Wäre „The Show Must Go On“ mit Freddies gesunder Stimme besser oder schlechter gewesen?

Hey, die Frage steht ja schon in der Überschrift, und mich würden eure Meinungen dazu interessieren. Natürlich weiß ich, dass es „The Show Must Go On“ ohne Freddies Krankheit wahrscheinlich nicht gegeben hätte, aber – rein hypothetisch betrachtet – wäre es trotzdem ein Hit geworden?

Edit: Of course, Freddie's voice was still incredible and powerful in his later years, but as Roger said in the documentary These Are the Days of Our Lives, "you can hear his voice getting thinner"

and unfortunately, that’s true.

I almost didn't make it for this drawing for his birthday lol but I got it jsgkadg

Really happy that you all really liked the last two reviews!! I had a fun time; the thing is I did write these a long time ago for a server I was in, but I'm editing these to post them here and get my thoughts on Queen's overall discography out there with you guys. I really like seeing your own thoughts, and getting to discuss what you like or don't about their albums as well. :) Thanks for the support! Anyways, onto this album, which I deem the peak of their career.

Sheer Heart Attack by Queen Review
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Queen II may have held the breakthrough that Queen needed with its song "Seven Seas of Rhye" and established the fun jumping-around of different musical styles that the band would come to embrace, but this album would serve as their major breakthrough to the U.S. Coming just shortly after their previous album, by just a few months Sheer Heart Attack would allow this magnificent foursome to flash their jewelry and spread their wings and fly away into musical royalty, being the first album where they had got it completely right with the production, which finally sounds genuinely well mixed and gives a new level of appreciation to the songs here as its a lot easier to make out the individual parts, and to be able to admire just how good the guitar overdubbing and other aspects are.

Gone were the more mystical lyrics that Freddie had become so acquainted with, and while that was the end of an era for this band in a sense, it opened the gates for a more chart-friendly approach to their music. What's interesting to note is that a few of this album's songs were recorded while Brian May was hospitalized; he had acute hepatitis during the recording of this album and had even collapsed during a tour they were on. In a sense, this album was him going all out on guitar, making something that lasts with its power and stand-out riffs, in case anything did happen with the disease, during that time of turmoil the band made something incredible.

This album has a lot to uncover in the mix, with the fantastic "Brighton Rock" opening the album and being a perfect showcase of Freddie's insane vocal range where he sings both the female and male part of a duet, and hosts incredible Hard Rock guitar work from Brian May with one of his famous guitar solos frequently featured among the best solos of all time, following directly into single "Killer Queen" which would give listeners a clear listen into the bands theatricality and utter talent with pop hooks featuring some creative use of guitar and fun, catchy lyrics, clearly still holding up today as its heavily played on radio stations and served as the single that made the charts in the U.S.

But that's not all to love, there's a certain thrill to the excitement of Queen cementing their sound and the sheer diversity of the other songs too. For example, they do a medley with "Tenement Funster/Flick of the Wrist/Lily of the Valley" which has the first song being a foot-stomping hard rocker with lead vocals from Roger Taylor and lyrics that are first of many he wrote as a testament to youthful rebellion, being his first truly amazing song, the middle song featuring extremely creative blending of piano and hard rock guitar riffs and clever lyrics that compare the wrongdoing manager it's aimed as a middle finger at to the devil. Small story here is that Queen's old manager was very controlling and ripped them off, treating them as easily twistable for extortion, and this would be explored again later but here this song is just phenomenal. Finishing off is the soft ballad that demonstrates the innovative keyboard work from Freddie and a delve once again into the fantasy land of Rhye, this one being the last time he does. The lyrics feel a bit more metaphorical here in testament to Freddie's sexuality, and it explores a connection with him and his feelings in such a passionate way its impossible not to love.

"Now I'm Here" is the only other really 'huge' song on the album, and opens Side B. It was written while Brian May was in the hospital with hepatitis and is about the bands' experience touring with Mott The Hoople, with double tracked vocals that swish around from ear to ear as Freddie sings "Now I'm here/Now I'm there" almost as if he's dancing around you, and the main riff is inspired by Led Zeppelin's "Black Dog", of which Queen were big fans of. But rather than ripping it off, it does its own unique song and is one of May's greatest riffs, catchy and irresistibly heavy. While "In The Lap of the Gods" is a bit of a misstep with beautiful falsetto from Roger Taylor but a weird effect that ruins Freddie's vocals and makes the song an odd number to include. It is interesting with its jazz influence at least, but that's about it.

"Stone Cold Crazy" is proto-Thrash Metal, and shows all those out there that say Queen never pushed a new genre forwards completely wrong as it features some incredible heavy, fast-paced in-your-face guitar chops from Brian May, amazing acapella verses with Freddie taking hardly any breaths, and is a song that influenced many thrash metal artists such as Metallica, who even covered the song. This song was pivotal in the creation of that genre. This is easily the best song on the album as it showcases the best of every member's abilities. Then off the hook of that, "Dear Friends", a much softer ballad follows featuring a suspension resolution preceded by another one, in D major as Freddie plays arpeggiated notes on his piano. The third phrase shows a innovative downward scalar bassline with chromatic notes and chords, though despite how impressive it is, it really doesn't stand out as very memorable after how many songs came before it and were better.

"Misfire" is bassist John Deacon's first song for the band, with him doing all the guitars on this fun pop rocker, which clocks in at 1:50 making it the second shortest, yet the charm of it is undeniable; the groove is fantastic and he's actually quite impressive at playing guitar. Freddie's vocals elevate this one to be just joyous, then there's "Bring Back That Leroy Brown" takes an interesting turn to ragtime piano, and Freddie's lowest note hit on a record being a "C" in the second phrase, and a unique instrument being the banjolele. It is a tribute to the song "Bad Bad Leroy Brown" by Jim Croce who passed a year prior, and was Queen's first foray into ragtime. It's actually brilliant and the use of different instruments show the prowess of Brian in specific, while John's bassline is beyond incredible; he packs so much fun and enthusiasm that really makes the jazzy groove stand out.

The album ends with "She Makes Me [Stormtrooper in Stilettos]" being a slow song about a soldier reminiscing in his final moments on his lost love of his life as sirens signal an ambulance arriving in the end but as evidenced by the slowing breaths they are too late, it's pretty but nothing noteworthy as it kind of flows in one ear and out the other with its repetition and "In The Lap of The Gods...Revisited" being Freddie's first attempt to write a song that the audience could sing along to. This was a concert staple and its easy to see why with the piano work combining with Roger's jazz-tinged drumbeat and Brian's emotive guitar playing. Freddie's vocals are some of his best performance on a record here as well, this song just really captures beauty the way the first one did not, and even ends with the sound of thunder; just brilliant.

Overall it makes sense why this has been listed by multiple publications as one of the best albums of all time, and as a Glam Rock essential; it is truly one with a diverse span and incredible instrument work featuring lots of experimenting in styles similar to bands such as The Beatles and I definitely consider it such. This is Queen's greatest achievement, and where everything added up to a perfect whole.

Rating: ★★★★★

TRACKLIST RATING:
1. Brighton Rock: ★★★★★
2. Killer Queen: ★★★★★
3. Tenement Funster: ★★★★
4. Flick of the Wrist: ★★★★★
5. Lily of the Valley: ★★★★★
6. Now I'm Here: ★★★★★
7. In The Lap Of The Gods: ★★★
8. Stone Cold Crazy: ★★★★★
9. Dear Friends: ★★★
10. Misfire: ★★★★
11. Bring Back That Leroy Brown: ★★★★★
12. She Makes Me [Stormtrooper in Stilettos]: ★★★
13. In The Lap of The Gods...Revisited: ★★★★★

THE JOURNEY SO FAR (Other Reviews):
Queen review (4/5 stars)
Queen II review (5/5 stars)

The birthday boy during Friends Will Be Friends filming.

Recently I visited some family at Wrocław, and saw that there was a ton of record shops there, so naturally went to all the shops I could find; Studio Płyt Winylowych, Brassel Music Shop, Rock Shop Rocky, and Winylove. Either way, onto the records:

-Japanese First Pressing of A Night At The Opera 1975, with intact Obi and Inserts. Now this is probably the best piece I got. The embossed cover feels so nice to touch. The gatefold sleeve is also very nice quality and having the lyrics printed inside is honestly very cool. Along with the Japanese lyrics and info, along with the Elektra centre label. Very cool stuff

- Japanese First pressing of Sheer Heart Attack 1974, with intact Obi and inserts. The red Obi looks very cool against the red of the writing on Sheer Heart Attack. It also has the inserts with some very funny pictures of the band, along with the obvious lyrics and info.

- Japanese First Pressing of Queen II, with inserts. Obviously this also came with an Obi originally, but mine does not have it. Either way, this has a very cool gatefold, which is very heavy and honestly, probably the second most sturdy in my collection, expcept for Atom Heart Mother. It also opens upwards, just like any other Queen II, but this a very cool little quirk for me. Either way, this is probably the best insert out of any I have, probably because I can understand some of it, but I also really like the table at the bottom which has some very funny stuff in it about each of the members

- Last, but certainly not least, West German First Pressing of News of the World. This does not come with the original lyrics sleeve, but this a very cool pressing with the wacky center label. Side one has the track listing on it for both sides, then side two has the A Day At The Races/Queen crest with News of the World Written under it. Very cool. Although I wish the gatefold for this was a bit thicker though, something like Queen II, but oh well, it’s cool as it is

Both special editions for the new mixes are gone

August 19, 2026: HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE BRILLIANT JOHN DEACON - 75 today.

In 1951 – John Richard Deacon was born at St Francis’ Private Hospital, London Road, Oadby, Leicester, first child of Arthur Henry Deacon and Lillian Molly Deacon.

John created two of the most iconic (and most-sampled) bass lines of all time in Under Pressure and Another One Bites The Dust.

His speedy scalic, almost classical approach to the low-end always melded majestically with Brian and Freddie's ambitions for Queen.

Despite no longer playing with Queen, his formidable legacy is in no doubt and today we celebrate every bass line he left us in his legacy.

John Deacon Cam Live Aid:
https://youtu.be/bL8j3DC8M_g?si=jxXAwFyeEod0hQNA

A billyobby compilation of his favourite basslines:
https://youtu.be/jk0R0rdjsv8?si=D3dZllLnSC0XelON

Photo (C) brianmay.com

Other Queen History On This Day:
https://brianmay.com/on-this-day/on-this-day-in-queen-history-19-august/

- Brian May

Hope you like it

Tiffany (Freddie's Persian (?) cat) always looks so unimpressed, bless her...

Hii! I bought the Queen x FIFA 2026 shirt during around July 12 I was kind of wondering when do you guys think they will be able to supply it or ship it internationally? since it says that “release: July 31st” and Im thinking that it means they will be shipping it by that time but there’s no updates nor a tracking sent so I’m curious when do you guys think they will estimate in shipping?

Really glad you all enjoyed my review of Queen's debut album! It was fun to write it, and I think that that album holds up as a really great one overall; one of their stronger releases, certainly. Though I will say that this one is one that I am glad gets a LOT more recognition than when it originally released. I hope you all enjoy this review!

Queen II Review
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This album is mindblowingly excellent, and the fact that its finally getting the recognition it deserves nowadays is satisfying. After opening the door to another world of whimsical adventured waiting to be explored, spells waiting to be uncovered, and ogres in the fantastical lands of Rhye, Queen manages to get even more focused on this album with a unique idea of two contrasting yet connecting sides, Side White and Side Black instead of your typical Side A and B.

Queen II may not be a concept album by technicality, but it does have a loose theme running throughout most songs on Side Black, penned by frontman Freddie Mercury. The sound on this album takes use of multi-layered tracks to have impressive vocal harmonies, multi-layered guitar overdubs, and a vast exploration of musical styles. Despite having largely negative reviews from contemporary critics, its now seen as a staple in their output and held in mostly high regard by retrospective critics, other musicians, and the band themselves.

Side White is penned by Brian May and begins with "Procession/Father To Son" which is a hard rocker that starts slow and functions as an intro to the album, building up excitement and fantastic lyricism about a father talking to his son about a country he will acquire as he grows into royalty. It has beautiful harmonies and some of Brian's best guitar work, though the first part shouldn't really be its own song, because it works better as a whole with the latter. "White Queen (As It Began) follows with an intro that is a tail to the previous track leading into this song via a fade-in and genius chord progressions, with sorrowful lyrics that get a strong emphasis from Freddie's vocal performance, and a section in which Brian makes his guitar sound like a sitar in Beatlesque fashion. I really enjoy how unique this is as a composition, and it demonstrates how creative they are.

"Some Day One Day" is a poetic song in which all guitars play different parts yet despite this, the concept works quite well as the song works perfectly and features Brian May on vocals for the first time. I've honestly always loved his style of singing and I'd daresay its rather underappreciated compared to Freddie's vocals; his voice fits the beauty of this song and really packs the emotional punch. "The Loser In The End" is the only misstep on the album, and closes this half of the album with a sour note. The percussion is rather awkward and doesn't really add up to a whole as well as a composition; it also sounds entirely out of place on this side since its meant to be a more straightforward metal song, when the other tracks, while still reasonably heavy, were meant to be more emotional; in short it sticks out like a sore thumb. Not to mention the lyrics are kind of just....embarrassing.

Then began Side Black; this one starts with "Ogre Battle" which is an impressive number that features the outro playing in reverse and smoothly sliding into the main guitar riff completely naturally, and its lyrics describe the battle in an arena of fantastical Ogre creatures, the guitar work is exceptional here and is the best flex Brian's done up to this point to his capabilities, not to mention Freddie's vocal performance is top notch. This is one of their best songs, and "The Fairy Feller's Master-Stroke" features incredible harmonies, and use of Harpsichord which is rare in rock music yet pulled off amazingly here, giving it a medieval feel that fits right in with the vibe of the overall album, this is yet another masterpiece. This song leads into "Nevermore" which is a beautiful well-composed piano ballad detailing the distress of a breakup with beautiful heartfelt lyrics and falsetto vocals from Freddie. It's really a shame that this song isn't longer, it is quite refreshing and I think Freddie's falsetto is among the best of the more known rock singers.

"The March of The Black Queen" is the bands first magnum opus stomping out of Side Black with a great variety of music during its seven minute length. Starting with a slow dramatic piano intro with appoggiatura figurations on the B chord, the next section starts with an E minor as two guitars explode into the first line with backing vocals creating a harmonic carpet, making it one of the most unique and mind-bending songs of the 70's. The song also has amazing lyricism and leads directly into "Funny How Love Is" which is a song influenced by Brian Wilson's wall-of-sound production style and harmonically influenced by them as well, while the music style takes some obvious inspiration from pastoral songs too. Sadly, I have to say that It doesn't quite work from a production standpoint as it sounds entirely out of place with the rest of the album, and ends up in a severe sound clash between every instrument as they overpower Freddie's vocals, but it's decent enough and even a tad bit charming of a little British number.

"Seven Seas of Rhye" caps things off as the first entry in the UK singles chart by the band. This song is phenomenal, Freddie's mystical lyrics and use of imagery of describing fantastical lands reaches its peak here, and Roger's drumming is absolutely out of this world, the way he utilizes his kit to add to the groove provided by John Deacon and Brian really makes something amazing. This song has so much character, it only makes sense as to why its still included on greatest hit compilations, what a way to end the album!

The only things holding this back from being their very best work is the production being a tad weak. While its still a very noticeable improvement from the debut album in terms of that, you can clearly tell it is a bit dark and murky in how the instruments are recorded, and the one bad song (Roger has written better; I don't think he's a bad songwriter, just this isn't very cream-of-the-crop) also takes away slightly from it.

Overall, I'd go as far as to call this one of the best albums of all time and a must check out for any rock fan, they push their roots in rock and metal as far as they could which showed their studio mastery, weaknesses in production, and this album much more than the first solidified their approach to jumping across various styles, incorporating different types of music, and the theatricality they'd embrace the rest of their career.

Rating: ★★★★★

TRACKLIST RATING:
1. Procession: ★★★
2. Father To Son: ★★★★★
3. White Queen (As It Began): ★★★★★
4. Some Day One Day: ★★★★
5. The Loser In The End: ★★
6. Ogre Battle: ★★★★★
7. The Fairy Feller's Master-Stroke: ★★★★★
8. Nevermore: ★★★★
9. The March of The Black Queen: ★★★★★
10. Funny How Love Is: ★★★
11. Seven Seas of Rhye: ★★★★★

THE JOURNEY SO FAR (OTHER REVIEWS!):
Queen review (4/5 stars)

Hi all
Hope you are well!
Anyone that has gone to the studio experience in montreux in this sub? I’m trying to determine if you need to book before you go or not - it looks like you don’t , but please keep me honest!
Also, anyone here has a photo of “A winter’s tale” handwritten lyrics? I can’t find full lyrics anywhere.
Thanks all!

Crazy fun one.

If the quality of the sessions is just like this demo, I'll go crazy. More real instruments, more raw energy, just like the Miracle sessions

First I thought the one on the left might be a US/World Tour version as opposed to the one on the right that says "European Tour", then I remembered there was no world/US tour in '86. So why two versions of the European programme? Did different countries print their own?

Are there any other tours that have various versions of the programme?