The British record collector magazine Record Collector has published several Top 20 to 100 “Worldwide Rarities” lists throughout the years for Queen and solo releases. The ones published between 1998 and 2000 can be found here. Some more lists have been published throughout the years with the last notable one being from 2021, but all were arguably incomplete. The collectors market changes on a regular basis. New items are being discovered every few months or years. Rare items are suddenly not so rare anymore because old warehouse stock was found or interest in a particular artist or release has increased or decreased, changing demand and thus an item’s value.
A small group of Queen collectors came up with the idea to compile a new contemporary list, covering not just Queen, but also the solo releases. Each list will be a Top 100 to ensure that as many releases will be covered as possible. To avoid the fact that many lists will be dominated by obscure one-off releases or test pressings, two main categories are introduced:
- General public releases: these include music formats which could be purchased in a shop, were handed out to radio stations or where released but then withdrawn again
- Non-general public releases: as expected, this one covers anything that was not made for the record buying audience. These include test pressings, acetates, special executive and event releases and rumoured releases
Each of these two categories will apply to every artist or band (Queen, The Cross, John Deacon, Brian May, Freddie Mercury and Roger Taylor) and will cover 100 of the most rare and expensive releases up to the date of this publication. This approach thus means that you will get up to 200 releases per artist!
The Top 100 lists
Some words about these lists. The referenced values are all estimates and not written in stone. They are in most cases for (near) mint copies and based on (recent) sale values. Still, anyone can ask or pay for an item whatever he or she wants.
The title of a release in the lists can be a link to a relevant page (i.e. Discogs or Popsike) with further details including images, catalogue number, label information etc. You may even stumble upon an opportunity to buy such an item!
The thumbnails are clickable to see a larger version of the artwork if needed, but please note that many images are sourced from various places across the internet. This means that the quality is not always that great.
These lists furthermore are solely covering Roger’s true solo work. This thus means that you will not find anything by The Cross (this is covered by a separate list), nor any collaborations including his earliest work with The Reaction or Hilary Hilary for instance.
General public releases
The below 100 entries cover those releases which were made available to the general public and radio stations in relation to Roger’s solo work, excluding his output through his solo band The Cross.
| Details | Value | |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | 3.000 € | |
 | I Wanna Testify 1977, Belgium, Vinyl (7″, Single) Unique picture sleeve, supposedly withdrawn |
|
| #2 | 1.200 € | |
 | Gangsters Are Running This World 2019, UK, Vinyl (7″, Box Set) Limited to 150 copies, with drum head, print, coasters, numbered |
|
| #3 | 800 € | |
 | Happiness? 1994, Japan, CD (5″, Album) Withdrawn 13 track promo with Dear Mr. Murdoch |
|
| #4 | 400 € | |
 | Happiness? 1994, Japan, Cassette (Album) 13 track promo with Dear Mr. Murdoch |
|
| #5 | 350 € | |
 | Happiness? 1994, UK, Vinyl (12″, Album) Unnumbered, without two circles on ‘T’. Pirate copies have two circles on ‘T’ |
|
| #6 | 325 € | |
 | I Wanna Testify 1977, Netherlands, Vinyl (7″, Single) Unique picture sleeve |
|
| #7 | 300 € | |
 | Happiness? 1994, UK, Vinyl (12″, Album) Numbered, with two circles on ‘T’ |
|
| #8 | 275 € | |
 | Happiness? 1994, UK, Vinyl (12″, Album) Numbered, without two circles on ‘T’ |
|
| #9 | 250 € | |
 | Strange Frontier 1984, Colombia, Vinyl (12″, Album) Misprint? Front and back covers with no colors and with title “Strange Frontiers” on the disc |
|
| #10 | 250 € | |
 | Superstar Countdown Roger Taylor of Queen 1984, Canada, Vinyl (12″, Album) 2LP radio show |
|
| #11 | 225 € | |
 | The Lot 2013, EU, Misc (5″, Box Set) 1st edition, withdrawn due to errors, 12 CD’s + 1 DVD |
|
| #12 | 200 € | |
 | Electric Fire 1998, UK, Vinyl (12″, Album) Orange vinyl |
|
| #13 | 200 € | |
 | The Lot 2013, EU, Misc (5″, Box Set) 2nd edition, fixed version, 12 CD’s + 1 DVD |
|
| #14 | 175 € | |
 | The Lot 2013, USA, Misc (5″, Box Set) 12 CD’s + 1 DVD |
|
| #15 | 150 € | |
 | Beautiful Dreams 1984, Portugal, Vinyl (7″, Single) Unique single release, with picture sleeve |
|
| #16 | 150 € | |
 | My Top Ten 1988, UK, Vinyl (12″, Album) 3LP BBC Transcription Services set, with Mike Rutherford |
|
| #17 | 125 € | |
 | Fun In Space 1981, USA, 8-Track (Album) In blue Elektra slipcase |
|
| #18 | 125 € | |
 | Let’s Get Crazy 1981, Japan, Vinyl (7″, Single) Promo, with unique picture sleeve |
|
| #19 | 120 € | |
 | Fun On Earth 2013, Japan, CD (5″, Album) Regular commercial issue with promo sticker and “Sample not for sale” wording, with obi |
|
| #20 | 100 € | |
 | Let’s Get Crazy 1981, Japan, Vinyl (7″, Single) With unique picture sleeve |
|
| #21 | 100 € | |
 | Strange Frontier 1996, Japan, CD (5″, Album) Regular commercial issue with promo sticker and “Sample not for sale” wording, with obi |
|
| #22 | 100 € | |
 | The Lot 2013, EU, CD (5″, Box Set) 12 replacement CD’s in plastic individual sleeves |
|
| #23 | 95 € | |
 | Fun On Earth 2014, EU, Vinyl (12″, Album) Black vinyl |
|
| #24 | 90 € | |
 | Future Management 1981, Brazil, Vinyl (7″, Single) Promo, with company sleeve |
|
| #25 | 90 € | |
 | Fun On Earth 2013, Japan, CD (5″, Album) SHM CD, with obi |
|
| #26 | 90 € | |
 | The Outsider Tour – Live 2022, EU, Vinyl (12″, Album) Pink vinyl, one disc has no label |
|
| #27 | 80 € | |
 | Electric Fire 1998, Japan, CD (5″, Album) Regular commercial issue with promo sticker and “Sample wording”, with obi |
|
| #28 | 80 € | |
 | Be With You 2013, UK, CD-R (5″, Single) Promo, Fun On Earth artwork |
|
| #29 | 75 € | |
 | Fun In Space 1981, Argentina, Vinyl (12″, Album) Promo, “Diversion en el Espacio” / “Baterista de Queen” |
|
| #30 | 75 € | |
 | Fun In Space 1981, Venezuela, Vinyl (12″, Album) Corrected B-side label, gatefold |
|
| #31 | 75 € | |
 | Strange Frontier 1984, Taiwan, Vinyl (12″, Album) Taiwan hardcover |
|
| #32 | 75 € | |
 | Happiness? 1994, South Korea, CD (5″, Album) Monochromatic CD, promo print on back insert |
|
| #33 | 75 € | |
 | Nazis 1994 1994, Netherlands, CD (5″, Single) Cardsleeve, withdrawn? |
|
| #34 | 75 € | |
 | Fun In Space 1996, Japan, CD (5″, Album) Promo, with obi |
|
| #35 | 70 € | |
 | Electric Fire 1998, Taiwan, CD (5″, Album) With obi |
|
| #36 | 65 € | |
 | Strange Frontier 1984, Argentina, Vinyl (12″, Album) Spanish titles, promo |
|
| #37 | 60 € | |
 | Fun In Space 1981, South Korea, Vinyl (12″, Album) Oasis official release |
|
| #38 | 60 € | |
 | Fun In Space 1981, Venezuela, Vinyl (12″, Album) Misprint B-side label, gatefold |
|
| #39 | 60 € | |
 | Let’s Get Crazy 1984, New Zealand, Vinyl (7″, Single) Company sleeve |
|
| #40 | 60 € | |
 | Strange Frontier 1984, Colombia, Vinyl (12″, Album) Front and back covers with colors and with title “Strange Frontiers” on the disc |
|
| #41 | 60 € | |
 | Strange Frontier 1984, Israel, Vinyl (12″, Album) With additional print on the front sleeve |
|
| #42 | 60 € | |
 | Electric Fire 1998, UK, CD (5″, Album) Advance Listening promo |
|
| #43 | 60 € | |
 | Woman You’re So Beautiful (But Still A Pain In The Ass…) 2006, UK, CD-R (5″, Single) Promo |
|
| #44 | 60 € | |
 | Fun On Earth 2013, South Korea, CD (5″, Album) With sticker on cover |
|
| #45 | 60 € | |
 | Up 2014, UK, CD-R (5″, Single) Promo |
|
| #46 | 60 € | |
 | Outsider 2022, EU, Vinyl (12″, Album) Picture disc, numbered, limited to 2000 copies |
|
| #47 | 60 € | |
 | The Outsider Tour – Live 2022, EU, Vinyl (12″, Album) Pink vinyl |
|
| #48 | 50 € | |
 | Fun In Space 1981, Japan, Cassette (Album) With Japanese text on the front |
|
| #49 | 50 € | |
 | Fun In Space 1981, South Korea, Cassette (Album) With additional song titles on the front |
|
| #50 | 50 € | |
 | Fun In Space 1981, Argentina, Vinyl (12″, Album) “Diversion en el Espacio” / “Baterista de Queen” |
|
| #51 | 50 € | |
 | Fun In Space 1981, Singapore, Vinyl (12″, Album) EMI for Singapore, Malaysia & Hong Kong markets. Red Label |
|
| #52 | 50 € | |
 | Future Management 1981, South Africa, Vinyl (7″, Single) With company sleeve |
|
| #53 | 50 € | |
 | Man On Fire 1984, Zimbabwe, Vinyl (7″, Single) With company sleeve |
|
| #54 | 50 € | |
 | Strange Frontier 1984, Canada, Cassette (Album) Capitol Records cassette |
|
| #55 | 50 € | |
 | Strange Frontier 1984, Colombia, Cassette (Album) With title “Strange Frontiers” on cover and track 1 as Stranger Frontier |
|
| #56 | 50 € | |
 | Strange Frontier 1984, Japan, Cassette (Album) |
|
| #57 | 50 € | |
 | Strange Frontier 1984, Uruguay, Cassette (Album) |
|
| #58 | 50 € | |
 | Strange Frontier 1984, Singapore, Vinyl (12″, Album) EMI for Singapore, Malaysia & Hong Kong markets |
|
| #59 | 50 € | |
 | Strange Frontier 1984, Spain, Vinyl (12″, Album) Spanish wording on cover (Second solo album from Queen’s drummer) |
|
| #60 | 50 € | |
 | Foreign Sand 1994, Japan, CD (3″, Single) Regular commercial issue with promo sticker and “Sample not for sale” wording |
|
| #61 | 50 € | |
 | Happiness? 1994, Germany, Cassette (Album) Promo, blue EMI sleeve |
|
| #62 | 50 € | |
 | Happiness? 1994, Philippines, Cassette (Album) |
|
| #63 | 50 € | |
 | Happiness? 1994, Saudi Arabia, Cassette (Album) |
|
| #64 | 50 € | |
 | Happiness? 1994, South Korea, Cassette (Album) |
|
| #65 | 50 € | |
 | Happiness? 1994, Thailand, Cassette (Album) |
|
| #66 | 50 € | |
 | Happiness? 1994, South Korea, CD (5″, Album) Monochromatic CD |
|
| #67 | 50 € | |
 | Happiness? 1994, Taiwan, CD (5″, Album) With obi |
|
| #68 | 50 € | |
 | Nazis 1994 1994, UK, CD (5″, Single) Promo, sleeve variation 1: lyrics on cover |
|
| #69 | 50 € | |
 | Nazis 1994 1994, UK, CD (5″, Single) Promo, sleeve variation 2: no lyrics on cover. Misprint? |
|
| #70 | 50 € | |
 | Fun In Space 1996, Japan, CD (5″, Album) With obi |
|
| #71 | 50 € | |
 | Strange Frontier 1996, Japan, CD (5″, Album) With obi |
|
| #72 | 50 € | |
 | Electric Fire 1998, EU, Cassette (Album) Promo, blue EMI sleeve |
|
| #73 | 50 € | |
 | Electric Fire 1998, Italy, CD (5″, Album) With Rufus on disc label |
|
| #74 | 50 € | |
 | Electric Fire 1998, Japan, CD (5″, Album) With obi and two bonus tracks |
|
| #75 | 50 € | |
 | The Unblinking Eye (Everything Is Broken) 2006, UK, CD (5″, Single) Limited to 1000 copies |
|
| #76 | 50 € | |
 | Fun On Earth 2013, UK, CD-R (5″, Album) Promo, white artwork |
|
| #77 | 50 € | |
 | Sunny Day 2013, UK, CD-R (5″, Single) Promo, white artwork |
|
| #78 | 50 € | |
 | Sunny Day 2013, UK, CD-R (5″, Single) Promo, Fun On Earth artwork |
|
| #79 | 50 € | |
 | Interview For Radio 2 (Robin Quinn) ????, Germany, CD-R (5″, Misc) Promo |
|
| #80 | 45 € | |
 | Let’s Get Crazy 1984, USA, Vinyl (7″, Single) Allied/AR pressing, company sleeve |
|
| #81 | 45 € | |
 | Man On Fire 1984, Canada, Vinyl (12″, Single) Promo |
|
| #82 | 45 € | |
 | Strange Frontier 1984, Argentina, Vinyl (12″, Album) Spanish album title |
|
| #83 | 45 € | |
 | Strange Frontier 1984, Venezuela, Vinyl (12″, Album) With Spanish songtitles |
|
| #84 | 45 € | |
 | Best 2014, USA, Vinyl (12″, Compilation) 2 LP’s, yellow vinyl |
|
| #85 | 45 € | |
 | The Outsider Tour – Live 2022, EU, CD (5″, Album) 2 CD’s |
|
| #86 | 40 € | |
 | I Wanna Testify 1977, UK, Vinyl (7″, Single) Promo |
|
| #87 | 40 € | |
 | Fun In Space 1981, Japan, Vinyl (12″, Album) Promo |
|
| #88 | 40 € | |
 | Fun In Space 1981, South Africa, Vinyl (12″, Album) With picture sleeve |
|
| #89 | 40 € | |
 | Let’s Get Crazy 1984, Australia, Vinyl (7″, Single) Company sleeve |
|
| #90 | 40 € | |
 | Man On Fire 1984, Japan, Vinyl (7″, Single) Promo |
|
| #91 | 40 € | |
 | Strange Frontier 1984, Japan, Vinyl (12″, Album) Promo, with obi |
|
| #92 | 40 € | |
 | Happiness? 1994, Japan, CD (5″, Album) 12 track promo |
|
| #93 | 40 € | |
 | Fun On Earth 2014, EU, Vinyl (12″, Album) Picture disc |
|
| #94 | 40 € | |
 | Strange Frontier 2015, USA, Vinyl (12″, Album) Red vinyl |
|
| #95 | 35 € | |
 | Fun In Space 1981, Israel, Vinyl (12″, Album) With additional print on the front sleeve |
|
| #96 | 35 € | |
 | My Country 1981, UK, Vinyl (7″, Single) Factory Sample sticker on sleeve |
|
| #97 | 35 € | |
 | Strange Frontier 1984, Mexico, Vinyl (12″, Album) With Spanish songtitles |
|
| #98 | 30 € | |
 | Fun In Space 1981, Argentina, Cassette (Album) With title “Diversion En El Espacio” |
|
| #99 | 30 € | |
 | Fun In Space 1981, Mexico, Cassette (Album) With title “Diversion En El Espacio” |
|
| #100 | 30 € | |
 | Fun In Space 1981, Saudi Arabia, Cassette (Album) |
|
Wonderful! You’ve managed to reach the end of this Top 100 list! Hope it was worthwhile and in some way educative. On to the next one!
Non-General public releases
The next entries cover those releases which were not made available to the general public. These include test pressings, acetate discs, releases for special events, executive pressings and rumoured releases.
Unlike the previous list, this one “only” covers 41 items as there are not that many known, certain collectors tend to not share information about their collection or there are simply not that many of these type of releases for Roger.
Nevertheless, have fun with this list. It is arguably the most fun one with a lot of rarities and oddities!
| Details | Value | |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | 1.800 € | |
 | I Wanna Testify 1977, UK, Acetate (7″, Single) Test pressing, with proof sleeve |
|
| #2 | 1.600 € | |
 | Fun In Space 1981, UK, Vinyl (12″, Album) Test pressing with alternate proof sleeve, front only |
|
| #3 | 1.600 € | |
 | Strange Frontier 1984, UK, Vinyl (12″, Album) Test pressing, with alternate proof sleeve |
|
| #4 | 900 € | |
 | Happiness? 1994, Japan, CD (5″, Album) Rumoured, withdrawn 13 track commercial issue. |
|
| #5 | 750 € | |
 | I Wanna Testify 1977, UK, Acetate (7″, Single) Test pressing, Trident Studios disc |
|
| #6 | 700 € | |
 | Nazis 1994 1994, UK, Acetate (12″, Single) Once owned by Josh Macrae, signed by him on the back sleeve |
|
| #7 | 500 € | |
 | Nazis 1994 1994, UK, Vinyl (12″, Single) Test pressing for unreleased NAZIS2 promo |
|
| #8 | 500 € | |
 | Electric Fire 1998, UK, Vinyl (12″, Album) Test pressing, orange vinyl, white label |
|
| #9 | 350 € | |
 | Electric Fire 1998, UK, CD-R (5″, Album) 15 track album, 12 as per the album plus 2 remixes and a short version of The Whisperers |
|
| #10 | 300 € | |
 | Strange Frontier 1984, UK, Acetate (7″, Single) Test pressing, one-sided disc for A-side, Abbey Road Studios |
|
| #11 | 300 € | |
 | Woman You’re So Beautiful (But Still A Pain In The Ass…) 2006, UK, Acetate (12″, Single) White Label acetate, signed by Roger |
|
| #12 | 225 € | |
 | Fun In Space 1981, France, Vinyl (12″, Album) Test pressing |
|
| #13 | 225 € | |
 | Strange Frontier 2014, USA, Vinyl (12″, Album) Test pressing, black vinyl, side A is rejected |
|
| #14 | 200 € | |
 | Strange Frontier 1984, UK, Vinyl (12″, Album) Test pressing |
|
| #15 | 200 € | |
 | Electric Fire 1998, UK, CD-R (5″, Album) 14 track album, alternate versions plus 1 remix and One Night Stand, version #1 |
|
| #16 | 200 € | |
 | Electric Fire 1998, UK, CD-R (5″, Album) 14 track album, alternate versions plus 1 remix and One Night Stand, version #2 |
|
| #17 | 200 € | |
 | Woman You’re So Beautiful (But Still A Pain In The Ass…) 2006, UK, CD-R (5″, Single) No artwork, used as test pressing for Roger, white label with wording |
|
| #18 | 200 € | |
 | Journey’s End 2017, USA, Vinyl (10″, Single) Test pressing, black vinyl |
|
| #19 | 200 € | |
 | The Outsider Tour – Live 2022, EU, Vinyl (12″, Album) Rumoured, black vinyl |
|
| #20 | 175 € | |
 | Fun In Space 2014, USA, Vinyl (12″, Album) Test pressing, one-sided disc for B-side, black vinyl |
|
| #21 | 175 € | |
 | Strange Frontier 2014, USA, Vinyl (12″, Album) Test pressing, one-sided disc for A-side, black vinyl |
|
| #22 | 150 € | |
 | My Country 1981, UK, Vinyl (7″, Single) White label pressing |
|
| #23 | 125 € | |
 | Nazis 1994 1994, UK, Vinyl (12″, Single) Test pressing for NAZIS1 |
|
| #24 | 100 € | |
 | Future Management 1981, UK, Vinyl (7″, Single) Test pressing, single-sided, A-side |
|
| #25 | 100 € | |
 | Electric Fire 1998, UK, CD-R (5″, Album) 12 track album |
|
| #26 | 90 € | |
 | Fun In Space 1981, USA, Vinyl (12″, Album) White label test pressing |
|
| #27 | 90 € | |
 | Future Management 1981, Germany, Vinyl (7″, Single) Test pressing |
|
| #28 | 90 € | |
 | Laugh Or Cry 1981, UK, Vinyl (7″, Single) One-sided test pressing |
|
| #29 | 90 € | |
 | Man On Fire 1984, UK, Vinyl (7″, Single) One-sided test pressing |
|
| #30 | 90 € | |
 | Happiness? 1994, UK, Cassette (Album) Abbey Road Studios, with “Revised Version” for Dear Mr. Murdoch |
|
| #31 | 90 € | |
 | Pressure On 1998, EU, Vinyl (7″, Single) White label test pressing, plain white sleeve with original sticker |
|
| #32 | 80 € | |
 | Strange Frontier 1984, USA, Cassette (Album) Advance copy, Abbey Road Studios |
|
| #33 | 80 € | |
 | Nazis 1994 1994, UK, CD-R (5″, Single) Abbey Road Studios, for 2 track UK promo |
|
| #34 | 75 € | |
 | Strange Frontier 1984, USA, Cassette (Album) 3 track single-sided |
|
| #35 | 75 € | |
 | Dear Mr. Murdoch 1998, UK, CD-R (5″, Single) 1 track Abbey Road CD-R |
|
| #36 | 70 € | |
 | Strange Frontier 1984, USA, Cassette (Album) Advance Cassette |
|
| #37 | 50 € | |
 | Man On Fire 1984, Germany, Vinyl (7″, Single) White label test pressing |
|
| #38 | 50 € | |
 | Happiness? 1994, UK, Cassette (Album) In-house cassette, on Parlophone label |
|
| #39 | 50 € | |
 | Strange Frontier 1996, UK, Cassette (Album) In-house promo for CD reissue |
|
| #40 | 40 € | |
 | Happiness? 1994, UK, Cassette (Album) 4 track album sampler |
|
| #41 | 40 € | |
 | Fun In Space 1996, UK, Cassette (Album) In-house promo for CD reissue |
|
This second list concludes the top rarities and collectables for Roger. 141 items broken down into two categories, added through collaboration by a number of fans and collectors. It is expected that there are still some gems hidden in someone’s collection or information has gone lost over the years. But anything that may pop up this year, may be a candidate for next year’s list in case we decide to revise this topic.
For an overview of all available lists, please refer to the main article.
These Top 100 lists were created with the valuable input from the following people: Remy Hunter, Román Varady, Johan Veenstra, Michael Ehrt, Roland Osbeck, Wilki Amieva, Ron Formela
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