Editor’s Note: The Albumism staff has selected what we believe to be the 50 Greatest Live Albums of All Time, representing a varied cross-section of genres, styles and time periods. Click “Next Album” below to explore each album or view the full album index here.
QUEEN | Live Killers
EMI/Elektra (1979)
Selected by Andy Healy
Although this album was released in 1979, I didn’t come to listen to it until much later in life. However the beauty of live albums like this is that they transport you back to the heyday of a band destined for greatness.
What I loved about the album then, and still holds true today, is that it’s packed with energy. It’s almost like Freddie and the boys have an urgency about them, willing to prove themselves as a worthy live force rather than the much-maligned target of critics. Of course, live albums are preaching to the choir, and in a Queen show the choir is definitely the 5th member of the band singing along with every line.
Opening with a juggernaut performance of “We Will Rock You” the set pulls from hit singles and deep cuts. Highlights include “Killer Queen,” “Don’t Stop Me Now,” “You’re My Best Friend,” “Tie Your Mother Down” and of course the iconic “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Closing out with the one-two punch of “We Will Rock You”/”We Are The Champions” gives you the full Queen experience.
And whilst a lot of “live albums” owe as much to studio overdubs as the original live performance, you get a feeling that what you are listening to here is what you would have experienced all those years ago.
LISTEN: