Following initial success in the UK charts with “Seven Seas Of Rhye” in March 1974, the band entered the studio to work on the Freddie Mercury composition during sessions for their third album, “Sheer Heart Attack.”
Having only just recovered from Hepatitis, a still clearly unwell Brian May was struggling in the studio; a duodenal ulcer was the diagnosis and he was rushed to hospital, leaving the rest of the band to carry on without him.
When he was able to return, the song was already starting to sound unique – and by the time Brian’s guitars and Queen’s now distinctive vocal harmonies were added, the track was complete.
Issued a month ahead of the album’s release, “Killer Queen” served as the lead single and first preview of “Sheer Heart Attack”; the song went on to deliver the band’s first international hit when it went Top 10 in several countries – including No. 2 in their native UK – while peaking at No. 12 on the influential US charts.
Queen recently launched their new series – which highlights 50 moments in their legendary history – with a look back at their debut 1973 single, “Keep Yourself Alive”, while the second episode focused on their landmark series of 1974 concerts at London’s Rainbow Theatre.
See also:
Queen revisit landmark 1974 Rainbow concerts
Queen classic Bohemian Rhapsody reaches new US sales milestone
Queen launch new YouTube series with debut 1973 single Keep Yourself Alive
Queen preview new YouTube series The Greatest
Search Queen at hennemusic
