Queen: 10 Interesting Facts About the Regal Band
Few bands in music history have had the impact and lasting legacy of Queen – Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor, and John Deacon. With their electrifying performances, and breaking boundaries with their genre-defying sound, they’ve cemented their place among the all-time greats.
From rock anthems and operatic masterpieces, to deep cuts loved by the most loyal fans, Queen’s music continues to be enjoyed by the oldest to the youngest generations.
Here are 10 fun facts about the regal band.
1. ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ topped the UK charts in 3 decades
“Bohemian Rhapsody” isn’t just Queen’s biggest hit – it’s a cultural phenomenon. The song made history by topping the UK Singles Chart in three different decades.
It first hit No. 1 in 1975, stayed there for nine weeks, and then returned to the top spot in 1991 following following Freddie Mercury’s passing. In 2018, thanks to the release of the ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ biopic, it climbed the UK Sales Chart again, peaking at No.45.
Although it was the best-selling single and topped the Sales chart, it didn’t reach No.1 on the official UK Singles chart due to changes in ranking which now includes streams and digital downloads, rather than just copies sold.
2. They are metal pioneers
While Queen is often associated with radio-friendly pop-rock hits and stadium anthems, , their early work was surprisingly heavy.
Albums like “Queen”, “Queen II”, and “Sheer Heart Attack” featured some of the heaviest riffs of the 1970s. The track ‘Stone Cold Crazy’ from “Sheer Heart Attack” is often considered a proto-thrash metal song, predating the genre by nearly a decade.
Metallica, one of the biggest metal bands in history, has frequently covered their songs both live and in the studio.
3. All members are inducted into the Songwriters HoF
In 2003, Queen became the only band in history to have all four members inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. A well-deserved recognition as each member contributed massive hits to their catalog.
Freddie Mercury wrote ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ and ‘Somebody to Love’, Brian May penned ‘We Will Rock You’ and ‘I Want It All’, Roger Taylor was behind ‘Radio Ga Ga’ and ‘A Kind of Magic’, and John Deacon wrote ‘Another One Bites the Dust’ and ‘You’re My Best Friend’.
4. Brian May and Roger Taylor were bandmates before Queen
Before Queen, Brian May and Roger Taylor were in a band called Smile alongside lead vocalist and bassist Tim Staffell.
When Staffell left in 1970 to join another band, May and Taylor recruited Freddie Mercury (then Farrokh Bulsara) who convinced them to start fresh and form a new band. However, the classic line-up was completed in early 1971 when bassist John Deacon joined the band after they had tried three different bassists in the in between.
5. Freddie is the “Godfather” of Queen
Freddie Mercury didn’t just front the band, he was also responsible for naming it. While May and Taylor considered keeping “Smile,” Mercury insisted on a new name.
He came up with Queen, a name he believed to be strong, regal, and memorable. While it may have sounded flamboyant for a rock group, the theatrical nature of the name perfectly suited Freddie‘s stage persona.
6. Queen has sold 300 million records worldwide
The commercial success of Queen is staggering, with estimated record sales of between 250 and 300 million units worldwide, making them one of the best-selling music acts of all time. This includes studio albums, live albums, compilations, singles, and DVDs.
Their ‘Greatest Hits’ albums are among the best-selling records of all time, and hit singles such as ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, ‘We Will Rock You’, and ‘We Are the Champions’ remain global anthems.
7. Queen is the music act with most weeks on the UK Albums chart
Queen holds the record for most weeks spent on the UK Albums Chart with over 2,000 cumulative weeks spent on the chart beating the likes of The Beatles, Elton John, Michael Jackson, Fleetwood Mac, David Bowie, Pink Floyd and others
Even on the combined UK Singles and Albums Chart, they rank third behind Elvis Presley and Ed Sheeran, with over 460 weeks on the singles chart alone.
8. They have the best-selling album in the United Kingdom
Queen’s ‘Greatest Hits’ (1981) compilation is the best-selling album ever in the United Kingdom with over of 7 million official copies sold, beating some of the biggest names in the music industry – The Beatles, ABBA, Adele, Oasis, Fleetwood Mac and Pink Floyd.
Their follow-up compilation, ‘Greatest Hits II’ (1991), has also made the list of best-selling albums (No.15) with over 4 million copies in the UK.
9. The first band to feature on a British coin
In January 2020, Queen made history as the first band to be commemorated on a British coin alongside Queen Elizabeth II. The Royal Mint released a special £5 coin featuring the instruments of all four members, celebrating their contribution to music.
Queen is also one of only three bands alongside The Beatles and Pink Floyd to be honored with a UK postage stamp.
10. One of the most influential bands of all time
Queen’s influence spans across multiple generations and genres.
Their innovative sound and theatrical performances have inspired rock and metal bands like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Def Leppard and Guns N’ Roses, as well as pop icons like Adele, Lady Gaga, and George Michael. Artists from alternative and grunge scenes, such as Nirvana, Nine Inch Nails and Muse, and even country music stars like Faith Hill and Carrie Underwood have cited Queen as a major influence.
Final Thoughts
From chart-topping anthems to groundbreaking performances and pioneering sounds, Queen’s legacy is unmatched, influencing musicians across genres and breaking barriers.
But the best thing about them is the timeless hits that still sound fresh to this day and continue to resonate with both the older and younger generations.