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