All articles tagged with #queen
Queen guitarist Brian May has confirmed he will not tour again, citing a desire for personal freedom, family time, and astrophysics research. While the band’s last live show was in February 2024, May remains open to immersive, AI-driven experiences, though he has reservations about the technology. Drummer Roger Taylor and vocalist Adam Lambert remain open to future collaborations, though no dates are set.
Brian May has clarified that while he has decided against further touring with Queen, he has not permanently ruled out the band’s future. In an interview with The Times, May cited personal reasons, including the death of a family friend and a desire to pursue astrophysics and family time, as the basis for his decision. He noted that Queen + Adam Lambert’s last performance was in February 2024. May expressed interest in an immersive concert experience but voiced concerns about the reliance on AI and data centers. He also recalled Freddie Mercury’s final words after the 1986 Knebworth concert, suggesting Mercury knew of his grim prognosis at the time.
Queen guitarist Brian May has confirmed that the band will not tour again, citing personal reasons and a desire to pursue astrophysics. In a new interview, he recalled Freddie Mercury telling him 'I can't do this any more' after their final 1986 show, now believing Mercury knew of his grim prognosis. While ruling out traditional touring, May remains open to an AI-driven immersive concert experience, though he has reservations about the technology.
A new book reveals the evolution of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody—from an early line about war and the bare-bones idea of a “Cowboy Song” to the naming debate over Queen vs Build Your Own Boat, plus Mercury’s sleep-writing habit, the purchase of a grand piano, and nearly 200 vocal overdubs in three weeks, culminating in the six-minute hit that topped charts and later rebounded into pop culture via Wayne’s World and the 2018 film.
Mary Austin, Freddie Mercury’s closest friend and heir to his Garden Lodge, is sharing Mercury’s private archive with the world via her new book A Life in Lyrics, featuring photos and notes from the singer’s notebooks and lyrics. The collection—once auctioned by Sotheby’s in 2023 for £39.9 million across six sales—includes handwritten lyrics to major songs and Freddie’s personal items; the book provides context to his creative process and his life beyond the stage, with proceeds from the auction supporting Elton John AIDS Foundation and the broader effort to celebrate Mercury’s legacy.
In a Science Advances study, researchers at the Salk Institute observed a rare peaceful transfer of power in a naked mole rat colony: after relocating the Amigos colony, the reigning queen Teré paused reproduction for almost a year, two of her daughters began reproducing in sequence, and Arwen ultimately became the new breeding queen by the end of 2025, showing that even highly eusocial mammals can exhibit flexible, nonviolent queen succession.
Queen has officially ended its large-scale touring, citing aging and health issues of band members, though they may perform occasionally in smaller settings. The band, known for hits like 'Bohemian Rhapsody,' continues to have a strong fan base and remains active in recording and releasing new music.
Queen has released a previously unreleased Christmas song titled ‘Not For Sale (Polar Bear)’, recorded in 1974 during the ‘Queen II’ sessions. The track, featuring Freddie Mercury and Brian May, will be included in the 2026 reissue of ‘Queen II’ and was played for the first time on Planet Rock radio, delighting fans with a rare glimpse into the band's history.
Queen has unveiled a previously unreleased track from 1974, 'Not for Sale (Polar Bear),' originally recorded for their second album but cut from the final version. The song will be officially released in 2026 as part of the reissue of 'Queen II,' and fans can listen to it on YouTube and during a Christmas special. The track offers a rare glimpse into the band's early sound with Freddie Mercury's vocals.
Celebrating 50 years, 'Bohemian Rhapsody' remains Queen's masterpiece, blending innovative recording techniques, operatic influences, and personal expression, especially reflecting Freddie Mercury's complex identity and artistic genius, making it one of the most enduring songs in rock history.
The Ndlovu Youth Choir from South Africa has created the first authorized Zulu-language version of Queen's 'Bohemian Rhapsody,' blending African musical styles and cultural elements, with the blessing of Queen's surviving members, to mark the song's 50th anniversary.
A woman claiming to be Freddie Mercury's secret daughter has spoken out for the first time, amid skepticism from Mercury's close friends and family, with some suggesting DNA evidence supports her claim. The daughter, based on diaries given by Mercury, describes a close relationship with her father and expresses frustration over public doubts and misrepresentations.
Forty years after the historic Live Aid concert, many of its biggest stars like Madonna, Queen, Mick Jagger, Elton John, and others continue to influence music and perform, while some, like Freddie Mercury, Tina Turner, David Bowie, and George Michael, have passed away. The event remains a significant moment in music history, showcasing legendary performances and the enduring legacy of its artists.
Queen was initially reluctant to perform at Live Aid due to exhaustion from a recent tour, but Freddie Mercury was convinced by the massive public demand and the opportunity to perform live for a billion people, leading to an iconic performance that transformed their career.
Kennedy Johnson, once a teenage mother in Detroit, has become the 'Friendship Queen' in Tamale, Ghana, after being honored by local spiritual leader Dakpema Fuseini Bawa. Her journey from a challenging upbringing to royalty involved embracing her African heritage and founding Green Book Travel, a company promoting travel to West Africa for the diaspora. Johnson's role as queen involves community development initiatives, and she has gained significant respect and admiration in the Dagbon Kingdom. Her story is one of resilience and cultural connection.