Queen are an English rock band formed in 1970 in London by guitarist Brian May; lead vocalist Freddie Mercury; and drummer Roger Taylor. Bass guitarist John Deacon joined the following year; completing the band as it would remain until Mercurys death on November 24; 1991. It is uncertain how many albums the band has sold; but estimations range from 130 million to over 300 million albums worldwide.Following Mercurys death in 1991 and Deacons retirement later in the decade; May and Taylor have performed infrequently under the Queen name. Since 2005 they have been collaborating with Paul Rodgers; under the moniker Queen + Paul Rodgers. "I Want to Break Free" was written by John Deacon out of frustration. This pop song is best known probably because of its controversial video, featuring all four Queen members dressed up as women, in a parody of the British soap opera Coronation Street. The synth solo is played by Fred Mandel live, however, May played it on guitar.Queen are an English rock band formed in 1970 in London by guitarist Brian May; lead vocalist Freddie Mercury; and drummer Roger Taylor. Bass guitarist John Deacon joined the following year;.