Queen (band)

Queen (band)
Koh Hasebe; Distributed by Elektra Records · Public domain · source
Name	Queen
Caption	Queen in 1974 (from left: John Deacon, Brian May, Freddie Mercury, Roger Taylor)
Origin	London, England
Genre	Rock
Years active	1970–present
Label	EMI, Parlophone, Elektra, Hollywood, Island
Associated acts	Smile, The Cross, Queen + Paul Rodgers, Queen + Adam Lambert
Website	queenonline.com

Queen (band). Queen is a British rock band formed in London in 1970, renowned for their musical diversity, intricate vocal harmonies, and theatrical live performances. The classic lineup consisted of flamboyant lead vocalist and pianist Freddie Mercury, guitarist and vocalist Brian May, drummer and vocalist Roger Taylor, and bassist John Deacon. Over a career spanning more than five decades, the band has become one of the most successful and influential acts in the history of popular music, with record sales estimated between 250 and 300 million units worldwide.

History

The band's origins trace to the late 1960s with the group Smile, which featured Brian May and Roger Taylor. After Smile's dissolution, Freddie Mercury joined the remaining members, suggested the name Queen, and the band was completed in 1971 with bassist John Deacon. They signed with EMI and Elektra in 1973, releasing their eponymous debut album. Their breakthrough came with the 1974 album Sheer Heart Attack and the 1975 opus A Night at the Opera, which featured the monumental six-minute single "Bohemian Rhapsody". The band dominated the 1970s and 1980s with a string of successful albums and record-breaking tours, including celebrated performances at Live Aid in 1985 and Rock in Rio. The death of Freddie Mercury in 1991 from complications of AIDS marked a profound transition, though Brian May and Roger Taylor have continued to perform and record under the Queen name with collaborators like Paul Rodgers and Adam Lambert.

Members

The principal and longest-serving members of Queen are Freddie Mercury (lead vocals, piano, 1970–1991), Brian May (guitar, vocals, 1970–present), Roger Taylor (drums, vocals, 1970–present), and John Deacon (bass guitar, 1971–1997). Mercury, born Farrokh Bulsara in Zanzibar, was the charismatic frontman and primary songwriter for many of the band's biggest hits. Brian May, known for his distinctive guitar sound crafted with his homemade Red Special, also contributed significant songwriting. Roger Taylor provided powerful backing and occasional lead vocals, while John Deacon wrote several of the band's popular songs. Following Mercury's death and Deacon's retirement, Brian May and Roger Taylor have been the active core, working with touring vocalists including Paul Rodgers for Queen + Paul Rodgers and Adam Lambert for Queen + Adam Lambert.

Musical style and influences

Queen's music incorporates a vast array of styles, including progressive rock, hard rock, glam rock, heavy metal, pop rock, and even opera and disco. This eclecticism was driven by the diverse songwriting contributions of all four members. Key influences on the band's sound included the theatricality of The Who, the complex arrangements of Led Zeppelin, the melodic sense of The Beatles, and the hard rock of Jimi Hendrix. They were pioneers in the use of multitrack recording and studio layering, most famously on "Bohemian Rhapsody", which featured a complex operatic section. Their work often featured elaborate vocal harmonies, with Freddie Mercury, Brian May, and Roger Taylor all capable of singing across a wide range.

Legacy and impact

Queen's legacy is immense, having profoundly influenced countless artists across genres including Metallica, Kurt Cobain of Nirvana, Lady Gaga, and Foo Fighters. Their performance at Live Aid in 1985 is frequently cited as one of the greatest in rock history. The band has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The 2018 biopic Bohemian Rhapsody brought their music to a new generation, winning several awards including the Academy Award for Best Actor for Rami Malek. Their songs, such as "We Will Rock You" and "We Are the Champions", have become global anthems at sporting events like the FIFA World Cup and the Super Bowl.

Discography

Queen released fifteen studio albums during their active recording career with Freddie Mercury. Their most commercially successful and acclaimed albums include A Night at the Opera (1975), A Day at the Races (1976), News of the World (1977), The Game (1980), and The Works (1984). Key singles spanning their career include "Killer Queen", "Somebody to Love", "Don't Stop Me Now", "Another One Bites the Dust", "Under Pressure" (a collaboration with David Bowie), "Radio Ga Ga", and "I Want to Break Free". Their compilation Greatest Hits is one of the best-selling albums in UK chart history.

Awards and nominations

Throughout their career, Queen has received numerous accolades. They have won multiple Brit Awards, including for Outstanding Contribution to Music. The band has also received several MTV Video Music Awards and Grammy nominations. In 1990, they received the BPI Award for Outstanding Contribution to British Music. Posthumously, Freddie Mercury and the band were honored with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018. Their music has also been recognized for its enduring popularity, with "Bohemian Rhapsody" inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and the song "We Are the Champions" being voted the world's favorite song in a 2005 Sony Ericsson poll.

Category:Queen (band) Category:English rock musical groups Category:Musical groups established in 1970