Queen is a British rock band formed in London in 1970, originally consisting of Freddie Mercury (lead vocals, piano), Brian May (guitar, vocals), Roger Taylor (drums, vocals), and later joined by John Deacon (bass). The band emerged from the remnants of Smile, with Mercury encouraging May and Taylor to explore more elaborate musical techniques. Queen's early music was influenced by progressive rock, hard rock, and heavy metal, but they gradually incorporated more radio-friendly styles such as arena rock and pop rock.

Their self-titled debut album was released in 1973, but it was their second album, "Queen II" (1974), that first charted in the UK. The subsequent albums "Sheer Heart Attack" (1974) and "A Night at the Opera" (1975) brought them international success, with the latter featuring "Bohemian Rhapsody," a groundbreaking track that topped the UK singles chart for nine weeks. Queen's music videos, particularly for "Bohemian Rhapsody," played a significant role in popularizing the format.

The band is known for its elaborate blend of layered guitar work by Brian May and vocal harmonies, paired with Freddie Mercury's flamboyant performances. Queen's anthems "We Will Rock You" and "We Are the Champions" from the 1977 album "News of the World" became staples at sporting events. By the early 1980s, Queen was one of the world's leading stadium rock bands, with "Another One Bites the Dust" from "The Game" (1980) becoming their best-selling single.

Queen's performance at the 1985 Live Aid concert is widely regarded as one of the greatest in rock history. Mercury's last performance with the band was in 1986 at Knebworth, England. Diagnosed with AIDS in 1987, Mercury passed away in 1991, after which the band released "Made in Heaven" (1995), featuring his vocals. John Deacon retired in 1997, leaving May and Taylor to continue performing occasionally. Since 2004, they have toured as "Queen +" with vocalists Paul Rodgers and later Adam Lambert.

Queen has sold an estimated 250 to 300 million records worldwide, making them one of the best-selling music artists. They have received numerous accolades, including the Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to British Music, induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Their legacy endures as one of the most influential and successful rock bands in history.