Queen have signed a new, long-term deal with the Universal Music Group.
The new deal, which covers the world outside of North America, comes three years after Queen first signed with Universal Music. That move saw the band release music through Island Records for the first time in its history and signalled the start of a major re-mastering and repackaging programme, providing live tracks, alternative takes and other additional content for Queen’s 15 studio albums.
Queen marked their 40th anniversary in 2011 with a major marketing campaign and a series of high profile events, including the Stormtroopers in Stilettos exhibition staged in London and a major BBC TV documentary on the band.
"We have loved working with Queen over last three years," said Max Hole, Chairman and Chief Executive of Universal Music Group International. "Queen remains one of the biggest, boldest and most influential bands in the world. The band and Universal Music have lots of ambitious plans for the future."
"We have also enjoyed working with Universal," said Queen’s Brian May and Roger Taylor. "In spite of being the biggest music company in the world they succeed in retaining a very hands-on personal relationship with their artists, something we much appreciate."
Queen have previously revealed plans to release three duets recorded by Freddie Mercury and Michael Jackson. The demos were recorded in 1983 at Jackson's home studio, but a larger project never came to fruition due to the singers' conflicting schedules.
A planned Mercury biopic is in the works, as well.
Queen recently released a limited edition 6 DVD box set that features four concerts, including “Live At Wembley Stadium – 25th Anniversary Edition”, “Queen Rock Montreal”, “On Fire: Live At The Bowl”, and “Live In Rio.”
Exclusive to this package, “Live In Rio” features the band performing at the “Rock In Rio” festival in January 1985 in front of 250,000 fans.
Find out more about the box set here.
See also:
Queen discover more unreleased Freddie Mercury material
Queen: Freddie Mercury documentary wins International Emmy Award
Queen drummer Roger Taylor releases Sunny Day video
Queen drummer streams Fun On Earth bonus track
Queen to release limited edition 6 DVD box set
Queen: Hungarian Rhapsody wins Bronze Box Office Award
Queen guitarist shares Freddie Mercury film update
Queen: Roger Taylor to release new album and solo catalog
Queen: Freddie Mercury documentary earns Emmy nomination
Queen guitarist hints at new album with unreleased Freddie Mercury tracks
Queen: Schools Will Rock You comes to North America
Queen team with Angry Birds for Freddie For A Day 2013
Queen announce AIDS Benefit in support of The Mercury Phoenix Trust
VIDEO: Queen preview Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert DVD
Queen guitarist Brian May undergoes knee replacement surgery
Queen drummer finishes first solo album in 15 years
Queen: Freddie Mercury’s duets with Michael Jackson to be released
Queen: Sacha Baron Cohen quits Freddie Mercury biopic
Queen: Freddie Mercury gorilla returns to Norwich after facelift
Queen: Freddie Mercury gorilla art update
Queen guitarist enters Freddie Mercury gorilla art controversy
Queen: Freddie Mercury gorilla art removed over copyright issues
Queen: Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert reissue due this fall
Queen: Limited-edition Icon collection due next week
Queen guitarist slams The Voice
Queen: The Queen Chronology book now available
“Queen On Fire: Live At The Bowl” DVD reissue due next month
Black Sabbath and Queen guitarists discuss possible collaboration
Queen musical We Will Rock You to launch North American tour
Queen honored with PRS For Music Heritage Award
Black Sabbath and Queen guitarists to team up for album
Queen: Live At Wembley Stadium 25th anniversary edition reissue coming
Queen: New owner reveals plans for Freddie Mercury’s Rolls Royce
Queen: Freddie Mercury’s Rolls Royce sets record at auction
Queen: Freddie Mercury’s 1974 Rolls Royce up for auction
Queen releases 40 Years Of Queen ebook
Rock News Artist Of The Year #10: QUEEN
Queen announce Queen Extravaganza North American tour
Queen drummer Roger Taylor to release solo album
Queen provide update on Freddie Mercury film
Hungarian Rhapsody: Queen Live In Budapest DVD due next month
Led Zeppelin, Queen & Iron Maiden members rock Sunflower Jam
Queen’s Freddie Mercury becomes an Angry Bird
VIDEO: Queen rock the Olympics finale
Queen: Bohemian Rhapsody voted UK’s favorite #1 single
Freddie Mercury: The Great Pretender coming to DVD this fall
VIDEO: Queen + Adam Lambert – Watch complete Kiev concert
VIDEO: The Queen Extravaganza opens tour in Quebec City
Freddie Mercury to appear in Queen show next week
Queen and Adam Lambert announce third London show
VIDEO: Queen rock second night of American Idol
VIDEO: American Idol’s Top 6 perform Queen classics
VIDEO: Queen rock American Idol
VIDEO: Queen Extravaganza promo
Queen returning to rock American Idol
Queen to play four shows with Adam Lambert
Queen top UK’s best-selling albums of all time
VIRAL VIDEO: Drunken man sings Queen classic in police cruiser
VIDEO: Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody featured in new TV commercial
VIDEO: Blue Oyster Cult guitarist covers Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody by himself
