New Queen Song featuring Freddie Mercury
When Freddie Mercury died in 1991, fans reasonably presumed that it meant that the band was over. And for a time, it was. Surviving members Brian May, John Deacon and Roger Taylor performed with a parade of guest vocalists at a massive Freddie Mercury tribute concert in 1992. In the late ‘90s, May and Taylor began performing at special events with different singers (Deacon had retired from music by then). In 2004, May and Taylor hooked up with former Bad Company and Free singer Paul Rodgers, dubbing themselves “Queen + Paul Rodgers.” They recorded a new studio album and toured, parting ways amicably in 2009. A few years later, they hooked up with former American Idol contestant Adam Lambert, doing their first tour with him in 2012. Queen + Adam Lambert still headlines arenas and stadiums today, although it seems doubtful that they’ll ever release any new music. May and Taylor, sans Lambert, performed at the Taylor Hawkins tribute concerts.
Face It Alone
Queen members Brian May and Roger Taylor have discovered a stash off six never released songs recorded during the sessions for 1989’s The Miracle, when Freddie Mercury was still alive and with the band. Face It Alone is the name of the song and it may not be an instant classic but it still has the amazing vocals of one of Rock’s all time great front men.
A labor of love for Freddie
The band apparently thought it was “unsalvageable” until corrected by studio engineers, possibly armed with the kind of AI-assisted technology that was used on the Beatles’ Get Back documentary. Everyone involved has clearly done their best with what was available for them to work with, but it was a project the band thought was worthwhile enough to give it a chance, after all, there won’t be any new Freddie Mercury vocals.
A lost jewel for Queen?
Queen’s production and archive team found the long lost trach when they began working on an upcoming box set reissue of the album, due to be released in November.
“We’d kind of forgotten about this track,” Taylor said in a statement. “But there it was, this little gem. It’s wonderful, a real discovery. It’s a very passionate piece.”
“The Miracle,” Queen’s 13th studio album, came out two years before Mercury died from AIDS-related pneumonia in 1991.
Here’s the official video for Face It Alone
A song for true Queen fans?
I have to admit the song isn’t one of their all-time greatest, but it does showcase the overwhelming and undeniable talent of Freddie Mercury. The song builds and builds but never quite explodes into a big rock and roll explosion. If you’re a true Queen fan you will find it satisfying to hear a new song from the band, if you’re a casual fan, you might rate is good, not great. Either way, it’s really cool to find a new hidden gem from one of the rock’s greatest bands of all time.
Bob is a native New Englander, growing up (sorta) in Maine where his love for radio started at a young age. While in high school he hosted radio shows on a local radio station, and he has never looked back.
Bob joined the US Navy and served onboard the Sixth Fleet Flagship as a radio and TV host. After serving for 3 years, it was off to Emerson College in Boston. Bob hosted shows in Boston on WMEX, WVBF and WSSH in the 80’s and 90’s before heading to radio stations in Raleigh, NC, Manchester, NH, and New York City.
Bob has been married for almost 25 years to Carolyn, a Woburn gal and they have 3 daughters, Nicole, Taylor, and Bridget. Bob and Carolyn are proud first-time grandparents to baby Caroline, who they plan to spoil every chance they get!
“I started my career in New England and could not be happier to come back to Boston where I can root for all the Boston sports teams and eat lots of lobster rolls and clam chowder (okay not lots)… It is an honor to host the WROR morning show with LBF and wake up the World’s Greatest City!” Bob writes about recipes and restaurants, pop culture and trending topics.