| City: | Epsom, England |
| Venue: | Swimming Baths |
| Date: | December 9, 1971 |
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Brian May later recalled how he wanted to stay away from playing in pubs, because back when Smile played them, nobody actually listened to the band. Instead, Queen would rehearse for a few months and then play a gig at a university lecture theatre. They'd invite a hundred friends, and a few people from record companies - most of whom would never show up, and if they did, they didn't think much of the band. One of the few people who saw Queen's potential was John Anthony (he and Roy Thomas Baker visited the band while they were recording their demo at De Lane Lea studios), who came to many shows during this period and would end up helping get them signed with Trident Audio Productions in the spring and later co-produced their eponymous debut album. This late 1971 show was a "showcase gig" as Brian later put it, as it was the first time they were able to muster up the cash to rent some decent gear. But to their dismay, with the venue being an indoor swimming pool, the sound was dreadfully bad with all the echo. According to Brian, Ronnie Beck from EMI Publishing (then Feldman) attended the show, and met up with the band afterward. He told them that the sound was the most appalling thing he had ever heard, but he nonetheless found the band to be "absolutely fantastic," eventually offering them a publishing deal in 1972 (the deal didn't come to fruition for nearly a year, so perhaps Brian is conflating memories of different gigs). Brian has also suggested that Hawkwind were on the bill tonight as well, but this date isn't on their 1971 tour itinerary. |