Queen 1975 Japan Tour Diary
Thursday, April 17th
The four bandmembers arrived together at Haneda Airport around 6:25 PM on JAL flight 61. Shortly after 7 PM, they appeared at the arrival gate and were greeted by over 1,000 fans (some reports say 3,000). Screams of excitement filled the air, and the members fought for their lives as they were surrounded by fans who pulled at their hair and clothes. Seeing the chaos, the airport staff quickly guided the band to a back exit next to customs to help them escape. However, many fans were waiting in the parkinglot as well, and the four barely managed to reach their car and head to the hotel. This is the legend of Queen's arrival at Haneda Airport that has been passed down from generation to generation.Approximately 100 fans were already waiting for them at the Tokyo Prince Hotel, causing a commotion in the lobby. After all four members were safely in their rooms on the 6th floor, the chaos of Queen's first day in Japan was finally over. From this day on, Queen and Japan have enjoyed a close companionship.
Incidentally on the previous day, the 16th, seven crew members arrived ahead of time on a flight that landed at Haneda at 5:05 PM. As soon as they exited the gate, around 300 waiting fans rushed out to greet what they thought was the actual band; but once the fans realized it was just the crew, they scattered like frightened spiders.
Friday, April 18th
The highest level of security was put in place, with each band member assigned their own bodyguard. The band members themselves seemed a little bewildered by the imposing atmosphere. Hisao Itami, who is famous amongst fans as a member of the so-called "Tokyo Patrol" bodyguards, accompanied Freddie on all of his visits to Japan from 1975 through 1987, shadowing him every single day he was in the country.At around 11:30 AM, Brian and Roger went out shopping, but they didn't return by the scheduled time. The staff were worried that they had gotten lost, but once they had finally returned to the hotel safely, a press conference began behind schedule at around 1:20 PM. At the reception that followed, Warner Pioneer, their record company in Japan at the time, presented the band with a gold disc for A Night at the Opera*. From 4 PM, Music Life presented the band with a "Reader Popularity Poll" trophy in the Fuji Room on the 11th floor. An interview and photoshoot with the band then commenced until about 6 PM. At 7 PM, Queen attended a dinner party hosted by Warner Pioneer. It wasn't until after 9 PM that they were able to return to their hotel rooms.
*This is incorrect, it was actually for Sheer Heart Attack, as A Night at the Opera was not released until later in the year.
Saturday, April 19th, at the Nippon Budoukan
This was the day of Queen's first-ever Japan performance. The group entered the Budoukan a little after 11 AM and began sound check. Afterwards, they returned to the hotel by 3:30. At 5:15, they gathered back in the lobby to head back to the venue, but about 200 fans had gathered there as well, creating a chaotic situation. The band quickly slipped out the back of the hotel and headed back to the Budoukan.The concert began at 6:45 PM with Now I'm Here, and concluded with In the Lap of the Gods... Revisited. The dry ice machine released smoke into the room, creating a solemn atmosphere as the approximately 90 minute show drew to a successful close.
After returning to the Tokyo Prince Hotel at about 10 PM, the band members unwound for about an hour at Magnolia, the bar on the 11th floor, before returning to their rooms.
Sunday, April 20th
Queen were the guests for an outdoor Japanese tea ceremony in the garden of the hotel at 1:30 PM. The members struggled to sit seiza for the first time—especially Freddie, who was wearing extremely tight pants. He was unable to assume the position properly and was scolded by the tea ceremony instructor!At 2:30 PM, the band was interviewed again by Music Life, and from 7 to 9 PM, they recorded an appearance of an episode of Fuji TV's Star Sen'ichi Ya, which was broadcast on April 28th.
Monday, April 21st
Queen traveled to Nagoya on the shinkansen Hikari 161 departing Tokyo Station at 11:14 AM. After arrival, a press conference was held at 4 PM at the Nagoya Castle Hotel, where they were staying. A reception was held afterwards.Tuesday, April 22nd, at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium
After lunch, Brian and Roger went shopping in Sakae in the city center. John and Freddie went sightseeing at Nagoya Castle. Roger joined them at the castle a bit later, accompanied by an interpreter.The band arrived at the Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium at 2:30 PM to begin their sound check. During the actual concert, Freddie hyped up the audience during Keep Yourself Alive, bringing everyone to their feet. This caused the concert security some consternation and a conflict began between them and the audience, resulting in chaos in the venue. The weather that day was rainy and Brian delighted the audience by playing Teru Teru Bouzu [a Japanese childrens' song about rain]. After the show ended, a large crowd of excited fans was waiting at the stage door, so the members weren't able to leave until nearly an hour after the show.
Wednesday, April 23rd, at Kobe International Conference Center
Queen left Nagoya by bus a little after 11 AM and headed to Kobe via the Meishin Expressway. Along the way, Freddie peppered the Japanese staff with questions about a (replica, of course) Japanese sword that was given to him by a fan, what a samurai is, and so on.They stopped at a rest stop at the Otsu Service Area in Shiga Prefecture and had a meal of fried shrimp at the restaurant inside. At around 2:30 PM, they arrived at the next hotel, Kobe Kiku. The concert venue was at this hotel, and the band was advised to start sound check only 30 minutes after checking in.
Brian once again played Teru Teru Bouzu, but it seems he also practiced another childrens' song, Nanatsu no Ko, during sound check.
When the band returned to the hotel after the show at around 10:30 PM, the restaurants had already closed for the day. Exhausted and starving, the usually well-mannered band was absolutely furious.
Thursday, April 24th
Queen departed Kobe around 10:30 AM and headed to Heian Shrine in Kyoto by bus. After some sightseeing, including strolling through the shrine's gardens and taking keepsake photos at Taiheikaku (a pavillion at the gardens), they had lunch at a Japanese restaurant. Afterwards, Freddie bought a maneki neko figurine at an antique shop in Kyoto. The others had fun shopping, checking out a music store and buying souveniers. The other three also went to a pachinko parlor. Brian was the best at pachinko, while John couldn't get a single ball in. Roger was in high spirits after winning 350 yen.At 6:50 PM, the ban departed Itami Airport headed for Fukuoka. They were staying at the Nishitetsu Grand Hotel next.
Friday, April 25th, at the Kyushu Electric Power Memorial Gymnasium
Freddie and Roger went shopping in downtown Fukuoka. By this point, Roger had become completely addicted to pachinko, but today he suffered a crushing defeat. Brian stayed at the hotel and rested.The band arrived at the venue at 3 PM and began sound check, during which they played The Beatles' Martha My Dear, which was unusual.
Saturday, April 26th
Apart from just one interview, the band had today completely off. Everyone went shopping and enjoyed themselves. Brian had begun to show an interest in traditional Japanese lanterns at this point. In later years, he would grow very fond of the giant lantern at the end of Nakamisedouri at Sensou-ji in Asakusa, Tokyo, but his love for lanterns originated on this 1975 trip.Sunday, April 27th
Queen took the 12:24 PM shinkansen from Hakata Station to Okayama. Fans swarmed the train as they were trying to board, and the doors to the train were slow to open, which caused the band some frustration. They arrived at Okayama at 3:07 PM and headed to the Okayama International Hotel. That evening, all band members go to a disco downtown called "Gorakujima" and have a blast jamming with a Filipino band.Monday, April 28th, at Okayama Prefectural Gymnasium
Surprisingly enough, playing cards was the band's favorite past time during their first Japan stay. They could be seen happily playing on buses and trains during their travels. A game called "Page One" was particularly popular, and Roger apparently won quite often. Even before the show this day, Freddie was engrossed in a game of Page One with Itami from the Tokyo Patrol.Tuesday, April 29th, at Tsumagoi Yamaha Exhibition Hall
Queen left the hotel around 8:30 AM to take the shinkansen back to Nagoya. From Nagoya Station they took a bus to Tsumagoi Hall in Kakegawa.During Brian's guitar solos, the rest of the band always left the stage, and there were chairs set up in back for them. Tonight, Roger's chair was sticking out, causing it to tip over backwards when he sat down. Fortunately, he was unharmed, and the audience didn't seem to notice.
After the show, the band took a bus to Yokohama. There were TVs on the bus, and the band was titillated over a striptease that appeared on the TV show 11 PM. Mr. H of World Leisure taught Freddie the phrase pantsu ni nai de~! ("Get your knickers off!!"). At around 1:30 AM, the group arrived at the Hotel New Grand in Yokohama.
Wednesday, April 30th, at Yokohama Cultural Gymnasium
In the morning, John went to Motomachi and bought an art print before continuing on to the Isezakicho area in the afternoon to shop some more. He enjoyed visiting pet shops and adult toy stores (which apparently really piqued his interest!).Sound check began at 3 PM. At the Yokohama concert that evening, Freddie used the Japanese phrase he had learned the night prior. "PANTSU NI NAI DE~!!" This flustered the audience, most of whom were women. After the show, the band went back to the Tokyo Prince Hotel in Tokyo by bus.
Thursday, May 1st, at the Nippon Budoukan
The final day of Queen's first Japanese tour had arrived. The show, originally scheduled to begin at 6:30 PM, was delayed until 7:20. For the encore, Freddie appeared wearing a furisode kimono. This would subsequently become a staple costume for his encores.Friday, May 2nd
The group boarded a flight bound for London and departed Haneda Airport at 9:45 PM.Anecdotes:
Queen received many gifts from fans while they were in Japan, and for some reason, many of these were kendama. Freddie in particular seemed fond of this game, and he practiced it intensely during time off or while traveling. That said, he didn't improve much. As it turned out, the person who was the best at it wasn't a band member, but Queen's manager Jack Nelson. Months later, it was rumored that he was amongst the intended targets of Freddie's insults in the song Death On Two Legs. Could it be jealousy over his kendama skills?Impressions of the four members on this visit to Japan by Japanese staff are as follows:
Freddie was always considerate of those around him, and apparently was the most proficient in Japanese when it came time to communicate. While Freddie carefully considered each word before speaking, Roger spoke whatever came to his mind immediately. After the show, he would jump around, kicking chairs and other objects over, restless and thoughtless like a child. Brian was always kind and courteous to everyone, while John was very quiet and reserved.
During this trip, the band often split up into two groups: Brian & Roger and Freddie & John. Surprisingly, none of them drank much alcohol (!) and they barely went out at night (!), instead laregly staying holed up in their rooms. What a stark contrast to later years! Perhaps they were just putting on an act?
The audience's reaction varied from place to place. The most enthusiastic response was in Fukuoka, perhaps because of the boisterous nature of the people there. They were very good at getting the band members riled up by making a huge fuss. This made the band feel good, and Freddie quickly warmed to Fukuoka. However, the frenzied response of the audience grew to a peak towards the end of the concert, and they pushed towards the stage, which became potentially dangerous.
In stark contrast was Kobe. While the audience there was excited and stood up, they remained near their seats and cheered in an orderly manner in their designated areas. This is typical of the refined elegance of Kobe.
