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include music formats which could be purchased in a shop, were handed out to radio stations or where released but then withdrawn again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 apply to every artist or band (Queen, The Cross, 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 only exception is for John, since his solo output is so small.
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 Brian’s true solo work, including collaborations with Kerry Ellis and MC Spy-D. This thus means that you will not find anything by his old bands like 1984 or The Left-Handed Marriage, nor releases by the likes of Ian & Belinda or compilations with various artists which feature one song by him.
General public releases
The below 100 entries cover those releases which were made available to the general public and radio stations in relation to Brian’s solo work.
| Details | Value | |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | 400 € | |
 | Furia 2000, France, Vinyl (12″, Album) |
|
| #2 | 280 € | |
 | Coca-Cola Planet Live!: Brian May 1996, EU, CD-R (5″, EP) Promo, live radio promo series sponsored by Coca-Cola (live tracks + interviews) |
|
| #3 | 250 € | |
 | Driven By You 1991, Netherlands, CD (5″, Single) Blue cover with Heftig text |
|
| #4 | 250 € | |
 | Back To The Light 1992, UK, Vinyl (7″, Single) Promo, with radio edit and sticker on picture sleeve |
|
| #5 | 225 € | |
 | Driven By You 1991, UK, Vinyl (7″, Single) Promo, no stars on the front sleeve |
|
| #6 | 220 € | |
 | Acoustic By Candlelight 2013, EU, Vinyl (12″, Album) Numbered and limited to 500 copies, featuring Kerry Ellis |
|
| #7 | 200 € | |
 | Rock Master Class 1984, UK, Cassette (Album) |
|
| #8 | 200 € | |
 | The Album Networks Presents Brian May – Radio Special 1998, USA, CD-R (5″, Album) Promo, 2 CD-R’s, radio special for Rock 103.5 Chicago in plain sleeves, with program log and cue sheets |
|
| #9 | 180 € | |
 | Driven By You 1991, UK, CD (5″, Single) Promo, no stars on the front sleeve |
|
| #10 | 175 € | |
 | Another World 1998, EU, CD (5″, Box Set) Promo box, with Another World CD, EPK on VHS, biography and three photos |
|
| #11 | 175 € | |
 | Back To The Light 2021, EU, Misc (Box Set) Gold series, box featuring a white LP, 2 CD’s, booklet, signed print and badge, QueenOnline exclusive |
|
| #12 | 175 € | |
 | Another World 2022, EU, Misc (Box Set) Gold series, box featuring a sky blue LP, 2 CD’s, booklet, signed print and badge, QueenOnline exclusive |
|
| #13 | 150 € | |
 | In Concert 1993, USA, CD-R (5″, Album) Promo, 2 CD-R’s, with undubbed Queen Wembley fragments on disc 1 and Brian live at The Palace in Los Angeles on disc 2 |
|
| #14 | 140 € | |
 | Live At The Brixton Academy 1994, Spain, Vinyl (12″, Album) Picture gatefold sleeve |
|
| #15 | 135 € | |
 | Live At The Brixton Academy 1994, UK, Vinyl (12″, Album) Picture gatefold sleeve |
|
| #16 | 125 € | |
 | The Adventures Of Pinocchio 1996, USA, CD (5″, Single) Promo, shaped CD, 2 tracks, with Il Colosso by Brian and Kiss Lonely Good-Bye by Stevie Wonder |
|
| #17 | 110 € | |
 | Driven By You 1991, Netherlands, CD (5″, Single) Promo, Ford Orion red car sleeve |
|
| #18 | 110 € | |
 | Driven By You 1991, Netherlands, CD (5″, Single) Promo, blue cover with Ford logo |
|
| #19 | 100 € | |
 | Star Fleet Project 1983, Japan, Cassette (Album) Promo, with promo sticker on the front, with two inserts |
|
| #20 | 100 € | |
 | Driven By You 1991, Netherlands, CD (5″, Single) Promo, Ford Escort black car sleeve |
|
| #21 | 100 € | |
 | Too Much Love Will Kill You 1992, Philippines, Vinyl (7″, Single) With company sleeve |
|
| #22 | 95 € | |
 | Star Fleet Sessions 2023, EU, Misc (Box Set) Gold series, box featuring a transparent red LP, black 7″, 2 CD’s, booklet, badge and poster, QueenOnline exclusive |
|
| #23 | 90 € | |
 | Star Fleet 1983, Spain, Vinyl (7″, Single) Unique picture sleeve |
|
| #24 | 90 € | |
 | Back To The Light 1992, Guatemala, Vinyl (12″, Album) |
|
| #25 | 90 € | |
 | Another World 1998, UK, Vinyl (12″, Album) Picture disc |
|
| #26 | 90 € | |
 | Business 1998, USA, CD-R (5″, Single) Promo, CD-R |
|
| #27 | 85 € | |
 | Back To The Light 1992, Colombia, Vinyl (12″, Album) Sleeve has rounded corners |
|
| #28 | 80 € | |
__amor_al_heavy_metal__star_fleet_ar_vinyl_7_single_id48.jpg) | Pisadas / No Te Rindas (Da Un Poco Más) / Amor Al Heavy Metal / Star Fleet 1983, Argentina, Vinyl (7″, Single) Promo, other songs by The Motels, Cliff Richard and Helix |
|
| #29 | 80 € | |
 | Star Fleet Project 1983, Japan, Cassette (Album) With two inserts |
|
| #30 | 80 € | |
 | Back To The Light 1993, USA, CD (5″, Album) Longbox, unique artwork, one bonus track |
|
| #31 | 80 € | |
 | The Kissing Me Song 2013, UK, Vinyl (7″, Single) Red vinyl, released globally for RSD 2013, numbered, featuring Kerry Ellis |
|
| #32 | 75 € | |
 | Star Fleet Project 1983, Germany, Vinyl (12″, Album) Promo, white labels |
|
| #33 | 75 € | |
 | Furia 2000, Japan, CD (5″, Album) Promo, regular commercial issue with promo sticker on back and “Sample Not For Sale” on the disc, with obi |
|
| #34 | 75 € | |
 | Back To The Light 2021, Japan, CD (5″, Album) Gold series, promo, regular commercial issue with promo sticker on back and “Sample” on the discs, with obi |
|
| #35 | 75 € | |
 | Star Fleet Sessions 2023, EU, Misc (Box Set) Gold series, box featuring a transparent red LP, black 7″, 2 CD’s, booklet and badge |
|
| #36 | 70 € | |
 | Too Much Love Will Kill You 1992, France, Vinyl (12″, Single) Promo, single-sided |
|
| #37 | 70 € | |
 | Last Horizon 1993, UK, CD (5″, Single) Promo, no artwork |
|
| #38 | 70 € | |
 | We Will Rock You 1993, France, CD (5″, Single) Promo, cardsleeve with live version of WWRY |
|
| #39 | 70 € | |
 | Born Free 2012, EU, Vinyl (12″, Single) Picture disc, numbered and limited to 1000 copies, featuring Kerry Ellis |
|
| #40 | 65 € | |
 | Another World 1998, Japan, CD (5″, Album) Promo, regular commercial issue with promo sticker on back and “Sample Not For Sale” on the disc, with obi and two bonus tracks |
|
| #41 | 60 € | |
 | Star Fleet Project 1983, Taiwan, Vinyl (12″, Album) Taiwan hardcover |
|
| #42 | 60 € | |
 | Back To The Light 1992, UK, Vinyl (12″, Album) Textured sleeve |
|
| #43 | 60 € | |
 | Back To The Light 1992, UK, Vinyl (12″, Album) Non-textured sleeve |
|
| #44 | 60 € | |
 | Too Much Love Will Kill You 1992, Italy, Vinyl (12″, Single) |
|
| #45 | 60 € | |
 | Live At The Brixton Academy 1994, Japan, CD (5″, Album) Promo, regular commercial issue with promo sticker on back and “Sample Not For Sale” on the disc, with obi |
|
| #46 | 60 € | |
 | A Taste Of Another World 1998, UK, CD (5″, Sampler) Promo, 7 track sampler |
|
| #47 | 50 € | |
 | Star Fleet 1983, Spain, Vinyl (7″, Single) Promo, unique picture sleeve |
|
| #48 | 50 € | |
 | Star Fleet Project 1983, Argentina, Cassette (Album) |
|
| #49 | 50 € | |
 | Star Fleet Project 1983, Japan, Vinyl (12″, Album) Promo, with obi and Japanese insert |
|
| #50 | 50 € | |
 | Driven By You 1991, USA, CD (5″, Single) Promo, hexagonal box with compass on the front |
|
| #51 | 50 € | |
 | Driven By You 1991, Philippines, Vinyl (7″, Single) With company sleeve |
|
| #52 | 50 € | |
 | Back To The Light 1992, UK, Cassette (Album) Promo, single-sided sampler |
|
| #53 | 50 € | |
 | Back To The Light 1992, Netherlands, Cassette (Album) Promo |
|
| #54 | 50 € | |
 | Back To The Light 1992, Mexico, CD (5″, Album) Spanish titles, disc face has black writing and logos instead of yellow & red |
|
| #55 | 50 € | |
 | Too Much Love Will Kill You 1992, Philippines, Vinyl (7″, Single) Promo, with company sleeve |
|
| #56 | 50 € | |
 | Live At The Brixton Academy 1994, Colombia, Cassette (Album) |
|
| #57 | 50 € | |
 | Live At The Brixton Academy 1994, Uruguay, Cassette (Album) |
|
| #58 | 50 € | |
 | The Adventures Of Pinocchio 1996, UK, CD (5″, Single) Promo, 2 tracks, with Il Colosso by Brian and Kiss Lonely Good-Bye by Stevie Wonder |
|
| #59 | 50 € | |
 | Another World 1998, USA, CD-R (5″, Album) Promo, only with backsleeve |
|
| #60 | 50 € | |
 | Red Special 1998, Japan, CD (5″, EP) Promo, regular commercial issue with promo sticker on back and “Sample Not For Sale” on the disc, with obi |
|
| #61 | 50 € | |
_cd_1_de_cd-r_5_misc_id174.jpg) | Interview For Radio 2 (Robin Quinn) CD 1 ????, Germany, CD-R (5″, Misc) Promo |
|
| #62 | 45 € | |
 | Star Fleet Project 1983, Australia, Cassette (Album) |
|
| #63 | 45 € | |
 | Back To The Light 1992, Uruguay, Cassette (Album) |
|
| #64 | 45 € | |
 | Back To The Light 1992, UK, CD (5″, Single) Promo, with artwork from Part 2 in stickered slimcase |
|
| #65 | 45 € | |
 | The Amazing Spider-Man 1995, UK, Vinyl (12″, Single) Promo, black vinyl in white die cut sleeve |
|
| #66 | 45 € | |
 | Furia 2000, France, CD-R (5″, Album) Promo, variant 1, artwork is from the regular CD release |
|
| #67 | 45 € | |
 | Furia 2000, France, CD-R (5″, Album) Promo, variant 2, artwork expected to be from the regular CD release |
|
| #68 | 45 € | |
 | Acoustic By Candlelight 2013, EU, CD (5″, Album) Featuring Kerry Ellis |
|
| #69 | 45 € | |
 | The Candlelight Concerts – Live At Montreux 2013 2018, Japan, Misc (5″, Album) DVD, CD, with yellow obi, featuring Kerry Ellis |
|
| #70 | 45 € | |
 | Another World 2022, Japan, CD (5″, Album) Gold series, 2 CD’s, first issue with poster, with obi |
|
| #71 | 40 € | |
 | Star Fleet Project 1983, UK, Cassette (Album) |
|
| #72 | 40 € | |
 | Star Fleet Project 1983, Mexico, Vinyl (12″, Album) With additional print on the front sleeve |
|
| #73 | 40 € | |
 | Another World 1998, France, Cassette (Album) Promo |
|
| #74 | 40 € | |
 | Another World 1998, Japan, CD (5″, Album) With obi and two bonus tracks |
|
| #75 | 40 € | |
 | Retro Rock Special 1998, USA, CD (5″, EP) Cardsleeve, released under the name T. E. Conway, could be obtained by sending a coupon included with the Another World CD |
|
| #76 | 40 € | |
 | Save The Badger Badger Badger 2013, UK, CD-R (5″, Single) Promo, no artwork, Weeble and May featuring Brian Blessed |
|
| #77 | 40 € | |
 | The Candlelight Concerts – Live At Montreux 2013 2014, Japan, Misc (5″, Album) DVD, CD, with black obi, featuring Kerry Ellis |
|
| #78 | 40 € | |
 | Back To The Light 2021, Japan, CD (5″, Album) Gold series, 2 CD’s, first issue with poster, with obi |
|
| #79 | 40 € | |
 | Star Fleet Project 2023, EU, Vinyl (12″, Album) Gold series, picture disc, limited and numbered to 1500 copies |
|
| #80 | 40 € | |
 | Star Fleet Sessions 2023, Japan, CD (5″, Album) Gold series, 2 CD’s, first issue with poster, with obi |
|
| #81 | 35 € | |
 | Star Fleet Project 1983, Portugal, Cassette (Album) |
|
| #82 | 35 € | |
 | Star Fleet Project 1983, Argentina, Vinyl (12″, Album) Promo |
|
| #83 | 35 € | |
 | Back To The Light 1992, South Korea, Vinyl (12″, Album) |
|
| #84 | 35 € | |
 | Too Much Love Will Kill You 1992, Japan, CD (5″, Single) Promo, regular commercial issue with promo sticker on back and “Sample Not For Sale” on the disc, with obi |
|
| #85 | 35 € | |
 | Furia 2000, Japan, CD (5″, Album) With obi |
|
| #86 | 35 € | |
 | Born Free 2012, UK, CD-R (5″, Single) Promo, 1 track, featuring Kerry Ellis |
|
| #87 | 35 € | |
 | One Voice 2015, UK, CD-R (5″, Single) Promo, 1 track, featuring Kerry Ellis |
|
| #88 | 35 € | |
 | Back To The Light 2021, Japan, CD (5″, Album) Gold series, first issue with poster, with obi |
|
| #89 | 35 € | |
 | Another World 2022, Japan, CD (5″, Album) Gold series, first issue with poster, with obi |
|
| #90 | 35 € | |
 | Star Fleet Project + Beyond 2023, Japan, CD (5″, Album) Gold series, first issue with poster, with obi |
|
| #91 | 30 € | |
 | Star Fleet 1983, Australia, Vinyl (7″, Single) With company sleeve |
|
| #92 | 30 € | |
 | Star Fleet 1983, Australia, Vinyl (7″, Single) Promo, with company sleeve |
|
| #93 | 30 € | |
 | Star Fleet Project 1983, Japan, Vinyl (12″, Album) With obi and Japanese insert |
|
| #94 | 30 € | |
 | Driven By You 1991, USA, CD (5″, Single) Promo, only with backcover |
|
| #95 | 30 € | |
 | Back To The Light 1992, USA, Cassette (Album) Promo, Hollywood Records artwork |
|
| #96 | 30 € | |
 | Back To The Light 1992, Spain, Vinyl (12″, Album) With “ANUNCIADO EN TV” print on the front sleeve |
|
| #97 | 30 € | |
 | Back To The Light 1992, Italy, Vinyl (12″, Album) |
|
| #98 | 30 € | |
 | Too Much Love Will Kill You 1992, UK, CD (5″, Single) Promo, blue pill package |
|
| #99 | 30 € | |
 | Too Much Love Will Kill You 1992, USA, CD (5″, Single) Promo, withdrawn, contains an instrumental piano version instead of instrumental guitar version |
|
| #100 | 30 € | |
 | Back To The Light 1993, UK, CD (5″, Album) Gold CD to commemorate the 1993 UK tour, limited to 10.000 copies |
|
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 15 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 Brian.
Nevertheless, have fun with this list. It is arguably the most interesting one with a lot of rarities and oddities!
| Details | Value | |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | 900 € | |
 | Another World 1998, UK, Vinyl (12″, Album) Test pressing, white vinyl |
|
| #2 | 400 € | |
 | Last Horizon 1993, UK, Vinyl (7″, Single) Rumoured, mispressed disc with studio & live versions of Last Horizon |
|
| #3 | 125 € | |
 | Resurrection 1993, UK, Master tape (Single) Sony Tape Master, for part 2 CD-single release |
|
| #4 | 90 € | |
 | Star Fleet 1983, Germany, Vinyl (7″, Single) Test pressing |
|
| #5 | 80 € | |
 | Driven By You 1991, France, CD (5″, Single) 1 track test pressing, some copies come with a photocopied or printed sleeve |
|
| #6 | 80 € | |
 | Last Horizon 1993, UK, Cassette (Single) Abbey Road Studios, 5 tracks |
|
| #7 | 75 € | |
 | Star Fleet Project 1983, France, Vinyl (12″, Album) Test pressing |
|
| #8 | 75 € | |
 | Driven By You 1991, UK, Vinyl (7″, Single) Test pressing |
|
| #9 | 75 € | |
 | Too Much Love Will Kill You 1992, UK, Cassette (Single) Abbey Road Studios, for CD-single |
|
| #10 | 70 € | |
 | Driven By You 1991, UK, Master tape (Single) Sony Tape Master, for CD-single release |
|
| #11 | 60 € | |
 | Last Horizon 1993, UK, CD (5″, Single) Abbey Road Studios, 2 tracks |
|
| #12 | 55 € | |
 | Why Don’t We Try Again 1998, UK, CD-R (5″, Single) Abbey Road Studios, 1 track featuring the promo single edit |
|
| #13 | 55 € | |
 | Why Don’t We Try Again 1998, UK, CD-R (5″, Single) Abbey Road Studios, 1 track featuring the album version |
|
| #14 | 45 € | |
 | Driven By You 1991, UK, Cassette (Single) In-house promo |
|
| #15 | 30 € | |
 | Another World 1998, UK, CD-R (5″, Album) In-house advance reference CD-R |
|
This second list concludes the top rarities and collectables for Brian. 115 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, Jeroen Kooistra, Michael Ehrt, Ron Formela
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