Greatest Hits, Vols. 1 & 2 (CD - 1995)

Producers include: Queen, Roy Thomas Baker, Mack, David Bowie, David Richards.

Includes liner notes Jim Jenkins and Jacky Smith.

Liner Note Author: Jim Jenkins.

Unknown Contributor Roles: John Deacon; Roger Taylor ; Brian May; Freddie Mercury.

Queen's greatest-hits collections have contained different track listings throughout the world. In the band's native England they scored more hits than anywhere else, hence their compilations are usually more extensive. When Hollywood Records purchased the U.S. Queen catalog in the early '90s, the label reissued the long out of print Greatest Hits album (basing the track listing on the 1981 British album of the same name but with a few changes), and released a companion album entitled Classic Queen. The rest of the world received Greatest Hits, Vol. 2 in 1991, which contained their U.K. hits from 1981-1991 (Classic Queen contained tracks by the band from all eras). Sensing that Queen completists in the U.S. would want both British-only releases for their collection, Hollywood released the two-CD Greatest Hits, Vols. 1 & 2 in 1995. Most of the tracks are available on the U.S. versions, but Greatest Hits, Vol. 2 is the only compilation that includes such tracks as "Innuendo," "Breakthru," "It's a Hard Life," "The Invisible Man," and "Friends Will Be Friends." The set also comes with a special 40-page booklet. ~ Greg Prato

Queen began life in 1972, formed by guitarist Brian May, drummer Roger Taylor, and bassist Tim Staffell. When Staffell left, May and Taylor elected to form a new band with vocalist Freddie Mercury. Bassist John Deacon completed the lineup. Their self-titled debut fused 70s glam and late 60s heavy rock, and their second album fulfilled their early promise. SHEER HEART ATTACK consolidated their commercial standing. In 1975, they completed the seven-minute mini-opera "Bohemian Rhapsody." The startlingly unique track topped the UK charts for an astonishing nine weeks. The attendant album, A NIGHT AT THE OPERA reached number 1 in the UK and hit the US Top 5. A DAY AT THE RACES continued the bombast, the catchy "Somebody To Love" and anthemic "We Are The Champions" both reaching number 2 in the UK. Queen varied their formula with the 50s-style "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" and the disco-influenced "Another One Bites The Dust." In late 1981, Queen were back at number 1 in the UK with "Under Pressure," a collaboration with David Bowie. In 1991, INNUENDO entered the UK charts at number 1. Sadly, the group's career effectively ended with the death of Mercury on 24 November 1991. minimize