The Secret History of Queen
1968—Freddie Mercury meets Brian May and Roger Taylor (then members of the group Smile) in Art School. Brian first heard to say “Freddie! Not in front of company!" 1970—Smile splits up after releasing one single (“Earth”). Brian asks Freddie if he wants to start a new band.
The Secret History of Queen
Rick Johnson
TIME CAPSULE OR HAZARDOUS WASTES?
1968—Freddie Mercury meets Brian May and Roger Taylor (then members of the group Smile) in Art School. Brian first heard to say “Freddie! Not in front of company!"
1970—Smile splits up after releasing one single (“Earth”). Brian asks Freddie if he wants to start a new band. “Do octopi have suckers?” Fred replies.
1971—“Lucky” seventh bass player, John Deacon, joins up. Excitement level reaches *4. Bullet Maintenance.
1972—Queen meets Roy Thomas Baker, who, along with John Anthony; produces demos for the band that help them land a contract with EMI. Anthony later pleads “diminished responsibility.”
1973—Debut album proves to be as popular as minimizing civilian casualties. “Around the rime and out,”* sez CREEM.
1974—Queen II released. You remember, the one with the black side and the white side that’re both on the wrong side? “Soft core pomp,” sez CREEM.
—Queen supports Mott the Hoople at New York’s Uris Theatre as the first rock bands to play Broadway.