When coming up with a logo, most bands just enlist the services of a friend who has at least a little experience with art or design (such as a current student or recent graduate), because it means that: a.) they're incorporating some level of professionalism into their aesthetic, and b.) they're getting the work done as inexpensive as possible. In other words...bands are cheap ;)!
But just like their music, Queen isn't "most bands," and thus the process that went into creating Queen's now iconic crest logo (i.e.: THE queen logo) is just as intricate as their musical compositions.
It all started when Queen's larger than life frontman and persona Freddie Mercury graduated in 1969 from Ealing Art College in London with a degree in graphic art and design (he first studied art at Iseworth Polytechnic in West London, prior to attending Ealing). He then took everything he learned in college and went on to not only become the leader of one of the biggest and best rock bands of all time, but he was also their designer too!
Before the release of their first album, Freddie designed the artwork, which would later go on to become their most widely used logo as well. He combined the zodiac signs of all 4 Queen members: two lions (Leo) for Deacon and Taylor, a crab (Cancer) for May, and not one, but two fairies (Virgo) for Mercury. The lions embrace a stylized letter Q, while the crab sits on the letter with rising flames above. Each fairy shelters a lion below, a crown is shown inside the Q, and a giant phoenix overshadows the whole logo. It was made to bear a resemblance to the Royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom, with the lion supporters in particular.
After Freddie's tragic passing in 1991, we will unfortunately never receive a "true" Queen reunion, new album or any merchandise designs that were designed by the king, err...Queen of rock 'n' roll himself. But just like his memory and voice live on in the lyrics and vocals of every Queen song that is still played by adoring fans all over the world each and every day, his artistic talents and visions have also been immortalized on every piece of Queen merch that's bought and sold and consumed today. So the next time you wear a queen t shirt or see someone else wearing a queen band shirt, we hope you remember the visionary that created it in the first place.
The moral of the story? Be like Freddie: stay in school and graduate from college, all while fronting one of the most unique and groundbreaking rock acts of all time. Easy, right?!
Long live rock and roll. Long live Queen!
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