
Queen
Queen were an English rock band originally consisting of four members: vocalist and pianist Freddie Mercury, guitarist Brian May, bass guitarist John Deacon, and drummer Roger Taylor. The band formed in London in 1970 after May and Taylor's former band Smile split after having released an album and single. Freddie replaced lead vocalist Tim Staffell, after the latter's departure from the original trio. There was much deliberation as to what the band's name would be. May and Taylor had settled upon the Grand Dance, derived from a C.S. Lewis Trilogy of books Out Of The Silent Planet. Ultimately, the band went with Queen, a name that was entirely Freddie's. Originally Roger and, especially, Brian did not like the name, though Mercury would eventually persuade them both that it was "right" for the band. "Years ago I thought up the name Queen... It's just a name, but it's very regal, and it sounds splendid. It's a strong name, very universal and immediate. It had a lot of visual potential and was open to all sorts of interpretations. I was certainly aware of the gay connotations, but that was just one facet of it. " - Freddie Mercury. Queen went through several bass players before a young electronics major by the name of John Deacon arrived on the scene in January of 1971. "Until John, it had been exploding bass player syndrome. If they musically worked they'd look all wrong, and if they felt all right they couldn't play. - Brian May. This quite shy guy turned up with his immaculate Rickenbacker bass and immaculate amplifier, plugged in, and as soon as he started playing we realized it was right." - Brian May. Later that year, the band was secured recording time at the newly built De Lane Lea studio, and used the opportunity to record several songs that would later appear on their debut album - Liar, Keep Yourself Alive, Jesus, and The Night Comes Down. The demo reel was passed around from producer to producer with little success, until a staff member of Trident records by the name of Roy Thomas Baker was introduced to the band by fellow Trident producer John Anthony. Baker dropped in to watch the band at work and, clearly liking what he heard, recommended Queen to his superiors. It was eventually agreed upon that the fledgling band could record at Trident studios, though after already-established artists had finished their work, such as the likes of Elton John and David Bowie. Relegated to the wee hours of the morning to record the remaining tra...
Related Artist
Top Tracks
-
Bohemian Rhapsody
-
Another One Bites the Dust
-
Don't Stop Me Now
-
We Will Rock You
-
Killer Queen
-
We Are the Champions
-
Crazy Little Thing Called Love
-
Somebody to Love
-
I Want to Break Free
-
The Show Must Go On
-
You're My Best Friend
-
Under Pressure
-
Fat Bottomed Girls
-
Bicycle Race
-
Radio Ga Ga
-
A Kind of Magic
-
I Want It All
-
Who Wants to Live Forever
-
Seven Seas of Rhye
-
Save Me
-
Play the Game
-
Now I'm Here
-
One Vision
-
Innuendo
-
Friends Will Be Friends
-
Flash
-
Hammer to Fall
-
Bohemian Rhapsody - Remastered 2011
-
Love of My Life
-
Headlong
-
I'm Going Slightly Mad
-
It's a Hard Life
-
Good Old-Fashioned Lover Boy
-
The Miracle
-
Breakthru
-
These Are the Days of Our Lives
-
Too Much Love Will Kill You
-
The Invisible Man
-
Thank God It's Christmas
-
Tie Your Mother Down
-
Princes of the Universe
-
Another One Bites The Dust - Remastered 2011
-
You Don't Fool Me
-
Heaven for Everyone
-
God Save the Queen
-
I'm in Love With My Car
-
'39
-
Keep Yourself Alive
-
Lazing on a Sunday Afternoon
-
Under Pressure - Remastered 2011