Queen have been in the headlines again this autumn. Roger Taylor released his solo album Violence Insane in a Beautiful World in September 2026, Brian May joined him on stage at London's Roundhouse a few days later, and in October May told The Times the pair had decided their touring days are over - while hinting that an immersive Queen show is being explored.
More than 50 years after forming in London, Queen remain one of the biggest bands on the planet, with an estimated 250-300 million records sold. Here is their story, from student gigs to Wembley. Browse our rock music clothing for more legends.
Queen Fact File
| Band name | Queen |
|---|---|
| Formed | 1970, London, England |
| Founding members | Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor (John Deacon joined in 1971) |
| Freddie Mercury | Born Farrokh Bulsara, 5 September 1946, Stone Town, Zanzibar - died 24 November 1991, London, aged 45 |
| Current members | Sir Brian May (79) and Roger Taylor (77), touring with Adam Lambert since 2011 |
| Nationality | British |
| Genres | Rock, hard rock, glam rock, pop |
| Years active | 1970-present |
| Labels | EMI, Parlophone, Elektra, Capitol, Hollywood Records |
| Signature song | Bohemian Rhapsody (1975) |
Career History
| Years | Line-up / Label | Key albums |
|---|---|---|
| 1973-1975 | Mercury, May, Taylor, Deacon - EMI / Elektra | Queen, Queen II, Sheer Heart Attack, A Night at the Opera |
| 1976-1980 | EMI / Elektra | A Day at the Races, News of the World, Jazz, The Game, Flash Gordon |
| 1982-1991 | EMI / Capitol, then Hollywood Records | Hot Space, The Works, A Kind of Magic, The Miracle, Innuendo |
| 1995 | Posthumous release | Made in Heaven |
| 2011-present | Queen + Adam Lambert (live) | World tours including the Rhapsody Tour (2019-2024) |
Albums listed are studio albums (15 in total, including the Flash Gordon soundtrack). Labels varied by territory.
Early Years in London
Queen came together in London in 1970, when singer Freddie Mercury joined guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor. Bassist John Deacon completed the classic line-up in 1971. Their self-titled debut arrived in 1973, and Sheer Heart Attack (1974) gave them their breakthrough.
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Bohemian Rhapsody and the Glory Years
In 1975 A Night at the Opera and the six-minute epic Bohemian Rhapsody changed everything. Stadium anthems followed: We Will Rock You and We Are the Champions (1977), then Another One Bites the Dust from The Game (1980) and Under Pressure with David Bowie (1981). Every member wrote hits, which is rare for any band.
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Live Aid and the Later Years
On 13 July 1985 Queen stole Live Aid at Wembley in front of an estimated global TV audience of 400 million, and a 2005 industry poll named it the greatest rock performance of all time. Innuendo (1991) was the last album released in Mercury's lifetime; he died in November 1991. The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert at Wembley in April 1992 raised millions for AIDS awareness. Deacon retired in 1997, while May and Taylor have toured with Adam Lambert since 2011.
Take Wembley 1985 with you in our Queen Men's Hoodie.
Honours
Halls of Fame
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (2001)
- Songwriters Hall of Fame (2003)
Major Awards
- Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (2018)
- Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding Song Collection (2005)
- Polar Music Prize (2025)
Individual Honours
- Brian May: CBE (2005) and knighthood (2023 New Year Honours)
- Roger Taylor: OBE (2020)
Records
- Greatest Hits is the best-selling album in UK chart history
Away From the Spotlight
May, Taylor and manager Jim Beach set up the Mercury Phoenix Trust after the 1992 tribute concert, funding HIV/AIDS awareness projects worldwide. Brian May completed a PhD in astrophysics at Imperial College London in 2007, has an asteroid named after him and has campaigned for animal welfare.
FAQs
When did Queen form?
Queen formed in London in 1970. John Deacon joined in 1971 to complete the classic line-up.
What was Freddie Mercury's real name?
Freddie Mercury was born Farrokh Bulsara on 5 September 1946 in Stone Town, Zanzibar.
How many albums have Queen released?
Queen released 15 studio albums, from Queen (1973) to Made in Heaven (1995), counting the Flash Gordon soundtrack.
Have Queen won a Grammy?
Queen have no competitive Grammy wins, but received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018.
Who is in Queen now?
Brian May and Roger Taylor. Since 2011 they have toured as Queen + Adam Lambert, with Lambert on vocals.
Are Queen still touring?
In October 2026 Brian May said he and Roger Taylor had decided not to tour again.
Shop the Queen Collection
Pick up our tribute and fan designs celebrating the band.
Queen Men's Hoodie
£39.99
Queen Men's T-Shirt
£29.99
Find more in our rock music clothing, bands and music collections. Want something personal? Try our Custom Name Men's Hoodie.
Part of our Icon Profiles series. Read next: Freddie Mercury: Queen's Frontman and David Bowie Career Story.
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