Landmark recording artists Queen have announced plans to release a rare and historically significant live recording of a performance the band recorded on Sunday March 31st, 1974 at The Rainbow venue in London, England.
Originally created with the intent of being released as a live album immediately, “Live At The Rainbow ’74” was instead cast aside for the band’s “Sheer Heart Attack” studio album released in November of that year. Recorded during the band’s first headlining tour, when the band was still up and coming and all in their early 20’s, this rare and exhilarating concert performance sat in the band’s vault for 40 years. But not anymore. “Live At The Rainbow” will now be available to hear in full; for the first time ever on CD, Vinyl, DVD and SD Blu-Ray in standard editions, as well as special limited and digital editions as well.
Recorded by Roy Thomas Baker (co-producer of Queen’s first two albums), “Live At The Rainbow” was done at a time when many felt performing at the Rainbow would be too ambitious for such a young band. Considered to be London’s premiere venue, on par with New York’s Fillmore East and LA’s Palladium, The Rainbow’s 3000 plus seat capacity was felt to be too big for Queen. This theory was proven to be incorrect when the venue quickly sold out for the band’s debut Rainbow performance! Fueled by the success of “Sheer Heart Attack”, the band would later return to The Rainbow in November of that year, a performance that was also professionally record and will be included in certain packages of “Live At The Rainbow ’74′”.
Lovingly restored, edited, mixed, and digitally mastered with tons of previously unseen footage, this live album will be released on 8th September 2014 (UK on Virgin Records) and 9th September 2014 (US through Hollywood Records) in five different packages. Pre-Orders are coming soon and may be found here. Tracklistings of Package 1 (which includes the November show) and Package 2 (featuring November and March) can be read below.
Queen will be touring North America, Asia and Australia this summer with vocalist Adam Lambert handling duties in place of the late Freddie Mercury. The tour is scheduled to kick off June 19th at Chicago’s United Centre. Tour dates and ticket information can be found at queenonline.com.
QUEEN: LIVE AT THE RAINBOW ’74 – Package details
Package one
One CD featuring the November show
Package two
Two CD digi-pack, with one CD featuring the March show and the second CD featuring the November show
Package three
DVD or SD Blu-Ray of the November show with four “bonus” tracks from March
Package four (released in North America only)
SD Blu-Ray & CD combo box
Package five
2 Vinyl – Limited edition gate-fold double vinyl package, with one LP featuring an audio reproduction of the original March show live album and the other LP featuring highlights from the November show.
Package six
4 Vinyl – Limited edition four vinyl LP boxed set, two LPs featuring the March show and two featuring the November show
Package seven
Super Deluxe Box – Limited edition Super Deluxe lidded boxed set package containing:
1)Two CDs, one CD featuring the March show and the second CD featuring the November show
2)A DVD and SD Blu-Ray of the November show with four “bonus” tracks from March
3)A 60 page hardback book containing lots of previously unseen photographs, and (among other items), reproductions of two reviews, one from The Times and one from Disc and Music Echo. A series of four articles from the latter publication is also included.
4)Reproductions of two tickets from the March concert (those actually used by Brian’s parents)
5)A reproduction of the tour itinerary folder for the March concert from promoter Mel Bush, including a letter instructing the band not to trash the hotel room or there will be dire consequences!
6)A reproduction of the 8 page show souvenir brochure
7)Two button badges – reproductions of items available at the concert
8)A reproduction of the purple and gold March concert poster
9)A reproduction of a fashion shoot in The Telegraph Magazine, featuring the band with fashion models.
10)A reproduction of the sticker stage pass from the March concert
Queen Live at the Rainbow will also be available as one disc and two disc eAlbum.
Queen: Live at the Rainbow ’74 – Standard CD Tracklist:
One CD:
SHEER HEART ATTACK TOUR
Live at the Rainbow, November ’74
1. Procession
2. Now I’m Here
3. Ogre Battle
4. Father To Son
5. White Queen (As It Began)
6. Flick Of The Wrist
7. In The Lap Of The Gods
8. Killer Queen
9. The March Of The Black Queen
10. Bring Back That Leroy Brown
11. Son And Daughter
12. Guitar Solo
13. Son And Daughter (Reprise)
14. Keep Yourself Alive
15. Drum Solo
16. Keep Yourself Alive (Reprise)
17. Seven Seas Of Rhye
18. Stone Cold Crazy
19. Liar
20. In The Lap Of The Gods… Revisited
21. Big Spender
22. Modern Times Rock ’n’ Roll
23. Jailhouse Rock
24. God Save The Queen
PACKAGE TWO
CD 1
QUEEN II TOUR
Live at the Rainbow, March ’74
1. Procession
2. Father To Son
3. Ogre Battle
4. Son And Daughter
5. Guitar Solo
6. Son And Daughter (Reprise)
7. White Queen (As It Began)
8. Great King Rat
9. The Fairy Feller’s Master-Stroke
10. Keep Yourself Alive
11. Drum Solo
12. Keep Yourself Alive (Reprise)
13. Seven Seas Of Rhye
14. Modern Times Rock ’n’ Roll
15. Jailhouse Rock (Medley)
Stupid Cupid (Medley)
Be Bop A Lula (Medley)
16. Liar
17. See What A Fool I’ve Been
CD 2
SHEER HEART ATTACK TOUR
Live at the Rainbow, November ’74
1. Procession
2. Now I’m Here
3. Ogre Battle
4. Father To Son
5. White Queen (As It Began)
6. Flick Of The Wrist
7. In The Lap Of The Gods
8. Killer Queen
9. The March Of The Black Queen
10. Bring Back That Leroy Brown
11. Son And Daughter
12. Guitar Solo
13. Son And Daughter (Reprise)
14. Keep Yourself Alive
15. Drum Solo
16. Keep Yourself Alive (Reprise)
17. Seven Seas Of Rhye
18. Stone Cold Crazy
19. Liar
20. In The Lap Of The Gods… Revisited
21. Big Spender
22. Modern Times Rock ’n’ Roll
23. Jailhouse Rock
24. God Save The Queen
