Queen

Queen are a British rock group formed in London in 1970 and active in their original four-piece formation until 1991. The founding members were Brian May (guitar, vocals), Roger Taylor (drums, vocals) and Freddie Mercury (lead vocals, piano) who suggested the name Queen. Fourth member John Deacon (bass) was recruited in early 1971.

The group's early material was influenced by progressive rock and hard rock, but they gradually ventured into a more conventional and radio-friendly style by incorporating pop rock and electronic music.

Their first Top 20 hits came in 1974 with Seven Seas of Rhye and Killer Queen although they made their biggest mark on the charts and on popular music with Bohemian Rhapsody, a 'suite' type composition incorporating various musical styles, clocking in at almost six minutes in length. It was an unusual choice for a single although the gamble paid off and the track stayed at the top of the UK charts for nine weeks from November 1975 until January 1976 and became one of the group's best know songs worldwide.

In all they achieved 6 UK no.1, and 54 Top 40 singles.

Album-wise their eponymous debut did not chart on its release although reached no.24 as it's successor Queen II reached no.5 in March 1974. Third album Sheer Heart Attack reached no.2 in the same year and successive albums A Night at The Opera (1975), featuring Bohemian Rhapsody, and A Day at The Races (1976) both reached no.1 in the UK.

BBC Sessions

 * 15 February 1973 - Peel
 * 13 August 1973 (24 September 1973) - Harris
 * 06 December 1973 - Peel
 * 15 April 1974 - Harris
 * 04 November 1974 - Harris
 * 14 November 1977 - Peel

Scrapbook
Record Mirror scans americanradiohistory.com