Join legendary Queen guitarist Brian May as he recalls the historic year of 1969 on BBC Radio 2!
1969 was one of the most culturally significant 12 months in the 20th century. In this programme, Brian will explore the impact that the year 1969 had on him and the world of music and culture.
The landmarks in music are almost too numerous to mention: Led Zeppelin released their debut album, The Who released ‘Pinball Wizard’, David Bowie’s futuristic ‘Space Oddity’ single was released. Hundreds and thousands of music fans flocked to huge musical events such as Woodstock to see some of the biggest artists in the world perform, the Rolling Stones put on a free concert in London’s Hyde Park and Jimi Hendrix defied BBC producers when he played live on Lulu’s TV show.
On the 20th July 1969, humankind conquered space with the first moon landing – an event which had a great impact on young Brian, who had just graduated from Imperial College London. The moon landings inspired his fascination with science, and he would begin working on his PhD in astrophysics. He would also form the band Smile in this year with Roger Taylor, laying the foundations of what would become one of the biggest rock bands in the world; Queen.
Set to a soundtrack of amazing music, Brian’s personal insight into the year and its resonance will provide Radio 2 with a unique programme in a year when Queen have earned their place in movie history with the Oscar-winning ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’.
I'm guessing '39 might be played seeing the appropriateness of the show's theme.
Also, what are the odds of Earth being played, seeing that the song was recorded by Smile in 1969? It's a bit of a long shot but you never know.
Fun that 3 of those things are intrinsically linked - Space Oddity debuted over the PA at Rolling Stones in Hyde Park, and became a hit after the Moon landing. I guess it was a huge thing that informed much of the events of that year.
This is such an odd concept I'm really looking forward to it.