Brian May Shares 50-Year-Old Queen Track as Holiday Surprise
Fans of Queen received an unexpected present this holiday season when guitarist Brian May broadcast a song that had been sitting untouched in the band's vault since the early 1970s.
The track, titled “Not for Sale (Polar Bear),” was recorded during sessions for Queen II in 1974 but never made it onto the finished album. May played the song for the first time publicly during his Planet Rock Christmas Special on December 22.
“It's a song that goes back a very long way but to my knowledge, no one has ever heard this version,” May said during the broadcast.
The guitarist acknowledged that a bootleg recording of the song by Smile, the band he formed before Queen, may have circulated among collectors over the years. However, he stressed that the Queen version featuring Freddie Mercury on vocals had remained unheard until now.
May described the recording as a “work in progress” from that era and explained his reasons for debuting it during his holiday program.
“I'm sneaking this into my Planet Rock special because I'm fascinated to know what people think about it,” he said.
The song will be included on a rebuilt edition of the Queen II album scheduled for release in 2026.
May closed his announcement with a message for listeners: “I hope people have a wonderful Christmas and a great New Year!”
Queen continues to perform with Adam Lambert handling lead vocal duties alongside May and drummer Roger Taylor.
TOP STORIES
RELATED ARTISTS
Related Stories
31 Music Groups Warn Labels and Publishers to Stop Misusing Artist Rights in AI Deals
A coalition of 31 organizations warns record labels and publishers to stop negotiating AI deals without meaningful consent from artists and songwriters.
Kirk Hammett Falls Off Stage in Dublin Days After Taylor Swift T-Shirt Backlash
Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett fell off the stage at Aviva Stadium in Dublin on June 19 during ‘Seek & Destroy,’ days after Swifties targeted him over a
Rod Stewart Requires Oxygen Tank After Nearly Fainting Onstage in Utah
Rod Stewart nearly fainted during a concert at Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre, requiring an oxygen tank before finishing the show seated.
U2’s Bono and The Edge Move Obama to Tears at Presidential Center Opening
Bono and The Edge performed ‘City of Blinding Lights’ at the Barack Obama Presidential Center dedication in Chicago on June 18, visibly moving the former
Syd Barrett’s 80th Birthday Marked With Cambridge Concert and Star-Studded Tribute Album
A tribute concert at Cambridge Corn Exchange and a new album featuring Pink Floyd, David Gilmour, and David Bowie mark what would have been Syd Barrett’s 80th
Aimee Mann Nearly Skipped Rush Reunion Tour After Geddy Lee’s Email
Aimee Mann reveals she nearly passed on performing ‘Time Stand Still’ with Rush on their Fifty Something reunion tour after receiving an email from Geddy Lee.
Kirk Hammett Releases Official Video From Frankfurt ‘The Collection: Live’ Event
Kirk Hammett has shared an official video of his May 23 ‘The Collection: Live’ book event at Zoom Saal in Frankfurt, featuring a surprise jam with Robert
Stewart Copeland Says He and Sting ‘Get Along Just Fine’ Despite Royalty Lawsuit
The Police drummer Stewart Copeland opens up about his friendship with Sting, the ongoing royalty lawsuit in U.K. High Court, and calling himself ‘fully
Jon Bon Jovi Declares Full Vocal Recovery, Announces Massive Tour Dates
Jon Bon Jovi says he’s ‘fully recovered’ from 2022 vocal cord surgery as Bon Jovi announce a nine-night MSG residency and UK/Ireland stadium shows for 2026.