Since the tragic loss of Freddie Mercury in 1991 and bassist John Deacon’s retirement in 1997, the legacy of Queen has largely rested on the shoulders of guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor. The two longtime collaborators have tirelessly kept the Queen name alive, and now, according to Brian’s wife Anita Dobson, fans may soon have even more to look forward to.
Anita, best known for her role as the original landlady of the Queen Victoria pub in EastEnders, has been married to Brian May since 2000. In a recent interview with Best magazine, she dropped a tantalizing hint about the future of Queen. When asked whether Brian and Roger might release new music together, she responded, “Yes, I don’t know when or how, but they will. They’re musicians, they can’t stop.”
The Queen story, immortalized by the 2018 film Bohemian Rhapsody, charts the band’s rise from the early 1970s through their legendary Live Aid performance in 1985. Anita also revealed that talks of a sequel are underway to update the band’s story beyond those pivotal years.
As veteran bandmates since 1968, Brian and Roger have been constantly brainstorming and creating. Anita shared, “There has been talk about it, but there has been talk about lots of things, so whether it will come to fruition or not, I don’t know. But I do know one thing about the boys—they may not be touring at the moment as Queen, but they will be doing something. There is lots of talk going on and Brian pops round to see Roger a lot… so there’s still life in the old dog yet.”
Since Freddie’s passing, Brian and Roger have made several attempts to revive Queen’s live presence with new lead singers. Their 2004 collaboration with Paul Rodgers, known for his bluesy, earthy style, was never meant to replace Mercury but to celebrate the band’s legacy in a new light. Rodgers himself once said, “Paul is just such a great singer. He’s not trying to be Freddie.”
More recently, American Idol finalist Adam Lambert stepped into the spotlight, joining the duo on multiple tours since 2009. Lambert’s dynamic stage presence and vocal prowess have won fans worldwide, with Brian and Roger even hinting at the possibility of new Queen material featuring Lambert.
Queen’s songwriting legacy is uniquely shared among its members, with each having penned Top 10 singles during the band’s heyday. This diversity fuels optimism that new compositions could emerge from Brian and Roger’s ongoing collaborations.
Whether a brand-new album or other projects will eventually materialize remains uncertain. Roger Taylor told Ultimate Classic Rock magazine, “You never know…”
For now, the frequent visits between Brian May and Roger Taylor hint at a quietly simmering creative energy—proof that even decades later, the legendary duo continues to shape the future of Queen’s iconic legacy.
