Queen Fanclub (The Band)

<img src="http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r388/dbzjtd/queen_banner_fotomontage.jpg" border="0"> Welcome to the Queen Fanclub!! This is a Club for Fans of the British Rock Band known as Queen. Queen are a Ledgendary Band who were fromed in the 70's They Have had Loads of songs in the chart and are Famous everywhere. And if you Have not heard Of them then you need serious therapy!! <div class="spoiler"><input type="button" class="button" onClick="this.nextSibling.nextSibling.style.display='block';this.style.display='none';" value="Show spoiler"> <span class="spoiler_content" style="display:none"><input type="button" class="button" onClick="this.parentNode.style.display='none';this.parentNode.parentNode.childNodes[0].style.display='block';" value="Hide spoiler"><br> Queen formed in 1971 and in 1973 signed their first recording contract for EMI. That year they released their first album, QUEEN. The same year saw their first major UK tour, and in 1974 they released QUEEN II as well as making their first UK headlining tour. They made their first US tour, and in November released SHEER HEART ATTACK which was a hit on both sides of the Atlantic. 1975 saw their new release, A NIGHT AT THE OPERA, and – significantly – the single Bohemian Rhapsody. At 5’ 55” it should have been too long for successful radio play but it became one of the greatest singles of all time, staying at No. 1 in the UK chart for nine weeks. The video, directed by Bruce Gowers, is credited with being the first genuine promotional video. The song has regularly featured in all major pop polls and was recently named again as the best single of all time. The success of A NIGHT AT THE OPERA was equally stunning, giving the band their first platinum album. In 1976 they toured the US and Japan and by spring all four albums resided in the UK Top Twenty. Later that year they released A DAY AT THE RACES, and gave a free concert in Hyde Park to an estimated crowd of 200,000 fans. The album was a huge success, advance orders alone amounting to over 500,000. The following year saw two major US tours, the band’s sixth album, NEWS OF THE WORLD and the legendary double A side single, WE WILL ROCK YOU and WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS. 1978’s JAZZ, included another huge hit single in Bicycle Race and Queen toured the US and Canada. They spent much of 1979 touring in Europe and Japan, as well as releasing their first live album, LIVE KILLERS. They were also approached to write the score for a forthcoming feature film, FLASH GORDON. Before that they released THE GAME in 1980 which went five times platinum in Canada alone! Another One Bites The Dust became the band’s biggest selling American single. Later that year the soundtrack for FLASH GORDON was released and by the end of the year Queen had sold over 45,000,000 albums worldwide. In 1981 they toured the Far East and were the first band to make a stadium tour of South America. They played to 131,000 people in Sao Paolo, the largest paying audience for any band anywhere in the world. GREATEST HITS, GREATEST FLIX and GREATEST PIX were released simultaneously later in the year and Greatest Hits has rarely been out of the UK album charts since. Greatest Flix was the first collection of promo-videos released commercially by any band. Next year saw the release of the band’s twelfth album, HOT SPACE whilst they were in the middle of a European tour. 1984 saw THE WORKS and the single Radio Ga Ga became a worldwide hit, reaching No. 1 in 19 countries. Another huge hit was I Want To Break Free, featuring one of their most famous videos, all dressed in drag. In 1985 they were the headlining act at Rock in Rio, the biggest festival to be held anywhere in the world. They again made history that year with the show-stealing performance at Live Aid from Wembley Stadium, which proved to be a turning point for the band, One Vision being the first post Live Aid release. 1986 saw their 14th album, A KIND OF MAGIC, which was the soundtrack to the Russel Mulcahy film, Highlander. The title track became another worldwide smash and the album entered the UK charts at No. 1; later in the year the 2nd live album, LIVE MAGIC, went into the charts at No. 3. Between 1988 and 1991 Queen released three more albums, THE MIRACLE in 1989 and in 1991 INNUENDO and GREATEST HITS TWO. All three entered the UK charts at No. 1, as did the single Innuendo. On 23rd November 1991 Freddie Mercury announced to the world that he had AIDS and the next day he died peacefully at his home, surrounded by family and friends. He remains the most high profile loss from the disease in the entertainment world and the news shocked fans throughout the world. As a tribute Bohemian Rhapsody /These Are The Days Of Our Lives was released as a double A-sided single to raise funds for the Terence Higgins Trust. It entered the UK chart at No. 1, where it stayed for five weeks, raising over £1,000,000 for the charity and Queen became the first band to have the same single top the uK charts twice. In December of that year Queen had 10 albums in the UK Top 100. In 1992 Freddie was awarded posthumously the BRIT’s “Outstanding Contribution to British Music” and Days Of Our Lives won Best Single. On 20th April many of the world’s top stars joined Brian, Roger and John on stage at Wembley for an emotional tribute to Freddie. In 1995 the tracks that Queen had begun in 1991 were completed by Brian, Roger and John and the long-awaited MADE IN HEAVEN was released worldwide. It was the end of an era. Since then the phenomenon of Queen has remained, however, with continuing sales for their recorded output on CD and video. A ballet of their music by famous French choreographer Maurice Bejart was premiered at the National Theatre in Paris in 1997 and in May 2002 the hit musical We Will Rock You opened to sell-out audiences in London’s West End and continues to play to packed houses and standing ovations every night. Queen’s first DVD Greatest Video Hits Vol.1 was released at the end of October 2002, and yet another piece of Queen product entered the UK charts at number 1. October 2002 also saw Queen receive their own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Los Angeles, joining The Beatles as only one of a handful of non-US bands to receive the much coveted honour. Last year, 2004 they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Walk of Fame, and in the UK were voted by the public into the first UK Music Hall of Fame. Queen’s musical has since opened in Australia, Spain, Las Vegas,USA, Russia, Germany and is scheduled to open in Japan this May. Brian and Roger continue to be ambassadors for Nelson Mandela’s 46664 HIV/AIDS awareness campaign and this month, March, played a second benefit concert for 46664 in Fancourt, South Africa. Brian and Roger take Queen back onto the touring circuit for the first time since 1986 this Spring, joined by former Free/Bad Company singer, songwriter and musicial Paul Rodgers playing concerts across the UK and throughout Europe. The tour covers over a dozen countries over a six week period, followed in July by 4 major outdoor concerts including London’s Hyde Park on July 8, a venue they last played in September 1976 when playing a free concert, they attracted a record audience of 150,000 to the Royal Park. <!--spoiler--></span></div> Band Mebers Freddie Mercury - Vocals Brian May- Guitar Roger Taylor- Drums John Deacon- Bass Freddie Mercury <div class="spoiler"><input type="button" class="button" onClick="this.nextSibling.nextSibling.style.display='block';this.style.display='none';" value="Show spoiler"> <span class="spoiler_content" style="display:none"><input type="button" class="button" onClick="this.parentNode.style.display='none';this.parentNode.parentNode.childNodes[0].style.display='block';" value="Hide spoiler"><br> Freddie Mercury Real Name: Farookh Bulsara Birthday: September 5, 1946 Birthplace: Zanzibar, Tanzania Died: November 24, 1991 Height: 5’ 9” (175.2 cm) Instruments:Vocals, piano, guitar, keyboards Favorite singer: Aretha Franklin Favorite actress: Marilyn Monroe Favorite drink: Champagne, iced Vodka Favorite food: Indian While in Bombay at St Peters Boarding School Fred joined his first band The Hectics in 1959. They only performed at the school, but young Freddie would be sitting at the piano totally enjoying being a performer and on stage. After moving to London he started making friends – who happened to be in various bands. He eventually worked with one of these friends Roger Taylor and they set up a stall in Kensington Market. He was so keen to be in a band himself he hooked up with a group who had travelled from Liverpool seeking fame in fortune in the capital. During August of 1969 Freddie joined the group called Ibex as their lead singer. Concerts had been arranged in the North West of England and Freddie travelled out of London to perform in his new band. August 23rd their first show at Bolton Octagon Theatre gave Freddie the chance to show his skills. At one of the shows on September 9th history was in the making at Liverpool The Sink. Brian and Roger travelled to see him play and before the end of the show both guys joined him on stage! For the first time anywhere Liverpool was the city where Freddie, Brian and Roger played together on a stage. One week later Freddie played his last show with Ibex at St Helens College of Technology. Back in London he couldn’t not be in a band and found himself in a group called Wreckage. The following month on Guy Fawkes Night played his first gig with them at Imperial College supporting Iron butterfly. Two months later it was the end of the line for Wreckage. On December 12th Freddie played his final gig at Widnes Wade Deacon Grammar School. Once again history would be in the making in Merseyside. Freddie lifted his microphone and the top bit broke away from the main stand and he carried on the show with his shortened mic stand – this would later become his trademark! The following year on March 1st Freddie auditioned to join a band Sour Milk Sea – he was successful. Within 20 days he was performing live with them at Oxford Headington Parish Hall. He only lasted for 3 shows and on April 3rd at London Temple he bid them goodbye. No band again and he found that his two best friends Brian and Roger had split from their band – this was his chance now to join them – he was keen to do so and attended many of Smiles shows and wanted to be on stage with the two of them. He asked them to join him to form a new band who would be majestic and go on to big things…Brian and Roger had nothing to lose and agreed! Freddie/Brian/Roger The first they realised was they would need a bass player. Roger asked his old friend from Truro Mike Grose would he consider joining. Mike agreed and travelled to London. He had already met Brian and Freddie. The big discussion was what to call this band and they eventually choose the name Queen. On June 27th 1970 Queen gave their inaugural performance at Truro City Hall – even though the gig was billed as Smile. Roger promised his mother the band would play at a charity gig she was organising – he didn’t want to let her down! The band went on from strength to strength. Though they couldn’t keep a bass player! At one show on October 16th a certain bass player was in the audience at College of Estates Management Hall – his name was John Deacon. The following year in 1971 Brian and Roger attend a disco at Maria Assumpta Teaching Training College and John Deacon was at the same disco. The guys were introduced to him. They told him they were looking for a bass player and asked if he would like to audition with them and their lead singer – he agreed… Freddie tragically died on November 24th, 1991 at the age of 45, of AIDS related bronchial pneumonia. Interesting Facts Freddie had 30 pets Japanese carp fish worth at the time he bought them 1,000 pounds each. However the poor fancy fish met a tragic end when they died after their pool being cleaned. Freddie had an extravagant taste in art. He once bought a set of hand-painted china for 250,000 pounds and went to Geneva to learn how to make the stuff himself <!--spoiler--></span></div> Brian May <div class="spoiler"><input type="button" class="button" onClick="this.nextSibling.nextSibling.style.display='block';this.style.display='none';" value="Show spoiler"> <span class="spoiler_content" style="display:none"><input type="button" class="button" onClick="this.parentNode.style.display='none';this.parentNode.parentNode.childNodes[0].style.display='block';" value="Hide spoiler"><br> Brian May Birthday: July 19, 1947 Birthplace: Twickenham, England Height: 6’ 1.5” (186.7 cm) Instruments: Guitars, synths, vocals Favorite song: “Tracks of My Tears” by Smoky Robinson and The Miracles Favorite actor: Clint Eastwood Favorite drinks: Guinness Brian joined his first band in July 1964 and they named themselves 1984. Brian played lead guitar. At one of their shows at Whitton Murray Parkhill Brian met a chap called Tim Staffell. The group rehearsed at Chase Bridge Primary School. Tim eventually joined the group to play harmonica and take on the job of lead vocalist. On October 28th the band gave their first performance at Twickenham St Mary’s Church Hall. Through constant hard work they became very popular and played many shows. Their first show at Imperial College was during October of their first year together as 1984. The group recorded some songs onto a tape recorder and used these recordings to enter a competition. In 1967 on May 13th they returned to Imperial College to support the legendary Jimi Hendrix. A month later on 28th June Brian was at London Abbey Road studios working with Left-Handed Marriage on some recordings. A month later on July 31st he went into London Regent Sound Studios for more recordings with this group. On 29th September thanks to the tape recordings they performed at Croydon Top Rank Club and won the competition! Christmas Eve that year they performed at the huge London Olympia at 5 in the morning! Three months into 1968 the band decided to go their separate ways. 1984 split! Later that year in the October Brian and Tim decided to forma new group and placed an ad on the notice board of Imperial College asking for a drummer. Later that month a guy named Roger Meddows Taylor applied and became the third an final member of the trio they were to name Smile. Smile Smile’s first show was on October 26th 1968 at Imperial College supporting Pink Floyd. They went down a storm. February 27th the following year they played at London’s Royal Albert Hall. This was in aid of the National Council for the Unmarried Mother and her Child. The show was arranged by Imperial College. Roger took the group down to his home territory in Truro and there they played many shows. They used to take along a friend of theirs called Fred Bulsara and he would attend as many of their shows as possible, On April 19th at a show at London speakeasy Club they met up with Mercury Records A & R man Lou Reizner who signed them up to the label. In June they were in Trident Studios recording their own material. In August a single was released Earth but only in the USA. The following month they were asked to record once again – this time at De Lane Lea Studios. By the end of the year they performed at the infamous Marquee in London. Spring of 1970 Tim decided to leave the band and Brian and Roger were gutted! They weren’t down for long as their friend Freddie had a bigger idea for the three of them to form a new band! Interesting Facts Brian and his father literally built his famous guitar, Red Special partly from a fireplace. Brian is so overprotective of his Red Special that when he was travelling by plane once he bought a seat for specifically for it. Brian was seriously ill in 1974, when he collapsed with Hepatitis in the middle of their US tour, which had to be cancelled. Recovering from the illness, Brian recorded his bits on Sheer Heart Attack in-between rushes to the bathroom. No one who knew him believed Brian wrote “Son and Daughter” because it had the word “shit” in it. Not a follower of fashion, Brian is also famous for his long curls and clogs which he’s been wearing for so long that he actually saw them come back into fashion. Brian is a collector of early stereographs and still partakes in astronomy. Brian is a vegetarian. <!--spoiler--></span></div> Roger Taylor <div class="spoiler"><input type="button" class="button" onClick="this.nextSibling.nextSibling.style.display='block';this.style.display='none';" value="Show spoiler"> <span class="spoiler_content" style="display:none"><input type="button" class="button" onClick="this.parentNode.style.display='none';this.parentNode.parentNode.childNodes[0].style.display='block';" value="Hide spoiler"><br> Roger Taylor Birthday: July 26, 1949 Birthplace: King’s Lynn, Norfolk, England Height: 5’ 10.5” (179.1 cm) Instruments: Drums, percussion, synths, vocals Favourtie actor: John Hurt Favourite actress: Maggie Smith Favourite singer(s): Bruce Springsteen, U2 Favourite drink: Vodka, and good expensive white wine In July 1957 he joined his first band The Bubblingover Boys. It was a skiffle group and he played ukulele. They didn’t last long and their final performance was at Rogers school Bosvigo School in Truro. Six years later in 1963 he joined The Cousin Jacks and this time played rhythm guitar. They played a handful of gigs including some for the local Liberal Party. The following year he joined a trio named Beat Unlimited. This time he played drums and occasional guitar. The groups name changed to The Falcons. He left this group in February 1965. Within a month he joined Johnny Quale and The Reactions. He played drums and immediately performed with them at Truro City Hall on March 15th at the ‘Rock N Rhythm Championships’. He performed in front of 1,000 people – his biggest audience to date. The group came 4th in the competition. By the end of September he was their lead vocalist as well as their drummer. The group then changed their name to The Reaction. The band became quite established on the Cornwall circuit. Roger became psychedelic and on New Years Eve poured petrol on his cymbals and lit them during the show! In March 1966 the band once again entered the ‘Rock N Thythm Championship’ competition and won! The group then became known as Reaction. By end of September it was back to The Reaction! During November of that same year Roger went into Wadebridge Sound Studios for his first experience at recording. The whole of 1967 was spent gigging with the band. Sadly on 1st September 1968 Roger left The Reaction and his final show was at Trevallas Port in a thunderstorm. In October once Roger had moved to London a friend of his told him their was an ad at Imperial College asking if a drummer was interested in joining a new band…. Smile went on to play many gigs and earned a great reputation. Sadly in April 1970 it all came to an end and Smile split and Roger was left with no band to play in. But – a friend of his had an idea… Smile Smile’s first show was on October 26th 1968 at Imperial College supporting Pink Floyd. They went down a storm. February 27th the following year they played at London’s Royal Albert Hall. This was in aid of the National Council for the Unmarried Mother and her Child. The show was arranged by Imperial College. Roger took the group down to his home territory in Truro and there they played many shows. They used to take along a friend of theirs called Fred Bulsara and he would attend as many of their shows as possible, On April 19th at a show at London speakeasy Club they met up with Mercury Records A & R man Lou Reizner who signed them up to the label. In June they were in Trident Studios recording their own material. In August a single was released Earth but only in the USA. The following month they were asked to record once again – this time at De Lane Lea Studios. By the end of the year they performed at the infamous Marquee in London. Spring of 1970 Tim decided to leave the band and Brian and Roger were gutted! They weren’t down for long as their friend Freddie had a bigger idea for the three of them to form a new band! Interesting Facts Roger has a fear of spiders. Roger shaved his legs for the “I Want To Break Free” video. The woman in the “Breakthru” video is Debbie Leng, Roger’s future girlfriend and mother of three of his children. <!--spoiler--></span></div> John Deacon <div class="spoiler"><input type="button" class="button" onClick="this.nextSibling.nextSibling.style.display='block';this.style.display='none';" value="Show spoiler"> <span class="spoiler_content" style="display:none"><input type="button" class="button" onClick="this.parentNode.style.display='none';this.parentNode.parentNode.childNodes[0].style.display='block';" value="Hide spoiler"><br> Birthday: August 19, 1951 Birthplace: Leicester, England Height: 5’ 9” (175.2 cm) Talents: Bass guitar, double bass, keyboards, and having kids! Favourite actress: Jean Alexander Favourite drink: Tea On September 21st in 1965 John joined his first group and they were called Opposition. He was their rhythm guitarist. Four days later he gave his first performance with the group in the bass players house! A warm up for a show the following month at Leicester Gartree School. In may of 1966 the band changed their name to The New Opposition and played many shows in this name. By January 1967 they were bored with “new” in the name and went back to The Opposition. On 29th of the month they played at Leicester London Road Casino in a ‘Midland Beat Championship’ and earned a place in the final the following March. Sadly that event never happened because someone forgot to book the hall! March 1968 saw another name change – now to Art. They played lots of shows and had a good name in the area. During May 1969 Art recorded an acetate at Wellingborough Beck Studios. August 29th was Johns last gig with Art at Great Glen Youth & Sports Centre. He was moving down to London. During 1970 John was asked to play a show and he formed the group Deacon for a one off appearance at London Chelsea College on November 21st. He scoured the pages of ‘Melody Maker’ looking to see if any band wanted a bass player but no joy. February 1971 he attended a disco and was introduced to 2 guys Brian May and Roger Taylor who had formed a band and needed a bass player. They asked him to audition and he agreed. John had already seen Queen play and thought they were reasonable. He went along to Imperial College and after playing was offered the job to join this band Queen. He had to wait until July 2nd to perform with them at London surrey College. Interesting Fact Though he is the least prolific lyricist on the band, John is credited with writing Queen’s biggest hit to date; “Another One Bites The Dust” <!--spoiler--></span></div>