The character of the performance and the stage image are clearly and accurately symbolized by the logo of Queen, the legendary rock band. The signs of the zodiac of each musician, the sophistication of classical heraldry, and the abundance of details – are a symbolic reflection of the features of the creative style.
Queen: Brand overview
Founded: | 1970–present |
Founder: | Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor, John Deacon |
Headquarters: |
London, England |
Website: | queenonline.com |
Meaning and History
Freddie Mercury coined the name, Queen. And he painted the logo because, in 1969, he graduated from art college and was well versed in painting. Now the emblem he created is the same legendary symbol of the group as the hairstyle of Brian May.
What is Queen?
Queen – a legendary rock band from London. It emerged in 1970 and went on to influence the history of the music industry, inspiring generations of future rockers. The band’s creative style is a combination of funk, pop-rock, heavy metal, and even opera. Among their most famous hits are “We Are the Champions,” “We Will Rock You,” and “Bohemian Rhapsody.”
1968 – 1970
Before becoming the group “Queen,” the musical group was called Smile. His brand name matches the chosen name. The disc covers were decorated with a smiling mouth with bright red lips and two rows of crystal-white teeth.
1973 – 1975
Freddie Mercury designed the first Queen logo in 1972, but only introduced it a year after the distribution agreements were concluded. The original drawing was used to design promotional materials, music albums, and a large drum.
As conceived by the author, the emblem includes horoscopic signs for each of the group members: two fairies for Freddie Mercury (Virgo), a crab for Brian Harold May (Cancer), and two lions for Roger Meddows Taylor and John Richard Deacon (Leo). Above them hangs a huge phoenix with widely spaced wings and a fiery flame.
In the center is a stylized letter “Q” – a hint of the word “Queen.” Inside the circle is a magnificent crown as a symbol of monarchical power and a reflection of the corporate style of the rock band. It is noteworthy that the logo is vaguely reminiscent of the Royal Coat of Arms of Great Britain. Most similarities can be seen in the images of heraldic lions.
1975 – today
In 1975, the group introduced an improved logo. Freddie Mercury detailed the image, making the lines sharper and more accurate. But the main composition has not changed: the signs of the zodiac of each musician, as before, surround the “Q.” Under the picture is the inscription “Queen.”
Font and Colors
The sophisticated multi-component Queen badge is made according to the classic canons of heraldry. The basic elements indicate this:
- lions standing on their hind legs
- a ribbon in the shape of the letter “Q” with a large crown in the center
- a mythical phoenix that spread its wings wide
The drawing is quite detailed – the artist depicted the main details, although he used the only black for this.
For the name, an individual font was used, which was invented by the designer and photographer of the group Richard Gray. It is characterized by long thin strokes in the Roman style. All letters except “Q” have serifs. Moreover, at “E,” they are located diagonally.
Queen color codes
Black | Hex color: | #000000 |
---|---|---|
RGB: | 0 0 0 | |
CMYK: | 0 0 0 100 | |
Pantone: | PMS Process Black C |