“Funk and rock fusion inspired Michael Jackson’s incredible performances”

Queen sold out with Hot Space, but I disagree. We just took a left turn like we always did.”“We were in a time of experimentation,” May said. “I think there was a fair amount of cocaine around, and we were living through the upheaval of our lives.“Late ‘70s, early ‘80s was a strange time for everyone – all the certainties were melting into uncertainties.”Still, despite mixed reactions and charts disappointments, May is proud of Dragon Attack. “The riff is still very recognizable,” he said. “It’s still played a lot, maybe more than ever, by a lot of people. Dragon Attack has a life of its own, and it’s in people’s unconsciousness now. Maybe it’s not anthemic like We Will Rock You – you can’t sing it in a football stadium because there are no words in it!“But there is a kind of empowering spirit in it. And I love to play it to that day. It’s a brilliant dance track and it’s real rock. That fusion worked – it really worked.”Speaking of the “fusion,” May believes that Dragon Attack and Another One Bites The Dust opened doors for Michael Jackson when it came to creating Thriller, which came out just a year after The Game.“It was that fusion of funk and rock that we had done,” May said. “It gave Michael Jackson the confidence, I think, to do his incredible stuff! No way would there have been a Beat It without Queen.”May also highlighted the lasting influence of Dragon Attack on a newer generation of guitarists. “Kirk Hammett namechecks that song in nearly every interview he does. It’s his favorite Queen song,” May said. “Kirk calls Dragon Attack the song that blew away Michael Jackson.”In his Total Guitar interview, May reflected on his enduring love for Dragon Attack.“It’s like an act of love, really, creating a great song,” he said. “It brings such joy, and I am really thankful for that song. It’s got everything in it. I love it to bits.”So there you go – the story of Dragon Attack, the Queen song that rocked the dance floors of Munich’s Sugar Shack and paved the way for Michael Jackson’s move into rock terrority, as told by the one and only Brian May.