Queen

Led by the flashy showmanship of front man Freddie Mercury, Queen was undoubtedly one of the biggest rock bands of the 1970s and beyond. The group's combination of bombastic excess, refined songwriting, stylistic shape-shifting, creative production and strong instrumental prowess made it a unique act that expertly toed the line between mainstream pop and art rock. Besides Mercury, Queen's most recognizable lineup consisted of Brian May (guitar), Roger Taylor (drums) and John Deacon (bass). The UK-based band formed in London in 1971 and released its eponymous debut album a couple of years later. Quickly moving away from the hard rock sound it began with, Queen's eccentricities and experimental leanings would crop up on subsequent albums, as it utilized aspects of opera, country, jazz, rockabilly and glam rock to varying degrees. Songs such as "Bohemian Rhapsody," "We Will Rock You," "Killer Queen" and "Radio Ga Ga" are just a few examples of the countless singles the group released in the 1970s, and have since become ingrained in the zeitgeist of popular culture. Queen remained successful in the following decades until Mercury died from complications with AIDS in 1991. In 2004, a new edition of the band formed with May, Taylor and new member Paul Rodgers (Free, Bad Company) taking over on lead vocals.