Biography
The story of Queen, told in chapters — from a London college band to one of the most enduring acts in the history of recorded music.
-
Chapter I1946–1969
1946 - 1969
<strong>1946</strong> <p>On September the 5th in Zanzibar, Jer and Bomi Bulsara have their first child, a son they call Farrokh (Freddie or Fredderick) . His father Bomi is a civil servant working as...
Read the chapter -
Chapter II1970
1970
Smile eventually disintegrates with Tim Staffell leaving and joining another band called “Humpy Bong”, who appear on Top of the Pops - once. Things hadn't been moving fast enough for his liking. <p>F...
Read the chapter -
Chapter III1971
1971
In January Barry decides that he no longer fitted in the band and leaves. Things were moving to slowly for his liking and he needed to earn some "real money". Queen audition for a new bass player and ...
Read the chapter -
Chapter IV1972
1972
In January John organised a gig for Queen at Bedford College. Some friends of his at Bedford told him that it would be good. That night Queen played to just six people... <P>Queen were still an unsi...
Read the chapter -
Chapter V1973
1973
In February Trident arranged for Queen to do a special recording session for the BBC program "Sounds of the Seventies". It was a good opportunity for the band. As the end product would be broadcast on...
Read the chapter -
Chapter VI1974
1974
Queen have their first concerts in Australia planned for early that year and therefore undergo the usual set of preparations, including injections. Brian's goes wrong though with his arm swelling up a...
Read the chapter -
Chapter VII1975
1975
Queen begin the year with a relaxing holiday in Teneriffe. On January 17th their next single "Now I'm Here" is released, and eventually reaches number 11. On the 18th John gets married to Veronica Tet...
Read the chapter -
Chapter VIII1976
1976
Queen reign once more in the annual music polls and Freddie receives yet another Ivor Novello award - this time for Bohemian Rhapsody - which by now has sold over 1 000 000 copies in the UK alone. It ...
Read the chapter -
Chapter IX1977
1977
Queen begin the year touring America - again. They add four new songs to their list from "A Day At The Races". This tour also marks the first time that Queen paly Bohemian Rhapsody in its entirety. Up...
Read the chapter -
Chapter X1978
1978
The year begins with "Spread Your Wings" being released - a superb John Deacon song - it unfortunately only reaches number 34, spending a mere two weeks on the chart. <P>Queen then go on to a sell o...
Read the chapter -
Chapter XI1979
1979
Early January see the band touring Europe. Whilst on tour their next single 'Don't Stop Me Now' is released which reaches a number 9 in the UK. The entire tour is recorded with the thought of a live a...
Read the chapter -
Chapter XII1980
1980
The year begins with the release of "Save Me", written by Brian and recorded at last year's session in Munich. Advance orders put it in the chart before it is even released. It eventually settles at t...
Read the chapter -
Chapter XIII1981
1981
Queen become THE rock pioneers of South America, undertaking the first ever major stadium tour of South America. They play five stadiums in eight days in Argentina and perform to the biggest ever payi...
Read the chapter -
Chapter XIV1982
1982
The bands 12th LP "Hot Space" is released in May while they are on an extensive tour of Europe. The album was different to other albums in that it had an emphasis on funky-disco type music. Fans from ...
Read the chapter -
Chapter XV1983
1983
1983 is a year of rest for the band. Since the early 70's they had been touring-recording non-stop, and the time had come to slow down. <P> <BLOCKQUOTE>Brian: <P>We were getting to close to each ...
Read the chapter -
Chapter XVI1984
1984
The year starts with Freddie heading to Munich in January to continue work on his solo album. At the time he felt that he needed to express things that he couldn't within the context of Queen. Most of...
Read the chapter -
Chapter XVII1985
1985
In January Queen return to South America to headline the enormous “Rock in Rio" festival in front of 250 000 people. On January 12th at 2 am Queen take the stage to deafening applause and a crowd that...
Read the chapter -
Chapter XVIII1986
1986
The year starts with Queen working on their next album, that would include the songs for the film 'Highlander'. As individuals they still find time to dedicate time to their own projects. Freddie find...
Read the chapter -
Chapter XIX1987
1987
As far as Queen went, the first part on 1987 was very slow. Roger and John were on holiday in Los Angeles and Brian was at home, trying to sort out his personal life. Freddie used this opportunity to ...
Read the chapter -
Chapter XX1988
1988
Roger's relationship with Debbie Leng had developed to a point of them wanting to live together. The security of his children with Dominique had to be resolved though. Roger and Dominique got married ...
Read the chapter -
Chapter XXI1989
1989
Brian starts the year on a quest to raise money for children with leukemia. He re-records "Who Wants To Live Forever" with some young aspiring singers. <p>Queen release their sixteenth album "The Mir...
Read the chapter -
Chapter XXII1990
1990
Queen receive a special BPI awards for their outstanding contribution to British music and hold a 20th anniversary party that goes on all night. The party is held at a club in Soho called Groucho's. E...
Read the chapter -
Chapter XXIII1991
1991
Innuendo the single is released in January and crashes into the number one spot, to be later joined the same position by the Album of the same name. The video representing a compendium of styles wins ...
Read the chapter -
Chapter XXIV1992
1992
On the 6th February 1992 Hollywood Records release 'Bohemian Rhapsody' as a double A-side with 'The Show Must Go On'. The single reaches the number 2 position, helped along by its inclusion in the mov...
Read the chapter -
Chapter XXV1993
1993
To coincide with the anniversary of the Tribute Concert the 'Five Live EP' is released. It features George Michael's version of 'Somebody to Love' - one of the highlights of the tribute concert. It en...
Read the chapter -
Chapter XXVI1994
1994
Roger releases his third solo album 'Happiness?', which enters the UK Chart at number 22. The proceeding single 'Nazis 1994' sparks controversy as it is refused air-play on Radio One and many shops do...
Read the chapter -
Chapter XXVII1995
1995
The year is quiet with the band busy at work until October when the new single, "Heaven for Everyone", is released. It crashes into the UK Top Twenty at number 2, and becomes a worldwide hit. Two week...
Read the chapter -
Chapter XXVIII1997
1997
John Deacon's last involvement with the band (as the bass player) was in 1997, when the band recorded the track "No-One but You (Only the Good Die Young)". It was the last song recorded by Queen, and ...
Read the chapter -
Chapter XXIX1998
1998
<p>Brian had been making hist second solo album, on and off for about three years. It had gone through quite a few changes. Originally, it was supposed to be about "heroes", a collection of cover song...
Read the chapter -
Chapter XXX2001
2001
<p>Queen were inductees into the rock 'n roll hall of fame on 19 March, 2001. It ws the second year in which they were eligable for inclusion.</p> <p> </p> Ryan and Roger perform various Queen...
Read the chapter -
Chapter XXXI2000
2000
Brian marries Anita Dobson on 18 November, 2000, in a registry office in Richmond. Roger Taylor is his best man. ...
Read the chapter -
Chapter XXXII2002
2002
In 2002, a musical or "rock theatrical" based on the songs of Queen, titled We Will Rock You, opened at the Dominion Theatre on London's West End. The musical was written by British comedian and autho...
Read the chapter -
Chapter XXXIII2005
2005
At the end of 2004, May and Taylor announced that they would reunite and return to touring in 2005, with Paul Rodgers (founder and former lead singer of Free and Bad Company). Brian May's website also...
Read the chapter -
Chapter XXXIV2006
2006
In March 2006, Queen + Paul Rodgers set out to tour the United States and Canada. During this tour, the group debuted their first new song, a collaboration called "Take Love". A second live DVD, Super...
Read the chapter