Queen are a British rock band that formed in London in 1970. Their classic line-up was Freddie Mercury (lead vocals, piano), Brian May (lead guitar, vocals), Roger Taylor (drums, vocals), and John Deacon (bass guitar). Queen's earliest works were influenced by progressive rock, hard rock and heavy metal, but the band gradually ventured into more conventional and radio-friendly works by incorporating further styles, such as arena rock and pop rock, into their music.
The band drew artistic influences from British rock acts of the 1960s and early 1970s, such as the Beatles, the Kinks, Cream, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, the Who, Black Sabbath, Slade, Deep Purple, David Bowie, Genesis and Yes, in addition to American guitarist Jimi Hendrix, with Mercury also inspired by the gospel singer Aretha Franklin. May referred to the Beatles as being "our bible in the way they used the studio and they painted pictures and this wonderful instinctive use of harmonies."
At their outset in the early 1970s, Queen's music has been characterised as "Led Zeppelin meets Yes" due to its combination of "acoustic/electric guitar extremes and fantasy-inspired multi-part song epics". They have been recognised as having made significant contributions to such genres as hard rock, and heavy metal, among others. Hence, the band have been cited as an influence by many other musicians.
Many scholars consider the "Bohemian Rhapsody" music video ground-breaking, and credit it with popularising the medium.
Freddie Mercury performing onstage wearing a harlequin one-piece at Brøndby Hallen, Copenhagen in 1977
Freddie Mercury performing onstage in 1975 wearing his iconic Zandra Rhodes outfit
Freddie Mercury and Brian May photographed on Queens first solo British tour on October 30th 1974 at Manchester’s Palace Theatre.
Freddie Mercury onstage with Queen at the Brøndby Hallen, Copenhagen in 1977 on their A Day At The Races Tour
The first ever studio shoot with Queen. Photographer Johnny Dewe Mathews captures the early days of Freddie Mercurys vision.
Freddie live at the Rainbow Theatre in March 1974 wearing a Zandra Rhodes creation.
Freddie Mercury in the spotlight whilst playing the grand piano in Southampton in May, 1977.
Limited edition of Morgan Howell's original painting of the cover of Queen's 'Bohemian Rhapsody' vinyl single
Queen rehearsing for their first major tour at North End Road, Fulham, London in July 1973
Freddie Mercury performing onstage with Queen during their legendary Christmas Eve 1975 concert at Hammersmith Odeon
With Freddie it was immediately apparent that I was in the presence of a charismatic visionary, he set the dress sense for the whole band.
Mick Rock cover artwork for the iconic Queen 2 album released in 1974
Freddie Mercury performing at Brøndby Hallen, Copenhagen during Queen's 'A Day At The Races' Tour in May 1977
Iconic shot of Freddie Mercury from Queen, taken by world leading music photographer Mick Rock in London 1974
A packed house of rude boys and girls bouncing on the sprung dance floor of The Palais made it difficult to hold a camera steady.
Jill Furmanovsky recalls, "This was a typical music press session - probably for Sounds. The journalist and ‘snapper’, me, at a posh hotel.
Stunning Horace Panter portrait of Amy Winehouse commissioned by The Amy Winehouse Foundation.
Noel Gallagher rehearsing onstage at Knebworth Park before Oasis performed their famous two day gigs in August 1996
David Bowie was a leading figure in popular music for over five decades & regarded by critics & musicians as a true innovator.
Siouxsie and the Banshees were an English 70's punk band formed in London & became an important influence on the emerging gothic rock scene.
The Sex Pistols were an English punk rock band formed in 1975. Without them popular culture in the last 30+ years would be very different.
American jazz trumpeter Miles Davis is regarded as one of the most innovative, influential and respected figures in the history of music.
Here are the very latest prints we have added to our collection. We hope you love them as much as we do.
Jill Furmanovsky is one of the greatest ever rock & roll photographers with a huge archive of iconic shots of the world's best music artists
Album covers can define a band almost as much as the music itself. Now you can put this great art on your wall as well as your turntable
When it comes to rock photography Michael Putland has done it all, having shot the biggest name in rock & pop from Abba to Zappa.
