Check Out Early Footage Of Queen Performing Hard Rocking “Stone Cold Crazy” Live In ’74

Live At The Rainbow, 1974

Queen may have made it into pop culture and the history books with songs like “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “Killer Queen,” known for their theatricality and influences that varied from the operatic to the vaudevillian, but it’s their slightly heavier roots that put them on the map – and helped usher in the era of speed metal. Written in 1974 and featured on the band’s fourth studio album Sheer Heart Attack, “Stone Cold Crazy” is widely regarded as a precursor to speed metal with its heavy distortion, driving rhythm and Freddie Mercury’s theatric approach to vocals, and in this film footage of Queen’s 1974 appearance at London’s Rainbow Theatre “Stone Cold Crazy” rocks harder than anything we’ve ever seen!

Clad in a black jumpsuit paired with platform shoes, feathered hair and heavy makeup, Freddie is the prototype for all things metal – in fact, his edgy appearance paired with his signature theatrical approach to singing makes it easy to see why everyone from Metallica to Iron Maiden’s Bruce Dickinson would be inspired by him.

Fun Fact: James Hetfield once performed “Stone Cold Crazy” with Queen & Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert.

Making this performance even more special is the fact that in 1974, Queen were still considered ‘up and coming’ – their audience had no way of knowing that the 4 men onstage would go on to become arguably the biggest band on the planet, with a legacy that spanned far beyond the relatively short time they spent touring and recording with Freddie Mercury. “Stone Cold Crazy” is history in the making in more than one way, and you don’t want to miss it!