Alternative History
Queen
1970s Queen
Queen in 1975; from left and right: Roger Taylor, Freddie Mercury, Brian May, and John Deacon.
Background information
Origin London, England
Genres Rock
Years active 1970-present
Labels Apple - Capitol
Associated acts
  • Paul McCartney
  • Elton John
  • John Lennon
  • David Bowie
  • Metallica
  • Nirvana
  • Paul Rodgers
  • Adam Lambert
Website queenonline.com
Members
Freddie Mercury
Brian May
Roger Taylor
Past members
John Deacon

Queen are a British rock band formed in London in 1970 by Freddie Mercury (lead vocals, piano), Brian May (guitar, vocals), and Roger Taylor (drums, vocals), later joined by John Deacon (bass). Their earliest works were influenced by progressive rock, hard rock, and heavy metal, but the band gradually ventured into more conventional and radio-friendly works by incorporating further styles, such as arena rock and pop rock.

Before forming Queen, May and Taylor had played together in the band Smile. Mercury was a fan of Smile and encouraged them to experiment with more elaborate stage and recording techniques. He joined in 1970 and suggested the name "Queen". Deacon was recruited in February 1971.

After signing to Apple Records by bassist of the Beatles, Paul McCartney in 1973, Queen released their self-titled album, Queen and it charted in the UK. Brighton Rock in 1974 and A Night at the Opera in 1975 brought them international success. The latter featured "Bohemian Rhapsody", which stayed at number one in the UK for nine weeks and helped popularise the music video format. The band's 1977 album News of the World contained "We Will Rock You" and "We Are the Champions", which have become anthems at sporting events. By the early 1980s, Queen were one of the biggest stadium rock bands in the world. "Another One Bites the Dust" from Play the Game (1980) became their best-selling single, while their 1981 compilation album Greatest Hits is the best-selling album in the UK and is certified nine times platinum in the US. Their performance at the 1985 Live Aid concert is ranked among the greatest in rock history by various publications along with the 1985 reunion of The Beatles.

The band released four more albums, The Miracle in 1989, Innuendo in 1991, Back to the Light in 1993 and A Winter's Tale in 1995. John Deacon retired in 1997, while Mercury, May and Taylor continued the band and make the albums and appearances together.

Queen have been a global presence in popular culture for more than half a century. Estimates of their record sales range from 650 million to 700 million, making them one of the world's best-selling music artists. In 1990, Queen received the Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to British Music. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001, and with each member having composed hit singles all four were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2003. In 2005 they received the Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding Song Collection from the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers, and Authors, and in 2018 they were presented the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.