1970 to 1979

QUEEN rank amongst the highest echelons of the British classic Rock legends, being one of the very few bands to straddle both the Hard Rock and Pop markets with consummate ease. QUEEN is also the only act to top the UK chart with the same single twice, 'Bohemian Rhapsody' the biggest non-charity single of all time, selling a million copies both times. In FREDDIE MERCURY the band not only employed a singer both outrageous in camp and theatric bravado but blessed with a uniquely rich vocal Guitarist BRIAN MAY lent his distinctive stamp to proceedings too comfortably at home penning infectious Pop songs and extravagant Rock epics such as the seminal 'Bohemian Rhapsody' and latter day 'Innuendo'. Never an act to stand still QUEEN explored areas such as Opera, Disco, Funk and Reggae to good effect.

Unarguably amongst the elite of the world's greatest Rock bands, QUEEN formed in 1970 and would quickly become the vehicle that propelled the flamboyant frontman known as FREDDIE MERCURY to almost god-like status in the eyes of millions of the group's fans. Born Farrokh Bulsara in Zanzibar on 5th April 1946, the vocalist's first act was the Ealing College of Art band WRECKAGE, at which time he adopted the pseudonym of the Greek messenger God Mercury. At the same time, at another Ealing college, guitarist BRIAN MAY and drummer ROGER TAYLOR were putting together their band SMILE with bassist Tim Staffell.

SMILE gigged around the regular London haunts, prompting interest from (ironically enough!) American label Mercury Records. The first fruits of this liaison was a single, 'Earth'/'Step On Me'. The A side being penned by Staffell and the flip was a May /Staffell collaboration. Released in North America the single subsequently bombed and during mid 1970 Staffell quit SMILE to join HUMPY BONG. May and Taylor persevered with SMILE whilst both undertook degrees - Taylor in biology and May in physics - and with SMILE on hold the budding musicians took day jobs, May teaching Maths and Taylor working at a second hand clothes stall in Kensington market. The same market stall that Freddie Mercury was working on.

Inevitably, the flamboyant Mercury was asked to join the band and with his arrival came a new monicker; QUEEN. The band went through a succession of bass players before finally securing the services of John Deacon in February 1971. For most of the year the band gigged locally, although established a strong following in Liverpool, but still remained very much a part time operation as the quartet were all involved in potentially stable careers.

In the following year, QUEEN's luck changed. A local recording studio, De Lane Lea, offered the band a chance to showcase their new recording gear in return for valuable studio time. It was at these sessions that QUEEN laid down demos of 'Liar' and 'The Night Comes Down'.

The quartet impressed two visitors to the studio - producer Roy Thomas Baker and John Anthony - and before long QUEEN had signed to their production company, Trident Audio. After their debut showcase gig for Trident at the Pheasantry club, Baker and Anthony were enthused enough to sign QUEEN for an all encapsulating production, publishing and management deal.

set about recording their debut album and the resulting tapes secured the band a deal with EMI Records. The album launch came in April 1973 at a London Marquee gig. The press and fans witnessed the birth of a new era in Hard Rock and reviews were outstanding. Regrettably, the impetus gained was somewhat stalled by a three month delay in the album reaching the shops. The first EMI single, 'Keep Yourself Alive', garnered very little radio airplay and quickly vanished. QUEEN were however making headway with Mercury's obvious vocal talents being an obvious point of comment.

QUEEN wasted no time in recording their follow up effort and prior to its release managed to gain the valuable opening slot to MOTT THE HOOPLE's British tour. The tour was a triumph for QUEEN and headliner's MOTT THE HOOPLE persuaded the band to open for them on their forthcoming American dates.

Returning to Britain, QUEEN launched straight into a headline tour in early 1974, coinciding with the release of the second album. The fans were undoubtedly won over by QUEEN's grandiose approach and outrageous but the band found it harder going persuading the press, who remained stoically unmoved. Nevertheless, BBC 2's 'Old Grey Whistle Test' TV show provided a useful platform with an airing of 'Keep Yourself Alive' capitalised upon by a Radio One live session. The single 'Seven Seas Of Rhye' finally broke the radio airplay barrier and gave the band their first hit.

Now bathing in the spotlight, QUEEN performed on 'Top Of The Pops' and headed straight out on tour. It was this groundbreaking British trek which was to establish the band as a true major act. Following the British dates, QUEEN embarked for America to fulfill the promise of the earlier MOTT THE HOOPLE Stateside dates. The shows were incredibly successful, with the band often having to add matinee performances to fulfill demand in some cities, but fate dealt a cruel blow as May was struck ill with a stomach ulcer mid tour and the band were forced to abandon roadwork and return home.

The enforced lay off proved fruitful however, as QUEEN returned with another hit single in 'Killer Queen' bolstered by their finest album yet; 'Sheer Heart Attack'. With both releases riding high in the charts, the album was to hit the coveted number 1 spot in Britain, the band once more took to the road in more opulent than before.

A hint of things to come, QUEEN's stageshow now boasted each member clad resplendently in Zandra Rhodes created costumes and huge banks of lights and effects. The album was a huge worldwide success and also gave QUEEN their first tour of Japan, where the album hit the number one position. QUEEN also performed their first Canadian dates during April with support act KANSAS.

Fuelled by the reaction to 'Sheer Heart Attack', QUEEN's fourth album was undertaken with meticulous detail. The band envisaged a unique amalgam of Opera and undiluted Heavy Metal. As the band threw themselves into recording, utilising no less than six different studios, ties from the past were severed as QUEEN forged a new business relationship with ELTON JOHN's manager John Reid. The break with Trident was far from a clean one and both band and former managers indulged in a vicious press war.

First product from 'Night At The Opera' was the single 'Bohemian Rhapsody' in October 1975. EMI were reluctant to release the track at first due to its complexity, length and seemingly unfriendly radio appeal. DJ Kenny Everett picked up on the track and the single soared to no. 1 and stayed rooted there for nine weeks. A British tour also positioned the album firmly in the top position and prompted revitalised sales of the previous four albums, all of them re-entering the top 40. A Christmas Eve show was aired on BBC2 in it's entirety, amply illustrating Mercury's confident command of an audience in a spectacle which saw a myriad of costume changes and mood swings.

'Bohemian Rhapsody' gave QUEEN their piece de resistance. Not only did the song break all conventions for a hit single but it also heralded the video age. A promotion film made for 'Top Of The Pops' is often cited as the first promo video proper. QUEEN were now of a stature to be beyond their detractors range as 'Bohemian Rhapsody' was voted the best single of the last 25 years by the B.P.I. and scooped an Ivor Novello award to boot. The band returned the favour of 'Bohemian Rhapsody's triumph by staging a free filmed concert in Hyde Park, attended by over 150'000 people. Yet more shows in Japan were followed by QUEEN's inaugural dates in Australia.

The sequel to 'Night At The Opera' was released in December 1976, garnering the band a number 1 hit for Christmas with 'A Day At The Races'. QUEEN set on another marathon world tour, including dates in America supported by THIN LIZZY. Rounding off with a brace of shows at London's Earls Court, QUEEN opted to celebrate the real Queen's silver jubilee by going completely overboard with special effects and lighting. So much so that the band were quite willing to lose over £75'000 in staging the event.

QUEEN took a drastic about turn on their next album, 'News Of The World'. Stripped of the excess of previous works, the band portrayed a much cleaner, aggressive sound. The gamble worked and the album elevated QUEEN to major league status in America with the hit single 'We Are The Champions'. As the year drew to a close QUEEN usurped themselves when 'We Will Rock You' lost the number one single slot to 'We Are The Champions'.

With all this activity on the QUEEN front during 1977 BRIAN MAY did manage to session for Birmingham Heavy Metal band QUARTZ. The guitarist laid down tracks on the song circles alongside BLACK SABBATH men TONY IOMMI and OZZY OSBOURNE. Quite incredibly the track was left off the album only appearing as an afterthought B side.

The obligatory QUEEN world tour followed, after which the band retired to Europe to record the 'Jazz' album with producer Roy Thomas Baker. The album was preceded by double A side single 'Fat Bottomed Girls' and 'Bicycle Race'. The accompanying video centred around the bizarre concept of naked girls riding bikes around Wimbledon Stadium. The controversy was heightened when the band brought on a troop of naked girls in their later live shows.

Needless to say, the cover for the single was banned in many countries and the poster insert in America was withheld, fans having to send off for it. Nevertheless, QUEEN launched 'Jazz' with an outrageous press event in New Orleans featuring midgets, topless waitresses and mud wrestlers.

Capitalising on achievements to date the band decided to release the live album 'Live Killers'. Its undoubted commercial fortune was marred by a weak production and further by drummer ROGER TAYLOR, who publicly disowned the album for the inclusion of 'Bohemian Rhapsody'. During gigs the band left the stage mid way through the song as it was impossible to duplicate the multi layered effects live!

At this juncture QUEEN dispensed with manager John Reid's services and tightened the unit by managing themselves, with Deacon handling the business side of matters. Mercury took time out from group activities to indulge in dancing with the Royal Ballet, although the band managed to squeeze in yet another Japanese tour during April.

In November 1979, the single 'Crazy Little Thing Called Love' entered the charts and QUEEN promoted its release with a British tour of fairly small venues, experimenting with various numbers at each show. Mercury's new stage persona was the leather clad biker astride a Harley Davidson. JUDAS PRIEST lead vocalist Rob Halford viewed this as a blatant steal from his stage routine and on Radio 1 issued a challenge to Mercury to compete in a motorbike race anywhere in the world. Mercury declined.

1980 to 1983

By 1980 QUEEN had sold a staggering 45 million albums. Their new release 'The Game' followed suit, immediately hitting the top spot in Britain, followed shortly after by the single 'Another One Bites The Dust'. Their next effort, the movie soundtrack to the sci-fi movie 'Flash Gordon' left many fans cold. The single charted, but not as high as could be expected from a record bearing the name QUEEN.

'The Game' world tour had QUEEN stalking the familiar territory of Europe, America and Japan, but also witnessed ground breaking dates in South America, with shows in Argentina and Brazil. QUEEN broke the world attendance record for audience for a single performer when over 130,000 fans attended the first of two Sao Paulo gigs in Brazil. As the band toured Argentina all their albums to date were lodged firmly in to the country's top ten. In Brazil the single 'Love Of My Life' had been in the charts for over one year.

In April 1981, ROGER TAYLOR released his debut solo album, 'Fun In Space', before QUEEN returned to South America for more shows in Venezuela and Mexico. Recording their next album again in Mountain studios Montreaux (now owned by the band) QUEEN undertook a surprise collaboration with DAVID BOWIE. An impromptu studio jam led to 'Under Pressure', giving QUEEN another British number 1 single.

The album it was lifted off, however, proved a different story. 'Hot Space' was viewed by many fans as nothing less than a slap in the face. The album was centred around experimentation with Funk and Dance music and did not sell in the expected quantities. Live dates relied heavily on older material, with Mercury acknowledging the band had made a mistake by revealing: "It's just an album you know!"

This relative setback was quickly consigned to the memory with the 'Greatest Hits' package, a record that doggedly hung on in the British charts for nearly two years. In Japan, Mercury Records released an album of old SMILE material titled 'Gettin' Smile'. Extracurricular activities for ROGER TAYLOR in 1982 had the man spotlighted as guest drummer for GARY NUMAN's 'Dance' album. He would also turn up as backing vocalist for BILLY SQUIER's 'Emotions In Motion' and the KANSAS 'Vinyl Confession' record. In 1982 QUEEN spent much of the year on the road in Europe, America and Japan before undertaking their first sabbatical in 1983. Internal group pressures were coming to bear and the band channelled their efforts into various projects. Including were a solo album from Mercury and BRIAN MAY's 'Star Fleet Project' jam session with VAN HALEN's guitar guru Eddie Van Halen, ROD STEWART bass player Phil Chen and REO SPEEDWAGON drummer Alan Gratzer. May also produced the 'Lettin' Loose' album from Scottish Hard Rock band HEAVY PETTIN'.

1984 to 1989

ROGER TAYLOR gave it a further shot at solodom in 1984 with the earthy Mack produced 'Strange Frontier', this outing including cover versions of BOB DYLAN's 'Masters Of War' and BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN's 'Racing In The Street'. The song 'It's An Illusion' would be a co-write with STATUS QUO guitarist Rock Parfitt, who also put in a guest showing in the studio. Also showing support for these sessions would be QUEEN comrades FREDDIE MERCURY, on the song 'Killing Time', and bassist John Deacon on 'It's An Illusion'.

QUEEN reunited once more at the San Remo Festival in 1984. The 1984 album 'The Works' gave ample proof that the recent problems within the band had not dulled their instinct for exceptional songs. The single 'Radio Ga Ga' reached the number one position in nineteen countries. The album proved a huge success and was inevitably backed up with a gargantuan world tour. British shows had AOR act AIRRACE as openers.

Included in those dates was a controversial gig at Sun City in South Africa. QUEEN expressed their apologies once blacklisted by the United Nations, but reasoned that they had gone to play to both black and white. Mercury meantime found time to contribute the track 'Love Kills' to the Giorgio Moroder remake of the classic 1920's film 'Metropolis'.

QUEEN kicked off 1985 by headlining two enormous 'Rock in Rio' festivals in Rio De Janeiro before their first shows in New Zealand. The enormity of the audience in Brazil however could not prepare the band for their next show. The Live Aid event at Wembley was to many the zenith of QUEEN's career. The band turned in an electrifying 20 minute performance to millions of television viewers worldwide.

Later that same year Mercury released his debut solo album 'Mr. Bad Guy' and by the summer the band were back in the studio to record 'A Kind Of Magic'. Par for the course, the album entered the British charts at number 1. QUEEN staged a set of massive outdoor shows, including three dates at Wembley, together with sell out shows in Manchester and Newcastle.

QUEEN contributed the track 'Who Wants To Live Forever' to the movie 'Highlander'. Deacon briefly formed an act titled THE IMMORTALS, which managed just one song, used in the soundtrack to the 'Biggles' movie, before splitting up. In July, QUEEN yet again scored a coup by being the first Western Rock band to play in Budapest. The tour, with European shows supported by GARY MOORE, rounded off with a performance at Knebworth Park and QUEEN had played to over one million people.

The Budapest show had been filmed and, in December, broke all records for film attendances in Hungary showing seven times a day for a week. QUEEN also released their second live album 'Live Magic', which reached number 3 in the British charts.

During 1986 Mercury again broke all conventions by recording with opera diva Motserrat Caballe. The single, 'Barcelona', was a huge worldwide hit. Taylor meantime formed a new act THE CROSS. Mercury contributed lead vocals to THE CROSS track 'Heaven For Everyone' but this version remained unused and Taylor's vocal substituted. The drummer also produced the 'Vigilante' album for Birmingham Pomp Rockers MAGNUM and the debut album for VIRGINIA WOLF.

In 1987 QUEEN were presented with an Ivor Novello award for outstanding contribution to British music. The band was also paid homage in a more oblique form when spoof Metal band BAD NEWS cut a deliberately excruciating version of 'Bohemian Rhapsody'. BRIAN MAY, obviously with tongue firmly in cheek, produced the whole affair. The guitarist would also collaborate with former 'Eastenders' TV diva Anita Dobson on her 'Talking Of Love' single, a union which would eventually lead to marriage.

was November 1989 before any fresh QUEEN material was released with 'The Miracle' album, although FREDDIE MERCURY continued to pursue his solo career by recording the title track to the musical 'Time', followed by a four track EP, and a number 4 single 'The Great Pretender'. BRIAN MAY took time out to record guitar tracks for Heavy Metal band D ROK on their 'Oblivion' album. This union came about by way of a barter deal with Games Workshop, May's son getting fantasy gaming figures in exchange for the QUEEN guitarist's input on the record.

1990 to 2006

In 1990 QUEEN signed to the newly formed, Disney financed label Hollywood Records for the USA and in January 1991 QUEEN scored their third British number 1 single with the six minute 'Innuendo'. The album of the same name also hit number one and also revived the band's career in North America.

With media speculation having been rife for some length of time as to the state of Freddie Mercury's health, a press statement was issued on November 24th 1991 confirming that the singer had been tested HIV positive and had AIDS. The statement confirmed that time was short for Mercury and it would be a mere day before the world learned that Mercury had died.

The tribute single, a re-issue of 'Bohemian Rhapsody', raised over 1 million pounds for AIDS charities, entering the British charts at number 1 and a QUEEN organised, FREDDIE MERCURY tribute concert on April 20th 1992 included the likes of GUNS N ROSES, DEF LEPPARD and METALLICA. All 72'000 tickets sold out in less than 6 hours. QUEEN's performance was augmented with the appearance of Pop artist GEORGE MICHAEL filling the lead vocal spot. The artist performed so well that speculation pointed to the former WHAM star taking over Mercury's role in the group on a permanent basis.

BRIAN MAY got to work on his first proper solo album 'Back To The Light' scoring both hit album and singles. The same year BRIAN MAY guested on former BLACK SABBATH vocalist TONY MARTIN's 'Back Where I Belong' solo album. Both May and John Deacon also put in sessions on COZY POWELL's 'The Drums Are Back' album.

1993 found BRIAN MAY on the road with his solo band. These dates resulted in a live album 'Live At The Brixton Academy'.

It would be 1995 before QUEEN released a new album. Titled 'Made In Heaven. The record was issued during November and featured vocal tracks laid down by Mercury shortly before his death. One of the singles was in fact Taylor's 1987 track 'Heaven For Everyone' with FREDDIE MERCURY's original vocal track reinstated.

Finally, during October 1997 QUEEN made the bold move of releasing their first ever product without Mercury with BRIAN MAY - having enjoyed a successful solo career of his own in the interim - taking over vocal chores. The result, a single titled 'No One But You (Only The Good Die Young)' was released as a promotion copy and to QUEEN fan club members but never to the public.

A second BRIAN MAY studio solo album 'Another World' was issued in 1998. BRIAN MAY guested on the 2000 ASIA album 'Aura'. Further QUEEN collaborations in the Pop world were brought abruptly to a halt when bassist John Deacon came out against the band's recent collaboration with U.K. Pop star ROBBIE WILLIAMS.

Deacon apparently refused to record a new version of 'We Are The Champions' with Williams taking the lead vocal role, for the upcoming film 'A Knight's Tale'. British media reports even went so far as to quote the bassist as deeming the revised version as "Rubbish".

During May of 2002 the stage musical based on Mercury's life 'We Will Rock You', co-written by comedian Ben Elton, opened at the Dominion Theatre in London. By October over half a million people had seen the show, which had racked up ticket sales in excess of £20 million. It would be no surprise then that 'We Will Rock You' was given an extended run until January of 2003. October also saw the release in North America of the lavish three CD set 'Queen Platinum Collection' would break records, entering the U.S. Billboard charts at no. 48, making it the highest charting multi-release album in history. In the UK the album had already dominated the album charts for over 25 weeks and soon racked up double platinum sales awards. Marking another first, the British composer and conductor Tolga Kashif in collaboration with the band would launch a homage to the band with a season of classical re-interpretations of QUEEN's work by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at London's Royal Festival Hall commencing November 6th. EMI Records would back this up with an album release of the same.

QUEEN would be further honoured with their own star on the fabled Hollywood Walk of Fame on October 18th. After the ceremony BRIAN MAY and ROGER TAYLOR arranged an L.A. club gig, running through QUEEN numbers with a supporting cast of vocalist JEFF SCOTT SOTO, guitarist Nuno Bettencourt of EXTREME and STEVE VAI along with drummer CARMINE APPICE.

The band marked the June 18th first anniversary of the 'We Will Rock You' musical in London by erecting an eight foot statue of FREDDIE MERCURY at the Dominion Theatre venue. QUEEN would still be breaking into the charts as 'We Will Rock You' carved its way once agai into the French singles ratings and a re-released 'Live At Wembley '86' re-charted on the UK albums placings. The track would be lent yet another lease of life when it was re-recorded by BRIAN MAY, ROGER TAYLOR and Australian ex-LITTLE RIVER BAND singer JOHN FARNHAM for inclusion on a new album by the latter. By July Australian newspapers were reporting that May and Farnham were holding discussions in regard to the veteran Aussie, who had in fact announced he was to retire from live work, to front QUEEN.

'We Will Rock You' surfaced again in a far more controversial guise in January of 2004 when the track was re-worked for a Pepsi commercial by Pop divas BRITNEY SPEARS, PINK and BEYONCE, all robed in gladiator attire, whilst the Gladiator themed short, filmed in Rome, starred ENRIQUE IGLESIAS in the role of evil emperor. Perhaps more fittingly, DEF LEPPARD honoured QUEEN in 2004 when they cut a rendition of 'Sheer Heart Attack' for their 2004 covers project.

In December BRIAN MAY made the surprising announcement that QUEEN was set to reform, the new band being fronted by PAUL RODGERS of FREE and BAD COMPANY repute and billed simply QUEEN + PAUL RODGERS. The musicians had jammed FREE's 'All Right Now' at the Fender 50th anniversary concert, this show apparently providing the catalyst for the new group.

2005 opened for QUEEN by both BRIAN MAY and ROGER TAYLOR marking the 1000th performance of the stage musical 'We Will Rock You' by appearing onstage with the cast for the songs 'Bohemian Rhapsody', 'Tie Your Mother Down' and 'The Show Must Go On'. Proceeds from the show would be donated to UNICEF to aid victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami victims.

The first concert announced for the QUEEN + PAUL RODGERS collaboration would be a personal invitation by South African president Nelson Mandela to appear a '46664' AIDS fundraiser at Fancourt Hotel and Country Club Estate in March. The live band comprised May, Taylor, Rodgers, TNT, BLUE OYSTER CULT and FAITH AND FIRE credited bassist Danny Miranda and keyboard player Spike Edney. The band's set list for this ocassion included a version of 'Too Much Love Will Kill You' as a duet with young Pop diva KATIE MELUA, 'Say It's Not True' and 'Radio Ga Ga' both with ROGER TAYLOR on lead vocals, 'Hammer To Fall' with BRIAN MAY on vocals, BAD COMPANY's 'Feel Like Making Love', FREE's 'All Right Now' and 'We Are The Champions' featuring the African Children's Choir.

In June 2005 BRIAN MAY was granted an CBE (Commander of the British Empire) by Queen Elizabeth II for services to the music industry. That same month the Recording Industry Association of America revealed QUEEN had sold over 31 million albums in the USA. A high profile tribute album of note came with the release of 'Killer Queen' in August through Hollywood Records. The 15 track set featured SHINEDOWN, ANTIGONE RISING, GAVIN DEGRAW, JASON MRAZ, JOSS STONE, SUM 41, LOS LOBOS, ELEVEN featuring QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE's Josh Homme and BREAKING BENJAMIN. Notably, 'American Idol' contestant Constantine Maroulis featured on a version of 'Bohemian Rhapsody' with the Las Vegas cast of the 'We Will Rock You' musical.

July would see new statistics listing QUEEN above THE BEATLES for tenacity on the UK charts, spending an incredible 1,322 weeks on the official albums chart - 29 weeks more than THE BEATLES. The band wound up their 32 date, PAUL RODGERS fronted European tour by performing in London's Hyde Park on 15th July. The original date for the gig, a week earlier, was postponed due to the London terrorist attacks. The band put in some high profile US shows, also allowing time for ROGER TAYLOR to guest for the FOO FIGHTERS 14th October gig at the Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey, sitting on on a version of QUEEN's 'Tie Your Mother Down'.

In early May 2006 the band were featured on the 'American Idol' talent contest as contestants tackled classic QUEEN songs under guidance from May, Taylor and Rodgers. The band then performed at the first annual VH1 'Rock Honors' televised show, to "salute the groundbreaking bands of rock, the once-in-a-lifetime events and the influential people who made a lasting mark on the history of hard rock", held on May 26th at the Las Vegas Mandalay Bay Events Center to pay tribute to the achievements of KISS, QUEEN, DEF LEPPARD and JUDAS PRIEST. The night opened with the FOO FIGHTERS joining BRIAN MAY and ROGER TAYLOR for a performance of 'Tie Your Mother Down' before QUEEN + PAUL RODGERS delivered a medley of 'Under Pressure', 'We Will Rock You' and 'We Are The Champions'.

In mid November it was revealed that QUEEN's 'Greatest Hits' compilation was the highest selling album ever in UK history, with a presence on the charts lasting over twenty years and with over 5,400,000 copies sold.

On 20th May 2009 QUEEN guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor made an apearance on the annual reality show and singing competition 'American Idol' to perform their classic song 'We Are The Champions' with finalists Adam Lambert and Kris Allen.