Legendary Queen guitarist Sir Brian May is set to thrill fans by playing a completely unreleased Queen track that has remained unheard for over five decades. The 78-year-old rock icon will premiere the song during a special festive radio broadcast.
A Lost Gem from the Queen II Era
The song, titled Not For Sale (Polar Bear), was originally recorded during the sessions for Queen's seminal 1974 album, Queen II. Despite its vintage, the track ultimately failed to make the final cut for the iconic record and has been shelved ever since.
Sir Brian has confirmed that while a bootleg version from his pre-Queen band, Smile, may have circulated, no one has ever heard this specific Queen rendition. This exclusive version is also slated to feature on the forthcoming 2026 re-release of the Queen II album.
Festive Premiere on Planet Rock
The historic first play will occur during Brian May's Planet Rock Christmas Special, airing on Monday at 6pm. The special will be repeated on Christmas Day at 1pm for those who miss the initial broadcast.
"It's a song that goes back a very long way, but to my knowledge, no one has ever heard this version," Sir Brian stated. "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."
More Than Just a Rare Track
The festive programme will offer more than just this unique premiere. Listeners can expect a hand-picked selection of Sir Brian's favourite Christmas and seasonal tracks, alongside the musician's personal reflections on the music, stories, and memories that have shaped his Christmases over the years.
The playlist promises a diverse range of tunes, from Bad News and Slade to Chuck Berry and The Crystals. It will also feature a Christmas hit by Sir Brian's wife, singer and actress Anita Dobson.
This exciting news follows a landmark year for Queen, who were recently named the most played rock act on UK radio and TV in the 21st century by music licensing company PPL. The band, formed in the 1970s and comprising May, drummer Roger Taylor, the late Freddie Mercury, and bassist John Deacon, boasts six UK number-one singles and ten chart-topping albums.
