The shortlist includes all of the UK’s top 75 hits, including collaborations with Freddie Mercury’s posthumous band. Voting is now open and listeners can vote for the top three songs at www.bbc.co.uk/queenvote. Voting closes at 23:59 on Wednesday 8th March. The results will be revealed on the countdown chart, Your Ultimate Queen Song, available on BBC Sounds from Friday 31 March and broadcast on Radio 2 on Monday 10 April at 4pm.
Freddie Mercury, Brian May, John Deacon and Roger Taylor formed Queen in 1971 and released their first album in 1973. Record-breaking sold-out tour worldwide. The band has won British and Ivor Novello Awards, has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and was the first band to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, just as Bohemian Rhapsody was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. In 2018, Queen received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. After Freddie’s tragic death in November 1991 and John Deacon’s retirement from the band in the early ’90s, Queen + American singer-songwriter Adam Lambert have enjoyed a fruitful collaboration since 2012, North America, South America, Europe, UK, Asia, Australia, New Zealand.
Steve Wright said, “Do you remember when Queen had their first number one? Vote to find out What’s Your Ultimate Queen Song.”
Radio 2 Music Director Jeff Smith said: Audience loves most. Steve Wright’s countdown on BBC Sounds and Radio 2 will be the perfect soundtrack to whatever you’re doing on Easter!”
Roger Taylor says:
Sir Brian May said: What a wonderful compliment! I’m excited to wait and see what the outcome will be, but I’m happy to know that no matter what, the winning song will be ours. Everyone enjoying breakfast, keep voting! ”
Additionally, from Friday 31 March, BBC Sounds will host the Queen Artist Icons Collection. This includes Queen: The Fans Story. This is his one-hour show where he listens to his fans talk about different musicians who have worked with the band, covered the music, watched them live, and been inspired. The show, which soundtracked Queen’s biggest hits, was shared by Shania Twain, Belinda Carlyle, Tom Chaplin, Francis Rossi, Sir Bob Geldof, and more, as well as current frontman Adam Lambert. It features personal memories and stories. With fascinating insights and compelling stories that take listeners through the decades of the Queen’s reign, it’s a reminder of why it’s been loved by generations of fans. will also air on Radio 2 on Monday, April 10th from 7-8pm.
Also in the Artist Icon collection is Queen at the BBC, where the band themselves have spoken with BBC presenters such as John Peel, Johnnie Walker and Bob Harris over the decades, and their music has been released on vinyl. It has been played and has even had a Queen session on the BBC. In this classic from his archives, Queen talks about his latest releases, live performances, how he recorded and composed classics such as Bohemian His Rhapsody, and the excitement of first plays on BBC radio and TV shows. . Old Gray Whistle Test. Following the tragic death of Freddie Mercury, listeners will also hear what he wanted the band to do and their work at his Wembley Stadium tribute concert. will also air on Radio 2 on Monday, April 10th from 8-9pm.
On Friday 24th February, the BBC Four will give viewers another chance to see the three Queens shows. Queen on the BBC (9pm-10pm) takes viewers on her hour-long archival journey and showcases some of the band’s best musical moments. Followed by Freddie Mercury: The Final Act (10pm-11:30pm), the final chapter in Freddie Mercury’s life and how Queen will celebrate Freddie Mercury at Wembley Stadium after his tragic death. He talks about how he staged the Mercury Tribute Concert. Finally, viewers saw him perform the band’s Christmas Eve show at his Odeon in Hammersmith, London in 1975 at Queen’s Legendary 1975 concert (11:30pm – 12:30am). You can relive it.
In previous listener polls on Radio 2, tens of thousands of listeners voted for their favorite songs from some of the world’s most beloved artists, including George Michael and Take That, as well as the Ultimate Animated Movie Song, Ultimate Rom Com Song, and All- Time Greatest Song for Musical.
BBC Radio 2 is the UK’s most-listened radio station with 14.29 million weekly viewers (RAJAR Q4, 2022) and was awarded Station of the Year at the Music Week 2021 Awards. The Zoe Ball breakfast show is the UK’s most listened-to breakfast show with 7.14 million viewers (RAJAR Q4, 2022). Network presenters include Michael Ball, Zoe Ball, Rob Beckett, Tony Blackburn, OJ Borg, Rev. Kate Botley, Ken Bruce, Rylan, Fern Cotton, Sarah Cox, Jamie Cullum, Gary Davis, Paul Gambaccini, Angela Griffin Bob Harris, Vernon Kay, Serris Matthews, Scott Mills, Jason Mohammad, Trevor Nelson, Dermot O’Leary, Elaine Page, Mark Radcliffe, Romesh Ranganathan, DJ Spooney, Liza Tarbuck, Jeremy Vine , Michelle Visage, Johnnie Walker, Joe Wiley, Phil Williams, Claudia Winkleman and Steve Wright.