It’s been 40 years since Freddie Mercury, Brian May, John Deacon and Roger Taylor first formed Queen in London England. May and Taylor have announced plans to celebrate the milestone through 2011. Expect a LOT of releases, re-releases, special limited-edition items and events around the world.
For starters, Queen’s entire 15-album studio catalog is being reissued in a series of deluxe editions. The music is being remastered, the artwork cleaned up and lots of “extras” are being added. Each album will arrive as a 2-CD edition. The first disc will contain the updated and remastered original. The second disc will contain rarities, some of which have never been heard by more than a handful of people. The re-releases will come out in three waves, starting in March with Queen’s first 5 albums.
A gallery exhibition called “Storm Troopers in Stilettos” just opened in London and plans are afoot to tour the exhibit around the world.
On April 12, Queen’s debut single, “Keep Yourself Alive” b/w “Son and Daughter” will be re-released on seven-inch vinyl in a limited edition coinciding with Record Store Day.
And on April 19, Queen’s “Greatest Hits II” will be released for the first time in North America.
And- according to Brian May, the movie about the life of Freddie Mercury (starring Sasha Baron Cohen) has started production and should be in cinemas next year.