The band formed in London in 1970 after May and Taylor's former band Smile split after having released an album and single. Freddie replaced lead vocalist Tim Staffell, after the latter's departure from the original trio.
There was much deliberation as to what the band's name would be. May and Taylor had settled upon the Grand Dance, derived from a C.S. Lewis Trilogy of books Out Of The Silent Planet.
Ultimately, the band went with Queen, a name that was entirely Freddie's. Originally Roger and, especially, Brian did not like the name, though Mercury would eventually persuade them both that it was "right" for the band.
"Years ago I thought up the name Queen... It's just a name, but it's very regal, and it sounds splendid. It's a strong name, very universal and immediate. It had a lot of visual potential and was open to all sorts of interpretations. I was certainly aware of the gay connotations, but that was just one facet of it. "
- Freddie Mercury.
Queen went through several bass players before a young electronics major by the name of John Deacon arrived on the scene in January of 1971.
"Until John, it had been exploding bass player syndrome. If they musically worked they'd look all wrong, and if they felt all right they couldn't play. - Brian May.
This quite shy guy turned up with his immaculate Rickenbacker bass and immaculate amplifier, plugged in, and as soon as he started playing we realized it was right." - Brian May.
Later that year, the band was secured recording time at the newly built De Lane Lea studio, and used the opportunity to record several songs that would later appear on their debut album - Liar, Keep Yourself Alive, Jesus, and The Night Comes Down. The demo reel was passed around from producer to producer with little success, until a staff member of Trident records by the name of Roy Thomas Baker was introduced to the band by fellow Trident producer John Anthony. Baker dropped in to watch the band at work and, clearly liking what he heard, recommended Queen to his superiors.
It was eventually agreed upon that the fledgling band could record at Trident studios, though after already-established artists had finished their work, such as the likes of Elton John and David Bowie. Relegated to the wee hours of the morning to record the remaining tracks of their first album, the band nonetheless stuck it out until they reached their ultimate goal of "perfection".
Queen's self-titled debut album was released in 1973 and received little attention from the general public. They quickly followed it a year later with a second album, "Queen II" which also failed to generate much interest from music fans in Britain, despite the success of the album's single, Seven Seas of Rhye, which would reach #10 on the charts after the band's mimed appearance on Top of the Pops.
The band's second album was recorded with a higher budget than the first, and the band threw everything they had into recording it. Queen II was somewhat of a "concept album", split into "White Side" vs. "Black Side".
As was in their nature, the band pressed onward after the mediocre success of their first two albums, immersing themselves in a world-wide tour to promote Queen II. Queen played in America for the first time, as a support act for Mott the Hoople.
Sheer Heart Attack would be released later that year, focusing more on being accessible to listeners, than the grand and complex ideas of the previous two albums. The recording of their third album was met with some hardships, as May fell victim to a series of illnesses brought on by an infected inoculation, required for the band's rigorous touring schedule.
Sheer Heart Attack brought even more success for the band, with May's Now I'm Here and the song that would be the band's "turning point", the Mercury-penned Killer Queen, the latter of which would reach #2 on the UK charts.
During this time, the band began developing a huge following in Japan and witnessed their popularity for themselves when they visited the country, mainly in 1975, to promote their fourth and most famous album "A Night At The Opera", featuring the epic "Bohemian Rhapsody".
Queen's popularity grew steadily through the latter half of the 70s as they released hit album after hit album, reaching its peak in the mid-80s after their "Live Aid" appearance, and continuing into the early 90s before Mercury's untimely death on 24th November 1991. The official cause of death was bronchial pneumonia resulting from AIDS.
Over the course of their 30 year career, the band did sound tracks for two films ("Flash Gordon" and "Highlander"), released a string of live and studio albums, and had many many fans across the world.
In 1995, 4 years after Mercury's death, the band released the album "Made In Heaven". This album saw the surviving band members in the studio completing or reworking unused vocals, unreleased variations of Freddie solo material (a Queen version of "I Was Born To Love You" for example), and tracks where Brian and Roger added lyrics to flesh out a song ("Mother Love").
Queen have been on indefinite hiatus since 1997, when John Deacon decided to retire.
Several "Queen + ..." projects have been developed in the following years, a few of them mere remixes with no artistic involvement from the band. In 1999, a "Greatest Hits III" album was released. This featured, among others, "Queen + Wyclef Jean" on a rap version of "Another One Bites the Dust", a live version of "Somebody to Love" performed by George Michael, and a live version of "The Show Must Go On" performed live in 1997 with Elton John.
Brian May and Roger Taylor have performed together as Queen on several occasions (award ceremonies, charity concerts, and the like), sharing vocals with various guest singers. They have also recorded several covers of Queen's hits with guest vocalists, including "We Will Rock You" (first with Five and later Britney Spears, Beyonce, John Farnham and P!nk) and "We Are the Champions" (with Robbie Williams).
On the 14th of May 2002 the Queen musical 'We Will Rock You' opened in the Dominion theatre in London's 'West End'. A Musical about young people in the distant future who aren't allowed to listen to music not generated by computers. Various Queen songs are used in the story, played by a live band. This live band was supported by Brian May and Roger Taylor on the premiere evening.
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 stated that Rodgers would be 'featured with' Queen as 'Queen + Paul Rodgers', not replacing Mercury. The retired John Deacon would not be participating.
Between 2005 and 2006 Queen + Paul Rodgers embarked on a world tour, the first leg in Europe and the second, Japan and then the US in 2006. On 15 August 2006, Brian May confirmed through his website and fan club that Queen + Paul Rodgers would begin producing their first studio album beginning in October, to be recorded at a "secret location". The album, titled The Cosmos Rocks, was released in Europe on 12 September 2008 and in the United States on 28 October 2008. Following the album the band again embarked on a tour through Europe, opening on Kharkiv's Freedom Square in front of 350,000 Ukrainian fans. The show in Ukraine was later released on DVD.
Queen and Paul Rodgers officially split up without animosity on 12 May 2009. Rodgers did not rule out the possibility of working together again.
Since 2012, Queen has been touring with Adam Lambert as the frontman.
More information about Queen + Paul Rodgers can be found on their last.fm page.
Official website: www.queenonline.com
Discography:
1.- Queen (1973)
2.- Queen II (1974)
3.- Sheer Heart Attack (1974)
4.- A Night at the Opera (1975)
5.- A Day at the Races (1976)
6.- News of the World (1977)
7.- Jazz (1978)
8.- The Game (1980)
9.- Flash Gordon (1980)
10.- Hot Space (1982)
11.- The Works (1984)
12.- A Kind of Magic (1986)
13.- The Miracle (1989)
14.- Innuendo (1991)
15.- Made in Heaven (1995)
April Lady
Queen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is painting pictures for free
When she was done she hung them up
For all the children to see
[Chorus:]
Goodbye April lady
It's been good to have you around
You've done a lot for the folks in this town
The children learned to read
She strung their beads
It's sorry she was the one
As you can see isn't she good
She don't leave nothing undone
[Chorus]
She taught them all to love
She was their cream
And we don't want her to go
But we know too well
She fell in love
And there's no stopping her so
[Chorus]
Goodbye April lady.
Queen's song "April Lady" depicts a woman who has won people's hearts by sharing her love for the arts with them. The lyrics describe how she creates paintings for free and displays them for children to appreciate. She becomes known as the April Lady for the way she brightens up the town and touches people's lives with her kindness. The chorus repeats the farewell message, acknowledging how much she has done for the community and that she will be missed.
The song highlights the impact one person can have on a community through their love and generosity. The April Lady teaches children to read and creates art for them to enjoy, showing how one person's efforts can make a difference in the lives of many. However, as the song progresses, it becomes clear that the April Lady has fallen in love and must leave the town. The lyrics convey a sense of regret that she has to go, but also an acceptance that her love cannot be stopped.
Overall, Queen's "April Lady" is a touching tribute to someone who has made a positive impact on the lives of those around them. It celebrates the power of art and love, and the importance of being kind and generous to others.
Line by Line Meaning
She won our hearts the arts she loved
She captured our affection with her passion for the arts
Is painting pictures for free
Creating artwork for the community without cost
When she was done she hung them up
Displaying her completed works for all to see
For all the children to see
To inspire and educate the youth of the area
Goodbye April lady
Farewell to the woman who brought us so much joy
It's been good to have you around
We are grateful for the time we spent with you
You've done a lot for the folks in this town
You have contributed greatly to the community
The children learned to read
She taught literacy to the young
She strung their beads
Providing creative outlets for the kids
It's sorry she was the one
We regret that she has to leave us
As you can see isn't she good
Her talents are clear to all who witness them
She don't leave nothing undone
She always finishes what she starts
She taught them all to love
Her lessons went beyond just academics
She was their cream
She was the best of the best
And we don't want her to go
We wish she could stay
But we know too well
Unfortunately, we are aware
She fell in love
She has found someone special
And there's no stopping her so
Her heart has made its choice, and we support her decision
Goodbye April lady
Once again, farewell to a beloved member of our community
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@thanie7090
Узнала о песне из программы Пушного, действительно песня супер. И очень в духе Квин
@knowingman196
ты не одна,здесь,после Пушного))
@Iv383
Пусть теперь думают, почему так просмотры выросли)
@twenty2339
+
@hara-kiri08
+
@dimadimov5203
не только ты смотришь дядю пушного)
@RUDI-UK
Love Brian's vocal on this. As warm as hands around a nice cup of tea.
@nickvandewijgerd2423
thats the most britisch thing ive heard in my life
@Daniela_Germany
To me, his voice is so beautiful that I don't have words to describe it, but this comes pretty close!
@irinaoblasova4200
Как красиво сказано!!!