A rare recording made at legendary London venue The Rainbow by Queen on March 31, 1974 is now being celebrated in a new archival release.
Among the material are over a dozen tracks never previously released on any official Queen live album. It will arrive via Hollywood Records/Eagle Rock Entertainment in CD, vinyl and standard DVD or SD Blu-ray formats. They will be available as standard releases as well as special limited edition sets and digital. Queen: Live at the Rainbow ’74 will be released on Sept. 9.
That concert marked the culmination of the band’s countrywide tour, their first as headliners after a tour supporting Mott the Hoople, late in 1973. Queen got rave reviews, almost unheard of for a support band.
Just before the March Rainbow gig, Queen performed their new single “Seven Seas of Rhye” on TV music show Top of the Pops. The highly coveted slot was a lucky break - they filled in for David Bowie, who was unavailable - and the band made the most of it, delivering a thrilling performance that pushed the song into the Top 10.
Although the group now had a first hit single under its belt, and second album Queen II had just been released to critical acclaim, many felt that playing The Rainbow was overambitious.
It was the premier London venue of the time, on a par with L.A.’s Palladium and New York’s Fillmore East. The band’s confidence was vindicated when the venue quickly sold out the capacity of more than 3,000 seats.
The gig was recorded by Roy Thomas Baker, co-producer of Queen's first four studio albums, and slated to be the band's third album (and debut live album).
But Queen’s creative momentum produced many new songs and instead of releasing the live album the band went into the studio to record what was to become their breakthrough album, Sheer Heart Attack. As a result the completed Rainbow live album was shelved and consigned to the archives.
To mark the 40th anniversary of these shows, Queen: Live at the Rainbow ‘74 is newly mixed and mastered and comes in a standard two CD package, a gate-fold double vinyl (including an updated to current audio standards original live album), and a super deluxe collector’s edition.
This package includes two CDs, a DVD and Blu-ray, a 60-page hardback book containing many rare photographs, and various items of memorabilia such as reproductions of the tickets, show souvenir program and poster, as well as material from the band members’ personal archives. (Full details below). Eagle Rock Entertainment will also be releasing DVD and SD Blu-ray editions in North America.
Some noteworthy facts about Queen: Live at the Rainbow ’74:
“The Fairy Feller's Master-Stroke,” (from Queen II) was inspired by a painting by Richard Dadd (1817-1886) which now hangs in the Tate Gallery, having been donated to the gallery by war poet Siegfried Sassoon. The song is by far the most significant rare track on the Rainbow project. The March 31st show was the last time Queen performed it in concert and this is the only known live recording of the song.
“Great King Rat” and “Modern Times Rock'n'Roll” (from the first album), “See What A Fool I've Been” (the non-album B-side of “Seven Seas of Rhye”) and “Flick of the Wrist” (from Sheer Heart Attack), are also included on an official Queen live release for the first time.
The following 15 songs from March and November Rainbow 1974 concerts have never appeared on any official Queen live album before (this excludes video): “Procession,” “Father to Son,” “Ogre Battle,” “Son and Daughter,” “White Queen,” “Great King Rat,” “The Fairy Feller's Master-Stroke,” “Modern Times Rock'n'Roll,” “Liar,” “See What A Fool I've Been,” “Flick of the Wrist,” “In the Lap of the Gods” (not to be confused with “In The Lap Of The Gods... Revisited”), “The March of the Black Queen,” “Bring Back that Leroy Brown” and “Stone Cold Crazy.”
In related news, Queen will be touring North America, Asia and Australia this summer with vocalist Adam Lambert. The tour kicks off June 19 at Chicago's United Center. Tour dates and ticket information can be found at queenonline.com.
QUEEN: LIVE AT THE RAINBOW ’74 - formats
(Hollywood Records)
· Two CD digi-pack, with one CD featuring the March show and the second CD featuring the November show
· Two disc vinyl, limited edition gate-fold double vinyl package, with one LP featuring an audio reproduction of the original March show live album and the other LP featuring highlights from the November show.
· Super Deluxe Box - limited edition Super Deluxe lidded box set package containing:
1. Two CDs, one CD featuring the March show and the second CD featuring the November show
2. A DVD and SD Blu-ray of the November show with four “bonus” tracks from March
3. A 60 page hardback book containing lots of previously unseen photographs, and (among other items), reproductions of two reviews, one from The Times and one from Disc and Music Echo. A series of four articles from the latter publication is also included.
4. Reproductions of two tickets from the March concert (those actually used by Brian’s parents)
5. A reproduction of the tour itinerary folder for the March concert from promoter Mel Bush, including a letter instructing the band not to trash the hotel room or there will be dire consequences!
6. A reproduction of the 8 page show souvenir brochure
7. Two button badges – reproductions of items available at the concert
8. A reproduction of the purple and gold March concert poster
9. A reproduction of a fashion shoot in The Telegraph Magazine, featuring the band with fashion models.
10. A reproduction of the sticker stage pass from the March concert
(Eagle Rock Entertainment)
· DVD or SD Blu-ray of the November show with four “bonus” tracks from March
· SD Blu-ray & CD combo pack
Queen: Live at the Rainbow ‘74 will also be available as a two volume digital release.
Queen: Live at the Rainbow ’74 - track listings:
Two CD digi-pack
CD 1
QUEEN II TOUR
Live at the Rainbow, March ’74
1. “Procession”
2. “Father To Son”
3. “Ogre Battle”
4. “Son And Daughter”
5. “Guitar Solo”
6. “Son And Daughter (Reprise)”
7. “White Queen (As It Began)”
8. “Great King Rat”
9. “The Fairy Feller’s Master-Stroke”
10. “Keep Yourself Alive”
11. “Drum Solo”
12. “Keep Yourself Alive (Reprise)”
13. “Seven Seas Of Rhye”
14. “Modern Times Rock ’n’ Roll”
15. “Jailhouse Rock (Medley)”
“Stupid Cupid (Medley)”
“Be Bop A Lula (Medley)”
16. “Liar”
17. “See What A Fool I’ve Been”
CD 2
SHEER HEART ATTACK TOUR
Live at the Rainbow, November ’74
1. “Procession”
2. “Now I’m Here”
3. “Ogre Battle”
4. “Father To Son”
5. “White Queen (As It Began)”
6. “Flick Of The Wrist”
7. “In The Lap Of The Gods”
8. “Killer Queen”
9. “The March Of The Black Queen”
10. “Bring Back That Leroy Brown”
11. “Son And Daughter”
12. “Guitar Solo”
13. “Son And Daughter (Reprise)”
14. “Keep Yourself Alive”
15. “Drum Solo”
16. “Keep Yourself Alive (Reprise)”
17. “Seven Seas Of Rhye”
18. “Stone Cold Crazy”
19. “Liar”
20. “In The Lap Of The Gods… Revisited”
21. “Big Spender”
22. “Modern Times Rock ’n’ Roll”
23. “Jailhouse Rock”
24. “God Save The Queen”
Standard DVD and SD Blu-ray:
SHEER HEART ATTACK TOUR
Live at the Rainbow, November ’74
1. “Procession”
2. “Now I’m Here”
3. “Ogre Battle”
4. “Father To Son”
5. “White Queen (As It Began)”
6. “Flick Of The Wrist”
7. “In The Lap Of The Gods”
8. “Killer Queen”
9. “The March Of The Black Queen”
10. “Bring Back That Leroy Brown”
11. “Son And Daughter”
12. “Guitar Solo”
13. “Son And Daughter (Reprise)”
14. “Keep Yourself Alive”
15. “Drum Solo”
16. “Keep Yourself Alive (Reprise)”
17. “Seven Seas Of Rhye”
18. “Stone Cold Crazy”
19. “Liar”
20. “In The Lap Of The Gods… Revisited”
21. “Big Spender”
22. “Modern Times Rock ’n’ Roll”
23. “Jailhouse Rock”
24. “God Save The Queen”
BONUS TRACKS
QUEEN II TOUR
Live at the Rainbow, March ’74
1. “Son And Daughter”
2. “Guitar Solo”
3. “Son And Daughter (Reprise)”
4. “Modern Times Rock ’n’ Roll”
Double Vinyl LP Package:
QUEEN II TOUR
Live at the Rainbow, March ’74
1. “Procession”
2. “Father To Son”
3. “Ogre Battle”
4. “Son And Daughter”
5. “Guitar Solo”
6. “Son And Daughter (Reprise)”
7. “Keep Yourself Alive”
8. “Drum Solo”
9. “Keep Yourself Alive (Reprise)”
10. “Seven Seas Of Rhye”
11. “Modern Times Rock ’n’ Roll”
12. “Liar”
SHEER HEART ATTACK TOUR
Live at the Rainbow, November ’74
1. “Procession”
2. “Now I’m Here”
3. “White Queen (As It Began)”
4. “Flick Of The Wrist”
5. “In The Lap Of The Gods”
6. “Killer Queen”
7. “The March Of The Black Queen”
8. “Bring Back That Leroy Brown”
9. “Stone Cold Crazy”
10. “In The Lap Of The Gods… Revisited”
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