Queen Photography

From the start of the 1970s, Britain’s Queen began a steady ascent towards superstardom thanks to a combination of melodic hard rock, frontman Freddie Mercury’s operatic range, and an all-encompassing theatrical onslaught. Throughout the decade, these future Rock and Roll Hall of Famers notched hit singles like “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “Killer Queen,” and “Somebody to Love,” all of which propelled them to filling stadiums by the early ’80s.

Even with the turn of the decade, Queen kept right on the pulse of current trends, grooving with the equally delectable “Another One Bites the Dust,” “Under Pressure” (with David Bowie), and “Radio Ga Ga” (said to have inspired modern day pop icon Lady Gaga’s stage name), while also ruling 1985’s Live Aid concert marathon.

In 1991, after a season of seclusion and speculation, Mercury passed away from AIDS-related complications. Nonetheless, original guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor continue to perform with various lead singers through today, including a stint with Bad Company’s Paul Rodgers, and—most recently—Adam Lambert.