Freddie Mercury, Roger Taylor, Brian May, and John Deacon, otherwise known collectively as QUEEN, are today one of the world's highest-earning bands. The quartet's original brand of heavy metal, which became their 70s trademark, in the 80s has matured considerably. However, in the 80s and early 90s, despite their wide-based musical approach, QUEEN continued to grow in popularity. It's been the best part of two decades for a group that has achieved what no other rock act has -- 18 years at the top with no line-up change.
QUEEN have never rested on their laurels. They've constantly re-evaluated themselves and changed their musical directions, from white soul to electro pop, from country to metal -- they continue to surprises with their versatility and musical virtuosity. One of the most compulsive rock acts of all time. And so to the second chapter….
In May 1982, following the release of Greatest Hits Volume One (which covered the first chapter of Queen's development), the band explored their more soulful side with the release of their 12th album entitled Hot Space, while they were on an extensive tour of Europe.
The tour included a scheduled date in Manchester, which was scrapped due to a lack of portable bogs… They played Milton Keynes Bowl, where they were filmed live on the tube. Under Pressure, which featured a collaboration with DAVID BOWIE, went to number one -- in Argentina and the UK.
QUEEN entered the Guinness book of records as Britain's highest paid executives, and they appeared on Top of the Pops for the first time in five years with Las Palabras De Amor.
At this point Freddie refused to record any more albums for Elektra so in 1983 QUEEN signed a long-term contract with Capitol Records for North America, but the relationship was to prove less than fruitful.
In February 1984 they released their 13th album entitled The Works. Radio Gaga, which reached number one in 19 countries, and I Want to Break Free were the first two singles from it, and they were promoted by two very imaginative videos. The video for I Want to Break Free, directed by David Mallet, featured the entire band in drag, crossing Coronation Street with the Royal Ballet.
In the period 1984/85 all members, save Deacon, issued solo albums. Much later in the decade Taylor formed his own band THE CROSS, May produced a number of artistes with no real success, Deacon instigated THE IMMORTALS, and Mercury had solo hits, including success with opera birtuoso singer Montserrat Caballé. He also wrote three songs for the musical Time.
QUEEN have played to enormous crowds worldwide. Concert landmarks include 1985's "Rock in Rio" festival in Brazil, where they played to 250,000, and an electrifying performance at the "Live Aid" concert at Wembley in June 1985. It would be an understatement to say that their shows lack spectacle or to deny their immense popularity. "Live Aid" rejuvenated QUEEN and breathed new life into the band. Refreshed, they went back into the studio to record One Vision, which was used on the soundtrack to the film Iron Eagle.
Their long-awaited album A Kind of Magic, which hit the shops in 1986, entering the UK charts at number one, featured a single of the same name, which reached number one in 35 countries. Various songs from the album were also featured on the soundtrack to the film Highlander.
Their spirit for adventure let them in 1986 to the Eastern Bloc, where they performed to the largest paying audience (80,000 punters) behind the Iron Curtain. The event filmed as Queen Live in Budapest became the first full-length concert film to be premiered in Eastern Europe. The Nepstadion date in Budapest was part of the Magic Tour, which comprised 26 dates in eight European countries (they played to a total audience of over 1 million) and spawned their first live album in seven years called Live Magic, which bears witness to the sheer magnitude of the shows -- over half a million people attended their 5 UK shows alone (two sold-out nights at Wembley Stadium and then Knebworth, where they played to 120,000).
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| Brian May in Budapest 1986 |
1989 then saw the release of Queens 16th opus The Miracle (again debuting in the charts at number one), which threw up five single releases in the UK and most international territories, I Want It All, Breakthru, The Invisible Man, Scandal, and The Miracle.
In February 1990 QUEEN were presented with the highest award in the British record industry -- the BRITS award for outstanding contribution to British music. Also in 1990 they started work on their latest studio album Innuendo, co-produced by QUEEN and David Richards, it was to continue there policy of collective songwriting credits.
QUEEN’s relationship with Capitol ended in September 1990, the band terminated the rest of their recording agreement and reacquired the three relatively unsuccessful Capitol albums (The Works, A Kind of Magic, and The Miracle). They had refused Capitol USA permission to release Live Magic!
In October 1990 QUEEN renewed their long and successful deal with EMI in London and totally surprised the bizz by assigning their entire catalogue and signing a new record deal with the newly formed US company Hollywood Records -- 1991's Innuendo being their first release in the US. The title track immediately entered the singles chart at number one and the album hit the same position in the LP charts.
For 18 years QUEEN have dominated singles and albums charts worldwide, as well as the very competitive field of live performance. They have sold over 80 million records and played in front of in excess of 6 million people all over the world. Having won numerous awards for their unique brand of rock and widely imitated, they've alternatively been reviled and revered. But behind them is a tale of constant innovation, perseverance, and unwavering determination never ever to compromise.
Whether they will tour again remains to be seen, as they haven’t played live for over four years. However, November 1991 sees QUEEN release Greatest Hits Vol.2, Greatest Flix 2 and Greatest Pix 2. Watch, listen and enjoy the second chapter!
Mark Crampton
Riff Raff
Nov 1991
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