| City: | New York, NY, USA |
| Venue: | Beacon Theatre |
| Date: | February 5, 1976 |
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These pictures from the encore could be from any of the four consecutive nights (February 5-8) at the Beacon Theater. As indicated by this Village Voice ad, only three nights were originally planned, but ticket demand made a fourth night necessary. In fact, this review of the first night was written without the knowledge that a fourth night had been tagged on. The second set of show pics were submitted by Juan Guarino (and cleaned up by Rudolf Griva). Here's another photo set that could also be from any of the four nights. A fan recalls the show: "Queen said somewhere that this was the worst night of this tour. With 27 people from Carteret [an industrial/suburban borough of New Jersey] at the show it is no wonder why. Matty, his brothers, I and others bought 21 tickets at the theatre when they went on sale. I purchased three front row and three third row seats. Left the front row seats for Matt, Ray and Nick. Matt and Ray were to soon enter the Marines. Mike hits Mercury with a flash cube, booed Freddie when he snotted the audience to shut up. Cookies were tossed as well." Elektra Records threw a party for the band after the show at the Sherry-Netherland Hotel where the band were staying (although it has been claimed that it took place at a French restaurant called Le Poulailler in midtown Manhattan). Attendees included Carmine Appice, Tim Curry, Ahmet Ertegun, Ian Hunter, David Johansen, Billie Jean King, Lisa Robinson, Todd Rundgren, Linda Stein and Rod Stewart (thanks to Arthur De Santis for helping append the list). Many of the party photos are by Bob Gruen. In an interview done at the party with Lisa Robinson for Hit Parader, Freddie has this to say about their most recent recording experience and stage show: "Every molecule on that album is just us, just the four of us, every iota. No session men, not for strings, not for anything. And we don't try to reproduce that on stage; we present the music in a different way for the stage. Sometimes we think about performing with more musicians, or sets. But at the moment there's just so much going on within the four of us that it would be a shame to latch onto something else. Because we haven't burnt up our energies doing what we want to do now." Brian adds: "Maybe at some stage. But at the moment the stage act's evolved in its own right; it's separate from the album. The songs are the same, but the treatment is so different, and that's what we do on stage." Elton John said hi to the band backstage after one of these nights at the Beacon, and it's likely the first time they met. Elton later recalled: "From the minute I met Freddie, I loved him. He was just magnificent. Incredibly smart and adventurous. Kind and generous and thoughtful, but outrageously funny." |