Despite their absence on the touring circuit prior to, and following, the 1991 passing of Freddie Mercury, Queen’s music continued to be treasured in Japan throughout the ’90s and into the 21st Century, thanks largely to their inclusion in TV commercials and television dramas, particularly one of Japan’s biggest drama series which prompted the release of a special 2004 ‘hits’ compilation album, exclusive to Japan – “Queen Jewels.” The album went on to sell over a million copies while their song, “I Was Born To Love You”, reached No. 1 on the singles charts after it was featured in a Japanese beer commercial.
A second edition, “Queen Jewels II”, followed in 2005.
It would not be until 2005 the band would return, first with Paul Rodgers and then again in 2014 with Adam Lambert when they headlined the annual Summer Sonic festival.
“Summer Sonic is like Glastonbury or one of the biggest summer music festival outdoor shows, and we played Osaka and Tokyo,” recalls record company executive and promoter Kaz Utsunomiya. “I’ve seen many, many Summer Sonic festivals but I think I can say that everyone who I talk to, including fans and record company people, that was probably the biggest ending act of any Summer Sonic for twenty years or something.”
Japan is now once again a regular feature on the Queen touring schedule, the band having returned as recently as 2020 to perform four massive sold-out arena shows playing to a combined audience of over 132,000 people across the country.
“Even if the Japanese fan loved them, if the band didn’t actually return that kind of love, they wouldn’t have got this big,” adds Utsunomiya. “And I think it’s a mutual respect of the culture, mutual respect of the people, that’s bonded by the greatest songs.”
See also:
Queen revisit 1975 tour of Japan
Queen celebrate champions with 1977 classic
Queen continue look back at 1977 classic We Will Rock You
Queen drummer Roger Taylor announces new album and UK tour
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