More about: Queen
Album predicted for Christmas release
William Orbit has confirmed via Twitter that he is producing Queen's new album, which is probable for pre-Christmas release.
The Grammy award winning producer, who has worked with artists such as Blur and Madonna, said in a tweet:
Am definitely working with QUEEN. Amazing songs. That's all I'm sayin 4 now. Watch this space.
— William Orbit (@WilliamOrbit) July 29, 2014
Orbit previously announced in July of last year that he was producing a duet between Freddie Mercury and Michael Jackson, which is more than likely going to feature on the new Queen album - said to be titled, Queen Forever. The pair recorded three songs during the sessions for Jackson's iconic album 'Thriller'.
Queen guitarist Brian May confirmed in May that he and drummer Roger Taylor were working on the album. Speaking to the BBC about the recording process, May said: "We had to start from scratch. Knowing how it would have happened if we'd finished the songs, I can sit there and make it happen with modern technology. It's quite emotional. It's the big, big Queen ballads and the big, big epic sound."
The new album will be the second Queen record to feature vocals based on unreleased Mercury vocals since the singer's unfortunate death in 1991.
Meanwhile, Queen and Adam Lambert have announced a massive tour, playing dates acros Australia following their acclaimed shows in the US and Canada. For more information and tickets, see Gigwise Tickets.
08/22 – Perth, AU @ Perth Arena
08/26 – Sydney, AU @ Allphones Arena
08/29 – Melbourne, AU @ Rod Laver Arena
09/01 – Brisbane AU @ Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Below: From Truro to Wembley - the 6 most important gigs of Queen's career
Cornwall, 1970: Smile, featuring brand new lead singer Freddie Bulsara, performed at Truro City Hall in Cornwall. Smile would later become Queen, and Freddie Bulsara, of course, Freddie Mercury.
Hyde Park, 1976: Just six years after their debut gig, Queen cemented their star status with a free concert in Hyde Park. 150,000 people turned up - an attendance record. Mercury chose his white boiler suit so that he would stand out even to those at the back.
Sao Paulo, 1981: The band performed two concerts at Morumbi Stadium in Brazil's Sao Paolo. The first night was attended by 131,000 people, breaking the record for largest paying audience for a single band anywhere in the world.
Live Aid, 1981: Broadcast live to 1.9 billion people, Live Aid was an ensemble effort, but it's a truth universally acknowledged that Queen stole the show. Their performance was named the world's greatest rock gig in an industry poll, and essentially invented hand clapping. Brian May said he had "never seen anything like that in my life" when the 75,000 strong crowd began clapping along, unprompted, to 'Radio Ga Ga'. Video footage of the strangely moving phenomenon has racked up over 3 million views.
Wembley, 1986: As part of the tour to promote new album A Kind Of Magic, Queen performed two nights at Wembley Stadium. The show was recorded and released on CD, eventually going 5x Platinum in the US and 4x Platinum in the UK.
Knebworth Park, 1986: After failing to book Wembley for a third night during the same tour, Queen instead opted to play at Knebworth Park. The show sold out in 2 hours, and the crowd was made up of around 120,000 fans. Freddie Mercury was diagnosed with AIDS the following year, and died in 1991. Knebworth Park was his last live performance.
More about: Queen
