| philip storey 25.08.2009 14:25 |
Hi just been listening to "Live Killers" and i was thinking of which Tour i enjoyed the most.For me it has to be the "Crazy Tour" ,it was at the NEC and was the first time i had ever seen the band.I was sixteen years old and it blew me away i had never been to a rock n roll show before. I have since seen them play many times but that first time was........"Fab !" |
| john bodega 25.08.2009 15:16 |
The Works had the best setlist but that was pretty much all it had going for it. Their early 80's South American stuff was pretty outstanding. |
| PauloPanucci 25.08.2009 15:37 |
the Magic Tour was pretty cool! ;D |
| Angeline 25.08.2009 16:42 |
Surprisingly...the tour for hot space. |
| dbruce 25.08.2009 17:33 |
Pick out any tour from about 76 onwards. Good enough quality boots and you can hear how good some of the shows were. Just a shame so much of that late 70's stuff is unheard by the general public. The 82, 84 and 86 tours all had pretty great setlists for the time, even if the drum sound ruined the overall sound that little bit. |
| Yara 25.08.2009 17:47 |
The News Of The World Tour is the one I like the most. Their gig in Copenhagen in 1978 is probably the most impressive live performance by the band that I have ever listened to. But the whole tour seems to have been a joy. The band was on fire and Freddie hadn't started to push the vocals so hard yet. This tour features the best setlist to my taste anyway. The live renditions of "My Melancholy Blues" are among some of Queen's live highlights - Freddie's singing and playing is very beautiful and John's gentle, melodic basslines are stunning. The Crazy Tour would be my next call, I guess, if for no other reason because of Freddie's brilliant and outstanding performances. Though there are so few concerts from this tour available, it seems, and in such a bad quality, except for Hammersmith '79 (hello, QP, wake uuuuppp...! Hehe), that it's hard to tell for sure. So mine is News Of The World. Which is also my favorite Queen studio album, as strange and weird as it may seem. |
| Bo Rhap 25.08.2009 18:13 |
I guess i'll pick Dec 15 1975 as one of my favourite gigs. Saying as i was there to begin with. Unbelieveable!!! |
| The Real Wizard 25.08.2009 18:40 |
Bo Rhap wrote: I guess i'll pick Dec 15 1975 as one of my favourite gigs. Saying as i was there to begin with. Unbelieveable!!! Did you manage to take any pictures at the show? Lucky you... ANATO tour... in their prime, focused on the music. To pick the best Queen tour is a tough one, as there are so many perspectives to rate them on... setlists, level of performance, visuals and lighting rigs, etc. But, gun to my head? News Of The World tour. After that they started dropping the old songs, favouring the newer and easier to play material. But Freddie's showmanship was growing better by the year... |
| mickyparise 25.08.2009 23:58 |
I would say, the Richfield shows in Cleveland, 80 and 82....was at both....have to admit the Hot Space tour was amazing! The press wrote up Billy Squier (he just came out with The Stroke) and was the opening act, but the next day, The Cleveland Plain Dealer wrote a excellent article on Queen....they were amazed about Queen! |
| rschoorl 26.08.2009 07:10 |
Day At the Races tour, not yet overproduced, and still a number of songs from Queen II......and still very hungry. |
| on my way up 26.08.2009 07:53 |
For me the NOTW tour is my favourite. I'd really like to hear things like LA 22/12/77. If you check out that setlist in Greg's live book, simply breathtaking. Queenfans often regret that QP does not release seventies stuff. I agree but I also find that Queen-fans have to share more. 2009 is a great year but there are other recordings rumoured to exist and I know there are Queen-fans that can make it happen(maybe they're even on this forum). I'm also hoping more US-tapers will come out of the woodworks. There are still many shows without known recording... Some of those must have been recorded... I've heard more Crazy tour recordings were taped but it looks like those recordings do not circulate(a Manchester recording should exist,let's search for it together:-). I'd like to hear more from that tour, Freddie was truly at his live best:-) As a community we should try harder to find new stuff. That way we become part of Queen's history and we preserve that history. And it's for all to enjoy. For example: the new Boston'76 tape revealed that Freddie could totally nail Seven seas of rhye:-) And every new tape has little surprises like that. It's only when you listen carefully that you can hear how brilliant they were, on all levels. I adore Queen for their music, but also their stagepresentation, the setlists(always so clever), Freddie's evergrowing capabalities as showman, .... The last couple of weeks I hadn't listened to any Queen so when I do that again after some time it feels like coming home again(even though I also enjoy and admire plenty of other artists). So excuse me for being very enthusiastic:-) Other tours I adore are the 1981 shows, and I'd also like to hear more July 1980 stuff(Oakland is great:-) Recently the Jazz era has also grown on me. I listened carefully to Frankfurt'79 and it's in fact a brilliant show. Freddie suffered a bit in early 1979 but that shows is pretty good. |
| Marknow 26.08.2009 09:28 |
For me it would have to be The Cosmos Rocks tour of 2008. Just kidding, you would need to be on meth to find any positives there. [img=/images/smiley/msn/tounge_smile.gif][/img] 1977-1978 was the best live era for me. |
| Rubbersuit 26.08.2009 10:53 |
Day at the Races or News of the World tour. |
| Planetgurl 26.08.2009 13:53 |
Sir GH wrote:I was at the first night at Hammersmith for the ANATO tour... Life changing - and my first gig ever. Loved all the flashpots and explosions and they were astonishing, amazing...you run out of superlatives really... When the stage exploded, synced to the start of the rock bit of Bo Rhap and Fred took a flying leap of the drum rostrum, I was so amazed that all I could say was 'Oh my God'... Yes the News of the World tour was amazing too and I really wish I'd seen more than one gig on it. When the Crown took off synced to the beginning of Day at the Races guitars - well, one of the highlights of my life. That gig was so wild and excessive and they were so heavy: White Man and It's Late on the same setlist: I was in heaven... But the Crazy tour and in particular Kampuchea...They were on blistering form.. ...What a night - best night of my life!Bo Rhap wrote: I guess i'll pick Dec 15 1975 as one of my favourite gigs. Saying as i was there to begin with. Unbelieveable!!!Did you manage to take any pictures at the show? Lucky you... ANATO tour... in their prime, focused on the music. To pick the best Queen tour is a tough one, as there are so many perspectives to rate them on... setlists, level of performance, visuals and lighting rigs, etc. But, gun to my head? News Of The World tour. After that they started dropping the old songs, favouring the newer and easier to play material. But Freddie's showmanship was growing better by the year... |
| cmsdrums 26.08.2009 15:32 |
on my way up wrote:
The last couple of weeks I hadn't listened to any Queen so when I do that again after some time it feels like coming home again(even though I also enjoy and admire plenty of other artists). So excuse me for being very enthusiastic:-)
Sorry, a bit off topic here, but well said!! I think the reason for us all being loyal fans of the band is the 'staying power' (pardon the pun!) of their music. Some bands come and go in my tastes - some heavily rotated for a short period - but it always comes back to Queen, and when they pop up on the ipod shuffle, or are selected on special days, then it always lifts my heart and spirit, and I never tire of their music and how special it is. Back on topic - 1979 era!!! |
| Rainbow 26.08.2009 18:19 |
78-79 |
| The Real Wizard 26.08.2009 19:37 |
Planetgurl wrote: I was at the first night at Hammersmith for the ANATO tour... Life changing - and my first gig ever. Loved all the flashpots and explosions and they were astonishing, amazing...you run out of superlatives really... When the stage exploded, synced to the start of the rock bit of Bo Rhap and Fred took a flying leap of the drum rostrum, I was so amazed that all I could say was 'Oh my God'... Yes the News of the World tour was amazing too and I really wish I'd seen more than one gig on it. When the Crown took off synced to the beginning of Day at the Races guitars - well, one of the highlights of my life. That gig was so wild and excessive and they were so heavy: White Man and It's Late on the same setlist: I was in heaven... But the Crazy tour and in particular Kampuchea...They were on blistering form.. ...What a night - best night of my life! I can't lie... I'm ridiculously jealous right now after reading that. |
| Saint Jiub 26.08.2009 20:45 |
A Day at the Races is probably my favorite tour Doing All Right, White Queen, and Bring Back That Leroy Brown were still being played, and the Millionaire Waltz was added to the set list. Also, although I am not that crazy about You're My Best Friend normally, but I think YMBF sounds great being segued from tMW. |
| rhyeking 26.08.2009 21:31 |
Slightly off topic, it would be great is eventually we get a DVD/CD for every tour. I'm guess live film or video for anything for Queen or Queen II eras would be tough to come by, but after that, the pickings should be good. Let me know if I miss anything, but so far we've been issued the following: 1975 - Hammersmith Odeon, Christmas Eve (Opera Tour) (announced) 1981 - Queen Rock Montreal (The Gluttons For Punishment Tour) 1982 - Queen On Fire: Live At The Bowl (Hot Space Tour) 1984 - We Are The Champions: Final Live In Japan (Queen Works! Tour) **Japan only** 1985 - Live Aid (not a tour,but nice to have) 1986 - Live At Wembley (Magic Tour) 1992 - Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert (again, not a tour, but good to have) 2005 - Return Of The Champions (ROTC Tour) 2005 - Super Live In Japan (Return Of The Champions Tour) **Japan Only** 2008 - Live In Ukraine (The Cosmos Rocks tour) **UK only, so far** I didn't include the 1974 Rainbow Theatre (SHA Tour) VHS because it was incomplete and UK-only. It would be great to get that a proper release of the full concert, with CD. I also didn't list the 1986 Budapest concert, though you could say Live Magic is sort of an accompanying album (but not really). And Live Killers is from many venues on the Jazz Tour, with no accompanying video. |
| mike hunt 27.08.2009 03:55 |
The first show I saw on video was wembly 86, and thought what a great live band they were. It wasn't until later that I heard earlier shows from ANATO to hot space that I realized how brilliant they were live. I think vocally the crazy and hot space tours were the best, but those shows from 75 to 78 were amazing. the set list, vocals, brian and roger were also in their prime, very tight musically. Let's not forget freddie's piano playing was at it's best in this era. |
| Planetgurl 27.08.2009 05:02 |
Sir GH wrote:Well I'm jealous of Jim (Jenkins)... Why I didn't go and see more shows I don't know.... wish I'd been at Purley Tiffany's (almost brought the ceiling down) and Earls Court for the Jubilee tour; Wembley in 1980 (flu prevented me). Nevermind. And even if you attended things like Hyde Park in 76, you couldn't see anything (about 90% of the audience)... Nice smell of dry ice and that was about it! Oh, and of course the music... :-)Planetgurl wrote: I was at the first night at Hammersmith for the ANATO tour... Life changing - and my first gig ever. Loved all the flashpots and explosions and they were astonishing, amazing...you run out of superlatives really... When the stage exploded, synced to the start of the rock bit of Bo Rhap and Fred took a flying leap of the drum rostrum, I was so amazed that all I could say was 'Oh my God'... Yes the News of the World tour was amazing too and I really wish I'd seen more than one gig on it. When the Crown took off synced to the beginning of Day at the Races guitars - well, one of the highlights of my life. That gig was so wild and excessive and they were so heavy: White Man and It's Late on the same setlist: I was in heaven... But the Crazy tour and in particular Kampuchea...They were on blistering form.. ...What a night - best night of my life!I can't lie... I'm ridiculously jealous right now after reading that. |
| cmsdrums 27.08.2009 07:33 |
rhyeking wrote: Slightly off topic, it would be great is eventually we get a DVD/CD for every tour. I'm guess live film or video for anything for Queen or Queen II eras would be tough to come by, but after that, the pickings should be good. Let me know if I miss anything, but so far we've been issued the following: 1975 - Hammersmith Odeon, Christmas Eve (Opera Tour) (announced) 1981 - Queen Rock Montreal (The Gluttons For Punishment Tour) 1982 - Queen On Fire: Live At The Bowl (Hot Space Tour) 1984 - We Are The Champions: Final Live In Japan (Queen Works! Tour) **Japan only** 1985 - Live Aid (not a tour,but nice to have) 1986 - Live At Wembley (Magic Tour) 1992 - Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert (again, not a tour, but good to have) 2005 - Return Of The Champions (ROTC Tour) 2005 - Super Live In Japan (Return Of The Champions Tour) **Japan Only** 2008 - Live In Ukraine (The Cosmos Rocks tour) **UK only, so far** I didn't include the 1974 Rainbow Theatre (SHA Tour) VHS because it was incomplete and UK-only. It would be great to get that a proper release of the full concert, with CD. I also didn't list the 1986 Budapest concert, though you could say Live Magic is sort of an accompanying album (but not really). And Live Killers is from many venues on the Jazz Tour, with no accompanying video.I'm sure we will get Rio and Budapest on DVD at some point too. There are also Japan 82 and 85 both on official VHS releases, so they have the film and sound for those. |
| We Are The Champions 27.08.2009 12:52 |
Zebonka12 wrote: The Works had the best setlist but that was pretty much all it had going for it.Their early 80's South American stuff was pretty outstanding. I still don't understand why The Works tour is not well liked!!! A great set list as you say. The gigs I saw were awesome. Maybe it was the synths or whatever or the fact that Freddie did not play so much piano as in previous tours. Vocally the Hot Space tour was maybe better but the lighting rig on the Works was brilliant. Still Think that Wembley 86 was the best live show I ever saw and their 70's shows were great. |
| Yara 27.08.2009 13:18 |
Planetgurl wrote: I was at the first night at Hammersmith for the ANATO tour... Life changing - and my first gig ever. Loved all the flashpots and explosions and they were astonishing, amazing...you run out of superlatives really... When the stage exploded, synced to the start of the rock bit of Bo Rhap and Fred took a flying leap of the drum rostrum, I was so amazed that all I could say was 'Oh my God'... Yes the News of the World tour was amazing too and I really wish I'd seen more than one gig on it. When the Crown took off synced to the beginning of Day at the Races guitars - well, one of the highlights of my life. That gig was so wild and excessive and they were so heavy: White Man and It's Late on the same setlist: I was in heaven... But the Crazy tour and in particular Kampuchea...They were on blistering form.. ...What a night - best night of my life!Yeah. Those were the days. I was in both concerts at the Hammersmith too - in 1975 and 1979. Do you remember the most gorgeous lady at the theatre in 1975? That lady people couldn't help looking at in 1975 and who was eagerly sought after in 1979 at the same theatre? People all talking to each other about the lady and waiting for her blistering and glaring arrival. Do you remember? Well, here I am, darling. |
| rhyeking 29.08.2009 21:50 |
cmsdrums wrote:rhyeking wrote: Slightly off topic, it would be great is eventually we get a DVD/CD for every tour. I'm guess live film or video for anything for Queen or Queen II eras would be tough to come by, but after that, the pickings should be good. Let me know if I miss anything, but so far we've been issued the following: 1975 - Hammersmith Odeon, Christmas Eve (Opera Tour) (announced) 1981 - Queen Rock Montreal (The Gluttons For Punishment Tour) 1982 - Queen On Fire: Live At The Bowl (Hot Space Tour) 1984 - We Are The Champions: Final Live In Japan (Queen Works! Tour) **Japan only** 1985 - Live Aid (not a tour,but nice to have) 1986 - Live At Wembley (Magic Tour) 1992 - Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert (again, not a tour, but good to have) 2005 - Return Of The Champions (ROTC Tour) 2005 - Super Live In Japan (Return Of The Champions Tour) **Japan Only** 2008 - Live In Ukraine (The Cosmos Rocks tour) **UK only, so far** I didn't include the 1974 Rainbow Theatre (SHA Tour) VHS because it was incomplete and UK-only. It would be great to get that a proper release of the full concert, with CD. I also didn't list the 1986 Budapest concert, though you could say Live Magic is sort of an accompanying album (but not really). And Live Killers is from many venues on the Jazz Tour, with no accompanying video.I'm sure we will get Rio and Budapest on DVD at some point too. There are also Japan 82 and 85 both on official VHS releases, so they have the film and sound for those. Budapest would be a pointless re-issue, for the following reasons: a) We have a complete 1986 concert available in Live At Wembley b) Budapest would require a complete re-edting in order to restore the full concert and retain the documentary footage from the original (and possible add more). c) some of the Live Magic tracks are from the Budapest concert, plus "Tavaski Szel Vizet Araset" was released on the re-issued Wembley CD Rock In Rio would be okay. The 05/11/85 Japan concert has already been issued. I mistakenly noted it as 1984. It's the "Final Live In Japan" DVD. Japan 1982 VHS, again, is a heavily edited concert (barely an hour). What would be nice is if Queen took a cue from Rush, who a few years ago re-released, unaltered, three concert VHSs in a box set, called Rush Replay x3. They did it because fans had been hounding them from years. The DVDs are completely barebones, just remastered picture and stereo sound. If Queen did that for, say, The Rainbow 1974 concert, Japan 1982 and Budapest 1986, I'd be happy. Nothing fancy and a cheap price tag just to get them out of the way. The Rush box also contained an audio CD of one of the concerts (which had no corresponding live album, where the other two did have a live album to go with the video). |