The logo of the legendary rock band Queen vividly and accurately symbolizes the character of the performance and stage image. The zodiac signs of each musician, the refinement of classic heraldry, and the abundance of details reflect the unique aspects of the band’s 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, who came up with the name Queen, also designed the logo because he graduated from art college in 1969 and understood painting well. Now, the emblem he created is as legendary a symbol of the band as Brian May’s hairstyle.
What is Queen?
Queen is a legendary rock band from London. It arose in 1970 and influenced the music industry’s history, inspiring several generations of future rockers. The band’s creative style combines 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 “Queen,” the musical group was called Smile. Its trademark corresponded to the chosen name. Album covers were adorned with a smiling mouth, bright red lips, and two rows of crystal white teeth.
1973 – 1975
Freddie Mercury developed Queen’s first logo in 1972 but introduced it only a year later after signing distribution agreements. The original drawing was used for advertising materials, musical albums, and a large drum.
According to the author’s plan, the emblem includes the zodiac signs for each band member:
- Two fairies for Freddie Mercury (Virgo)
- A crab for Brian Harold May (Cancer)
- Two lions for Roger Meadows Taylor and John Richard Deacon (Leo)
Above them hangs a massive phoenix with widely spread wings and fiery flames.
At the center is a stylized letter “Q” – hinting at the word “Queen.” Inside the circle is a magnificent crown that symbolizes monarchical power and reflects the band’s signature style. Notably, the logo vaguely resembles the royal coat of arms of Great Britain. The greatest similarity is observed in the images of heraldic lions.
1975 – today
In 1975, the band presented an improved logo. Freddie Mercury detailed the image, making the lines clearer and neater. But the main composition remained unchanged: the zodiac signs of each musician, as before, surround the letter “Q.” Under the image is the inscription “Queen.”
Queen: Interesting Facts
Queen started as a rock band in 1970. They became famous for their special sound, amazing concerts, and Freddie Mercury’s voice.
- Who Made the Band? Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor, and John Deacon formed Queen. They mixed different styles of music, which made them stand out.
- Why “Queen”? Freddie Mercury picked the name because it sounded grand and was easy for everyone to remember. He thought it fit the band’s image perfectly.
- Big Song: “Bohemian Rhapsody” In 1975, they released “Bohemian Rhapsody.” It was different and longer than most songs but became very popular.
- Music Videos: Queen was among the first to use music videos, especially for “Bohemian Rhapsody.” This helped them get more fans.
- Live Aid Concert: In 1985, they performed at Live Aid, which is still considered one of the best concerts. This made them even more popular.
- Everyone Wrote Songs: All four members wrote songs, allowing them to create different music.
- Famous Songs: “We Will Rock You” and “We Are the Champions” became famous, especially at sports games.
- Freddie’s Voice: Freddie Mercury could sing in a wide range of notes, which let the band play all kinds of music.
- World Records: Queen has set records, such as having the longest-running fan club.
- Their Music Lives On The band’s music is still loved even after Freddie Mercury died and John Deacon retired. Brian May and Roger Taylor keep playing for fans, sometimes with Adam Lambert singing.
Queen mixed rock, opera, and shows in a new and exciting way. Their music and style have inspired many people and are still enjoyed today.
Font and Colors
The complex, multi-component badge of the Queen is executed according to the classic canons of heraldry. The main elements indicate this:
- Lions standing on their hind legs
- Ribbon in the shape of the letter “Q” with a large crown in the center
- Mythical phoenix spreading its wings wide.
- The drawing is quite detailed – the artist depicted the main details using only black color.
An individual font was used for the name, invented by the band’s designer and photographer, Richard Gray. It’s characterized by long, thin strokes in a Roman style. All letters, except for “Q,” have serifs. Moreover, the serifs on “E” are positioned diagonally.
Queen color codes
Black | Hex color: | #000000 |
---|---|---|
RGB: | 0 0 0 | |
CMYK: | 0 0 0 100 | |
Pantone: | PMS Process Black C |