Devoted Queen fans are set for a spectacular festive surprise, as guitarist Brian May prepares to unveil a previously unreleased song recorded by the band over half a century ago.
A Festive Premiere for a Lost Gem
May will host a special Christmas programme on the digital radio station Planet Rock, airing from 6:00pm on December 22. The show's centrepiece will be the world's first listen to 'Not For Sale', a Queen track that has remained in the vaults since 1974.
The song, penned by May himself, was originally laid down during the recording sessions for the band's seminal second album, 'Queen II'. Despite its pedigree, it did not make the final cut for the record and has been unheard by the public in its official form ever since.
From the Archives to 2026 Re-release
This exclusive preview serves as a tantalising appetiser for fans. The track has been freshly remastered and is slated for inclusion on a forthcoming re-release of the 'Queen II' album, currently scheduled for 2026.
In a statement, Brian May expressed his excitement about sharing the historic recording. "People might possibly have heard a bootleg version of 'Not for Sale (Polar Bear)' by Smile, it's a song that goes back a very long way, but to my knowledge no one has ever heard this version," he revealed.
"It's a work in progress and will appear on the forthcoming rebuild of the Queen II album - coming next year – but I'm sneaking this into my Planet Rock special because I'm fascinated to know what people think about it," May added, before extending seasonal wishes to listeners.
May's Personal Festive Jukebox and Recent Health
The festive special, which will also be repeated on Christmas Day, will feature more than just the Queen rarity. May will curate a personal seasonal jukebox, sharing hand-picked Christmas favourites and reflecting on the music that has soundtracked his own holidays.
His eclectic playlist promises tracks from artists including Slade, Chuck Berry, and The Crystals, alongside a surprise Christmas hit from his wife, actress Anita Dobson.
The news comes after a challenging period for the guitarist's health. May recently disclosed he suffered a minor stroke earlier this year, which temporarily left him unable to use his left arm. He was rushed to Frimley Hospital in Surrey but has thankfully recovered sufficiently to play guitar again.
This archival release follows the band's recent activity, which includes returning to the studio with their touring vocalist since 2014, Adam Lambert. While they have released live albums together, the group has yet to produce new original music with Lambert as frontman.
Queen's last studio album of original material was 1995's 'Made In Heaven', crafted using vocal and piano parts recorded by the late Freddie Mercury before his death from AIDS-related complications in 1991 at the age of 45.
