Sunday, January 20, 2013

Queen in the 1980s



Although the band started in the 1970s, they were just as prolific in the 1980s. The band consisted of John Deacon, Brian May, Roger Taylor and Freddie Mercury and they enjoyed some huge success with albums such as Sheer Heart attack, a Night at the Opera and news of the world.

The 1980s saw the success continue and they went on to become one of the biggest rock acts in the world, culminating in the performances at Wembley for Live Aid and there magic tour. The 1980s saw the release of the album 'The Game' which saw the release of 'crazy little thing called love' and 'another one bites the dust'. Both songs went on to top the charts in America and this maintained there growing success in America.

There live tours bought huge success particularly in South America where they regularly played to crowds of over 100,000 at various stadia in Argentina and Brazil. Following the tour they did a collaboration with David Bowie and the result was 'Under pressure' which went to number one in the UK charts. Later that year in 1981 they released there first greatest hits album 1974-81 which went to number one but also became the greatest selling album ever in the UK. The album spent over 8 years in the chart.

In 1982 they released a new album 'Hot Space' the album was a mix of pop, funk and disco which was a break away from the norm of rock. However,a break away from touring and a new label 1984 saw the release of a new album 'The Works' and this saw three huge hits in the UK 'radio ga ga', 'hammer to fall' and 'I want to break free'. The album did well in the UK and stayed in the charts for over a 100 weeks but the album did not do well in America.

A tour followed with dates in Sun City, South Africa but they did insist it was played before integrated audiences. In 1985 Queen played at Live Aid concert at Wembley. Queen and in particular Freddie gave one of the most mesmeric performances ever seen at a concert. Where 80,000 people were unison in clapping and singing to all the Queen classic Radio gaga. On the back of that success they released a one off single 'One Vision' and after a rest the band went back to work on a new album for a new Hollywood blockbuster Highlander.

They released the album 'Its a kind of magic'. The title track was released as well as 'who wants to live forever'. The band was to go back on the road and a huge tour saw a live album recorded at Wembley which featured all there classic hits. In total over 1 million saw Queen on what was there final tour with freddie.

Queen remained inactive for a few years as Freddie worked on solo projects with Montserrat Caballe but they got back together in 1989 to work on 'The Miracle' in 1989. The album featured huge hits such as 'I want it all', 'breakthru' and 'the miracle'. The 1980s saw a busy period for Queen and also the band worked on solo projects in between. Live Aid saw the very best of Queen and rock music was the winner.
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