• Queen name

    Queen name

    The group Smile change their name to Queen and perform for the first time under that moniker.
  • Marquee

    Marquee

    Queen play the Marquee Theater in London, their first concert since signing with EMI Records.
  • Leeds

    Leeds

    In Leeds, England, Queen begin their first tour. They're the opening act for Mott the Hoople.
  • Blackpool

    Blackpool

    Queen launch their first headlining tour with a show at Winter Gardens in Blackpool. Tickets are £1 if purchased in advance.
  • USA

    USA

    Queen make their US live debut at Regis College in Denver, Colorado, supporting Mott the Hoople. Their trek ends early when Brian May develops hepatitis a month later.
  • Sheer heart attack

    Sheer heart attack

    Queen cut their first US tour short when guitarist Brian May comes down with hepatitis. They return to action November 30, touring behind their third album, Sheer Heart Attack.
  • Bohemian Rhapsody

    Bohemian Rhapsody

    Queen shoots the video for "Bohemian Rhapsody," which according to director Bruce Gowers, takes about four hours. It airs repeatedly on the British show Top Of The Pops and helps the song become one of the most popular in UK history.
  • UK hit

    UK hit

    Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" hits #1 in the UK and stays for a record nine weeks. In America, it becomes the group's first Top 10 hit when it peaks at #9 on April 24, 1976.
  • A day at the races

    A day at the races

    Queen release their fifth album, A Day At The Races, in the UK (US release is December 18). Like their previous album, A Night At The Opera, it's titled after a Marx Brothers movie.
  • Bicycle race

    Bicycle race

    Queen stage a bicycle race with 65 naked models at Wimbledon stadium in England to provide the video and cover art for their "Bicycle Race" single.