Coventry Theatre - One Week in 1974

 Coventry Theatre - One Week in 1974

by Pete Clemons

It seems mind blowing when thought about nowadays but it really did happen. Just over 50 years ago, during November 1974 two, then future iconic bands, Queen and Sparks, visited the city over consecutive weekends. Neither band could claim to be the behemoths that they became but, nevertheless, these groups were still top drawer attractions. But here they were at Coventry Theatre as part of a series of Sunday evening attractions.

As time went on both bands broadened their horizons, moving away from a more conventional rock and roll base to creating more quirky anthemic and a sophisticated style of music that attracted a wide range of fans. Rock music with a twist if you like. Both bands were never content to sit on their laurels. They were incredibly forward thinkers.

According to a review that accompanied the Sheer Heart Attack LP that they were touring, 'Queen were now one of the most popular bands around. With this LP they prove their maturity with a melodic ever changing album that runs the whole gamut of pop'.

And it was true as Queen brought with them an energy and a very rich and powerful performance. They were lauded at the time for their high-quality audio and visuals, particularly by early Queen fans, and this highlighted their early hits and heavy guitar rock style.

The concert includes iconic tracks like 'Keep Yourself Alive', 'Now I'm Here', 'Killer Queen', and 'Seven Seas of Rhye'. The gig showcasing their early sound. There was fire and passion by way of Freddie Mercury's vocals and Brian May's guitar solos shining and, of course, a dynamic rhythm section.

Speaking after the tour Brian May mentioned, 'we knew songs like Killer Queen would be a hit because its got going on in it. Freddie is very fond of cabaret so we all got into that on Killer Queen. But I don't think that's the way the band is going. We are going in lots of different directions at once'.

Sparks' live performances in 1974 were a unique blend of musical innovation and theatrical flair, characterized by their quirky stage presence and distinctive sound. The band, led by the Mael brothers, Ron and Russell, gained significant popularity with the release of their album Kimono My House released earlier during 1974, and their live shows reflected this shift towards a more mainstream audience.

Ron and Russell Mael, particularly, stood out with their distinctive appearances. Ron's Chaplinesque moustache and serious demeanour, while Russell's energetic bouncing and androgynous style, created a striking contrast that captivated audiences.

Sparks' music, though influenced by glam rock, incorporated elements of art rock, pop, and even disco, setting them apart from many of their contemporaries.

Their breakthrough hit 'This Town Ain't Big Enough for Both of Us' and the album 'Kimono My House' propelled them into the UK charts, leading to a surge in popularity and larger live venues.

Propaganda album had just been released to glowing reviews. 'If you liked Sparks last album [Kimono my House] then you will certainly go a bundle on Propaganda because where Kimono lacked depth, grace and musical fluency, Propaganda flows, reels and rolls with all the daring audacity of a Moulin Rouge stripper' said one.

Both albums mentioned offers a valuable glimpse into Sparks' live sound in their mid-70s prime, especially given the band's influential status

Finally, and for completeness and balance, the remainder of those November's Sunday concerts at Coventry Theatre was completed by Ray Conniff, The Syd Lawrence Orchestra and Jack Jones.