Queen have been confirmed as the most successful band in UK music history, by Guinness World Records.
The Freddie Mercury-fronted rock legends have now spent more time listed with their music than any other group or performer, including The Beatles and Elvis Presley. Queen, whose first self-titled album was released in 1973, have racked-up 1,322 weeks on the UK chart, which is compiled by the "Book of British Hit Singles and Albums".
David Roberts, editor of the publication, said: "Given that Queen's chart career has been much shorter than those of The Beatles and Elvis, this is an incredible achievement. "They've long been written about with reverence in the pages of our book, and this just serves to cement their legendary status."
The full Top 5 is as follows:
1. Queen (1,322 weeks on UK chart)
2. The Beatles (1,293 weeks)
3. Elvis Presley (1,280 weeks)
4. U2 (1,150 weeks)
5. Dire Straits (1,136 weeks)
Queen Are The Champions
July 04, 2005 | Book Source:Googlejoemin wrote on
July 04, 2005
This refers to the album charts only. It won't be long before Elvis and U2 are fighting it out for top spot...
Colin B wrote on
July 04, 2005
You're right, Joemin! Strange how they don't mention that Queen lead in the album chart only! For the singles, and [most importantly] the combined chart, it's Elvis at No.1.
Renan Augusto wrote on
July 04, 2005
They were very good. After Elvis, Queen is what I most listen to. But Elvis is Elvis forever...
cathyreno wrote on
July 05, 2005
Queen is a very goos band fair play but Elvis is still the king ...
Tina S wrote on
July 05, 2005
it easy to get no 1 now not like it uesd be Queen rocks but Elvis is King
chicken wrote on
July 05, 2005
This story is due to Queen over taking the Beatles for the first time, that's why ther's no mention of the Singles chart, nor are you likely ever to see a simillar story about the singles chart because no one will ever overtake Elvis
Ton Bruins wrote on
July 05, 2005
My wife will be happy with this news. She loves Queen....lol. Elvis is better though....lol
joe charriere wrote on
July 05, 2005
I think Queen were a fine group and I am old enough to remember their performance on live aid 20 years ago. Watching Live 8 2005 I could not help thinking it would have been great to see them there. Indeed, just think how fantastic the end of Saturdays concert would have been if Elvis was still with us and been top of the bill.
get real wrote on
July 05, 2005
Blah Blah Blah who cares about the singles charts when reading about this - this is about the ALBUM chart - so stop trying to find reasons to make Elvis sound as if he should some how be # 1 here, he is not. Elvis has plenty of other records which he owns, but not this one. In fact, judging from this list, you should all be lucky that Dire Straits stopped putting out new albums, or they would also surly have jumped ahead of E. Freddie Mercury was the best front man of any band during the past 50 years. He is missed
Viva wrote on
July 06, 2005
Considering Elvis isn't regarded (Quite wrongly) as an album artist, number three is nothing to be ashamed of, especially as albums in the King's (and the beatles') day were not the major sellers they are now. Am I the only person on the planet who thinks Queen were crap? Don't answer that, I know I am.
Ricsta wrote on
July 07, 2005
Viva, No you're not the only person. I didn't get it either. Could never see what this 'Legendary status' was about.
buyep01 wrote on
July 24, 2005
Listen ((((MR. OR MS. GET REAL))) Queen is a joke and they are not legends when those weak musical flunkies sale over a billion records have more multi platinum records than anyone and span a generation the way the king has then we may talk I am 28 yrs old by the way and since you brought it up about Elvis singles nobody wants to hear about queens alblums. OH by the way think they will have #1 hits after they are dead 25, 26 ,27 yrs their own radio station and 650,000 visitors a year to their home. Queen "give me a break" Chris Hattaway Columbus GA