Stormtroopers in Stilettos

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To celebrate the 40th anniversary since the formation of flamboyant rock band Queen, over the pond in the heart of London’s East End, Island Records is hosting an exhibition called Stormtroopers in Stilettos which chronicles the years before their first Album, released in 1971.

Queen originally consisting of Freddie Mercury (lead vocals, piano), Brian May (guitar, vocals), John Deacon (bass guitar), and Roger Taylor (drums, vocals). Queen’s earliest works were heavily influenced by progressive rock; in the mid-1970s, the band ventured into more conventional and radio-friendly works, bringing them greater commercial success. It also became something of a trademark to incorporate more diverse and innovative styles in their music, exploring the likes of vaudeville, gospel music, electronic music and funk.

Brian May and Roger Taylor had been playing together in a band named Smile. Freddie Mercury (then known by his birth name of Farrokh, or Freddie, Bulsara) was a fan of Smile, and encouraged them to experiment with more elaborate stage and recording techniques. Mercury himself joined the band shortly thereafter, changed the name of the band to ‘Queen’ and adopted his familiar stage name. John Deacon was recruited prior to recording their first album. Queen enjoyed success in the UK during the early 1970s, but it was the release of Sheer Heart Attack (1974) and A Night at the Opera (1975) that gained the band international success.

STORMTROOPERS IN STILETTOS WEBSITE

Ticket prices for a Queen show in the 1970s, no more than a couple of dollars