Smile: The Precursor to Queen
Before the world knew the stadium-filling anthems of Queen, the foundations of the legendary rock band were laid in a group called Smile. Formed in the mid-1960s, Smile served as the creative laboratory where Brian May and Roger Taylor first honed their musical chemistry. This journey from a student ensemble to a global phenomenon is a fascinating study in musical evolution.
The Origins: From "1984" to Smile
The story begins in 1965 with Tim Staffell and Brian May, who were schoolmates at Hampton School. Together with other friends, they formed a group named "1984," inspired by the novel of the same name. The band spent their early years playing gigs across West London, often serving as opening acts for more established artists. On March 31, 1967, they recorded four cover songs at Thames Television, along with an original composition titled "Step on Me," written by May and Staffell.
By early 1968, the group underwent significant changes as both May and Staffell briefly left. May was pursuing astrophysics at Imperial College, while Staffell was studying at Ealing Art College. Seeking a new drummer, they posted an advertisement for a "Ginger Baker type." This led to the audition of Roger Taylor, a dental student who famously auditioned using bongos because his full drum kit was unavailable. Taylor secured the position, and the band transitioned into the trio known as Smile.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Rise in the London Scene and Recording Efforts
Smile officially debuted on October 26, 1968, at Imperial College, opening for either Pink Floyd or the Troggs. Their profile grew steadily, with appearances at notable London venues such as the Speakeasy on April 19 and the Whisky-A-Go-Go on May 31. One of their most significant early milestones occurred on February 27, 1969, when they performed at the Royal Albert Hall for a concert benefiting the National Council for the Unmarried Mother and Her Child. As of 2026, this performance remains the only documented footage of the band's original run.
Between March 1969 and April 1970, the band performed frequently at PJ's Club in Truro. To attract audiences, they reportedly claimed to have been played on BBC Radio 1, though these claims were likely false. Their recording career began in June 1969 at Trident Studios in Soho under a one-off deal with Mercury Records, where they tracked "Earth," "Step on Me," and "Doin' All Right." Later that September, they recorded "April Lady," "Blag," and "Polar Bear" at De Lane Lea Studios. Despite these efforts, these promotional recordings were not commercially released at the time.
The Transition to Queen
The dissolution of Smile came in 1970 when Tim Staffell left to join the band Humpy Bong. However, the musical partnership between May and Taylor persisted, encouraged by Farrokh Bulsara, a graduate of Ealing Art College. Bulsara changed his name to Freddie Mercury and joined as the lead vocalist, marking the birth of Queen.
The path to the final lineup was not immediate. Queen experimented with several bass players—including Mike Grose, Barry Mitchell, and Doug Bogie—before finding the right chemistry. In February 1971, John Deacon joined the group, completing the definitive lineup that would remain intact until Mercury's death in 1991. Their final studio work, Made in Heaven, was released posthumously in 1995.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Legacy and Reunions
The influence of Smile persisted long after the band ended. Queen recorded "Doing All Right" for their debut album, and Tim Staffell received royalties for the track due to his co-writing credit. The song was also featured in Queen's first BBC recording session with John Peel, later released on the At the Beeb (1989) and Queen at the BBC (1995) collections, as well as the "Let Me Live" single.
The original members of Smile reunited twice in later years. On December 22, 1992, during a performance by Roger Taylor's band, The Cross, May and Staffell joined him to perform "Earth" and "If I Were a Carpenter." More recently, in 2018, the trio reunited at Abbey Road Studios to re-record "Doing All Right" for the film Bohemian Rhapsody. This version featured lead vocals from May and Taylor, blended with original vocals from Staffell in the middle section.
Key Facts
- Original Name: The group began as "1984" before becoming Smile.
- Founding Members: Brian May, Tim Staffell, and later Roger Taylor.
- Academic Backgrounds: May studied astrophysics, Taylor studied dentistry, and Staffell studied art.
- First Major Venue: Performed at the Royal Albert Hall on February 27, 1969.
- Queen Connection: Smile evolved into Queen after Freddie Mercury joined and Tim Staffell departed.
- Lasting Contribution: The song "Doing All Right" was carried over from Smile to Queen's debut album.
| Period | Band Name | Key Members | Notable Event |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1965–1967 | 1984 | May, Staffell | Recorded at Thames Television |
| 1968–1970 | Smile | May, Staffell, Taylor | Royal Albert Hall performance |
| 1970–1991 | Queen | Mercury, May, Taylor, Deacon | Global superstardom |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the members of Smile?
The primary members of Smile were guitarists Brian May and Tim Staffell, and drummer Roger Taylor.
How did Smile become Queen?
After Tim Staffell left the band in 1970, Farrokh Bulsara (who renamed himself Freddie Mercury) persuaded Brian May and Roger Taylor to continue as a group, eventually adding John Deacon on bass to form Queen.
What songs did Smile record?
Smile recorded several tracks, including "Earth," "Step on Me," "Doin' All Right," "April Lady," "Blag," and "Polar Bear."
Did any Smile songs appear on Queen albums?
Yes, the song "Doing All Right" was recorded by Queen for their debut album.
When did the original members of Smile reunite?
They reunited twice: once on December 22, 1992, for a live performance, and again in 2018 at Abbey Road Studios to re-record "Doing All Right" for the movie Bohemian Rhapsody.