Live Magic Album: 1986

A Magic Tour Live Snapshot

Released as a vinyl LP in the UK on December 1, 1986, on EMI Records (catalogue: EMC 3519), Queen’s Live Magic was their second official live album — a 15-track condensed document of the 1986 Magic Tour. Recorded at Wembley Stadium (July 11–12), Knebworth Park (August 9), and Budapest (July 27), heavily edited and mixed by Brian May & Trip Khalaf. Peaked at No. 3 on the UK Albums Chart for 17 weeks. Issued in gatefold sleeve, cassette, and CD formats. Not released in the US until August 1996. Criticised by fans for drastic cuts (e.g., opera section removed from “Bohemian Rhapsody”, “We Are The Champions” reduced to one verse/chorus).

Album Overview

Release Details

Label: EMI Records.

Formats: Vinyl LP (gatefold), cassette, CD.

Full Track Listing

Side A

1. One Vision (5:09)

2. Tie Your Mother Down (2:59)

3. Seven Seas Of Rhye (1:20)

4. A Kind Of Magic (4:46)

5. Under Pressure (3:38)

6. Another One Bites The Dust (3:47)

Side B

1. I Want To Break Free (2:37)

2. Is This The World We Created...? (1:31)

3. Bohemian Rhapsody (4:42) – opera section removed

4. Hammer To Fall (5:18)

5. Radio Ga Ga (4:27)

6. We Will Rock You (1:33) – one verse only

7. Friends Will Be Friends (1:09)

8. We Are The Champions (2:01) – one verse/chorus

9. God Save The Queen (1:18)

Reissues & Global Variants

- LP, Album – EMI EMC 3519 – UK – 1 Dec 1986

- Cassette, Album – EMI TC-EMC 3519 – UK – 1986

- CD, Album – EMI CDP 7 46413 2 – UK – 1986

Production and Context

Recorded during the 1986 Magic Tour (Wembley July 11–12, Knebworth August 9, Budapest July 27). Mixed by Brian May & Trip Khalaf. Freddie Mercury’s final live performances with Queen.

Album Chart Performance

- UK: 3 (17 weeks) – entry December 13, 1986

Legacy and Collectibility

Live Magic is Queen’s controversial edited Magic Tour souvenir — loved for the energy, criticised for the cuts. Original UK EMI gatefold vinyls fetch £20–£60 on eBay/Discogs. Verify catalogue EMC 3519. This album is a must-have for Queen live collectors (despite the edits!).

Do you have Live Magic in your vinyl stack? Do the edits bother you? Share in the comments!

Sources

Information is drawn from my personal knowledge and supplemented by web sources, including Discogs, 45cat, AllMusic, Rate Your Music, Wikipedia, BBC Official Charts Company, Billboard Chart History and YouTube

Whilst every effort is made to provide accurate information, mistakes do happen. Simply leave a comment and the post will be updated. Thank you.