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Forming of the band
Queen was a glam rock/heavy metal band that started out in 1971 after guitarist Brian May (top right) and drummer Roger Taylor (bottom left), who together had been in several bands, decided to form yet another one and joined up with vocalist and some time piano player Freddie Mercury (bottom right). -
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Years active
Queen was a glam rock/heavy metal band that started out in 1971 after guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor, who together had been in several bands, decided to form yet another one and joined up with vocalist and some time piano player Freddie Mercury. -
Completing the band
John Deacon joined them and in February they were signed to EMI Records.Their first single "Keep Yourself Alive" was released shortly thereafter but didn't sell well. (Link to song:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JofwEB9g1zg) and the creation of the band was complete. -
Debut Album
Then their debut album Queen came out in '73 with a combo of glam and hard rock songs on it. -
Road begins
The band embarked on their first headlining tour of Britain, starting in Blackpool
http://www.ultimatequeen.co.uk/queen/biography.htm -
USA tour
The band embarked on their first-ever USA tour as guests to Mott The Hoople. But in May of that year, while on tour, Brian collapsed with hepatitis, and the band had to cancel the rest of their dates. -
Making it big
Queen made it big with their third album Sheer Heart Attack. It went to number two in the UK and the album's single "Killer Queen" became the band's first US hit, just missing the US top ten. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1__KQZvoBpc -
Superstardom
It was the release of the masterpiece A Night At The Opera which would make them superstars. The album would go to number five in the US, but in Britain it went to number one and stayed there for nine weeks. The album had a little bit of everything including the seven minute single "Bohemian Rhapsody", a mini opera written by Mercury. It was the one rock opera that truly sounded like a opera. With many vocal overdubs, hard drumming, mellow piano the song became their fans most loved. -
Music video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJ9rUzIMcZQ
They also put together an amazing video for the song, which in the pre MTV days wasn't really done too often. They were considered to be the one that began the whole video craze - they just didn't know what they were starting! http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/Queen-Biography/5C191B5E5179AC9B4825689400010A9F -
Oh Canada!
Their first Canadian gig was in Edmonton, where they were joined on stage by support act Kansas. -
Somebody To Love
The next album, A Day At The Races, released and was another hit and included the single, "Somebody To Love". -
News of the World
The release of News of the World went top ten with its double A sided "We Will Rock You", written by May, and Mercury's "We Are The Champions". "Champions" was supposedly a gay rights song that was pretty much overtaken and still today used as an anthem for champion sports teams worldwide. -
Top of the World
Queen was at the peak of their popularity as they entered the decade of the 80s. -
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Live Aid Concert
July 13th 1985, was a day that went down in history as the Live Aid Global Jukebox took the world by storm from London's vast Wembley Stadium and from Philadelphia in the USA. Queen were just one of a multitude of top bands who all performed a short, 20-minute set. The world was watching, and Queen were unanimously voted - by press and public alike - as the band that stole the show. That event was a turning point for Queen.
http://www.thebiographychannel.co.uk/biographies/queen.htm -
Another band bites the dust
The end was near for the band. Mercury was gravely ill with AIDS, although his fans didn't have a clue at first. -
Final Video
Freddie filmed what was to become his final video for Queen - the haunting Days of Our Lives.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWMqyzvfU_Q -
Confirming
Mercury issued a statement confirming he had AIDS -
R.I.P
A day after his statement Mercury passed away -
Freddie is awarded
In February 1992, the annual BritAwards recognised Freddie with a special posthumous award for 'Outstanding Contribution to British Music', -
The show must go on
Mercury who was known for throwing big expensive parties would be honored by the surviving Queen members and his friends in one last Queen gig. It was held at London's Wembley Stadium and televised worldwide. Featuring such guest artists as Bowie, Elton John, George Michael, Annie Lennox, Def Leppard and Guns N' Roses, the concert raised millions for the Mercury Phoenix Trust, which was established for AIDS awareness. -
Disbanded
Queen was disbanded
