What year was the band Queen formed?

The band Queen was formed in 1970.

Queen emerged in London when guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor joined forces with singer Freddie Mercury. Mercury suggested the name Queen, and the group’s classic lineup was completed when bassist John Deacon joined in 1971. Although Deacon arrived after the band began, 1970 is the accepted formation year.

The group spent its early years developing its sound through London performances before signing with EMI in 1973. Its self-titled debut album appeared that same year, followed by albums such as Queen II and Sheer Heart Attack. Queen became internationally famous for combining hard rock, theatrical performance, layered harmonies, and ambitious studio production.

People sometimes choose 1971 because that was the year the familiar four-member lineup settled into place. That is a lineup date, however, rather than the standard date historians and the band use for Queen’s formation.