Queen formed 50 years ago - these 50 incredible photos show the band through the years

Max KalnitzMar 23, 2021, 00:05 IST

Queen celebrated its 50th anniversary in March 2021.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

The British rock band Queen is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2021.
Queen is releasing one iconic video a week on its YouTube channel for 50 weeks.
In honor of its legendary career, we compiled 50 iconic photos of Queen through the years.

The four members of Queen's classic lineup came together 50 years ago.

Drummer Roger Taylor, singer Freddie Mercury, guitarist Brian May, and bassist John Deacon in London, England, in 1973. Michael Putland/Getty Images

1973: With their debut album set to release, Queen rehearses for its first major tour.

Queen rehearsing on July 8, 1873. Michael Putland/Getty Images

1974: The band returns to London following a tour of Australia.

The band pictured at Heathrow Airport. PA Images via Getty Images

1974: Queen releases its second album, "Queen II."

Freddie Mercury's flamboyant stage presence was at the core of Queen's live performances. Michael Putland/Getty Images

1974: The band enjoys tea time at Freddie Mercury's London apartment.

Roger Taylor, Freddie Mercury, John Deacon, and Brian May in 1974. Mark and Colleen Hayward/Redferns

1974: Queen releases "Sheer Heart Attack."

Queen performing in 1974. Ian Dickson/Redferns/Getty

1974: "Queen II" and "Sheer Heart Attack" go gold.

Queen is presented with gold discs for "Queen II" and "Sheer Heart Attack" at the Tokyo Prince Hotel in Tokyo, Japan, on April 18, 1975. Koh Hasebe/Shinko Music/Getty Images

1975: Queen plays Japan for the first time.

Queen in Kyoto, Japan, on April 22, 1975. Koh Hasebe/Shinko Music/Getty Images

1975 to '76: Queen, pictured in Santa Monica, California, tours with its fourth album, "A Night At The Opera."

Queen performing at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium in Santa Monica, California, in March 1976. Jeffrey Mayer/Getty Images

1976: "A Night At The Opera" goes gold.

The members of Queen with awards they received from the British Phonographic Institute for the sales of their albums. PA Images via Getty Images

1976: Queen spends a day at the races in England.

Queen at Kempton Park Racecourse in Surrey, England, to promote their album "A Day at the Races" on September 23, 1976. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

1977: All four members of Queen perform side-by-side at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Roger Taylor joins his bandmates at the front of the stage during a 1977 performance. Richard E. Aaron/Redferns/Getty

1977: Freddie Mercury tosses flowers to fans.

Freddie Mercury during a performance in 1977. Gallo/Getty Images

1977: Queen jams out together during a show in the Netherlands.

Queen performing in 1977. Lex van Rossen/MAI/Redferns/Getty

1977: Freddie Mercury and John Deacon perform vocals together at Madison Square Garden.

Freddie Mercury and John Deacon sing together during a performance in 1977. Richard E. Aaron/Redferns

1977: Roger Taylor shreds behind the kit.

Roger Taylor on stage circa 1977. Gus Stewart/Redferns/Getty Images

1978: The band rocks some groovy threads and shaggy hair.

The band poses for a portrait in 1978. Richard E. Aaron/Redferns

1978: Queen tours "News of the World," which included "We Will Rock You" and "We Are The Champions."

Queen performing in 1978. Ellen Poppinga - K & K/Redferns/Getty

1979: Queen tours "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" across Europe.

Queen on stage in 1979. RB/Redferns/Getty Images

1979: Fans in Paris, France, go crazy for Freddie.

Freddie Mercury during a 1979 Queen performance. Georges De Keerle/Getty Images

1980: Brian May hits a note on his signature Red Special guitar in Rosemont, Illinois.

Brian May performing on stage at the Rosemont Horizon on September 19, 1980. Paul Natkin/Getty Images

1980: Freddie Mercury and John Deacon share the spotlight.

Freddie Mercury and John Deacon on stage in 1980. Richard Creamer/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

1980: Freddie Mercury sings at the piano during a show at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, England.

Freddie Mercury playing the piano in 1980. Staff/Mirrorpix/Getty Images

1980: Queen releases the "Flash Gordon" soundtrack.

Freddie Mercury wearing a "Flash Gordon" shirt wile on the shoulders of Darth Vader during a 1980 performance. Bassist John Deacon is also pictured. Pete Still/Redferns/Getty

1982: Queen's 10th studio album "Hot Space" releases on May 21.

Queen performing in 1982. Steve Jennings/WireImage

1982: The tour marks a shift in Queen's sound.

Queen performing in 1982. Steve Jennings/WireImage/Gett

1984: Queen embraces its glam rock side while making a music video in Munich, Germany, for "It's a Hard Life."

Queen in Munich. Mike Maloney/Mirrorpix/Getty Images

1984: The band plays Wembley Arena in London on Freddie Mercury's 38th birthday.

Brian May and Freddie Mercury playing guitar together on stage during the singer's 38th birthday on September 5, 1984. Nigel Wright/Mirrorpix/Getty Images

1984: Brian May takes a solo during a performance in the Netherlands.

Brian May on stage during a 1984 performance in the Netherlands. Rob Verhorst/Redferns/Getty

1984: Freddie Mercury shows off his flexibility on stage while performing at the Golden Rose Pop festival in Montreux, Switzerland.

Freddie Mercury's showmanship was unrivaled. Bill Rowntree/Mirrorpix/Getty Images

1985: Freddie Mercury strikes a pose on stage.

Freddie Mercury and Brian May performing in 1985. Dave Hogan/Getty Images

1985: The band hams it up for a photo shoot.

Queen in 1985. Koh Hasebe/Shinko Music/Getty Image

1985: Queen plays Live Aid at London's Wembley Stadium.

Freddie Mercury and Brian May during Live Aid in 1985 at Wembley Stadium. Pete Still/Redferns

1985: Freddie Mercury's hair and moustache is one of the most iconic looks in rock history.

Freddie Mercury during Live Aid in 1985. PA Images via Getty Images

1986: Queen plays its final tour with Freddie Mercury.

Freddie Mercury on stage at Wembley Arena during the Magic tour in 1986. FG/Bauer-Griffin/Getty Images

1986: As part of the tour, Queen headlines Slane Castle in Ireland to a crowd of more than 80,000.

Queen playing Slane Castle in Ireland on July 5, 1986. Independent News and Media/Getty Images

1986: Other big stops on the Magic tour include The Montreux Rock Festival.

Queen performing at The Montreux Rock Festival in Montreux, Switzerland, on May 11, 1986. Suzie Gibbons/Redferns/Getty Images

1986: Queen plays its last show with all four founding members.

Freddie Mercury holds the British flag during the final stop of the Magic tour in Knebworth, United Kingdom. FG/Bauer-Griffin/Getty Images

1991: Freddie Mercury dies.

Freddie Mercury died on November 24, 1991, at the age of 45. Steve Jennings/WireImage/Getty Images

1992: Queen celebrates Mercury's life and career with a tribute concert at Wembley Stadium.

John Deacon, Brian May, and Roger Taylor on stage during the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert. Mick Hutson/Redferns

1992: The tribute concert is also bassist John Deacon's final performance with Queen.

About 72,000 fans turned out for the tribute concert. Phil Dent/Redferns/Getty Images

2005: Queen tours for the first time since 1986.

Brian May and Paul Rodgers. Dave Benett/Getty Image

2008: Queen plays Nelson Mandela's celebration concert at Hyde Park in London during its second tour with Paul Rodgers.

Paul Rodgers and Queen perform at the 46664 Concert in celebration of Nelson Mandela's life held at Hyde Park on June 27, 2008, in London, England. Dave Hogan/Getty Images

2009: Queen plays with Adam Lambert for the first time.

Queen members Brian May and Roger Taylor play with "American Idol" finalist Adam Lambert and eventual winner Kris Allen in 2009. Kevin Winter/American Idol 2009/Getty Images for FOX

2011: Queen brings Adam Lambert along for the MTV Europe Music Awards.

Queen and Adam Lambert perform during the 2011 MTV Europe Music Awards. Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)

2012: Queen and Adam Lambert's partnership becomes official.

Brian May leans on Adam Lambert during a 2012 performance in London. Christie Goodwin/Redferns via Getty Images

2014: Roger Taylor and Brian May are all smiles on tour with Adam Lambert.

Roger Taylor and Brian May of Queen performing in Sydney, Australia, in 2014. Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

2018: "Bohemian Rhapsody" the movie debuts.

Rami Malek poses with Brian May and Roger Taylor of Queen at the world premiere of the film "Bohemian Rhapsody" in 2018. TOLGA AKMEN/AFP via Getty Images

2019: Queen + Adam Lambert play the 91st annual Academy Awards.

Queen + Adam Lambert perform in front of a projected image of Freddie Mercury. Kevin Winter/Getty Images

2020: Queen + Adam Lambert release "Live Around the World."

Queen + Adam Lambert performing in February 2020. Dave Simpson/WireImage

2020: Queen + Adam Lambert play their last show in Sydney, Australia, before the coronavirus pandemic.

Queen + Adam Lambert performing on February 16, 2020, in Sydney, Australia. PETER PARKS/AFP via Getty Images

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