As the second best-selling group of all time in Britain, Queen has had their share of number one hits and top ten singles. The band also has four Grammy nominations and numerous music awards under their belt. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002, and this year the group is being honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from The Grammys.
(Live version of “Fat Bottomed Girls” courtesy of Official Queen on YouTube.)
Started in 1970, the band’s early music focused on progressive rock and hard rock; however, over time they included operatic styles and pop music as well. Their first charting success came with their second album Queen II. But, it was their albums Sheer Heart Attack and A Night at the Opera that brought them international fame. By the 1980s, Queen was one of the biggest stadium rock bands out there, and had completed their first movie soundtrack. With the passing of Freddie Mercury in 1991, it marked an end of an era (queen.com), but not the end of Queen’s success. The band had become a music phenomenon.
(“Crazy Little Thing Called Love” live at Wembley Stadium in 1986. Video courtesy of Official Queen on YouTube.)
That phenomenon continues into 2018 with The Recording Academy (Grammys) announcing a Lifetime Achievement Award for the Band. A Lifetime Achievement Award is given out to artists who have made a lasting impression on the recording industry. Along with Tina Turner, Emmylou Harris, Neil Diamond, and John Williams (just to name a few), the recognition of Queen’s contribution to music is well-deserved. According to the Grammys, Queen has made an, “indelible impact on the music industry with blockbuster hits such as the GRAMMY Hall Of Fame-inducted recordings “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “We Will Rock You”/”We Are the Champions (grammys.com).” The awards will be given out at a special ceremony and concert this summer.
(“Bohemian Rhapsody” from Queen Live at The Bowl 1982. Video courtesy of Official Queen on YouTube.)
Queen is the second best-selling group of all time in Britain with numerous number one hits, top ten singles, and awards. This year, along with other notable musicians, the band is receiving a well-deserved Lifetime Achievement Award from The Recording Academy (Grammys) for the huge impact their music has left on the music industry and fans around the world.
~Jenna Jakes, WOGB
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