Legendary, infamous, iconic- Queen. The British band that started making music in 1970 and later moved on to being one of the most successful bands of all time. Classics like “Bohemian Rhapsody” “We Will Rock You” and “Another One Bites The Dust” were responsible for the band to later become a household name. While most of us are aware of their lead vocalist, Freddie Mercury’s complications with AIDS, and Brian May’s British sixpence pick for the guitar, here are some lesser-known facts about them.
1. What came first- Queen or Smile?
Half of the musicians, part of Queen, were already a part of a band called Smile. Brian May, Roger Taylor, and Smile’s bassist, Tim Staffel. Although Staffel never really became a member of Queen he was quite significant to the band’s formation as he was the one who introduced the two to Farookh Bulsara (later changed his name to Freddie Mercury) who later became the lead vocalist and the face of Queen.
2. The Band is Damn Smart!
Breaking the stereotype of the contemporary rebellious rock star, most members of the band were highly educated post-graduates. Roger Taylor was headed for becoming a dentist before he found his place in the band. John Deacon is a trained electrical engineer who later utilized his knowledge and training in making the world-famous Deacy Amp and Brian May is a Ph.D.-level Astrophysicist. He completed his Ph.D. in 2007.
3. When the King of Pop himself advises, one better take it.
We owe Michael Jackson the release of Queen’s all-time favourite rock anthem of many, “Another One Bites the Dust”. Originally Queen wasn’t going to release the masterpiece written by John Deacon. But when MJ heard the tune backstage in a concert in L.A., he made the band members realize the mistake they would make if they didn’t release it as their lead single in the 1980 album - The Game
4. Queen holds a few Guinness World Records?!
Yes, they do! It is no surprise that the band has broken some huge records. Queen holds the title for the world’s longest-running fan club for a rock group, “The UK’s favourite hit of all time” for “The Bohemian Rhapsody”. They also hold the record for having their albums spending the most time on the UK Album charts than any other band/musician, for a total of 1,322 weeks/26 years.
Discovering lesser-known interesting facts about one of the iconic rock bands of all time is a delight that a rock lover like me will savour for a long long time.
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