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Post by florians on Apr 24, 2022 12:27:14 GMT
Long time fans may forgive me this question, but in 1991 I turned 13 years old.
I remember, that my brother bought the Innuendo LP on release day. I do not remember Queen being big in the media around the release, or when the follow up singles were released.
The album spent 6 weeks on number 1, and was on #15 of the best selling albums of the year - so it did quite impressive.
The biggest German youth magazine had reviews of the album and the singles, but apart from that there was only a short article that Queen had announced not to go on tour again.
I seems as if groups like Roxette, the Scorpions or R.E.M where everywhere, but Queen just got massive attention when Freddie died. Off course, they had the advantage of touring, visiting TV shows etc., what Queen - off course - did not.
So who can give me some insight: How popular were Queen on 23rd of November 1991 all over the world?
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Lord Fickle
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Post by Lord Fickle on Apr 24, 2022 12:43:32 GMT
I think it's probably fair to say they were 'bigger' when they were still playing live, and the Magic tour was probably their biggest of all.
Personally, I wasn't all that keen on the last couple of albums when they came out, save for a handful of tracks on each, as being a long time fan, I always wanted them to go back to doing more rock stuff like they did in the 70s. I didn't like David Richards' production, and for me, there was too much electronic stuff going on. Brian's guitar sound had changed, and it just didn't have the power of the earlier albums. It was Brian's guitar that largely drew me to them in the first place, so that 'processed' sound on the later albums was disappointing.
I think, generally, it was suspected that something wasn't right with Freddie, from press reports, and the fact that they didn't tour The Miracle, but I'm not sure if that actually affected their global popularity.
I don't remember them having massive air play in the the late 80s and early 90s, so whilst their popularity among fans may not have diminished, I think perhaps they may have faded away from the general population a little. Others may disagree. 30 years is a long way to think back!
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Post by deathtoming on Apr 24, 2022 16:38:01 GMT
So who can give me some insight: How popular were Queen on 23rd of November 1991 all over the world? For what it's worth, here's Queen's ranking on the Music Life readers' poll for best international group, taken at the end of every year in Japan. For context I've included a range to show the impact of their last few albums: 1986: 13th 1987: 32nd 1988: unranked 1989: 49th 1990: unranked 1991: 25th (Freddie: 19th for male international vocalist) 1992: 9th (Freddie: 6th for male international vocalist) 1993: 20th 1994: 11th 1995: 5th 1996: 10th |
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Post by florians on Apr 25, 2022 20:36:20 GMT
Thank you very much for your replies!
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Makka
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Post by Makka on Apr 26, 2022 10:22:46 GMT
Here in Australia I remember MTV playing a few of the Miracle videos a fair bit. It was the same when Innuendo came out. But popularity wise I think they were well headed to a 'has been' band. I remember the Innuendo LP being given a terrible write up in a local paper and the Butthole Surfers given a glowing review, which annoyed someone enough over here to write into them. Their last few albums charted ok if remember but didn't hang around long I think.
But when Freddie died it was pretty big over here for awhile.
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Arnaldo Ogre-
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Post by Arnaldo Ogre- on Apr 26, 2022 19:38:59 GMT
Here in Australia I remember MTV playing a few of the Miracle videos a fair bit. It was the same when Innuendo came out. But popularity wise I think they were well headed to a 'has been' band. I remember the Innuendo LP being given a terrible write up in a local paper and the Butthole Surfers given a glowing review, which annoyed someone enough over here to write into them. Their last few albums charted ok if remember but didn't hang around long I think. But when Freddie died it was pretty big over here for awhile. Here in Brazil it was more or less like that, as well. Their popularity was very high since the late 70s, and from 1984 on, because of The Works and Rock in Rio, they went into an overexposition period, which lasted more or less until late 1986. Then, they became out of fashion here, even if they still appeared in the mass media from time to time. That did not change much until Freddie died, which of course caused a resurgence. If any other Brazilian pal would like to coment, please feel free to do so. I am not very good with dates and my memory is like a Swiss cheese.  Cheers, Ogre- |
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Dimitris
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Post by Dimitris on Apr 27, 2022 4:40:30 GMT
Despite the popular belief that their sales from 1982 were lower, Queen still managed huge sales in Europe, UK and other places like Japan, Brazil etc. Even their chart positions and chart run in USA between 1982-1991 were good compare with band like Judas priest, Metallica etc.
For the UK:
1984 - sold 1,010,000
1985 - sold 460,000
1986 - sold 1,463,000
1987 - sold 758,000
1988 - sold 313,000
1989 - sold 861,000
1990 to 1999 - sold 7,282,000 - average 728,200 per year.
Second best behind Oasis.
Also for UK,
Album Artist sales January 1990 to June 1995.
They were first best selling artist/band with
4,560,000 second were REM 4,470,000
The Miracle sold about 1m in Europe only its first week and Innuendo 1,5m.
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Post by ActionThisDay on Apr 27, 2022 18:12:08 GMT
Very interesting thread.
To the general public Queen had already had a big comeback with Live Aid and the Magic tour - people were happy to admit they loved Queen.
By 1987 they weren't playing live anymore and had basically morphed into a pop band with a few rock songs. Much of the public didn't like this version of Queen and started to regard them as 'uncool' or has-beens, particularly when they were releasing a lot of (by their usual standards) crappy pop singles. I can remember taking a lot of stick at school for liking Queen in the period 1988-1991.
They were still having a few high chart placings (I Want It All #3, Innuendo #1) but many of the singles released during this period struggled to even reach the top 10 (Scandal #25, I'm Going Slightly Mad #22).
They were still a very well known band in 1991 but they weren't 'iconic' in the way they are now - to get that status required Freddie's death.
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Dimitris
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Post by Dimitris on Apr 28, 2022 4:43:40 GMT
Very interesting thread. To the general public Queen had already had a big comeback with Live Aid and the Magic tour - people were happy to admit they loved Queen. By 1987 they weren't playing live anymore and had basically morphed into a pop band with a few rock songs. Much of the public didn't like this version of Queen and started to regard them as 'uncool' or has-beens, particularly when they were releasing a lot of (by their usual standards) crappy pop singles. I can remember taking a lot of stick at school for liking Queen in the period 1988-1991. They were still having a few high chart placings (I Want It All #3, Innuendo #1) but many of the singles released during this period struggled to even reach the top 10 (Scandal #25, I'm Going Slightly Mad #22). They were still a very well known band in 1991 but they weren't 'iconic' in the way they are now - to get that status required Freddie's death. As I remember during 86-91 Queen were respected by metal fans and were more a live band, almost everyone wanted to see them live and anticipated for a 1989-90 tour... By 1989 they were more album sales than singles since the general public were more into their albums. I remember many bought Bon Jovi, Aerosmith both bands were very popular, when the miracle came many liked it and bought it. By the time Innuendo came there was a vibe of mid 70s come back. In 1991 music was changing Nirvana, Metallica black album, Soundgarden, Brit pop was about to be very popular, Manic streat peaches. Queen were in regarded as a classic band with respect. When Freddie died, some friends of mine who had bought The Miracle and Innuendo told me that, Queen will be very "fashion" and everyone will listen, but we have discovered them before his death. My friends were little annoyed by the fuzz. |
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Post by florians on Apr 28, 2022 9:36:01 GMT
I took a look at their album sales in Germany, as Wikipedia is listing them.
Night at the Opera, News of the World, the Works, the Miracle and Innuendo are all at 500.000 (those not mentioned came in lower)
A Kind of Magic is their best selling album prior to Freddies death with 750.000 units sold.
Greatest Hits 1 sold 1,75 million units, but we can assume that a large percentage of this was sold after Freddie was gone.
Now:
Greatest Hits 2 sold 2,25 million units and is one of the 10 biggest albums of all time in Germany.
Made in Heaven sold 1,5 Million Units - twice what Magic, their biggest album with Freddie did.
This is not giving an ansewer to my initial question, but it is very clear that:
Their albums before Freddie died did very well and stable, better than most of the 70s stuff and the Game
and
Freddies death liftet them to a much higher level (as in most places)
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Dimitris
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Post by Dimitris on Apr 28, 2022 19:45:02 GMT
I took a look at their album sales in Germany, as Wikipedia is listing them. Night at the Opera, News of the World, the Works, the Miracle and Innuendo are all at 500.000 (those not mentioned came in lower) A Kind of Magic is their best selling album prior to Freddies death with 750.000 units sold. Greatest Hits 1 sold 1,75 million units, but we can assume that a large percentage of this was sold after Freddie was gone. Now: Greatest Hits 2 sold 2,25 million units and is one of the 10 biggest albums of all time in Germany. Made in Heaven sold 1,5 Million Units - twice what Magic, their biggest album with Freddie did. This is not giving an ansewer to my initial question, but it is very clear that: Their albums before Freddie died did very well and stable, better than most of the 70s stuff and the Game and Freddies death liftet them to a much higher level (as in most places) Here are Queen album sales up to MIH physical sales. 1973-1992 and 1995-96 QI 190,000 QII 200,000 SHA 270,000 ANATO 725,000 ADATR 415,000 NOTW 640,000 Jazz 575,000 TG 420,000 FG 380,000 HS 280,000 TW 580,000 AKOM 880,000 TM 800,000 Innuendo 855,000 MIH 1,700,000 As the Helloween guitarist said, when he was teen many magazines were about Uriah jeep and other bands, but not so much about Queen. However in terms of real popularity and sales Queen were bigger, so he stopped care about what the magazines promote. Weikath is a fan of Queen, his favorite album is ADATR. |
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Post by florians on Apr 29, 2022 5:42:41 GMT
I took a look at their album sales in Germany, as Wikipedia is listing them. Night at the Opera, News of the World, the Works, the Miracle and Innuendo are all at 500.000 (those not mentioned came in lower) A Kind of Magic is their best selling album prior to Freddies death with 750.000 units sold. Greatest Hits 1 sold 1,75 million units, but we can assume that a large percentage of this was sold after Freddie was gone. Now: Greatest Hits 2 sold 2,25 million units and is one of the 10 biggest albums of all time in Germany. Made in Heaven sold 1,5 Million Units - twice what Magic, their biggest album with Freddie did. This is not giving an ansewer to my initial question, but it is very clear that: Their albums before Freddie died did very well and stable, better than most of the 70s stuff and the Game and Freddies death liftet them to a much higher level (as in most places) Here are Queen album sales up to MIH physical sales. 1973-1992 and 1995-96 QI 190,000 QII 200,000 SHA 270,000 ANATO 725,000 ADATR 415,000 NOTW 640,000 Jazz 575,000 TG 420,000 FG 380,000 HS 280,000 TW 580,000 AKOM 880,000 TM 800,000 Innuendo 855,000 MIH 1,700,000 As the Helloween guitarist said, when he was teen many magazines were about Uriah jeep and other bands, but not so much about Queen. However in terms of real popularity and sales Queen were bigger, so he stopped care about what the magazines promote. Weikath is a fan of Queen, his favorite album is ADATR. Thanks a lot! For which country are these sales? Kai Hansen is a hughe fan of Queen aswell...good guys in Helloween. |
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Dimitris
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Post by Dimitris on Apr 29, 2022 5:55:43 GMT
Here are Queen album sales up to MIH physical sales. 1973-1992 and 1995-96 QI 190,000 QII 200,000 SHA 270,000 ANATO 725,000 ADATR 415,000 NOTW 640,000 Jazz 575,000 TG 420,000 FG 380,000 HS 280,000 TW 580,000 AKOM 880,000 TM 800,000 Innuendo 855,000 MIH 1,700,000 As the Helloween guitarist said, when he was teen many magazines were about Uriah jeep and other bands, but not so much about Queen. However in terms of real popularity and sales Queen were bigger, so he stopped care about what the magazines promote. Weikath is a fan of Queen, his favorite album is ADATR. Thanks a lot! For which country are these sales? Kai Hansen is a hughe fan of Queen aswell...good guys in Helloween. Germany very good sales, also Queen have the biggest sales in Europe about 90-100m and second in UK. |
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Post by The Fairy King on Apr 29, 2022 8:22:29 GMT
US Sales (RIAA)
Title Certified Units Certification | Date
Bohemian Rhapsody (Digital) 10 Million 10x Multi-Platinum | March 25, 2021
Greatest Hits 9 Million 9x Multi-Platinum | December 11, 2020
The Platinum Collection 5 Million 5x Multi-Platinum | April 11, 2021
Another One Bites The Dust 4 Million 4x Multi-Platinum | November 10th, 2017
We Will Rock You 4 Million 4x Multi-Platinum | January 19th, 2017
News Of The World 4 Million 4x Multi-Platinum | November 14th, 2002
The Game 4 Million 4x Multi-Platinum | November 14th, 2002
Don't Stop Me Now (Digital) 3 Million 3x Multi-Platinum | January 21st, 2020
We Are The Champions (Digital) 3 Million 3x Multi-Platinum | January 31st, 2019
Classic Queen 3 Million 3x Multi-Platinum | November 14th, 2002
A Night At The Opera 3 Million 3x Multi-Platinum | November 14th, 2002
Somebody To Love 2 Million 2x Multi-Platinum | December 7th, 2018
Fat Bottomed Girls 2 Million 2x Multi-Platinum | March 20th, 2018
Under Pressure 2 Million 2x Multi-Platinum | March 20th, 2018
Live Killers 2 Million 2x Multi-Platinum | November 14th, 2002
Radio Ga Ga (Digital) 1 Million Platinum | October 29th, 2020
I Want To Break Free (Digital) 1 Million Platinum |September 5th, 2019
Crazy Little Thing Called Love 1 Million Platinum | August 14th, 2017
You're My Best Friend 1 Million Platinum | September 23rd, 2016
A Day At The Races 1 Million Platinum | November 14th, 2002
Greatest Hits I & II 1 Million Platinum | July 11th, 2000
Live At Wembley '86 1 Million Platinum | November 2nd, 1999
Jazz 1 Million Platinum | November 28th, 1978
We Are The Champions (Single) 1 Million Platinum | April 25th, 1978
Love Of My Life (Digital) 0,5 Million Gold | October 29th, 2020
Made In Heaven 0,5 Million Gold | March 26th, 1996
The Show Must Go On 0,5 Million Gold | May 6th, 1992
Innuendo (Album) 0,5 Million Gold | April 3rd, 1991
The Works 0,5 Million Gold | April 24th, 1984
Hot Space 0,5 Million Gold | July 12th, 1982
Queen I 0,5 Million Gold | March 29th, 1977
Bohemian Rhapsody (Single) 0,5 Million Gold | June 3rd, 1976
Sheer Heart Attack 0,5 Million Gold | November 18th, 1975
A Kind Of Magic (Album) 0,5 Million Gold | November 15th, 2002
Live At Wembley Stadium 0,5 Million 5x Multi-Platinum | May 8th, 2006
We Will Rock You (Pioneer Montreal DVD) 0,2 Million 2x Multi-Platinum | October 28th, 2002
On Fire: Live At The Bowl 0,1 Million Platinum 8th, 2006
Greatest Video Hits, Vol. 1 0,1 Million Platinum | May 22nd, 2003
Queen Rock Montreal & Live Aid 0,1 Million Platinum | January 17th, 2008
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