Queen (October 18, 1976) – Colour Centrefold - Bravo
Updated: Oct 18
This full-page colour feature from Bravo captures Queen performing live during 1976. Presented as a large-format fan photograph rather than an article, the page focuses entirely on the group's stage presentation, with the two performers identified in the photograph as Freddie Mercury and John Deacon.
Publication: Bravo
Date: October 19, 1976
Country: Germany
That was one of the most thrilling rock shows of the year:
Queen conjure magic with sound and fury!
Roger Taylor
It began like something out of One Thousand and One Nights: Mysterious oriental sounds softly permeated the Edinburgh Playhouse Theatre, still shrouded in complete darkness, where fans were packed together, waiting for the first Queen show of the year. The music slowly transitioned into Bohemian Rhapsody. And while everyone listened breathlessly, suddenly a bang, an explosion, smoke, a burst of bright light, and Freddie Mercury stood on the stage with his back to the audience...
"Too bad..." whispers a girl behind me, disappointed. But immediately afterward, she shrieks with delight: Freddy turns around abruptly and stands before us like in Swan Lake: in a skintight white suit with narrow straps that leaves his chest bare and perfectly accentuates his figure. With sophisticated leaps and cat-like movements, he begins the show with "Sweet Lady." Then he grabs a glass of champagne, walks straight ahead, on tiptoe and upright, to the edge of the stage and toasts his fans. The response is roaring
enthusiasm. Queen's light effects have become even more fantastic since their last English show
they often envelop fans and stage in musically accompanied smoke and fumes for minutes at a time. Roger Taylor's song "I'm in Love with My Car" and the popular "Killer Queen" are enthusiastically received
Suddenly, all-rounder Freddy disappears backstage and reappears in a breathtakingly sexy, skintight black suit, also with narrow straps, which are covered all over with tiny rhinestone stars in a certain place.
After the last songs of the evening, "Keep Yourself Alice" and "Stone Cold Crazy," the band says goodbye. The fans drum their feet for almost twenty minutes, clapping and shouting even more, until the stage lights up and Freddy, back in his comfortable jumpsuit, kicks off the encore with the song "Now I'm Here." This is followed by "Big Spender," during which he skillfully strips off his jumpsuit and finally stands on stage wearing only short, red and white striped hot briefs. Despite the roaring enthusiasm, "Jailhouse Rock" is the last number of the evening. A double entendre of "God Save the Queen" accompanies the fans from the theater... Margit Rietti
Photos: Heilema
CONTEXT AND NOTES
The feature is entirely photographic, with no accompanying article visible on the supplied page. Its presentation is typical of a magazine colour pin-up or full-page concert photograph intended to be collected by readers.
The image concentrates on two members of Queen while additional instruments and stage equipment remain visible in the background. The lack of editorial text gives the photograph maximum impact and makes the live performance itself the sole subject of the page.
FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS
Event: Queen live performance photograph
Era: 1976 Queen period
Tone: Fan-focused and performance-based
Photography: Full-page colour concert photograph with the pictured performers captioned as Freddie Mercury and John Deacon
WHAT THE CLIPPING SHOWS
• Full-page colour Queen concert photograph
• Freddie Mercury identified in the foreground with microphone and stand
• John Deacon identified performing on bass
• Drum kit and concert equipment visible behind the performers
All magazine scans, photographs, and original text excerpts referenced in this entry remain the property of their respective copyright holders. This Chronicle entry is a transformative, non-commercial archival summary created for historical documentation and educational reference. No ownership of the original material is claimed or implied.
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