“Bohemian Rhapsody,” the controversial first single from the album, was greeted like manna from heaven in the dull musical wasteland between glam-rock and punk. New management and the luxury of unhampered time in the recording studio allowed Queen to fulfill their creative ambitions and produce A Night at the Opera.

But 1975 became the turning point in their career. Added comments from rock stars Ian Hunter and Joe Perry, key music commentators Bob Harris, Mick Rock, Anthony DeCurtis and John Ingham and music industry veterans Jac Holzman and Joe Smith put the album in its rightful place in rock history.Ī deal with EMI and Elektra Records produced three albums that featured a burgeoning Queen sound, a massive single, “Killer Queen” and huge critical success. Interviews, musical demonstrations, acoustic performances, archival footage and multi-track tapes reveal how Queen created the songs and sounds with producer Roy Thomas Baker. Queen’s faultless musicianship, with the “Sonic Volcano” rhythm section of Roger Taylor and John Deacon, Brian May’s guitar virtuosity and the spectacular Freddie Mercury up front led to the crowning of Queen as one of the greatest rock acts of all time. The brilliant mix of hard rock, pop, opera, music hall camp and traditional folk, utilizing multi-layered guitars, crunching riffs, vocal harmonies, piano flourishes, a harp, a ukulele and ‘no synthesizers’ all combine to make what many consider to be a masterpiece. The Story Behind the Conception and Recording of “Queen – A Night at the Opera” on CLASSIC ALBUMS, July 23 at 10 pmĬLASSIC ALBUMS “Queen – A Night at the Opera” Friday, July 23 at 10 pmĮxplore the story behind the conception and recording of A Night at the Opera, the fourth Queen album, released in late 1975, and long regarded as a classic.

Queen a night at the opera record