Queen’s journey to rock stardom was filled with electric energy and talent that shaped the entire genre. However, like any great band, their beginnings weren’t without struggles. Guitarist Brian May recently opened up about one album that, in hindsight, he regrets – their self-titled debut album.
In a 2023 interview with Guitar World, May admitted that the band was never fully satisfied with the sound of their first album. Despite tracks like Keep Yourself Alive and Liar breaking new ground, the album’s recording process was plagued by technical issues that didn’t meet Queen’s rising standards. May shared that the band’s frustration was rooted in the fact that they knew what they wanted but couldn’t quite capture it.
The album was recorded in the early 1970s at Trident Studios, which was considered to be at the forefront of studio technology at the time. However, May was less than impressed with the results, saying, “The Trident sound was very dead… it was the opposite of what we were aiming for.” Despite the technical limitations, the album still showcased the raw potential of the band, with traces of the grandeur they would later become famous for.
May recalled being thrust into a “state-of-the-art” studio environment, but the experience left them frustrated. “We were thrown into the studio and into a system which regarded itself as state of the art. Trident Studios were very emergent as a force in the world. And they thought they had it down,” he said. However, the technical shortcomings of the studio didn’t stop Queen from continuing their journey.
Their debut, recorded between 1971 and 1973, was not a flawless masterpiece, but it laid the foundation for the iconic sound that would come to define Queen. May reflected on their efforts, saying that while the album didn’t showcase the full splendor of their potential, it still held sparks of greatness.
Though their first album may have had its flaws, it was this shaky start that fueled the band’s determination to improve. Queen quickly followed up their debut with Queen II, a record that captured their creative energy and marked their evolution into one of the most iconic rock bands in history. Looking back, May acknowledged that despite its technical challenges, their debut album was crucial in shaping their path to rock royalty.
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