In the 1970s, Queen burst onto the rock scene like a shining beacon, their music and appearance arriving full-speed with all the energy and flamboyance of a theatre performance. Captivating audiences with a blend of powerful vocals and a fearless embrace of spectacle, they succeeded in endearing glam rock fans while frightening the more traditional players.

Many of the songs were deemed too inappropriate, niche, or long for the radio, and yet they birthed anthems regardless, the catchiness of their riffs, the energy of the rhythms, and Freddie Mercury’s boundless talent exploding what it meant to create music that was not only innovative but completely unforgettable. In short, Queen were unfathomably brilliant because they simultaneously acted against the status quo while reinventing what it meant to skyrocket to fame with a heart that yearned for global unity.Most of what Queen represented was defiance and freedom, but they did so by challenging entrenched rock norms, such as heteronormativity and conventional stage sensibility, redefining the genre with their unfiltered boldness. This approach made them not only one of the most easily embraced bands ever but also a timeless symbol of liberation.

This is also what made many rock acts, like Kim Gordon, find solace in their creativity, seeing it as a signifier of the future rather than a threat to the past. As she once reflected, “[They are] one of the greatest bands of all time, playing an insane collection of the cleverest melodies and vocal arrangements I’ve ever heard”.Despite their monumental achievements, however, Queen is also one of the most divisive acts among their rock peers, mainly because they favoured eclecticism and eccentricity, which didn’t always sit well with those who enjoyed more straightforward and conventional rock. Among the following list of musicians who had a strong distaste for the band, one of the commonalities is a misunderstanding of their core message or their bold and varied approach coming across as pretentious rather than inventive.

Let’s take a look at what some of their harshest critics have said over the years…

Musicians who loathe Queen:
Steve Walsh
Beyond fronting progressive rock band Kansas, Steve Walsh is a little bit of an enigma when it comes to personal influences. While it’s understood that he has always been more than passionate and dedicated to his craft as a musician, it seems as though he can also be somewhat temperamental when it comes to praising his peers, and it’s unclear whether this is due to pride or general indifference.His attitude towards Queen is equally as intriguing. For instance, he once complimented the band as though they were his cherished favourites while ripping Freddie Mercury apart like he was his nemesis. Considering the nod towards Mercury’s sexuality, it’s also obvious that Walsh likely had an issue with the frontman in particular and, by extension, the LGBTQ+ fan base they accrued.

“Freddie was a complete asshole,” he snarled. “The rest of the guys were great…gay, not that there’s anything wrong with that, but great.”
Robert Smith
Oh, Robert Smith. Leader of The Cure and all-around genius in the realm of gothic alternative rock. Somehow, it once seemed like Smith couldn’t and wouldn’t badmouth anybody because he knew all too well how it felt to be on the receiving end of others’ harsh criticisms. On the surface, he seems like a creative innovator whose sole focus is on creating music. That much is true, but not all the time, unfortunately.When discussing his views on The Darkness, Smith once likened the act to Queen but was quick to explain why that wasn’t good. “Well, I never liked Queen,” he revealed, “I can honestly say I hated Queen and everything that they did.” It’s unclear why Smith would feel such a strong distaste for a band that seemed well-aligned with his ethos as a musician and innovator, but alas. Some things will forever remain a mystery.
Paul Weller
Paul Weller is filled with bitterness. No, really: while his musical achievements can’t be disputed, his name often appears when searching for musicians who have openly disregarded the talents of others. In the past, he has expressed his dislike for acts like Bono, James Blunt, Robert Smith, and, of course, Queen.

Actually, Weller’s sourness seems to be rooted in Freddie Mercury specifically, which isn’t really a surprise considering he became one of the most popular rock figures in the entire arena and wasn’t your usual womanising, pandering rock star who turned up, played a few songs in the exact same spot on stage, and went home. Rather, Mercury would turn up, burn an unfathomable amount of calories, and then head to a nearby nightclub to continue the party.

“He said he wanted to bring ballet to the working classes. What a cunt,” Weller once said, criticising Mercury’s attempt at disrupting class divides and bridging the gap between the rich and the poor. Of course, Weller rendered it nothing more than a pipe dream and a performative stunt by someone who didn’t actually care.
Sid Vicious
As Sex Pistols worked hard to bring a touch of raw authenticity to the punk rock world, Queen appeared as their ultimate antithesis. In fact, their polished and refined demeanour didn’t really sit right with Sid Vicious, or Johnny Rotten, for that matter. Their feuding epitomised the inherent clashes between the genres, as Sex Pistols criticised Queen’s theatrical approach and perceived pretentiousness, while Freddie Mercury and his bandmates felt unimpressed with the Sex Pistols’ punk ideology.

Vicious openly spoke about his hatred for Mercury, like once describing him as “revolving” and also attempting to be witty to his face. However, during the same encounter, Mercury came back with something far more warranted. “Sid Vicious stumbled in, the worse for wear, and addressed Fred, ‘Have you succeeded in bringing ballet to the masses yet?’ Fred casually got up, walked over to him and quipped: ‘Aren’t you Stanley Ferocious or something?’, took him by the collar and threw him out,” Queen’s roadie Peter Hince later recalled.
Liam Gallagher
Liam Gallagher isn’t really a fan of much, at least not publicly, and when he does enjoy something, he will often use many expletives that make his sentiment seem so convoluted and complicated that it’s difficult to decipher whether he’s actually delivering praise. Regarding Queen, it’s probably easy to guess why Gallagher doesn’t jump with joy at the mere mention of their name, but his outspoken disdain seems a little far-fetched even for him.

A few years back, while discussing the band with late Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins, Gallagher revealed that he doesn’t care much for them. “Do I like Queen? Uh, not really, no. I mean, I get Freddie Mercury has a great voice and all that, and obviously they’ve got some great songs. But I do find them a bit Queen-y,” he said. He then took it a step further by insulting one of its members directly.

“Brian May’s guitar sound sounds like he’s got it clogged in his ass,” he said. Odd, considering that May is widely considered one of the greatest guitar players of an entire generation. However, given the fact that he goes on to praise unexpected influences Guns ‘N Roses and Creedence Clearwater Revival, it’s likely his taste in guitar music veers more into traditional realms.