Saarbrucken 1979

http://queenlive.ca/queen/79-08-18.htm


^ I've always been fascinated by this German festival show. They were on the same bill as Rory Gallagher and Alvin Lee. They didn't do too many of these festival type shows, probably because they didn't want to compromise on their light show nor the length of their set. By 1984 this wouldn't be the case, but in 1979 it certainly was.

Frustratingly there's only one rough-sounding audience recording of this show (not counting the short 8mm footage), but it's one of their most interesting performances. Look at the setlist:

We Will Rock You (fast), Let Me Entertain You, If You Can't Beat Them, Mustapha, Death On Two Legs, Killer Queen, I'm In Love With My Car, Get Down Make Love, You're My Best Friend, Now I'm Here, Somebody To Love, Spread Your Wings, Love Of My Life, Keep Yourself Alive, guitar/drum solos, Brighton Rock (ending), Bohemian Rhapsody, Tie Your Mother Down, Sheer Heart Attack, Jailhouse Rock, We Will Rock You, We Are The Champions, God Save The Queen

Two hours are cut down to 90 minutes. Dreamers Ball, '39, It's Late, and the first half of Brighton Rock are out. But they've added Mustapha (its first proper performance), and thus they come out of the gate with three Jazz songs. But - they've also axed the three hit songs from Jazz (Fat Bottomed Girls, Bicycle Race, Don't Stop Me Now). This leaves about a half dozen hit songs in the setlist that the average radio-listening person would know (most people on hand didn't know Best Friend as it didn't chart in Germany).

Was this intentional? Were they trying to distance themselves from their pop leanings at a rock festival? Looking back in retrospect, by 1980 they'd made their next big steps towards becoming more of a pop band. So is this show a snapshot of the band in major transition at their Mason-Dixon line ? Or is this merely a coincidence?

Thoughts ?

It's 11:30pm and I'm too tired to write a detailed response; I just know that it's a damn good show and a shame that the only recording we have is so crappy, and plagued by those drunk people who love to sing along (which they do horribly!).

^ A Saarbrücken 79` Concert Poster was offered to me a couple of years ago...150 Euros...Ahhhh...No thanks :)
I think their setup was like it was because of the ties of such a festival situation.

I asked a question similar to this about the recording as for the set. Why would you not want to have the sings everyone would know. The crowd would know we will rock you but not he know '39 crowds are different. And it had been said the band put thought into their set lists so it must have been intentional. But you are right wiz man it is an interesting show but the only recordings we have of it are terrible. Which is a shame as this concert is right before the crazy tour when no doubt Queen were at their absolute best

Wasn't it filmed by local TV ? Some of it anyway ?

i have always wondered about the set list at this show. The only conslusion i could come up with was that, A, they had a time limite on the running time and B, they wanted to change things around a bit, which is something they carried into the Crazy Tour. In Brighton i was surprised by the inclusion of Liar.

Just a hint for all you investigators...if there is any professional footage of this event...the "Saarländischer Rundfunk" or "SR" would be the most logic partner for any kind of research.

When Greg asked about possible sources for live footage a few years ago, I also suggested to contact Saarländischer Rundfunk. I think that in 1979 a festival like this was fairly uncommon in germany, so it should be at least partly recorded. Dunno if they did contact them, but perhaps a future Live Killers mega-reissue contains some surprises.
Also - correct me if I'm wrong - this was their first ever stadium gig (albeit a festival, but anyway), so hopefully some pro footage exists.

[QUOTE] [b]Regor wrote:[/b]

Also - correct me if I'm wrong - this was their first ever stadium gig [/QUOTE]

Excellent observation. Everything before this was arenas, theatres and smaller outdoor things in the earlier days.

And Hyde Park.

If You Can't Beat Em from this gig is stellar - Freddie is in top shape.

The short setlist is no doubt because is a festival. is a common practice even nowdays, bands brings their full show to arenas and stadiums, with full setlist and their best lightring, and a shortened setlist with mainly hits to festivals.

According to the Festival Poster, the " SR1 " was supporter of the festival. It would be a complete miracle if they didn`t recorded /brodcasted anything of such an event in 79`...

[QUOTE] [b]Doga wrote:[/b]

The short setlist is no doubt because is a festival. is a common practice even nowdays, bands brings their full show to arenas and stadiums, with full setlist and their best lightring, and a shortened setlist with mainly hits to festivals.[/QUOTE]

Exactly.

But in this case, they cut out their three most recent hits.

Hence the deeper philosophical discussion that 20/20 hindsight has granted us.

I missed this one due to lack of funds but my Royal Family brethren went en force and they have some fantastic tales (it was only a few months after our 3 nights in Paris).

I know the possible source of the 8mm mentioned above. And if it's no,then there is other 8mm footage around.

I also seem to remember hearing a good recording of the show but god knows who had it.

I remember everyone going on about Roger's green hair.