So boosted was their morale, in fact, that Queen were quick to
respond to increased record sales by quickly going into the studio
to record ‘One Vision’, an up-tempo guitar-based song, which was
subsequently released as a single to great success. More controversy
abounded, however, when the press release for the single stated
that the band were encouraged to go in and record the track after
the success of Live Aid, which was then taken by the press to
mean that the song was written about the event, and, therefore,
the royalties should have gone to charity – which they didn’t. The
band were aghast, as Roger Taylor would disclose, ‘I was absolutely
devastated when I saw that in the press. It was a terrible mistake
and I was really annoyed about it. Some public relations person got
hold of the wrong end of the stick. I went absolutely bananas when
I saw that.’
1986 would see the band going in the studio to record new
album ‘A Kind of Magic’. Inspired by the hit movie Highlander,
and featuring the aforementioned single, the album was a fiscal
success, spawning a string on hits including ‘Friends Will Be
Friends’ and ‘A Kind of Magic’. Later that year the band would be
on the road once more, touring Europe in support of the album,
and playing venues in France, Italy and Germany to name but
three. One particular date in Hungary proved to be especially
successful, as Roger Taylor explains, ‘We had a wonderful time in
Hungary. I think everybody who came to the Nepstadion enjoyed
themselves. Especially the support! It was about 60 middle aged
ladies singing a Hungarian Folklore version of “Jumping Jack
Flash” and, believe me, it was different.’ Another highlight of the
tour was a date at Wembley Stadium, which was subsequently
released as both a live record and video. Somewhat prophetically,
Freddie Mercury teased the capacity crowd that Queen might be
breaking up, only to tell them it was nothing but silly rumour,
and that Queen would be together until ‘we fucking die, I’m sure!’
Hmm...
chris devlin
(Chris Devlin)
#1