Eras

BBC Radio 2
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Bill Bailey tells the story of Queen with rare BBC Archive and brand-new conversations from Brian May and Roger Taylor, looking back at the journey of this iconic rock band.

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  1. Queen: 1. Ascension

    EPISODE 1

    Queen: 1. Ascension

    Bill Bailey tells the story of rock's most flamboyant and iconic band. In the first episode of Eras: Queen, it's the late 60s, and four outsiders with academic brains collide in London. We find out how Freddie, Brian, Roger, and John were drawn together through college friendships and a shared creative vision. In the first half of the 70s, they played college gigs and support tours, started to refine their live show and build an audience proving they could command the attention of their growing fans. From recording demos, we go with them as they recorded their first three albums, Queen, Queen II and Sheer Heart Attack. Through rare BBC archive and new interviews from Brian May and Roger Taylor plus contributors including record executive Paul Watts, journalist Rosie Horide who followed the band in their early days and Bob Harris, an early supporter, we find out how their ascension was met with financial struggles but as a band they had a shared creative vision to take on the World.

    31 min
  2. Queen: 2. Coronation

    EPISODE 2

    Queen: 2. Coronation

    Bill Bailey tells the story of Queen and in the second episode it's 1975, and Queen are on the brink of failure. With financial issues they are exhausted and overlooked, but take a huge gamble on something long, weird, and radio-unfriendly: Bohemian Rhapsody. As the world turns to Queen we explore their evolution into stadium-shaking titans throughout the late 1970s. Through archive and new interviews, including journalist David Quantick and singer Adam Lambert, we see how Queen were on a roll with releasing albums and were performing internationally to cement their global fame. In the early 80s, we find them embracing synths, disco, and sci-fi scores with albums The Game and the Flash Gordon soundtrack. Through their groundbreaking tour of South America, and the release of Greatest Hits we explore Queen at their height before they face burnout and are unsure of what comes next.

    37 min
  3. Queen: 3. Heavy Is The Crown

    EPISODE 3

    Queen: 3. Heavy Is The Crown

    This episode of Eras: Queen, Bill Bailey explores the emotional and creative toll of fame on the band. After a breakneck pace in the previous decade, Queen quietly disappear from the spotlight in the early 80s, each member pursuing solo projects. They return sharper with renewed clarity for their next album, The Works, culminating in their iconic Live Aid performance in 1985. A year later, Queen continue their role as global icons, performing behind the Iron Curtain in Budapest. Now fully back in the spotlight, Queen face the quiet shadow of Freddie’s illness. Through new interviews and gems from the BBC archive, we hear from Queen in their own words as they navigated the weight of being global superstars.

    35 min
  4. Queen: 4. The Reign Continues

    EPISODE 4

    Queen: 4. The Reign Continues

    In this episode of Eras: Queen, Bill Bailey tells the story of the band's most poignant and powerful chapter. By the start of the 90s, Queen knew time was running short as Freddie Mercury was gravely ill. Instead of slowing down, they pushed forward, making another album, Innuendo, and creating the video for "These Are The Days Of Our Lives," Freddie’s final on-camera appearance. This episode explores the profound impact of Freddie's public announcement of his AIDS diagnosis, followed by his passing just 24 hours later. The reign continues in 1992 as Brian, Roger, and John orgainse the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert at Wembley Stadium. We explore the release of their album Made in Heaven in 1995 which was built around Freddie’s final vocal recordings. Bill looks at Queen's continued legacy through the We Will Rock You musical and the Bohemian Rhapsody film. We celebrate Queen's new phase with Adam Lambert, who, alongside Brian May and Roger Taylor, continues to bring their music to life. With new interviews with Queen fans, Matt Lucas and Brittany Howard, we find out about Queen's unwavering dedication to their fans, old and new, and how their music continues to resonate across generations.

    27 min
  5. Queen: 5. Interview with Queen icons Brian May & Roger Taylor

    EPISODE 5

    Queen: 5. Interview with Queen icons Brian May & Roger Taylor

    Hosted by comedian and lifelong Queen super fan Bill Bailey, this latest installment of the ERAS series dives deep into the story of the band told through the prism of their operatic masterpiece, Bohemian Rhapsody, which celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2025. Bill sits down for brand-new conversations with Brian May and Roger Taylor, Queen’s legendary guitarist and drummer, who look back on their extraordinary journey, and the legacy of their most famous song. Photo Credit: Mick Rock 1974, 2025.

    30 min
See All Season 6 (5)

About

Bill Bailey tells the story of Queen with rare BBC Archive and brand-new conversations from Brian May and Roger Taylor, looking back at the journey of this iconic rock band.

Information

  • Creator
    BBC Radio 2
  • Episodes
    30
  • Seasons
    6
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © (C) BBC 2025
  • Show Website
    Eras
  • Provider

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