I was always a little fascinated by the line "A built-in remedy For Khrushchev and Kennedy ", as if they needed a diversion, a break from stopping WWIII. The thought came easily, as "The Missiles of October", a docu-drama about the Cuban Missile Crisis, with Martin Sheen playing JFK, ran on ABC December 18, 1974. It occurred to me that maybe if the leaders of the world could share a high-end prostitute or two from time to time, there might be fewer wars.
As someone who has lost jobs and friends (and a dentist) because of health conditions, the fact that they didn't turn their backs on Bryan May when he was sick makes me love them even more.
@Whisper_292: That's the same mentality that the members of Def Leppard displayed when Rick Allen had his car wreck, when Joe Elliott contacted the mumps and when Rick Savage was diagnosed with Bell's Palsy
ZZ Top stuck by Frank Beard when he entered rehab. When Dusty Hill was asked what they were going to do, his response was "I'm going fishing!" Classy bands, all around.
One thing that often gets overlooked when discussing Queen is Roger Taylor's voice. His ability to hit the high notes in those signature harmonies really gave Queen a Bottom to top range that hits like a sonic wall. Additionally, Queen is one of the few bands to have all of its members write a top 40 song for the Band. That's something.
This quote on the future of music is attributed to Freddie Mercury: "We are in a golden age of music. There will be a time when technology becomes so advanced that we'll rely on it to make music rather than raw talent...and music will lose its soul." I don't know if he actually said it, but there is a lot of truth in it.
I love Queen so much, and it's not just because of their music. These guys were so professional, smart, and treated each other like family. Brian, Roger, and John were, and are, so protective of Freddie, especially after he got sick. They did everything they could to keep his condition out of the spotlight. After his passing they sent him out in style with the amazing tribute concert and wrote songs for him. Brian's song: "No one But You" has gut wrenching lyrics,. Roger wrote a song for Freddie called "Old Friends." Both songs are proof of how much they loved and missed him. Now that's a recipe for a successful band. They are a class act.
the story goes that on the first album Freddie told the record company that he wanted every band members name on every song because no matter who wrote the lyrics they all participated. they just put whomever wrote the lyrics names first. unlike other bands like the Eagles who screwed each other over for royalties and credit.
My mother was a fan of Queen. According to her I was born already loving Queen. If I was fussy as a baby she could put on any one of their albums to calm me down. 40+ years later and they are still my favorite band.
The song reminds me of Mata Hari. Sophisticated, has all the right friends, plays both sides of the fence like a tennis pro, and at the same time is as dangerous as James Bond. Someone who has balance down to an art form.
Love Queen since they started and it was so wonderful how Brian, Roger and John protected Freddie’s health battle from AIDS til his passing and beyond. A class act and true friendship
Brian May wrote the song "The Show Must Go On" (credited to all four members of Queen) for the band's album Innuendo as a chronicle of the efforts of Freddie to continue to perform as his health declined and he approached the end of his life. That turned out to be the last song Freddie ever recorded.
Brian May is really an "underrated" guitarist. I hate using that term for him because he is extremely well respected, but he never seems to get to the same "guitar god" status that guys like Jimmy Page, Jimi Hendrix, and EVH get. I was in grade school during the 70s and was just beginning my rock music "journey". I didn't really known the bands name for a long time, I just knew I liked their music. I don't remember "Killer Queen" as well as "Bohemian Rhapsody" but I certainly listened to it when I got into their music more as I got older. Queen had such a unique sound. They were never afeaid to experiment but no matter what tangent they went off on, you always knew it was them. It wasn't just Freddie Mercury's voice either. Brian May's guitar work also set them apart. I mean, geez, you go from "Killer Queen" to "Stone Cold Crazy", which many consider proto-thrash to "Bohemian Rhapsody". All very different yet you know it's Queen. (BTW, PoR, you should do a vid on "Stone Cold Crazy" if you haven't already done so; I have chemo fog and can't remember!) The 70s had a lot of bands that were not afraid to take chances and experiment, unlike today. I doubt recording companies would allow a song like "Killer Queen" or "Bohemian Rhapsody" to be released today.
I loved an interview I saw where Brian is talking about playing with Eddie Van Halen for his Star Fleet project and he said that at one point when they were jamming they traded guitars and Eddie sounded like Eddie playing Brian's guitar and Brian sounded like himself playing Eddie's. There was a poll last year that had him rated as #1 player of all-time. I think it was when they were on tour in Europe a year ago. He said he was flattered but he did not deserve the honor. There were many guitar players better than him.
Queen's live performances matched their recorded greatness. I was lucky enough to see them live at MSG in 1980. They were positively electric on stage. One of the advantages of being an old fart is having had the opportunity to see such historic bands in their heyday.
I had Queen's first Greatest Hits (on vinyl) in 1982 when I was 12. My late mother, hearing the Killer Queen track, commented that the song was autobiographical on Freddy's part. Freddy, she said, WAS the killer queen. It took me like 30 years to understand what she meant.
Truly one of the cleanest and smoothest bands to ever emerge. A nuanced band that I don't think we will see the likes of again. They are simply too unique to be replicated! Cheers
@@hazor777 I’m on the same page. I can hear The Beatles in ELO. Queen, I can hear, feel, and picture the operatic structure in most their vocals. ELO has some too but, Jeff Lynn’s sound comes closer to The Beatles for me.✌️
The cool thing is that Queen is probably bigger now in the US than they ever were in the 70s/early 80s. RIP to Freddie Mercury, one of the greatest rock singers ever.
As a long time Queen fan it's a good thing and a bad thing they over play the same old hits on the radio to the point your like here we go again .On the plus side at least you can turn the radio off and listen to the on some other formats.
When I was little, Bohemian Rhapsody first came on out TV, and it was the longest time I’d ever seen my mum go totally silent. She was mesmerised by Freddie, and that lasted right up til she passed at 88, two years ago. One of the saddest days of our lives was when Freddie passed. He was beyond compare. There are stars, and then there’s Freddie. We were lucky to live in the same time as him. They’re such brilliant people and the more I hear about them, the more I love them.
So many amazing Queen songs, so little time. I love this band and miss Freddie Mercury so much. There is only one Queen, and they were the definition of epic.
Queen II is so friggin amazing. Rob Halford and Axl Rose both say it's one of their favorite albums,Axl specifically saying it's his favorite Queen album.
I always imagined the woman in the song to be a secret agent😂❤ Also, Katy Perry said that Killer Queen was the song that inspired her to be a rock star, so it makes sense that she would name her fragrance after it.😉
For years I had no idea what that line was. Being an uncouth kid from Texas, I had no idea about fine champagne. When I was 22 I had a boyfriend who grew up in France who finally told me it's "Moët et Chandon". I've still never had the opportunity to try some!🥂
This song brings to mind some sort of an underworld or social player. One of those people who have eyes and ears everywhere, and fingers in everything.
Songwriters who ATTEMP to write "hits", often fail. I love the fact that Freddie wasn't trying to write a hit song, just let it flow from heart and soul. Fantastic songwriter, vocalist and entertainer.
I always assumed it was not too different from 1970's Lola. "She" is, after all, a queen, and it's the only way the line "Wanna try?" makes sense. And I always figured that Mercury set up fat-bottomed girls (female girls) as distinct from skinny-bottomed girls (male girls).
I was lucky enough to see Queen at the Scope Arena in Norfolk. VA, in 1977. My roommate at school turned me on to them. Thanks Bob. It was a magical journey waiting for their next album to drop. The seventies, the best time in music history.
When it comes to Queen I am biased because it’s been my favorite band since I discovered rock at 12 years old. They have so much talent that I think even at how famous and good they are they should be bigger, Freddy was such a talented musician that put a shadow in the rest of the band but men, Brian is one of the best guitarist in the planet his sound you can always recognize, nobody sound like him, good voice and plenty of solo records to prove it, Roger also one of the best drummers in the world, great voice and if you haven’t heard his solo records you should. John is the most underrated member but men, just because he was the quiet one doesn’t mean he had lesser talent, great writing also and his bass playin is out of this world. I remember when I first heard Queen, it blew my mind, became a fan instantly and will be until I die, I have instructed my sons and wife that they have to play Queen at my funeral non stop. Best band ever period.
An example of a band that was huge here in America, but even bigger in England. With all the bands that performed at Live Aid, Queen owned it (U2 was a close second). Which is what happens when you have the ultimate front man.
@mitchellbaker9434. You may already know this. (Sir) Bob Geldof who organised the Live Aid event has said that his idea was to create "a global juke box". Queen's performance in their allocated 20 minute slot was just perfect! If you look at the video footage of Queen's set, there is a set of warning/"traffic lights" at the side of the stage ( to the right of Brian May?). As each band was approaching the end of their "set time", the light changed from green to amber to warn the performers that their time was nearly up. Apparently, Queen "overran" by 20 seconds. Freddie and the boys nailed it! Stay safe and well.
Queen 1 was my first lp, bought in Sept 1973. Have been a fan ever since. When most tasted led zep, I was always a queen diehard. Played queen1 so much that I purchased it 4 times over the years of vinyl. I saw them live twice Feb 75, April 76. You do not have to think much as to which show this was. My claim to fame is that Freddie asked the audience what song would you like to hear. After the cacophony stilled, I shouted keep yourself alive. Brian looked over my way, stage left as is his position. He looked right at this fan nodded, walked over to Freddie. My request was not the first to be played. It was the second, and I have always been quite pleased at being the second request. Thanks brian.
I was 9 years old, when my sister brought home 'Sheer Heart Attack'. I loved the album from the get-go: 'Brighton Rock', the first cut on the album, pulled me right in, with it's 'carnival music' in the beginning, however, when the second track, Killer Queen came on, I was completely hooked! From that moment on, I declared Killer Queen to be my most ;favourite song in the world' and that Queen was my favourite band (good taste for my 9 year old self!) For Christmas, my sister had a t-shirt made up for me with 'Queen' blazened on the front of it, with a photo of Freddie, in concert, in the opening of the bug Q. I remember when I wore it to school, my classmates kept asking me 'who's Queen??' After Bohemian Rhapsody broke out a year later, everyone jumped onto the Queen bandwagon, lol. To this day, Sheer Heart Attack, A Night At the Opera and A Day At the Races remain part of my top 'go to albums' that I listen to. Thanks Adam!
I saw them live in Madison Square garden in 79, The song Killer Queen received one of the biggest ovations from us at that concert. At times the audiences involvement was so intense I was afraid the garden would collapse, especially during "We will rock you" it was the loudest I ever heard the Garden be. And I've seen many concerts there as well as being a season ticket holder for the N. Y. Rangers!!!!
@@johnrafferty8541 Ok thanks. I still have the official concert program from that night over 40 years later!, as well as the ones from Boston and ELO. The Garden is an excellent venue.
@@ProfessorofRock I honestly do not remember, but I saved the concert program from that nite and still have it as well as ones from ELO and Boston. That are part of my treasures!!!
Love queen!!! Learned so much more from the biopic. Had cancer when that movie came out, and that movie was incredible for me! I had no idea queen had written so many different songs. Another one bites the dust, crazy little thing called love, under pressure and more. Learned a lot and had fun in treatments and recovery with queen. Found out 4 years ago on Freddie's b-day I was cancer free and today have 1 more visit a year from now! Freddie and queen were with me all the way❤ fantastic band and great guys! Loved this piece on Killer Queen. Thanks!
Congratulations and I pray for many, many more happy cancer-free years! I've been there and know what you went through. Much love and all the best to you xoxo
"Killer Queen" was my introduction to Queen at a young age. I had no idea what he was singing about, but the music blew my mind. Been a fan every since.
Like many people, "Killer Queen" was my introduction to Queen. I loved the song and promptly bought the single. Eventually I played the flip-side, which was "Flick Of The Wrist" and decided I needed to hear more of this band and went out and bought Sheer Heart Attack and was so impressed, I quickly bought the debut & Queen II, with Queen II still being by far my favorite Queen album. Next favorite is the the debut.
Totally Agree about Queen II!!! I stayed a fan waiting for something on that level again. Totally loved their stuff but always wanted another Queen II Effort!! That album is still off the charts for me!!! I was almost ashamed that Killer Queen got everyones attention. Too pop compared to the intense Rock and Roll of Queen II! The first Queen album became my 2nd runner up! Excellent Rock Songs on the album. Not a bad song on it.
One of the best Bands of all time. In middle school 82/83ish ? My music teacher Mr. Darden one of the coolest cats I've ever know. Gave us an assignment to write a paper or story based one of our favorite songs... at that time I had just discovered Queen, Ozzy, Stray Cats and Kenny Roger's etc... So I chose Killer Queen to write about. So I got carried away and wrote a play based on that song mixed with what I just learned in English class. We were reading Hamlet. It was a mix of Hamlet n the lyrics. I don't know if it was any good or not. But I got a B+. Mostly for my enthusiasm.... I went way overboard and did like 10 to 12 pages. I wish I had gotten it back from him... just to have. Keep up the great work. Love your channel. Ty
One of the things about "Killer Queen" that some miss, is the use of a "chorus" effect on some of the guitar parts. It became an instant ID and signature sound of queen. Oddly and contrary to the general consensus here, Queen got a lot of air time on WMMS (Cleveland, Ohio), especially Killer Queen. Everybody knew who Queen was and most of us couldn't get enough. Great band with a unique sound and style, and greatly missed. Killer Queen will always be my favorite Queen tune. ;-)
I was in 4th grade when Sheer Heart Attack was released, being young I didn’t understand what the lyrics meant on Killer Queen. My aunt and uncle took me to one of their concerts at Madison Square Garden on their News Of The World tour, I was hooked on their music ever since. Saw them in concert the following year for their Jazz tour. Queen could never be typecast into any one musical genre, they are their own other musicians would attempt to be like.
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 IMO they were awesome live. I did see them a total of 7 times so I'm a bit biased. I didn't expect them to perform live as the songs were recorded but they did come close. Of course the only recorded music they used was the one section of Bohemian Rhapsody and God Save The Queen.
3:48 I remember "Keep Yourself Alive" getting a respectable amount of airplay in the Boston area. Of course, by that time, much of top-40 radio had shifted to FM stations which still had a more diverse playlist than was typical of the AM stations they were replacing. Whatever success the song had was probably more reflected in album sales than single sales.
Very few bands that has respect and love between the members. This is why Dad and I really love Queen's songs the blending of the voices is so majestic
Dad listened to opera so for us bohemian rhapsody wasn’t a new sound. I loved it from the first note. Killer Queen is so freaking good. Keep Yourself Alive… I’m gonna say I’m a big Queen fan and was very saddened when Freddie passed. There will never be anyone else like him, may his soul be granted eternal rest, worshiping with the angels with his amazing voice.
My first Queen album (along with most Americans) was "Night At The Opera". I'm so unclassy, I didn't think about opera, I loved that it was named after a Marx Brothers movie! Then the next album was "Day At The Races", another Marx Brother's movie. I was hoping they'd make another along that theme, "A Night In Casablanca", but that movie may have been a little too controversial because of the nazi storyline. It didn't surprise me that members of Queen gave a nod to the Marx brothers because many of their songs had so much humor and playfulness. I think Groucho would have loved "Fat-bottom Girls"... and the song too!😉
One of my most favs of Queen's songs! I didn't understand the lyrics as a kid but still Loved it and now that I know what they means (before this post) and it is great lyrically and you can picture what he is singing about! Freddie did say, he didn't care what you did with his music - as long as you don't make him boring!
This is the first song I heard by Queen and remembered thinking the movie/musical Cabaret meets rock. You are 100% right professor most Queen songs grap you instantly from the very first notes or beat. Thank God May got better quickly , relatively, Queen would have been a much different band. Truly a one of a kind band made for huge arena sound. Great episode professor
Sheer Heart Attack is probably my favorite album right after A Kind of Magic. I remember playing it one night at the barn while cleaning the stalls, and one horse in particular refused to come inside when Stone Cold Crazy was on. Something about it just freaked her out and she stood in the doorway snorting toward the cassette deck (yes, it was that long ago...)
Hell, I took a hiatus from paying my dues in the mid-90's when my drummer husband & I broke up. I've played keyboard & percussion, as well as singing backup & sometimes lead in a classic rock band. I also sang in several church & university choirs. I've sung classical music in UAB Chorus outside in mid-December in 25-degree F. weather (yes, Alabama does have cold weather) with snot running down my nose & into my mouth, done arias with bronchitis. I used to mix green tea, Tang, Nestea instant tea with sugar & lemon, lots of cinnamon, & a generous amount of Jack Daniel's. Talk about waking the vocal chords up. I'm 64, but I do NOT consider myself retired. Queen gives me inspiration.
I jst wanted to pop in here to tell you Adam, how touched I was by your tribute to your Dad in the Back on the Chain Gang vid you did a few days back. That was really moving. You're a good son. As for Queen, I was privileged to see them at the LA Forum right after Bohemian Rhapsody came out. They were awesome. Not 100 % sure, but I think an (then) unknown band called Huey Lewis and the News opened that show.
Killer Queen is still my favorite Queen song. I know this is saying a lot, but those lyrics is what has always impressed me. It is just so unique and "extraordinary nice".😂
Queen was not a glam rock band. If you check out any source of British glam rock bands, Queen is never mentioned as being part of that group. Queen dressed in some glam styles but their music was never really glam rock rock. In the early 70's Queen were associated with prog rock, hard rock and metal.
What I love about your show is the unbridled enthusiasm and obvious love you have for the music. I was not a Queen fan, BUT YOU HELP SWAY EVEN BLUES GUYS LIKE ME. THANKS FOR GIVING US A FRESH TAKE ON THE ERA. And...sorry for the CAPS.
As a child I remember the Flash Gordon soundtrack being amazing... and now listening to this, I wonder if Killer Queen may have gotten them the invitation to do that soundtrack...
I read the title of the video, and I just started singing it. I've followed many Queen pages over the years. I'm down to a handful now that feature "my type of crowd." My cats went ga ga over Freddie. Their purrs went to full power when they heard him. 😊 I'm so proud! They weren't fond of my singing. I'm like Deaky, but less adorable. Freddie gave Brian one of the early video game machines to play while he recovered. Probably gave him a "Don't worry about it, Darling" to go with it.
In my opinion, Brian May is one of the best rock guitarists ever. I believe he still plays the guitar he and his father built all those years ago. One way to get a tone that's impossible to copy.
Yes, Brian May still has his "original Red Special". But it's an "old lady" and he doesn't take it out on the road since it's too precious. Apparently Brian uses a custom built replica/copy for live appearances instead. Brian has also set up his own guitar company (Brian May Guitars) where you can buy your own copy of the "Red Special". Stay safe and well.
@robertdeen8741. Yes, I think you are right about Burns making a "Red Special" copy. You may already know this too. Brian uses an old English coin called a "sixpence" as a plectrum. Apparently as the small nickel/silver coin has a milled edge it gives a certain sound/tone when it hits the strings. These sixpence coins (nicknamed "tanners") were in circulation in the U.K.when there were 240 pennies to the £1 Sterling. So Dr. Brian is always on the hunt for them, since they were withdrawn many years ago! Stay safe and well.
I can’t shake the feeling that the ‘Queen’ Freddie was singing about was, in fact, himself. He may not have been ready to accept those parts of himself fully yet, that would take more time, but that person was in there!
Always loved Freddie Mercury/Queen and their music. I even enjoy Adam Lambert's step-ins for Freddie...shock. Seems to me there is still time left for Queen performances and I think Adam does justice to Freddie and his voice.
I saw them in late 1978 in Nashville after their News of the World album was released. They opened with We Will Rock You. Needless to say it was a great concert. I was 17 years young.
I bought Queen's greatest hits CD in the 90's when my kids were young. We'd listen in the car and they loved it and called for me to put it on when we ran errands😄. They jammed out to Killer Queen, but the one my oldest son loved the most was Fat-Bottom Girls and I had to discourage him from singing it in the second grade for the school talent show 😂. I always assumed the girl in Killer Queen was a lot of fun in a unique way. To me she seemed full of surprises and never boring 😊.
This was definitely my introduction to Queen. I was 15 when it came out, and it opened up so much good Queen music for me... all the stuff on this (Stone Cold Crazy, Brighton Rock), and their 1st 2 LPs (Ogre Battle, Keep Yourself Alive) 😀🤘
I don't remember the first time I heard Killer Queen, it was long before I could have really understood the lyrics, but I really enjoyed it. Everything in the song worked so well with everything else, the main vocals, the backing vocals, the instruments. In a way it reminds me of the Good Rats' Tasty, but without the self consciousness of that song. Tasty was a song about how certain musicians could easily flow into making something memorable without trying to force it. Killer Queen embodied that feeling with its harmony and laid back wit. Tasty indeed.
At this time, Killer Queen is my favorite song of theirs. That strolling shuffle with Freddie's voice lightly bouncing along, those surprising and funny changes in harmony and vocal harmonies...they both delight me and tickle my funny bone!
Sheer Heart Attack was the first record I bought, aged 10 and the opening track ‘Brighton Rock’ is completely responsible for me wanting to play guitar. I got my first electric guitar, a black Les Paul copy, for Christmas 1974 and 49 years later I still play bass in various bands regularly and own three basses, two guitars (including a a genuine Gibson Les Paul!) and an acoustic It’s impossible to accurately describe the impact that album’s impact on me!
Funny, I remember in 1974 our High School in Southern NH was scheduled to have Queen play a concert for us as they passed through Boston. They played the music over the intercom system and we all voted yes for this unknown visiting British act. Of course the concert was canceled due to Brian May's illness. And a little later constantly hearing Killer Queen everywhere really made the loss of the concert extra painful. But we always seemed to have great rock acts being so close to Boston. J Giles Band played regularly at the Frolics night club at Salisbury beach MA. One band that we lost who regularly performed at our school was called Middle Earth, It suddenly vanished and then one day someone saw it listed on the back of our Boston albums. I remember thinking of how cool that was. We had a math teacher who told us about Steven Tyler and Joe Perry playing at his kid brother's birthday party. The stories made these guys so real for us and they were all our local heroes and inspiration. The 70's was certainly an exciting time to be in High School as far as music went, and hearing Killer Queen brings back so many of those incredible memories.
Queen had such amazing talent and diversity as a whole and individually you've got the gifted songwriting and bass playing of John deacon, the guitar acrobatics of Brian may, the powerhouse drumming and singing of Roger Taylor and one of the greatest frontmen in Freddy Mercury all together created a one of a kind sound that became their signature sound
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 basically and also let's include Roy Thomas Baker as well he helped shape the iconic Queen sound on all of their classic albums and Roy would also do the same for the first 4 Cars albums to
People also often forget Freddie Mercury's piano playing, he wasn't Rick Wakeman, but he had his style and his piano playing was very pleasing to hear.
My brother saw Queen at the Winter Gardens, Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire, March 1974. Back then, the venue, while not an A-list, was still a pretty good stepping stone in the north of England.
16:11 "re: killer queen". I always thought it was about a female spy - a femme fatale. The lyric "Gunpowder, gelatine Dynamite with a laser beam" ... is spy craft.
As a side note on Queen and Brian May, this weekend NASA managed to recover a payload from the OSIRUS-REx probe that visited the asteroid Bennu, collect about eight ounces of material from the asteroid, flew back to Earth to drop off the sample during a fly-by on its way to a *second* asteroid to do the same. The package was successfully recovered intact. Sadly, one team member could not be present during this time because the team member, noted astrophysicist Brian May, was in England practicing for an upcoming concert. LOL I'm not sure this side gig of his is going to go anywhere. Brian should probably sit down and decide if this music thing is the right direction for him. :D
In '75 I was 10. I bought the Bohemian Rhapsody single. March '78 I got News of the World for my 13th birthday. About a year later I heard Killer Queen but the dj didn't say the song name. So I started buying Queen albums, hoping each time to find that amazing song. Of course every album was amazing. I had their whole catalog by the time Jazz came out, except for Sheer Heart Attack. It was last only because I didn't like the cover much. But when I bought it, the search was over and I was ecstatic. That magical song led me to Queen, Queen II, A Night at the Opera, A Day at the Race, Jazz, (I knew that song wasn't on there, but Bicycle Race forced a detour, and finally, Sheer Heart Attack. Along with News of the World, to me, that seven album run is one the the three most important in my musical development, equalled only by Elton John and Rush. I bought all those albums four times each via vinyl, cd, and remasters. They're still in my regular rotation and still bring goosebumps.
they definitely were a match made in heaven. i can picture John Deacon and Roger Taylor playing with pretty much any other great band, but Brian and Freddie's sounds went together like peas and carrots. Brian's guitar was made to back Freddie's vocals imo.
John has a personality that might have prevented him from succeeding in other bands. But otherwise, I (and a lot of podcasters I listen to) agree with the rest of this statement. Brian and Freddie are so huge and so talented, it’s hard to think of them as not becoming legendary, regardless. But then you remember, they didn’t. They had been in bands for years and found no success (Freddie even less than Brian). The combination of the two of them was kismet. And Roger and John solidified it. Freddie had talent, but it didn’t show early on, and he had a personality that could rub people the wrong way. Brian is a genius, but a bit of a moody perfectionist. John is painfully shy, and needed a group that would understand and accept that. But a lot of people agree Roger would have eventually succeeded no matter where he landed, because his outgoing personality makes him well loved and well regarded by most other artists. He’s talented, but also the epitome of a cool rock star and fun guy. 😜
Queen took the Glam bubblegum sound of Sweet and put some muscle to it. They were taken more seriously in the states and by the time Sweet caught on it was too late. Killer Queen is their best song, and along with ELO got me interested in top 40 again after I thought it hit a dead end in 1974. One thing people might not know is that critics hated Queen back then, and didn't change their tune until after Freddie's death. The re-introduction of British top 40 bands like Pilot, First Class and Ace probably helped Queen get on the charts.
@@ProfessorofRock Thanks, don't know if you have a copy of the Rolling Stone record guide (1983), but if you do I'd like to see an episode on the topic.
Almost 50 years ago, this was the tune that introduced me to the world of Freddie Mercury and Queen. As a 10-year-old American boy, I didn't even know what Moët et Chandon was. (I thought he was singing "She keeps a moway and shondle..." makes no sense at all, but then, neither did "gunpowder, gelatine"!) But I loved everything about this song and still do to this day. I learned to play Killer Queen on piano and sing it for my friends. A Night at the Opera came out soon thereafter, which I learned to play front-to-back on piano, much to the delight of my peers. We'd gather in the choir room after school and sing straight through both sides of the album, with all the segues and guitar solos! Fun times and memories. BONUS TRIVIA: I love that there are an odd number (5) of snaps at the beginning before the vocal pickup. BONUS TRIVIA NUMBER 2: The other single "Now I'm Here" is the last time Freddie played Hammond organ on a Queen track. Most of the instrumental parts other than piano and occasional harpsichord (Queen II) came from the mind and guitar of Brian May, who made the use of synthesizers or actual strings and horns unnecessary for the first 7 albums. It was disappointing to me when they started using synths on "The Game".
@@ProfessorofRock Adam, I saw them one time in the 80s in St Paul MN, during The Game tour. Even though I wasn't a fan of much of that album, I still didn't want to miss out seeing them on the rare occasion they made it to the Twin Cities. To this day, the Sheer Heart Attack album is in my top two Queen albums. It's amazing how polished it is, given Brian's hospitalization, etc. There's something to love about each and every song. Also, did your dad have a console stereo like my parents had? I would lie on the floor with my head centered between the speakers so I could listen to all the stereo ping-ponging on Brian's Echoplex solos, as well as vocals on Night at the Opera! I just gave someone their old Zenith console after both of my parents passed away last spring. Lots of memories attached to that piece.
An old friend of mine went to the Mott The Hoople concert with Queen as the warm-up band in New York City. 1973 I think? He said that Queen was booed off the stage. He said basically nobody knew who Queen was and they sucked. LOL! That would have been something to see! Glad they never gave up!
I was always surprised at how many guys who claimed to hate gays liked Queen's music once they became popular; it was as if they got a pass. Maybe if the crowd that spent money to hear Mott the Hoople sing "All The Young Dudes" (their only big U.S. hit) actually understood the lyrics, they would have been more open-minded about Queen, or maybe just more closed-minded about Mott the Hoople.
@@pcno2832I don’t think homophobia had anything to do with it. Did audiences who never heard of Queen know that the lead singer was gay? And Mott The Hoople were known for their androgyny. Add on that that this was in NYC. Sounds like a very open-minded audience who just didn’t like their music. Queen’s early stuff was way harder music than MTH as well which would have divided the audience right out of the gate. Let’s face it, Queen was a very unique band with a unique sound. It sometimes takes a while to retrain the masses to accept something different. Freddie was over-the-top, which eventually made him ultra successful. Reminds me of David Lee Roth. People hated him in the early days with his stage antics (high karate kicks and jumping off of things, animal screeches and arrogance.). Ok, ok, people still hate DLR!😝
Once read that when Queen were just starting out in England, and playing small venue’s, the audience would throw empty beer cans on stage! It was said Freddie would use his mike stand as a bat and just bat the cans that were coming his way, and kept on singing! They were also panned by the critics. Gotta give them credit. They kept going with their music and their own sound. Glad they did, and that they didn’t listen to the critics and give up. Their persistence paid off.
First, why isn't there a love button??? Lol. Happy Monday! Queen is so unique & has so many different sounds, truly an amazing band. I love this episode! Bravo!🎉
Queen and I go back to November 3, 1978 at the Hollywood Sportatorium in Florida, where I first saw them. Best show I've ever seen in my life! When Killer Queen came out I was 13 years old and I remember loving it, a very unusual and original sound.
I can't honestly say which Queen song was the first I heard. I've been listening to them since around 74. I know one of my favorites is Lap of the Gods. All of the members contributed truly great songs and fan favorites. The song Brian wrote for Freddie after he died that he and Roger take turns singing the lead on; No One But You; is an emotional song. I'm sorry I never got the chance to see Freddie live. I'm going to finally see Brian and Roger in a month and celebrate Freddie.
I don't think I'll ever be able to listen to the last few albums. Way to hard to listen to. But I get to see Brian and Roger next week! I can't WAIT!!!!
I first heard Killer Queen while washing dishes at my job in 1975 (I was 15 years old), I asked Wayne the Cook who that was!... I was hooked and started picking up all the Queen albums I could find. To this day they are my favorite all time band. I still play Queen a lot. Especially the first few albums.
Heard a snippet of this song on FM Radio - Ordered the 45 from local record store - This was my 1st foray into Queen - They ruled my high school yrs - Up till about The Game LP - I luved Freddie - Damn, what a freakin one-of-a-kind showman/vocalist/songwriter, etcetc They were/are the greatest band ever (aside from The Beatles #1) - What a great tune...
OMG...The more you speak, the more your family culture becomes more transparent...Good people passing the knowledge, wisdom and love of music and all of life from one to the next generation. Imagine your kids learn Mother Language/Math Skills early and begin forming memories earlier than most kids. "QUEEN"; sorry it frightened you, but they were stupendous and when 'In Concert', impossible to take one's eyes from. One of the few groups, gifted and worth the top dollar possible. Rest In Peace Freddie Mercury.💖🙏🏻🎶🎶💖🙏🏻
Greatest stadium band of all time. No genre does them justice. Most amazing rock vocalist of our time. So much of their best songs are tracks few non-Queen junkies even know. Freddie the ultimate front man and his genius partners in crime blew us away for two decades. If you've not their latest two new releases, go check them out. It's like Freddie has come back from the dead. "Time waits for no one (a remake)" and "Face it Alone (amazing)." Just a band that will live on forever.
Poll: What is your pick for the song that hooked you from the second you heard it?
Beds Are Burning, Midnight Oil. 🎸🎸🎸
Blue Collar Man- Styx
The Way it Is- Bruce Hornsby
Rock This Town - Stray Cats
Lay it Down - Benjamin Gate
I'll nominate "More Than A Feeling" by Boston.
Beer Drinkers And Hell Raisers
Free Bird
Metal Health
It’s So Easy
Helter Skelter
I was always a little fascinated by the line "A built-in remedy For Khrushchev and Kennedy ", as if they needed a diversion, a break from stopping WWIII. The thought came easily, as "The Missiles of October", a docu-drama about the Cuban Missile Crisis, with Martin Sheen playing JFK, ran on ABC December 18, 1974. It occurred to me that maybe if the leaders of the world could share a high-end prostitute or two from time to time, there might be fewer wars.
As someone who has lost jobs and friends (and a dentist) because of health conditions, the fact that they didn't turn their backs on Bryan May when he was sick makes me love them even more.
Agree, being sick sucks
Very cool indeed. They NEEDED him! One of the greatest ever.
@Whisper_292:
That's the same mentality that the members of Def Leppard displayed when Rick Allen had his car wreck, when Joe Elliott contacted the mumps and when Rick Savage was diagnosed with Bell's Palsy
@@karlsmith2570Def Leppard definitely got their reward for sticking with their bandmates: mllions of albums sold and multiple sold-out tours!
ZZ Top stuck by Frank Beard when he entered rehab. When Dusty Hill was asked what they were going to do, his response was "I'm going fishing!" Classy bands, all around.
One thing that often gets overlooked when discussing Queen is Roger Taylor's voice. His ability to hit the high notes in those signature harmonies really gave Queen a Bottom to top range that hits like a sonic wall.
Additionally, Queen is one of the few bands to have all of its members write a top 40 song for the Band. That's something.
Agreed! Amazing backing vox!
I agree
He took up the slack on Freddie's vocal at the live aid performance.
Wing of Pegasus points it out. In a breakdown of the performance .
Just put that as a suggestion: :Taylor was heavy 😎
In the UK they each wrote a Top 10 hit for the band.👍👍
This quote on the future of music is attributed to Freddie Mercury: "We are in a golden age of music. There will be a time when technology becomes so advanced that we'll rely on it to make music rather than raw talent...and music will lose its soul." I don't know if he actually said it, but there is a lot of truth in it.
Looking at today’s music, Freddie was right all along!
Just listen to the works album, they knew what was coming.
Freddie wasn't wrong. It seems being famous is more important than putting passion and heart into music.
I believe it’s an interview from 1986. And also Geddy Lee/Neil Peart predicted the same thing back in 1980.
Probably why apthe musc of Ghost is so well loved by my generation
I love Queen so much, and it's not just because of their music. These guys were so professional, smart, and treated each other like family. Brian, Roger, and John were, and are, so protective of Freddie, especially after he got sick. They did everything they could to keep his condition out of the spotlight. After his passing they sent him out in style with the amazing tribute concert and wrote songs for him. Brian's song: "No one But You" has gut wrenching lyrics,. Roger wrote a song for Freddie called "Old Friends." Both songs are proof of how much they loved and missed him. Now that's a recipe for a successful band. They are a class act.
the story goes that on the first album Freddie told the record company that he wanted every band members name on every song because no matter who wrote the lyrics they all participated. they just put whomever wrote the lyrics names first. unlike other bands like the Eagles who screwed each other over for royalties and credit.
Freddie is the greatest male vocalist in the history of rock. Nobody has ever even come close since. God save the Queen. 🤘
They didn’t turn their backs on Brian when he got sick… And, Brian never turned his back on Freddie when he did
My mother was a fan of Queen. According to her I was born already loving Queen. If I was fussy as a baby she could put on any one of their albums to calm me down. 40+ years later and they are still my favorite band.
The song reminds me of Mata Hari. Sophisticated, has all the right friends, plays both sides of the fence like a tennis pro, and at the same time is as dangerous as James Bond. Someone who has balance down to an art form.
Yes me too! I always thought it was about a female spy.
I honestly can't think of any band that sounds like Queen? They're one of a kind.
Love Queen since they started and it was so wonderful how Brian, Roger and John protected Freddie’s health battle from AIDS til his passing and beyond. A class act and true friendship
Brian May wrote the song "The Show Must Go On" (credited to all four members of Queen) for the band's album Innuendo as a chronicle of the efforts of Freddie to continue to perform as his health declined and he approached the end of his life. That turned out to be the last song Freddie ever recorded.
@@stevegallo8483No, _Mother Love_ was the last track he cut, around June of '91.
Brian May is really an "underrated" guitarist. I hate using that term for him because he is extremely well respected, but he never seems to get to the same "guitar god" status that guys like Jimmy Page, Jimi Hendrix, and EVH get. I was in grade school during the 70s and was just beginning my rock music "journey". I didn't really known the bands name for a long time, I just knew I liked their music. I don't remember "Killer Queen" as well as "Bohemian Rhapsody" but I certainly listened to it when I got into their music more as I got older. Queen had such a unique sound. They were never afeaid to experiment but no matter what tangent they went off on, you always knew it was them. It wasn't just Freddie Mercury's voice either. Brian May's guitar work also set them apart. I mean, geez, you go from "Killer Queen" to "Stone Cold Crazy", which many consider proto-thrash to "Bohemian Rhapsody". All very different yet you know it's Queen. (BTW, PoR, you should do a vid on "Stone Cold Crazy" if you haven't already done so; I have chemo fog and can't remember!) The 70s had a lot of bands that were not afraid to take chances and experiment, unlike today. I doubt recording companies would allow a song like "Killer Queen" or "Bohemian Rhapsody" to be released today.
He is definitely underrated in every sense of the word.
Brighton rock :::mays finest
So many different styles it’s almost like whiplash.
I loved an interview I saw where Brian is talking about playing with Eddie Van Halen for his Star Fleet project and he said that at one point when they were jamming they traded guitars and Eddie sounded like Eddie playing Brian's guitar and Brian sounded like himself playing Eddie's. There was a poll last year that had him rated as #1 player of all-time. I think it was when they were on tour in Europe a year ago. He said he was flattered but he did not deserve the honor. There were many guitar players better than him.
he's finally now getting the recognition he deserves. There are a lot more Queen fans out there than people realize.
Queen's live performances matched their recorded greatness. I was lucky enough to see them live at MSG in 1980. They were positively electric on stage. One of the advantages of being an old fart is having had the opportunity to see such historic bands in their heyday.
What did they open with?
Jailhouse Rock
I saw them in '80 at MSG as well and they opened with Let me Entertain you. @@ProfessorofRock
What did they play there?
As a fellow old fart I so agree. I also got to see some of the greatest bands of that era 😊
I had Queen's first Greatest Hits (on vinyl) in 1982 when I was 12. My late mother, hearing the Killer Queen track, commented that the song was autobiographical on Freddy's part. Freddy, she said, WAS the killer queen. It took me like 30 years to understand what she meant.
Truly one of the cleanest and smoothest bands to ever emerge. A nuanced band that I don't think we will see the likes of again. They are simply too unique to be replicated! Cheers
Extraordinarily nice!👑
Queen is a one in a million musical phenomenon. Cheers to you, RC32 🥂
As a kid I loved the opera-ish infused rock of ELO, and then Queen... just so unique-- starting with "Killer Queen!"
I was just thinking about bands that were similar to Queen and the first one that popped into my head was ELO. Love both bands.
When I think of ELO , it’s The Beatles that come instantly to mind
Back in the 70s Queen and ELO were synonymous for me. Same with Kiss and Aerosmith.
@@hazor777 I’m on the same page. I can hear The Beatles in ELO. Queen, I can hear, feel, and picture the operatic structure in most their vocals. ELO has some too but, Jeff Lynn’s sound comes closer to The Beatles for me.✌️
Both excellent bands!
The cool thing is that Queen is probably bigger now in the US than they ever were in the 70s/early 80s. RIP to Freddie Mercury, one of the greatest rock singers ever.
Deservedly so.
As a long time Queen fan it's a good thing and a bad thing they over play the same old hits on the radio to the point your like here we go again .On the plus side at least you can turn the radio off and listen to the on some other formats.
When I was little, Bohemian Rhapsody first came on out TV, and it was the longest time I’d ever seen my mum go totally silent. She was mesmerised by Freddie, and that lasted right up til she passed at 88, two years ago. One of the saddest days of our lives was when Freddie passed. He was beyond compare. There are stars, and then there’s Freddie. We were lucky to live in the same time as him. They’re such brilliant people and the more I hear about them, the more I love them.
So many amazing Queen songs, so little time. I love this band and miss Freddie Mercury so much. There is only one Queen, and they were the definition of epic.
For sure!
Couldn’t have happened to a better band…
Never heard of them while Freddie Mercury was alive. When I discovered the music, I felt like there was a party going on that I missed.
Queen II is so friggin amazing. Rob Halford and Axl Rose both say it's one of their favorite albums,Axl specifically saying it's his favorite Queen album.
I always imagined the woman in the song to be a secret agent😂❤ Also, Katy Perry said that Killer Queen was the song that inspired her to be a rock star, so it makes sense that she would name her fragrance after it.😉
It was Jane Blond 069...🤣🤣
“She keeps her Moët Chandon in her pretty cabinet”. What a great opening line.
Yes! Story telling at its best. It makes you want to know what else she does 😊
For years I had no idea what that line was. Being an uncouth kid from Texas, I had no idea about fine champagne. When I was 22 I had a boyfriend who grew up in France who finally told me it's "Moët et Chandon". I've still never had the opportunity to try some!🥂
And what a pretty champagne!
This song brings to mind some sort of an underworld or social player. One of those people who have eyes and ears everywhere, and fingers in everything.
I'm 68 years old, & I still hold that Freddie Mercury is rock's greatest singer of all time!
Songwriters who ATTEMP to write "hits", often fail. I love the fact that Freddie wasn't trying to write a hit song, just let it flow from heart and soul.
Fantastic songwriter, vocalist and entertainer.
Amen! He knew what he was doing.
You can tell it’s coming from a passionate person.
One of a kind.
🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
Have always loved Queen. To think they struggled...... their sound was classic from the get go.
Thanks Professor.
Awesome start to the week. 🎉
They came out right on top!
I always felt like Killer Queen was a reflection of Mercury himself. Great song....great group...great video as always!
According to one thing I watched, it was about a manager.
I always assumed it was not too different from 1970's Lola. "She" is, after all, a queen, and it's the only way the line "Wanna try?" makes sense. And I always figured that Mercury set up fat-bottomed girls (female girls) as distinct from skinny-bottomed girls (male girls).
Killer queen...spoke just like a baroness...fastidious and precise...what a drag. C'mon guys, we all know what this song is about.
@@stevenscoggins170 It's not "What a drag," Steve. It's "Wanna try?" Until just a few years ago, I erroneously thought it was "What a tramp."
@@flor9389I read recently it was about a high-class call girl like Adam says here.... can't recall where i read it or if that's accurate though.
I was lucky enough to see Queen at the Scope Arena in Norfolk. VA, in 1977. My roommate at school turned me on to them. Thanks Bob. It was a magical journey waiting for their next album to drop. The seventies, the best time in music history.
When it comes to Queen I am biased because it’s been my favorite band since I discovered rock at 12 years old. They have so much talent that I think even at how famous and good they are they should be bigger, Freddy was such a talented musician that put a shadow in the rest of the band but men, Brian is one of the best guitarist in the planet his sound you can always recognize, nobody sound like him, good voice and plenty of solo records to prove it, Roger also one of the best drummers in the world, great voice and if you haven’t heard his solo records you should. John is the most underrated member but men, just because he was the quiet one doesn’t mean he had lesser talent, great writing also and his bass playin is out of this world. I remember when I first heard Queen, it blew my mind, became a fan instantly and will be until I die, I have instructed my sons and wife that they have to play Queen at my funeral non stop. Best band ever period.
YESSSS. Same. Since age 14 for me, 1975 was the first time i saw them and GOD i miss them to this day.
An example of a band that was huge here in America, but even bigger in England. With all the bands that performed at Live Aid, Queen owned it (U2 was a close second). Which is what happens when you have the ultimate front man.
That's exactly right!
Such an iconic performance, Live Aid.
@mitchellbaker9434. You may already know this. (Sir) Bob Geldof who organised the Live Aid event has said that his idea was to create "a global juke box". Queen's performance in their allocated 20 minute slot was just perfect! If you look at the video footage of Queen's set, there is a set of warning/"traffic lights" at the side of the stage ( to the right of Brian May?). As each band was approaching the end of their "set time", the light changed from green to amber to warn the performers that their time was nearly up. Apparently, Queen "overran" by 20 seconds. Freddie and the boys nailed it! Stay safe and well.
Queen 1 was my first lp, bought in Sept 1973. Have been a fan ever since. When most tasted led zep, I was always a queen diehard. Played queen1 so much that I purchased it 4 times over the years of vinyl. I saw them live twice Feb 75, April 76. You do not have to think much as to which show this was. My claim to fame is that Freddie asked the audience what song would you like to hear. After the cacophony stilled, I shouted keep yourself alive. Brian looked over my way, stage left as is his position. He looked right at this fan nodded, walked over to Freddie. My request was not the first to be played. It was the second, and I have always been quite pleased at being the second request. Thanks brian.
I was 9 years old, when my sister brought home 'Sheer Heart Attack'. I loved the album from the get-go: 'Brighton Rock', the first cut on the album, pulled me right in, with it's 'carnival music' in the beginning, however, when the second track, Killer Queen came on, I was completely hooked! From that moment on, I declared Killer Queen to be my most ;favourite song in the world' and that Queen was my favourite band (good taste for my 9 year old self!) For Christmas, my sister had a t-shirt made up for me with 'Queen' blazened on the front of it, with a photo of Freddie, in concert, in the opening of the bug Q. I remember when I wore it to school, my classmates kept asking me 'who's Queen??' After Bohemian Rhapsody broke out a year later, everyone jumped onto the Queen bandwagon, lol. To this day, Sheer Heart Attack, A Night At the Opera and A Day At the Races remain part of my top 'go to albums' that I listen to. Thanks Adam!
Is it still your favorite song ever?
I saw them live in Madison Square garden in 79,
The song Killer Queen received one of the biggest ovations from us at that concert. At times the audiences involvement was so intense I was afraid the garden would collapse, especially during "We will rock you" it was the loudest I ever heard the Garden be.
And I've seen many concerts there as well as being a season ticket holder for the N. Y. Rangers!!!!
Wow! What they open with?
It was 78 not 79. I was there
It would have been unbearable for me. But nonetheless, it sounds like fun!
@@johnrafferty8541
Ok thanks. I still have the official concert program from that night over 40 years later!, as well as the ones from Boston and ELO. The Garden is an excellent venue.
@@ProfessorofRock
I honestly do not remember, but I saved the concert program from that nite and still have it as well as ones from ELO and Boston.
That are part of my treasures!!!
Never underestimate the creative power of a good bath. It clears the mind and relaxes the muscles. I've jotted down many notes taking a soak.
I always take showers.
Love queen!!! Learned so much more from the biopic. Had cancer when that movie came out, and that movie was incredible for me! I had no idea queen had written so many different songs. Another one bites the dust, crazy little thing called love, under pressure and more. Learned a lot and had fun in treatments and recovery with queen. Found out 4 years ago on Freddie's b-day I was cancer free and today have 1 more visit a year from now! Freddie and queen were with me all the way❤ fantastic band and great guys! Loved this piece on Killer Queen. Thanks!
Congratulations on your beating cancer and good luck in the future.
Congratulations and I pray for many, many more happy cancer-free years! I've been there and know what you went through. Much love and all the best to you xoxo
"Killer Queen" was my introduction to Queen at a young age. I had no idea what he was singing about, but the music blew my mind. Been a fan every since.
Same!
It’s a musical journey.
Queen was different and it took awhile for most to realize just how impressively good they were.
Like many people, "Killer Queen" was my introduction to Queen. I loved the song and promptly bought the single. Eventually I played the flip-side, which was "Flick Of The Wrist" and decided I needed to hear more of this band and went out and bought Sheer Heart Attack and was so impressed, I quickly bought the debut & Queen II, with Queen II still being by far my favorite Queen album. Next favorite is the the debut.
THANKS!
It’s a really impressive album.
Totally Agree about Queen II!!! I stayed a fan waiting for something on that level again. Totally loved their stuff but always wanted another Queen II Effort!! That album is still off the charts for me!!! I was almost ashamed that Killer Queen got everyones attention. Too pop compared to the intense Rock and Roll of Queen II! The first Queen album became my 2nd runner up! Excellent Rock Songs on the album. Not a bad song on it.
Yep, Queen II does not get the attention it deserves.
One of the best Bands of all time.
In middle school 82/83ish ? My music teacher Mr. Darden one of the coolest cats I've ever know. Gave us an assignment to write a paper or story based one of our favorite songs... at that time I had just discovered Queen, Ozzy, Stray Cats and Kenny Roger's etc...
So I chose Killer Queen to write about.
So I got carried away and wrote a play based on that song mixed with what I just learned in English class. We were reading Hamlet. It was a mix of Hamlet n the lyrics.
I don't know if it was any good or not. But I got a B+. Mostly for my enthusiasm.... I went way overboard and did like 10 to 12 pages.
I wish I had gotten it back from him... just to have.
Keep up the great work.
Love your channel.
Ty
One of the things about "Killer Queen" that some miss, is the use of a "chorus" effect on some of the guitar parts. It became an instant ID and signature sound of queen.
Oddly and contrary to the general consensus here, Queen got a lot of air time on WMMS (Cleveland, Ohio), especially Killer Queen. Everybody knew who Queen was and most of us couldn't get enough. Great band with a unique sound and style, and greatly missed. Killer Queen will always be my favorite Queen tune. ;-)
That’s such a cool element that enhances the song.
I was in 4th grade when Sheer Heart Attack was released, being young I didn’t understand what the lyrics meant on Killer Queen. My aunt and uncle took me to one of their concerts at Madison Square Garden on their News Of The World tour, I was hooked on their music ever since. Saw them in concert the following year for their Jazz tour. Queen could never be typecast into any one musical genre, they are their own other musicians would attempt to be like.
What did you think of them live?
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 IMO they were awesome live. I did see them a total of 7 times so I'm a bit biased. I didn't expect them to perform live as the songs were recorded but they did come close. Of course the only recorded music they used was the one section of Bohemian Rhapsody and God Save The Queen.
This is indeed a killer. What a band. The vocals, the guitars, the arrangements. One of the greatest of the entire rock era.
Almost unbelievable now that a lot of the dates on their 1982 tour didn't sell out, a lot of people missed the opportunity of a lifetime
I love it so much.
3:48 I remember "Keep Yourself Alive" getting a respectable amount of airplay in the Boston area. Of course, by that time, much of top-40 radio had shifted to FM stations which still had a more diverse playlist than was typical of the AM stations they were replacing. Whatever success the song had was probably more reflected in album sales than single sales.
Very few bands that has respect and love between the members. This is why Dad and I really love Queen's songs the blending of the voices is so majestic
I have loved Queen the first time I heard them. Still love their music.
Dad listened to opera so for us bohemian rhapsody wasn’t a new sound. I loved it from the first note. Killer Queen is so freaking good. Keep Yourself Alive… I’m gonna say I’m a big Queen fan and was very saddened when Freddie passed. There will never be anyone else like him, may his soul be granted eternal rest, worshiping with the angels with his amazing voice.
He was one of a kind. Great comment! What are your favorites?
My first Queen album (along with most Americans) was "Night At The Opera".
I'm so unclassy, I didn't think about opera, I loved that it was named after a Marx Brothers movie! Then the next album was "Day At The Races", another Marx Brother's movie.
I was hoping they'd make another along that theme, "A Night In Casablanca", but that movie may have been a little too controversial because of the nazi storyline.
It didn't surprise me that members of Queen gave a nod to the Marx brothers because many of their songs had so much humor and playfulness. I think Groucho would have loved "Fat-bottom Girls"... and the song too!😉
No one else could pull off Bohemian Rhapsody like they did. That will always be a one in a million performance for me.
Got to see the day at the races tour at the fabulous forum, then the jazz tour in KC at Kemper. I was 16 and 19. It was just amazing!
One of my most favs of Queen's songs! I didn't understand the lyrics as a kid but still Loved it and now that I know what they means (before this post) and it is great lyrically and you can picture what he is singing about!
Freddie did say, he didn't care what you did with his music - as long as you don't make him boring!
This is the first song I heard by Queen and remembered thinking the movie/musical Cabaret meets rock. You are 100% right professor most Queen songs grap you instantly from the very first notes or beat. Thank God May got better quickly , relatively, Queen would have been a much different band. Truly a one of a kind band made for huge arena sound. Great episode professor
Thanks My Name!
Queen definitely had some cabaret in them!
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 had to love the theatrical side of their music
@@MyName-pl7zn They perfected it in Bohemian Rhapsody.
Sheer Heart Attack is probably my favorite album right after A Kind of Magic. I remember playing it one night at the barn while cleaning the stalls, and one horse in particular refused to come inside when Stone Cold Crazy was on. Something about it just freaked her out and she stood in the doorway snorting toward the cassette deck (yes, it was that long ago...)
Hell, I took a hiatus from paying my dues in the mid-90's when my drummer husband & I broke up. I've played keyboard & percussion, as well as singing backup & sometimes lead in a classic rock band. I also sang in several church & university choirs. I've sung classical music in UAB Chorus outside in mid-December in 25-degree F. weather (yes, Alabama does have cold weather) with snot running down my nose & into my mouth, done arias with bronchitis. I used to mix green tea, Tang, Nestea instant tea with sugar & lemon, lots of cinnamon, & a generous amount of Jack Daniel's. Talk about waking the vocal chords up. I'm 64, but I do NOT consider myself retired. Queen gives me inspiration.
I jst wanted to pop in here to tell you Adam, how touched I was by your tribute to your Dad in the Back on the Chain Gang vid you did a few days back. That was really moving. You're a good son.
As for Queen, I was privileged to see them at the LA Forum right after Bohemian Rhapsody came out. They were awesome. Not 100 % sure, but I think an (then) unknown band called Huey Lewis and the News opened that show.
Serious? What year was that? Thanks my friend!
@@ProfessorofRock That would have been late 1975 or possibly early 1976.
When did you go see them?
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 LOL Already answered that twice.
How are you Lilly?
@@jstnxprsn I’m doing quite okay. Going through a rough patch, but am relying on the music to pass the time!
I know this is about Killer Queen, but my 3 grandgirls, ages 5,6, and 10, know Bohemian Rhapsody by heart. I am so proud.
Killer Queen is still my favorite Queen song. I know this is saying a lot, but those lyrics is what has always impressed me. It is just so unique and "extraordinary nice".😂
Ha ha!
Haha, yup!
People forget that glam bands were a dime a dozen 50 years ago. Queen was discounted as just another one at first, but quickly evolved into legends.
That's right! What's your top Queen song?
@@ProfessorofRock Under Pressure or anything from The Game. Perfect album!
They were much greater than that label.
Queen was not a glam rock band. If you check out any source of British glam rock bands, Queen is never mentioned as being part of that group. Queen dressed in some glam styles but their music was never really glam rock rock. In the early 70's Queen were associated with prog rock, hard rock and metal.
I was a kid but fell in love with this band when I heard that album. They sounded like no other band.
They’re the best!
What I love about your show is the unbridled enthusiasm and obvious love you have for the music. I was not a Queen fan, BUT YOU HELP SWAY EVEN BLUES GUYS LIKE ME. THANKS FOR GIVING US A FRESH TAKE ON THE ERA.
And...sorry for the CAPS.
As a child I remember the Flash Gordon soundtrack being amazing... and now listening to this, I wonder if Killer Queen may have gotten them the invitation to do that soundtrack...
Yes! I was playing Flash in my mind at work just a few days ago, squeezed in so 'Football Fight' too, love that track.
I have always wanted to see this movie.
I read the title of the video, and I just started singing it. I've followed many Queen pages over the years. I'm down to a handful now that feature "my type of crowd." My cats went ga ga over Freddie. Their purrs went to full power when they heard him. 😊 I'm so proud! They weren't fond of my singing. I'm like Deaky, but less adorable. Freddie gave Brian one of the early video game machines to play while he recovered. Probably gave him a "Don't worry about it, Darling" to go with it.
In my opinion, Brian May is one of the best rock guitarists ever. I believe he still plays the guitar he and his father built all those years ago. One way to get a tone that's impossible to copy.
He does still play it. It's called 'The red special'. And it's usually what he uses when he plays.
Yes, Brian May still has his "original Red Special". But it's an "old lady" and he doesn't take it out on the road since it's too precious. Apparently Brian uses a custom built replica/copy for live appearances instead. Brian has also set up his own guitar company (Brian May Guitars) where you can buy your own copy of the "Red Special". Stay safe and well.
@@markmiwurdz202 interesting. I thought Burns made the copies or perhaps they did at one time?
@robertdeen8741. Yes, I think you are right about Burns making a "Red Special" copy. You may already know this too. Brian uses an old English coin called a "sixpence" as a plectrum. Apparently as the small nickel/silver coin has a milled edge it gives a certain sound/tone when it hits the strings. These sixpence coins (nicknamed "tanners") were in circulation in the U.K.when there were 240 pennies to the £1 Sterling. So Dr. Brian is always on the hunt for them, since they were withdrawn many years ago! Stay safe and well.
@@markmiwurdz202 I did know that.
I can’t shake the feeling that the ‘Queen’ Freddie was singing about was, in fact, himself. He may not have been ready to accept those parts of himself fully yet, that would take more time, but that person was in there!
It lines up with so many things about Freddie.
Always loved Freddie Mercury/Queen and their music. I even enjoy Adam Lambert's step-ins for Freddie...shock. Seems to me there is still time left for Queen performances and I think Adam does justice to Freddie and his voice.
Thanks!
I should see them on a tour!
i love adam lambert ❤ his solo stuff is fantastic...and i'm glad he was able to step in for queen
Great show today, Prof!
I really like Queen and it's awesome to hear another story about them and their music.
Keep up the cool job!
I saw them in late 1978 in Nashville after their News of the World album was released. They opened with We Will Rock You. Needless to say it was a great concert. I was 17 years young.
Great to hear!
No one sounds like Queen.
Brian May's guitar sound is unique and you know immediately who the band and the guitarist is.
I bought Queen's greatest hits CD in the 90's when my kids were young. We'd listen in the car and they loved it and called for me to put it on when we ran errands😄.
They jammed out to Killer Queen, but the one my oldest son loved the most was Fat-Bottom Girls and I had to discourage him from singing it in the second grade for the school talent show 😂.
I always assumed the girl in Killer Queen was a lot of fun in a unique way. To me she seemed full of surprises and never boring 😊.
Every song is GREAT!
Fat Bottomed Girls always makes me laugh!
This was definitely my introduction to Queen. I was 15 when it came out, and it opened up so much good Queen music for me... all the stuff on this (Stone Cold Crazy, Brighton Rock), and their 1st 2 LPs (Ogre Battle, Keep Yourself Alive) 😀🤘
Hey ProRo 🤓 this weekend coming up is Morris Day and the Time. He is retiring from touring. Later this year The Fugess with Lauren Hill
Well, I hope you enjoy!
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 Hey Silly Lilly 😜 thanks for the good wishes
I don't remember the first time I heard Killer Queen, it was long before I could have really understood the lyrics, but I really enjoyed it. Everything in the song worked so well with everything else, the main vocals, the backing vocals, the instruments. In a way it reminds me of the Good Rats' Tasty, but without the self consciousness of that song. Tasty was a song about how certain musicians could easily flow into making something memorable without trying to force it. Killer Queen embodied that feeling with its harmony and laid back wit. Tasty indeed.
At this time, Killer Queen is my favorite song of theirs. That strolling shuffle with Freddie's voice lightly bouncing along, those surprising and funny changes in harmony and vocal harmonies...they both delight me and tickle my funny bone!
Sheer Heart Attack was the first record I bought, aged 10 and the opening track ‘Brighton Rock’ is completely responsible for me wanting to play guitar. I got my first electric guitar, a black Les Paul copy, for Christmas 1974 and 49 years later I still play bass in various bands regularly and own three basses, two guitars (including a a genuine Gibson Les Paul!) and an acoustic
It’s impossible to accurately describe the impact that album’s impact on me!
Funny, I remember in 1974 our High School in Southern NH was scheduled to have Queen play a concert for us as they passed through Boston. They played the music over the intercom system and we all voted yes for this unknown visiting British act. Of course the concert was canceled due to Brian May's illness. And a little later constantly hearing Killer Queen everywhere really made the loss of the concert extra painful. But we always seemed to have great rock acts being so close to Boston. J Giles Band played regularly at the Frolics night club at Salisbury beach MA. One band that we lost who regularly performed at our school was called Middle Earth, It suddenly vanished and then one day someone saw it listed on the back of our Boston albums. I remember thinking of how cool that was. We had a math teacher who told us about Steven Tyler and Joe Perry playing at his kid brother's birthday party. The stories made these guys so real for us and they were all our local heroes and inspiration. The 70's was certainly an exciting time to be in High School as far as music went, and hearing Killer Queen brings back so many of those incredible memories.
Queen had such amazing talent and diversity as a whole and individually you've got the gifted songwriting and bass playing of John deacon, the guitar acrobatics of Brian may, the powerhouse drumming and singing of Roger Taylor and one of the greatest frontmen in Freddy Mercury all together created a one of a kind sound that became their signature sound
It’s like the perfect rock band.
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 basically and also let's include Roy Thomas Baker as well he helped shape the iconic Queen sound on all of their classic albums and Roy would also do the same for the first 4 Cars albums to
@@georgemathie8123 Definitely a name everyone should know!
People also often forget Freddie Mercury's piano playing, he wasn't Rick Wakeman, but he had his style and his piano playing was very pleasing to hear.
My brother saw Queen at the Winter Gardens, Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire, March 1974. Back then, the venue, while not an A-list, was still a pretty good stepping stone in the north of England.
I don't care what anyone says Freddie is one of the greatest singers and musicians of all time! 😊
One of my favorite songs EVER!!! ❤
They sailed to America using guitars as oars.
For real?
16:11 "re: killer queen". I always thought it was about a female spy - a femme fatale. The lyric "Gunpowder, gelatine
Dynamite with a laser beam" ... is spy craft.
As a side note on Queen and Brian May, this weekend NASA managed to recover a payload from the OSIRUS-REx probe that visited the asteroid Bennu, collect about eight ounces of material from the asteroid, flew back to Earth to drop off the sample during a fly-by on its way to a *second* asteroid to do the same. The package was successfully recovered intact. Sadly, one team member could not be present during this time because the team member, noted astrophysicist Brian May, was in England practicing for an upcoming concert. LOL
I'm not sure this side gig of his is going to go anywhere. Brian should probably sit down and decide if this music thing is the right direction for him. :D
Can you link to this? Ha ha
It's on his Instagram account. He said it was landing near Dugway Utah in the desert. Good luck getting near Dugway.
Ohhh, now that sure makes me smile!
In '75 I was 10. I bought the Bohemian Rhapsody single. March '78 I got News of the World for my 13th birthday. About a year later I heard Killer Queen but the dj didn't say the song name. So I started buying Queen albums, hoping each time to find that amazing song. Of course every album was amazing. I had their whole catalog by the time Jazz came out, except for Sheer Heart Attack. It was last only because I didn't like the cover much. But when I bought it, the search was over and I was ecstatic. That magical song led me to Queen, Queen II, A Night at the Opera, A Day at the Race, Jazz, (I knew that song wasn't on there, but Bicycle Race forced a detour, and finally, Sheer Heart Attack. Along with News of the World, to me, that seven album run is one the the three most important in my musical development, equalled only by Elton John and Rush. I bought all those albums four times each via vinyl, cd, and remasters. They're still in my regular rotation and still bring goosebumps.
they definitely were a match made in heaven. i can picture John Deacon and Roger Taylor playing with pretty much any other great band, but Brian and Freddie's sounds went together like peas and carrots. Brian's guitar was made to back Freddie's vocals imo.
John has a personality that might have prevented him from succeeding in other bands. But otherwise, I (and a lot of podcasters I listen to) agree with the rest of this statement. Brian and Freddie are so huge and so talented, it’s hard to think of them as not becoming legendary, regardless. But then you remember, they didn’t. They had been in bands for years and found no success (Freddie even less than Brian). The combination of the two of them was kismet. And Roger and John solidified it. Freddie had talent, but it didn’t show early on, and he had a personality that could rub people the wrong way. Brian is a genius, but a bit of a moody perfectionist. John is painfully shy, and needed a group that would understand and accept that. But a lot of people agree Roger would have eventually succeeded no matter where he landed, because his outgoing personality makes him well loved and well regarded by most other artists. He’s talented, but also the epitome of a cool rock star and fun guy. 😜
Don't Stop Me Now is my pick-me-up song when I'm down. Nothing else will do. Love everyone in the band. Miss Freddie.
Queen took the Glam bubblegum sound of Sweet and put some muscle to it. They were taken more seriously in the states and by the time Sweet caught on it was too late.
Killer Queen is their best song, and along with ELO got me interested in top 40 again after I thought it hit a dead end in 1974.
One thing people might not know is that critics hated Queen back then, and didn't change their tune until after Freddie's death.
The re-introduction of British top 40 bands like Pilot, First Class and Ace probably helped Queen get on the charts.
You’re absolutely right. “Rolling Stone” magazine rarely had anything good to say about them.
Good post Peter!
@@ProfessorofRock Thanks, don't know if you have a copy of the Rolling Stone record guide (1983), but if you do I'd like to see an episode on the topic.
The Sweet would have been proud.
I was in the car with my parents when this song came on the radio, after hearing Brian’s guitar solo I HAD to go find everything available by them!
And don't forget the knowledge we learned from Mr Peabody (Bullwinkle and Rocky) and Schoolhouse Rock. And of course, morals from HE-MAN :)
Ha ha!
Bullwinkle: "Eenie meenie chili beanie, the spirits are about to speak!"
@@LazyIRanchAre they friendly spirits?
@@LazyIRanch Remember Fracured Fairy Tales? :)
I learned a lot from Schoolhouse Rock!
Almost 50 years ago, this was the tune that introduced me to the world of Freddie Mercury and Queen. As a 10-year-old American boy, I didn't even know what Moët et Chandon was. (I thought he was singing "She keeps a moway and shondle..." makes no sense at all, but then, neither did "gunpowder, gelatine"!) But I loved everything about this song and still do to this day.
I learned to play Killer Queen on piano and sing it for my friends. A Night at the Opera came out soon thereafter, which I learned to play front-to-back on piano, much to the delight of my peers. We'd gather in the choir room after school and sing straight through both sides of the album, with all the segues and guitar solos! Fun times and memories.
BONUS TRIVIA: I love that there are an odd number (5) of snaps at the beginning before the vocal pickup.
BONUS TRIVIA NUMBER 2: The other single "Now I'm Here" is the last time Freddie played Hammond organ on a Queen track. Most of the instrumental parts other than piano and occasional harpsichord (Queen II) came from the mind and guitar of Brian May, who made the use of synthesizers or actual strings and horns unnecessary for the first 7 albums. It was disappointing to me when they started using synths on "The Game".
Thanks for sharing! Did you ever see them live?
@@ProfessorofRock Adam, I saw them one time in the 80s in St Paul MN, during The Game tour. Even though I wasn't a fan of much of that album, I still didn't want to miss out seeing them on the rare occasion they made it to the Twin Cities.
To this day, the Sheer Heart Attack album is in my top two Queen albums. It's amazing how polished it is, given Brian's hospitalization, etc. There's something to love about each and every song.
Also, did your dad have a console stereo like my parents had? I would lie on the floor with my head centered between the speakers so I could listen to all the stereo ping-ponging on Brian's Echoplex solos, as well as vocals on Night at the Opera! I just gave someone their old Zenith console after both of my parents passed away last spring. Lots of memories attached to that piece.
That sounds like a reference Sting would make in one of his own songs.
An old friend of mine went to the Mott The Hoople concert with Queen as the warm-up band in New York City. 1973 I think? He said that Queen was booed off the stage. He said basically nobody knew who Queen was and they sucked. LOL! That would have been something to see! Glad they never gave up!
I was always surprised at how many guys who claimed to hate gays liked Queen's music once they became popular; it was as if they got a pass. Maybe if the crowd that spent money to hear Mott the Hoople sing "All The Young Dudes" (their only big U.S. hit) actually understood the lyrics, they would have been more open-minded about Queen, or maybe just more closed-minded about Mott the Hoople.
@@pcno2832I don’t think homophobia had anything to do with it. Did audiences who never heard of Queen know that the lead singer was gay? And Mott The Hoople were known for their androgyny. Add on that that this was in NYC. Sounds like a very open-minded audience who just didn’t like their music. Queen’s early stuff was way harder music than MTH as well which would have divided the audience right out of the gate. Let’s face it, Queen was a very unique band with a unique sound. It sometimes takes a while to retrain the masses to accept something different. Freddie was over-the-top, which eventually made him ultra successful. Reminds me of David Lee Roth. People hated him in the early days with his stage antics (high karate kicks and jumping off of things, animal screeches and arrogance.). Ok, ok, people still hate DLR!😝
Once read that when Queen were just starting out in England, and playing small venue’s, the audience would throw empty beer cans on stage! It was said Freddie would use his mike stand as a bat and just bat the cans that were coming his way, and kept on singing! They were also panned by the critics. Gotta give them credit. They kept going with their music and their own sound. Glad they did, and that they didn’t listen to the critics and give up. Their persistence paid off.
First, why isn't there a love button??? Lol. Happy Monday! Queen is so unique & has so many different sounds, truly an amazing band. I love this episode! Bravo!🎉
Queen and I go back to November 3, 1978 at the Hollywood Sportatorium in Florida, where I first saw them. Best show I've ever seen in my life! When Killer Queen came out I was 13 years old and I remember loving it, a very unusual and original sound.
Music was incredible heart felt yourself had to be there ❤ I love that 70"s band tight up there with Clapton and Elton.
I found Queen in 1978, when I was 14!! They ruled my world for many years!! Love love love them!!!!
I’da never known “Keep Yourself Alive” didn’t go anywhere. It’s a great track.
I can't honestly say which Queen song was the first I heard. I've been listening to them since around 74. I know one of my favorites is Lap of the Gods. All of the members contributed truly great songs and fan favorites. The song Brian wrote for Freddie after he died that he and Roger take turns singing the lead on; No One But You; is an emotional song. I'm sorry I never got the chance to see Freddie live. I'm going to finally see Brian and Roger in a month and celebrate Freddie.
I don't think I'll ever be able to listen to the last few albums. Way to hard to listen to.
But I get to see Brian and Roger next week! I can't WAIT!!!!
I first heard Killer Queen while washing dishes at my job in 1975 (I was 15 years old), I asked Wayne the Cook who that was!... I was hooked and started picking up all the Queen albums I could find. To this day they are my favorite all time band. I still play Queen a lot. Especially the first few albums.
Heard a snippet of this song on FM Radio - Ordered the 45 from local record store - This was my 1st foray into Queen - They ruled my high school yrs - Up till about The Game LP - I luved Freddie - Damn, what a freakin one-of-a-kind showman/vocalist/songwriter, etcetc They were/are the greatest band ever (aside from The Beatles #1) - What a great tune...
OMG...The more you speak, the more your family culture becomes more transparent...Good people passing the knowledge, wisdom and love of music and all of life from one to the next generation. Imagine your kids learn Mother Language/Math Skills early and begin forming memories earlier than most kids.
"QUEEN"; sorry it frightened you, but they were stupendous and when 'In Concert', impossible to take one's eyes from. One of the few groups, gifted and worth the top dollar possible. Rest In Peace Freddie Mercury.💖🙏🏻🎶🎶💖🙏🏻
People say Bohemian Rhapsody is their favorite Queen song but since I was a little girl Killer Queen has been my favorite.
Greatest stadium band of all time. No genre does them justice. Most amazing rock vocalist of our time. So much of their best songs are tracks few non-Queen junkies even know. Freddie the ultimate front man and his genius partners in crime blew us away for two decades. If you've not their latest two new releases, go check them out. It's like Freddie has come back from the dead. "Time waits for no one (a remake)" and "Face it Alone (amazing)." Just a band that will live on forever.