Editing Queen (band) (section)

==History==

===1968–1971: Foundations===
The founding members of Queen met in west London during the late 1960s. Guitarist [[Brian May]] had built [[Red Special|his own guitar]] with his father in 1963, and formed the group 1984 (named after [[Nineteen Eighty-Four|Orwell's novel]]) the following year with singer [[Tim Staffell]].{{sfn|Blake|2010|pp=30,32–33}} May left the group in early 1968 to focus on his degree in Physics and Infrared Astronomy at [[Imperial College London|Imperial College]] and find a group that could write original material.{{sfn|Blake|2010|pp=37,44,64}} He formed the group [[Smile (band)|Smile]] with Staffell (now playing bass) and keyboardist Chris Smith.{{sfn|Blake|2010|p=59}} To complete the line-up, May placed an advertisement on a college notice board for a "[[Mitch Mitchell]]/[[Ginger Baker]] type" drummer; [[Roger Taylor (Queen drummer)|Roger Taylor]], a young dental student, auditioned and got the job.{{sfn|Hodkinson|2004|p=118}} Smith left the group in early 1969, immediately before a gig at the [[Royal Albert Hall]] with [[Free (band)|Free]] and the [[Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band]].{{sfn|Blake|2010|p=62}}

[[File:Queen @ Imperial College campus - 1970.jpg|thumb|left|Queen in 1970. Left to right; Mike Grose (who was the first of the band's three early bass players before John Deacon joined in 1971), Roger Taylor, Freddie Mercury and Brian May]]
While attending [[Ealing Art College]] in west London, Staffell became friends with fellow student [[Freddie Mercury|Farrokh "Freddie" Bulsara]], who was from [[Zanzibar]] and of Indian [[Parsi]] descent.{{sfn|Blake|2010|p=44}}<ref>{{cite news |title=Freddie Mercury's complex relationship with Zanzibar |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-45900712 |access-date=28 February 2019 |agency=BBC |archive-date=25 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025001722/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/world-africa-45900712 |url-status=live }}</ref> Bulsara had studied fashion design for a year before switching to graphic art and design,{{sfn|Blake|2010|p=56-57}} and soon became a keen fan of Smile. He asked if he could join the group as lead singer, but May felt Staffell would not give up that role.{{sfn|Blake|2010|p=65}} He also ran a stall in [[Kensington Market, London|Kensington Market]] with Taylor.{{sfn|Dean|1986|p=7}}

[[File:Queen First Public Performance Here 18 July 1970.jpg|thumb|upright|[[PRS for Music]] heritage award at [[Prince Consort Road]] commemorating Queen's first performance in London]]
In 1970, Staffell quit Smile, feeling his interests in [[Soul music|soul]] and [[Rhythm and blues|R&B]] clashed with the group's hard rock sound and being fed up with the lack of success. He formed the group [[Humpy Bong]] with former [[Bee Gees]] drummer [[Colin Petersen]].{{sfn|Blake|2010|pp=92–93}} The remaining members accepted Bulsara as lead singer, and recruited Taylor's friend Mike Grose as bassist. The four played their first gig at a fundraising event in [[Truro]] on 27 June 1970.{{sfn|Blake|2010|p=95}} Bulsara suggested the group should be renamed to "Queen". The others were uncertain at first, but he said, "it's wonderful, dear, people will love it".{{sfn|Blake|2010|p=95}} At the same time, he decided to [[Name change#United Kingdom|change his surname]] to Mercury, inspired by the line "Mother Mercury, look what they've done to me" in the song "[[Queen (Queen album)#"My Fairy King"|My Fairy King]]".{{sfn|Blake|2010|p=96}} The group played their first London gig on 18 July.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-21669973 |title=Heritage award to mark Queen's first gig |publisher=bbc.co.uk |date=5 March 2013 |access-date=22 June 2018 |archive-date=26 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326015501/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-21669973 |url-status=live }}</ref> The early set consisted of material that later appeared on the first two albums, along with various rock and roll covers, such as [[Cliff Richard]] and [[the Shadows]]' "[[Please Don't Tease]]". They attracted the attention of producer [[John Anthony (record producer)|John Anthony]], who was interested in the group's sound but thought they had the wrong bass player.{{sfn|Blake|2010|p=96}} After three live gigs, Mike Grose decided not to continue with the band and was replaced by Barry Mitchell (ex [[Crushed Butler]]). Mitchell played thirteen gigs with Queen between August 1970 and January 1971.{{sfn|Blake|2010|p=97}} In turn, Mitchell left in January 1971 and was replaced by Doug Bogie for two live gigs.{{sfn|Blake|2010|pp=102,105}}

===1971–1974: ''Queen'' and ''Queen II''===
In February 1971, [[John Deacon]] joined Queen. In addition to being an experienced bassist, his quiet demeanour complemented the band, and he was skilled in electronics.{{sfn|Blake|2010|p=107}} On 2 July, Queen played their first show with the classic line-up of Mercury, May, Taylor and Deacon at a Surrey college outside London.{{sfn|Sutcliffe|2009|p=26}} May called Terry Yeadon, an engineer at Pye Studios where Smile had recorded, to see if he knew anywhere where Queen could go. Yeadon had since moved to [[De Lane Lea Studios]]' new premises in [[Wembley]], and they needed a group to test out the equipment and recording rooms. He tried asking [[the Kinks]] but couldn't get hold of them. Therefore, he told Queen they could record some demos in exchange for the studio's acoustic tests.{{sfn|Blake|2010|pp=112–113}} They recorded five of their own songs, "[[Liar (Queen song)|Liar]]", "[[Keep Yourself Alive]]", "[[Queen (Queen album)#"Great King Rat"|Great King Rat]]", "[[Queen (Queen album)#"The Night Comes Down"|The Night Comes Down]]" and "[[Queen (Queen album)#"Jesus"|Jesus]]". During the recording, producers John Anthony and [[Roy Thomas Baker]] visited the band. The two were taken with "Keep Yourself Alive" and began promoting the band to several record companies.{{sfn|Blake|2010|p=114}}

[[File:The Cavern Club, exhibited signed guitars for memorable performances - The Rolling Stones (5th November 1963) - Crescent Stratocaster, Queen (31st October 1970) - Squier Stratocaster (2016-09-04 20.44.17 by NH53).jpg|thumb|left|upright|Queen guitar (right, next to a Rolling Stones guitar) at the [[The Cavern Club|Cavern Club]] in Liverpool, marking a 31 October 1970 Queen concert at the venue]]
Promoter Ken Testi managed to attract the interest of [[Charisma Records]], who offered Queen an advance of around £25,000, but the group turned them down as they realised the label would promote [[Genesis (band)|Genesis]] as a priority. Testi then entered discussions with [[Trident Studios]]' [[Norman Sheffield]], who offered the band a management deal under Neptune Productions, a subsidiary of Trident, to manage the band and enable them to use their facilities, while the management searched for a deal. This suited both parties, as Trident were expanding into management, and under the deal, Queen were able to make use of the hi-tech recording facilities used by signed musicians.{{sfn|Blake|2010|pp=117–118}} Taylor later described these early off-peak studio hours as "gold dust".<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06s76l4|title=Queen: From Rags to Rhapsody – BBC Four|website=BBC|language=en-GB|access-date=9 May 2018|archive-date=7 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180207023709/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06s76l4|url-status=live}}</ref>

Queen began 1972 with a gig at [[Bedford College, London|Bedford College]], London where only six people turned up. After a few more shows, they stopped live performances for eight months to work on the album with Anthony and Baker.{{sfn|Blake|2010|pp=117–118}} During the sessions at Trident, they saw [[David Bowie]] with [[the Spiders from Mars]] live and realised they needed to make an impact with the album, otherwise they would be left behind.{{sfn|Blake|2010|pp=119–120}} Co-producers Anthony and Baker initially clashed with the band (May in particular) on the direction of the album, bringing the band's inexperience in the studio to bear.{{sfn|Doherty|2011|p=8}} The band's fighting centered around their efforts to integrate technical perfection with the reality of live performances, leading to what Baker referred to as "kitchen sink overproduction".<ref>{{cite book|last=Baker|first=J.I.|year=2019|title=The Music. The Life. The Rhapsody|page=31|publisher=LIFE Magazine}}</ref> The resulting album was a mix of [[heavy metal music|heavy metal]] and [[progressive rock]].{{sfn|Doherty|2011|p=8}} The group were unhappy with the re-recording of "The Night Comes Down", so the finished album uses the De Lane Lea demo. Another track, "[[Headlong (song)#B-sides|Mad the Swine]]" was dropped from the running order after the band and Baker could not agree on a mix.{{sfn|Blake|2010|p=121}} [[Mike Stone (record producer)|Mike Stone]] created the final mix for "Keep Yourself Alive", and he went on to work on several other Queen albums.{{sfn|Blake|2010|p=122}} By January 1972, the band finished recording their debut album, but had yet to secure a record contract.{{sfn|Doherty|2011|p=8}} In order to attract record company interest, Trident booked a "showcase" gig on 6 November at [[The Pheasantry]], followed by a show at the [[Marquee Club]] on 20 December.{{sfn|Dean|1986|p=17}}

Queen promoted the unreleased album in February 1973 on [[BBC Radio 1]], still unsigned. The following month, Trident managed to strike a deal with [[EMI Records]]. "Keep Yourself Alive" was released as a single on 6 July, with the album ''[[Queen (Queen album)|Queen]]'' appearing a week later. The front cover showed a shot of Mercury live on stage taken by Taylor's friend Douglass Puddifoot. Deacon was credited as "Deacon John" while Taylor used his full name, Roger Meddows-Taylor.{{sfn|Blake|2010|pp=126–127}} The album was received well by critics; Gordon Fletcher of ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' called it "superb",<ref name=RS1 /> and Chicago's ''[[Daily Herald (Arlington Heights)|Daily Herald]]'' called it an "above-average debut".<ref>{{Cite news|title=''Queen''|date=7 December 1973|periodical=Daily Herald|location=Chicago, IL|url=http://queenarchives.com/index.php?title=Queen_-_12-07-1973_-_Queen_-_The_Herald%2C_Chicago%2C_IL|access-date=7 July 2008|archive-date=10 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170710142019/http://queenarchives.com/index.php?title=Queen_-_12-07-1973_-_Queen_-_The_Herald%2C_Chicago%2C_IL|url-status=dead}}</ref> However, it drew little mainstream attention, and "Keep Yourself Alive" sold poorly. Retrospectively, it is cited as the album's highlight, and in 2008 ''Rolling Stone'' ranked it 31st in the "100 Greatest Guitar Songs of All Time", describing it as "an entire album's worth of riffs crammed into a single song".<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/rstone.html|title=100 Greatest Guitar Songs of All Time|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=June 2008|access-date=16 June 2011|archive-date=18 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718180414/http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/rstone.html|url-status=usurped}}</ref> The album was certified gold in the UK and the US.<ref name="bhsa" /><ref name="RIAAC" />

{{Listen
|filename =TheMarchOfTheBlackQueen.ogg
|title ="The March of the Black Queen"
|description =A sample of "[[The March of the Black Queen]]" from ''[[Queen II]]'' (1974). The band's earlier songs (such as this) leaned more towards progressive rock and heavy metal compared to their later work.
}}
The group began to record their second album, ''[[Queen II]]'' in August 1973. Now able to use regular studio time, they decided to make full use of the facilities available. May created a multi-layer guitar introduction "Procession", while Mercury wrote "The Fairy Feller's Master Stroke" based on [[The Fairy Feller's Master-Stroke|the painting of the same name]] by [[Richard Dadd]].{{sfn|Blake|2010|pp=131–132}} The group spent the remainder of the year touring the UK, supporting [[Mott The Hoople|Mott the Hoople]], and began to attract an audience.{{sfn|Dean|1986|p=19}} The tour ended with two shows at the [[Hammersmith Odeon]] on 14 December, playing to 7,000 people.{{sfn|Blake|2010|pp=136–137}}

In January 1974, Queen played the [[Sunbury Pop Festival]] in Australia. They arrived late, and were jeered and taunted by the audience who expected to see home grown acts. Before leaving, Mercury announced, "when we come back to Australia, Queen will be the biggest band in the world!"{{sfn|Blake|2010|p=138-139}}{{sfn|Dean|1986|p=21}} ''Queen II'' was released in March, and features [[Mick Rock]]'s iconic [[Marlene Dietrich|Dietrich]]-inspired image of the band on the cover.{{sfn|Blake|2010|pp=137,142}} This image would later be used as the basis for "Bohemian Rhapsody" music video production.<ref name="cover">{{cite news | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6613107.stm | title = Photographer lives the Rock dream | last = Pryor | first = Fiona | work = BBC News | date = 10 May 2007 | access-date = 25 May 2011 | archive-date = 24 February 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210224113639/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6613107.stm | url-status = live }}</ref>{{refn|name="history"}} The album reached number five on the [[UK Album Chart|British album chart]] and became the first Queen album to chart in the UK. The Mercury-written lead single "[[Seven Seas of Rhye]]" reached number 10 in the UK, giving the band their first hit.{{sfn|Blake|2010|p=148}} The album featured a 'layered' sound which would become their signature, and features long complex instrumental passages, fantasy-themed lyrics, and instrumental virtuosity.{{sfn|Hodkinson|2004|p=127}}<ref name="Erlewine Queen II">{{cite web|author=Stephen Thomas Erlewine|title=Queen II|website=AllMusic|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/r687302|date=November 2019|access-date=28 February 2021|archive-date=2 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120502200119/http://www.allmusic.com/album/r687302|url-status=live}}</ref> Aside from its only single, the album also included the song "[[The March of the Black Queen]]", a six-minute epic which lacks a chorus.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Rusk|first=Bruce|date=12 October 2004|title=Review: ''Queen II''|work=Daily Vault|url=http://www.queenarchives.com/index.php?title=Queen_-_10-12-2004_-_Queen_II_-_Daily_Vault|via=Queen Archives|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101128150116/http://www.queenarchives.com/index.php?title=Queen_-_10-12-2004_-_Queen_II_-_Daily_Vault|archive-date=28 November 2010}}</ref> Critical reaction was mixed; the ''[[Winnipeg Free Press]]'', while praising the band's debut album, described ''Queen II'' as an "over-produced monstrosity".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Review: ''Queen II''|work=Winnipeg Free Press|url=http://www.queenarchives.com/index.php?title=Queen_-_06-08-1974_-_Queen_II_-_Winnipeg_Free_Press|via=Queen Archives|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101128144712/http://www.queenarchives.com/index.php?title=Queen_-_06-08-1974_-_Queen_II_-_Winnipeg_Free_Press|archive-date=28 November 2010}}</ref> [[AllMusic]] has described the album as a favourite among the band's hardcore fans,<ref>{{cite web |last=Thomas |first=Stephen |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/r687302 |title=link Queen II: Allmusic review |website=AllMusic |date=9 April 1974 |access-date=2 June 2010 |archive-date=2 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120502200119/http://www.allmusic.com/album/r687302 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and it is the first of three Queen albums to feature in the book ''[[1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die]]''.<ref name="1001albums"/> The group ended their early 1974 UK tour with a show at the [[Rainbow Theatre]] on 31 March. Mercury chose to a wear a [[Zandra Rhodes]]-designed tunic for the gig, changing into a slashed black top midway through the show.{{sfn|Blake|2010|p=147}}

===1974–1976: ''Sheer Heart Attack'' to ''A Night at the Opera''===

In May 1974, a month into the band's first US tour opening for Mott the Hoople, May collapsed and was diagnosed with hepatitis, forcing the cancellation of their remaining dates.{{sfn|Hodkinson|2004|p=127}} May was still absent when the band started work on their third album, but he returned midway through the recording process.{{sfn|Dean|1986|p=20}} Released in 1974, ''[[Sheer Heart Attack]]'' reached number two in the UK,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/search/albums/Sheer%20Heart%20Attack |title=Queen – Sheer Heart Attack |publisher=[[Official Charts Company]] |access-date=12 September 2019 |archive-date=8 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308155506/https://www.officialcharts.com/search/albums/sheer%20heart%20attack/ |url-status=live }}</ref> sold well throughout Europe, and went gold in the US.<ref name=RIAAC/> It gave the band their first real experience of international success, and was a hit on both sides of the Atlantic.<ref>{{cite web|title=Queen Discography|url=http://www.queenonline.com/en/the-band/discography/queen/|quote=... and in November released Sheer Heart Attack which was a hit on both sides of the Atlantic.|publisher=Queen Online|access-date=28 May 2011|archive-date=26 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120826182522/http://www.queenonline.com/en/the-band/discography/Queen/|url-status=live}}</ref> The album experimented with a variety of musical genres, including [[music hall|British music hall]], [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]], ballads, ragtime, and [[List of Caribbean music genres|Caribbean]]. May's "[[Now I'm Here]]" documented the group's curtailed American tour, and "Brighton Rock" served as a vehicle for his regular on-stage solo guitar spot. Deacon wrote his first song for the group, "Misfire", while the live favourite "[[Stone Cold Crazy]]" was credited to the whole band. Mercury wrote the closing number, "In the Lap of the Gods", with the intention that the audience could sing along to the chorus when played live. This would be repeated later on, more successfully, in songs such as "We Are the Champions.{{sfn|Blake|2010|p=155}}

[[File:BBC TV Centre.jpg|thumb|right|Queen performed "[[Killer Queen]]" at [[BBC Television Centre]] (pictured) on the music chart show ''[[Top of the Pops]]'' in December 1974. This was their second appearance on the show; their previous (performing "[[Seven Seas of Rhye]]") brought them overnight fame.<ref>{{cite news|last=Ramazzotti|first=Giorgina|title=Queen: The pivotal moment unknown band stood in for David Bowie on TV and found overnight fame – video|url=https://www.smoothradio.com/artists/queen/band-first-tv-gig-video-top-of-the-pops-david-bowie/|date=25 June 2020|access-date=26 April 2023|agency=Smooth Radio|archive-date=26 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230426205646/https://www.smoothradio.com/artists/queen/band-first-tv-gig-video-top-of-the-pops-david-bowie/|url-status=live}}</ref>]]
The single "[[Killer Queen]]" was written by Mercury about a high-class prostitute.{{sfn|Dean|1986|p=22}} It reached number two on the British charts,<ref name="bhsa"/> and became their first US hit, reaching number 12 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]].<ref name="bbtfh">{{Cite book|last=Whitburn|first=Joel|author-link=Joel Whitburn|year=2006|title=The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits|publisher=Billboard Books}}</ref> The song was partly recorded at [[Rockfield Studios]] in Wales.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Popoff |first1=Martin |title=Queen: Album by Album |date=2018 |publisher=Voyageur Press |page=36}}</ref> With Mercury playing the grand piano, it combines camp, [[vaudeville]], and British music hall with May's guitar. "Now I'm Here" was released as the second single, reached number eleven.<ref name="Jones BBC">{{cite web|ref=none|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/xxhj|title=Queen: ''Sheer Heart Attack'' Review|author=Jones, Chris|date=7 June 2007|publisher=BBC|access-date=25 May 2011|archive-date=20 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620113856/https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/xxhj/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2006, ''[[Classic Rock (magazine)|Classic Rock]]'' ranked ''Sheer Heart Attack'' number 28 in "The 100 Greatest British Rock Albums Ever",<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/steveparker/classicrock2.htm |title=Classic Rock 'The 100 Greatest British Rock Albums Ever' |publisher=rocklistmusic |access-date=2 June 2010 |archive-date=15 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130515072650/http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/steveparker/classicrock2.htm |url-status=usurped }}</ref> and in 2007, ''[[Mojo (magazine)|Mojo]]'' ranked it No.88 in "The 100 Records That Changed the World".<ref>''[[Mojo (magazine)|Mojo]]'', June 2007, "The 100 Records That Changed the World"</ref> It is also the second of three Queen albums to feature in the book ''1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die''.<ref name="1001albums"/>

In January 1975, Queen left for a world tour with an upgraded light show. They toured the US as headliners, and played in Canada for the first time.{{sfn|Dean|1986|p=25}} Several dates were cancelled after Mercury contracted [[laryngitis]].{{sfn|Dean|1986|pp=24–27}} The band then toured Japan from mid-April to the beginning of May. They were greeted by thousands of screaming fans, and played eight times in seven cities.{{sfn|Blake|2010|p=163}}{{sfn|Dean|1986|p=27}} Despite the success, Queen were still tied to the original Trident deal and wages. They were all living in relative poverty in bedsits, and Deacon was refused money for a deposit on a house. EMI contacted lawyer [[Jim Beach]], who tried to find a way of extracting them from their contract. Trident complained that they had invested £200,000 in Queen and wanted their money back first.{{sfn|Blake|2010|pp=160,165}} In August, after an acrimonious split with Trident, the band negotiated themselves out of their contract and searched for new management.{{sfn|Blake|2010|p=166}} One of the options they considered was an offer from [[Led Zeppelin]]'s manager, [[Peter Grant (music manager)|Peter Grant]], who wanted them to sign with Led Zeppelin's own production company, [[Swan Song Records]]. The band were concerned about being a lower priority than Zeppelin and [[Bad Company]] (also signed to Swan Song) and instead contacted [[Elton John]]'s manager, [[John Reid (music manager)|John Reid]], who accepted the position.{{sfn|Blake|2010|p=166}}{{sfn|Hodkinson|2004|p=166}} Reid's first instruction to the band was "I'll take care of the business; you make the best record you can".{{sfn|Blake|2010|p=168}}

Queen started work on their fourth album ''[[A Night at the Opera (Queen album)|A Night at the Opera]]'', taking its name from the popular [[Marx Brothers]] movie. At the time, it was the most expensive album ever produced, costing £40,000 and using three different studios.{{sfn|Blake|2010|p=177}} Like its predecessor, the album features diverse musical styles and experimentation with stereo sound. Mercury wrote the opening song "[[Death on Two Legs (Dedicated to...)|Death on Two Legs]]", a savage dig at perceived wrongdoers (and later dedicated to Trident in concert){{sfn|Blake|2010|p=178}}{{sfn|Dean|1986|p=25}} and the camp vaudeville "Lazing on a Sunday Afternoon" and "Seaside Rendezvous".{{sfn|Blake|2010|p=178}} May's "[[The Prophet's Song]]" was an eight-minute epic; the middle section is a [[canon (music)|canon]], with simple phrases layered to create a full-choral sound. The Mercury penned ballad, "[[Love of My Life (Queen song)|Love of My Life]]", featured a harp and overdubbed vocal harmonies.{{sfn|Blake|2010|p=179}}
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 | quote = He knew exactly what he was doing. It was Freddie's baby. We just helped him bring it to life. We realized we'd look odd trying to mime such a hugely complex thing on TV. It had to be presented in some other way.
 | source = —Brian May on Mercury writing "[[Bohemian Rhapsody]]" and the groundbreaking music video.<ref name="Black">{{cite web|last=Black|first=Johnny|year=2002|title=The Greatest Songs Ever! Bohemian Rhapsody|publisher=Blender|url= http://www.blender.com/guide/66831/greatest-songs-ever-bohemian-rhapsody.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100125102734/http://www.blender.com/guide/66831/greatest-songs-ever-bohemian-rhapsody.html|archive-date=25 January 2010|access-date=12 April 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref>
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The best-known song on the album, "[[Bohemian Rhapsody]]", originated from pieces of music that Mercury had written at Ealing College. Mercury played a run-through of the track on piano in his flat to Baker, stopping suddenly to announce, "This is where the opera section comes in".{{sfn|Blake|2010|p=170}} When the rest of the band started recording the song they were unsure as to how it would be pieced together. After recording the backing track, Baker left a 30-second section of tape to add the operatic vocals. Reportedly, 180 overdubs were used, to the extent that the original tape wore thin.{{sfn|Blake|2010|p=170}} EMI initially refused to release the single, thinking it too long, and demanded a radio edit which Queen refused. Mercury's close friend and advisor, [[Capital London]] radio DJ [[Kenny Everett]], played a pivotal role in giving the single exposure.<ref name="Everett">{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/features/kenny-everett--the-best-possible-way-to-remember-a-true-pioneer-8191316.html|title=Kenny Everett – The best possible way to remember a true pioneer|newspaper=The Independent|access-date=24 January 2015|archive-date=25 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925163508/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/features/kenny-everett--the-best-possible-way-to-remember-a-true-pioneer-8191316.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He was given a promotional copy on the condition he didn't play it, but ended up doing so fourteen times over a single weekend.{{sfn|Blake|2010|p=173}} Capital's switchboard was overwhelmed with callers inquiring when the song would be released.<ref name="Everett"/> With EMI forced to release "Bohemian Rhapsody" due to public demand, the single reached number one in the UK for nine weeks.<ref name="bhsa"/>{{sfn|Blake|2010|p=174}} It is the [[List of best-selling singles in the United Kingdom|third-best-selling single]] of all time in the UK, surpassed only by [[Band Aid (band)|Band Aid]]'s "[[Do They Know It's Christmas?]]" and [[Elton John]]'s "[[Candle in the Wind 1997]]", and is the best-selling commercial single (i.e. ''not'' for charity) in the UK. It also reached number nine in the US (a 1992 re-release reached number two on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 for five weeks).<ref name="bbtfh"/> It is the only single ever to sell a million copies on two separate occasions,<ref name="Queen Online">{{cite web|title=Queen Discography: A Night at the Opera|url=http://www.queenonline.com/en/the-band/discography/night-opera/|publisher=Queen Online|access-date=28 May 2011|archive-date=18 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170518040434/http://www.queenonline.com/en/the-band/discography/night-opera/|url-status=live}}</ref> and became the [[List of Christmas number one singles (UK)|Christmas number one]] twice in the UK, the only single ever to do so. It has also been voted the greatest song of all time in three different polls.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1974538.stm|title=Queen rock on in poll|access-date=16 December 2007|date=8 May 2002|work=BBC News|archive-date=29 January 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080129102116/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1974538.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/bohemian-rhapsody-top-chart-topper/|title='Bohemian Rhapsody' Top Chart Topper|access-date=16 December 2007|date=9 November 2002|work=[[CBS News]]|archive-date=2 April 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070402224251/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/11/09/entertainment/main528777.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.maxtv.com.au/queens-bohemian-rhapsody-greatest-song-of-all-time|title=Queen's 'Bohemian Rhapsody' greatest song of all time|access-date=18 November 2018|archive-date=19 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181119080202/https://www.maxtv.com.au/queens-bohemian-rhapsody-greatest-song-of-all-time|url-status=dead}}</ref>

"Bohemian Rhapsody" was promoted with a music video directed by [[Bruce Gowers]], who had already shot several of Queen's live concerts. The group wanted a video so they could avoid appearing on the BBC's ''[[Top of the Pops]]'', which would clash with tour dates, and it would have looked strange miming to such a complex song.<ref>Directed by Carl Johnston (4 December 2004). ''The Story of Bohemian Rhapsody''. (Television production). BBC. Retrieved 9 March 2019</ref> Filmed at [[Elstree Studios]] in Hertfordshire, the video cost £3,500, five times the typical promotional budget, and was shot in three hours. The operatic section featured a reprise of the ''Queen II'' cover, with the band member's heads animated.{{sfn|Blake|2010|p=174}}{{sfn|Dean|1986|p=28}} On the impact of the "Bohemian Rhapsody" promotional video, ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' states: "Its influence cannot be overstated, practically inventing the music video seven years before MTV went on the air."<ref name="BR music vid">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/party-on-queens-brian-may-remembers-bohemian-rhapsody-on-40th-anniversary-20151030|title=Party On: Queen's Brian May Remembers 'Bohemian Rhapsody' on 40th Anniversary|magazine=Rolling Stone|first=Mark|last=Sutherland|date=30 October 2015|access-date=4 January 2016|archive-date=4 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160104221635/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/party-on-queens-brian-may-remembers-bohemian-rhapsody-on-40th-anniversary-20151030|url-status=dead}}</ref> Ranking it number 31 on their list of the 50 key events in rock music history, ''[[The Guardian]]'' stated it "ensured videos would henceforth be a mandatory tool in the marketing of music".<ref>{{cite news|last1=Hann|first1=Michael|title=Queen herald the age of the music video|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/jun/12/queen-herald-the-age|work=The Guardian|date=12 June 2011|access-date=17 December 2016|archive-date=11 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170311172655/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/jun/12/queen-herald-the-age|url-status=live}}</ref> Radio broadcaster [[Tommy Vance]] states, "It became the first record to be pushed into the forefront by virtue of a video. Queen were certainly the first band to create a 'concept' video. The video captured the musical imagery perfectly. You cannot hear that music without seeing the visuals in your mind's eye."{{refn|1={{harvp|Jones|2012|pp=150, 151}}<ref name="Jones-2012"/>}}

''A Night at the Opera'' was very successful in the UK,<ref name="bhsa">{{Cite book |last=Roberts |first=David |year=2006 |title=[[British Hit Singles & Albums]] |place=London |publisher=Guinness World Records Limited}}</ref> and went [[Music recording sales certification|triple platinum]] in the United States.<ref name=RIAAC/> The British public voted it the 13th-greatest album of all time in a 2004 [[Channel 4]] poll.<ref>{{cite web|title=100 Greatest Albums |publisher=Channel 4 |url=http://channel4.com/entertainment/tv/microsites/G/greatest/albums/results.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090429165349/http://www.channel4.com/entertainment/tv/microsites/G/greatest/albums/results.html |archive-date=29 April 2009 |access-date=21 November 2006 |url-status=dead}}</ref> It has also ranked highly in international polls; in a worldwide [[Guinness World Records|Guinness]] poll, it was voted the 19th-greatest of all time,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/music/article-22769595-oasis-album-is-greatest-ever.do |title=Guinness poll |work=London Evening Standard |location=UK |access-date=2 June 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101225150021/http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/music/article-22769595-oasis-album-is-greatest-ever.do |archive-date=25 December 2010}}</ref> and an [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC]] poll saw the Australian public vote it the 28th-greatest of all time.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/myfavouritealbum/top100.htm |title=ABC poll |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=2 June 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061205092304/http://abc.net.au/myfavouritealbum/top100.htm |archive-date=5 December 2006 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ''A Night at the Opera'' has frequently appeared in "greatest albums" lists reflecting the opinions of critics. Among other accolades, it was ranked number 16 in ''[[Q (magazine)|Q]]'' magazine's "The 50 Best British Albums Ever" in 2004, a poll done in collaboration with British music and entertainment retailer [[HMV]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Q Magazine 50 Best British Albums Ever |url=https://www.davidbowie.com/2004/2004/06/01/db-on-q-cd-plus-q-and-nme-dogs-reviews-and-more |access-date=9 December 2023 |website=David Bowie.com |archive-date=9 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231209160305/https://www.davidbowie.com/2004/2004/06/01/db-on-q-cd-plus-q-and-nme-dogs-reviews-and-more |url-status=live }}</ref> It was also placed at number 230 on ''Rolling Stone'' magazine's list of "[[Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time|The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time]]" in 2003.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-19691231/a-night-at-the-opera-queen-19691231|title=230 – A Night at the Opera|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=2 June 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120522113344/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-19691231/a-night-at-the-opera-queen-19691231|archive-date=22 May 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''A Night at the Opera'' is the third and final Queen album to be featured in the book ''1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die''.<ref name="1001albums">{{cite web |url=http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/steveparker/1001albums.htm |title=1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die |publisher=Rocklistmusic.co.uk |access-date=2 June 2010 |archive-date=30 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120130151506/http://rocklistmusic.co.uk/steveparker//1001albums.htm |url-status=usurped }}</ref> The second single from the album was Deacon's "[[You're My Best Friend (Queen song)|You're My Best Friend]]", which peaked at number sixteen on the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100,<ref name="bbtfh"/> and went on to become a worldwide top-ten hit.<ref name="Queen Online"/> The band's [[A Night at the Opera Tour]] began in November 1975, and covered Europe, the US, Japan, and Australia.{{sfn|Dean|1986|pp=27–31}} On 24 December, Queen played a special concert at the Hammersmith Odeon which was broadcast live on the BBC show ''[[The Old Grey Whistle Test]]'', with the audio being later broadcast on BBC Radio 1. It became one of the band's most popular [[bootleg recording]]s for decades before being [[A Night at the Odeon – Hammersmith 1975|officially released]] in 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gigwise.com/news/103237/queen-a-night-at-the-odeon-hammersmith-1975-film-to-be-released-on-dvd|title=The most bootlegged gig of Queen's career is being released as a film.|work=GigWise|date=12 October 2015|access-date=1 December 2015|archive-date=8 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208112323/http://www.gigwise.com/news/103237/queen-a-night-at-the-odeon-hammersmith-1975-film-to-be-released-on-dvd|url-status=live}}</ref>

===1976–1979: ''A Day at the Races'' to ''Live Killers''===
By 1976, Queen were back in the studio recording ''[[A Day at the Races (album)|A Day at the Races]]'', which is often regarded as a sequel album to ''A Night at the Opera''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/a-day-at-the-races-japan-version-r1472773|title=A Day at the Races|website=AllMusic|access-date=28 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903083449/http://www.allmusic.com/album/a-day-at-the-races-japan-version-r1472773|archive-date=3 September 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>{{sfn|Blake|2010|p=192}} It again borrowed the name of a Marx Brothers movie, and its cover was similar to that of ''A Night at the Opera'', a variation on the same Queen logo.<ref name=night/> The most recognisable of the Marx Brothers, [[Groucho Marx]], invited Queen to visit him in his Los Angeles home in March 1977; there the band thanked him in person, and performed "[['39]]" ''[[a cappella]]''.{{sfn|Sutcliffe|2009|p=96}} Baker did not return to produce the album; instead the band self-produced with assistance from Mike Stone, who performed several of the backing vocals.{{sfn|Blake|2010|pp=193,206}} The major hit on the album was "[[Somebody to Love (Queen song)|Somebody to Love]]", a gospel-inspired song in which Mercury, May, and Taylor multi-tracked their voices to create a gospel choir.{{sfn|Blake|2010|pp=193–194}} The song went to number two in the UK,<ref name="bhsa"/> and number thirteen in the US.<ref name="bbtfh"/> The album also featured one of the band's heaviest songs, May's "[[Tie Your Mother Down]]", which became a staple of their live shows.<ref>{{cite web|quote="Tie Your Mother Down" has been included in all of the band's tours from the summer of 1976 to the most recent ''Return of the Champions'' tour|url=http://www.queenconcerts.com/live/queen.html|title=Queen Concertography|publisher=Queenconcerts.com|access-date=2 April 2008|archive-date=24 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110424131632/http://www.queenconcerts.com/live/queen.html|url-status=live}}{{Verify quote|date=November 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Ed |last=Rivadavia |url=https://www.allmusic.com/song/tie-your-mother-down-t2509372 |title=Song Review: Tie Your Mother Down |website=AllMusic |access-date=31 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110908205657/http://www.allmusic.com/song/tie-your-mother-down-t2509372 |archive-date=8 September 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Musically, ''A Day at the Races'' was by both fans' and critics' standards a strong effort, reaching number one in the UK and Japan, and number five in the US.<ref name="bhsa"/><ref name=night>{{cite web|url= http://www.queenonline.com/en/the-band/discography/day-races/|title=A Day at the Races|publisher=Queenonline.com|access-date=28 September 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110715135018/http://www.queenonline.com/en/the-band/discography/day-races/|archive-date=15 July 2011}}</ref>

Queen played a [[Queen Hyde Park 1976|landmark gig]] on 18 September 1976, a free concert in [[Hyde Park, London|Hyde Park]], London, organised by the entrepreneur [[Richard Branson]].<ref name="Hyde Park"/> It set an attendance record at the park, with 150,000 people confirmed in the audience.<ref name="Hyde Park">{{cite web |publisher=[[BBC]] |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/sevenages/events/stadium-rock/queen-play-hyde-park/ |title=Queen play Hyde Park |access-date=9 April 2009 |archive-date=18 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160918005419/http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/sevenages/events/stadium-rock/queen-play-hyde-park/ |url-status=live }}</ref>{{sfn|Blake|2010|p=191}} Queen were late arriving onstage and ran out of time to play an encore; the police informed Mercury that he would be arrested if he attempted to go on stage again.{{sfn|Blake|2010|p=192}} May enjoyed the gig particularly, as he had been to see previous concerts at the park, such as the first one organised by [[Blackhill Enterprises]] in 1968, featuring [[Pink Floyd]].{{sfn|Dean|1986|p=30}}

[[File:Queen News Of The World (1977 Press Kit Photo 01).jpg|thumb|right|Queen press photo in early 1977 in promotion of ''News of the World'']]
On 1 December 1976, Queen were the intended guests on London's early evening ''Today'' programme, but they pulled out at the last-minute, which saw their late replacement on the show, EMI labelmate the [[Sex Pistols]], give their infamous expletive-strewn interview with [[Bill Grundy]].{{sfn|Sutcliffe|2009|p=119}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/news/sex-pistols/38482 |title=Sex Pistols on Bill Grundy's 'Today' show most requested clip |work=NME |date=28 July 2008 |access-date=19 February 2020 |archive-date=18 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160918005417/http://www.nme.com/news/sex-pistols/38482 |url-status=live }}</ref> During the [[A Day at the Races Tour]] in 1977, Queen performed sold-out shows at [[Madison Square Garden]], New York, in February, supported by [[Thin Lizzy]], and Mercury and Taylor socialised with that group's leader [[Phil Lynott]].{{sfn|Blake|2010|pp=198–199}} They ended the tour with two concerts at [[Earls Court Exhibition Centre|Earls Court]], London, in June, which commemorated the [[Silver Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II]], and at the cost of £50,000 the band used a lighting rig in the shape of a crown for the first time.{{sfn|Blake|2010|p=201}}<ref>{{cite news |last1=Whitfield |first1=David |title=Freddie Mercury's sister Kashmira on the success of 'Bohemian Rhapsody' – and what happened when the Queen legend used to visit her in Nottingham |url=https://www.nottinghampost.com/whats-on/music-nightlife/freddie-mercurys-sister-kashmira-success-2710630 |access-date=4 April 2019 |newspaper=Nottingham Post |date=3 April 2019 |archive-date=4 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404130104/https://www.nottinghampost.com/whats-on/music-nightlife/freddie-mercurys-sister-kashmira-success-2710630 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Hilburn |first=Robert |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=20 December 1978 |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/649614822.html?dids=649614822:649614822&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&date=Dec+20%2C+1978&author=ROBERT+HILBURN&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=POP+MUSIC+REVIEW |title=Pop Music Review: Putting Queen in Audio Seat Queen for a Night |access-date=4 April 2019 |archive-date=20 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020023750/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/649614822.html?dids=649614822:649614822&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&date=Dec+20,+1978&author=ROBERT+HILBURN&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=POP+MUSIC+REVIEW |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The band's sixth studio album ''[[News of the World (album)|News of the World]]'' was released in 1977, which has gone [[platinum album|four times platinum]] in the US, and twice in the UK.<ref name=RIAAC>{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=2&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=&artist=queen&format=&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2010&sort=CertificationDate&perPage=50 |title=RIAA – Gold and Platinum |work=riaa |access-date=28 September 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904041257/http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=2&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=&artist=queen&format=&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2010&sort=CertificationDate&perPage=50 |archive-date=4 September 2015 }}</ref> The album contained many songs tailor-made for live performance, including two of rock's most recognisable anthems, "[[We Will Rock You]]" and the rock ballad "[[We Are the Champions]]", both of which became enduring international [[stadium anthem|sports anthems]], and the latter reached number four in the US.<ref name="bbtfh"/><ref name=alm>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/song/we-are-the-champions-t2415717|title=We Are the Champions: Song Review|website=AllMusic|access-date=28 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101212061425/http://allmusic.com/song/we-are-the-champions-t2415717|archive-date=12 December 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> Queen commenced the [[News of the World Tour]] in November 1977, and [[Robert Hilburn]] of the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' called this concert tour the band's "most spectacularly staged and finely honed show".<ref>{{cite news |last=Hilburn |first=Robert |work=Los Angeles Times |date=20 December 1977 |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/650333162.html?dids=650333162:650333162&FMT=CITE&FMTS=CITE:AI&date=Dec+20%2C+1977&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=POP+MUSIC+REVIEW |title=Pop Music Review: Queen's Royal Achievement |access-date=7 July 2017 |archive-date=10 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130210214115/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/650333162.html?dids=650333162:650333162&FMT=CITE&FMTS=CITE:AI&date=Dec+20%2C+1977&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=POP+MUSIC+REVIEW |url-status=dead }}</ref> During the tour they sold out another two shows at MSG, and in 1978 they received the [[Madison Square Garden Gold Ticket Award]] for passing more than 100,000 unit ticket sales at the venue.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Valdron |first=Ryan |date=16 November 2018 |url=http://k106fm.com/daily-fix/rock-lounge/2018/11/today-in-rock-history-november-16th/|title=Today in Rock History: November 16th |website=K106.3 FM|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116115522/http://k106fm.com/daily-fix/rock-lounge/2018/11/today-in-rock-history-november-16th/ |archive-date=16 November 2018 |url-status=live|access-date=2 April 2019}}</ref>

[[File:QueenPerforming1977.jpg|thumb|left|Queen in [[New Haven, Connecticut|New Haven]], Connecticut in November 1977|alt=l-r: John Deacon, Brian May, and Freddie Mercury seen live in 1978]] In 1978, Queen released ''[[Jazz (Queen album)|Jazz]]'', which reached number two in the UK and number six on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] in the US.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/jazz-r15974/charts-awards|title=Jazz – Queen: Billboard Albums|website=AllMusic|access-date=28 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721024514/http://allmusic.com/album/jazz-r15974/charts-awards|archive-date=21 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> The album included the hit singles "[[Fat Bottomed Girls]]" and "[[Bicycle Race]]" on a double-sided record. Critical reviews of the album in the years since its release have been more favourable than initial reviews.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/jazz-r15974/review|title=Jazz – Queen: Review|website=AllMusic|access-date=28 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111229222355/http://allmusic.com/album/jazz-r15974/review|archive-date=29 December 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/10-classic-albums-rolling-stone-originally-panned-101316/|title=10 Classic Albums Rolling Stone Originally Panned|first1=Andy|last1=Greene|date=25 July 2016|access-date=2 November 2019|magazine=Rolling Stone|archive-date=9 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191109173815/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/10-classic-albums-rolling-stone-originally-panned-101316/|url-status=live}}</ref> Another notable track from ''Jazz'', "[[Don't Stop Me Now]]", provides another example of the band's exuberant vocal harmonies.<ref>Donald A. Guarisco, "Don't Stop Me Now". [[AllMusic]]. Retrieved 12 July 2011</ref>

In 1978, Queen [[Jazz Tour|toured]] the US and Canada, and spent much of 1979 touring in Europe and Japan.<ref name="tour">{{cite web|url=http://www.queenonline.com/the-band/about/|title=About The Band|publisher=Queenonline.com|url-status=dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120402201522/http://www.queenonline.com/the-band/about/|archive-date=2 April 2012 }}</ref> They released their first live album, ''[[Live Killers]]'', in 1979; it went platinum twice in the US.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php |title=RIAA |publisher=RIAA |access-date=2 June 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070626174049/http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php |archive-date=26 June 2007 }}</ref> Queen also released the very successful single "[[Crazy Little Thing Called Love]]", a [[rockabilly]] inspired song done in the style of [[Elvis Presley]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TyQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT32|title=Queen|magazine=Billboard|date=19 July 1980|volume=92|number=29|page=33|via=Books.google.com|access-date=12 January 2016|archive-date=5 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240305150957/https://books.google.com/books?id=TyQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT32#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Crazy"/> The song made the top 10 in many countries, topped the Australian [[ARIA Charts]] for seven consecutive weeks, and was the band's first number one single in the US where it topped the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 for four weeks.<ref name="bbtfh"/><ref>[[David Kent (historian)|Kent, David]] (1993) (doc). [[Kent Music Report|Australian Chart Book 1970–1992]]. Australian Chart Book, St Ives, N.S.W</ref> Having written the song on guitar and played rhythm on the record, Mercury played rhythm guitar when performing the song live, the first time he ever played guitar in concert.<ref name="Crazy">{{cite web|url=http://www.queenonline.com/en/the-band/interviews/queen/circus-1980/|title=Lights! Action! Sound! It's That Crazy Little Thing Called Queen! by Lou O'Neill Jr. (Circus Sept 1980)|publisher=Queenonline.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628080136/http://www.queenonline.com/en/the-band/interviews/queen/circus-1980/|archive-date=28 June 2011}}</ref> On 26 December 1979, Queen played the opening night at the [[Concert for the People of Kampuchea]] in London, having accepted a request by the event's organiser, [[Paul McCartney]].<ref name="Crazy"/> The concert was the last date of their [[Crazy Tour]] of London.{{sfn|Freestone|Evans|2001|p=18}}

===1980–1982: ''The Game'', ''Hot Space'' and stadium tours ===
Queen began their 1980s career with ''[[The Game (Queen album)|The Game]]''. It featured the singles "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" and "[[Another One Bites the Dust]]", both of which reached number one in the US.<ref name="bbtfh"/> After attending a Queen concert in Los Angeles, [[Michael Jackson]] suggested to Mercury backstage that "Another One Bites the Dust" be released as a single, and in October 1980 it spent three weeks at number one.{{sfn|Sutcliffe|2009|p=155}} The album topped the ''Billboard'' 200 for five weeks,<ref>{{Cite book|last=Whitburn|first=Joel|title=The Billboard Albums|place=[[Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin]]|publisher=Record Research|year=2006}}</ref> and sold over four million copies in the US.<ref name=RIAAC/> It was also the first appearance of a synthesiser on a Queen album. Heretofore, their albums featured a distinctive "No Synthesisers!" sleeve note. The note is widely assumed to reflect an anti-synth, pro-"hard"-rock stance by the band,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vocalgroup.org/inductees/queen.html|title=Inductees – The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation|publisher=Vocalgroup.org|access-date=2 June 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101130034307/http://vocalgroup.org/inductees/queen.html|archive-date=30 November 2010}}</ref> but was later revealed by producer [[Roy Thomas Baker]] to be an attempt to clarify that those albums' multi-layered solos were created with guitars, not synths, as record company executives kept assuming at the time.<ref name="sos1995">{{Cite magazine|last=Cunningham|first=Mark|title=AN INVITATION TO THE OPERA: Roy Thomas Baker & Gary Langan: The Making Of Queen's 'Bohemian Rhapsody'|magazine=Sound on Sound|date=October 1995|url=http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/1995_articles/oct95/queen.html|quote=There was no stipulation that we wouldn't have any synths, but the statement 'No synths' was printed on the album sleeves because of peoples' lack of intellect in the ears department. Many people couldn't hear the difference between a multitracked guitar and a synthesiser. We would spend four days multi-layering a guitar solo and then some imbecile from the record company would come in and say, 'I like that synth!'|access-date=25 September 2008|archive-date=11 April 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040411064017/http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/1995_articles/oct95/queen.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In September 1980, Queen performed three sold-out shows at Madison Square Garden.{{refn|name="history"|1={{sfn|Sutcliffe|2009|pp=128, 129, 159}}}} In 1980, Queen also released [[Flash Gordon (album)|the soundtrack]] they had recorded for ''[[Flash Gordon (film)|Flash Gordon]]''.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kSQEAAAAMBAJ&q=Flash+Gordon+%28album%29+queen&pg=PT29|title=Billboard 12 July 1980|date=12 July 1980|access-date=28 September 2014|archive-date=5 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240305150754/https://books.google.com/books?id=kSQEAAAAMBAJ&q=Flash+Gordon+%28album%29+queen&pg=PT29#v=snippet&q=Flash%20Gordon%20(album)%20queen&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref> At the [[American Music Awards of 1981|1981 American Music Awards]] in January, "Another One Bites the Dust" won the award for Favorite Pop/Rock Single, and Queen were nominated for Favorite Pop/Rock Band, Duo, or Group.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/1981/amas.htm |title=8th American Music Awards |publisher=Rockonthenet.com |access-date=19 October 2012 |archive-date=15 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190815172347/http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/1981/amas.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

In February 1981, Queen travelled to South America as part of [[The Game Tour]], and became the first rock band outside [[the Americas]] to play stadiums in Latin America.<ref name="SA Concerts">{{cite news |title=What happened when Queen conquered South America |url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/what-happened-when-queen-conquered-south-america |access-date=12 November 2023 |work=[[Classic Rock (magazine)#Publication history|Louder]] |archive-date=12 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231112031238/https://www.loudersound.com/features/what-happened-when-queen-conquered-south-america |url-status=live }}</ref> On playing the concerts, ''[[Classic Rock (magazine)|Classic Rock]]'' magazine states, "They were under the spotlight from all quarters, as the entire music industry waited to see if their ambitious plans would bear fruit".<ref name="SA Concerts"/> Tom Pinnock in the March 1981 issue of ''[[Melody Maker]]'' wrote, {{blockquote|Queen chalked up a major international "first" by becoming the band to do for popular music in South America what The Beatles did for North America 17 years ago. Half a million Argentinians and Brazilians, starved of appearances of top British or American bands at their peak, gave Queen a heroic welcome which changed the course of pop history in this uncharted territory of the world rock map. The ecstatic young people saw eight Queen concerts at giant stadia, while many more millions saw the shows on TV and heard the radio broadcasts live.<ref name="Melody Maker"/>}}

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| caption1 = Queen played to over 250,000 over two concerts at the [[Estádio do Morumbi|Morumbi Stadium]] in São Paulo, Brazil during the South American part of The Game Tour
| caption2 = The band with Argentine footballer [[Diego Maradona]] (middle) at the [[José Amalfitani Stadium|Vélez Sarsfield Stadium]] in Buenos Aires
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The tour included five shows in Argentina, one of which drew the largest single concert crowd in Argentine history with an audience of 300,000 in [[Buenos Aires]]<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=27 July 1982|url=http://www.queenarchives.com/index.php?title=Queen_-_07-27-1982_-_Washington_Post_-_Capital_Centre|title=Queen's Flashy Rock|access-date=15 January 2011|archive-date=16 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116043715/http://www.queenarchives.com/index.php?title=Queen_-_07-27-1982_-_Washington_Post_-_Capital_Centre|url-status=live}} Retrieved 15 January 2011</ref> and two concerts at the [[Estádio do Morumbi|Morumbi Stadium]] in São Paulo, Brazil, where they played to more than 131,000 people in the first night (then the largest paying audience for a single band anywhere in the world)<ref>{{cite news |last=Lowry |first=Max |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/jul/13/popandrock.art |title=The ones that got away |work=The Guardian |date=13 July 2008 |location=London |access-date=16 December 2016 |archive-date=23 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623170020/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/jul/13/popandrock.art |url-status=live }}</ref> and more than 120,000 people the following night.<ref>Henke, James (11 June 1981) "Queen Holds Court in South America" ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' Retrieved 15 January 2011</ref> A region then largely ruled by military dictatorships, the band were greeted with scenes of fan-fever, and the promoter of their first shows at the [[José Amalfitani Stadium|Vélez Sarsfield Stadium]] in Buenos Aires was moved to say: "For music in Argentina, this has been a case of before the war and after the war. Queen have liberated this country, musically speaking."<ref name="Melody Maker">{{cite news |title=Freddie Mercury: "I'm very conscious of the fact that Queen must not get too cerebral" |url=https://www.uncut.co.uk/features/freddie-mercury-im-conscious-fact-queen-must-not-get-cerebral-94346/ |access-date=26 May 2021 |work=Melody Maker |agency=Uncut magazine |archive-date=26 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210526153215/https://www.uncut.co.uk/features/freddie-mercury-im-conscious-fact-queen-must-not-get-cerebral-94346/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The group's second show at Vélez Sarsfield was broadcast on national television and watched by over 30 million. Backstage, they were introduced to footballer [[Diego Maradona]].{{sfn|Blake|2010|p=255}}

Topping the charts in Brazil and Argentina, the ballad "[[Love of My Life (Queen song)|Love of My Life]]" stole the show in South American concerts. Mercury would stop singing and would then conduct the audience as they took over, with [[Lesley-Ann Jones]] writing "the fans knew the song by heart. Their English was word-perfect."{{refn|1={{harvp|Jones|2012|p=198}}<ref name="Jones-2012"/>}} Later that year Queen performed for more than 150,000 on 9 October at Monterrey ([[Estadio Universitario (UANL)|Estadio Universitario]]) and 17 and 18 at Puebla ([[Estadio Olímpico Ignacio Zaragoza|Estadio Zaragoza]]), Mexico.{{sfn|Purvis|2006|p=315}} Though the gigs were successful, they were marred by a lack of planning and suitable facilities, with audiences throwing projectiles on stage. Mercury finished the final gig saying, "Adios, amigos, you motherfuckers!"{{sfn|Blake|2010|p=261}} On 24 and 25 November, Queen played two nights at the [[Montreal Forum]], Quebec, Canada.<ref>{{cite press release|title=QUEEN ROCK MONTREAL|url=http://www.queenrockmontreal.com/dvd.php|publisher=Eagle Rock Vision|quote=Release date: October 29, 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140510090916/http://www.queenrockmontreal.com/dvd.php|archive-date=10 May 2014}}</ref> One of Mercury's most notable performances of ''The Game''{{'s}} final track, "[[Save Me (Queen song)|Save Me]]", took place in Montreal, and the concert is recorded in the live album, ''[[Queen Rock Montreal]]''.<ref>{{cite web |author=Stephen Thomas Erlewine |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/r1239496 |title=Queen Rock Montreal |website=AllMusic |date=30 October 2007 |access-date=16 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191018005645/https://www.allmusic.com/album/queen-rock-montreal-mw0000489040 |archive-date=18 October 2019 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Queen worked with [[David Bowie]] on the 1981 single "[[Under Pressure]]". The first-time collaboration with another artist was spontaneous, as Bowie happened to drop by the studio while Queen were recording. Mercury and Bowie recorded their vocals on the track separately to each other, each coming up with individual ideas. The song topped the UK charts.{{sfn|Blake|2010|p=258}} In October, Queen released their first compilation album, titled ''[[Greatest Hits (Queen album)|Greatest Hits]]'', which showcased the group's highlights from 1974 to 1981.{{sfn|Blake|2010|p=262}} The [[List of best-selling albums in the United Kingdom|best-selling album]] in UK chart history, it is the only album to sell over seven million copies in the UK.<ref name="OCC GH">{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/queen-s-greatest-hits-becomes-first-album-in-official-charts-history-to-reach-7-million-uk-chart-sales-__36841/|title=Queen's Greatest Hits becomes first album in Official Charts history to reach 7 million UK chart 'sales'|last=Smith|first=Carl|date=11 July 2022|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]|access-date=19 July 2022|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160714082403/http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-greatest-of-the-greatest-the-uks-official-top-10-biggest-hits-collections-revealed__15397/|archive-date=14 July 2016}}</ref> As of July 2022, it has spent over [[List of albums which have spent the most weeks on the UK Albums Chart|1000 weeks in the UK Album Chart]].<ref name="Queen head all-time sales chart">{{Cite news|date=16 November 2006|title=Queen head all-time sales chart|publisher=BBC|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6151050.stm|access-date=28 May 2011|archive-date=4 February 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070204064437/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6151050.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/search/albums/greatest-hits/|title=Queen Greatest Hits|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=23 October 2019|archive-date=18 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191018111623/https://www.officialcharts.com/search/albums/greatest-hits/|url-status=live}}</ref> According to ''The Telegraph'', approximately one in three families in the UK own a copy.<ref>{{cite news |title=Queen's Greatest Hits is first album to sell 6 million UK copies |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/music-news/10629578/Queens-Greatest-Hits-is-first-album-to-sell-6-million-UK-copies.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/music-news/10629578/Queens-Greatest-Hits-is-first-album-to-sell-6-million-UK-copies.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=10 April 2020 |work=The Telegraph}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The album is certified [[RIAA certification|nine times platinum]] in the US.<ref name=RIAAC/> As of August 2024, it has spent over [[Billboard 200#Most weeks on the chart|600 weeks on the US ''Billboard'' 200]].<ref name="Billboard all time"/> ''Greatest Hits'' has sold over 25&nbsp;million copies worldwide.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/in_depth/entertainment/2002/jubilee/popup/5.stm|title=In Pictures: 50 years of pop|publisher=BBC|access-date=28 September 2014|archive-date=30 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120730234814/http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/in_depth/entertainment/2002/jubilee/popup/5.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{quote box
 | quote = We moved out to Munich to isolate ourselves from normal life so we could focus on the music. We all ended up in a place that was rather unhealthy. A difficult period. We weren't getting along together. We all had different agendas. It was a difficult time for me, personally – some dark moments.
 | source = — May on the recording of ''Hot Space'' during a difficult period for the band.<ref>{{cite news |title=Why Queen Struggled With 'Hot Space' Amid a 'Difficult Period' |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/queen-hot-space/ |access-date=26 September 2020 |magazine=Ultimate Classic Rock |archive-date=20 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920182842/https://ultimateclassicrock.com/queen-hot-space/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
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In 1982, the band released the album ''[[Hot Space]]'', a departure from their trademark seventies sound, this time being a mixture of [[pop rock]], dance, disco, [[funk]], and [[Rhythm and blues|R&B]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stylusmagazine.com/articles/on_second_thought/queen-hot-space.htm |title=Queen – Hot Space |magazine=Stylusmagazine.com |access-date=31 May 2011 |archive-date=14 June 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070614203823/http://www.stylusmagazine.com/articles/on_second_thought/queen-hot-space.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> Most of the album was recorded in [[Munich]] during the most turbulent period in the band's history.{{sfn|Blake|2010|p=263}} Mercury and Deacon enjoyed the new soul and funk influences, but Taylor and May were less favourable, and were critical of the influence Mercury's personal manager [[Paul Prenter]] had on him.{{sfn|Blake|2010|pp=263,267,273}} According to [[Reinhold Mack|Mack]], Queen's producer, Prenter loathed rock music and was in Mercury's ear throughout the ''Hot Space'' sessions.{{sfn|Blake|2016}} May was also scathing of Prenter—Mercury's manager from 1977 to 1984—for being dismissive of the importance of radio stations and their vital connection between the artist and the community, and for denying them access to Mercury.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.brianmay.com/queen/tour05/interviews/bm_classicq_mar05pt5.html |title=Q Classic: Stone Cold Crazy: Brian May Interview |publisher=Brianmay.com |access-date=31 May 2011 |archive-date=18 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160918005417/http://www.brianmay.com/queen/tour05/interviews/bm_classicq_mar05pt5.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> May states, "this guy, in the course of one tour, told every record station to fuck off".{{sfn|Blake|2016}} Queen roadie Peter Hince wrote "None of the band cared for him [Prenter], apart from Freddie", with Hince regarding Mercury's favouring of Prenter as an act of "misguided loyalty".{{sfn|Blake|2016}} During the Munich sessions, Mercury spent time with Mack and his family, becoming godfather to Mack's first child.{{sfn|Blake|2010|p=264}} [[Q (magazine)|''Q'']] magazine would list ''Hot Space'' as one of the top fifteen albums where great rock acts lost the plot.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/q150lists.htm|title=15 Albums Where Great Rock Acts Lost the Plot|magazine=[[Q (magazine)|Q magazine]]|date=July 2004|access-date=6 September 2016|archive-date=16 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116150726/http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/q150lists.htm|url-status=usurped}}</ref> Though the album confused some fans with the change of musical direction, it still reached number 4 in the UK.{{sfn|Blake|2010|p=268}}

[[File:Queen 12041982 01 800b.jpg|thumb|Queen performing in Norway during the [[Hot Space Tour]] in 1982]]
Queen toured to promote ''Hot Space'', but found some audience unreceptive to the new material. At a gig in [[Frankfurt]], Mercury told some people heckling the new material, "If you don't want to listen to it, go home!"{{sfn|Blake|2010|p=266}} Former Mott the Hoople keyboardist [[Morgan Fisher]] joined as an additional touring member.{{sfn|Blake|2010|p=265}} Shows were planned at [[Arsenal Stadium]] and [[Old Trafford]], but these were cancelled as [[Pope John Paul II]] was touring Britain, leading to a lack of available outdoor facilities such as toilets. The gigs were moved to the [[Milton Keynes Bowl]] and [[Elland Road]], [[Leeds]] instead. The Milton Keynes concert was filmed by [[ITV Tyne Tees|Tyne Tees Television]] and later released on DVD.{{sfn|Blake|2010|p=268}} On 14 and 15 September 1982, the band performed their last two gigs in the US with Mercury on lead vocals, playing at [[The Forum (Inglewood, California)|The Forum]] in Inglewood, California.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.laweekly.com/music/the-royal-family-album-queen-gets-definitive-photo-bio-2407273 | title=The Royal Family Album: Queen Gets Definitive Photo Bio | first=Siran | last=Babayan | work=LA Weekly | date=18 November 2009 | access-date=6 September 2016 | archive-date=25 October 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171025200428/http://www.laweekly.com/music/the-royal-family-album-queen-gets-definitive-photo-bio-2407273 | url-status=live }}</ref> Fisher was replaced as touring keyboardist by [[Fred Mandel]] for the North American shows.{{sfn|Blake|2010|p=270}} The band stopped touring North America after their Hot Space Tour, as their success there had waned, although they performed on American television for the only time during the eighth-season premiere of ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' on 25 September of the same year;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/season-8/episode/1-chevy-chase-with-queen-64696|title=Saturday Night Live Season 08 Episode 01 on September 25, 1982 with host Chevy Chase and musical guest Queen|publisher=[[NBC]]|access-date=6 September 2016|archive-date=26 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171026003008/http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/season-8/episode/1-chevy-chase-with-queen-64696|url-status=live}}</ref> it became the final public performance of the band in North America before the death of their frontman. Their fall in popularity in the US has been partially attributed to [[homophobia]]:{{sfn|Blake|2010|p=272}} Mikal Gilmore for ''Rolling Stone'' writes, "At some shows on the band's 1980 American tour, fans tossed disposable razor blades onstage: They didn't like this identity of Mercury—what they perceived as a brazenly gay rock & roll hero—and they wanted him to shed it."<ref>{{cite magazine |url= https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/queens-tragic-rhapsody-234996/ |title= Queen's Tragic Rhapsody: Theatrical, brilliant, excessive and doomed — there had never been another band like Queen or a frontman like Freddie Mercury |last= Gilmore |first= Mikal |date= 7 July 2014 |magazine= Rolling Stone |access-date= 13 July 2020 |archive-date= 14 November 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181114013215/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/queens-tragic-rhapsody-234996/ |url-status= live }}</ref> The group finished the year with a Japanese tour.{{sfn|Blake|2010|p=273}}

===1983–1984: ''The Works'' ===
After the Hot Space Tour concluded with a concert at [[MetLife Dome|Seibu Lions Stadium]] in [[Tokorozawa, Saitama|Tokorozawa]], Japan in November 1982, Queen decided they would take a significant amount of time off. May later said at that point, "we hated each other for a while".{{sfn|Blake|2010|p=273}} The band reconvened nine months later to begin recording a new album at the [[Record Plant Studios]], Los Angeles and [[Musicland Studios]], Munich.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Chapman |first1=Phil |title=The Dead Straight Guide to Queen |date=2017 |publisher=This Day In Music Books}}</ref> Several members of the band also explored side projects and solo work. Taylor released his second solo album, ''[[Strange Frontier]]''. May released the mini-album ''[[Star Fleet Project]]'', collaborating with [[Eddie Van Halen]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rockalbumreviews.co.uk/rock-albums/1980s-rock-albums/brian-may-star-fleet-project-1983/|title=Brian May – Star Fleet Project (1983)|author=Andy Doherty|date=3 September 2009|website=Rock Album Reviews|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121208093715/http://www.rockalbumreviews.co.uk/rock-albums/1980s-rock-albums/brian-may-star-fleet-project-1983/|archive-date=8 December 2012 }}</ref> Queen left [[Elektra Records]], their label in the US, Canada, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand, and signed onto [[EMI]]/[[Capitol Records]].{{sfn|Blake|2016}}

[[File:Queen 1984 011.jpg|thumb|Queen on stage in Frankfurt, West Germany in 1984]]
In February 1984, Queen released their eleventh studio album, ''[[The Works (Queen album)|The Works]]''. Hit singles included "[[Radio Ga Ga]]", which makes a nostalgic defence of the radio format, "[[Hammer to Fall]]" and "[[I Want to Break Free]]".<ref>{{cite news |title=10 things you may not know about Queen's biggest 80s hits |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/4C6GqGSRcDydqhJNh5xpgyZ/10-things-you-may-not-know-about-queens-biggest-80s-hits |access-date=1 July 2022 |work=BBC |archive-date=6 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190106210430/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/4C6GqGSRcDydqhJNh5xpgyZ/10-things-you-may-not-know-about-queens-biggest-80s-hits |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>Lazell, Barry (1989) ''Rock movers & shakers'' p.404. [[Billboard Publications]], Inc.,</ref> ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' hailed the album as "the ''[[Led Zeppelin II]]'' of the eighties."{{sfn|Blake|2016}} In the UK ''The Works'' went triple platinum and remained in the albums chart for two years.<ref>Tobler, John ''Who's who in rock & roll'' p.1971. Crescent Books, 1991</ref> The album failed to do well in the US, where, in addition to issues with their new record label Capitol Records (who had recently severed ties with their independent promotions teams due to a government report on [[payola]]),{{sfn|Blake|2016}} the cross-dressing video for "I Want to Break Free", a spoof of the British soap opera ''[[Coronation Street]]'', proved controversial and was banned by [[MTV]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/100-best-singles-of-1984-pops-greatest-year-163322/queen-i-want-to-break-free-171668/|title=100 Best Singles of 1984: Pop's Greatest Year|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=17 September 2014|access-date=6 January 2019|archive-date=6 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190106104515/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/100-best-singles-of-1984-pops-greatest-year-163322/queen-i-want-to-break-free-171668/|url-status=live}}</ref> The concept of the video came from Roger Taylor via a suggestion from his girlfriend.{{sfn|Blake|2016}} He told ''[[Q (magazine)|Q]]'' magazine: "We had done some really serious, epic videos in the past, and we just thought we'd have some fun. We wanted people to know that we didn't take ourselves too seriously, that we could still laugh at ourselves."<ref>{{cite news |title=10 things you may not know about Queen's biggest 80s hits |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/4C6GqGSRcDydqhJNh5xpgyZ/10-things-you-may-not-know-about-queens-biggest-80s-hits |first=Fraser |last=McAlpine |date=29 November 2018 |agency=BBC |access-date=6 January 2019 |archive-date=6 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190106210430/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/4C6GqGSRcDydqhJNh5xpgyZ/10-things-you-may-not-know-about-queens-biggest-80s-hits |url-status=live }}</ref> Director of the video [[David Mallet (director)|David Mallet]] said Mercury was reluctant to do it, commenting "it was a hell of a job to get him out of the dressing room".{{sfn|Blake|2016}}

That year, Queen began [[The Works Tour]], the first tour to feature keyboardist [[Spike Edney]] as an extra live musician. The tour featured nine sold-out dates in October in [[Bophuthatswana]], South Africa, at the arena in [[Sun City, North West|Sun City]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.queenconcerts.com/live/queen/works1984.html|title=Queen on tour: The Works 1984|publisher=Queenconcerts.com|access-date=12 July 2011|archive-date=19 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120419050757/http://www.queenconcerts.com/live/queen/works1984.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="hotshotdigital">{{Cite web|title=Freddie Mercury Biography|publisher=Hot Shot Digital|url=http://hotshotdigital.com/WellAlwaysRemember/FreddieMercuryBio.html|access-date=15 February 2007|archive-date=17 February 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070217080247/http://www.hotshotdigital.com/WellAlwaysRemember/FreddieMercuryBio.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Upon returning to England, they were the subject of outrage, having played in South Africa during the height of [[apartheid]] and in violation of worldwide [[Disinvestment from South Africa|divestment efforts]] and a United Nations cultural boycott. The band responded to the critics by stating that they were playing music for fans in South Africa, and they also stressed that the concerts were played before integrated audiences.{{sfn|Sutcliffe|2009|p={{page needed|date=May 2020}}}} Queen donated to a school for the deaf and blind as a philanthropic gesture but were fined by the [[Musicians' Union (UK)|British Musicians' Union]] and placed on the United Nations' [[blacklisting|blacklisted]] artists.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2005/jan/14/2|title=The sins of St Freddie|work=The Guardian|author=[[John Harris (critic)|John Harris]]|date=14 January 2005|access-date=18 December 2013|archive-date=2 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202111236/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2005/jan/14/2|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2021, Taylor voiced his regret for the decision to perform at Sun City, saying that "we went with the best intentions, but I still think it was kind of a mistake."<ref name="Scarlett 2021">{{cite web |last1=Scarlett |first1=Liz |title=Roger Taylor admits that Queen's cultural boycott-breaking trip to apartheid-era South Africa was 'a mistake' |url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/roger-taylor-admits-that-queens-cultural-boycott-breaking-trip-to-apartheid-era-south-africa-was-a-mistake |website=Classic Rock |publisher=Future plc |access-date=23 November 2022 |ref=Scarlett 2021 |date=28 December 2021 |archive-date=23 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221123200348/https://www.loudersound.com/news/roger-taylor-admits-that-queens-cultural-boycott-breaking-trip-to-apartheid-era-south-africa-was-a-mistake |url-status=live }}</ref>

===1985–1986: Live Aid, ''A Kind of Magic'' and tours===
In January 1985, Queen headlined two nights of the first [[Rock in Rio]] festival at [[Rio de Janeiro]], Brazil, and played in front of over 300,000 people each night.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YRYEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA6|title=Billboard 27 May 2006|date=27 May 2006|access-date=28 September 2014|archive-date=5 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240305150821/https://books.google.com/books?id=YRYEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA6#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[The Boston Globe]]'' described it as a "mesmerising performance".<ref name="globe"/> Highlights from both nights were released on VHS as ''Queen: Live in Rio'', which was broadcast on MTV in the US.<ref name="globe">{{cite web|url=http://www.queenarchives.com/index.php?title=Queen_-_02-15-1986_-_Boston_Globe_-_Rock_in_Rio|title=Queen: Rock in Rio|publisher=Queenarchives.com|access-date=28 September 2014|archive-date=22 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140822005927/http://www.queenarchives.com/index.php?title=Queen_-_02-15-1986_-_Boston_Globe_-_Rock_in_Rio|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/39837/Queen-Live-in-Rio/overview |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080308013019/http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/39837/Queen-Live-in-Rio/overview |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 March 2008 |department=Movies & TV Dept. |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=2008 |title=Queen: Live in Rio (1985)|access-date=16 January 2011}}</ref> In April and May 1985, Queen completed the Works Tour with sold-out shows in Australia and Japan.<ref>Grein, Paul. Billboard 4 May 1985. p. 42. ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]''. Retrieved 2 June 2011</ref>
{{quote box
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At [[Live Aid]], held at [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley]] on 13 July 1985, in front of the biggest-ever TV audience of an estimated 400 million, Queen performed some of their greatest hits. Many of the sold-out stadium audience of 72,000 people clapped, sang, and swayed in unison.{{sfn|Blake|2010|pp=1-3}}<ref>{{cite news |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2005/SHOWBIZ/Music/07/01/liveaid.memories/index.html |title=Live Aid 1985: A day of magic |publisher=CNN |access-date=2 June 2011 |archive-date=11 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200411235204/http://edition.cnn.com/2005/SHOWBIZ/Music/07/01/liveaid.memories/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The show's organisers, [[Bob Geldof]] and [[Midge Ure]]; other musicians such as [[Elton John]] and [[Cliff Richard]]; and journalists writing for the [[BBC]], [[CNN]], ''[[Rolling Stone]]'', [[MTV]], ''[[The Guardian]]'' and ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'', among others, described Queen as the highlight.<ref name="BBC - Queen win greatest live gig poll">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4420308.stm|title=Queen win greatest live gig poll|publisher=BBC|access-date=28 September 2014|date=9 November 2005|archive-date=19 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110319042957/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4420308.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>[https://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/flashback-queen-steal-the-show-at-live-aid-20130205 "Flashback: Queen Steal the Show at Live Aid"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171029013749/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/flashback-queen-steal-the-show-at-live-aid-20130205 |date=29 October 2017 }}. ''[[Rolling Stone]]''. Retrieved 4 April 2013
<br/>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandpopmusic/8785536/Queen-their-finest-moment-at-Live-Aid.html "Queen: their finest moment at Live Aid"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331185924/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandpopmusic/8785536/Queen-their-finest-moment-at-Live-Aid.html |date=31 March 2019 }}. ''The Telegraph''. 24 September 2011
<br/>[http://edition.cnn.com/2005/SHOWBIZ/Music/07/01/liveaid.memories/index.html "Live Aid 1985: A day of magic"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200411235204/http://edition.cnn.com/2005/SHOWBIZ/Music/07/01/liveaid.memories/index.html |date=11 April 2020 }}. CNN. Retrieved 17 July 2013
<br/>[https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/live-aid-memories-it-was-lifechanging-my-life-was-not-all-about-just-me-anymore-2025079.html "Live Aid Memories: 'It was life-changing: my life was not all about just me anymore' "] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924194035/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/live-aid-memories-it-was-lifechanging-my-life-was-not-all-about-just-me-anymore-2025079.html |date=24 September 2015 }}. ''The Independent''. Retrieved 13 September 2013
<br/>[https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2005/jul/05/arts.artsnews1 "Queen most loved band"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130930131519/https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2005/jul/05/arts.artsnews1 |date=30 September 2013 }}. ''The Guardian''. Retrieved 19 April 2009
<br/>Miles, Barry (2008) [https://books.google.com/books?id=-oBzTaoZciEC&q=there+was+no+beatles+reunion&pg=PA159 "Massive Music Moments"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402143930/https://books.google.com/books?id=-oBzTaoZciEC&q=there+was+no+beatles+reunion&pg=PA159 |date=2 April 2023 }}. p. 159. Anova Books. Retrieved 21 May 2011</ref><ref name="The Mysterious Mr Mercury">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0171x1k |title=BBC Radio 4: "The Mysterious Mr Mercury" |publisher=BBC |date=12 November 2011 |access-date=25 December 2019 |archive-date=27 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200427104626/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0171x1k |url-status=live }}</ref> Interviewed backstage, [[Roger Waters]] stated: "Everybody's been buzzing about Queen that I've run into. They had everybody completely spellbound."<ref>{{cite news |title=Roger Waters – Backstage Interview (Live Aid 1985) |url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eo7t7jZYIXA  |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/eo7t7jZYIXA| archive-date=11 December 2021 |url-status=live|access-date=29 April 2021 |agency=YouTube |publisher=Live Aid}}{{cbignore}}</ref> An industry poll in 2005 ranked it the greatest rock performance of all time.<ref name="BBC - Queen win greatest live gig poll"/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/05/books/review/the-life-and-times-of-metallica-and-queen.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0|title=The Life and Times of Metallica and Queen|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=23 December 2013|first=Alan|last=Light|date=3 June 2011|archive-date=1 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701072601/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/05/books/review/the-life-and-times-of-metallica-and-queen.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0|url-status=live}}</ref> Mercury's powerful, sustained note—"Aaaaaay-o"—during the [[call-and-response]] ''a cappella'' segment came to be known as "The Note Heard Round the World".<ref>{{cite news |title=Aaaaaay-o! Aaaaaay-o! Why Live Aid was the greatest show of all |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/live-aid-anniversary-queen-freddie-mercury-performances-bob-geldof-a9612071.html |access-date=13 July 2020 |work=The Independent |archive-date=13 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200713232607/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/live-aid-anniversary-queen-freddie-mercury-performances-bob-geldof-a9612071.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/interactive/2018/11/opinions/queen-live-aid-cnnphotos/|title=33 years later, Queen's Live Aid performance is still pure magic|last=Thomas|first=Holly|date=6 November 2018|publisher=[[CNN]]|access-date=18 November 2018|archive-date=18 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118081506/https://edition.cnn.com/interactive/2018/11/opinions/queen-live-aid-cnnphotos/|url-status=live}}</ref> The band were revitalised by the response to Live Aid—a "shot in the arm" Roger Taylor called it—and the ensuing increase in record sales.<ref name="mojo">[[Mojo (magazine)|Mojo]], August 1999, issue number 69. "Their Britannic Majesties Request" by David Thomas, page 87.</ref> In 1986 Mercury commented: "From our perspective, the fact that Live Aid happened when it did was really lucky. It came out of nowhere to save us. For sure that was a turning point. Maybe you could say that in the history of Queen, it was a really special moment."<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Tsukagoshi |first=Midori |date= |title=An Exclusive Interview With Freddie Mercury |language=Japanese |magazine=Music Life}}</ref>

Queen ended 1985 by releasing the single "[[One Vision]]" and a limited-edition boxed set of Queen albums, ''[[The Complete Works (Queen album)|The Complete Works]]''. The package included the 1984 Christmas single "[[Thank God It's Christmas]]" and previously unreleased material.<ref>''International who's who in popular music'' p.129. Routledge, 2002</ref> In early 1986, Queen recorded the album ''[[A Kind of Magic]]'', containing several reworkings of songs written for the fantasy action film ''[[Highlander (film)|Highlander]]''.<ref name="Highlander">{{cite web |url=http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/entertainment/film/tm_headline=highlander-immortal-edition-dvd-competition%26method=full%26objectid=18628009%26siteid=50061-name_page.html |title="Highlander: Immortal Edition DVD competition". Liverpool Echo |publisher=Icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk |access-date=12 May 2012 |archive-date=9 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090609163450/http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/entertainment/film/tm_headline%3Dhighlander-immortal-edition-dvd-competition%26method%3Dfull%26objectid%3D18628009%26siteid%3D50061-name_page.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The album was successful in the UK, West Germany and several other countries, producing a string of hits including "[[A Kind of Magic (song)|A Kind of Magic]]", "[[Friends Will Be Friends]]", "[[Princes of the Universe]]" and "[[Who Wants to Live Forever]]"; the latter featuring an orchestra conducted by [[Michael Kamen]]. The album was less successful in North America, reaching 46 in the US, and was described by biographer [[Mark Blake (writer)|Mark Blake]] as "a so-so album" and "a somewhat uneven listening experience".<ref>{{cite book |last=Blake |first=Mark |title=Is This the Real Life?: The Untold Story of Queen |date=2011 |publisher=Aurum Press |isbn=978-1845137137 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2jvLAgAAQBAJ&q=mark+blake+is+this+the+real+life+meanwhile+america+slipped+further+away&pg=PT275 |access-date=5 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181231043044/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=2jvLAgAAQBAJ&pg=PT275&lpg=PT275&dq=mark+blake+is+this+the+real+life+meanwhile+america+slipped+further+away&source=bl&ots=1NYGe4lPHV&sig=W15FzPADrcZhaKhca2fw0yTAauE&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiShdCF2cjfAhWGXRUIHUT6AJYQ6AEwB3oECAcQAQ#v=onepage&q=mark%20blake%20is%20this%20the%20real%20life%20meanwhile%20america%20slipped%20further%20away&f=false |archive-date=31 December 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2007, ''[[Classic Rock (magazine)|Classic Rock]]'' ranked it the 28th greatest soundtrack album of all time.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/steveparker/classicrock.htm |title=Classic Rock's 49 Best Soundtrack Albums |date=October 2007 |website=Rocklistmusic.co.uk |access-date=26 March 2023 |archive-date=20 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130320105839/http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/steveparker/classicrock.htm |url-status=usurped }}</ref>

[[File:Freddy Mercury jacket designed by Diana Moseley.jpg|thumb|upright|Mercury's yellow military jacket (one of three designed by Diana Moseley) worn during the 1986 [[Magic Tour (Queen)|Magic Tour]]]]
In mid-1986, Queen went on the [[Magic Tour (Queen)|Magic Tour]], their final tour with Mercury.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.queenconcerts.com/live/queen/magic.html|title=Queen on tour: Magic tour 1986|publisher=Queenconcerts.com|access-date=4 June 2011|archive-date=15 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715135349/http://www.queenconcerts.com/live/queen/magic.html|url-status=live}}</ref> They once again hired Spike Edney.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ultimatequeen.co.uk/biography/spike.htm|title=Spike 'The Duke' Edney Biography|publisher=Ultimatequeen.co.uk|access-date=2 June 2010|archive-date=5 October 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091005021924/http://www.ultimatequeen.co.uk/Biography/spike.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.themodsband.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=28&Itemid=34|title=The Mods – A Tribute to an Era 1964–1970 – Spike Edney, Keyboards/Guitar – Special Guest|publisher=Themodsband.com|date=11 April 2007|access-date=2 June 2010|archive-date=6 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170106142114/http://www.themodsband.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=28&Itemid=34|url-status=live}}</ref> Queen began the tour at the [[Råsunda Stadium]] in Stockholm, Sweden, and later performed a [[Slane Concert|concert]] at [[Slane Castle]], Ireland, in front of an audience of 95,000, which broke the venue's attendance record.<ref>Musician, Issues 93–98. p.44. Amordian Press, 1986. Retrieved 5 June 2011</ref> The band also played behind the [[Iron Curtain]] when they performed to a crowd of 80,000 at the [[Ferenc Puskás Stadium (1953)|Népstadion]] in [[Budapest]] (released in the concert film ''[[Hungarian Rhapsody: Queen Live in Budapest]]''), in what was one of the biggest rock concerts ever held in Eastern Europe.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4SQEAAAAMBAJ&q=queen+80,000+budapest+1986&pg=PT85 |title=Billboard |date=16 August 1986 |access-date=19 November 2020 |archive-date=5 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240305150822/https://books.google.com/books?id=4SQEAAAAMBAJ&q=queen+80,000+budapest+1986&pg=PT85#v=snippet&q=queen%2080%2C000%20budapest%201986&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref> More than one million people saw Queen on the tour—400,000 in the UK alone, a record at the time.<ref name="hotshotdigital" />

The Magic Tour's highlight was at Wembley Stadium and resulted in the live double album ''[[Queen at Wembley]]'', released on CD and as a live concert VHS/DVD, which has gone five times platinum in the US and four times platinum in the UK.<ref name="RIAAC" /><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.queenzone.com/news/queen-wins-3-dvd-platinum-awards.aspx|title=Queen Wins 3 DVD Platinum Awards|publisher=Queenzone.com|date=13 June 2005|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930145956/http://www.queenzone.com/news/queen-wins-3-dvd-platinum-awards.aspx|archive-date=30 September 2011}}</ref> The demand for tickets saw extra dates added to the tour, with concert promoter [[Harvey Goldsmith]] stating "they seem to have an endless market."<ref name="Goldsmith">{{cite news |title=Helicopters, stabbings and smashed guitars: Freddie Mercury's last stand |url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/helicopters-stabbings-and-smashed-guitars-freddie-mercurys-last-stand |access-date=27 July 2023 |work=Louder Sound |archive-date=27 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230727191151/https://www.loudersound.com/features/helicopters-stabbings-and-smashed-guitars-freddie-mercurys-last-stand |url-status=live }}</ref> Queen could not book Wembley for a third night, but played at [[Knebworth Festival|Knebworth Park]] in Hertfordshire on 9 August. The show sold out within two hours and over 120,000 fans packed the park for what was Queen's final performance with Mercury.<ref>{{cite news|title=30 years since Queen's majestic farewell tour|url=https://www.sundaypost.com/fp/30-years-since-queens-majestic-farewell-tour/|work=The Sunday Post|date=21 March 2018|access-date=21 March 2018|archive-date=21 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180321193205/https://www.sundaypost.com/fp/30-years-since-queens-majestic-farewell-tour/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Queen: Live at Wembley Stadium|publisher=WLIW|url=http://wliw.org/productions/queen.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060428052918/http://wliw.org/productions/queen.html|archive-date=28 April 2006|url-status=dead}}</ref> At the end of the concert the band appeared on stage for the final time to an encore of "God Save the Queen", with Mercury, in his crown and gown, bidding the crowd "goodnight and sweet dreams".<ref name="Goldsmith"/> Roadie Peter Hince states, "At Knebworth, I somehow felt it was going to be the last for all of us"; Brian May recalled Mercury saying "I'm not going to be doing this forever. This is probably the last time."{{sfn|Blake|2016}}

===1988–1992: ''The Miracle'', ''Innuendo'' and Mercury's final years===
{{quote box
 | quote = There was all that time when we knew Freddie was on the way out, we kept our heads down.
 | source = —Brian May<ref name="BrianQuoteFreddie">{{cite web|title=Interview with Brian May|url=http://www.brianmaycentral.net/tgchr98.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070629204707/http://www.brianmaycentral.net/tgchr98.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2007-06-29|magazine=Total Guitar Magazine|date=December 1998|quote=There was all that time when we knew Freddie was on the way out, we kept our heads down.}}</ref>
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In October 1986, two months after his final concert, Mercury, on his return to London from holiday, was confronted by a tabloid frenzy at [[Heathrow Airport]] with the British newspapers the ''[[News of the World]]'' and ''[[The Sun (United Kingdom)|The Sun]]'' reporting he had his blood tested for HIV/AIDS at a [[Harley Street]] clinic, but Mercury was quoted as saying he was "perfectly fit and healthy".<ref name="Goldsmith"/> Fans noticed his increasingly gaunt appearance in 1988, with Mercury insisting he was merely "exhausted" and too busy to provide interviews; he was now 42 years old and had been involved in music for nearly two decades.<ref>''VH1 Legends: Queen''-Viacom International, VH1, 1997.</ref> He had in fact been diagnosed as HIV positive in 1987, but did not make his illness public, with only his inner circle of colleagues and friends aware of his condition.<ref name="BrianQuoteFreddie"/>

{{multiple image
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| image1 = Mountain-studios.jpg
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| caption1 = Queen recorded six studio albums at [[Mountain Studios]] in Montreux, Switzerland from 1978 to 1995, with Mercury making his final recording here in June 1991.
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| caption2 = The tribute wall in the studio. The free tour, [[Queen: The Studio Experience]], was opened in December 2013, with fans asked for a donation to the [[Mercury Phoenix Trust]] charity.<ref name="Montreux studio"/>
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After working on various solo projects during 1988 (including Mercury's collaboration with [[Montserrat Caballé]], ''[[Barcelona (Freddie Mercury and Montserrat Caballé album)|Barcelona]]''), the band released ''[[The Miracle (album)|The Miracle]]'' in 1989. The album continued the direction of ''A Kind of Magic'', using a pop-rock sound mixed with a few heavy numbers. It spawned the hit singles "[[I Want It All (Queen song)|I Want It All]]"—which became an anti-apartheid anthem in South Africa—"[[Scandal (song)|Scandal]]", and "[[The Miracle (song)|The Miracle]]".<ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=The Platinum Collection |title-link=The Platinum Collection (Queen album) |others=Queen |year=2000 |first=Jim |last=Jenkins |author2=Smith, Jacky |author3=Davis, Andy |author4=Symes, Phil |page=12 |type=CD booklet |publisher=[[Parlophone]] |id=7243 5 29883 2 7 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/r15983|title=Queen; The Miracle|website=AllMusic|access-date=28 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110101055559/http://www.allmusic.com/album/r15983|archive-date=1 January 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''The Miracle'' also began a change in direction of Queen's songwriting philosophy. Beforehand, nearly all songs had been written by and credited to a single member. With ''The Miracle'', their songwriting became more collaborative, and they vowed to credit the final product only to Queen as a group.{{sfn|Purvis|2006|p=67}}

In 1990, Queen ended their contract with Capitol and signed with [[Hollywood Records]]; through the deal, [[Disney Music Group|Disney]] acquired the North American distribution rights to Queen's catalogue for $10&nbsp;million, and remains the group's music catalogue owner and distributor in the US and Canada; the band retained ownership of the global rights through the UK-based Queen Productions [[Private company limited by shares|Ltd.]]<ref>{{cite news|title=Queen Signs With Disney, Raising Hope For CD Releases|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1990/09/13/queen-signs-with-disney-raising-hope-for-cd-releases/|access-date=17 July 2014|work=Chicago Tribune|publisher=Los Angeles Daily News|date=13 September 1990|archive-date=17 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150317172326/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1990-09-13/features/9003160958_1_queen-catalog-reissues-international-cd-exchange|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Wilker|first1=Deborah|title=Queen Must Decide On Replacing Freddie Mercury|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1992/05/07/queen-must-decide-on-replacing-freddie-mercury/|access-date=17 July 2014|work=Sun-Sentinel|date=7 May 1992|archive-date=17 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150317172331/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1992-05-07/features/9202100472_1_roxy-meade-queen-freddie-mercury|url-status=live}}</ref> In February that year, Mercury made what would prove to be his final public appearance when he joined the rest of Queen onstage at the [[Dominion Theatre]] in London to collect the [[Brit Awards|Brit Award]] for Outstanding Contribution to British Music.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/events/brit_awards/freddy.htm|title=The Highs and Lows of the Brit Awards|publisher=BBC|access-date=28 September 2014|date=2 December 1999|archive-date=1 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150301010136/http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/events/brit_awards/freddy.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

Their fourteenth studio album, ''[[Innuendo (album)|Innuendo]]'', was released in early 1991 with "[[Innuendo (song)|Innuendo]]" and other charting singles released later in the year. The music video for "[[The Show Must Go On (Queen song)|The Show Must Go On]]" featured archive footage of Queen's performances between 1981 and 1989, and along with the manner of the song's lyrics, fuelled reports that Mercury was dying.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.queenonline.com/en/the-band/discography/queen/ |title=Queen Online " History " Discography |publisher=Queenonline.com |access-date=7 November 2010 |archive-date=26 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120826182522/http://www.queenonline.com/en/the-band/discography/Queen/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Donald A. Guarisco|url= https://allmusic.com/song/the-show-must-go-on-t2359477|title=The Show Must Go On – Queen|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110904084457/http://allmusic.com/song/the-show-must-go-on-t2359477|archive-date=4 September 2011|website=AllMusic|access-date=23 May 2011}}</ref> Mercury was increasingly ill and could barely walk when the band recorded "The Show Must Go On" in 1990. Because of this, May had concerns about whether he was physically capable of singing it, but May recalled that he "completely killed it".<ref name="RollingStoneSingers" /> The rest of the band were ready to record when Mercury felt able to come into the studio, for an hour or two at a time. May says of Mercury: "He just kept saying. 'Write me more. Write me stuff. I want to just sing this and do it and when I am gone you can finish it off.' He had no fear, really."<ref name="Montreux studio" /> The band's second-greatest hits compilation, ''[[Greatest Hits II (Queen album)|Greatest Hits II]]'', followed in October 1991; it is the [[List of best-selling albums in the United Kingdom|tenth best-selling album]] in the UK,<ref name="bpialbums">{{cite web|url=http://www.bpi.co.uk/assets/files/top%2040%20albums.pdf|publisher=BPI|title=Top 40 Best Selling Albums 28 July 1956 – 14 June 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091122135241/http://www.bpi.co.uk/assets/files/top%2040%20albums.pdf|archive-date=22 November 2009}}</ref> the [[List of best-selling albums in Germany#By Units|seventh best-selling album in Germany]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.musikindustrie.de/fileadmin/piclib/presse/Dokumente_zum_Download/Gold_Platin_Hoechstverleihungen_Stand_100621.pdf|title=Highest Gold Platinum certifications as of 2008|access-date=3 July 2020|publisher=International Federation of the Phonographic Industry|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110104050205/http://www.musikindustrie.de/fileadmin/piclib/presse/Dokumente_zum_Download/Gold_Platin_Hoechstverleihungen_Stand_100621.pdf|archive-date=4 January 2011}}</ref> is certified Diamond in France where it is one of the [[List of best-selling albums in France#List of the 20 best-selling albums of all-time in France by sales|best-selling albums]],<ref>{{cite news |title=French album certifications – Queen – Greatest Hits Vol. 2 |url=http://www.infodisc.fr/Album_Certification_Liste.php |publisher=InfoDisc |quote=''Select'' QUEEN and click OK. |access-date=14 January 2022 |archive-date=14 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160414091613/http://www.infodisc.fr/Album_Certification_Liste.php |url-status=live }}</ref> and has sold 16&nbsp;million copies worldwide.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/5hpn |title=Queen Greatest Hits I and II Review |publisher=BBC |access-date=13 February 2018 |archive-date=13 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201213211602/https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/5hpn/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/greatest-hits-vol-2-r299806|title=Queen; Greatest Hits, Vol. 2|website=AllMusic|access-date=28 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007050544/http://allmusic.com/album/greatest-hits-vol-2-r299806|archive-date=7 October 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[File:Wembley Stadium Twin Towers.jpg|thumb|left|Following Mercury's death on 24 November 1991, [[The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert|his tribute concert]] was held at the original [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley Stadium]] in London on 20 April 1992, the same venue where Queen performed at Live Aid in July 1985]]
On 23 November 1991, in a prepared statement made on his deathbed, Mercury confirmed that he had AIDS.<ref name="Bret_1996_179">{{Cite book |author=Bret, David |year=1996 |title=Living on the Edge: The Freddie Mercury Story |location=London |publisher=Robson Books |isbn=1-86105-256-1|page=179 }}</ref> Within 24 hours of the statement, he [[Death of Freddie Mercury|died]] of [[Bronchopneumonia|bronchial pneumonia]], which was brought on as a complication of the disease.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/november/24/newsid_2546000/2546945.stm|title=1991: Giant of rock dies|publisher=BBC|access-date=28 September 2014|date=24 November 1991|archive-date=30 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130730110726/http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/november/24/newsid_2546000/2546945.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> His funeral service on 27 November in [[Kensal Green]], West London was private, and held in accordance with the [[Zoroastrianism|Zoroastrian]] religious faith of his family.<ref name="FreddieFuneral">{{cite web|title=Freddie, I'll Love You Always |url=http://mr-mercury.co.uk/nov_28_91_mirror_freddie.htm |work=The Mirror |date=28 November 1991 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141012022809/http://mr-mercury.co.uk/nov_28_91_mirror_freddie.htm |archive-date=12 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://mr-mercury.co.uk/sun_28_11_91.htm |title=Elton's Sad Farewell |publisher=Mr-mercury.co.uk |access-date=28 September 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141012022621/http://mr-mercury.co.uk/sun_28_11_91.htm |archive-date=12 October 2014}}</ref>

"Bohemian Rhapsody" was re-released as a single shortly after Mercury's death, with "[[These Are the Days of Our Lives]]" as the double A-side. The [[These Are the Days of Our Lives#Music video|music video]] for the latter contains Mercury's final scenes in front of the camera. Ron Hart of ''Rolling Stone'' wrote, "the conga-driven synth ballad "These Are the Days of Our Lives" is ''Innuendo''{{'s}} most significant single, given that its video marked the last time his fans were able to see the singer alive."<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Remembering Queen's Last Masterpiece, 'Innuendo' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/queens-innuendo-remembering-freddie-mercurys-last-masterpiece-223856/ |access-date=20 November 2022 |magazine=Rolling Stone |archive-date=30 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330175736/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/queens-innuendo-remembering-freddie-mercurys-last-masterpiece-223856/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The video was recorded on 30 May 1991 (which proved to be Mercury's final work with Queen).<ref>{{cite news |last=Sherwin |first=Adam |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/final-freddie-mercury-performance-discovered-2290788.html |title=Final Freddie Mercury performance discovered |work=The Independent |date=30 May 2011 |location=London |access-date=10 September 2017 |archive-date=30 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130930125248/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/final-freddie-mercury-performance-discovered-2290788.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The single went to [[List of number-one singles (UK)|number one]] in the UK, remaining there for five weeks—the only recording to top the Christmas chart twice and the only one to be number one in four different years (1975, 1976, 1991, and 1992).<ref>{{cite news |title=Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody voted the Nation's Favourite Number 1 Single |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/queen-s-bohemian-rhapsody-voted-the-nation-s-favourite-number-1-single__2258/ |access-date=20 November 2019 |work=Official Charts Company |archive-date=28 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190528120734/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/queen-s-bohemian-rhapsody-voted-the-nation-s-favourite-number-1-single__2258/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Initial proceeds from the single—approximately £1,000,000—were donated to the [[Terrence Higgins Trust]], an AIDS charity.<ref name="Avert - History of HIV & AIDS in the UK">{{Cite web|title=History of HIV & AIDS in the UK (1981–1995)|date=21 July 2015|publisher=Avert|url=http://www.avert.org/uk-aids-history.htm|access-date=14 February 2007|archive-date=28 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130828151743/http://www.avert.org/uk-aids-history.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

Queen's popularity was stimulated in North America when "Bohemian Rhapsody" was featured in the 1992 comedy film ''[[Wayne's World (film)|Wayne's World]]''.<ref name="Billboard1992"/> Its inclusion helped the song reach number two on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 for five weeks in 1992 (including its 1976 chart run, it remained in the Hot 100 for a combined 41 weeks),<ref name="Billboard1992"/> and won the band an [[MTV Award]] at the [[1992 MTV Video Music Awards]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/1992/mtvvmas.htm|title=1992 MTV Video Music Awards|publisher=Rockonthenet.com|access-date=28 September 2014|archive-date=12 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612141932/http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/1992/mtvvmas.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> The compilation album ''[[Classic Queen]]'' also reached number four on the ''Billboard'' 200, and is certified three times platinum in the US.<ref name=RIAAC/><ref name="Billboard1992"/> ''Wayne's World'' footage was used to make a new music video for "Bohemian Rhapsody", with which the band and management were delighted.<ref>''Made in Heaven'' video documentary "Champions of the World".</ref>

On 20 April 1992, [[The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert]] was held at London's [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley Stadium]] to a crowd of 72,000.<ref name="definitive3">{{Cite book|last=Jackson|first=Laura|year=2002|page=3|title=Queen: The Definitive Biography|place=London|publisher=Piatkus|isbn=978-0-7499-2317-4}}</ref> Performers, including [[Def Leppard]], [[Robert Plant]], [[Tony Iommi]], [[Roger Daltrey]], [[Guns N' Roses]], [[Elton John]], [[David Bowie]], [[George Michael]], [[Annie Lennox]], [[Seal (musician)|Seal]], [[Extreme (band)|Extreme]], and [[Metallica]] performed various Queen songs along with the three remaining Queen members (and [[Spike Edney]].) The concert is listed in the ''Guinness Book of Records'' as "The largest rock star [[benefit concert]]",<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Folkard|first1=Claire|last2=Vidal|first2=Oriol|year=2004|title=Guinness World Records 2005}}</ref> as it was televised to over 1.2&nbsp;billion viewers worldwide,<ref name="hotshotdigital"/> and raised over £20,000,000 for AIDS charities.<ref name="Avert - History of HIV & AIDS in the UK"/>

===1995–2003: ''Made in Heaven'' to 46664 Concert===
[[File:2010 1129 Montreux 029t.jpg|thumb|upright|Statue of Mercury overlooking [[Lake Geneva]] in [[Montreux]], Switzerland]]
Queen's last album with Mercury, titled ''[[Made in Heaven]]'', was released in 1995, four years after his death.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.queenonline.com/en/the-band/discography/made-heaven/ |title=Made in Heaven |publisher=Queenonline.com |access-date=26 April 2012 |archive-date=5 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170705100644/http://www.queenonline.com/en/the-band/discography/made-heaven/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Featuring tracks such as "[[Too Much Love Will Kill You]]" and "[[Heaven for Everyone]]", it was constructed from Mercury's final recordings in 1991, material left over from their previous studio albums and re-worked material from May, Taylor, and Mercury's solo albums. The album also featured the song "[[Mother Love (song)|Mother Love]]", the last vocal recording Mercury made, which he completed using a drum machine, over which May, Taylor and Deacon later added the instrumental track.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Lemieux|first1=Patrick|title=The Queen Chronology: The Recording & Release History of the Band|date=2013|publisher=Lulu|page=86}}</ref> After completing the penultimate verse, Mercury had told the band he "wasn't feeling that great" and stated, "I will finish it when I come back, next time". Mercury never returned to the studio afterwards, leaving May to record the final verse of the song.<ref name="Montreux studio">{{cite news|title=Inside the studio where Freddie Mercury sang his last song|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/music-news/10486116/Inside-the-studio-where-Freddie-Mercury-sang-his-last-song.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/music-news/10486116/Inside-the-studio-where-Freddie-Mercury-sang-his-last-song.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=25 October 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Both stages of recording, before and after Mercury's death, were completed at the [[Mountain Studios|band's studio]] in [[Montreux]], Switzerland.<ref name="SMH">{{cite news |url=https://www.smh.com.au/travel/mercury-heavy-metal-and-a-jazz-explosion-20110323-1c6hc.html |title=Mercury, heavy metal and a jazz explosion |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |access-date=19 February 2020 |archive-date=26 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140426234356/http://www.smh.com.au/travel/mercury-heavy-metal-and-a-jazz-explosion-20110323-1c6hc.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> The album reached number one in the UK following its release, their [[List of artists by number of UK Albums Chart number ones|ninth number one album]], and sold 20&nbsp;million copies worldwide.<ref name=GUAR>{{cite news | last = Michaels | first = Sean | date = 20 March 2008 | url = https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/mar/20/news1 | title = We will rock you – again | work = The Guardian | access-date = 16 January 2011 | location = London | archive-date = 9 December 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131209135320/http://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/mar/20/news1 | url-status = live }}</ref><ref name="definitive2">{{Cite book|last=Jackson|first=Laura|year=2002|page=2|title=Queen: The Definitive Biography |location = London|publisher=Piatkus|isbn=978-0-7499-2317-4}}</ref> On 25 November 1996, a statue of Mercury was unveiled in Montreux overlooking [[Lake Geneva]], almost five years to the day since his death.<ref name="SMH"/><ref>[http://montreuxmusic.com/fmm/content/view/61/96/lang,english/ Montreuxmusic – Freddie Mercury statue. EMI international.]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326014321/http://montreuxmusic.com/fmm/content/view/61/96/lang%2Cenglish/ |date=26 March 2012 }}</ref>
{{quote box
 | quote = You guys should go out and play again. It must be like having a Ferrari in the garage waiting for a driver.
 | source = —[[Elton John]], on Queen being without a lead singer since the death of Freddie Mercury.<ref name="Chronicle"/>
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In 1997, Queen returned to the studio to record "[[No-One but You (Only the Good Die Young)]]", a song dedicated to Mercury and all those who die too soon.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.queenarchives.com/index.php?title=Queen_-_XX-XX-1997_-_No_One_But_You|title=Queen Press Release – No One But You|publisher=Queenarchives.com|access-date=28 September 2014|archive-date=28 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101128163336/http://www.queenarchives.com/index.php?title=Queen_-_XX-XX-1997_-_No_One_But_You|url-status=live}}</ref> It was released as a bonus track on the ''[[Queen Rocks]]'' compilation album later that year, and features in ''[[Greatest Hits III (Queen album)|Greatest Hits III]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Queen: No-one But You/Tie Your Mother Down|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/Give%20A%20Little%20Love|access-date=12 September 2019|archive-date=8 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308141006/https://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/give%20a%20little%20love/|url-status=live}}</ref> In January 1997, Queen performed "[[The Show Must Go On (Queen song)|The Show Must Go On]]" live with Elton John and the [[Béjart Ballet]] in Paris on a night Mercury was remembered, and it marked the last performance and public appearance of John Deacon, who chose to retire.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.guitarmagazine.co.uk/articles.php?r=0d5957da-3443-11e0-a2fd-002215530376|title=John Deacon Bass Tabs and Techniques|date=26 February 2009|author=Jake Farey|work=Guitar & Bass|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105011638/http://www.guitarmagazine.co.uk/articles.php?r=0d5957da-3443-11e0-a2fd-002215530376|archive-date=5 November 2013}}</ref> The Paris concert was only the second time Queen had played live since Mercury's death, prompting Elton John to urge them to perform again.<ref name="Chronicle">{{cite web |url=http://www.queenzone.com/articles/crowning-glory.aspx |title=Crowning Glory |publisher=Queenzone.com |access-date=11 August 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101207100717/http://www.queenzone.com/articles/crowning-glory.aspx |archive-date=7 December 2010 }}</ref> Brian May and Roger Taylor performed together at several award ceremonies and charity concerts, sharing vocals with various guest singers. During this time, they were billed as ''Queen +'' followed by the guest singer's name. In 1998, the duo appeared at [[Luciano Pavarotti]]'s benefit concert with May performing "[[Too Much Love Will Kill You]]" with Pavarotti, later playing "Radio Ga Ga", "We Will Rock You", and "We Are the Champions" with [[Zucchero]]. They again attended and performed at Pavarotti's benefit concert in [[Modena]], Italy in May 2003.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.queenconcerts.com/detail/live/1183/brian-may-roger-taylor-live-27-05-2003-modena-italy-pavarotti-amp;-friends.html|title=Brian May + Roger Taylor live at the Parco Novi Sad, Modena, Italy (Pavarotti & Friends) [27.05.2003]|publisher=Queenconcerts.com|access-date=7 May 2012|archive-date=1 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701082236/http://www.queenconcerts.com/detail/live/1183/brian-may-roger-taylor-live-27-05-2003-modena-italy-pavarotti-amp;-friends.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Several of the guest singers recorded new versions of Queen's hits under the ''Queen +'' name, such as [[Robbie Williams]] providing vocals for "We Are the Champions" for the soundtrack of ''[[A Knight's Tale]]'' (2001).<ref name="RobbieWATC">{{cite web|title=Soundtrack for "A Knight's Tale"|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0183790/soundtrack|publisher=Internet Movie Database|access-date=1 July 2018|archive-date=4 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181104105851/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0183790/soundtrack|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Queen-star-hollywood.jpg|thumb|Queen's star on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]] at 6358 Hollywood Boulevard]]
In November 1999, ''[[Greatest Hits III (Queen album)|Greatest Hits III]]'' was released. This featured, among others, "Queen + [[Wyclef Jean]]" on a [[Hip hop music|rap]] version of "Another One Bites the Dust". A live version of "Somebody to Love" by [[George Michael]] and a live version of "The Show Must Go On" with [[Elton John]] were also featured in the album.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/artists/a0b77a10-ecff-4b84-b1f3-008391038d67 |title=Music – John Deacon |publisher=BBC |access-date=2 June 2010 |archive-date=24 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100424051350/http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/artists/a0b77a10-ecff-4b84-b1f3-008391038d67 |url-status=dead }}</ref> By this point, Queen's vast amount of record sales made them the second-bestselling artist in the UK of all time, behind [[the Beatles]].<ref name="definitive2"/> In November 2000, the band released the box set, ''[[The Platinum Collection (Queen album)|The Platinum Collection]]''. It is certified seven times platinum in the UK and five times platinum in the US.<ref>{{cite news |title=BRIT Certified |url=https://www.bpi.co.uk/brit-certified/ |access-date=22 September 2021 |agency=BPI |quote=Select albums in the Format field. Type Queen in the "Search BPI Awards" field |archive-date=21 October 2018 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20181021092428/https://www.bpi.co.uk/brit-certified/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Queen – The Platinum Collection". |url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Queen&ti=The+Platinum+Collection&format=Album&type=#search_section |access-date=22 September 2021 |agency=RIAA |archive-date=29 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211129030146/https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Queen&ti=The+Platinum+Collection&format=Album&type=#search_section |url-status=live }}</ref> On 18 October 2002, Queen were awarded the 2,207th star on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]], for their work in the music industry, which is located at 6358 [[Hollywood Blvd.|Hollywood Blvd]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/2339131.stm |title=Queen honoured with Hollywood star |work=BBC News |date=18 October 2002 |access-date=6 February 2007 |archive-date=14 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110314145421/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/2339131.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> On 29 November 2003, May and Taylor performed at the [[46664 (concerts)|46664 Concert]] hosted by [[Nelson Mandela]] at [[Green Point Stadium]], Cape Town, to raise awareness of the spread of HIV/AIDS in South Africa.<ref name="SAConcert"/> A new song, "Invincible Hope", featuring Mandela's speech and credited to Queen + Nelson Mandela, was performed during the concert and later released on the ''46664: One Year On'' EP.<ref>{{cite news|title=iTunes of Hope|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/paul-mccartney-434-1356293|access-date=2 June 2019|work=NME|archive-date=2 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190602161910/https://www.nme.com/news/music/paul-mccartney-434-1356293|url-status=live}}</ref> During that period May and Taylor spent time at Mandela's home, discussing how Africa's problems might be approached, and two years later the band were made ambassadors for the 46664 cause.<ref name="SAConcert">{{cite web |url=http://www.46664.com/ambassadors/entry/brian-may |title=Brian May – Ambassadors – 46664 |publisher=46664.com |date=30 November 2003 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004120505/http://www.46664.com/ambassadors/entry/brian-may |archive-date=4 October 2011 }}</ref>

===2004–2009: Queen + Paul Rodgers===
{{Main|Queen + Paul Rodgers}}
[[File:2005 Queen + Paul Rodgers.jpg|thumb|left|Queen performing with [[Paul Rodgers]] during their 2005 [[Queen + Paul Rodgers Tour|tour]]|alt=l-r:Paul Rodgers, Roger Taylor, and Brian May live in 2005 for the Queen + Paul Rodgers tour]]
At the end of 2004, May and Taylor announced that they would reunite and return to touring in 2005 with [[Paul Rodgers]] (founder and former lead singer of [[Free (band)|Free]] and [[Bad Company]]). Brian May's website also stated that Rodgers would be "featured with" Queen as "Queen + Paul Rodgers", not replacing Mercury.<ref name="bmcom_jdr">{{cite web|title=Queen News March 2006|publisher=brianmay.com|url=http://brianmay.com/queen/queennews/queennewsmar06c.html|access-date=4 March 2007|archive-date=29 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130829024507/http://brianmay.com/queen/queennews/queennewsmar06c.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> In November 2004, Queen were among the inaugural inductees into the [[UK Music Hall of Fame]], and the award ceremony was the first event at which Rodgers joined May and Taylor as vocalist.<ref name="SAConcert"/>

Between 2005 and 2006, Queen + Paul Rodgers embarked on a [[Queen + Paul Rodgers Tour|world tour]], which was the first time Queen toured since their [[Magic Tour (Queen)|last tour]] with Freddie Mercury in 1986.<ref name="2005Guardian">{{cite news |last=Gibson |first=Owen |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2005/jul/05/arts.artsnews1 |title=Queen most loved band |work=The Guardian |date=5 July 2005 |location=London |access-date=16 December 2016 |archive-date=30 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130930131519/https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2005/jul/05/arts.artsnews1 |url-status=live }}</ref> Taylor said: "We never thought we would tour again, Paul came along by chance and we seemed to have a chemistry. Paul is just such a great singer. He's not trying to be Freddie."<ref name="2005Guardian"/> The first leg was in Europe, the second in Japan, and the third in the US in 2006.<ref name="concertography">{{cite web |url=http://www.ultimatequeen.co.uk/live/queenpr.htm |title=Queen + Paul Rodgers Concertography |publisher=Ultimatequeen.co.uk |access-date=27 May 2011 |archive-date=28 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120928215806/http://www.ultimatequeen.co.uk/live/queenpr.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Queen received the inaugural [[VH1 Rock Honors]] at the [[Mandalay Bay Events Center]] in [[Las Vegas Valley|Las Vegas]], Nevada, on 25 May 2006.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Cohen|first=Jonathan|date=6 April 2006|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/58826/vh1-rock-honors-to-salute-kiss-queen|title=VH1 Rock Honors To Salute Kiss, Queen|magazine=Billboard|access-date=23 December 2017|archive-date=25 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180725040319/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/58826/vh1-rock-honors-to-salute-kiss-queen|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Foo Fighters]] performed "[[Tie Your Mother Down]]" to open the ceremony before being joined on stage by May, Taylor, and Rodgers, who played a selection of Queen hits.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vh1.com/video/misc/89881/queen-foo-fighters-we-will-rock-you-we-are-the-champions-live-at-rock-honors-2006.jhtml |title=Queen & Foo Fighters "We Will Rock You/We Are The Champions" Live at Rock Honors 2006 |publisher=VH1 |date=3 December 2010 |access-date=27 May 2011 |archive-date=1 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140701142745/http://www.vh1.com/video/misc/89881/queen-foo-fighters-we-will-rock-you-we-are-the-champions-live-at-rock-honors-2006.jhtml |url-status=dead }}</ref>
[[File:KharkovQueenNightConcert01.JPG|thumb|Queen + Paul Rodgers concert in [[Freedom Square, Kharkiv|Kharkiv's Freedom Square]], Ukraine, 12 September 2008]]
Queen + Paul Rodgers performed at the [[Nelson Mandela 90th Birthday Tribute]] held in [[Hyde Park, London|Hyde Park]], London on 27 June 2008, to commemorate Mandela's ninetieth birthday, and again promote awareness of the HIV/AIDS pandemic.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7384423.stm |title=Mandela concert line-up unveiled |work=BBC News |date=6 May 2008 |access-date=24 June 2011 |archive-date=20 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170620064241/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7384423.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> The first Queen + Paul Rodgers album, titled ''[[The Cosmos Rocks]]'', was released in Europe on 12 September 2008 and in the US on 28 October 2008.<ref name=GUAR/> The band again toured Europe, opening on [[Freedom Square (Kharkiv)|Kharkiv's Freedom Square]] in front of 350,000 Ukrainian fans;<ref name=QANDPR>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/competitions/2009/06/18/win-queen-paul-rodgers-live-in-ukraine-dvds-86908-21450854/ |title=Queen & Paul Rodgers – Live In Ukraine DVDs! |work=Daily Record |location=Scotland |access-date=28 September 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305075556/http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/competitions/2009/06/18/win-queen-paul-rodgers-live-in-ukraine-dvds-86908-21450854/ |archive-date=5 March 2012}}</ref> the concert was [[Live in Ukraine|released on DVD]].<ref name=QANDPR/> The tour then moved to Russia, and the band performed two sold-out shows at the [[Olympic Stadium (Moscow arena)|Moscow Arena]].<ref name="QROD">{{cite web|url=http://www.queenconcerts.com/live/queen/pr2008.html|title=Queen on tour: Queen + Paul Rodgers 2008|publisher=Queenconcerts.com|access-date=16 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721044806/http://www.queenconcerts.com/live/queen/pr2008.html|archive-date=21 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> Having completed the first leg of the European tour, which saw the band play 15 sold-out dates across nine countries, the UK leg of the tour sold out within 90 minutes of going on sale and included three London dates, the first of which was [[The O2 Arena|the O<sub>2</sub> Arena]] on 13 October.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.queenworld.com/artman/publish/article_853.shtml |title=QUEEN + PAUL RODGERS: UK Tour Press Release |publisher=Queenworld.com |date=8 October 2008 |access-date=16 June 2011 |archive-date=1 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701065153/http://www.queenworld.com/artman/publish/article_853.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> The last leg of the tour was in South America, and included a sold-out concert at [[José Amalfitani Stadium]], Buenos Aires.<ref name="QROD"/>

Queen and Paul Rodgers split up on 12 May 2009.<ref name="QNME"/> Rodgers stated: "My arrangement with [Queen] was similar to my arrangement with [[Jimmy Page|Jimmy]] [Page] in [[The Firm (rock band)|The Firm]] in that it was never meant to be a permanent arrangement".<ref name="QNME">{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/news/queen/44670 |title=Queen end collaboration with Paul Rodgers |work=NME |date=14 May 2009 |access-date=19 February 2020 |archive-date=18 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160918005401/http://www.nme.com/news/queen/44670 |url-status=live }}</ref> Rodgers did not rule out the possibility of working with Queen again.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.idiomag.com/peek/81670/queen|title=Paul Rodgers, Queen Split: "It Was Never a Permanent Arrangement"|access-date=14 May 2009|date=13 May 2009|publisher=[[idiomag]]|archive-date=29 May 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090529234943/http://www.idiomag.com/peek/81670/queen|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.idiomag.com/peek/81817/queen|title=Queen and Paul Rodgers split|access-date=14 May 2009|date=14 May 2009|publisher=[[idiomag]]|archive-date=29 May 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090529234652/http://www.idiomag.com/peek/81817/queen|url-status=live}}</ref>

===2009–2011: Departure from EMI, 40th anniversary===
On 20 May 2009, May and Taylor performed "We Are the Champions" live on the season finale of ''[[American Idol]]'' with winner [[Kris Allen]] and runner-up [[Adam Lambert]] providing a vocal duet.<ref name="AIdol">{{cite web |last=Kaufman |first=Gil |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1611896/20090520/queen.jhtml |title=Kris Allen, Adam Lambert Tear Up Queen's 'We Are The Champions' – News Story &#124; MTV News |publisher=MTV |date=20 May 2009 |access-date=2 June 2010 |archive-date=1 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100401155919/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1611896/20090520/queen.jhtml |url-status=dead }}</ref> A new greatest hits compilation ''[[Absolute Greatest]]'' was released on 16 November and peaked at number 3 in the UK.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/albums-chart/20091122/7502/|title=Chart Archive: Top 40 Official UK Albums Archive – 28th November 2009|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]|access-date=4 August 2011|archive-date=16 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016064223/http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/albums-chart/20091122/7502/|url-status=live}}</ref> It contains 20 of Queen's hits spanning their career and was released in four different formats: single disc, double disc (with commentary), double disc with feature book, and a [[vinyl record]]. Before its release, Queen ran an online competition to guess the track listing as a promotion for the album.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.queenonline.com/error/404|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402201532/http://www.queenonline.com/news-archive/absolute-greatest-tracklist-revealed-/|url-status=dead|title=Absolute Greatest Tracklist Revealed!|archivedate=2 April 2012|website=www.queenonline.com}}</ref> On 15 November 2009, May and Taylor performed "Bohemian Rhapsody" live on the British TV show ''[[The X Factor (UK)|The X Factor]]'' alongside the finalists.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/film-tv/news/x-factor-twins-john-and-edward-in-final-six-14563848.html | title = X Factor twins John and Edward in final six | newspaper = The Belfast Telegraph | date = 16 November 2009 | access-date = 16 November 2009 | archive-date = 18 November 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091118185727/http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/film-tv/news/x-factor-twins-john-and-edward-in-final-six-14563848.html | url-status = live }}</ref>

{{quote box
 | quote = Many of you will have read bits and pieces on the internet about Queen changing record companies and so I wanted to confirm to you that the band have signed a new contract with Universal Music ... we would like to thank the EMI team for all their hard work over the years, the many successes and the fond memories, and of course we look forward to continuing to work with EMI Music Publishing who take care of our songwriting affairs. Next year we start working with our new record company to celebrate Queen's 40th anniversary and we will be announcing full details of the plans over the next 3 months. As Brian has already said Queen's next moves will involve 'studio work, computers and live work.
 | source = —[[Jim Beach]], Queen's Manager, on the change of record label.<ref name="label"/>
 | width = 23em
 | align = left
 | style = padding:10px;
}}

On 20 August 2010, Queen's manager [[Jim Beach]] announced that the band had signed a new contract with Universal Music<ref name="label">{{cite web |url=http://www.brianmay.com/queen/queennews/queennewsaug10.html |title=Queen News August 2010 |publisher=Brianmay.com |access-date=7 November 2010 |archive-date=15 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181115211003/https://www.brianmay.com/queen/queennews/queennewsaug10.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> after almost 40 years with [[EMI]].<ref>{{cite news | url = http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article7141990.ece | title = Can EMI pick up the pieces? | date = 2 June 2010 | last = Paphides | first = Pete | newspaper = [[The Times]] | location = London | access-date = 27 June 2010 | archive-date = 15 June 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110615183306/http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article7141990.ece | url-status = dead }}</ref> On 22 September, May confirmed that the band's new deal was with [[Island Records]], a subsidiary of [[Universal Music Group]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GC_DPjh6gWA  |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/GC_DPjh6gWA| archive-date=11 December 2021 |url-status=live|title=Hardtalk Interview Part 1 |date=23 September 2010 |publisher=YouTube |access-date=20 December 2010}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZ4eeS5D8dc  |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/MZ4eeS5D8dc| archive-date=11 December 2021 |url-status=live|title=Hardtalk Interview Part 2 |date=23 September 2010 |publisher=YouTube |access-date=20 December 2010}}{{cbignore}}</ref> [[Hollywood Records]] remained as the group's label in the US and Canada. For the first time since the late 1980s, Queen's catalogue now has the same distributor worldwide, as Universal distributes for both the Island and Hollywood labels (for a time in the late 1980s, Queen was on EMI-owned [[Capitol Records]] in the US).<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Collett-White|first1=Mike|title=Queen Signs To Universal, Preps Remastered Albums|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/951467/queen-signs-to-universal-preps-remastered-albums|access-date=17 July 2014|magazine=Billboard|date=8 November 2010|archive-date=7 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007005124/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/951467/queen-signs-to-universal-preps-remastered-albums|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 14 March 2011, the band's 40th anniversary, Queen's first five albums were re-released in the UK and some other territories as remastered deluxe editions; the US versions were released on 17 May.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.queenonline.com/en/news-archive/first-five-albums-re-released-today/|title=First Five Albums Re–Released Today!|access-date=25 May 2011|date=14 March 2011|publisher=Queen|archive-date=16 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110816062124/http://www.queenonline.com/en/news-archive/first-five-albums-re-released-today/|url-status=live}}</ref> The second five albums of Queen's back catalogue were released worldwide on 27 June, and on 27 September in the US and Canada.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.queenonline.com/en/news-archive/press-release-second-five-albums-re-issued-13th-june/|title=Press Release: Second Five Albums Re-Issued on 27th June|access-date=25 May 2011|date=5 April 2011|publisher=Queen|archive-date=16 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110816065349/http://www.queenonline.com/en/news-archive/press-release-second-five-albums-re-issued-13th-june/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.queenonline.com/en/news-archive/second-set-re-issues-uk-pre-order-links/ |title=Second Set of Re-issues: Out This Week! |publisher=Queenonline.com |access-date=7 July 2011 |archive-date=30 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630071056/http://www.queenonline.com/en/news-archive/second-set-re-issues-uk-pre-order-links/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The final five were released in the UK on 5 September.<ref>{{cite web|title=Press Release: Final Five Albums Re-Issued On 5th September|url=http://www.queenonline.com/en/news-archive/press-release-final-five-albums-re-issued-5th-september/|publisher=Queenonline.com|access-date=22 July 2011|archive-date=22 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110922073354/http://www.queenonline.com/en/news-archive/press-release-final-five-albums-re-issued-5th-september/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In May 2011, [[Jane's Addiction]] vocalist [[Perry Farrell]] said that Queen were scouting their live bassist [[Chris Chaney]] to join the band.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spinnermusic.co.uk/2011/05/20/perry-farrell-janes-addiction-dave-sitek-queen|title=Perry Farrell Battles Queen for a Bassist, Plots Dream Lineup for Lollapalooza 2012|publisher=Spinner|access-date=25 May 2011|archive-date=28 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110528054136/http://www.spinnermusic.co.uk/2011/05/20/perry-farrell-janes-addiction-dave-sitek-queen|url-status=dead}}</ref> In the same month, Paul Rodgers stated he might tour with Queen again in the future.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.queenzone.com/news/paul-rodgers-to-tour-with-queen-again.aspx |title=Paul Rodgers to tour with Queen again? |publisher=Queenzone.com |date=31 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604215559/http://www.queenzone.com/news/paul-rodgers-to-tour-with-queen-again.aspx |archive-date=4 June 2011 }}</ref> At the 2011 [[Broadcast Music, Incorporated]] (BMI) Awards held in London on 4 October, Queen received the BMI Icon Award for their airplay success in the US.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/news/queen/59624 |title=Queen take the Icon prize at BMI Awards |work=NME |date=5 October 2011 |access-date=19 February 2020 |archive-date=1 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701004107/http://www.nme.com/news/queen/59624 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/553017 |title=Queen, the Script, Andrew Frampton, Fraser T. Smith & more honored at 2011 BMI London Awards |publisher=Bmi.com |date=4 October 2011 |access-date=5 October 2011 |archive-date=1 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130801094438/http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/553017 |url-status=live }}</ref> At the [[2011 MTV Europe Music Awards]] on 6 November, Queen received the [[MTV Europe Music Award for Global Icon|Global Icon Award]], which [[Katy Perry]] presented to Brian May.<ref name="EMA"/> Queen closed the awards ceremony, with Lambert singing "The Show Must Go On", "We Will Rock You" and "We Are the Champions".<ref name="EMA">{{cite web |author=Source: Penny Newton |url=http://www.mtv.com.au/news/61c139e8-katy-perry-adam-lambert-honour-queen/ |title=Katy and Adam Honour Queen |publisher=MTV |date=6 November 2011 |access-date=7 November 2011 |archive-date=12 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120912235351/http://www.mtv.com.au/news/61c139e8-katy-perry-adam-lambert-honour-queen/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The collaboration received a positive response from fans and critics, resulting in speculation about future projects together.<ref name="Sonisphere">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/17100301 |title=Adam Lambert to perform with Queen at Sonisphere |publisher=BBC |date=20 February 2012 |access-date=25 December 2019 |archive-date=24 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130724202732/http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/17100301 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===2011–present: Queen + Adam Lambert, ''Queen Forever''===
{{Main|Queen + Adam Lambert}}
[[File:Adam Lambert and Queen.jpg|thumb|Queen + [[Adam Lambert]] concert at the [[TD Garden]], Boston in July 2014]]
On 25 and 26 April, May and Taylor appeared on the eleventh series of ''[[American Idol season 11|American Idol]]'' at the [[Nokia Theatre L.A. Live|Nokia Theatre]], Los Angeles, performing a Queen medley with the six finalists on the first show, and the following day performed "[[Somebody to Love (Queen song)|Somebody to Love]]" with the 'Queen Extravaganza' band.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/the-queen-extravaganza-somebody-to-love-on-american-idol-20120427 |title=The Queen Extravaganza: 'Somebody to Love' on American Idol |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=27 April 2012 |access-date=10 September 2017 |archive-date=21 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150121132316/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/the-queen-extravaganza-somebody-to-love-on-american-idol-20120427 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Queen were scheduled to headline [[Sonisphere]] at [[Knebworth Festival|Knebworth]] on 7 July 2012 with Adam Lambert<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sonisphere.co.uk/news/queen-adam-lambert/ |title=Queen + Adam Lambert = Saturday night partytime |publisher=Sonisphere.co.uk |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120221200049/http://sonisphere.co.uk/news/queen-adam-lambert/ |archive-date=21 February 2012}}</ref> before the festival was cancelled.<ref name="Cancelled">{{cite web|url=http://sonisphere.co.uk/news/sonisphere-knebworth-is-cancelled/ |title=Sonisphere festival cancelled |access-date=29 March 2012 |work=sonisphere |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331010710/http://sonisphere.co.uk/news/sonisphere-knebworth-is-cancelled/ |archive-date=31 March 2012}}</ref> Queen said that they were looking to find another venue.<ref name="queenstate">{{cite web |url=http://www.queenonline.com/en/news-archive/sonisphere-statement/ |title=Sonisphere – Statement from Queen |publisher=Queenonline.com |access-date=29 March 2012 |archive-date=30 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630071042/http://www.queenonline.com/en/news-archive/sonisphere-statement/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Queen + Adam Lambert played two shows at the [[Hammersmith Apollo]], London on 11 and 12 July 2012.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.queenonline.com/en/news-archive/press-release-queen-play-hammersmith/|title=Press Release: Queen To Play Hammersmith|date=12 April 2012|access-date=12 April 2012|archive-date=14 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120414172737/http://www.queenonline.com/en/news-archive/press-release-queen-play-hammersmith/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/497064/queen-adam-lambert-playing-four-shows-this-summer |title=Queen + Adam Lambert Playing Four Shows This Summer |magazine=Billboard |date=9 April 2012 |access-date=19 February 2020 |archive-date=3 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140703083808/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/497064/queen-adam-lambert-playing-four-shows-this-summer |url-status=live }}</ref> Both shows sold out within 24 hours of tickets going on sale.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.queenonline.com/en/news-archive/queen-adam-lambert-hammersmith-shows-general-sale-now/|title=Queen + Adam Lambert Hammersmith Shows – SOLD OUT|date=19 April 2012|access-date=19 April 2012|archive-date=20 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120420211545/http://www.queenonline.com/en/news-archive/queen-adam-lambert-hammersmith-shows-general-sale-now/|url-status=live}}</ref> A third London date was scheduled for 14 July.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://finance.yahoo.com/news/instant-sell-queen-adam-lambert-060000198.html|archive-url= https://archive.today/20120708160118/http://finance.yahoo.com/news/instant-sell-queen-adam-lambert-060000198.html|url-status=dead|title=After 'Instant' Sell-out, Queen and Adam Lambert Add Third London Dat ...|date=8 July 2012|archive-date=8 July 2012}}</ref> On 30 June, Queen + Lambert performed in [[Kyiv]], Ukraine at a joint concert with [[Elton John]] for the Elena Pinchuk ANTIAIDS Foundation.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ultimateclassicrock.com/queen-rock-kiev-with-adam-lambert/ |title=Queen Rock Kiev With Adam Lambert |magazine=Ultimate classic rock |date=1 July 2012 |access-date=4 July 2012 |archive-date=15 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115014056/http://ultimateclassicrock.com/queen-rock-kiev-with-adam-lambert/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Queen also performed with Lambert on 3 July 2012 at Moscow's [[Olympic Stadium (Moscow)|Olympic Stadium]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://queenonline.com/en/news-archive/press-release-queen-adam-lambert-will-rock-moscow/|title=Press Release: Queen + Adam Lambert Will Rock Moscow|date=28 February 2012|access-date=3 March 2012|archive-date=30 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130530215425/http://www.queenonline.com/en/news-archive/press-release-queen-adam-lambert-will-rock-moscow/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/idolchatter/post/2012/02/adam-lambert-has-second-show-with-queen/1 |title=Adam Lambert has second show with Queen |work=USA Today |date=28 February 2012 |access-date=10 March 2012 |archive-date=30 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150430055508/http://content.usatoday.com/communities/idolchatter/post/2012/02/adam-lambert-has-second-show-with-queen/1 |url-status=live }}</ref> and on 7 July 2012 at the [[Stadion Miejski (Wrocław)|Municipal Stadium]] in Wroclaw, Poland.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://queenonline.com/en/news-archive/press-release-queen-adam-lambert-announce-poland-show/|title=Press Release: Queen + Adam Lambert Announce Poland Show|date=27 April 2012|access-date=30 April 2012|archive-date=24 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130724133952/http://www.queenonline.com/en/news-archive/press-release-queen-adam-lambert-announce-poland-show/|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:AdamQueenMSG.jpg|thumb|left|Lambert on stage with Queen at Madison Square Garden, New York City in July 2014 performing "[[Who Wants to Live Forever]]"]]
On 12 August 2012, Queen performed at the [[2012 Summer Olympics closing ceremony|closing ceremony]] of the [[2012 Summer Olympics]] in London.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.capitalfm.com/artists/jessie-j/news/queen-olympics-closing-ceremony/ |title=Olympics Closing Ceremony: Jessie J Joins Queen For 'We Will Rock You' Performance |publisher=Capital Radio |date=12 August 2012 |access-date=19 August 2012 |archive-date=16 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120816001359/http://www.capitalfm.com/artists/jessie-j/news/queen-olympics-closing-ceremony/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The performance at London's [[Olympic Stadium (London)|Olympic Stadium]] opened with a remastered video clip of Mercury on stage performing his [[call and response]] routine during their 1986 concert at Wembley Stadium.<ref name="Olympics2012"/> Following this, May performed part of the "[[Brighton Rock (song)|Brighton Rock]]" solo before being joined by Taylor and solo artist [[Jessie J]] for a performance of "We Will Rock You".<ref name="Olympics2012">{{cite news |last=Rees |first=Jasper |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-19195421 |title=Olympics closing ceremony: A long goodbye to the Games |publisher=BBC |date=13 August 2012 |access-date=22 June 2018 |archive-date=27 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120827075844/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-19195421 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/9472447/Record-TV-audience-for-Olympics-closing-ceremony.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/9472447/Record-TV-audience-for-Olympics-closing-ceremony.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Record TV audience for Olympics Closing ceremony |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=13 August 2012 |access-date=22 September 2013 |first=Rosa |last=Silverman |location=London}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

On 20 September 2013, Queen + Adam Lambert performed at the [[iHeartRadio Music Festival]] at the [[MGM Grand Hotel & Casino]] in Las Vegas.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/lineup-announced-for-the-2013-iheartradio-festival/|title=Lineup announced for the 2013 iHeartRadio festival|date=15 July 2013|work=CBS News|access-date=28 September 2014|archive-date=16 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141216220758/http://www.cbsnews.com/news/lineup-announced-for-the-2013-iheartradio-festival/|url-status=live}}</ref> Queen + Adam Lambert toured North America in 2014<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/queen-and-adam-lambert-to-reunite-for-summer-tour-20140306|title=Queen and Adam Lambert reunite for Summer Tour|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=6 March 2014|access-date=28 September 2014|archive-date=9 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141009182125/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/queen-and-adam-lambert-to-reunite-for-summer-tour-20140306|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/5930117/queen-adam-lambert-announce-summer-tour|title=Queen + Adam Lambert Announce Summer Tour|date=6 March 2014|magazine=Billboard|access-date=28 September 2014|archive-date=28 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140828011816/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/5930117/queen-adam-lambert-announce-summer-tour|url-status=live}}</ref> and Australia and New Zealand in August and September 2014.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/queen-australian-tour-announced-with-best-freddie-mercury-replacement-20140520-zrhls.html|title=Queen Australian tour announced with best Freddie Mercury replacement|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=28 September 2014|archive-date=22 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140622182822/http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/queen-australian-tour-announced-with-best-freddie-mercury-replacement-20140520-zrhls.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In an interview with ''[[Rolling Stone]]'', May and Taylor said that although the tour with Lambert is a limited thing, they are open to him becoming an official member, and cutting new material with him.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/q-a-queen-adam-lambert-talk-new-tour-pressure-and-john-deacon-20140306|title=Q&A: Queen, Adam Lambert Talk New Tour, Pressure and John Deacon|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=6 March 2014|access-date=28 September 2014|archive-date=22 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141122032756/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/q-a-queen-adam-lambert-talk-new-tour-pressure-and-john-deacon-20140306|url-status=dead}}</ref> In November 2014 Queen released a new album ''[[Queen Forever]]''.<ref name="queenforever">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D64gye_HTXw&feature=player_detailpage#t=661 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/D64gye_HTXw| archive-date=11 December 2021 |url-status=live|title=Brian May – BBC Wales Interview|date=24 May 2014 |publisher=YouTube|access-date=28 September 2014}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The album is largely a compilation of previously released material but features three new tracks featuring vocals from Mercury with backing added by the surviving members of Queen. One new track, "[[There Must Be More to Life Than This]]", is a duet between Mercury and Michael Jackson.<ref>{{cite news|title=Queen Forever|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/queen-forever-mw0002766073|website=Allmusic|date=9 May 2016|access-date=9 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160512233700/http://www.allmusic.com/album/queen-forever-mw0002766073|archive-date=12 May 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> Queen + Adam Lambert performed in [[Central Hall, Westminster]], at the [[Queen + Adam Lambert Rock Big Ben Live|Big Ben New Year concert]] on New Year's Eve 2014 and New Year's Day 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2014/queen-adam-lambert|title=Queen and Adam Lambert to perform New Year's Eve concert broadcast on BBC One|publisher=BBC|language=en-GB|access-date=9 January 2019|archive-date=23 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181023200247/https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2014/queen-adam-lambert|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Queen And Adam Lambert - The O2 - Tuesday 12th December 2017 QueenO2121217-45 (39066611155).jpg|thumb|Queen performing with Lambert during their [[Queen + Adam Lambert Tour 2017–2018|2017 tour]]]]
In 2016, the group embarked across Europe and Asia on the [[Queen + Adam Lambert 2016 Summer Festival Tour]]. This included closing the [[Isle of Wight Festival 2016|Isle of Wight Festival]] in England on 12 June where they performed "[[Who Wants to Live Forever]]" as a tribute to the victims of the [[Orlando nightclub shooting|mass shooting at a gay nightclub]] in Orlando, Florida earlier that day.<ref>{{cite news|title=Isle of Wight Festival: Queen pay tribute to Orlando shooting victims|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-36506969|agency=BBC|date=14 June 2016|access-date=22 June 2018|archive-date=27 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180827040251/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-36506969|url-status=live}}</ref> On 12 September they performed at the [[Yarkon Park]] in Tel Aviv, Israel for the first time in front of 58,000 people.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=After Four Decades, Queen Rock Israel with Help From Adam Lambert|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/concerts/7504883/queen-rock-israel-tel-aviv-adam-lambert|magazine=Billboard|date=16 September 2016|access-date=19 February 2020|archive-date=3 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161003000312/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/concerts/7504883/queen-rock-israel-tel-aviv-adam-lambert|url-status=live}}</ref> As part of the [[Queen + Adam Lambert Tour 2017–2018]], the band toured North America in mid-2017, Europe in late 2017, then played Australia and New Zealand in February and March 2018.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/queen-adam-lambert-plot-us-summer-tour-w463046|title=Queen + Adam Lambert Plot U.S. Summer Tour|date=26 January 2017|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=3 February 2017|archive-date=11 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171211222417/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/queen-adam-lambert-plot-us-summer-tour-w463046|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 24 February 2019, Queen + Adam Lambert opened the [[91st Academy Awards]] ceremony held at the [[Dolby Theatre]] in Hollywood, Los Angeles.<ref>{{cite news |title=Watch Queen and Adam Lambert's Oscars 2019 opening performance |url=https://oscar.go.com/news/music-moments/watch-queen-and-adam-lambert-s-oscars-2019-performance |access-date=28 February 2019 |work=Oscars |archive-date=28 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190228191854/https://oscar.go.com/news/music-moments/watch-queen-and-adam-lambert-s-oscars-2019-performance |url-status=live }}</ref> In July 2019 they embarked on the North American leg of [[The Rhapsody Tour]], with the dates sold out in April.<ref>{{cite news|title=Watch "The Queen + Adam Lambert Story" Monday, April 29|url=https://abc.go.com/news/insider/watch-the-queen-and-adam-lambert-story-on-the-abc-app|access-date=21 April 2019|agency=ABC|archive-date=21 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421173557/https://abc.go.com/news/insider/watch-the-queen-and-adam-lambert-story-on-the-abc-app|url-status=live}}</ref> They toured Japan and South Korea in January 2020 followed by Australia and New Zealand the following month.<ref>{{cite news |title=British rock band Queen to bring 2020 Rhapsody Tour to Japan |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2019/04/17/entertainment-news/british-rock-band-queen-bring-2020-rhapsody-tour-japan/ |access-date=21 April 2019 |work=The Japan Times |archive-date=15 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221015202113/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2019/04/17/entertainment-news/british-rock-band-queen-bring-2020-rhapsody-tour-japan/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=British rock band Queen to come to South Korea |url=http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20190319000573 |access-date=3 June 2019 |work=The Korea Herald |archive-date=15 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221015202113/http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20190319000573 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Queen + Adam Lambert set to tour Australia after Bohemian Rhapsody success |url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/queen-adam-lambert-set-to-tour-australia-after-bohemian-rhapsody-success-20190405-p51b9t.html |access-date=21 April 2019 |work=Sydney Morning Herald |archive-date=15 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221015202113/https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/queen-adam-lambert-set-to-tour-australia-after-bohemian-rhapsody-success-20190405-p51b9t.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On 16 February the band reprised their Live Aid set for the first time in 35 years at the ''[[Fire Fight Australia]]'' concert at [[Stadium Australia|ANZ Stadium]] in Sydney to raise money for the [[2019–20 Australian bushfire season|2019–20 Australian bushfire crisis]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Queen reprise 22-minute Live Aid set at Fire Fight Australia concert |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-51520715 |access-date=16 February 2020 |agency=BBC |archive-date=15 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221015202113/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-51520715 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Because Queen were not able to tour due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], they released a live album with Adam Lambert on 2 October 2020. The song collection, titled ''[[Live Around the World (Queen + Adam Lambert album)|Live Around the World]]'', contains highlights selected by the band members from over 200 shows throughout their history. It marked their first live album with Lambert who, as of 2020, has played 218 shows with the band.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.spin.com/2020/08/queen-adam-lambert-releasing-first-ever-live-album/|title=Queen + Adam Lambert Releasing First-Ever Live Album|work=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]|last=Turman|first=Katherine|date=20 August 2020|access-date=22 August 2020|archive-date=6 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201006161601/https://www.spin.com/2020/08/queen-adam-lambert-releasing-first-ever-live-album/|url-status=live}}</ref> On 31 December 2020, Queen performed on the Japanese New Year's Eve television special ''[[Kōhaku Uta Gassen|Kōhaku]]'' with composer [[Yoshiki (musician)|Yoshiki]] and vocalist [[Sarah Brightman]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|last2=|date=2 January 2021|title=Queen's May + Taylor Perform on Japanese TV on New Year's Eve|url=https://loudwire.com/queen-brian-may-roger-taylor-new-years-eve-japanese-tv-endless-skies-yoshiki/|access-date=6 February 2021|website=Loudwire|language=en|archive-date=15 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221015133415/https://loudwire.com/queen-brian-may-roger-taylor-new-years-eve-japanese-tv-endless-skies-yoshiki/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2021, Queen received the [[Japan Gold Disc Award]] for the fourth time (having previously won it in 2005, 2019 and 2020) as the most popular Western act in Japan.<ref>{{cite news |title=Arashi takes home the 'Artist of the Year' at the 'JAPAN GOLD DISC AWARD' for the 7th time |url=https://www.tokyohive.com/article/2021/03/arashi-takes-home-the-artist-of-the-year-at-the-japan-gold-disc-award-for-the-7th-time |access-date=24 July 2021 |agency=Tokyo Hive |archive-date=15 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221015133414/https://www.tokyohive.com/article/2021/03/arashi-takes-home-the-artist-of-the-year-at-the-japan-gold-disc-award-for-the-7th-time |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 4 June 2022, Queen + Adam Lambert opened the [[Platinum Party at the Palace]] outside Buckingham Palace to mark the Queen's [[Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II|Platinum Jubilee]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://platinumjubilee.gov.uk/event/platinum-party-at-the-palace/|title=The Queen's Platinum Jubilee 2022: BBC's Platinum Party at the Palace|website=UK Government|accessdate=5 June 2022|archive-date=26 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220726080633/https://platinumjubilee.gov.uk/event/platinum-party-at-the-palace/|url-status=live}}</ref> Performing a three-song set, they opened with "We Will Rock You" which had been introduced in a comedy segment where Queen Elizabeth II and [[Paddington Bear]] tapped their tea cups to the beat of the song.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-61690149|title=Pop royalty and Paddington star at Queen's Platinum Jubilee concert|work=BBC|date=4 June 2022|accessdate=6 June 2022|archive-date=15 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221015202113/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-61690149|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Paddington Bear joins the Queen for afternoon tea at Buckingham Palace – video |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/video/2022/jun/04/paddington-bear-joins-the-queen-for-afternoon-tea-at-buckingham-palace-video |access-date=6 June 2022 |work=The Guardian |archive-date=15 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221015194657/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/video/2022/jun/04/paddington-bear-joins-the-queen-for-afternoon-tea-at-buckingham-palace-video |url-status=live }}</ref> A previously unheard Queen song with Mercury's vocals, "[[Face It Alone]]", recorded over thirty years previously and originally thought "unsalvageable" by May and Taylor, was released on 13 October 2022; five more songs — "You Know You Belong to Me", "When Love Breaks Up", "Dog With a Bone", "Water", and "I Guess We're Falling Out" — were released on 18 November 2022 as part of ''The Miracle Collector's Edition'' box set.<ref>{{cite news |title=Queen premiere previously unheard Freddie Mercury song Face It Alone |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-63241308 |access-date=13 October 2022 |work=BBC |archive-date=15 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221015133811/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-63241308 |url-status=live }}</ref>