Queen is a British band, one of the rock music icons. They were active during the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. Unfortunately, after Freddie Mercury died in 1991, other Queen band members stopped recording. Still, by then, they were already not only rock legends but probably one of the greatest bands of all time.
I don’t think the band’s success surprised anyone; from “Keep Yourself Alive” on the self-titled album “Queen” to “The Show Must Go On” on “Innuendo,” they haven’t put a wrong note. This speaks of the individual masterfulness of Queen band members and the band as a whole. There have been plenty of fantastic rock bands, but Queen belong to the Mount Rushmore of rock music.
Queen left a mark on music and popular culture in a career spanning almost thirty years. Everyone knows “Bohemian Rhapsody”; from Wayne’s World and Glee to The Muppets and various commercials, it is among the most covered songs in rock history. Keep reading as we explore the story of Queen, the band members, their hit songs and albums, and the legacy that generations of musicians can follow.
The Original Queen Members
The story of the Queen started in 1968 when guitarist Brian May met bassist Tim Staffell and decided to play together. They formed the progressive rock band Smile, and soon, Roger Taylor, a dental student and drummer, joined them.
It wasn’t until 1970, when Staffell, the lead singer and bass player, left the band that everything clicked. Freddie Mercury, a good friend of Staffell and a fan of Smile, joined Smile. Roger invited Mike Grose to replace Staffell on bass.
Mercuri suggested the new name, Queen, and a shift in music style with more theatrical elements and opera-like flair. In 1971, bassist John Deacon joined Queen and was the last of the original members to join. To be honest, that’s the band lineup throughout all their music careers.
While artists came and went from Smile, when people talk about the original Queen band members, they usually consider the lineup of Brian May, Freddie Mercury, Roger Taylor, and John Deacon.
Brian May
Brian May is the renowned lead guitarist of Queen. He was born on July 19, 1947, in London. By now, it is a well-known fact that May is not only an excellent musician but also an animal rights activist and distinguished astrophysicist. Astrophysics is his second passion, which he put on hold while he was fully dedicated to Queen. In 2007, many years after he started it, he completed his PhD in astrophysics.
He is easily recognizable by his long curly hair and by “Red Special” – the custom-made guitar he used to create his recognizable guitar sound. You could argue that this musical instrument could be an honorary Queen band member. Brian May used that guitar while composing most of Queen’s hits, including “Fat Bottomed Girls,” “We Will Rock You,” and “The Show Must Go On.”
On several occasions, May mentioned that his favorite song is “The Show Must Go On” from the band’s last album, “Innuendo”. They wrote the song in difficult times during Freddie Mercury’s health struggles caused by AIDS. Song’s powerful message of courage and perseverance resonated with May. “Show Must Go On” is, in a way, a tribute to Mercury’s strength and courage in desperate times.
His guitar solos and rifts are intrinsic parts of the Queen’s music. But his legacy extends further. He contributed to several scientific publications and is also known for his philanthropy.
Freddie Mercury
If Brian May was Queen’s brain, Freddie Mercury is undeniably the band’s face and voice. Freddie Mercury was born Farrokh Bulsara on September 5, 1946, in Zanzibar. He was born into a Parsi family from India. Even at an early age, he was interested in music and played piano at a boarding school in India.
When he started performing in England, he changed his name to Freddie Mercury. He joined several bands before finally teaming up with May, Taylor, and Deacon. He quickly became known for his vocal range, stage presence, live performances, and larger-than-life persona. His vocal range spanned almost four octaves, plus he could move between genres and styles. That was a massive contribution to Queen’s diverse music and rose to stardom. Arguably, May and Mercury are the most influential Queen band members.
Mercury is credited with many of Queen’s biggest hits, including “Bohemian Rhapsody” (one of the best songs from the 70s according to Music Nonstop Today), “Somebody to Love,” “Don’t Stop Me Now,” and “Killer Queen.”
Mercury was private about his personal life. He identified as bisexual and lived openly with a male partner later in life. He was diagnosed with AIDS in 1987, but he only confirmed it publicly the day before he died in 1991.
Freddie Mercury is no longer with us, but his legacy as one of the greatest frontmen in entire rock history still endures. His influence on music is immeasurable, as he is still remembered as one of the most talented artists of all time. He never publicly stated what Queen song is his favorite, but he did love “Somebody to Love” and was rightly proud of “Bohemian Rhapsody.” According to “An Intimate Biography of Freddie Mercury” by Lesley-Ann Jones, his favorite Queen song was “Somebody to Love.”
Billboard’s List of the 10 Greatest Rock Singers put Freddie Mercury in third spot.
Roger Taylor
Roger Taylor is the Queen drummer and one of the original members of the band. He was born on July 26, 1949, in King’s Lynn, Norfolk. He is one of the most recognizable drummers in rock and roll history, and his role in developing Queen’s music is immense.
It should not be surprising that Taylor jumped the dentist ship to join Smile. He had been interested in music since he was a kid, but interestingly enough, he didn’t start as a drummer. The first instruments he played were the ukulele and drums. Later, inspired by great rock and jazz drummers, he opted for drums. He played in a few bands before he met Brian May at Smile, and the rest is history.
He was also responsible for some great vocal harmonies in Queen. He wrote “Radio Ga Ga,” “A Kind of Magic,” and “I’m in Love with My Car.”
In 1981, Taylor released his first solo album. While his solo career never reached Queen’s level, he didn’t give up on it. He released several solo albums and later formed the band Cross, where he is a lead vocalist and guitarist.
Like Brian May, his favorite Queen song is heavily influenced by Freddie Mercury’s battle with illness. “These Are The Days Of Our Lives” is a song from “Innuendo” and one of the last songs Freddie Mercury sang.
After Freddie Mercury died in 1991, Taylor continued to work on various musical projects. He collaborated with Brian May and other artists for tribute concerts and charity events. In the 2000s, Taylor and May began performing as “Queen + Paul Rodgers” and later as “Queen + Adam Lambert,” bringing Queen’s music to new audiences worldwide.
John Deacon
John Deacon is an integral but often overlooked and underrated member of Queen. He was born on August 19, 1951, in Leicester, England. He was the last of the band’s original members to join, and his addition in 1971 completed the lineup.
Like most bass players, he started playing guitar and later switched to bass. As a kid, he was also interested in electronics. He moved to London for college, and his life changed dramatically, but maybe not how he expected. In 1971, he met Brian May, Roger Taylor, and Fredie Mercury. At that time, Queen was looking for a bass player. Deacon went to audition, and he immediately joined the band. Part of that was his musical talent, but his knowledge of electronics was also invaluable as he “doubled” as Queen equipment and sound engineer.
Deacon wrote some of Queen’s beloved songs, such as “I Want to Break Free,” “You’re My Best Friend,” and, of course, “Another One Bites the Dust.”
After Mercury’s death, he participated in the band’s last album, “Made in Heaven,” but he retired from music. Deacon’s retirement was Mercury’s death, which hit him hard and significantly reduced his activity as a musician. He was not part of the Queen + Paul Rodgers and Queen + Adam Lambert tours. Much like during his playing time, he withdrew from the public eye and remained dedicated to his private life.
Deacon mentioned that his favorite Queen song is “Another One Bites the Dust.” He wrote the song, and it has a kick-ass bass line. He is not alone; plenty of Queen fans also love the song.
The band’s last album, “Made in Heaven,” was released in 1995, four years after Mercury’s death.
Queen Albums
Even with the untimely death of the highly talented Freddie Mercuri, Queen released an impressive 15 albums. The band’s last album, “Made in Heaven,” was released posthumously and crafted with Mercury’s final recordings. Here is a complete list of Queen albums, from the band’s debut album to the last one.
1. Queen (1973)
Two years after all the band members joined, Queen released their first album. While the sound on this album differed from what would come later, it showed what we could expect from them later. Of all Queen’s albums, the sound on the debut album was the hardest; it was a mix of hard and progressive rock and even had some metal elements.
Even for a first album, Queen managed to deliver a few hits. The standout song was the album’s opening track and lead single, “Keep Yourself Alive,” but fans loved “Liar,” “Great King Rat,” and “My Fairy King.”
The album received mixed reviews, but critics immediately recognized and praised the band’s technical skills. “Queen” was not a blockbuster success, but it was an essential first step on the journey of one of the world’s best rock and roll bands.
2. Queen II (1974)
The favorite album of the “real” Queen fans, “Queen II”, came just a year after the debut album. The album was split into two sides: one labeled “Side White” and the other labeled “Side Black.” Brian May’s songs mostly dominated the “Side White”; the sound was more melodic, and he even sang on one of the songs. Freddie Mercury’s powerful compositions dominated “Side Black”; unlike folk-inspired songs of “Side White,” Freddie drew inspiration from fantasy and mythology.
A few of the songs immediately convey the band’s musical excellence. “White Queen (As It Began)” and “The March of the Black Queen” are two standouts on the album.
“Queen II” was more in line with what Queen would sound like in the future, but while it was an important step, it still wasn’t “it.”
3. Sheer Heart Attack (1974)
“Sheer Heart Attack” can be viewed as the Queen’s first breakthrough album. “Killer Queen” was the band’s first real hit single. The album was notable for the band’s switch toward glam rock sound and even more for their increasingly polished production and songwriting.
Hits like “Killer Queen” and “Stone Cold Crazy” made the album commercial and critical success. “Sheer Heart Attack” reached number 2 on the UK Albums List and entered the US top 20.
The album was a massive milestone for Queen, and in a way, it represents a moment when they indeed came into their own. Greatest hits will follow, and this album made sure that music lovers all over the world would have their sights on what they were preparing next.
4. A Night at the Opera (1975)
“A Night at the Opera” was Queen’s first real masterpiece album. It was inspired by the 1935 Marx Brothers movie of the same name, but the comedy ended there. The album blended more genres, from rock to opera, in what would become one of the most iconic songs in music history – “Bohemian Rhapsody.”
The album features “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “Love of My Life,” “You’re My Best Friend,” “Seaside Rendezvous,” and “The Prophet’s Song.” Almost every song on “A Night at the Opera” was a hit, making it the first Queen platinum album in the US and the first album to reach the top of the UK list.
“A Night at the Opera” is rightfully hailed as one of the greatest albums of all time. It regularly appears on lists of the best rock albums and is often cited as the pinnacle of Queen’s career.
5. A Day at the Races (1976)
Queen liked taking inspiration from the Marx Brothers for album names; this is another album that proves it. The album is often seen as a companion piece to “A Night at the Opera”; perhaps the naming also points in that direction, but the album stood on its own and had some exceptional songs, too.
Freddie Mercury’s favorite song, “Somebody to Love,” is part of the album, as well as “Tie Your Mother Down,” Good Old-Fashioned Lover Boy,” and “The Millionaire Waltz.”
“A Day at the Races” didn’t reach the highs of the previous album, but it was extremely well-received commercially and critically acclaimed. In the following years, the album earned recognition as a strong continuation of what started with “A Night at the Opera”.
6. News of the World (1977)
“News of the World” marked yet another Queen experiment and shift in sound. It marked Queen’s move to arena rock, and with hits like “We Are the Champions” and “We Will Rock You,” it’s no surprise. These two songs made the legacy of “News of the World” rival “A Night at the Opera”. Fans in sports arenas know these songs as anthems of celebration; they are played at sports events worldwide. The album itself is considered among the Queen’s best.
7. Jazz (1978)
Queen’s seventh studio album, “Jazz,” was a mix of many styles. The name is misleading, and the album included every genre, from hard rock and disco to vaudeville and Middle Eastern influences. From the unusual opening track “Mustapha,” which blended rock and Middle Eastern influences, to the playfulness of “Fat Bottomed Girls” and “Bicycle Race,” this album featured one of the band’s most famous and beloved songs, “Don’t Stop Me Now.”
Not everyone loved the album, and it received mixed reviews upon its release. Well, while critics were split, fans were not; they loved the album, and it became a huge commercial success. “Jazz” reached the number two spot in the UK and topped at 6 in the US.
Album success and popularity made critics reassess the album and join in appreciation of the bolder musical experimentation.
8. The Game (1980)
Queen experimented with pop, funk, and disco elements in their more traditional rock style in their eighth studio album. This was the first Queen album to incorporate synthesizers. Interestingly enough, even with all the success Queen had, this was the only album that topped the US Billboard 200 list and is the best-selling Queen album in the US. The album made multi-platinum status. The album had a few great hits, most notably “Another One Bites the Dust” and “Crazy Little Thing Called Love.”
Interestingly, while the band’s transition to more popular genres led to more significant commercial success, the fans’ favorite songs on the album were those with the familiar Queen’s sound. Still, “The Game” proved that Queen’s music is still fresh, like the first day.
9. Flash Gordon (1980)
In 1980, Queen made the soundtrack for the science fiction movie “Flash Gordon”; It was the band’s ninth album and their first soundtrack at the time. What is most interesting about the album is that most of the songs are instrumental, and there are pieces of dialogue from the movie here and there. It was the greatest proof that Queen could adapt their music to fit into a movie narrative. One of the two songs with full vocals is, of course, the theme song for the movie “Flash Gordon.” If you are wondering, the second song with vocals is “The Hero.”
Over time, the movie, track, and album gained a cult-like following. The album was heavily molded toward the film’s needs, but even so, Queen showed their excellence. We could look at this album as an experiment, and it would lead to an arguably even better soundtrack later.
10. Hot Space (1982)
It took ten years and ten albums after the Queen’s debut album for the collaboration between Queen and David Bowie, but it was worth the wait. “Under Pressure” is one of the Queen’s biggest hits and definitely the biggest hit on the album. The collaboration was partly arranged but also very lucky. Bowie was supposed to sing on “Cool Cat”; in the end, he didn’t like his vocals, and they were removed from the track, but since he was already there, they somewhat spontaneously decided to record another track with the band, and it’s among the Queen’s best. All Queen band members contributed to the track, and the song features one of the Deacon’s finest works.
The rest of the album featured many funk tracks and a few “Queen-like” songs, so it’s not surprising that it was not too well received. To this day, “Hot Space” is among the most polarizing albums Queen made. Years later, in 1990, Canadian rapper Vanilla Ice used the bass line from “Under Pressure” and revived the song’s popularity.
11. The Works (1984)
After the “experiment” with the funk on “Hot Space,” Queen returned to rock with “The Works.” While it blended rock, pop, and electronic music, it was much closer to the band’s usual sound, so fans immediately loved it. The album features two of Queen’s best tracks, “I Want to Break Free” and “Radio Ga Ga.”
The album explored social and political commentary and personal freedoms. The “I Want to Break Free” music video best demonstrates this. While it was a bit controversial then, it became one of the anthems about personal liberation.
Fans eagerly awaited the Queen’s return to rock, and that was evident in the album’s commercial success as well.
12. A Kind of Magic (1986)
In 1986, Queen had another close encounter with Hollywood. The album “A Kind of Magic” is associated with the movie “Highlander”; although it was not a soundtrack like “Flash Gordon,” many of the songs were closely associated with the movie. Because of this, they follow themes of time, immortality, and eternal love. The album is unique in Queen’s discography, blending pop, rock, and orchestral elements for the needs of the movie.
Perhaps out of necessity for movie work, Queen returned to the arena rock with powerful anthems and ballads. Through the movie, Queen explored exciting themes on the album: immortality, power, love, and the passage of time are all part of the concepts in “The Highlander,” and “A Kind of Magic” touches on all of them.
“One Vision,” “A Kind of Magic,” “Who Wants to Live Forever,” “Friends Will Be Friends,” and “Princes of the Universe” are among the band’s most memorable songs, especially for movie fans.
“A Kind of Magic” was also a tremendous commercial success. It topped the album charts in the UK and remained on them for 63 weeks.
13. The Miracle (1989)
The Queen’s thirteenth studio album, “The Miracle,” was also their first after singer Freddie Mercury was diagnosed with HIV. It was a significant and challenging period for Mercury and Queen, but it’s hard to notice that in the songs. Tracks are celebratory, optimistic, and upbeat with funky bass lines. Four hit singles, “I Want It All,” “Breakthru,” “The Invisible Man,” and the title track, “The Miracle,” were good examples of what the album was bringing. With “The Miracle,” Queen returned to a more collaborative approach to music writing, and all band members joined in creating the songs. In retrospect, it is a resurgence of unity for the band in the thriving times.
“The Miracle” was commercially successful and critically acclaimed, and several hit songs emerged from this album.
14. Innuendo (1991)
Innuendo was the last Queen album released during Freddie Mercury’s lifetime. At the time of the recording, Mercury was seriously ill with AIDS, but the public didn’t know this. Despite sickness and hardship, Mercury’s performances on the album are powerful and poignant and among his best work. While most of the public was oblivious to the reasons, they recognized that the album was especially emotionally charged. “Innuendo,” “The Show Must Go On,” and “These Are the Days of Our Lives” became some of Queen’s most celebrated tracks. “The Show Must Go On” is regarded as one of the greatest rock anthems ever.
“Innuendo” was the band’s last and among the most influential Queen albums. It is also seen as Freddie Mercury’s final farewell to the world.
15. Made in Heaven (1995)
The fifteenth and final Queen album, “Made in Heaven,” was released in 1995, four years after Freddie Mercury’s death. The album was released posthumously and featured unpublished songs he recorded during his final years. Surviving members made new recordings and added those, together with lush production, to the Queen’s “swan song”. If you could say that “Innuendo” was Freddie Mercury’s goodbye to the world, this is Queen’s members’ last goodbye to Mercury.
The album was a commercial success, and perhaps that was to be expected; the fans wanted to hear the last Mercury songs, and by then, it was already clear that it would be Queen’s goodbye.
The album’s singles, notably “Heaven for Everyone” and “Too Much Love Will Kill You,” received a great reception from fans. In the end, “Made in Heaven” served as a final tribute to Freddie Mercury and a celebration of Queen’s incredible legacy.
What Genre is Queen?
It’s impossible to categorize Queen’s music into a single genre. Over their career, they explored, experimented with, and blended multiple genres. Still, at their core, Queen is a rock band. They explored different subgenres like progressive, glam, pop, hard, and even arena rock and rock operas. But they were not constrained to rock; some songs, especially on “Hot Space,” are disco and gunk, and they even experimented with gospel music. Ultimately, the Queen genre was much less important and was not the band’s defining characteristic, but it did help them reach a wider audience.
Who Replaced Freddie Mercury?
Short answer: “No one.” Mercury was an integral part of Queen; Queen went on hiatus after his death. In 1997, John Deacon left the band.
Brian May and Roger Taylor, the last two active members, continue to play as Queen. Freddie Mercury has never been officially “replaced” by Queen. His role as the iconic frontman and lead vocalist is considered irreplaceable.
Paul Rodgers joined as a singer in 2005; even then, they performed under Queen + Paul Rodgers.
Adam Lambert took over the lead vocals in 2011, and since then, they have performed under the name Queen + Adam Lambert.
Both Rodgers and Lambert present themselves as collaborators of the active members of Queen.
The Band’s Continuation and Current Status
“The Bohemian Rhapsody” movie was released in 2018. It featured the super-talented Rami Malek as the iconic Queen singer. May and Roger both served as consultants on the movie. They participated in developing the script and also had the power to veto the final cut. Their involvement ensured the film remained faithful to the band’s story and legacy. The surviving Queen band member, Decon, was not part of the project, and later, Brian May shared that they had lost contact with him and didn’t know if he had watched the movie.
Brian May and Roger Taylor are still active, and they are still touring with Adam Lambert.
From February 4 to February 14, Queen and Adam Lambert toured Japan after finishing the North American Rhapsody Tour 2023. They have not announced more shows for 2024.
Queen’s Influence and Legacy
Queen started working in 1970, but their popularity began to rise in the mid-70s. The band kept gaining popularity, and by 1980, they were among the biggest bands in the world. Many great albums and hit songs made the band an icon in rock music.
In 1985, Queen played a 20-minute set during the Live Aid concert at Wembley Stadium. Many consider that performance one of the band’s most significant moments and one of the best live performances in rock history.
