How did this cover originate? I never hear much about this one.
And is the statue really supposed to be Freddie, or is it just a coincidence that he used a simlar pose?
Also why were the US and UK versions slightly different?
It isn't a statue... it's just a live pic of Freddie (@ Rainbow 1972 I think) which they distorted using a red filter on it, if I'm correct. Brian and Freddie had the idea of using that shot.
Oh cool is this online anywhere? I thought it was a statue because it looks like the very bottom has a base on it (sort of like a trophy)...it must have just been the stage at the bottom....
"The original picture is in the FM solo collection box book"
To all those who have said colo collection... I am jealous. VERY jealous. *eyes turn even GREENER-ER*
Does anyone still have the album jacket from the vinyl disc? Remember how it was pink? Now the CD's are all purple.
I guess they used the European colors for all the CD releases. My older brother was stationed in Italy from 80-83 and he saw only the purple cover over there. The back side was great for any new Queen fan. Same w/ the inner fold of LK. I would stare at those pics for hours while listening. Everytime I would see something I didn't see before, or so it seemed. Todays kids are truly missing out on the big 12" jackets as opposed to those little mary CD packets.
Here's a pic of the original U.S. version: link
I wish there was at least one CD issue available with this cover. It brings back memories.
And yes, someone please share a that picture from the Freddie box if possible!
Even though Doug Puddifoot was credited as the official "Queen" photographer at the time, the cover of the original eponymous "Queen" album was inspired (if not taken) by Brian May.
First printed in UK, the cover was ALWAYS meant to be purple (a colour traditionally associated with royalty because of the difficulty in creating purple dyes)and NOT pink. The US version was the result of a bad print run and NOT what the band expected.
It is only with hind-sight, that the colours pink and the name Queen became blatantly associated as homosexual references, as at the time (Along with Bowie, Bolan, Sweet Gary Glitter and others) the image was deliberately and fashionably read as adroginious.
The effect itself was created by stretching a purple plastic film (or cell) over the camera lens, to create an "embodiment" of the then "Queen" values (or spirit if you like), which was of a hard musical and theatrical band, with Mercury as some sort of angelic messenger of the the gods.
Finally, when reprinted by Hollywood records in the 1990's, it was decided that the US CD's should correct and restore the original concept, and not perputate 20 years of print error.
"Here's a pic of the original U.S. version: link
I wish there was at least one CD issue available with this cover. It brings back memories.
And yes, someone please share a that picture from the Freddie box if possible!"
I have that puppy hanging on my wall. My favorite record that I own! :D
