Hi there,
two things about the first Queen album, that I wonder about. Maybe anyone knows.
Number 1: on the Hollywood Records CD release in 1991, when you open the CD booklet, you see the old single covers printed, at least in my friend's edition. In my edition, it's only the lyrics and no printed 7" sleeves. From a collector's point of view, what does it mean?
Number 2: On the back cover of the album, respectively in the CD booklet, you see one or two photos of Brian as you guess what? A penguin. Now is that in any way related to the I'm Going Slightly Mad video? Have they sort of resurrected an old idea?
Thanks for replies.
Jan
1. They removed the singles sleeves and the lyrics to 'Seven Seas of Rhye' eventually because they had mistakenly included these items for the version of the song that is actually on Queen II. I honestly don't think such things really have much value to collectors, but I'm no expert. The same could be asked about the Hollywood logo. The original with the little Earth and palm tree has now been replaced on newer pressings with their simpler text logo. And there are some hybrids.
The CDs have actually been reissued numerous times without any fanfare. Originally stating they were manufactured and marketed by Elektra Records, then for awhile they said something about Polygram. Newer ones say manufactured and marketed by Hollywood Records. A person would go nuts trying to collect all versions and assess a certain value to certain editions. I suppose it could be said that if you have the very first editions.. with the palm tree logo, distributed by Elektra, and with various mistakes.. maybe someday it's worth a little extra. Even better would be to have the original cardboard long boxes they were all sold in before those were phased out.
2. As for the penguin, I've pointed that out to other fans myself a few times and it's just one of those kind of funny things.. perhaps someone else can shed some light on whether someone like Brian has made a statement about it, but I suspect it's not coincidence.. either he admires penguins or someone suggested they reference the first album again.
re: the penguin. I've wondered about that too. I'm sure it's the deadest of the dead horses by now and I've not been brave enough to ask about it. I do also recall seeing a (early-mid 80's) photo of Brian in a Queen book of mine where he's wearing a black coat with what looks like a penguin button, pin, or embroidery on the lapel.
Perhaps this penguin thing is an inside joke or something...dunno.
I didn't know it was such a dead horse. And even then it's no crime to post it among the ongoing discussions about Knebworth footage or 70's concerts on DVD. It's just so obvious that I had to ask. And look, what is not a dead horse by now? The box sets? Haha. I just wondered, because people must have noticed it already in 1991, that something can be confirmed about the Slightly Mad video and the Queen I sleeve.
Jan
Jan78 wrote: I didn't know it was such a dead horse. And even then it's no crime to post it among the ongoing discussions about Knebworth footage or 70's concerts on DVD. It's just so obvious that I had to ask. And look, what is not a dead horse by now? The box sets? Haha. I just wondered, because people must have noticed it already in 1991, that something can be confirmed about the Slightly Mad video and the Queen I sleeve.
Jan
touche'!
Yeah...as I was just telling my girlfreind yesterday, when you're a fan of a band who's lead singer died 15 years ago, you've got to find creative ways to entertain yourself. ( here's how i'm doin it: link )
Penguins, anyone?
The original questioner is correct - an old idea was resurrected.
When filling in those "Favourite colour etc" questionnaires in the 70s, Brian's ambition was "to be a penguin when he grows up".
It has been said that the penguine-thing in the IGSM video is actually the same one as on the cover.
And 'no', the first Hollywood pressings don't have any special value to collectors (yet).
(The kind of collector that finds interest in this kind of differences, is in most cases still one that collects vinyl.)
A bit off-topic but I'm reminded of it now.. Brian's personal production company.. his own 'office', if you will.. is entitled 'Duck Productions'. And I believe Freddie had one, or perhaps his estate maintains it.. called 'Goose Productions'. I'm not sure what they are for really.
I can't recall where I saw Freddie's company listed, but Brian's was given to me as the address for sending him something c/o Jen.
Hmm, now for my little joke at the end. I can't seem to find confirmation that a penguin is a type of fowl, though it's known as a flightless bird and under fowl I see that ANY bird is fowl. So..
So perhaps a fondness for fowl is common throughout Queen Productions.
Actually that my list needs to be updated, 'cause it's not so easy about Queen Touring Ltd as I supposed. And some other business companies may be add - John was co-owner of Milo Studio (with Henry Crallan who's still managing director of the studio), Roger is shareholder in Cornwall Local Radio Ltd (in Truro) etc.