The band reissued their groundbreaking first 5 albums last month, complete with bonus material, as well as “Deep Cuts Volume One 1973-1976,” a collection of hidden gems from the band’s first five albums, specially chosen by Roger Taylor and Brian May in consultation with life-long fan, Taylor Hawkins from the Foo Fighters.
The 40th Anniversary Queen celebrations continue with the next series of reissues covering the 5 albums released between 1977-1982.
On June 13th, Queen fans will be able to pick up “News of the World,” “Jazz,” “The Game,” “Flash Gordon” and “Hot Space.” The reissues will be accompanied by the second in the ‘Queen: Deep Cuts’ series, which looks at some of the lesser known tracks from these albums.
These five albums were recorded as Queen’s UK stadium success spread to the USA, South America, Europe and Asia and are the sound of a band breaking through the crash barriers of their own limitless ambition. The early 80's saw the band conquer South America for the first time, creating rock history when they played at the Morumbi Stadium in Brazil to 131,000 people - then the largest paying audience for a single band anywhere in the world.
If the early 70’s and the first five albums Queens released represented the band’s hard-rocking years, then the late 70’s and early 80’s represented their hard partying era. As Brian, Roger, Freddie and John toured the world their reputation for off-stage rock’n’roll extravagance grew with stories of legendary party excess from Kensington to Copacabana informing the Queen mythology.
Infamously, Sid Vicious bumped into Freddie Mercury at Wessex Studios where both The Sex Pistols and Queen were recording - 'Ullo Fred - I see you've brought ballet to the masses, then!' says Sid, eyeing up Freddie's legendary ballet pumps. 'Ah Mr. Ferocious. Yes, doing my best, dear' retorted Freddie.
Queen Queen – Tie Your Mother Down
The Summit – Houston, TX – December 11, 1977
See also:
Guns N’ Roses: Queen’s Brian May talks about his work on Chinese Democracy
Queen: Brian May to receive 2011 Eddy Christiani Award
Queen exhibition opens in London
Major Queen exhibition opens this weekend in London
Queen: Deep Cuts Vol. 1 (1973-76) due next month
Queen: first 5 albums to be reissued in March
