Name: News of the World - 40th Anniversary
Brand: Queen

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

5784267

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Colour

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

3CD, 1 DVD and LP set.

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Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2017-11-17

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

Universal

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

0602557842678

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Total Cap

4 / CD / Extended format: No / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No

Artist

Queen

Genre GB

Classic

Label GB

Queen is a legendary rock band that rose to fame in the 1970s. With their unique blend of rock, opera, and glam influences, they became one of the most iconic and influential bands in history. Led by the charismatic Freddie Mercury, Queen produced hit after hit, including "Bohemian Rhapsody," "We Will Rock You," and "Another One Bites the Dust." Their electrifying live performances captivated audiences around the world, solidifying their status as one of the greatest live acts of all time. Even after Mercury's untimely death in 1991, Queen's music continues to resonate with fans old and new.
Queen's innovative sound pushed boundaries and defied genres. Their ability to seamlessly transition from hard-hitting rock anthems to tender ballads showcased their versatility as musicians. Each member brought their own unique talents to the table - Brian May's virtuosic guitar playing, Roger Taylor's powerful drumming, John Deacon's melodic bass lines - creating a dynamic chemistry that set them apart from other bands.
Throughout their career, Queen released numerous critically acclaimed albums and received countless awards for their contributions to music. Their impact on popular culture cannot be overstated; they have inspired generations of artists across various genres. Whether you're a long-time fan or just discovering their music for the first time, Queen's timeless songs are sure to leave an indelible mark on your musical journey.

UMC, short for Universal Music Catalogue, is a prominent label under the UK branch of Universal Music. Established around 2016, UMC has been dedicated to preserving and promoting an extensive collection of music from various genres and eras. With its rich catalogue, UMC offers music enthusiasts a diverse range of timeless classics and hidden gems.

In 2023, UMC underwent a rebranding process and emerged as Universal Music Recordings. This new identity further solidifies their position as a leading force in the music industry. As Universal Music Recordings, they continue to curate and release exceptional music that resonates with audiences worldwide.

Whether you're seeking iconic hits or discovering lesser-known treasures, UMC (now known as Universal Music Recordings) ensures that the power of music remains accessible to all who appreciate its magic.

Meticulously curated box sets featuring exceptional audio quality, stunning visuals, and exclusive bonus content. Explore genres, eras, and artists to find the perfect addition to your collection.

Box Sets

A special box set of Queen's landmark 1977 album News of the World marking the 40th anniversary of the original release. Originally launched in October 1977, News of the World is one of Queen's biggest selling albums of all time. It opens with two of the band's most indestructible worldwide hits, the Brian May-penned We Will Rock You and Freddie Mercury's We Are The Champions, monumental stadium anthems which remain a staple of major sporting events all around the world to this day. With songs written by all four band members, News of the World, Queen's sixth album, set a new standard in stylistic diversity, from Roger Taylor’s proto-punk blast of Sheer Heart Attack to the salacious funk-rock groove workout Get Down Make Love, to the fragrant tropical calypso-pop Who Needs You. News of the World also features the hit Spread Your Wings, the epic rock saga It’s Late and Freddie’s wistfully romantic My Melancholy Blues. The new package includes the original album on CD, plus two further CDs of recently unearthed out-takes and rarities from the band's archives, one of which is a newly created ‘alternative’ version of the whole album – Raw Sessions.

For many Queen devotees, this Raw Sessions CD will be the most intriguing component of the new release. Mined deep from long-vaulted studio multi-track tapes, this extraordinary parallel album brings to light never-before-heard alternative versions of each of the album’s 11 tracks. Every lead vocal is different, as are most of the lead guitar parts and a great many other instrumental details. Here we experience We Are The Champions anew, with many unfamiliar vocal and instrumental elements, and for the first time at its full-recorded length rather than the edited 1977 album cut. Here also is the chance to discover peak era Freddie Mercury vocals on a track that nobody outside Queen’s inner circle has heard him sing before at all – Brian May’s All Dead, All Dead. The original album version features May himself on vocals. Roger Taylor’s Sheer Heart Attack can be heard with its original long-lost guitar intro and uncut ending. Taylor’s other song, Fight From The Inside, is more remarkable in that we hear his demo vocal worked on in his home studio in preparation for the next sessions, ‘homework’ that all of the band members would regularly carry out. As a point of note, Taylor plays all instruments on these two recordings, except for some lead guitar. In this age of digital leaks and obsessive fan culture, there is already great excitement that these recordings are, in 2017, truly New to the World.

The third CD in the package, Bonus Tracks, features a feast of previously released but hard-to-find versions of News of the World tracks recorded in concert, for radio shows, or in alternate mixes. Included is the band's entire five-song final live session recorded for BBC Radio in October 1977, seven live performances of News of the World songs, plus rare backing tracks and instrumentals of the Queen classics We Will Rock You, We Are The Champions, Spread Your Wings, Get Down, Make Love and Fight From The Inside. Also on this third disc is the seldom-heard US radio edit of It's Late, making its belated CD debut, and the rowdy stomper Feelings Feelings, which was recorded during the original News of the World sessions but not included on the final album.

Another outstanding feature of this weighty 40th anniversary box is another first – a pure analogue re-cut of the original vinyl LP, direct from the unmastered analogue master mix tapes. This exceptional album collector’s piece is presented in a facsimile original sleeve. There is also a rich selection of NOTW related memorabilia including three posters and a 60-page book of images, mostly previously unseen.

The package is completed with a brand new one-hour DVD documentary, Queen : The American Dream, created from backstage material filmed during Queen’s 1977 USA News of the World tour. In November that year, Queen embarked on another headlining US tour. The highly respected British radio and TV presenter Bob Harris, complete with full film crew, followed their journey as part of a proposed documentary that has remained incomplete and unreleased – until now. The crew had unlimited access to the band on and off stage, in the recording studio and during rehearsals. This one-hour documentary includes superb live footage of Queen at the Houston Summit in December. We also see moments from the birth of We Will Rock You and We Are The Champions, songs that would both earn a place in the Grammy Hall of Fame. Queen : The American Dream is a fascinating behind-the-scenes insight into a young British band at a creative peak, defying the odds as they take the USA by storm.