The Biography Channel - Queen Biography

Bohemian Rhapsody defined their musical extravagance and Freddie's showmanship gave them a certain kind of magic. From the hedonistic early days to Mercury's tragic demise.

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Queen
born: 27-06-1970

In 1970 'Smile', the band formed by Brian May and Roger Taylor, had just lost its singer. Adding bass-player Mike Grose and vocalist Freddie Bulsara, they renamed the band 'Queen', and played their first gig in June.

Grose lasted a month and was replaced by Barry Mitchell, who made it through to the end of the year. Bulsara, meanwhile, changed his name to Freddie Mercury. Mitchell quit in January and was replaced for one show by "a guy named Doug". When John Deacon succeeded him, the classic Queen line-up had been formed.

Deacon's first gig was in July 1971 and in the second half of the year, the band formed an agreement with the new De Lane Lea studio, to demonstrate the facilities for potential clients, in exchange for recording their demo for free. One interested party was Trident Audio Production, who then signed Queen. They spent the rest of 1972 recording an album, but still had no record deal.

In March 1973 the band finally signed to EMI, and released their first album, 'Queen', later in the year. The single 'Keep Yourself Alive' failed to be play-listed on Radio 1, but was picked up by the Old Grey Whistle Test instead. Popular reception was better than the critical response, and the band finished the year supporting Mott the Hoople on Tour.

1974 started with a brief but disastrous tour of Australia, but a first appearance on 'Top of the Pops', and the release of their second album, lead to their first headlining tour of Britain. They followed this with half a tour of the US under Mott the Hoople again, before illness brought them home. As the year continued, their punishing tour schedule continued to win them fans, without converting the music press.

The release of 'Bohemian Rhapsody' on 31st October, 1975 was a turning point for the band. At first, the record company were reluctant to put it out, as it was nearly 6 minutes long, but enthusiastic support from Kenny Everett and a revolutionary promotional video took it to number one in the charts. It stayed there for nine weeks.

Over the next fifteen years, Queen established their reputation for extravagant live performances and studio albums full of their unique sound - loud, tuneful and almost operatic.