External performers on Queen albums
Jun 5, 2021 14:14:00 GMT
The Real Wizard, logexpTommy, and 15 more like this
Post by n39 on Jun 5, 2021 14:14:00 GMT
Here is a list of all known external performers, arrangers, vocalists, composers and conductors on Queen's 15 studio albums, and the three bonus tracks on 'Forever'.
Note: this list is not exhaustive, and has been written based on information available to me at the present, which does not necessarily constitute all evidence in the public domain.
Corrections and constructive criticism are welcome
Queen
Doing All Right – Tim Staffell co-wrote the track with Brian.
Liar – Mike Bersin co-wrote ‘Lover’ with Freddie, an early version from Ibex/Wreckage.
Modern Times Rock ‘N’ Roll – John Anthony (principal producer) provides additional vocals ‘Look out!’
Queen II
The Fairy Feller’s Master-Stroke – Roy Thomas Baker (principal producer) plays castanets.
Seven Seas of Rhye – Roy Thomas Baker plays stylophone during the coda. It is unclear who, asides from the band, sings during the coda, but we can guess that it was friends of the band (see more below).
See What A Fool I’ve Been – Inspired by ‘That’s How I Feel’ by Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee
A Day at the Races
Good Old-Fashioned Lover Boy – Mike Stone (engineer) provides additional vocals during the bridge.
Teo Torriatte (Let Us Cling Together) – Friends of the band sung in the ending choir, possibly studio staff, employees of the band, partners of the band etc.
News of the World
We Will Rock You – Similarly to Teo Torriatte, friends assisted with the ‘stomp-stomp clap’ rhythm and some backing vocals. Studio staff, band employees, partners and even a tea lady. Confirmed guests are Elizabeth Edwards and Andrew Turner.
Jazz
Let Me Entertain You – Many voices are heard at the end which, again, are most likely friends of the band. Barbara Baker is possibly the female voice (I always wanted to be a groupie).
The Game
Play the Game – Andy Gibb contributed backing vocals on an early version, however it is unclear whether this made it to the final mix.
Rock It (Prime Jive) – Reinhold Mack (producer) played some synths.
Flash Gordon
The Kiss (Aura Resurrects Flash) – Howard Blake (orchestral composer and conductor) co-wrote with Mercury.
The Wedding March – Originally written by Richard Wagner.
The Hero – Howard Blake co-wrote with May.
Various – The National Philharmonic Orchestra played on the following tracks: ‘In the Space Capsule (The Love Theme)’, ‘Ming’s Theme (In the Court of Ming the Merciless’, ‘The Kiss (Aura Resurrects Flash’, ‘Crash Dive on Mingo City’ and ‘The Hero’.
Hot Space
Staying Power – Horns arranged by Arif Mardin. Horn section players are uncredited.
Dancer - Telephone wake-up call by an unknown Munich hotel worker.
Action This Day – Sax played by Dino Solera. Synth bass played by Reinhold Mack.
Cool Cat – original version featured David Bowie on backing vocals.
Under Pressure – Bowie co-wrote with the band and is featured on lead vocals, saxophone, body percussion, synthesiser and possibly some piano. David Richards (engineer) plays piano on the track. Peter Straker possibly contributed some body percussion.
The Works
Radio Ga Ga – Fred Mandel played and programmed some synths.
Man on the Prowl – Fred Mandel plays the piano ending.
Machines (or ‘Back to Humans’) – Synth (Fairlight CMI) programming by Reinhold Mack (producer).
I Want to Break Free – Synth solo by Fred Mandel.
Hammer to Fall – ‘Candy floss’ synths by Fred Mandel.
A Kind of Magic
A Kind of Magic - Sampled finger clicks by Chris Rea.
One Year of Love – Features a string orchestra conducted by Lynton Naiff. Steve Gregory plays saxophone.
Pain is So Close to Pleasure - Some synths by Spike Edney
Who Wants to Live Forever – Orchestral arrangement by Michael Kamen (conductor) and Brian. As well as other orchestral parts, percussion and double bass handled by the National Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Kamen.
Don’t Lose Your Head – Additional vocals by Joan Armatrading.
The Miracle
I Want It All – Some keyboards programmed by David Richards (producer). Some drum programming by Brian Zellis (roadie) in the double-time section.
The Invisible Man - Some keyboards played/programmed by David Richards.
Breakthru - Some keyboards played/programmed by David Richards.
Rain Must Fall – Some drum programming by David Richards. Some MIDI programming by Brian Zellis.
Scandal – Synth bass played by David Richards. Some drum programming by Brian Zellis, most likely the shaker and vibraslap.
My Baby Does Me – Some drum programming by David Richards.
Innuendo
Innuendo – Synth orchestra programmed by David Richards (producer). Chromatic run, flourishes and melodies played by Steve Howe on classical guitar.
I’m Going Slightly Mad – Some possible lyrical contributions by Peter Straker.
I Can’t Live With You – Keyboard pads played/programmed by David Richards.
All God’s People – Mike Moran co-wrote with Mercury. Moran handled keyboards and piano. Erdal Kizilcay claims on his website to have been involved with the track, however his involvement may have been limited to the ‘Africa by Night’ demo.
These Are the Days of Our Lives – Conga percussion programmed by David Richards.
The Show Must Go On – Some arrangements suggested by David Richards, specifically the key change in the second verse.
Made in Heaven
Let Me Live - Rod Stewart, Carmine Appice, Jeff Beck and James Cregan possibly had arrangement input on the early jam session with Freddie in 1983. Rebecca Leigh-White, Gary Martin, Catherine Porter and Miriam Stockley sang backing vocals on the final version.
My Life Has Been Saved – David Richards (producer) played some keyboards, and most likely played piano, according to Ashley Alexander.
Heaven for Everyone – Part of Erdal Kizilcay’s bass track from ‘The Cross’ version remains on this track. It is unknown whether Kizilcay played any keyboards, too. His website credits himself as having played on the track. Ashley Alexander states it is unlikely that Kizilcay played anything else apart from the sample left on from 'The Cross' version. Spike has stated that the keyboard part "sounds like" him (Spike) on this track, but he is unable to confirm or deny this.
Too Much Love Will Kill You – Frank Musker and Elizabeth Lamers co-wrote with Brian. David Richards played some keyboards.
You Don’t Fool Me – Principally arranged by David Richards.
Track 13 – Principally constructed by David Richards. Richards played some keyboards.
Unknown – Michael Crossley played keyboards on one of the following tracks. 'It's a Beautiful Day', 'Heaven for Everyone', 'Made in Heaven' or 'I Was Born to Love You' in the 1993 Abbey Road sessions with Roger and John. Confirmed by studio assistant Ashley Alexander to have been string/synth overdubs, but not clear if these sessions made it through to the final mixes. Spike Edney is also thanked in the acknowledgements, which suggests he may have had input on at least one track. Most likely 'Heaven for Everyone', as he played keyboards on 'The Cross' version.
Forever
Let Me In Your Heart Again – Piano played by Fred Mandel. Keyboards by William Orbit (producer, on his remix only).
There Must Be More to Life Than This – Lead vocals by Michael Jackson, and possibly some piano.
Love Kills – Credited to Giorgio Moroder and Freddie. However, it seems that Moroder had no input on the track, and his credit was in exchange for Queen’s use of his ‘Metropolis’ footage on the Radio Ga Ga video.
Note: this list is not exhaustive, and has been written based on information available to me at the present, which does not necessarily constitute all evidence in the public domain.
Corrections and constructive criticism are welcome
Queen
Doing All Right – Tim Staffell co-wrote the track with Brian.
Liar – Mike Bersin co-wrote ‘Lover’ with Freddie, an early version from Ibex/Wreckage.
Modern Times Rock ‘N’ Roll – John Anthony (principal producer) provides additional vocals ‘Look out!’
Queen II
The Fairy Feller’s Master-Stroke – Roy Thomas Baker (principal producer) plays castanets.
Seven Seas of Rhye – Roy Thomas Baker plays stylophone during the coda. It is unclear who, asides from the band, sings during the coda, but we can guess that it was friends of the band (see more below).
See What A Fool I’ve Been – Inspired by ‘That’s How I Feel’ by Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee
A Day at the Races
Good Old-Fashioned Lover Boy – Mike Stone (engineer) provides additional vocals during the bridge.
Teo Torriatte (Let Us Cling Together) – Friends of the band sung in the ending choir, possibly studio staff, employees of the band, partners of the band etc.
News of the World
We Will Rock You – Similarly to Teo Torriatte, friends assisted with the ‘stomp-stomp clap’ rhythm and some backing vocals. Studio staff, band employees, partners and even a tea lady. Confirmed guests are Elizabeth Edwards and Andrew Turner.
Jazz
Let Me Entertain You – Many voices are heard at the end which, again, are most likely friends of the band. Barbara Baker is possibly the female voice (I always wanted to be a groupie).
The Game
Play the Game – Andy Gibb contributed backing vocals on an early version, however it is unclear whether this made it to the final mix.
Rock It (Prime Jive) – Reinhold Mack (producer) played some synths.
Flash Gordon
The Kiss (Aura Resurrects Flash) – Howard Blake (orchestral composer and conductor) co-wrote with Mercury.
The Wedding March – Originally written by Richard Wagner.
The Hero – Howard Blake co-wrote with May.
Various – The National Philharmonic Orchestra played on the following tracks: ‘In the Space Capsule (The Love Theme)’, ‘Ming’s Theme (In the Court of Ming the Merciless’, ‘The Kiss (Aura Resurrects Flash’, ‘Crash Dive on Mingo City’ and ‘The Hero’.
Hot Space
Staying Power – Horns arranged by Arif Mardin. Horn section players are uncredited.
Dancer - Telephone wake-up call by an unknown Munich hotel worker.
Action This Day – Sax played by Dino Solera. Synth bass played by Reinhold Mack.
Cool Cat – original version featured David Bowie on backing vocals.
Under Pressure – Bowie co-wrote with the band and is featured on lead vocals, saxophone, body percussion, synthesiser and possibly some piano. David Richards (engineer) plays piano on the track. Peter Straker possibly contributed some body percussion.
The Works
Radio Ga Ga – Fred Mandel played and programmed some synths.
Man on the Prowl – Fred Mandel plays the piano ending.
Machines (or ‘Back to Humans’) – Synth (Fairlight CMI) programming by Reinhold Mack (producer).
I Want to Break Free – Synth solo by Fred Mandel.
Hammer to Fall – ‘Candy floss’ synths by Fred Mandel.
A Kind of Magic
A Kind of Magic - Sampled finger clicks by Chris Rea.
One Year of Love – Features a string orchestra conducted by Lynton Naiff. Steve Gregory plays saxophone.
Pain is So Close to Pleasure - Some synths by Spike Edney
Who Wants to Live Forever – Orchestral arrangement by Michael Kamen (conductor) and Brian. As well as other orchestral parts, percussion and double bass handled by the National Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Kamen.
Don’t Lose Your Head – Additional vocals by Joan Armatrading.
The Miracle
I Want It All – Some keyboards programmed by David Richards (producer). Some drum programming by Brian Zellis (roadie) in the double-time section.
The Invisible Man - Some keyboards played/programmed by David Richards.
Breakthru - Some keyboards played/programmed by David Richards.
Rain Must Fall – Some drum programming by David Richards. Some MIDI programming by Brian Zellis.
Scandal – Synth bass played by David Richards. Some drum programming by Brian Zellis, most likely the shaker and vibraslap.
My Baby Does Me – Some drum programming by David Richards.
Innuendo
Innuendo – Synth orchestra programmed by David Richards (producer). Chromatic run, flourishes and melodies played by Steve Howe on classical guitar.
I’m Going Slightly Mad – Some possible lyrical contributions by Peter Straker.
I Can’t Live With You – Keyboard pads played/programmed by David Richards.
All God’s People – Mike Moran co-wrote with Mercury. Moran handled keyboards and piano. Erdal Kizilcay claims on his website to have been involved with the track, however his involvement may have been limited to the ‘Africa by Night’ demo.
These Are the Days of Our Lives – Conga percussion programmed by David Richards.
The Show Must Go On – Some arrangements suggested by David Richards, specifically the key change in the second verse.
Made in Heaven
Let Me Live - Rod Stewart, Carmine Appice, Jeff Beck and James Cregan possibly had arrangement input on the early jam session with Freddie in 1983. Rebecca Leigh-White, Gary Martin, Catherine Porter and Miriam Stockley sang backing vocals on the final version.
My Life Has Been Saved – David Richards (producer) played some keyboards, and most likely played piano, according to Ashley Alexander.
Heaven for Everyone – Part of Erdal Kizilcay’s bass track from ‘The Cross’ version remains on this track. It is unknown whether Kizilcay played any keyboards, too. His website credits himself as having played on the track. Ashley Alexander states it is unlikely that Kizilcay played anything else apart from the sample left on from 'The Cross' version. Spike has stated that the keyboard part "sounds like" him (Spike) on this track, but he is unable to confirm or deny this.
Too Much Love Will Kill You – Frank Musker and Elizabeth Lamers co-wrote with Brian. David Richards played some keyboards.
You Don’t Fool Me – Principally arranged by David Richards.
Track 13 – Principally constructed by David Richards. Richards played some keyboards.
Unknown – Michael Crossley played keyboards on one of the following tracks. 'It's a Beautiful Day', 'Heaven for Everyone', 'Made in Heaven' or 'I Was Born to Love You' in the 1993 Abbey Road sessions with Roger and John. Confirmed by studio assistant Ashley Alexander to have been string/synth overdubs, but not clear if these sessions made it through to the final mixes. Spike Edney is also thanked in the acknowledgements, which suggests he may have had input on at least one track. Most likely 'Heaven for Everyone', as he played keyboards on 'The Cross' version.
Forever
Let Me In Your Heart Again – Piano played by Fred Mandel. Keyboards by William Orbit (producer, on his remix only).
There Must Be More to Life Than This – Lead vocals by Michael Jackson, and possibly some piano.
Love Kills – Credited to Giorgio Moroder and Freddie. However, it seems that Moroder had no input on the track, and his credit was in exchange for Queen’s use of his ‘Metropolis’ footage on the Radio Ga Ga video.
