33 tours original queen

Queen The Greatest Episode 33: Queen 1986: The Magic Tour – Part 1

“Queen The Greatest”: a celebration of 50 of the greatest moments from the Queen story so far.

A 50-week YouTube series celebrating key moments in Queen’s history reminding us why Queen and their music continue to be loved across the world.

Queen The Greatest Episode 33: Queen 1986: The Magic Tour – Part 1 It’s 1986 and preparations are underway for what would become Queen’s biggest and most successful stadium tour. This is the first in a two-part story going behind the scenes of the record breaking Magic Tour.

“Strangely enough, when you’re used to large audiences, 100,000 is almost less terrifying in some ways, than 5000.” Roger Taylor

“There was a trend a few years ago, with the punk movement and whatever, where they said, ‘Oh, we want to play to the small audiences because we’re being intimate, and all that.’ Load of rubbish. I mean everybody who wants to be a star wants to play to the biggest audiences.” Freddie Mercury.

This week’s Queen The Greatest episode celebrates Queen’s now legendary 1986 stadium tour of Europe – The Magic Tour.

Rejuvenated by their history making Live Aid performance a year earlier, and the success of their A Kind Of Magic album, June 1986 saw Queen return to touring for what would be the biggest series of concerts of Queen’s career, and although the band had played vast venues before, there was a sense that this tour would take it to another level…

“We’re going to play the biggest stage ever built at Wembley with the greatest light show ever seen,” Roger Taylor told journalists ahead of the tour.

The band would undertake 26 performances at twenty separate locations in the UK and nine European countries over an eight-week period including their first and only show in Budapest, Hungary.

Such was the vast scale and scope of the under-taking, the bridge-like stage structure required the services of a company normally involved in motorway and bridge construction. The trucks transporting the equipment would cover over 165,000 miles, the equivalent of nearly seven times around the world.

Talking here in the preparation stage, the band speak of the commitment they were taking on, with only Freddie expressing concerns about the weight such a massive tour would levy, but non-the-less expressing his enthusiasm for performing for large audiences.

Roger Taylor: “The thing we are all looking forward to most at the moment is this European tour.”

John Deacon: “And that’s quite a commitment from us in a way, because Freddie’s sometimes a little reluctant to go on the road these days.” Freddie Mercury: “It’s been a while since we actually did a tour. It’s very, very exhausting for me to do what I have to do. The stages are getting bigger and everything, and you know I just like to feel that I’m perfectly fit to do these shows, and not just say ‘yes I’ll do it.”

John Deacon: “We’re starting on it now really, ideas for the staging, the lighting and that sort of thing.”

[Interviewer] “This particular tour you’re doing, you’re taking a hundred and sixty foot stage, which is the biggest ever constructed for a rock act?”

Roger Taylor: “Yes, it’s an absolutely massive stage. It’s really been designed to cope with the places that we’re playing in. To get the optimum out of those places.”

Brian May: “We usually go in someplace like a film studio which has this big, open…like an aircraft hanger I suppose…and just set everything up and put everything through its paces.”

Brian May: “Because it’s not enough for us to be rehearsed, we make sure every single lamp, every wire, is set up so everything’s going to be given a run through, so all the bugs can be ironed out before we get on tour. It’s like a full dress rehearsal.”

John Deacon: “We’ve been playing for so many years now, we do feel very relaxed playing in quite big gigs as well really.”

Roger Taylor: “Strangely enough, when you’re used to large audiences, 100,000 is almost less terrifying in some ways, than 5000.”

Roger Taylor: “It’s a strange thing with our band, the bigger the audience the better it seems to work. The audience contact seems to be better with the larger audiences.”

Brian May: “Once you’re on tour, I like to get on and do it. I don’t like to be hanging around on tour. I like to get in as much as you can because you can build up this great rhythm, and you get into the mood and the feel of playing, you play better each night, I think. If you see us at the end of the tour, we are a lot different from what we are at the beginning of the tour, because we’re in that rhythm.”

Brian May: “I suppose it’s almost like being an athlete, you just work on yourself and you have nothing else to think about, except doing your bit for that two hours as well as you can.”

Freddie Mercury: “There was a trend a few years ago, with the punk movement and whatever, where they said, “Oh, we want to play to the small audiences because we’re being intimate, and all that.” Load of rubbish. I mean everybody who wants to be a star wants to play to the biggest audiences.”

As will be seen in part 2, over the final few weeks of the tour, Queen would perform three of their biggest and most iconic gigs – demonstrating why they are regarded as the greatest live act.

Next week: Queen 1986 : The Magic Tour, Part 2

Related posts

• Skip to Main Menu
• Skip to Main Content
• Notable Equipment
• Record Labels
• Additional Artists
• Things I Like

Discography

QUEEN Release "Queen The Greatest" Episode #33 - 1986: The Magic Tour, Part 1 (Video)

October 29, 2021, 2 years ago

news hard rock queen

Continuing weekly through to March 2022, Queen YouTube is taking Queen fans on a unique and remarkable journey -  a chance to revisit some of the band’s most iconic moments and discover some aspects of the story we didn’t know. Episode #33 - 1986: The Magic Tour, Part 1 can be seen below.

A message states: "It's 1986 and preparations are underway for what would become Queen's biggest and most successful stadium tour. This is the first in a two part story going behind the scenes of the record breaking Magic Tour."

In November, BBC Two will broadcast Freddie Mercury: The Final Act - the story of the extraordinary final chapter of Freddie Mercury’s life, as well as the journey leading up to The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert at Wembley Stadium that followed.

Thirty years after Freddie died (in November 1991) from complications of AIDS, Freddie Mercury: The Final Act movingly captures the last years of Freddie’s life. The film follows the story from Freddie’s last concert to the tribute concert itself which took place on April 20th 1992. The documentary features new interviews with many of those who were closest to Freddie, including Queen members Brian May and Roger Taylor, Freddie’s sister Kashmira Bulsara, his friends Anita Dobson and David Wigg and his PA, Peter Freestone.

We also hear from those who performed at the epic gig, including Gary Cherone (Extreme), Roger Daltrey (The Who), Joe Elliott (Def Leppard), Lisa Stansfield, and Paul Young, as well as the concert’s promoter, Harvey Goldsmith. The film also hears from those who saw the impact of HIV/AIDS first hand, either as medical practitioners, survivors, or human rights campaigners, including Peter Tatchell. The film starts in 1986, as Queen’s ‘Magic’ tour reaches its awesome climax at Knebworth Stadium in Hertfordshire and Freddie Mercury proves himself to be one of the greatest rock performers that the world has known.

Speaking in the programme, Brian May says: “Freddie opened up his heart and gave it everything he had. He was a musician through and through and through. He lived for his music. He loved his music, and he was proud of himself as a musician above everything else.”

Over the next few years however, he would secretly battle HIV/AIDS - a disease that was killing millions and intensifying homophobia. In the tragic aftermath of Freddie’s death, Roger Taylor started approaching a range of stellar artists, including Elton John, David Bowie and Annie Lennox, and then along with bandmate Brian May, and Queen’s manager Jim Beach, the three of them devised a plan to commemorate their friend’s life with what would become one of the biggest concerts in history.

The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert was attended by over 70,000 people, with over a billion viewers on television. With one collective voice, for four glorious hours, the concert not only celebrated Freddie, but it also placed HIV/AIDS clearly in the spotlight and raised awareness of the disease.About the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS at the time, Roger Taylor says: “We were very angry and we had to stick up for our friend - our best friend. I became fixated with the idea of giving him a hell of a send-off.”

Freddie Mercury: The Final Act is a story about friendship, love and a fight against prejudice - shown by the way in which Freddie’s friends created a joyful celebration of his life, which not only burnished his reputation as one of the world’s great musical performers, but which also helped change social attitudes.

Jan Younghusband, Head of Commissioning, BBC Music TV says: “James Rogan’s film: Freddie Mercury: The Final Act, is a poignant story of one of music’s most popular and talented musicians, and the legacy he left. Not only does it shine new light on Freddie Mercury’s brave journey through those final five years of his life, it also tells a wider - and hugely important - story of the emergence of AIDS at the time and how the incredible tribute concert after his death, helped to change for the better public opinion about the crisis. The artists of Queen and others who were there, speak candidly for the first time.”

James Rogan, Director, said: “Making Freddie Mercury: The Final Act has been an extraordinary journey into the final chapter of one of rock music's greatest icons. Working with Queen and getting to see behind-the-scenes of some of their greatest performances and the legendary Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert was a rare privilege. Equally important was speaking to the people who had lived through the eye of the storm of the global pandemic of HIV/AIDS, with all its resonances with COVID today. Freddie's death and the Tribute that Queen organised for him helped to change global awareness of this terrible disease at a critical time.”

To accompany Freddie: The Final Act, BBC Two will also show Queen at the BBC in November. Queen at the BBC is a one-hour special, featuring some of the greatest musical moments from Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor and John Deacon that have been shown on the BBC over the years. The legendary band’s huge international status and punishing touring schedules meant they made surprisingly few appearances on programmes like Top of the Pops and frustratingly for fans, several of those performances were lost or never recorded.

This collection celebrates the very best of what’s survived from one of most enduring and best-loved acts in British rock - and perhaps the most charismatic and best-loved frontman of all time. Amongst the gems are moments from the band’s celebrated 1975 concert at Hammersmith Odeon, London and highlights from the prestigious Montreux Pop Festival, where Freddie and the boys showed the rest how live performance was done. Songs in this programme include the band’s first-ever UK hit, Seven Seas of Rye, These Are The Days of Our Lives and Bohemian Rhapsody - frequently voted the nation’s favourite song.

Freddie Mercury: The Final Act is produced by Rogan Productions. Directed by James Rogan, Executive Producers are Soleta Rogan, Mark Hedgecoe and Simon Lupton. The producer is Dan Hall. It was commissioned by Owen Courtney, Commissioning Executive, BBC Music.

Broadcasting date and times TBC.

Featured Video

INFRARED - "Demon's Blood"

Latest reviews.

HAGANE - Life Goes On!

August 31, 2024, a day ago

review heavy metal hagane

MR. BUNGLE - Quote Unquote: 1991-1999

August 30, 2024, 2 days ago

review heavy metal rarities mr. bungle

UNDER THE OAK - The Last Of A Dying Breed

review heavy metal under the oak

NAILS - Every Bridge Burning

August 26, 2024, 6 days ago

review heavy metal nails

OXYGEN DESTROYER – Guardian Of The Universe

August 23, 2024, a week ago

review black death oxygen destroyer

INTOLERANCE - Waking Nightmares Of An Endless Void

August 22, 2024, a week ago

review black death intolerance

EARTH LUX - Earth Lux

August 21, 2024, a week ago

review hard rock earth lux

NILE - The Underworld Awaits Us All

August 19, 2024, a week ago

review black death nile

SAKI - Germinans EP

August 16, 2024, 2 weeks ago

review riff notes saki

KNIFE - Live Leather Hounds

August 15, 2024, 2 weeks ago

review heavy metal knife

Partner Resources

Rocketplay casino, uk gambling sites without gamstop, non stop casino, nongamstopbets casino, online casino trotz spielsperre, withcasinobonus.

• Latest News

Best Jazz Books: 20 Essential Reads

Best horace silver pieces: essential jazz for curious ears, horace silver: celebrating the jazz messenger’s golden legacy, ‘think (about it)’: the funky lyn collins single that launched a thousand samples, lost blue note albums: 12 buried treasures you need to discover, ‘mixed emotions’: the rolling stones set ‘wheels’ in motion again, when the rolling stones ruled the roost, doechii’s new mixtape ‘alligator bites never heal ‘ is out now, hawthorne heights’ ‘the silence in black and white’ turns 20 with vinyl reissue, sebastián yatra shares heartfelt new single ‘los domingos’, swedish house mafia and alicia keys release ‘finally’, culture club to release ‘kissing to be clever’ on vinyl, watch chris stapleton’s video for ‘think i’m in love with you’, big sean releases sixth studio album, ‘better me than you’, best queen live performances: 15 amazing videos you need to see.

The best Queen live performances are mesmerizing examples of how the band raised the standard of rock concerts.

Published on

“I think on stage you either have the magic, or you don’t,” said Freddie Mercury . Queen ’s charismatic frontman was bursting with magic, and he and his bandmates – Brian May, Roger Taylor, and John Deacon – were among the greatest live performers of the 20th Century. Here we pick 15 of the band’s best live performances, capturing exactly what it is that made them so great.

Listen to the best of Queen on Apple Music and Spotify .

15: ‘Let Me Entertain You’ (Montreal, 1981)

An appropriate one to start a list of 15 great Queen live videos: Freddie Mercury singing ‘Let Me Entertain You’. Mercury wrote the high-energy crowd-pleaser, which was given one of its finest outings at the Montreal Forum in November 1981. The brilliant Canadian concert, which also included versions of Queen classics such as ‘Somebody To Love’ and ‘Killer Queen’, plus a rousing cover of Elvis Presley ’s hit ‘Jailhouse Rock’ and their first-ever live performance of ‘Under Pressure’. Rami Malek, who went on to play Freddie Mercury in the biopic Bohemian Rhapsody , was just six months old when Queen stormed Montreal.

‘Brand New Day’: The Story Behind Sting’s Anti-Apocalypse Song

14: ‘stone cold crazy’ (rainbow theatre, 1974).

The wonderful North London music venue the Rainbow Theatre – now long gone and turned into a Pentecostal church – was the setting for some of the most memorable concerts of the 70s, including classic shows by Bob Marley , Pink Floyd , David Bowie , and Van Morrison. Among the greatest shows at the Rainbow from that era were Queen’s run of concerts in 1974. They came during a momentous year for the band, in which they released two acclaimed albums, Queen II , in March, and Sheer Heart Attack , in November. Their live version of ‘Stone Cold Crazy’, a song taken from the latter album (and the first Queen song to be credited to all four band members), burns with fervor as Mercury struts the stage confidently, sharing the limelight with Brian May, who offers up some searing guitar work.

13: ‘Keep Yourself Alive’ (Rock In Rio, Brazil, 1985)

Freddie Mercury said that the song ‘Keep Yourself Alive’ “was a very good way of telling people what Queen was about in those days”. The band’s Works! Tour, of 1984/85, was elaborate, featuring slick new costumes and a state-of-the-art lighting rig. Their ability to create a spectacle show was shown at the 1985 Rock In Rio festival in Brazil. Queen performed over two nights in front of a vast crowd estimated to be in excess of 250,000 people each night – including a pulsating version of ‘Keep Yourself Alive’.

12: ‘Play The Game’ (Milton Keynes Bowl, 1982)

“I’ve never considered myself the leader of Queen,” said Mercury. “It’s the four of us that make the whole thing work. It’s 25 percent down the line. I’m the one out front, that’s all.” Vital contributions from each member of Queen are shown in the stirring performance of the song ‘Play The Game’ at the Milton Keynes Bowl in 1982. The performance shows them bringing their fine musicianship to excel on the constantly changing sound of another classic Queen hit.

11: ‘Hammer To Fall’ (Rock In Rio, Brazil, 1985)

‘Hammer to Fall’, written by guitarist Brian May for Queen’s 1984 album, The Works , was one of the standout songs at the 1985 Rock In Rio show – and May was at center stage for an extended guitar workout. The song was also featured in the Highlander film.

10: ‘Under Pressure’ (Wembley Stadium, 1986)

‘Under Pressure’ , Queen’s brilliant collaboration with David Bowie for the 1982 album Hot Space , became a staple of their live shows for the next five years. One of the band’s best performances of the song came at London’s old Wembley football stadium on a summer Saturday afternoon in July 1986. “Freddie was amazing that day,” said Brian May. “It was a pinnacle for us. We were very good at that point and Freddie was stunning. He had worked out this amazing way of dealing with a whole stadium and becoming a connecting point.”

9: ‘White Queen (As It Began)’ (Hammersmith, 1975)

It must have been a great way to spend Christmas Eve – watching Queen on 24 December 1975 playing London’s Hammersmith Odeon . The concert, which was shown live on BBC television, was a brilliant way to finish off a hugely successful year for the band. ‘White Queen (As It Began)’, originally conceived by guitarist Brian May in 1968, was inspired by Robert Graves’ poetry essay ‘The White Goddess’. It was also about a fellow student whom May thought represented the idea of the “perfect woman”. Mercury delivered a tender version at Hammersmith, a concert that was later released on album and DVD, featuring stunning live versions of ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ and ‘Killer Queen’.

8: ‘Radio Ga Ga’ (Wembley Stadium, 1986)

Mercury said that when he first heard drummer Roger Taylor’s song ‘Radio Ga Ga’ he knew “instantly” that they had a massive hit on their hands. The song, which appeared on the album The Works , quickly became a concert show-stopper. The version performed at Wembley in July 1986 was full of enthusiastic crowd participation. The crowd, living in the moment, long before the age of mobile phone filming and selfies, joined in gleefully with the bare-chested ringmaster Mercury as he led the packed stadium audience in a clapping, singalong version of Taylor’s joyous song. “We can please a pretty wide range of people,” said Mercury. “And the people who have come to see us in concert have spanned a wide age group. We’ve always put our necks on the line.”

7: ‘Friends Will Be Friends’ (Budapest, 1986)

One of the most atmospheric concerts of the Magic Tour of 1986 was a July gig at the Hungarian Népstadion (it used to be called Ferenc Puskás football stadium), during which Queen delivered a rousing version of ‘Friends Will Be Friends’, a song co-written by Freddie Mercury and John Deacon. Queen were one of the few bands from western Europe to perform in the Eastern Bloc during the Cold War. During this exciting concert, they also performed ‘Under Pressure’ and a version of Little Richard’s ‘Tutti Frutti’.

6: ‘I Want To Break Free (Wembley Stadium, 1986)

“We’ve been very lucky that everywhere we’ve been, there has been a very similar kind of reception – where the audience get very in-tune in terms of how to participate,” said Mercury. That was so true of how the Queen fans behaved during his charismatic performance of the song ‘I Want To Break Free’ – known for its light-hearted music video – at Wembley in July 1986. The song was written by bass player John Deacon, who said that one of the strengths of the band was that they were comprised of “four people writing songs”.

5: ‘A Kind Of Magic’ (Wembley Stadium, 1986)

On a Friday night at Wembley in July 1986, Mercury was dressed in one of his most iconic outfits : a bright yellow jacket in a military style, with multi-buckle fastenings and a pair of white trousers with red and gold piping. As he clicked his fingers and slowly eased into a pulsating version of ‘A Kind Of Magic’, Mercury was in full command of the show. “We are a bit flashy, but I also think we’re sophisticated, the music’s not one big noise. It’s not glam rock , either. We’re in the show business tradition,” the Queen frontman said. The performance showed drummer Taylor, who wrote the song, at his best, holding it together with a magnificent beat.

4: We Are The Champions’ (Montreal, 1981)

‘We Are The Champions’ was one of Queen’s greatest live songs, and brilliant versions from around the world – including Budapest, Frankfurt, and Tokyo – survive. The one from Montreal in 1981, where Mercury is wearing white shorts and a red neckerchief, was masterful. “I just cook on stage! To me, playing in front of a big crowd – that kind of surge – is unequaled,” said Mercury. “The feeling I get from the audience is greater than sex. I love the excitement of it and I always feel that I want more – more, more, more. I’m just a musical tart!” This version of ‘We Are The Champions’ shows a top showman singing a fantastic feel-good song.

3: ‘Somebody To Love’ (Milton Keynes Bowl, 1982)

Mercury described ‘Somebody To Love’ as “a killer to do live,” because it involved bringing to the stage a song that had been expertly produced in the studio with layered voices. He said the key to performing the song live was to “put across the atmosphere of the song on stage”. That is what Mercury did to perfection with his spirited, fast performance of this Queen classic at the Milton Keynes Bowl in June 1982. “Are you ready, brothers and sisters?” shouted Mercury, who was playing the piano as he launched into a passionate eight-minute version of a song he had written for the 1976 album A Day At The Races .

2: ‘We Will Rock You’ (Rock In Rio, Brazil, 1985)

Mercury was a born performer. He once said that it was “awe-inspiring and mind-boggling to be up there with all those people in the palm of your hand”. In January 1985, Queen headlined two nights of Rock In Rio, the biggest music festival the world had ever seen. More than a quarter of a million Brazilian fans joined in with the singing on a gripping version of Queen’s stadium anthem ‘We Will Rock You’. The concerts were broadcast throughout Brazil by Globo, and each show was watched by nearly 200 million people in more than 60 countries.

1: ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ (Live Aid, Wembley Stadium, 1985)

Queen’s 1976 tour-de-force, ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, opened the band’s celebrated Live Aid set in July 1985. “The concert may have come out of a terrible human tragedy, but we want to make it a joyous occasion,” said Mercury before the show. They did just that. The performance of his masterpiece set the tone for a mesmerizing gig. Mercury jogged out on stage and welcomed the crowd like they were 72,000 close friends; by the time he sat down at the piano and hit the first few notes of ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, he was the absolute master of the stadium. The pressure of performing to a global television audience brought out the best in Mercury, who showed that day that he was one of the greatest live performers of his generation .

Think we’ve missed one of the best Queen live performances? Let us know in the comments section below. Looking for more? Discover the best Queen songs of all time .

18 Comments

THE ROCK TZAR

December 2, 2019 at 12:39 pm

What a crap article..you just watched a few concert DVD’s and picked a fee songs.if you had properly researched this article you would find a lot better material.

December 4, 2019 at 10:40 pm

they are not that bad

ALBERTO ROSSI

December 2, 2019 at 4:48 pm

CE NE SAREBBERO ALMENO ALTRE SEI 1) LOVE OF MY LIFE 2) DON’T STOP ME NOW 3) WANT TO LIVE FOREVER 4) ONE VISION 5) THE SHOW MUST GO ON 6) HAMMER TO FALL

December 2, 2019 at 6:53 pm

Of course I like the 15 video’s, but in my opinion too many 1984-1986 material, while they 1979-1982 is their peak…

December 6, 2019 at 12:40 pm

Seriously? I want To Break Free from Wembley is far, far from one of their best live tracks. I wonder if the writer of this article even listened to any of them. I think a lot of them were picked based on being well known songs.

December 14, 2019 at 1:45 pm

My most fav one is Somebody To Love from Montreal, 1981. That’s the best of all time rock show. And I think Love of My Life should be in the list as well. Wembley, 86. And also In the Lap of the Gods in Hammersmith Odeon, London, 24/12/1975.I love all their live performances! They are unbelievably amazing!❤

December 16, 2020 at 1:37 am

I couldn’t possibly agree with you more about the Montreal performance of Somebody to Love, being the best live performance of this song recorded from a concert! The energy was absolutely electric, and the execution of each note, just perfect. Freddie’s vocals were positively on point!

December 15, 2020 at 3:17 pm

8 is from Live Aid. Nice work media idiot. Some of these are not even close to their best.

November 29, 2021 at 2:07 pm

You Take My Breath Away (Hyde Park 1976)

kurt cassauwers

November 29, 2021 at 4:19 pm

What about “Love of my life” in Rio???

Yanko Simeonov

November 29, 2021 at 4:40 pm

Hammer to Fall, Wembley Stadium, 1986.

November 29, 2021 at 5:42 pm

All these are from DVD releases. The worst article on Queen I have ever read. Ever.

February 27, 2022 at 3:10 pm

#1 is not Bohemian Rhapsody as stated…it is We Will Rock You. Couldn’t you even link to the right video?

March 8, 2022 at 12:03 am

Thanks for letting us know! We’ve fixed that now.

March 2, 2022 at 11:39 pm

I think the most loving and insightful song was his last… These are the days of our lives… he knew, and he worked so hard to make it right… it was his swan song…Rest in Peace Freddie.. you were THE BEST FRONT MAN EVER… there will NEVER be another like you…….. Thank you for sharing your talent, your love, and your incredible band mates, who still rock the world and pay tribute to “Queen’s” Genius… Love to you forever..

ALEX (IASI)

July 29, 2023 at 8:52 pm

pt. mine cel mai bun concert este LIVE AT RAINBOW (1974)!!! PACAT CA NU SE REGAESC MELODII MAGNIFICE CUM AR FI IN THE LAP OF THE GODS(REVISITED) AND CEALAȘTA VERSIUNE IN THE LAP OF THE GODS …PLAY THE GAME ESTE MULT MAI BUNA VARIANTA DIN LIVE AT MONTREAL!!! SI LET ME ENTERTAIN TO YOU MULT MAI BUNA VERSIUNEA DE LA PARIS 1 MARTIE 1979!! PAREREA MEA… SINGURA MELODIE CU CARE ANT DER ACORD ESTE WHITE QUEEN (1975).NIMIC DIN LIVE AT BUDOKAN (1985)!!!! UN CONCERT FFF BUN!! 🙂 LIVE IN HOUSTON CU MY MELANCHOLY BLUES!! CE EROARE!!! DONT STOP ME NOW!! LIPSESTE!! THE FAIRRY FELLER MASTER STROKE AND NEVERMORE!!! ( NU ESTE LIVE) DAR DE MENTIONAT!!FUNNY HOW LOVE IS!!! NU ESTE LIVE …THE MARCH OF THE BLACK QUEEN!!! MAGINIFIC!! :)) DCA GRERSESC …SCUZE TUTUROR!! 🙂

iptv player

October 10, 2023 at 6:23 pm

Wow! These are some amazing Queen performances!

March 18, 2024 at 8:00 pm

Lately I’m into THE MARCH OF THE BLACK QUEEN and WHITE QUEEN from Live at Hammersmith.

It’s have a very artistic contrast of that nuances of the sounds and lyrics!

and manicure!!!

' . esc_html__( 'Leave a Reply', 'zox-news' ) . '

Complete List Of Queen Band Members

Feature Photo: katatonia82 / Shutterstock.com

Our Complete List Of Queen Band Members presents the various lineups of a band Formed in London in 1970. Queen consisted originally of Freddie Mercury (vocals, piano), Brian May   (guitar, vocals), John Deacon (bass), and Roger Taylor (drums, vocals). The band gained popularity in the mid-1970s and soon became known for their flamboyant stage presence, complex harmonies, and eclectic styles, which ranged from rock and opera to disco and funk. Their self-titled debut album was released in 1973, but it was their 1974 album, “Queen II,” and the subsequent “Sheer Heart Attack” later that year, that catapulted them to stardom.

The group achieved international acclaim with the release of “A Night at the Opera” in 1975, which featured the epic “Bohemian Rhapsody.” The song stayed at No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart for nine weeks and popularized the music video format. Over the years, the band produced iconic hits like “We Will Rock You,” “Somebody to Love,” “Don’t Stop Me Now,” and “Another One Bites the Dust,” among others. They performed at the Live Aid concert in 1985, a performance often hailed as one of the greatest live performances in the history of rock music.

Freddie Mercury’s death in 1991 was a huge blow to the band, but Queen’s remaining members have continued to tour and record, initially with a variety of guest vocalists and later with Paul Rodgers and Adam Lambert. Throughout its history, Queen has sold over 300 million records worldwide, making them one of the world’s best-selling music artists. The band’s legacy has also been cemented through the biographical film “Bohemian Rhapsody,” which focused on Mercury’s life and the band’s evolution.

Queen’s Legendary Band Members

Freddie mercury.

Freddie Mercury , born Farrokh Bulsara in Zanzibar, Tanzania, was the iconic frontman of the rock band Queen . He joined Brian May and Roger Taylor in 1970, after the disbandment of their previous band, Smile. Mercury’s first album with Queen was their self-titled debut in 1973. He played on all of Queen’s studio albums , from “Queen” (1973) to “Innuendo” (1991). While primarily a vocalist, Freddie Mercury also played piano and occasionally guitar. He was the creative force behind many of Queen’s hits, including “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “Somebody to Love,” and “We Are the Champions.” Mercury remained with Queen until his untimely death on November 24, 1991, due to complications from AIDS.

Outside of Queen , Freddie Mercury had a relatively brief but impactful solo career. His solo albums include “Mr. Bad Guy” (1985) and the posthumously-released “Barcelona” (1988), which was a collaboration with Spanish soprano Montserrat Caballé. The album “Barcelona” mixed rock and opera and was a commercial success. He also contributed to soundtracks and released several singles. One of his most popular solo tracks is “Living on My Own,” which became a posthumous hit.

Mercury’s impact on the world of rock music is immense, not just for his incredible vocal range and stage presence, but also for his songwriting abilities. His composition “Bohemian Rhapsody” broke the mold for what a rock song could be and remains one of the most innovative pieces of music ever created. He was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Queen in 2001, and he was listed in the BBC’s poll of the 100 Greatest Britons. In 2018, his life and career were the subjects of the biographical film “Bohemian Rhapsody,” which received several Academy Awards.

Brian May , born in Hampton, London, England, is best known as the lead guitarist of the rock band Queen . He co-founded Queen with drummer Roger Taylor and bassist Tim Staffell in 1970 under the name Smile, which later evolved into Queen when Freddie Mercury joined as the lead vocalist. May played on all of Queen’s studio albums, starting from their self-titled debut album in 1973 to “Innuendo” in 1991, and participated in their various live and compilation albums thereafter. Recognized for his distinctive guitar tone, May primarily played a Red Special guitar that he built with his father. He is the composer of some of Queen’s popular songs, including “We Will Rock You,” “Fat Bottomed Girls,” and “I Want It All.” Brian May has never officially left Queen and has participated in various incarnations of the band after Freddie Mercury’s death, including performances with Paul Rodgers and Adam Lambert.

Outside of Queen , Brian May has had an extensive solo career. His solo works include albums like “Back to the Light” (1992) and “Another World” (1998). He has also collaborated with a variety of artists and has been active in various philanthropic and academic endeavors. Notably, he earned a Ph.D. in Astrophysics in 2007 from Imperial College London, several decades after abandoning his doctoral studies to focus on Queen. He has subsequently published research and has been an advocate for animal rights.

Brian May’s contributions to music have been widely recognized. He was ranked the 26th greatest guitarist of all time by Rolling Stone magazine and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Queen in 2001. Additionally, he received the Ivor Novello Award for Lifetime Achievement from the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors in 2017.

Roger Taylor

Roger Taylor, born in King’s Lynn, Norfolk, England, is widely known as the drummer for the iconic rock band Queen. Taylor originally teamed up with Brian May in the band Smile before it transformed into Queen with the addition of Freddie Mercury as lead vocalist and John Deacon  on bass in 1970. Taylor has played on all of Queen’s studio albums, from their debut in 1973 up to “Innuendo” in 1991. Known for his distinctive falsetto and versatility as a musician, he also contributed backing vocals and occasionally played guitar and keyboards on some tracks. Taylor penned some of Queen’s most celebrated songs, including “Radio Ga Ga,” “I’m in Love with My Car,” and “These Are the Days of Our Lives.”

Outside Queen, Roger Taylor has had a notable solo career. He has released several solo albums, beginning with “Fun in Space” in 1981 and continuing with works such as “Strange Frontier” (1984) and “Happiness?” (1994). These projects allowed him to explore different styles and musical influences beyond the framework of Queen. Additionally, Taylor has been a part of side projects like The Cross, where he took up duties as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist. The Cross released three albums between 1987 and 1991.

Throughout his career, Roger Taylor has received multiple accolades, including an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Queen in 2001. He was also honored with the Gold Badge of Merit by the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers, and Authors. Taylor remains active, participating in various Queen-related activities such as touring with Adam Lambert and being involved in the production of the biographical film “Bohemian Rhapsody,” which portrays the life of Freddie Mercury and the history of Queen. His sustained contributions to both Queen and his solo projects have solidified his standing as one of the most influential drummers in rock history.

John Deacon

Photo: Eddie, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

John Deacon , born on August 19, 1951, in Leicester, England, is best known as the bassist for the legendary rock band Queen. He was the last member to join the group in 1971, completing the classic lineup alongside Freddie Mercury , Brian May , and Roger Taylor . Deacon played on all of Queen’s studio albums from their self-titled debut in 1973 up to “Innuendo” in 1991. Besides playing bass, he also played keyboards and acoustic guitar on some tracks. Known for his unobtrusive yet complex basslines, Deacon contributed significantly to the band’s sound. He is the composer of some of Queen’s biggest hits, including “You’re My Best Friend,” “Another One Bites the Dust,” and “I Want to Break Free.”

Outside of Queen, John Deacon has kept a relatively low profile compared to his bandmates. However, he did release a few singles and contributed to other artists’ works in the 1980s. One notable collaboration was with former Free vocalist Paul Rodgers. He also produced the single “Picking Up Sounds” for the band Man Friday & Jive Junior. Following Freddie Mercury’s death in 1991, Deacon essentially retired from the music industry and has largely stayed out of the public eye. His last appearance with Queen was in 1997, and he did not participate in any subsequent reunions, effectively retiring from the band but never officially announcing it.

John Deacon’s musical contributions have not gone unnoticed. Along with his bandmates, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001. He also received an Ivor Novello Award for songwriting. Although he has distanced himself from the limelight, his influence on rock and pop music remains enduring, especially through his skillful songwriting and versatile musicianship. Deacon’s work continues to be celebrated, and his bass lines are studied and emulated by musicians worldwide.

Queen Members Post Freddie Mercury

Paul rodgers.

Rock fans were shocked when Paul Rodgers joined Queen. It did not seem like the right fit. Yet, they made it work and even released a studio album The Cosmos Rocks , in 2008 and a live album. Paul Rodgers toured with Brian May  and  Roger Taylor from 2004 to 2009 under the name Queen + Paul Rodgers.

Paul Rodgers, born on December 17, 1949, in Middlesbrough, England, gained initial fame as the lead vocalist of the rock band Free. Rodgers co-founded Free in 1968, and the band released their debut album “Tons of Sobs” the same year. He was a primary songwriter for the band, co-writing hits like “All Right Now,” a staple of classic rock radio. Free disbanded in 1973 after releasing six studio albums.

After the dissolution of Free, Rodgers co-founded the rock supergroup Bad Company in 1973 alongside Mick Ralphs, Boz Burrell, and Simon Kirke. As the lead singer and one of the main songwriters, he was a critical element in the band’s success. Bad Company’s debut album, released in 1974, included classic tracks like “Can’t Get Enough,” and “Feel Like Makin’ Love,” which Rodgers co-wrote. He remained with Bad Company until 1982, after which the band went on hiatus. They reunited several times with Rodgers back on vocals, the last being from 2008 to 2010.

Adam Lambert

Adam Lambert, born on January 29, 1982, in Indianapolis, Indiana, is best known for his work as the lead vocalist for Queen under the name Queen + Adam Lambert. He first performed with Queen in 2009 during the season 8 finale of “American Idol,” where he was a runner-up. Officially joining Queen in 2011, he has since toured extensively with original band members Brian May and Roger Taylor . While he hasn’t recorded a studio album with Queen, he has performed various classic Queen songs during their live tours, capturing the essence of the late Freddie Mercury while adding his unique vocal flair.

Before joining Queen, Adam Lambert had already achieved significant fame in his solo career, particularly following his stint on “American Idol.” His debut album “For Your Entertainment” in 2009 included hits like “Whataya Want from Me,” earning him a Grammy nomination. His follow-up albums “Trespassing” (2012) and “The Original High” (2015) have also been well-received, with “Trespassing” debuting at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200. Lambert’s vocal range and theatricality have marked him as one of the most dynamic performers in contemporary pop and rock music.

Outside of Queen and his solo career, Adam Lambert has also dabbled in acting and activism. He had a recurring role on the TV show “Glee,” and he’s been involved in various philanthropic efforts, particularly advocating for LGBTQ+ rights. In 2019, he launched the Feel Something Foundation, aimed at supporting LGBTQ+ organizations.

QUEEN TOURING MEMBERS

Spike edney.

Spike Edney, originally from Portsmouth, England, is a British musician best known as the unofficial “fifth member” of Queen. He first joined the band in 1984 during the Works tour, serving primarily as a keyboardist but also showing his versatility by playing guitar, trumpet, and other instruments as needed. Edney has been involved in numerous Queen tours and has featured in several live albums including “Live at Wembley ’86.” Although he hasn’t been involved in Queen’s studio albums, his role in live performances has been significant, particularly for adding layers to Queen’s elaborate stage productions.

Outside of Queen, Spike Edney has had a broad career as a session musician, working with artists like Duran Duran, The Boomtown Rats, and Thomas Dolby. He is also the musical director and band leader of the SAS Band (Spike’s All-Stars), which has featured a rotating cast of significant musicians and vocalists.

Neil Fairclough

Neil Fairclough is a bass guitarist from Manchester, England, who has been touring with Queen + Adam Lambert since 2011. He plays bass guitar and provides backing vocals during live performances, effectively filling the space left by Queen’s original bassist, John Deacon , who retired in the late ’90s. Fairclough is not featured on any of Queen’s original studio albums but has played a crucial role in keeping the band’s musical legacy alive during their contemporary live shows.

Before joining Queen + Adam Lambert, Neil Fairclough played with various bands and musicians in the UK, further solidifying his credentials as a capable and versatile bass guitarist. His contributions to Queen’s recent live performances have been met with critical acclaim, helping to introduce Queen’s music to a new generation of fans.

Tyler Warren

Tyler Warren, an American musician, joined Queen + Adam Lambert in 2017 as a percussionist and supporting drummer alongside Roger Taylor . He also provides backing vocals for the band during live performances. Like Neil Fairclough, Warren has not contributed to Queen’s studio recordings but has become a valuable addition to their live line-up.

Outside of his role with Queen + Adam Lambert, Tyler Warren has been active as a musician, producer, and songwriter. He has worked with various artists and has had a role in several projects that span different musical genres. His inclusion in the Queen + Adam Lambert line-up serves as a testament to his versatility and skill as a musician.

Morgan Fisher

Morgan Fisher is a British musician known for his stint with Queen as a session and tour keyboardist. He joined the band during their “Hot Space” tour in 1982. Though not featured on any studio albums, Fisher’s contributions were primarily live and can be heard on recordings such as “Queen on Fire – Live at the Bowl.” Before joining Queen, he was a member of the band Mott the Hoople, contributing significantly to their discography.

Fred Mandel

Fred Mandel is a Canadian musician who joined Queen in the 1980s as a session keyboardist and guitarist. Though he didn’t contribute to Queen’s original studio albums, he participated in the band’s live performances and tours during that period. Fred Mandel has also worked with other big names in the music industry like Elton John and Supertramp, displaying his skills across multiple instruments.

David Grosman

David Grosman is less prominent in Queen’s history but served as a bassist during a brief period in the late 1980s for The Cross, a side project led by Queen’s drummer, Roger Taylor . Grosman’s role was limited, and he hasn’t had a long-standing association with Queen.

Jamie Moses

Jamie Moses is a British-American guitarist who has played rhythm guitar and provided backing vocals for the Queen + Paul Rodgers and Queen + Adam Lambert tours. Though he didn’t contribute to the original Queen studio albums, his role in the live performances has been crucial, filling in for multiple parts that in the studio were often overdubbed.

Danny Miranda

Danny Miranda is an American musician who played bass for the Queen + Paul Rodgers tour from 2005 to 2006. He has also provided backing vocals during these live performances. Prior to this, he was a member of the band Blue Öyster Cult, which adds to his music career’s diversity.

Neil Murray

Neil Murray is a British bassist who joined Brian May’s solo band for live performances and also participated in The Brian May Band’s “Back to the Light” tour in 1993. While not a member of Queen, his involvement with Brian May’s solo projects ties him into the extended Queen family.

Rufus Tiger Taylor

Rufus Tiger Taylor, son of Queen’s original drummer Roger Taylor , has served as a percussionist, drummer, and backing vocalist for the Queen + Adam Lambert lineup since 2011. Like Neil Fairclough and Tyler Warren, he has not contributed to Queen’s studio albums but has been instrumental in their modern live performances. Apart from his work with Queen, Rufus has also been a member of the band The Darkness.

DON’T MISS A BEAT

Be the first to know when a new article is published

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

Related Posts

Complete List Of Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band Members

Complete List Of All Oasis Band Members

Complete List Of Metallica Band Members

Complete List Of Phish Band Members

Complete List Of Imagine Dragons Band Members

Complete List Of Grace Potter Albums And Discography

About the author.

Janey Roberts

Janey Roberts lives in Chelsea, London. She has worked for various British musical publications writing album and concert reviews. Originally from Balboa Park, San Diego, Janey brings an international cross cultural perspective to rock journalism.

Add Comment Cancel Reply

 Yes, add me to your mailing list

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

ONE NIGHT OF QUEEN

Friday, may 17 at 8pm.

One Night of Queen

Friday, May 17 at 8pm

Tickets go on sale Fri, Jan 26 at 10am

Member Presale begins Wed, 1/24 at 10am

Tickets available on Ticketmaster

Or call (727) 300-2000

Tickets for this performance go on sale to the public on Friday, January 26 at 10am. 

Members of Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts have access to Member Presale starting Wednesday, January 24 at 10am! Call (727) 300-2000  to reserve your seats today and to learn more about the perks of membership including preshow lounge access, reduced fees, special events & more!

Gary Mullen & the Works re-create a complete Queen concert with all the pomp, power and classic rock staples we know and love. Since May of 2002, ‘Gary Mullen & The Works’ have performed around the globe to sold-out audiences and have been received with rave reviews.  Gary Mullen struts around the stage and excites his audience just as the unforgettable showman Freddie Mercury had. He perfectly mimics Mercury’s behaviors, style and dynamic vocal range to bring the passion of Queen to a new generation.  They will certainly rock you with their performances of “Killer Queen,” “We are the Champions,” “Bohemian Rhapsody,” and many more!

For tickets and membership information, call Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts at (727) 300-2000.

Kate Garraway 10am - 1pm

Now Playing

This Old Heart Of Mine (Is Weak for You) The Isley Brothers Download 'This Old Heart Of Mine (Is Weak for You)' on iTunes

Queen's Roger Taylor explains why John Deacon quit the band

18 July 2022, 17:07

Roger Taylor and Brian May have spoken about John Deacon quitting Queen, explaining what happened in the aftermath of Freddie Mercury's death and their total belief that Queen was finished.

Queen are everywhere. From red carpets to topping the charts, thanks to the success of film Bohemian Rhapsody and frontman Adam Lambert , the band has seen an enormous resurgence in recent years.

• Who is ex-Queen guitarist John Deacon?

However bass guitarist, John Deacon , is noticeably absent from proceedings having quit the band in 1997.

The founding member of Queen , who is estimated to be worth up to £130 million, retired entirely from music and the public eye to privately raise his six children in the South West London home he bought with his first Queen paycheck.

Speaking in the new documentary The Show Must Go On: The Queen + Adam Lambert Story , both Brian May and Roger Taylor spoke of the turbulent time when they lost John Deacon and the reasons the guitarist left the band.

• Freddie Mercury in private - rarely seen photos of the star behind closed doors

Roger reflected on how close John was to Freddie Mercury and the difficulty he faced after the frontman's death.

"John freaked out and decided he really couldn’t deal with being in the music business anymore, it was an odd period," Roger Taylor said, adding: "Really the band was over."

John Deacon himself made a rare public statement in the aftermath of Freddie Mercury 's passing, saying: "As far as we are concerned, this is it. There is no point carrying on. It is impossible to replace Freddie."

• Unearthed Freddie Mercury interview: Watch star discuss his own death in moving new documentary

Speaking to the Independent a few years previously, Roger had much stronger words for his ex-bandmate: "I haven't heard a squeak from John," said Roger.

"Not a single guttural grunt. We're not in touch but John's a sociopath, really, and he's given his blessing to whatever Brian and I might do with the brand – and we've done rather a lot."

• Did Freddie Mercury really stake Princess Diana to a London gay pub in the '80s?

Brian May elaborated in an interview with Rolling Stone , saying: "We don’t, really [speak to John]. He doesn’t want to. He wants to be private and in his own universe."

"He’s completely retired from any kind of social contact," Roger added.

"I think he’s a little fragile and he just didn’t want to know anything about talking to people in the music business or whatever. That’s fair enough. We respect that."

• Elton John shares beautiful story of Freddie Mercury's battle with AIDS

John Deacon was especially close to Freddie Mercury who was a stabilising force for John, helping the quiet bass guitarist cope with the pressure of being in Queen.

Ironically, it was John's quiet nature that endeared him to his bandmates in the first place.

• Remembering Freddie Mercury's last public appearance at the 1990 Brit Awards - video

In an interview reported in the Daily Express , Roger said: "We were so over-the-top, we thought that because he was quiet, he would fit in with us without too much upheaval."

All members of Queen struggled with the pressures that came with worldwide fame in the mid-eighties, with Brian openly talking about thoughts of suicide and John on his depression.

But friends, bandmates and colleagues all agree that after losing Freddie Mercury, the pressures of the music industry became overwhelming for the naturally reclusive John Deacon.

• George Michael impressing David Bowie and Seal with Freddie Mercury cover song is so powerful - video

All was not lost though, as the ex-Queen member is still very much involved with the financial side of the band.

Brian May confirmed to Rolling Stone : "We don’t undertake anything financial without talking to him."

Giving an insight into the private star's personality, he added: "He still keeps an eye on the finances. John Deacon is still John Deacon. "

More from Queen

See more More from Queen

Queen's 20 greatest songs ever, ranked

Smooth icons 2024: george michael is voted the best music artist of all time, how freddie mercury missed the chance to perform at the olympics.

Freddie Mercury

The 100 greatest songs of the 1990s, ranked

Queen's brian may discusses freddie mercury's final days: "i never ever saw him cry", brian may reveals the queen song that made him "insecure" above all others, latest music news.

See more Latest Music News

The 20 greatest Bee Gees songs of all time, ranked

Rod stewart addresses penny lancaster 'rift' rumours: 'we wanted to put the record straight'.

Rod Stewart

How many children does Stevie Wonder have, and who are they?

Stevie Wonder

How Mariah Carey made peace with her mum after years of a painful, complicated relationship

Linda nolan issues devastating cancer update as treatment stops working, smooth playlists, smooth's all time top 500, smooth soul, smooth country hot hits, smooth chill concentration, smooth podcast picks, they don't teach this at school with myleene klass, take that: this life, runpod with jenni falconer, the news agents.

+++ 1978 QUEEN Concert Poster Germany 1st print RARE

Queen Paul Rodgers Live In Ukraine 2008 Youtube Special Raising Funds For Ukraine Relief

Queen Bohemian Rhapsody Official Video Remastered

Queen II Album / Spring 1974 Tour UK Concert Promotional Flyer (Poster)

• Modified Item: No
• Country/Region of Manufacture: United Kingdom
• Custom Bundle: No
• Artists/Groups: Queen
• Brand: Unbranded
• Original/Reproduction: Original
• Type: Concert Memorabilia

QUEEN 1978 Concert Poster Original ULTRA RARE

• Artist/Band: Queen

QUEEN 1978 Concert Poster Original

Queen News Of The World 40th Anniversary Edition Unboxing

Queen Rare Signed Concert Gig Show Poster Brian May & Roger Taylor Classic Rock

• Size: 17 1/2 28 1/2
• Object Type: Poster
• Industry: Music

Queen 1979 Pavillon De Paris Concert Poster (France)

• Artists/ Groups: Queen
• Country/Region of Manufacture: France
• Type: Posters

Queen 1982 Festhalle Frankfurt Concert Poster (Germany)

• Country/Region of Manufacture: Germany

• Quick Facts
• Sights & Attractions
• Tsarskoe Selo
• Oranienbaum
• Foreign St. Petersburg
• Restaurants & Bars
• Accommodation Guide
• St. Petersburg Hotels
• Serviced Apartments
• Bed and Breakfasts
• Private & Group Transfers
• Airport Transfers
• Concierge Service
• Russian Visa Guide
• Request Visa Support
• Walking Tours
• River Entertainment
• Public Transportation
• Travel Cards
• Essential Shopping Selection
• Business Directory
• Photo Gallery
• Video Gallery
• 360° Panoramas
• Moscow Hotels
• Moscow.Info
• Imperial Estates
• Oranienbaum (Lomonosov)

The Chinese Palace

There is nothing particularly Chinese about this charming building in the southern corner of the park at Oranienbaum. Built by Antonio Rinaldi between 1762 and 1768, it was the first major building project to be ordered by Catherine the Great, who planned for the building to serve as her private dacha. In fact the Empress spent only 48 days there during the 34 years of her reign. However, the building, which is currently undergoing full-scale renovation, is considered one of the finest examples of rococo in Russia, with has superbly ornate interiors featuring a range of late 18 th century styles, including Chinoiserie, a trend imported to St. Petersburg from England rather than from the East.

From the outside, the palace is a relatively simple building, single-storey except for the small central pavilion, painted in a mellow combination of ochre and yellow. The seventeen rooms inside, decorated by Rinaldi and other leading artists and craftsmen of the day, feature pink, blue and green scagliola, painted silks, and intricate stucco work. Rinaldi's parquet floors are wonderfully ornate, using several types of rare Russian and imported wood. Among the highlights of the Chinese Palace interiors are the Glass Beaded Salon, the walls of which are hung with 12 panels of richly coloured tapestries depicting exotic birds and fauna. The fine white glass beads that form the backdrop of the tapestries give the whole room a diaphanous, shimmering quality that was designed to be particularly effective in the glowing twighlight of the White Nights. The full influence of Chinoiserie is in evidence in the gaudy Large Chinese Salon, where the walls are covered with marquetry paneling of wood and walrus ivory depicting oriental landscapes, and large Chinese lanterns hanging in the corners. The room also contains an English-made billiard table with superb wood carving.

The interiors of the Chinese Palace are particularly prized because they have survived almost completely intact since Catherine's reign. Whereas most of the interiors of St. Petersburg's imperial palaces had to be completely reconstructed after the wanton destruction of the Nazi invaders, the decorations of the Chinese Palace were successfully evacuated, and re-installed in the early fifties. They are, however, in chronic need of restoration, and the process is finally underway in ernest, with several major Russian and international conservation agencies involved in the process. As yet, there is no date set for the completion of works.

We can help you make the right choice from hundreds of St. Petersburg hotels and hostels.

Live like a local in self-catering apartments at convenient locations in St. Petersburg.

Comprehensive solutions for those who relocate to St. Petersburg to live, work or study.

Maximize your time in St. Petersburg with tours expertly tailored to your interests.

Get around in comfort with a chauffeured car or van to suit your budget and requirements.

Book a comfortable, well-maintained bus or a van with professional driver for your group.

Navigate St. Petersburg’s dining scene and find restaurants to remember.

Need tickets for the Mariinsky, the Hermitage, a football game or any event? We can help.

Get our help and advice choosing services and options to plan a prefect train journey.

Let our meeting and events experts help you organize a superb event in St. Petersburg.

We can find you a suitable interpreter for your negotiations, research or other needs.

Get translations for all purposes from recommended professional translators.