end of an era in many regards, and a great way to end it.

Can you elaborate on this?




Also, I find it interesting that on the ANATO tour, Bohemian Rhapsody was not played in full, only to be cut up to open and close a medley. Since this was the lead single, why wouldn't they feature it and play it in full? Were they undecided on how to handle or present the middle skalaboosh section?
Yet, on the following ADATR tour, they did play it. I'm curious why they didn't play it on it's own album's support tour.

[DragonAttack]

If anyone knows, feel free to answer or post a direct link.

I have some ideas when I can sit down at my laptop

A very good question, you scoundrel! 

[Orbert]

Just a guess, but I always figured that in the mid-70's, the technology to do that middle section just didn't exist.  When they created the set list for that tour, Bohemian Rhapsody must have been considered, obviously, but the question of how to do the middle section had them stumped, and ultimately it was decided that they just couldn't do it.  Then by time the next tour came around, they'd come up with the solution to switch to multimedia.  It might have taken them that long to work out how to do even that.

It was a hell of a task, to be sure, but I'll say that I never really liked the solution.  As always, I'd prefer that the band come up with a way to present the song live, using only personnel actually on stage.  They've got four guys who can sing and we've heard them do some great harmonies live.  It's possible to rearrange the vocals to cover all the important parts.  I think of how Styx does the "America, America" section of Suite Madame Blue.  By inverting the harmonies and some careful overlapping, four voices cover 12.  The middle section of Bohemian Rhapsody could have been covered, and I would think that they at least tried a few ways to do it live, but they didn't feel any of them were good enough.

[TAC]

If anyone knows, feel free to answer or post a direct link.

I have some ideas when I can sit down at my laptop

A very good question, you scoundrel! 

Why don’t you just ask your wife?

[TAC]

Just a guess, but I always figured that in the mid-70's, the technology to do that middle section just didn't exist.  When they created the set list for that tour, Bohemian Rhapsody must have been considered, obviously, but the question of how to do the middle section had them stumped, and ultimately it was decided that they just couldn't do it.  Then by time the next tour came around, they'd come up with the solution to switch to multimedia.  It might have taken them that long to work out how to do even that.

Yeah, O, that’s in line with my thoughts. Still seems like a weird thing to do on the ANATO tour.

I wonder if the record company splurged on extra equipment for the ADATR tour to pull it off.

[Orbert]

That's possible, too.  I hadn't thought of that.  Some people knew of Queen from the song "Killer Queen", but with "Bohemian Rhapsody" they were huge.  This probably translated to an uptick in support from the label.

[DragonAttack]

Joe, I have a couple questions...

First..

Earl's Court Exhibition Center two nights sold out

London, June 6th, 1977   

The end of an era in many regards, and a great way to end it.

Can you elaborate on this?

With the 'Bring Back That Leroy Brown' instrumental being dropped from their setlist after this show, it meant no more ukulele!

But seriously, instead of spending four-five months in the studio between tours, they would be cutting that time back dramatically.  They had decided to strip back some 'layers', and....punk was on the horizon.

Also, I find it interesting that on the ANATO tour, Bohemian Rhapsody was not played in full, only to be cut up to open and close a medley. Since this was the lead single, why wouldn't they feature it and play it in full? Were they undecided on how to handle or present the middle skalaboosh section?
Yet, on the following ADATR tour, they did play it. I'm curious why they didn't play it on it's own album's support tour.

What you and Orbert have since offered makes sense.  The thing is, they were already playing tapes.  'Procession' played before the Queen II and SHA tour shows to a darkened stage, and 'God Save The Queen' was played at the end starting with the SHA tour to a completely lit stage as the band walked off after taking their bows.  There was no confusion or finger pointing as to whether they were playing along with taped recordings.  And as you've heard from their live shows, the volume of those tapes was certainly adequate (including the ANATO tour). 

I so remember reading about the Electric Light Orchestra tape scandals back when it happened, but this did not occur until 1978.

https://www.nytimes.com/1989/04/09/arts/pop-view-that-syncing-feeling.html

Queen would open with a song off a newly released album when they toured.  'Father To Son' for Queen II, 'Now I'm Here' for SHA.  My guess is what better way to start of the ANATO tour shows than with the BoRhap tape and then the band appearing and playing to what follows?  And then bring it back in two segments.  It's well known that the song was three different ones made into one.  And there can be little doubt that when they discussed how to go about it on stage, and suggestions were made, that the author had the final say.  Or that Freddie presented to the band that way, and that's how it was going to be done.....with no discussion

Looking back, after five months in the studio, there was little rehearsal time, and very little of ANATO ended up being performed on that tour.  And no one knew at the time it would end up being as popular as it was. 

By the time the ADATR tour began, everyone knew of the taped segment, so no lawsuits would follow.  Then again, when you saw it the first time in its 'complete' form, it blew your mind!  I'm obviously glad it was changed

Obviously, this is all speculation on my part.

btw.....my wife was much more of a collector than me, though we made $1900 at our first convention in '01 when we combined our 'inventories' and sold off duplicate items.  I'm the semi trivia expert, while she was very good at 'The Alphabet Game' (they'd call out a letter, a contestant gives a song title beginning with that letter.  A different letter for the next contestant.  Can't think of one in five seconds, or repeat one already given, and you're out.  Much harder than it sounds, especially with 50-100 people watching you.  I never tried it...)

[The Curious Orange]

So having been reading this thread, and being stuck at home with covid (don't let anyone tell you it's not real) and basically bored out of my mind, I decided to listen to these albums again for the first time in years. I've got the 2011 Island Records remasters on CD, which is what I listened to.

Queen
I remember the first time I heard Keep Yourself Alive - I'd never heard this album or that song, and I was gobsmacked that a band this big could have a song that anthemic and not have it on their Greatest Hits album* or not still play it in their setlist. It's one of the greatest "lost" songs in rock n' roll. Any other band would kill for a song that good. Liar is pretty great, Doing All Right is surprisingly pretty and Freddie's one-two of Great King Rat and My Fairy King are original and intriguing enough to make you want to hear more. A great debut.

Queen II
This was much better than I remember. Father to Son and White Queen are both great, but the rest of the side falls off - Some Day One Day and Loser in the End are both terrible. Freddie's black side is amazing, a prog rock mini opera about who knows what - you can hear its influences and also what was influenced by it. It's a real shame we didn't get to hear more of this side of the band. This is a really good album and probably the strongest of their 70s stuff.

Sheer Heart Attack
A very transitional album, trying to be more of the same while also trying to find a more commercial direction - much of this sounds like The Who to me, particularly Tenement Funster and Brighton Rock, which I've never felt is a strong enough song to open the album. Killer Queen is the band's first bona fide classic, although a lot of the other material really isn't up to scratch.

A Night at the Opera
There's too much of Freddie's camp music hall stuff, and it's not good enough to carry the album. Roger's stuff is awful on these early albums, and '39 was pretty dodgy too. I've never got the love for The Prophet's Song ("and now I know, and now I know, and now I know"... ad infinitum). Love of My Life is amazing, and of course it has THAT SONG on it, which of course makes this album a "classic" even though it really isn't.

A Day at the Races
A much better album. Tie Your Mother Down is a great opener, and the change in mood from that to You Take My Breath Away is sublime. The Music Hall stuff seems to have been relegated to the odd burst, and it works well. Long Away and Drowse are pretty poor (why were they still letting May and Taylor get away with this shit?) but even taking that into account the overall quality of songs is far higher than it's predecessor. Somebody to Love is brilliant, but Teo Torriate really needs to "repeat to fade" rather than just the one chorus at the end and then all that "circle" bollocks.

Best album so far? Probably Queen II, although Races comes close.



*As I'm sure will be mentioned when we get to it, it's on the North American version but not on the UK version.

[TAC]

Joe, I have a couple questions...

First..

Earl's Court Exhibition Center two nights sold out

London, June 6th, 1977   

The end of an era in many regards, and a great way to end it.

Can you elaborate on this?

But seriously, instead of spending four-five months in the studio between tours, they would be cutting that time back dramatically.  They had decided to strip back some 'layers', and....punk was on the horizon.

So I have not listened ahead so I have no idea what is coming, other than being relatively familiar with The Game.

I feel like the first three albums were an era, and then ANATO through Jazz (mid to late 70's albums) would be the next era. And then The Game begins the 80's era. But what do I know?

  There was no confusion or finger pointing as to whether they were playing along with taped recordings.  And as you've heard from their live shows, the volume of those tapes was certainly adequate (including the ANATO tour). 

I so remember reading about the Electric Light Orchestra tape scandals back when it happened, but this did not occur until 1978.


By the time the ADATR tour began, everyone knew of the taped segment, so no lawsuits would follow.  Then again, when you saw it the first time in its 'complete' form, it blew your mind!  I'm obviously glad it was changed

Woah...what lawsuits?

Was there controversy about the "skalaboosh" part? BTW, I call it the "skalaboosh" part. In Queen Convention circles, what is that part referred to as?

[The Curious Orange]

First of all it's Scaramouche, a character in the Italian commedia dell'arte, and secondly I've only ever heard it called the middle section or the opera /operatic section.

And before you ask, Bismillah is Arabic for "in the name of God", Figaro is a French literary character created by Caron de Beaumarchais in 1775 and most famously used in an opera by Mozart in 1786 (The Marriage of Figaro), while Galileo was an Italian astronomer in the early 16th century who observed that the earth orbited the sun and got killed by some religious nutters who couldn't handle that fact.


Religion hasn't advanced much since.

[TAC]

First of all it's Scaramouche, a character in the Italian commedia dell'arte, and secondly I've only ever heard it called the middle section or the opera /operatic section.

And before you ask, Bismillah is Arabic for "in the name of God", Figaro is a French literary character created by Caron de Beaumarchais in 1775 and most famously used in an opera by Mozart in 1786 (The Marriage of Figaro), while Galileo was an Italian astronomer in the early 16th century who observed that the earth orbited the sun and got killed by some religious nutters who couldn't handle that fact.


Religion hasn't advanced much since.

I know who Galileo is. 

Skalaboosh? Scaramouch? Gotcha!

[DragonAttack]

Procession / Overture- A Day At The Races / Tie Your Mother Down / Ogre Battle / White Queen / Somebody To Love / Killer Queen / Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy / The Millionaire Waltz / You're My Best Friend / Bring Back That Leroy Brown / Death On Two Legs / Doing Alright / Brighton Rock / ’39 / You Take My Breath Away /  White Man /  The Prophet's Song / Bohemian Rhapsody / Keep Yourself Alive / Stone Cold Crazy / In The Lap Of The Gods (Revisited)   
Encores: Now I'm Here / Liar / Lucille / Jailhouse Rock / Saturday Night Alright For Fighting / Stupid Cupid / Be/Bop/A/Lula / Jailhouse Rock (Reprise) / God Save The Queen /

That's a hell of a setlist.  It's one of my complaints about Queen (and, to be fair, several other bands) that there aren't live recordings available that bridge the gaps.   We have the early shows, '74, and we have the later shows (Killers is what, '79, and we have shows from '81 and '82) but not that in-between stage, when they are established, but not fully to the point of doing medleys and homages to themselves.

Trying to jog my memory, but sadly it was decades later before we finally had the BBC concert, and the two '74 Rainbow shows released.  The '75 Hammersmith Odeon concert was released only after they'd found the original multi track recordings.  Ever the perfectionists (?) is the reasons for Hyde Park and Earl's Court never getting the 'official' touch ups due to various issues.  An upcoming USA concert should have been released, but.....again, I'm not in charge.  A real pity for the Jazz tour onwards. 

Then again, most didn't film their shows, and most rarely released concerts.  It kick started KISS, Frampton, Seger, but then you had VH who waited til the 90s.

[TAC]

Not that I'm getting ahead, but a Hammersmith '79 show popped up in my youtube feed today.

I did NOT watch it, I promise!


Seriously, this only works for me if I go in order totally clean.

[DragonAttack]

So having been reading this thread, and being stuck at home with covid (don't let anyone tell you it's not real) and basically bored out of my mind, I decided to listen to these albums again for the first time in years. I've got the 2011 Island Records remasters on CD, which is what I listened to.

Queen
I remember the first time I heard Keep Yourself Alive - I'd never heard this album or that song, and I was gobsmacked that a band this big could have a song that anthemic and not have it on their Greatest Hits album*
<snip>
*As I'm sure will be mentioned when we get to it, it's on the North American version but not on the UK version.

I scratched my head at the choices (and omissions) for both.

Best album so far:  whatever I'm listening to at the time. 

And as to the 'coal' that Brian and Roger put out:  much of their product was diamonds to many.  That variety was one of the many aspects that drew me in.  Being the two co-founders certainly had a hand in those decisions.

[oh, and sorry about the Covid ordeal.  I hope you don't have to deal with any 'brain fog' or hair loss like some I know.  I wish you the best]

[DragonAttack]

  There was no confusion or finger pointing as to whether they were playing along with taped recordings.  And as you've heard from their live shows, the volume of those tapes was certainly adequate (including the ANATO tour). 

I so remember reading about the Electric Light Orchestra tape scandals back when it happened, but this did not occur until 1978.

By the time the ADATR tour began, everyone knew of the taped segment, so no lawsuits would follow.  Then again, when you saw it the first time in its 'complete' form, it blew your mind!  I'm obviously glad it was changed

Woah...what lawsuits?

Was there controversy about the "skalaboosh" part? BTW, I call it the "skalaboosh" part. In Queen Convention circles, what is that part referred to as?

First ...eras.....well, the 'Golden Era' was up through The Game.  But an era is anything you want it to be.

Queen didn't want to be accused of any sort of backing tapes.  What you saw was what you got (other than the annoying Roger screams on 'Now I'm Here' if they were too loud).  You know, Brian can't be doing all that stuff on the ol' fireplace.  Surely there's others providing BVs, etc. 

Here's two links for what ELO went through.  http://www.jefflynnesongs.com/ootbtour/  Scroll down to ‘Back Up Tapes’

and then click this google link 
https://www.google.com/search?q=brass+ring+sues+elo&oq=brass+ring+sues+elo&aqs=chrome..69i57j33i22i29i30.5336j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
and scroll to this
The Michigan Daily-Thursday, January 18, 1979-Page 7 ...

Scott Ian of Anthrax on backing tracks:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pu4OhkKrsM  and https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/anthraxs-scott-ian-blasts-bands-who-rely-heavily-on-backing-tracks-during-live-performances/

Skalaboosh? Scaramouch?  Just don't call me late for dinner

(gotta listen to the studio JC Superstar with the wife.  Then on to a new topic in the morning)

[TAC]

First ...eras.....well, the 'Golden Era' was up through The Game.  But an era is anything you want it to be.

I was interested in YOUR interpretation, so thank you.

Scott Ian of Anthrax on backing tracks:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pu4OhkKrsM  and https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/anthraxs-scott-ian-blasts-bands-who-rely-heavily-on-backing-tracks-during-live-performances/

Love Scott Ian! But Scott would never have an issue with the skalaboosh part. He pretty much said that.

Here's two links for what ELO went through.  http://www.jefflynnesongs.com/ootbtour/  Scroll down to ‘Back Up Tapes’

Ooh that's interesting. I quickly skimmed the article, but I'll go back to read it in depth. Right now, it's way too many words to compete with my too many beers.

[DragonAttack]

Have to mention this one....the first solo offering....

ROGER TAYLOR   I Wanna Testify / Turn On The TV

Released:  August 26, 1977, UK (EMI) DNC



I Wanna Testify    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FI2D-VpGrHA (because it has had over 670,000 views)
I Wanna Testify    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGwHKsyWLsU  hosted by Marc Bolan, who would die in a car crash a few weeks after Roger’s appearance
the B side
Turn On The TV  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeDPytP6C7U

If he could sing, drum, and play guitars on Queen albums, why not release a single showing that he could do these on his own?  Well, this made him happy I guess, though  'Turn On The TV' isn't all bad.

Of note, when double checking dates this week, I came across information that he had two other songs being worked on for another single.  They were instead used for the band's upcoming album.

Monday:  the video shoot for the 'A' side of the next Queen single (and the great performance for the Fan Club that followed)

[TAC]

I Wanna Testify is awful. He looks like a damn Bay City Roller!

Turn On The TV actually isn't bad though.

Of note, when double checking dates this week, I came across information that he had two other songs being worked on for another single.  They were instead used for the band's upcoming album.

Love nuggets like this.

[DragonAttack]

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS Video Filming 'Concert'
 


OCTOBER 6th, 1977 New London Theater   Attendance:  900  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIjaTr1FQ4Y  Grade:  B+++

Setlist: Tie Your Mother Down, Keep Yourself Alive, Somebody To Love, White Man, The Prophet's Song, Liar, Bohemian Rhapsody (up to ‘opera’ part), Now I'm Here, Jailhouse Rock, See What A Fool I've Been

First, the video shoot:  this was uploaded a few months ago   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCtuwPQBpvU  Nice historical document to take random peeks at , or to watch in its entirety.

I finally decided to check out the after video 'concert' for the first time as I was finalizing my next album notes a few weeks ago.  Shame on me for waiting so long.  Or, yet another bonus to me for continually digging.  A damn enjoyable listen to a surprisingly kick axe performance.  I mean, they could have just phoned it in for that hour.  But ever the perfectionists....
 
Kind of a shame they didn't play all of BoRhap, and ''39' would no doubt have been perfect in this setting, but I would have been speechless during and after. They even bring out 'See What A Fool I've Been' for the first time in over a year, it would be its last 'live' performance, and they totally nail it!
(for more pictures and notes        http://queenlive.ca  ‘77 London 10/6/1977)