Queen - Seven Seas of Rhye - first Top of the Pops performance

This is a test encode of a project I've been working on for some time now. As most of you know the original recording of this show was deleted many years ago. Queen Productions probably managed to get a full colour copy, but most of the fans have only a black and white copy plus a couple of full colour snippets. I have tried to join all available videos together, but I'm not sure about the result. Please let me know what you think about merging colour and B&W footage, especially in the parts where you can see the colour version and the black & white version at the same time

[@sassysuccessfulspeakers]

I recall at the end of this performance, during the "I do like to be beside the seaside" outro, a woman with an apron came on sweeping the stage. I was aged 13 and this performance blew my tiny mind. Next day I went into school and was raving about this great band. All my friends told me I had really weird taste in music! I skimped on my school lunches to get the money to buy the single for 50 pence from our local record shop later that week.

[@juliact]

What a great story Maria!!! I was 12 then, so I'm in your cohort. My friends told me I had weird taste in music too. They liked Bay City Rollers. I rest my case! ;)

[@elizabrains]

That's a awesome story!

[@grroppen2140]

Fuck your friends

[@TheaterPup]

School has always been annoying like that. Glad I'm long passed it.

[@HayleighM4y]

Sadly, people still think I have a weird taste in music, with the occasional 'Queen?! Bohemian Rhapsody is the best!'. I wish people could appreciate their other songs as well. :,((

[@sa4540]

Fun fact: you may know it already, but this was Queen’s breakthrough (no pun intended) the song shot to number 10 after this appearance. However, they weren’t actually meant to perform it. This slot was for David Bowie. The problem was, he couldn’t appear, and it was meant to be his music video playing, which was not ready in time. There was a strike on at the time and, literally, the only band that could make it and were close enough was Queen. The rest, as they say, is history.

[@seitanman]

@@luhswagceo Queen's breakthrough - "I Want To Break Free"

[@LuisRamos-wj2jj]

Yeah, and they this this on the weather studio

[@sloganreadet1151]

@@luhswagceo Breakthru from the Miracle album.

[@Punttipate62]

@@seitanman *Breakthru

[@erosbespammin]

THEY LOOK SO PRETTY

[@personalcheeses8073]

Good work. I remember this like it was yesterday. My brother shouted me over to see the size of Freddie Mercury’s mouth. But we were hooked immediately. Talent like that is undeniable

[@user-hy5jy7sf9j]

Lmao

[@flora3177]

Oh Freddie! He was an absolute genius! It was so much more than a rock star! Educated and charismatic His music is the music of beauty and freedom. Freddie is never replaceable, unsurpassed, unforgettable.

[@garyhampton3739]

Considering what the available footage is like, this is gold-dust. It's great to see just how good Queen were before they became megastars. You've done a splendid job.

[@frannieo1707]

I had just turned 15 and this was the moment I fell for Freddie Mercury. I always preferred early Queen and Freddie's androgynous look at that time. Thanks for posting.

[@camaraydavalos2855]

freddie is so beautiful and magnetic.

[@barbararoberts7635]

Went back and watched this a second time. It was even better than the first time. Of course it does help to have such a mesmerizing vocalist. I prefer Freddie this way. See his glove on his hand, on just one hand? Wonder who liked that idea?

[@susanorchard1994]

Even with it being playback, Freddie still oozes charisma! #Legend

[@juliact]

Love it! I'd prefer it was all colour and no shakes, but I'll take it! Awesome to see any good close ups of Freddie from then. Such a gorgeous, cutie pie.

[@linzi2720]

Its lost footage. How can it all be colour if most of it was found but not the rest

[@michaelhart7569]

I remember watching this at the time. I quite liked the music but what stuck in the memory was the amazing stage presence of the lead vocalist.

[@darrenlloyd4835]

Amazing.. Freddie Mercury.. his eyes are so deep and beautiful. I think he really suited his teeth even though he felt insecure about them. They added to his beauty. He was beautiful

[@rebekkapoder9760]

when the camera showed Roger my jaw dropped right to the floor

[@reidflemingworldstoughestm1394]

are you saying he made you slide off your chair?

[@baurim1465]

the same thing happened to me the first time I saw this video, I really thought he was a woman

[@lavieestbelle1009]

My babies 😍😍😍 how is it possible not to fall immediatly in love with them ???

[@simonacaradonia4969]

Freddie with long hair 😍😍😍😍

[@kirstymacfarlane1620]

This was recorded a month before I was born but for as long as I can remember I loved Queen and Freddie was one of my all time heroes. 30 years later and I still get upset over his death, a diamond that was taken away too soon ♦️😢👑❤️

[@butlaoctu4464]

Roger so cute!

[@christinagav5240]

Freddie looks unbelievably beautiful here

[@warmwinter948]

deaky's so cute

[@laweonataylor9146]

Jhon siempre es tierno :U

[@adonaiyah2196]

i met him he's cool

[@terryanddominic]

this song makes you hair stand on end , i felt it then as a young kid seeing this on tv, I turned to my sister and said this band will be massive , this will still be cool in 200 years time

[@neilcreamer8207]

Probably like many, this was my first exposure to Queen. My thoughts were something like "Wow! What the hell is this?" They were so different from anything else on offer at the time and I was immediately hooked.

[@alanfox7312]

Colour and black and white combined look good ❤

[@wynnie_margeaux]

This is precious artwork

[@keokavamp]

omg Roger at that age 😍😍😍 so cuteee ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@anij8226]

Black Queen Muser Oh please! Roger Taylor at every age... 😉🥰😍💖

[@margharrison9722]

I remember watching this and a friend said, this band are going to be big. God she was right.

[@TralfazConstruction]

I appreciate what you've done here. It looks contemporary and archival all at once; makes the years melt away. Takes me back to my flamin' youth.

[@secondchance6603]

Flamin' youth? Is that a KISS reference?

[@eihcra_]

Best footage i've seen for this Queen performance! Lovely stuff.

[@Alisa-xx4xh]

Beautiful restoration!!! 💖💜 Thanks!!!

[@tracycapilot2002]

ANY early videos of Queen at their genesis are priceless! Thank you for the work put into this and sharing!

[@avrolancaster6987]

In retrospect.....the greatness is obvious.

[@maritzajimenez6690]

I like in this way, it's cool to see them in b/w, as a fly back in the time, and then return to present. Excelent work. Thank you very much.

[@DStark-xo4ii]

I think it’s great to have footage of their first appearance on top of the Pops even if it’s not perfect material.

[@chrissmurray255]

You've made a great job out of that chief. Top marks. I remember this song not just because it's great, but because of my introduction to it. My mate Roger Blanchard brought his recently-purchased 45 of this into a music lesson once, after the teacher allowed us to bring stuff from home. It blew me away, and I've been a bit of a fan ever since. I saw them at Bingley Hall 4 years later, in '78, and I still have purple blotches on my retina after the bands re-entrance on stage towards the end of 'Bohemian'... "So you think you can stop me and spit in my eye?" _You'd better spit in my eye mate, because it's on bloody fire after that magnesium flare!_

[@mocha2259]

Freddie was so cute omg

[@rickamacho7]

Thank you for sharing!

[@lindapadley5806]

Good to see an early version. Think I saw them on OGWT. Have this in my singles collection. My husband had the same single but different 'b' side. Think we have Sheer heart attack and Night at the opera in album's. Good band, good songs.

[@elliehernandez9069]

This is a gem

[@debragledhill255]

Even as early as this was, Freddie Mercury was the most brilliant frontman and Queen were fantastic

[@chulao5973]

Thank you for upload and sharing ❤️

[@Alannahruby_]

Wow love it

[@terrypussypower]

70’s Queen were awesome! SSOR was one of the first records I bought after seeing this TOTP performance!

[@SimonChristensen]

Nice work, it looks a bit crude from time to time, but I don't think that can be fixed (different sources, framing etc.) :) I bet you QP has a full colour copy of this particular version, which I would have preferred on the Days of Our Lives extras instead of the compilation we ended up with.

[@Gabi-enby]

IDEM.

[@ohmsri14]

Simon Christensen I just wanted to say I love your videos. Thanks for uploading your Live Aid video :)))

[@SJD975]

The goat himself

[@annam.208]

Great song 🙂

[@albertobaldo8743]

Thanks for restoring this material !!!

[@bollweevil1976]

I think you did a damn good job on it 👍

[@tiaracousins3307]

Fear me you lords and lady preachers I descend upon your earth from the skies I command your very souls you unbelievers Bring before me what is mine The seven seas of rhye Can you hear me you peers and privvy counsellors I stand before you naked to the eyes I will destroy any man who dares abuse my trust I swear that you'll be mine The seven seas of rhye Sister I live and lie for you Mister do and I'll die You are mine I possess you I belong to you forever Storm the master marathon I'll fly through By flash and thunder fire I'll survive Then I'll defy the laws of nature and come out alive Then I'll get you Be gone with you, you shod and shady senators Give out the good, leave out the bad evil cries I challenge the mighty titan and his troubadours And with a smile I'll take you to the seven seas of rhye

[@monchosoy6656]

IT LOOK 100% GREAT

[@ACETYGRA]

Early Queen was sort of like a unique mix of Zeppelin, Genesis, and T-Rex

[@squinteyedmangle]

ACETYGRA,you`re right and 3 awesome bands too.They never quite reached the heights of Zep or had the acclaim of them and early Genesis,mainly because they became a pop group.But,at the time here they were a force to be reckoned with,and were certainly on apar with T Rex.

[@m1losk1]

They are not a pop group, and are more popular than zeppelin

[@marktaylor6491]

Exactly. What they did was fuse hard rock, prog, and glam.

[@marktaylor6491]

@@m1losk1 Yes and no. Queen have more mainstream popularity, especially in the UK. But Zeppelin have sold more records worldwide.

[@ZENOBlAmusic]

​@@marktaylor6491 Led Zeppelin was really big in America, and Queen was big in Europe. Queen have sold around 270 mil albums and Led Zeppelin have sold around 204 mil albums around the world. Queen were also big in other places around the world such as South America and Southern Africa. Queen is actually the second best selling band behind The Beatles. You can google, best selling artist on chartmasters. They have the most accurate numbers. And speaking of going pop, Genesis went far more pop then Queen ever did.

[@damayanti3231]

I never went to the concert..but this video is more than enough, enough is enough to describe it. This is super fantastic !

[@gregkiteos1936]

Awesome!

[@MrMusicbyMartin]

Like a heavy rock Beach Boys, they were at their best when the rhythm section got revved up to support layers of angelic vocals.

[@FreddieBechiarelli]

Great performance and register vocals

[@leobaduy]

It is awesome! Love It!

[@emar2791]

Freddie, pure magnetism. And Roger, 1:03, being so cute should be punished.

[@chrystalweaver618]

FANTASTIC!

[@mirror1675]

Thanks for posting this. I remember this first Queen TOTP performance well because it was so striking. I must've been 16.

[@Vitusvonatzinger]

Astounding

[@fedeh.m.1704]

The Perfect Colours !!.... Thnk u. !!

[@lysbethforbes]

Brilliant to see this, I was there in the audience and I'd not heard of them before seeing it!!!

[@tommythevenot7617]

So, what year was this? The recent movie made it seem that “Killer Queen” was their first TOTP performance

[@nualagoodman3461]

Yes, remember a similar situation, being blown away by something completely new.

[@jimenaurbieta245]

es impresionante y increíble 🤩❤👑

[@marcosruiz1709]

Si no hubiese sido por qué Bowie cancelo su actuación en este programa, la carrera de queen hubiese sido distinta, ya que está actuación fue la que les dio el impulso, y la hicieron por qué el programa necesitó alguien que reemplazará a Bowie... Pequeños detalles pueden cambiar muchas cosas

[@victoriadealmeidastudiogal9455]

Hardly any footage of Roger. Poor guy he must have been disappointed considering it was their first time on television He said it was lame and underwhelming anyway but still. Thank you for this I LOVED IT!

[@thelionheart7178]

QUEEN FOREVER!

[@HarryYT22]

Such a great tune!! I've never seen this performance before!! Glad it exists!!

[@barbdejonge1729]

love it!!

[@aylinmiranda1033]

Los chicos de Queen ay son los mejores ❤️😌

[@anastasiapedersen1]

2:18 - 2:24 WHAT ARE THEY DOING OH MY GOD SJDBSHHSBD

[@jayrox40]

Great work.

[@FreddieBechiarelli]

J’adore ❤❤❤❤❤

[@millsoke1]

I remember this first performance on TOTP. The next act after them were The Wombles. Don't know how I remember that, I just do. What a contrast lol.

[@sunflower3951]

esto es musica verdadera, unica y compuesta por ellos. que pena que hoy en dia no haya musica tan buena

[@writerbeatle8761]

Te equivocas si hay buena musica hoy en día te recomiendo el disco treinta y tres de julian calvarero

[@sunflower3951]

@@writerbeatle8761 buena lo voy a escuchar 👍

[@adrianacotrina7024]

Exacto. Sólo hay música mala. Como el k-pop.

[@marzia723]

Bellissima! 😍

[@wynnie_margeaux]

Taemin!

[@marzia723]

@@wynnie_margeaux 😊yes!

[@thekingofcrimeblaze]

This is the official video as well I think, but wow that is nice that you restored it man. 👍

[@NimrodelMirage]

1:39 he's not even trying bahaha

[@midnightrose2127]

If you watch Brians face throughout the video, you can see he is seriously pissed off!

[@annabelej8021]

On almost every video with TOTP Roger has a cool face. I can't help but smile😂.

[@sebasxxx6603]

Simply: better with Queen.

[@archiescott6224]

Fantastic debut performance on Top of The Pops - I wonder whatever did happen to the band ?

[@FreddieBechiarelli]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@writerbeatle8761]

00:47 esa mirada si te atrapa

[@leonardomorales7265]

Queen black and white 🤔

[@livekillers1979]

hey its great remaster what about second source restoring thanks my dear cheers to you !!!!!!!!!

[@nullcorporation2332]

Nice work, Awesome performance and sound, theres only so much you can do with bad footage, but itf it's all there is, well that's all there is :D

[@Frankus1980]

Wow it's the firs time I see this reliquie :)

[@EW00AW04]

Where it all began

[@princesslluviacaelentament1198]

One day this video will actually be seen

[@midnightrose2127]

This was their first appearance on TOTP...where they learned they had to use "playback," and not perform live. Starting at :56, does it not look like Brian is rolling his eyes and is completely pissed? Roger doesn't look very happy either! They hated it, but they went on the show again and again, because it was like our American Bandstand, where a lot of bands got attention and recognition!

[@MartinFarrell1972]

The BBC had a top of the pops special "Queen At The BBC" and this clip was part of it. They mentioned it was from KZbin. So much 70's performances have been lost. Was Killer Queen thought to be lost but the found?

[@pittrek81]

2 performances of Killer Queen were deleted. We have now one of them thanks to a person recording it during the broadcast, from the second version we only have a few still photographs.

[@freddiemercury7145]

Que bakan esa parte hermosa 1:20 💯

[@anitacid305]

You are chilean !!!

[@lizardoutlaw9512]

0:30 Freddie looks sick!

[@СветланаШрамко-э8у]

LOVE YOU

[@colinaitken3605]

Sure they were on Sunday neet at the london palladium singing this before they appeared on TOTP....

[@bobbridger1368]

Saw Queen at the Rainbow Theatre Finsbury Park London on their Seven Seas Of Rhye tour which must have been 1974 so that would have made me 16. Had forgotten how heavy they were, and with those "descending to your earth from the sky" lyrics just how well they fitted the Flash Gordon movie... and if you're a Brit/Pom, what can you say about TOTP that hasn't already been said? How about The Who from 1973? kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJ2vXnl8hr-XaKs

[@Jameshatford1966]

Could you please send me a higher bitrate version of the video?

[@JustM4ti]

Does anyone know the exact day Queen went on Top of the Pops?

[@davidbowiesbootyfingers7307]

1:20 and 1:38 are literally the best parts

[@williamwallace5857]

Could be doing without the web address at the bottom of the screen.

[@mrmillcake8525]

If only Deaky could sing...=)

[@guadalupesalazar3212]

Y a los del programa jamas se les paso pensar que el intro es piano y Freddie no esta en uno? ppara simular mas que estaban tocando "en vivo"? solo con mover los labios dijeron

[@annabelej8021]

It was a requirement of this program. Everyone who performed there had to adapt to the rule

[@dhtelevision]

Seven Seas of Rhye is in my opinion the first good Queen song.

[@marguskiis7711]

When Queen still was a heavy metal band, heavier than Judas Priest.