QueenZone discussion #1202511

What bands did Queen used to listent to?

Marcelo_argentina
26.09.2009 08:58		 Hi...I've always wondered what kind of music Queen were used to listent to...I know they were four different persons, each one of them with opposite music interest and tastes...I also know they liked bands and musicians like Beatles, Jimmy Hendrix, and Led Zeppelin...but that was  until 70's...wasn't it?..I heard Freddie hated Punk or bands like the clash..but he loved arheta franklin, and I remember a Brian picture where he was wearing an AC/DC t-shirt...but I always saw that Queen didn't get involved with other bands..(lik the Stones or GNR sharing stage with other bandas) like if they were a little antisocials (Freddie Tribute does not count here)...but what about the 80's and 90's..What kind of music did they buy or listen?...I guess Deacon Jhon was a very tranquil guy, getting home just to relax with some pop, soul orienteted music..I don't see Jhon buying an Iron Maiden album, just to say something...what about Roger?...anybody can shed some light?....
Thanks!
dragon-fly
26.09.2009 09:52		 In the early days Brian also liked The Shadows. Roger always liked Bob Dylan.
In 80s, Brian mentioned as favourite Def Leppard, Extreme, clearly- Van Halen. Once he said about "Tracks Of My Tears" Smokey Robinson- "the best record ever made, I'm going to die with that playing"(1985). They were good friends with Aerosmith. Freddie liked Culture Club and Tears For Fears.  But I don't remember anything about John.
qrock
26.09.2009 12:12		 John Deacon liked Stevie Wounder and The Police. Freddie Liked Aretha Franklin and Roger liked the Who, Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles and Led Zeppelin. Freddie's favourite Band was actually The Jacksons. Brian's musical interests was vary varied. He liked Dixie Land Jazz Band. I don't know Queen liked people like Rush.
catqueen
26.09.2009 13:10		 Paul Rogers!  :)
PauloPanucci
26.09.2009 15:50		 ledd, Hendrix, Cream, Beatles.....
Jazz 78
26.09.2009 15:58		 It's been documented in several books that all four were fans of Hendrix. Didn't Smile actually opened for Hendrix once? I remember a story that he hustled past Tim Staffell as he was about to go on and asked him "hey man which way to the stage?" I think they were all Who fans too. The poster above was correct when he said Freddie enjoyed the Jackson 5. Back in the mid-seventies John wrote in one of those profiles about each band member in some teeny bopper magazine that his favorite band was Gonzales. I never heard of them. But those bands of that era aside Brian listened to some interesting stuff growing up leading to the writing of songs like Good Company. Freddie enjoyed, Aretha Franklin, Liza Minelli, Prince and of course Montserrat.
PauloPanucci
26.09.2009 16:19
Jazz 78 wrote: It's been documented in several books that all four were fans of Hendrix. Didn't Smile actually opened for Hendrix once? I remember a story that he hustled past Tim Staffell as he was about to go on and asked him "hey man which way to the stage?" I think they were all Who fans too. The poster above was correct when he said Freddie enjoyed the Jackson 5. Back in the mid-seventies John wrote in one of those profiles about each band member in some teeny bopper magazine that his favorite band was Gonzales. I never heard of them. But those bands of that era aside Brian listened to some interesting stuff growing up leading to the writing of songs like Good Company. Freddie enjoyed, Aretha Franklin, Liza Minelli, Prince and of course Montserrat.





yeah, they met Hendrix, but i don't remember if they played with Hendrix....
Bo Rhap
26.09.2009 17:07		 Freddie apparently was into Chopin and Paganini too.

Ok ,they're not bands but they had an influence in his music.
Marcelo_argentina
26.09.2009 17:57		 I love Chopin...I mean..I love that Piano men....Nice to hear Freddie was a fan...and yeah..it counts a lot related  to Queen influencies..not only bands, indeed!
Saif
26.09.2009 22:31		 Hey guys, c'mon, how could you forget? Muse, Adam Lambert, Paul Rodgers - they were Queen's favourite singers!
Well kidding aside, not a single soul has mentioned Yes, who in my opinion influenced Queen a lot more than many of the bands mentioned. All sans John listened to Yes.
John S Stuart
27.09.2009 01:05		 Definate early influences:

Brian May: Reference Reel 1964  – 1966
Home Mini-Disc collection of original tracks by original artists.
All material performed live by Brian May/1984 between 1964 – 1966.
Wonderful Land                                 Shadows                                No: 1      March                    1962      
Apache’                                                 Shadows                                No: 1      July                         1960      
FBI                                                         Shadows                                No: 6      February                1961      
Flingel Blunt                                         Shadows                                No: 5      May                       1964      
Bachelor Boy                                       Cliff Richard                        No: 1      December              1962      
Windy And Warm                               Ventures                                Surfing                                   1963
Ram Bunk Shush                                Ventures                                No: 45    March                    1961      
Bo Diddley                                            Buddy Holly                         No: 4      June                        1963
Dancing In The Street                         Martha & The Vandellas   No: 8      October                  1964      
Eight Days A Week                             Beatles                                   Beatles For Sale                   1964
My Generation                                     Who                                       No: 2      November             1965
Oh Yeah                                                                Others                                    Oh Yeah                                                1964      
I’m Taking Her Home                        Others                                    Oh Yeah                                                1964
I'm A Loser                                           Beatles                                   Beatles For Sale                   1964
Help                                                       Beatles                                   No: 1      July                         1965
Jack O’ Diamonds                               Lonnie Donegan                  No: 14    December              1957
I Wish You Would                               Yardbirds                              BBC Radio                           1965
I Feel Fine                                             Beatles                                   No: 1      December              1964      
Little Egypt                                           Downliners Sect                  
Lucille                                                    Little Richard                       No: 10    June                        1957      
Monkey Business                                Yardbirds                              BBC Radio                           1965
Mojo Working                                      B.B.King
Walking The Dog                                 Dennisons                             No: 36    May                       1964      
Heart Full Of Soul                               Yardbirds                              No: 2      June                        1965      
Bright Lights Big City                         Rolling Stones                      Bright Lights Big City         1964
Chains                                                   Beatles                                   Please, Please Me                                1963
Little Rendezvous                               Chuck Berry                         St. Louis To Liverpool        1964
I’m A Man                                            Spencer Davis Group          No: 9      January                 1967
Bye Bye Bird                                        Moody Blues                        Go Now!                                1965
Yesterday                                              Beatles                                   Help!                                      1965
Only Make Believe                             Conway Twitty                    Original version                    1998 cover
Windy And Warm                               Chet Atkins
Monkey Business                                Chuck Berry
Mojo Working                                      Muddy Waters                     At Newport                           1960      
Walking The Dog                                 Rufus Thomas                     Walking The Dog 1964
Bright Lights Big City                         Jimmy Reed                         Bright Lights Big City
Bright Lights Big City                         Animals                                 Animal Tracks                     1965
Chains                                                   Cookies                                 No: 50    January                 1963
Jack Of Diamonds                              Blind Lemon Jefferson
I’m A Man                                            Bo Diddley
Bye Bye Bird                                        Sunny Boy Williamson
Route 66 Theme                                  Nelson Riddle & Orchestra
Keep On Running                                Spencer Davis Group          No:  1     December              1965
High Heel Sneakers                             Tommy Tucker                    No: 23    March                    1964
I Want To Hold Your Hand              Beatles                                   No: 1      December              1963
I Should Have Known Better            Beatles
Jump Back                                           Rufus Thomas
Crazy House                                        Chuck Berry
Heatwave                                             Martha & Vandellas                                                           1963
Something's Got A Hold On Me       Beatles
Tired Of Waiting                                  Kinks                                      No: 1      January                 1965
Maybe Baby                                        Buddy Holly                         Original version                    1998 cover
Does Your Chewing Gum…              Lonnie Donegan                  Original version
John S Stuart
27.09.2009 01:07		 Reaction: Reference Reel
Riders in the Sky                                  Shadows
Just A Little Bit                                    Rosco Gordon
I Go Crazy                                            James Brown
Apache                                                  Shadows
FBI                                                         Shadows
Muddy Waters’ blues
What I Say                                           Ray Charles
Painter Man                                          Creation
Mr Pitiful                                               Otis Reading
Shake                                                     Sam Cooke
Knock On Wood                                  Eddie Floyde
Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow   Shirelles
My Girl                                                  Otis Reading
Down In The Valley                            Otis Reading
Summertime Blues                              Eddie Cochran
Satisfaction                                          Rolling Stones
Long Tall Sally
Smokestack Lightning
She Belongs To Me                             Bob Dylan
Desolation Row                                   Bob Dylan
Like A Rolling Stone                           Bob Dylan
Ballad Of A Thin Man                       Bob Dylan
Slow Down                                            Larry Williams
My Generation                                     Who
Sunshine of Your Love                      Cream
Fire                                                         Jimi Hendrix
Foxy Lady                                            Jimi Hendrix
The Wind Cries Mary                         Jimi Hendrix
Hey Joe                                                 Jimi Hendrix
Can You See Me                                 Jimi Hendrix

Opposition: Reference Reel
Classical Gas
Gloria                                                     Them
She’s Not There                                   Zombies
Heart Full Of Soul                               Graham Gouldman
John S Stuart
27.09.2009 01:09		 1984:  Unreleased Thames Television Studio Demos, 31 March 1967
Hold On I'm Coming                          Sam & Dave
Knock On Wood                                  Eddie Floyd                          No: 50    February                1967
NSU                                                        Cream                                    Fresh Cream                         1966
How Can It Be                                     Birds                                                      
Purple Haze                                          Jimi Hendrix                         No: 3      March                    1967      
Our Love Is Drifting                            Paul Butterfield                    Paul Butterfield Blues Band
                                                                                                                                                                1965
Remember                                            Jimi Hendrix                         Are You Experienced          1967
/Sweet Wine                          Cream                                    Fresh Cream                         1966
Get Out Of My Life Woman             Lee Dorsey                            No: 22    February                1966
/Satisfaction                         Rolling Stones                      No: 1      August                   1965
*My Girl                                                Otis Reading                         No: 11    November             1965

Cool Jerk                                               Capitols                                                 Dance The Cool Jerk          1966
Respect                                                  Otis Reading                         Otis Blue: Sings Soul           1966
My Girl                                                  Temptations                         No: 43    March                    1965
Shake                                                     Sam Cooke
Steppin’ Stone                                      Flies
Keep Me Hanging On                         Supremes                              No: 8      December              1966
Whatcha Going To Do About It       Small Faces
Substitute                                              Who                                       No: 5      March                    1965
How Can It Be                                     Birds
Dancing In The Street                         Martha Reeves                    No: 28    October                  1964
Dream                                                    Everly Brothers                    No: 1      May                       1958
Sha La La La Lee                               Small Faces                          No: 3      February                1966

Aint That Peculiar                               Marvin Gaye                        Moods Of Marvin Gaye     1966      
Crying In The Rain                             Everly Brothers                    No: 6      June                        1962
So Sad                                                   Everly Brothers                    No: 4      September             1960
Stone Free                                             Jimi Hendrix                         Are You Experienced          1967
She’s Gone                                            Buddy Knox                         No: 45    August                   1962
Knock On Wood                                  Eddie Floyd                          No: 50    February                1967

Cool Jerk                                               Capitols                                 Dance The Cool Jerk          1966
Respect                                                  Otis Reading                         Otis Blue: Sings Soul           1966
My Girl                                                  Otis Reading                         No: 11    November             1965
Shake                                                     Sam Cooke
(I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone          Monkees                               More of the Monkees         1967
Keep Me Hanging On                         Supremes                              No: 8      December              1966
Whatcha Going To Do About It       Doris Troy                             No: 37    Nov                        1964
Substitute                                              Who                                       No: 5      March                    1965
Dream                                                    Everly Brothers                    No: 1      May                       1958
Sha La La La Lee                               Small Faces                          No: 3      February                1966
Aint That Peculiar                               Marvin Gaye                        Moods Of Marvin Gaye     1966
Crying In The Rain                             Everly Brothers                    No: 6      June                        1962
So Sad                                                   Everly Brothers                    No: 4      September             1960
Stone Free                                             Jimi Hendrix                         Are You Experienced          1968
She’s Gone                                            Buddy Knox                         No: 45    August                   1962
Hold On I’m Coming                          Sam & Dave
Knock On Wood                                  Eddie Floyd                          No: 50    February                1967
NSU                                                        Cream                                    Fresh Cream                         1966
How Can It Be                                     Birds
Purple Haze                                          Jimi Hendrix                         No: 3      March                    1967
Our Love Is Drifting                            Paul Butterfield Band         Paul Butterfield Blues…    1965
Remember                                            Jimi Hendrix                         Are You Experienced          1968
Sweet Wine                                           Cream                                    Fresh Cream                         1966
Get Out Of My Life Woman             Lee Dorsey                            No: 22    February                1966
Satisfaction                                          Rolling Stones                      No: 1      August                   1965
Slow Down                                            Beatles                                   Original version                    1998 cover
One Rainy Wish                                   Jimi Hendrix                         Original version                    1996 cover
My Girl                                                 Temptations
Maybe Baby                                        Buddy Holly                         Original version                    1998 cover
Does Your Chewing Gum…              Lonnie Donegan                  Original version
John S Stuart
27.09.2009 01:12		 Reaction:  Unreleased Live, (Post-June 1967)
Game Of Love                                                     Wayne Fontana   No: 2      February                1965
Hey Mama – Keep Your Big Mouth Shut      Peter Green
Whatcha Gonna Do About It                           Doris Troy             No: 37    Nov                        1964
Slow Down                                                            Beatles                                                                   1964
Respect                                                                  Aretha Franklin    No: 10    June                        1967
I Got You                                                              James Brown        No: 29    February                1966
It’s Gonna Work Out Fine                                 Manfred Mann
Land Of 1,000 Dances                                       Wilson Pickett      No: 22    September             1966

Opposition:  Set list, c1967
Opposition setlist as displayed in the photographic pages - Queen: The Early Years by Mark Hodkinson.
You Don't Know                 
Going To A Go-Go
Meeting Over Yonder
Midnight Hour                                     Wilson Pickett
Heat Wave
Knock On Wood                                  Eddie Floyd                          No: 50    February                1967
Hold On I'm Coming                          Sam & Dave
Something You Got
See Saw
Something About You
I'll Be Doggone
Can't Help Myself
Dancing In The Street                         Martha Reeves                    No: 28    October                  1964
Headline News
Emergency 999
It's Growing
Ride Your Pony
Land Of 1,000 Dances                       Wilson Pickett                      No: 22    September             1966
Key To Love

Smile:  Live Imperial College, London, 26 October 1968
Toccata And Fugue In D Minor       J.S. Bach
Can’t Be So Sad                                  Moby Grape

If I Were A Carpenter                         Tim Harding
Earth                                                      Smile                                      Trident Studios                     1969
Mony Mony                                         Tommy James                     No: 1      June                        1968
See What A Fool I've Been

Roger Taylor/Smile: Reference Reel, 1966 – 1969
Home Mini-Disc collection of original tracks by original artists.
All material performed live by Roger Taylor/Reaction/Smile 1966 – 1969.
Buona Sera                                                           Louis Prima          Jump Jive An' Wail              1956
Just A little Bit                                                      Undertakers                          No: 49    April       1964
I Go Crazy                                                            Buddy Guy                           Feels Like Rain    1965
In The Midnight Hour                                        Wilson Pickett                      No: 12    Sept        1965
I Got You                                                              James Brown                        No: 29    Feb         1966
Game Of Love                                                     Wayne Fontana                   No: 2      Feb         1965
Hey Mama - Keep Your Big Mouth Shut       Peter Green
Whatcha Gonna Do About It                           Doris Troy                             No: 37    Nov        1964
Slow Down                                                            Beatles                                                                   1964
Respect                                                                  Aretha Franklin                    No: 10    June        1967
It’s Gonna Work Out Fine                                 Manfred Mann                   
Land Of 1,000 Dances                                       Wilson Pickett                      No: 22    Sept        1966
If I Were A Carpenter                                         Karaoke                                                No: 9      Oct          1966
Mony Mony                                                         Tommy James                     No: 1      June        1968
Toccata                                                                 Sky  
Keep-A-Knocking                                                Little Richard                       Greatest Hits         1998 Cover
Masters Of War                                                   Bob Dylan                            Freewheelin’         1984 Cover
Keep On Running                                                Spencer Davis Group          Original version    1984 Cover
Foxy Lady                                                            Jimi Hendrix                         Greatest Hits         1990 Cover
I Wanna Testify                                                  Parliaments                           Original version    1997 Cover
John S Stuart
27.09.2009 01:13		 Freddie Mercury: Reference Reel, 1969
Material performed live by Freddie Mercury/Ibex/Wreckage 1969.
I'm So Glad/                                                         Cream                    Fresh Cream                         1966
Communication Breakdown            Led Zeppelin        Led Zeppelin                        1969
Rain                                                                       Beatles                   Paperback Writer                 1966
We're Going Wrong                                             Cream                    Disraeli Gears                       1967
Rock Me Baby                                                    Jimi Hendrix
So Sweet  (Got To Get Away)
Jailhouse Rock                                                     Elvis Presley          No 1:      January                 1958
Crossroads                                                            Cream                    Wheels of Fire                      1968
I’m Going Home                                                 Ten Years After   Woodstock
Let Me Love You                                                                Jeff Beck               Truth                                      1968
1983                                                                       Jimi Hendrix         Electric Ladyland                                1968
John S Stuart
27.09.2009 01:22		 Now...

We know for certain that these tracks must have been listened to, because they are all covers performed by Queen - before they were Queen. Thus, this gives us a window of both influences and musicianship.

Over the years I have collected all these (original artist) tracks and burned some CDs as such.
Can I also say that this is a really good method of getting inside the 'heads' of the band members.

Apart from the 1984/Smile orinal tracks, I suggest all Queen fan listen to the above and see how they have influenced our hereos pre Queen debut LP.

Also, can I say, isn't amazing to discover HOW many of these original tracks have been covered by 'Queen' since they became famous? I won't list them all, but certainly 'Only Make Believe' 'Foxy Lady' and 'FBI' come to mind
4 x Vision
28.09.2009 00:51		 Fantastic reply John S, thanks for taking time to make this remarkable list up.

Looking forward to my day off to have a good listen.

Cheers
catqueen
28.09.2009 16:11		 Wow.  I shall have to get youtube-ing.  Thanks John Stuart, that list must have taken you ages.
4 x Vision
28.09.2009 16:30
John S Stuart wrote: Now... We know for certain that these tracks must have been listened to, because they are all covers performed by Queen - before they were Queen. Thus, this gives us a window of both influences and musicianship. Over the years I have collected all these (original artist) tracks and burned some CDs as such. Can I also say that this is a really good method of getting inside the 'heads' of the band members. Apart from the 1984/Smile orinal tracks, I suggest all Queen fan listen to the above and see how they have influenced our hereos pre Queen debut LP. Also, can I say, isn't amazing to discover HOW many of these original tracks have been covered by 'Queen' since they became famous? I won't list them all, but certainly 'Only Make Believe' 'Foxy Lady' and 'FBI' come to mind

John, in your opinion, do these songs influence mainly Queen 1, or is there an on going influence on more albums???
PauloPanucci
28.09.2009 17:03
Van Basten 9 wrote:
  John S Stuart wrote: Now... We know for certain that these tracks must have been listened to, because they are all covers performed by Queen - before they were Queen. Thus, this gives us a window of both influences and musicianship. Over the years I have collected all these (original artist) tracks and burned some CDs as such. Can I also say that this is a really good method of getting inside the 'heads' of the band members. Apart from the 1984/Smile orinal tracks, I suggest all Queen fan listen to the above and see how they have influenced our hereos pre Queen debut LP. Also, can I say, isn't amazing to discover HOW many of these original tracks have been covered by 'Queen' since they became famous? I won't list them all, but certainly 'Only Make Believe' 'Foxy Lady' and 'FBI' come to mind
John, in your opinion, do these songs influence mainly Queen 1, or is there an on going influence on more albums???




i think in early albuns Queen had a big influence of this musics, and later albuns Queen make your stile(it means, influence in himself)
John S Stuart
28.09.2009 17:43
Van Basten 9 wrote:
  John S Stuart wrote: Now... We know for certain that these tracks must have been listened to, because they are all covers performed by Queen - before they were Queen. Thus, this gives us a window of both influences and musicianship. Over the years I have collected all these (original artist) tracks and burned some CDs as such. Can I also say that this is a really good method of getting inside the 'heads' of the band members. Apart from the 1984/Smile orinal tracks, I suggest all Queen fan listen to the above and see how they have influenced our hereos pre Queen debut LP. Also, can I say, isn't amazing to discover HOW many of these original tracks have been covered by 'Queen' since they became famous? I won't list them all, but certainly 'Only Make Believe' 'Foxy Lady' and 'FBI' come to mind
John, in your opinion, do these songs influence mainly Queen 1, or is there an on going influence on more albums???


I think these tracks influenced their whole career and not just the early or individual albums.

Certainly live - things like 'Tutti-Fruitti" and 'Jailhouse Rock' were part of the final Knebworth concert, and 'Runaway' part of the Queen + Paul Rodgers 'Cosmos Rocks' sessions.

We know that Brian covered Elvis's 'Marie's the Name (of his latest flame), while Queen's 'Man on The Prowl' and 'Crazy Little Thing Called Love' were nods to that Elvisesqe style.

So while I agree Queen developed a style all of their own, even the 'latest' Queen live and sessions betray those early hallmarked influences.
Kevin Hughes
05.10.2009 13:13		 One of Freddie's favourite bands In The 80's was The Alarm.He mentioned them In a profile q+a in The UK teenagers magazine called Look-In In 1984.Same answer In the fan club magazine for Summer 1986.
pittrek
05.10.2009 14:59		 John,
you should start your own website :) The info you posted gets lost here pretty soon.
Thanks a lot for it !
4 x Vision
05.10.2009 16:31
pittrek wrote: John, you should start your own website :) The info you posted gets lost here pretty soon. Thanks a lot for it !

... or write a wee book. I agree, John's threads are always fascinating. Much more so than even our Queen Archivist who has a wealth of Queen media to discuss.

(Shocks me that a fellow fan could hold back such knowledge and not be a reliable member like John, yourself Pittrek, Sir GH, P Guru, YV etc etc. He could surely contribute without breaking any contract he has with QPL... he is after all still a fan... surely started that way anyway).

Well done again John. Fantastic the degree of unselfishness you show here and that you are willing to help when called upon with any factual discussions or more serious questions.
kingogre
12.10.2009 18:15		 Both Smile and Freddie were part of the fringe of the British psychedelic/bluesrock scenes of the late 1960's (John Deacon was a mod as young man if I remember correctly), anyone looking for influences should probably start there. Bands they definitely listened to were Cream, Jimi Hendrix, the Who, Beatles and Led Zeppelin. There was this debate a couple of years ago about whether or not Free was another example. Either way it seems very plausible considering that band was huge on the British blues circuit at the time, this especially in London were Queen were forming.

If you want to find music that has many things in common with Queen these are some great records to listen to:

The Who: Tommy
Zombies: Oddesey and Oracle
Colin Blunstone: One year
Free: The Free Chronicles
Kinks: Virtually any of the late 60's - early 70's albums.
Small Faces: Ogdens nut gone flake
Beatles: Abbey Road, The White album

Not saying that they listened to these albums, except Tommy which they used to cite, but they all have a lot in common with Queen.
redspecialusa
12.10.2009 18:51		 These are my broad, sweeping, general guesses:
-John: Yes, Tamla/Motown, Genesis
-Roger: Bob Dylan, Hendrix, Lennon/Beatles, The Who, Zeppelin
-Brian: The Shadows, Buddy Holly, Motown, Jeff Beck, Hendrix, Cream, The Who
-Freddie: Aretha Franklin, Hendrix, The Who, David Bowie
kingogre
13.10.2009 11:30		 Roger produced at least one record for melodic hard rock group Magnum as well, which also might say something about his musical preferences at some point.

Freddie became very influenced by the early 80's gay disco scene, even to the point of adopting the gay clone-look. From a musical point of view this arguably was not a very good thing for the band.

But Bowie, the progressive rock scene as well as the glam scene are other important reference points. Ive always thought that Black Sabbath might have had some influence on the band as well, but that is pure speculation from me. :)
John S Stuart
14.10.2009 19:10		 I think that we are being a bit too narrow-minded in citing only stereotypical 'pop musical' references in this thread.

For example: The opening lyric of “It’s a Hard Life” is based on the line “Ridi, Pagliaccio, sul tuo amore infranto!”
(Laugh, Pagliaccio, at your broken heart!) from “Vesti la giubba”, an aria from Ruggiero Leoncavallo’s opera Pagliacci,
and recorded by artistes as varied as Mario Lanza to Luciano Pavarotti.
link
(c1:59)

Now my point is that Freddie could not 'quote' these bars if he was unfamiliar with them, and his love of opera must shine through on both his Queen's 'Bohemian Rhapsody' and his solo 'Barcelona' album.

Another example of such a diverse musical range must include Brian May's 'Millionaire Waltz' solo - and the theme from Walt Disney's 'Winnie the Pooh'.
link

Again, my point is that Brian could not 'quote' these bars if he was unfamiliar with them.
Other recycled 'nursery rhymes' include live gems like 'Three Blind Mice' and 'London Bridge' both traditional songs most UK children would have a knowledge of.
link
(c 7:20)

While Brian's solo 'classical' pieces range from the Maurice Ravel's 'Pavan (for a dead princess)' - and his Ravelesque 'Bolero' 'Day At The Races' intro - to his more contemporary works of 'Furia' and 'Macbeth'

Likewise; often overlooked from Queen - is the is the humour and style of 1930's UK entertainer George Formby.
Not only do we hear echos of George in 'Good Company' but in things like 'Bring Back That Leroy Brown' and 'Seaside Rendezvous'.
link
(c 2:15)
link
(c 1:05)
link

I think what I am trying to say is that at present this discussion needs to be broadened out beyond 'The Beatles' or 'Led Zep' because as important influences as they obviously were - that part of 'Queen' is far from the whole story!
kingogre
15.10.2009 15:38		 Not to be forgotten, there is a huge music hall influence on Queen, as can be found among MANY artists of their generation. English kids quite grew up with this kind of music and songs at the time. Some examples are Kinks, Beatles, Zombies, Small Faces, Bonzo Dog Doo-Daah Band and even the Who.
4 x Vision
17.10.2009 09:17
John S Stuart wrote: I'm So Glad/                                    Cream                                            Communication Breakdown     Led Zeppelin                   Rain                                                 Beatles                                 We're Going Wrong                     Cream                                     Rock Me Baby                               Jimi Hendrix So Sweet  (Got To Get Away) Jailhouse Rock                             Elvis Presley                     Crossroads                                    Cream                                     I’m Going Home                             Ten Years After   Let Me Love You                            Jeff Beck                                                   1983                                                 Jimi Hendrix                                     

Finaly got a chance to listen to these properly... half way thru and in my opinion I'm already hearing some big influences on Q1 (especially), Q2 and SHA. To be honest, even this short list of songs in particular comes across in both Brian and Freddie's material IMO on the early albums.

I felt that Queen 1 definitely is influenced more so by artists/songs such as these, and although the Queen sound is still in there, it is more uniquely performed/identifiable in Q2 and SHA etc. (Please remember this is my opinion and it is what I hear in the album/songs, others may/will differ).

Once I've listened more, I'll try back it up with some examples... although don't expect a John or Sebastian type response lol... they have better ears for that sort of reply and can go into better depth!!!

Thanks again John for this contribution. I'd love to have the time and really listen to all the songs you mentioned. I have found two new acts in Cream and Jimi Hendrix which I have never really heard much of or given a chance, but will definitely be exploring more now.
John S Stuart
18.10.2009 19:44
Van Basten 9 wrote:
      John S Stuart wrote:   I'm So Glad/                                    Cream                                            Communication Breakdown     Led Zeppelin                   Rain                                                 Beatles                                 We're Going Wrong                     Cream                                     Rock Me Baby                               Jimi Hendrix So Sweet  (Got To Get Away) Jailhouse Rock                             Elvis Presley                     Crossroads                                    Cream                                     I’m Going Home                             Ten Years After   Let Me Love You                            Jeff Beck                                                   1983                                                 Jimi Hendrix                                       
Finaly got a chance to listen to these properly... half way thru and in my opinion I'm already hearing some big influences on Q1 (especially), Q2 and SHA. To be honest, even this short list of songs in particular comes across in both Brian and Freddie's material IMO on the early albums. I felt that Queen 1 definitely is influenced more so by artists/songs such as these, and although the Queen sound is still in there, it is more uniquely performed/identifiable in Q2 and SHA etc. (Please remember this is my opinion and it is what I hear in the album/songs, others may/will differ). Once I've listened more, I'll try back it up with some examples... although don't expect a John or Sebastian type response lol... they have better ears for that sort of reply and can go into better depth!!! Thanks again John for this contribution. I'd love to have the time and really listen to all the songs you mentioned. I have found two new acts in Cream and Jimi Hendrix which I have never really heard much of or given a chance, but will definitely be exploring more now.

Glad to be of help.
Try listening to all the influences - sometime.
Most of the material on my lists can be found on Youtube, so it's not as if you have to spend a lot to try them out.

Individual tracks in isolation may not be that spectacular, but as a collection, I feel that they enhance an appreciate of Queen, and are essential listening in an educational sort of way.