“We did a little preparation, on the phone and at home with tiny Rockman amps and earphones. Then we went in. The tapes rolled. My LA neighbour Alan Gratzer beat the Hell out of his kit with the fattest, heaviest drumsticks I had ever seen. Phil Chen, a friend I had met when he played with Rod Stewart, brought his unusual style of funk-orientated rock playing to the party, along with his sunny Caribbean energy and humour. And Fred Mandel, one of the classiest keyboard players I have ever met, tickled both the ivories and some very technical synth patches to bring the spacey riffs to life. Ed (I can still never call him “Eddie Van Halen” because he more than once told me he found it annoying!) played the guitar as if it were a piano … tapping and snapping, and sliding and skipping around the fingerboard like an electric sprite - always with a cheeky smile. If anything he did was difficult for him, he never showed it. A total original. Pure joy. What an everlasting privilege to play with him.” Brian May 🎸
A superlative show of back-to-basics passion and purpose, Star Fleet brims with the freedom of an off-the-cuff break from the day jobs for all involved.
The record emerged on October 20th, 1983 as a set of blistering guitar work, rock’n’roll spontaneity and vibrant melody, infused with palpable chemistry and respect between the players. Spawning a single in the title track, the mini-album reached No 1 in the British ‘Kerrang’ rock charts.
Now, of course, the record stands in part as a celebration of those we’ve lost: a chance to reconvene with great, much-missed talents. As Brian puts it, “It’s been very exciting to open up the vault to find these tapes where, in the blink of an eye, I’m trading licks with my friends, including the fantastic Ed Van Halen. It’s highly emotional, especially since Ed is sadly no longer around. We have since also lost Phil - so the rest of us cherish these fleeting moments together.”
Available to Buy/Listen here: http://www.BrianMay.lnk.to/StarFleetProject ✨
#StarFleetSessions #StarFleet #BrianMay
Credits:
Directed by Brian May, Akira Takahashi, Michio Mikami, Peter Conn
Produced by Brian May
Engineered by Mike Beiriger and Nick Froome
Music mixed by Justin Shirley-Smith and Kris Fredriksson
Sound design and dialogue by Martin Cantwell and Kris Fredriksson
Re-recording mixer: Kris Fredriksson
Visual Restoration Credit:
Remastered from the original 1-inch videotape master by James Wong
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The official BRIAN MAY CHANNEL is designed to carry anything on film or video that relates to me outside of Queen - to replace all the bits and pieces of music video that are currently around out there with new highest quality versions, and fill in the gaps; and to cover under one umbrella the other areas that I operate in … Stereoscopy, Astronomy, and my animal welfare work through my charity the Save Me Trust.
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Brian May - Star Fleet (Official Video Remastered)
https://www.youtube.com/user/brianmay
Send a message out across the sky Alien raiders just passed Gemini Who will come and save us now Who can defend us from their power Star Fleet, Star Fleet Star Fleet, Star Fleet “Right engine’s been hit" Tell the people back at Earth Control Send Star Fleet legions
to save our souls Always daring and courageous Ooh ooh, only they can save us Star Fleet, Star Fleet
Star Fleet, Star Fleet
“What’s going on?” Oh, Star Fleet Hercules. Star Fleet, Star Fleet Star Fleet, Star Fleet Yeah Send a messag
e back to Earth Control Send Star Fleet legions
to save our souls Always daring and courageous Only you, only you can save us Star Fleet, Star Fleet Star Fleet, Star Fleet Star Fleet
Comments
My father died yesterday 01/12/2023, and in my mind and even now I can't stop listening to "Father To Son". When I stop listening "Father To Son" I listen to "Too Much Love Will Kill You" version Back to The Light Sorry to use Google translator, because I'm Brazilian, a simple man and Queen, especially the album Back To The Light, has touched my life throughout my 42 years. Thanks Brian, Roger and Deacon
Absolute goosebumps. Eddie’s solo. Brian beautiful voice and harmony guitars and killer riffs. Wow.
Who can save us from todays crappy music? Brian May can! I bought this LP in 1983, I was 15, still have it 🎉 Eddy and Brian, two worlds collide and the universe is better for it.
Amazing. Such great memories of watching this show as a child. Thank you Brian for taking the time to restore and share these projects, they mean a lot to us.
Absolutely brilliant! What a blast from the past that now sounds like the future! Thank you Sir Brian for restoring this wonderful work featuring our beloved Edward Van Halen! We all love you so much! 🌟🚀👾🤘✴ ❤🤍🖤🎸👑
I never realized how good Brian mays vocal abilities and voice were. Freddie was always lead, and rightly so.
Saw the BBC interview recently where Brian said he used to watch this with his son . I too used to love watching this on Saturday mornings back in the 80s as a young teen. Fantastic!
I can remember back in the early 90's reading about this Star Fleet project that Brian May did with Edward Van Halen. This is my very first time hearing this, and I must say that I'm blown away.
The legendary Sir Brian May (musician, scientist, and real-life knight), Eddie Van Halen, Alan Gratzer, and the rest of the band -- "always daring and courageous", bringing back music that should never be forgotten. Long live Star Fleet, and love to all those who are no longer with us.
We want a brian may video collection on dvd
The first music I ever loved as a child was TV theme songs, which just makes this already eargasmically good track even more satisfying to me. It brings back that childhood excitement of getting fired up by the opening titles of your favourite show, and then builds and builds on it with the most soul-pounding electric guitar jamming imaginable.
I saw this video around March '84, when It was aired in spanish tv, in the days of the premiere in Spain of the iconic videos "Radio Gaga" and Van Halens "Jump". I remember to have dreamed with the images and music of "Starfleet" in those days, being just a toddler :-) Due that fascination, I love this clip so much. Its great to see it in a great quality. Million thanks for all, Bian!! 😀
To hear Brian and Eddie remastered after all these years, is an absolute pleasure for my ears 👏👏👏👏
My sons watched this cartoon show on Saturday mornings. Was actually vute. I sat at times & watched. Todays launch party for STARFLEET SESSIONS was so spectacular. Congratulations, to Brian & Friends for the songs & music. Also to Brian & those who helped him organize the launch party . Phenomenal work & well done. 👏🏻 🚀 🎸 🎶💖
What a great live video today, Brian. Thank you for this. For years I thought I was the only one who loved this.
I saw this show as a teen in the 80s on Saturdays on TV here in the U.K. loved it!
Oh my God i was obsessed with this in high school. My buddy had it on cassette and I remember hearing it for the first time and being blown away. Great memories of walking through the halls at school blasting this on my Walkman! With all the talent on this record...i do however remember thinking "wtf is the guy from REO doing on this?" LOL, Anyway...i had completely forgot about Star Fleet session...so thanks for the reminder!
Brian is truly everyone's hero. No one fits this worldview better than he does. When he plays the guitar, everyone's courage is ignited. I love this music video.
Awesome!
Wonderful! Happy birthday, Brian! Looking forward to another 76 years of brilliant guitar playing.