I always loved the way they displayed such diversity. So many rock bands were only capable of making one style of music. Others were capable of different styles, but couldn’t get their fans to actually buy it. Queen did so many styles, and people just sucked it up! Never did get to see them live (dammit!), but loved them so much!
Man, nobody’s mentioned yet what an awesome guitarist Brian May is?!?! The first time I heard “Dead On Time” I nearly took a dump in my drawers! 
Is it true that Queen’s guitarist made a guitar out of a fireplace shovel for the song Killer Queen?
The source wasn’t quite what I’d call reliable, but it bears asking.
Brian May did build a guitar in college for like 12 dollars or something made from things he found. I think it is the red one that has a round body that he plays all of the time. you can now buy this replica for somewhere in the $3000 range.
I don’t know if this is the guitar you are talking about though. haha
I discovered Queen just months before Freddie died, and I’m always going to be sad that I didn’t get a chance to see them in concert.
If you ever get a chance to listen to the “A Night at the Opera” DVD-A, I highly recommend you do so. DVD-A(udio) is a very high resolution music format, and when played through a good system… well, it’s just aural bliss.
Yes, the guitar Brian plays was made by him and his father (prior to his joining Queen) out of the mantle piece (and spare wood) of a fireplace. It’s custom-designed and looks to be a bitch to play, actually. It’s the red one.
Last I heard he’d had someone make him an identical one with a gold finish for live work.
Did I mention that somewhere around here I have the original ‘Smile’ LP (from Japan) that featured Brian, Roger and Tim Staffel?
Name your price.
Seriously, dude. Name it.
Nonononononono, ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ has been chosen the number one best rock-song, for years and years and years, here. I can’t take it anymore. AAAAAAAAARGH.
Thanks. My source on that was a former junkie paranoid schizophrenic Vietnam veteran.
Saw them live a bunch of times starting with the Night at the Opera tour. They kicked ass live. Great band.
Axl Rose said that he considers Freddie Mercury the greatest rock vocalist ever.
IMHO,
Queen was without a doubt one of the most diverse, hard rockin’ (even when they weren’t “rocking” by definition) bands ever!, any “rock band” that could pull off “Bicycle” is OK in my book.
The other band that I think qualifies as awesome and unrepeatable is Thin Lizzy, man they rocked hard! and Phil was a poet!, no pretense or flash, they “just” did the deal.
Unclviny
Mom?
Seriously, my 63 year old mother “discovered” Queen about 5 years ago and is a huge junkie. She now owns every DVD and video, every CD, album and tape (yes, duplicates) and has posters and magazines and articles and t-shirts and books, ad nauseum. She knows EVERYTHING about each member, including the names of their children.
She said that she feels she “wasted” her life without knowing about Queen earlier (thanks from her three kids!) and I’m sure her biggest wish is to have seen them live. (She’s going to see The Darkness in July so she’s trying to catch up).
Anyway, guess who is taking her to the International Queen Fan Club convention in Wales next weekend? Sigh. At least my husband likes Queen (and eerily looks a little like Freddy Mercury).
You and me both. When I first heard it, that song held me entranced for days.
Okay- best album?
Jazz, for me, hands down. Masterpiece.
Sorry, no sale. It is inscribed to me personally “To Lee, Best Wishes and Merry Christmas fro Queen!” with the members signatures.
In 1977 my brother was going to school at Old Dominion University in Norfolk and working as a bellman at the Omni Hotel. The band played the Norfolk Scope Arena and stayed at the hotel. My brother was gay and, as he put it, “spent some time” with Freddie. I didn’t press for details. On the morning they left my brother, who was not on duty at the time, drove back to the hotel with a copy of the album, approached the band at breakfast, and asked if they’d sign it for me. They all were gracious enough to do so. My brother came home for Christmas and gave it to me.
My brother died of AIDS in 1990.
So, sorry. But no sale.
My dad, who was a big classical music fan, hated every rock band I listened to. Except Queen. He had a lot of time for Queen, especially mid-70s Queen (Boh Rap etc).
Not only does Brian May play a guitar made from an old fireplace, he uses a sixpence coin as a plectrum.
Oh and isn’t there a great trivia question: “which UK band had four members, all of whom composed UK #1 hit singles?”
Obvious (but WRONG) answer? The Beatles.
Right answer? Take a guess
Well… they still kick ass.
My brother caught them in 1981(?) during The Game tour. He lorded this over me for years until my good grades convinced my parents to allow me to go on a school trip to London… the summer of 1986. I found out Queen was playing at Wimbley, I snuck away, used up all my spending money, and saw the best show I’ve ever seen in my life. Of course, I spent the rest of the trip pretty much under lock and key, but it was worth it.
I had a chance to see Brian May when he was opening for GnR in 1992(?), but the week before, Axl Rose decided he couldn’t sing (no sh-t), and cancelled the show. Brian wasn’t on the rescheduled date. Do you know how hard it was to get rid of those tickets?
Hands down: A Night at the Opera (Side 1’s the best)
Close second: Sheer Heart Attack (Again, side 1)
Can’t blame a man for trying.
Dang.
Best album?: News of the World. If only because ‘It’s Late’ is a brilliant song that should have been a #1.
Last Christmas the local rock radio station was asking people to call in and tell Christmas-related rock and roll stories. I called in and told the DJ my Queen autograph story and he put me on the air. He asked if I had any requests and I said, "Well, there’s a song on NOTW that got a little airplay, but was overshadowed by WWRY/WATC. I’d appreciate it if you’d play it - the song is “It’s Late.” They were happy to oblige me.
I have to say that I like NOTW best, too, simply because it is so simple and straightforward. It didn’t have the gloss and complexity of their earlier stuff.
I lost complete interest after “The Game”, but did pick up “Innuendo” and enjoy it.
Good call. And for good, fun, drunken crooning, you can’t beat Meloncholy Blues.