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Queen releases faster version of 'We Will Rock You;' member Brian May cancels shows due to illness

By Karen Butler
Roger Taylor (L) and Brian May (R) of Queen arrive on the red carpet with Adam Lambert after receiving the Global Icon Award at the MTV Europe Music Awards in Belfast on November 6, 2011. File Photo by David Silpa/UPI
Roger Taylor (L) and Brian May (R) of Queen arrive on the red carpet with Adam Lambert after receiving the Global Icon Award at the MTV Europe Music Awards in Belfast on November 6, 2011. File Photo by David Silpa/UPI | License Photo

LONDON, Oct. 23 (UPI) -- Queen has officially released for the first time a faster version of its 1977, foot-stomping classic "We Will Rock You."

IHeart.com said bootlegged copies of the song have been circulating for years, but never sanctioned by the iconic, British rock band.

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The amped-up track will appear on Queen On Air: The Complete BBC Sessions, which will go on sale on Nov. 4.

The song was trending on Facebook Sunday as users discussed whether they liked the new version or preferred the original. The lyric video has been viewed more than 1 million times since it was posted on YouTube Wednesday.

Surviving Queen member Brian May recently canceled his scheduled performances with Kerry Ellis, citing unspecified health concerns.

"I'm gutted to have to pull out -- I hate letting our loyal fans down. But the advice I have had is that I must take time off to heal, rather than go out on tour again and risk falling down on the job, which would be much worse," May said in a statement on the Queen website Friday.

"Brian is a dear friend of mine and obviously his health must come first. I was so looking forward to touring the U.K. again with Brian. I know so many of you had bought tickets for an early Christmas treat, and I am truly sorry that we are letting so many of you down. But we will be back next year for sure, with new music for you all to hear," Ellis added.

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May and Ellis' album Anthems II is scheduled for release in March.

The founding members of the band Queen are May, Roger Taylor, John Deacon and the late Freddie Mercury.

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