Queen

Queen is a British rock band. Founded by Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor and John Deacon from the remains of Smile, the band came to popularity during the mid-1970s and has since amassed an enormous worldwide fanbase that continues to exist to this day. more...

Although traditionally panned by critics, especially those in the United States, Queen's critical stock has improved considerably as they have more recently been recognized as pioneers of arena rock, glam rock, hard rock, heavy metal, and progressive rock.

The group has also been cited as influential to many later artists, and in 2001 was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio. As mentioned in their 2004 induction into the UK Music Hall of Fame, Queen's promotional video for "Bohemian Rhapsody" is credited with "jump-starting the video era". Queen has also been inducted into the RockWalk of Fame (at Guitar Center on Hollywood's Sunset Boulevard), and the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Members

• John Deacon (born 1951) bass, rythym guitar- Deacon was the bass player with the group and is the only member never to sing vocals on a studio album (excluding "We Will Rock You" in which he only contributed to the band and crew's many-voiced power chorus). He was also the last member to join the band, being recruited in 1971. He wrote the fewest number of songs of any individual member, and has not participated in the Queen + Paul Rodgers tour since his retirement.

• Brian May CBE (born 1947) guitar, ukelele, piano, and vocals- May was the lead guitarist of the group. While often providing harmonizing and backing vocals, he occasionally played piano. He also sang lead in songs such as "'39" and "Good Company". Along with Roger Taylor, May was a member of Smile, the band that eventually grew into Queen. As a boy, Brian May built the Red Special, a guitar he continues to use to this day.

• Freddie Mercury (1946-1991) piano and vocals- Among the general public, Mercury is perhaps best known as the lead vocalist and frontman of the group, with such roles placing a shadow over his skill as a pianist and songwriter. He wrote the majority of the songs found on Queen's Greatest Hits. As a singer, he had a distinctive voice and an impressive range.

• Roger Taylor (born 1949) drums and vocals- Taylor was the percussionist of Queen. Like May, he provided backing vocals; unlike May, he regularly sang lead on his own songs. In addition to the drums, Taylor would often play lead or rhythm guitar on his own songs.

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