This has to be one of the best live performances of all time. Every band member is spot on. I love this song written by Brian and I love this performance of it so much. That guitar and piano together is mind boggling and Roger and John are right in there working it in the best possible of ways. The only thing wrong with this video is that the cameraman never once pans to Brian as he is squeezing the most beautiful cries, wails and melodies out of his guitar, his fingers moving as fast as they can. Thank you for reacting to this fantastic performance.
As frontman Freddie commanded all the attention. Every member of that band is a phenomenally talented musician. All contributed song writing skills as well, but in my opinion Brian is one of the best at heartwrenching love songs and tying the lyrics to the music and pulling the soul out of those guitar strings.
The first time I saw this video I searched far & wide for the vinyl version of that performance. Finally found one in Italy. Now it has a beautiful home among my other Queen albums.
Brian's the one who wrote this song. Like a poem set to music. Some of my very favorite guitar work from him. Brian really makes it soar to the heavens. Coupled with Freddie's piano, it's just a lovely musical interlude.
I love these things: Freddie empties his lung reserves singing (3x) Brian extends the sound of the piano - see if you notice it Freddie is a little Mozart in a rock concert! I love love love that this song is like a long piano solo where the other instruments don't stop playing. And finally - I love how transcendent Freddie gets while playing this song.
"White Queen" I was written by Queen lead guitarist Brian May for his previous band “Smile” in 1968, several years before the band “Queen” would be created. It has a medieval, mystical feel, telling the story of a journey to see the White Queen. In the end, there is sorrow, as the journey ends as it began. The song is said to be based on the experience that Brian had with a girl he loved from afar but was too shy to approach Freddie's voice held such passion that we all feel the pain that a young Brian felt. The song details the story of the speaker’s lost love, (The White Queen) for whom he continues to wait for in agony. This song and “The March Of The Black Queen” were both on the Queen II album (Queen's 2nd album) which is known as the black and white album. Queen II is not a concept album but a collection of songs with a loose theme running throughout. The two sides of the original LP were labeled "Side White" and "Side Black" (instead of the conventional sides 1 and 2), with corresponding photos of the band dressed in black on the front cover and white on the inner gatefold. The white side has songs with a more emotional theme and the black side is almost entirely about fantasy, often with quite dark themes
And what a way to start the day, the greatest showman, greatest band and it being queen, the greatest voice ever. Freddie was one of a kind, thank you for this gem and hoping to hear more queen. Appreciate the work you do
As @carlajimenez5483 said, it was written by Brian about a girl he had a crush on, but was too shy to tell her how he felt. The imagery used in the song’s lyrics was partially inspired by a book he was reading at the time, “The White Goddess : A Historical Grammar of Poetic Myth” by English writer Robert Graves.
My favorite band!! I love this performance and feel so fortunate we have it today to enjoy. Queen, all four members, are just so talented….and that is an understatement. It fascinates me to watch, not only their music, but the band members themselves evolve during what is really only a 20 year time span (unfortunately RIP Freddie Mercury.) What they managed to accomplish, in that relatively short amount of time, is incredible. Their back catalog is so diverse and vast and interesting. I mean I did consume their music at the time as it was released but I didn’t necessarily SEE (my 3 channels in Oklahoma didn’t show Queen all of the time 😂 although I did watch Live Aid) them perform it. Not until we started to have access to these videos. Thank you for your reaction! T ✌🏻
This was when Queen had become really successful for the first time, with some well-received albums and a UK tour. This is from a 1975 Christmas Eve concert broadcast live on TV and the entire concert was released on CD/ download sites in 2015. Their fourth studio album had just been released and gone platinum, but this song is from their second, 1974 album, Queen II and the concert included a lot of older songs.
I'm glad you enjoyed this achingly beautiful song written by Brian May (lead guitar) about a girl he'd really liked at university, but he was too shy to ask her for a date. He adored from afar (comes over a little stalkery these days, but would have been considered romantic back then) until he finally summoned up the courage to approach her, but before he had the opportunity, he discovered that she was already involved with someone else. I love the duet between Freddie on piano and Brian on guitar, ably accompanied by Roger and John, but I just wish we could have seen some of Brian's nimble fingerwork on the guitar...
Although I'm old, I first discovered Queen from watching live videos in 2020 to help get through the pandemic. I then started buying recordings, starting with the first, self-titled album, and discovered how different their early music was compared to the stadium rock of the early 80s. My music background includes a lot of Renaissance music and early Queen has obvious references in lyrics and music to that period (which was kind of a thing for British bands in the 70s). This is from the second album and I loved it, but I like this live version much better than the studio version, mostly because I don't hear any piano on the studio version and I love how Freddie and Brian (and also the other two band members) are riffing back and forth.
Your story is like mine but I did like Queen back in the day but not a fanatic fan. Did buy the greatest hits cassettes to play in my car after Freddie past but know I can't get enough of them and wonder why I didn't realize how exceptional they were then.
Me too! Growing up always heard the more famous Queen songs but had no real idea about what this band was capable of musically until the pandemic, started watching their live performances and was completely blown away. Now I’m a fanatic!
When I started watching Queen videos I was surprised and a bit offended on behalf of the other group members that the cameras tended to stay locked on Freddie even when someone else was doing something amazing. But I soon realized that it's FREDDIE MERCURY and when he's onstage you just can't take your eyes off him.
I too, wished there was a camera focused on Brian! 😒 So, I did some research on this performance and found that Queen couldn’t afford another cameramen on stage! And, with limited cameramen, it made sense that they focus on Freddie, the stunning lead singer!! 🤩
White Queen written by the guitarist Brian May, Hammersmith Oden in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 This was my introduction to Queen Live as I actually attended this live gig, and I was hooked on the band ever since that stunning performance, and have attended many Queen Live concerts in the 1970s - and 1980s, Queen in my estimation were the greatest band they all gelled as phenomenal musicians, and had outstanding vocals, Freddie the greatest frontman of a band, White Queen the guitarist Brian May absolutely phenomenal, great reaction thanks 🙏
There's a lot to love about Queen and Freddie Mercury! Their brilliant songs and Freddie's amazing stage performances are something you can watch for decades and you still can't take your eyes off him, just ask any Queenie! Than you for reacting and sharing because it's people like you that keep their music alive and rocking. Freddie would've definitely loved this! Brian May wrote this while at University about a girl he had a huge crush on, but never had the courage to approach her to ask her out. 👑🌈💙
Thanks, 555 - one of my favorite live performances.. featuring every member of the band.. especially Brian May (the composer).. and the interplay between guitar and piano.. not to ignore the incredible drums & bass.. enjoy your reactions...
Queen was incredible in all its phases, and Freddie's vocals in this song are just perfect, I think the song was written by Brian. If you liked this, please try reacting to "Stone cold crazy" live at The Rainbow 1974 ❤
Do: *You Take My Breath Away Live at Hyde Park 1976* ... it's just Freddie & his piano (guys were on a mini break off stage) He is his own metronome 😍🥰 you'll see in You Take My Breath Away suggested earlier he holds his finger up as a timed pause - I think he does these little gestures for himself. *In the Lap of the Gods* I love the intensity of Freddie singing this at the piano and his desire to bob his head for 2 beats required him to move away from the mic to do so. *DRAGON ATTACK* live in Montreal 1981. There is 2 minutes of audience play before they start the song. But watch closely when they do start - Freddie SLINKS across the stage. Drags his back foot top to the floor and then kicks it out only from the knee down while he struts his torso twisting just a bit stronger than a normal walk. And if there was a laser beam iswear his height dips. Thus .... SLINKs across stage. MWUAH and they he sings a long note to start the jam ❤😍😍😍
@555Vibes did you see my suggestion WHO WANTS TO LIVE FOREVER - but its important you get the right date/performance. There are many available but the one I want you to see is= Queen - Who Wants to Live Forever (Live at Wembley Stadium, Friday 11 July 1986) 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
❤❤❤❤love this soo much...my second fav!favorite!! Another nice Freddie is " It's So You" and "In My Defence" loving music by Queen..Freddie Forever❤❤❤❤❤❤
Got you on that! There are a few songs that have multiple cam versions (not within the song, but entirely from one perspective). On WHITE QUEEN it is hard NOT to see Brian playing his heart out. But as he himself has said, Freddie was like a metronome at keeping time on the keys...they all work together, lookout for the other onstage.
Hauntingly mystical & magical, giving me a Tolkien vibe like reading a Lord of the Rings novel. Anyway, Brian penned this beauty inspired by a crush he had on a girl in his college Biology class! Too shy to approach her until it was too late! Brian admitted that they did become good friends later. The romantic .. 🌿🌙🌟⭐️💫✨
Xmas Eve Hammersmith Odeon 75 I was 14 Got on a train from Yorkshire Blagged my way in to this concert (under age) Arrived alone … Came out with so many life long mates …. White Queen ? Resonates throughout the years Not well known but once heard not forgotten Probably my favourite ❤️ Enjoy And Hey to all us sane folk out there in this mad stupid woke world
This is the Queen that took my heart. Do yourself a favor, pop on some headphones, pull out the liner notes and listen to this album (Queen II) both sides without interruption. You’re welcome.
Written by and about an experience in the life of Dr Sir Brian May, if you listen too the same venue different night as with all the concerts it'll sound slightly different
Brian wrote this song while in college about a girl in his Biology class that he had a crush on. He was too shy to talk to her or ask her out. When he finally got the courage she was dating someone….. “it ends as it began”. I believe they did become friends. I have always wondered if she knew this song was about her.
Try official video, The Show Must Go On (from the Innuendo album), The March of the Black Queen and also The Prophet's Song, both from Queen II. You won't be disappointed. Great job reacting.
Hi! The AFU is here!))) Glory to Ukraine!!! Please, make a Queen video guide. Not concerts, but clips, identical compilations "Greatest hits 2". Every work of this period is a masterpiece of cinematography, the unreal professionalism of the musicians and the team that shot these videos and edited them. a kind of magic radio gaga I want it all the show must go on I'm going slightly mad invisible man who wants to live forever It's a hard life I want to break free Headlong These are the days of our lives Scandal The Miracle Hammer to fall Under pressure One vision Breakthru Highly recommended!!! Thanks for your reaction. For me - this is a small piece of peace here in the war. Thank you! Be blessed and stay safe!
