Press Release: Live At The Rainbow Released in September
QUEEN TO RELEASE RARE RECORDING OF LANDMARK CONCERT
QUEEN: LIVE AT THE RAINBOW ’74
Previously unreleased first live album finally surfaces after 40 year wait.
Sunday 31st March 1974 is a landmark date in the history of rock music. It is now celebrated in the multi format release of a rare recording made at legendary London venue The Rainbow, of a concert by a then up-and-coming band called Queen. Few who turned up for that iconic performance could have predicted they would go on to become arguably the world’s best and most successful rock group, although many more may have suspected it after this stunning show.
Among the unique material contained in this release are over a dozen tracks never previously released on any official Queen live album. The release will come in CD, Vinyl and standard DVD or SD Blu-Ray formats available as standard releases or special limited edition sets as well as digital formats.
Now, a remarkable 40 years later, Queen: Live at the Rainbow ’74 has finally surfaced from the archives, providing an invaluable record of emerging superstars demonstrating their talent.
Queen, Virgin Records and Eagle Rock Entertainment are proud to announce that Queen: Live at the Rainbow ‘74 will be released on 8th September 2014 (UK on Virgin Records) and 9th September 2014 (US through Hollywood Records) in a variety of formats all newly mixed and mastered to the highest contemporary standard. These range from a standard two CD package, a DVD, an SD Blu-ray, a gate-fold double vinyl (including an audio reproduction of the aforementioned original live album), a quadruple vinyl boxed set, to a super deluxe collector’s edition. This comprehensive and fascinating 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 programme and poster, as well as material from the band members’ personal archives. (Full details of the various packages which will be released can be found at the end of this release). Vinyl and super deluxe formats are released as limited editions.
These recordings capture Queen at that time in all their glory: the dramatic stage presence, the highly original self-penned repertoire of songs, high-energy performances coupled with stunning melodic and harmonic content, and the uncompromising perfectionist approach to every aspect of their performance which is still maintained to this day.
Queen dazzled their audiences in 1974 with an unforgettable show delivered with a skill and confidence which belied their youth. The tape machines were rolling, capturing the highly electric performances. Now, to mark the 40th anniversary of these legendary shows, here, finally, is Queen: Live at the Rainbow ’74 - lovingly restored, edited, mixed and digitally mastered, and including much footage never previously seen. It is a collection every Queen fan will want to possess.
QUEEN: LIVE AT THE RAINBOW ’74 - Package details
Package one
One CD featuring the November show
Package two
Two CD digi-pack, with one CD featuring the March show and the second CD featuring the November show
Package three
DVD or SD Blu-Ray of the November show with four “bonus” tracks from March
Package four (released in North America only)
SD Blu-Ray & CD combo box
Package five
2 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.
Package six
4 Vinyl - Limited edition four vinyl LP boxed set, two LPs featuring the March show and two featuring the November show
Package seven
Super Deluxe Box - Limited edition Super Deluxe lidded boxed 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
Queen Live at the Rainbow will also be available as one disc and two disc eAlbum.
Queen: Live at the Rainbow ’74 - track listings:
One CD:
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
Two CD digi-pack & four vinyl LP boxed set:
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 / Stupid Cupid / 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
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
Some fascinating (and 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 song on the Rainbow project in terms of rarity. The March 31st show was the last time Queen performed it in concert and this is the only known live recording of the song. The track’s appearance on this package is likely to be the biggest surprise on the set.
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 product for the first time.
The November show was released in part (not full) on the 1992 VHS, part of the little-known Box of Tricks package, but the March show has never been officially released.
On the 1992 VHS Liar and Keep Yourself Alive (from first album), Father To Son (from Queen II) and Jailhouse Rock only featured in part, whereas now on Queen: Live at the Rainbow ’74 they are full versions for the first time. Modern Times Rock'n'Roll, Flick Of The Wrist, Seven Seas of Rhye and Big Spender (all from November) were NOT on the VHS video, so this is the first time they have emerged.
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.
It's Time To Shine
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