The Legendary QueenBrian May and Roger Taylor set the wheels in motion for Queen in 1970 when they decided to form a band during their college years. Queen began as a band called Smile who signed to Mercury Records and included: Tim Staffell, Brian May and Roger Taylor. Once Tim Staffell left, the group added Freddie Mercury (lead singer) and bassist John Deacon. Freddie Mercury, Farrokh Bulsara, was a fan of Smile and was added as the lead singer. John Deacon started out as a young guitarist who was a member of the group called The Opposition. This band was made up of a group of friends, influenced by bands like The Hollies and Herman's Hermits. Eventually, Deacon was added to the group that already included Mercury, Taylor and May. Over time, the group changed its name to Queen. The name Queen was chosen by Mercury and this name is the symbol of power and royalty. The addition of Mercury proved to be an essential aspect to Queen's success story. In Queen: The Early Years, Hodkinson writes, "much of what made Freddie also defined Queen: without him they were simply a model rock band with a penchant for a commercial tune" (2). The group became famous for its theatrical performances and often exaggerated costumes. “Since their international breakthrough in 1976, Queen has continuously remained one of the best-selling rock groups worldwide even after Mercury's death in 1991. Their total record sales are estimated as high as 300 million records” (Desler 391 ). This group was important to the evolution of music and musical performance in the bands that would follow them.• Now I'm Here• Bohemian Rhapsody• Killer Queen• March of the Black Queen• Bohemian Rhapsody (Reprise)• B... . .. middle of paper ... they connect with their fans and audiences on a deeper level, and this technique is something that other groups have included in their concerts. Likewise, Mercury's appearance and movements on stage can be seen reflected in the work of artists such as David Bowie, who is also classified in the glam rock genre. Queen have managed to create a major influence in the world of music through performance, stage presence and songwriting in a way that allows for audience involvement. Works Cited De Boer, Jennifer Anne. On the fringes of the mainstream: Queen, the rock press and the genre. Open Access Theses and Dissertations, 1999. Print.Desler, Anne. "Royalty-Free History? The Queen and the Layers of the Popular Music Canon." Popular Music 32.3 (2013): 385-405. Premier of academic research. Network. April 7, 2014.Hodkinson, Mark. Regina: the early years. Music Sales Group, 2004. Print.