With all due respect to the excellent '70s era and the solid late '80s into the '90s, I've gotta stick up for 1980-1986 (I believe that spans the "Synth Overdose" and "Euro Pop" eras that someone suggested earlier). I'm really a sucker for all the electronic tomfoolerly and intense bombast of those years. But the material produced by Queen during the early to mid-eighties is more than just throwaway pop-rock. Queen truly continued to innovate and diversify their repertoire: they incorporated funk (AOBTD; Back Chat), synth rock (Radio Ga Ga; I Want to Break Free), traditional Queen rock (Dragon Attack; Hammer to Fall), premier ballads (Las Palabras de Amor; Who Wants to Live Forever), and just made more hits (Under Pressure; A Kind of Magic; CLTCL).
I've heard some of my more casual Queen-loving friends say that this era was too sappy or too much of a departure, but I admire how Queen took risks that paid off, in my mind at least (Hot Space, Flash Gordon soundtrack, etc). And while Queen was always a tremendous live act, 1980-86 saw them sell out huge arenas all over the world (expect in the U.S.), including virtuoso performances at Live Aid and throughout the entire Magic tour: especially Wembley and Knebworth.
I guess I've gone on a bit too long, but I just cherish the 1980-1986 Queen era and I believe that it stands up musically against the rest of the band's career.
April Lady · Member since
I think up to and including A Day at the Races, but also including Innuendo. I think Freddie was more at one with himself at that period than any other.
April Lady · Member since
The Innuendo period, that is.
SallyJ. · Member since
70's for me
:)
Clare McGann · Member since
Definatly the 70's era...from Queen through to News of the World...at their best musically, and they all were gorgeous then....I think John looked much better with long hair!!
AC · Member since
70's. No doubt.
7Innuendo7 · Member since
Also 1985 and 1986 were Magic Years
teddybear · Member since
I love all the eras for Queens music as you hear them grow and change, but I guess I do really love the early to mid 70s.
I also love the 1979 footage - Freddie in those leathers - yum yum - *teddy smacks her lips* he was pretty darn cute then.
But audio - I would pick the 70's as the music was so full and rich and layered (hmmmmm like a strawberry shortcake - gotta get me some of that) - and Freddies voice had a sensuousness to it that was gone in later years as it got more powerful.
But of course, we all love Queen any old way, but I dont really class the recent songs by Brian and Roger as Queen (it is only half of Queen) LOL
The Mad Hatter · Member since
I think that my favorite Queen era(s) would be the 70s and 90s/Innuendo period. Listening to Innuendo and hearing how incredible Freddie's voice was even though he was so ill, it's just unbelievable. I also love the production from 1974-76, it's amazing. And I have to admit that I really love Freddie's look from the 70s, with the long hair and such. There's just something about it.....
