Marvel at the clarity of Taylors bad-ass drumming (Liar on the debut Queen) and Mays searing, harmonic ax work on the Red Special, the guitar he built with his father from an 18th-century fireplace mantel. If youve never heard these recordings and consider yourself a rock n rock fan, buy them immediately for the full-length LPs to avoid pop-culture embarrassment: The first five classics are required listening.įor those first exposed to these records on vinyl when black lights were high-tech, modern technology and remastering by Bob Ludwig bring newfound clarity to every tool in Queens arsenal. Classic-rock radio proves Freddie Mercurys vocal prominence, but Queen was a helluva band: The innovative quartet bridged the gap from the blood-and-thunder heavy metal of Black Sabbath and guitar-heavy blues-rock of Led Zeppelin to a unique genre of glam and baroque rock perfected by vocalist/pianist Mercury, guitarist Brian May, bassist John Deacon and drummer Roger Taylor.

Queens place in the British rock pantheon is undeniable. The first of three waves presents the bands first five albums Queen , Queen II , Sheer Heart Attack , A Night at the Opera and A Day at the Races spanning their 1971 formation to 1976.

Thats not the case with most of the latest offerings from the Queen back catalog to commemorate the bands 40th anniversary.

A night at the opera genre