Forty years ago Freddie Mercury and his band Queen had begun the year gigging at relatively obscure venues like the Greyhound pub in Croydon, the Paddocks in Canvey Island and the Winter Gardens, Cleethorpes. It was a far cry from their legendary live show of 1986 at Wembley Stadium.
Their live set only occasionally included the song Seven Seas of Rhye – their first hit single – and their first hit album, Queen II, was set for release.
However, all that was about to change. The year 1974 saw the quartet of musicians achieve super stardom. Their third album Sheer Heart Attack and, Killer Queen, the hit single taken from album, were released that year and established the group as bona fide pop stars.
But throughout Queen’s illustrious career, their incredible live performances marked them out as more than just another pop band.
Champions of Rock are hoping to recreate the excitement and drama of Queen’s legendary live shows.
Champions of Rock are at the Beck Theatre, Grange Road, Hayes on Sunday, March 16 from 7.30pm. Details: 020 8561 8371, becktheatre.org.uk