Background
Queen released their thirteenth studio album, The Miracle, in May 1989, but unlike their previous albums, they did not conduct a live tour. Lead singer Freddie Mercury conducted an interview with BBC Radio 1, where he said that he wanted to break from the "album – tour – album – tour" routine. During this time, Mercury was diagnosed with AIDS (having been diagnosed as HIV positive in 1987), which was not yet publicised and was only known to the rest of the band; however, rumours were spreading about Mercury's health and of the possibility that he had the disease. While he kept quiet due to his personal rule not to talk to the media, the other band members denied the rumours; at one point, band member Roger Taylor told reporters that "he is healthy and working". In 1990, Queen won the BRIT Award for Outstanding Contribution to British Music. While Mercury accepted the award for the band at the Dominion Theatre, member Brian May spoke for the band. Mercury's increasingly gaunt appearance at the ceremony sparked further speculation from the public about his health. The 1990 BRIT Awards would be Mercury's final public appearance in his lifetime.
Mercury did not speak publicly about his health, saying that he did not want to sell his music out of the people's sympathy. He was determined to continue working on music with Queen for as long as he could, saying that he would "keep working until I fucking drop". Mercury was persistently bothered by reporters at his London home, making it difficult for the band to record music. As a result, the band relocated to Mountain Studios in Montreux, where the safer and more peaceful atmosphere allowed the band to concentrate. Early in Innuendo's recording, the band decided again that all work would be credited to Queen as a whole instead of to individual contributing members; May said that the decision made a significant impact in the recording process, while Taylor said that it helped eliminate much of the egotistical struggles that would normally cause bands to break up.
The album was released in the U.S. under a new label, Hollywood Records, in an effort to garner greater exposure there.
Read more about this topic: Innuendo (album)
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