Since the tragic passing of Freddie Mercury in 1991, the legendary rock band Queen has faced an uncertain future. Bassist John Deacon quietly retired from the music scene in 1997, but guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor have persevered to keep the Queen legacy alive. Now, hints from Anita Dobson, wife of Brian May, have fans buzzing about the possibility of new Queen music on the horizon.
In a recent interview with Best magazine, Dobson was asked whether Brian and Roger might release fresh material as Queen. Her answer was tantalizingly optimistic: “Yes, I don’t know when or how, but they will. They’re musicians, they can’t stop.” This candid insight reassures fans that while the band may not be touring under the Queen name currently, the creative spirit of its core members remains strong.
Anita Dobson, widely recognized for her role as the first landlady of the Queen Victoria pub on EastEnders in the early 1980s, has been married to Brian May since 2000, after a long partnership dating back to the late 1980s. Her close perspective on the band’s dynamics lends weight to her statements about their ongoing collaborations and projects.
The enormous success of the 2018 biopic Bohemian Rhapsody reignited interest in Queen’s incredible journey, spanning their formation in the early 1970s up to their iconic Live Aid performance in 1985. Dobson revealed that discussions about a sequel to the film are underway, potentially bringing the band’s story up to the present day.
“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,” she said. “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 death, Brian May and Roger Taylor have experimented with different vocalists to keep the Queen sound alive. In 2004, they toured with Paul Rodgers, former frontman of Free and Bad Company. Roger was clear that Rodgers was no replacement for Mercury, praising his distinct bluesy style and emphasizing the unique chemistry that made their collaboration special.
More recently, American Idol finalist Adam Lambert has taken on the formidable role of fronting Queen on tour. The band members met Lambert during a guest appearance on the show in 2009, and since then, they have toured internationally, delighting fans old and new. Brian and Roger have even hinted at the possibility of an album featuring new material with Lambert, continuing the band’s tradition of musical innovation.
Queen’s songwriting legacy is unique: every member has contributed a Top 10 single at some point, not just Freddie Mercury. This diversity fuels hope that fresh, authentic Queen music can emerge, no matter who’s on vocals.
Whether a new album or other projects will materialize remains uncertain. As Roger Taylor told Ultimate Classic Rock magazine, “You never know…”
For now, Queen fans can take heart from Anita Dobson’s insider glimpse: Brian May and Roger Taylor are still creating, still collaborating, and their unstoppable drive means the Queen story is far from over.
