The legendary rock group Queen has been rocking the music world for over half a century, but even today, some fans are only just uncovering the intriguing origins of their name. Hailing from the early 1970s London music scene, the legendary band rapidly established itself as pivotal figures and adored pioneers in the realm of rock music.
Back in 1968, Brian May and Roger Taylor performed under the banner of Smile, alongside vocalist and bassist Tim Staffell. Freddie Mercury’s entry into the group in 1970 came with fresh ideas about what they should call themselves.
Mercury had been contemplating the title “Queen” for its opulent connotations; nonetheless, it wasn’t the solitary reason. Alternatives such as “The Rich Kids” and “Build Your Own Boat” were also tossed into the mix.
May and Taylor fancied the designation “The Grand Dance,” taking cues from a C.S. Lewis science fiction tale referencing “the Great Dance.”
Mercury’s name, “Queen,” sounded powerful and royal while also reflecting his connection to being queer. “It was a strong name, very universal and very immediate; it had a lot of visual potential and was open to all sorts of interpretations,” Mercury reflected to Rolling Stone in 1977.
“I was certainly aware of the gay connotations, but that was just one facet of it.”
During their brainstorming sessions for a band name, bass player Mike Grose expressed his reservations regarding “Queen,” perceiving it to carry an element of risk.
“I said, ‘Well, if we didn’t get arrested or anything at least people will remember us,'” he reminisced in “Somebody to Love.”
Grose’s stint with Queen was short-lived, playing only three gigs before his departure. John Deacon stepped in as the bassist in 1973 and stayed with the band until 1997.Freddie, who tragically passed away from AIDS in November 1991, also crafted the band’s iconic crest. The emblem, featuring the zodiac signs of all four members – two lions, a crab, and fairies – encircling a regal “Q” and a crown, became a symbol synonymous with the legendary rock band.
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