Queen was featured heavily throughout the 70s, appearing in some form in every issue from May 1974 through at least early 1978. Content after 1986 becomes sparse as the band stopped touring and making appearances due to Freddie’s illness. Documenting all of the Queen content in Music Life gets hairy fast when you consider how many old magazines are missing pages, posters, etc., and how much content has been repackaged and reprinted and reissued by Shinko Music in the past twenty or so years. Additionally, many issues featured either color or black & white pinups & photospreads with little to no documentation.
This list is a result of extensive research and is as accurate as I can get without losing my 401k to old Japanese Queen magazines, meaning there may be some omissions. If you have any info or corrections please politely email me. This list includes only magazines, whereas Music Life-related books and "mooks" issued by Shinko Music can be found listed in the books section (including Editor-in-Chief Kaoruko Togo's memoir about her experiences covering Queen).
1974
Date
Cover
Contents
Notes
Photos
Mar 1974
• Newcomer Introduction Page: Queen
This is one of the first appearances of Queen in Japanese media.
probably B&W
May 1974
The Savior of the Battlefield, Queen, has Finally Appeared in the British Empire!
This is Queen's earliest appearance in Music Life. In the recent Music Life Club book Queen of My Life, it's noted that John and Roger were first approached by ML Staff for interviews in NYC this month (right before they were forced to abandon their American tour due to Brian's hepatitis). A picture of the two of them was taken, but this interview was never published due to so-called "adult reasons".
B&W
Jun 1974
• Qeen [sic} of Terror [a play on Queen I's Japanese album title, "Princess of Terror"]
Came with special sticker.
B&W
Jul 1974
• Explosive Popularity! The Secrets of Beautiful Queen!
• Queen, the Journey to Glory
• The Unimaginable Charm of Queen's Sound
• Queen's Secret Spark of Intelligence• Meeting Queen
• Queen, the Journey to Glory
• The Unimaginable Charm of Queen's Sound
• Queen's Secret Spark of Intelligence• Meeting Queen
Came with the first Queen poster from ML.
color, B&W
Aug 1974
Color pinup (minus Brian)
color
Sep 1974
London's Hot New Rock Scene!
Queen is one of several bands covered in this feature.
unknown
Oct 1974
Photospread
color
Nov 1974
Photospread
B&W
Dec 1974
First ML covershot
1975
Date
Cover
Contents
Notes
Photos
Jan 1975
• Review of Sheer Heart Attack
• Music Score
• Music Score
Music score song unknown
B&W
Feb 1975
• Queen, from ABC to XYZ!
• Queen On Stage feature
• Queen On Stage feature
color, B&W
Mar 1975
color
Apr 1975
Pinup with an ad on the back for the first three albums (Sheer Heart Attack was sometimes billed as Queen III in Japan)
color, B&W
May 1975
• Seeing Queen's Extraordinary Popularity in America with My Own Eyes!
• Handwritten bios of members
• Handwritten bios of members
Covershot. This contained some of the first printed pictures of Queen's 1975 Japan tour
color, B&W
Jun 1975
• Exclusive Coverage—Welcome Queen! Her Majesty's Visit to Japan Causes a Stir!
• Special Interview
• Concert Report
• Concert Review: It's Time to Throw Away the Old Notions of Rock• The Real Freddie, Brian, Roger, and John
• Tour Diary
• Special Interview
• Concert Report
• Concert Review: It's Time to Throw Away the Old Notions of Rock• The Real Freddie, Brian, Roger, and John
• Tour Diary
Covershot. This was a special feature on Queen's whirlwind 1975 Japanese tour.
Color, B&W
Jul 1975
<• Sheer Poetry! Hideaki Okada Unravels the Poetic Quality of Queen, which is Said to Account for Half of their Appeal
color
Aug 1975
• Queen on Holiday
color
Sep 1975
• Direct Coverage from the Site: ML's Togo and Miyasaka's Exclusive Interview with Queen!
• Queen Talks about Music, First Love, and Japan
• The Story Behind ML's Exlusive Queen Interview
• The Real Freddie, Brian, Roger, and John
• Queen Talks about Music, First Love, and Japan
• The Story Behind ML's Exlusive Queen Interview
• The Real Freddie, Brian, Roger, and John
Covershot. Queen Special Feature regarding the recording of ANATO at Ridge Farm. Unknown if "The Real Freddie..." article is the same as the one from Jun 1975.
color
Oct 1975
New Queen color photospread
color
Nov 1975
• Queen's Record goes Gold!
color
Dec 1975
photospread
color
1976
Date
Cover
Contents
Notes
Photos
Jan 1976
• Four Popular Records that will Shine in 1976: Focus, Rory Gallagher, Elton John, & Queen
• Queen's Follies in England
• Queen's Follies in England
color
Feb 1976
• Queen's UK Tour Report
Came with famous kimono pinup shot
color, B&W
Mar 1976
• Best Musician of the Year
color, B&W
Apr 1976
• Queen's US Tour News—They've Conquered the US!
Covershot.
color, B&W
May 1976
• A Rock'n'Roll Miracle! A Detailed Report on Queen's Second Visit to Japan!
• "We Want People to be Interested in our Music, not our Looks"
• Color Photo Feature: Queen Relaxing in a Japanese Garden
• "We Want People to be Interested in our Music, not our Looks"
• Color Photo Feature: Queen Relaxing in a Japanese Garden
Covershot. Queen in Japan '76 special feature pt. 1
color, B&W
Jun 1976
• Freddie Mercury & Roger Taylor Interview: "We're Revealing our True Selves"
Covershot. Queen in Japan '76 special feature pt 2.
Color, B&W
Jul 1976
• Special Article: The Youthfulness of Roger Taylor, the Drummer Extraordinaire of Queen
B&W
Aug 1976
• A Look at Modern Idol Groups through the Lens of Queen
B&W
Sep 1976
• Our London Correspondent gives an In-Depth Report on Queen's Latest Developments
A Lonely Cry is mentioned in this article. Read more here.
B&W
Oct 1976
• Never-Before Seen Photos of Queen
color
Nov 1976
• Color Photo Feature: Hyde Park is Packed with Queen Fans!
• Hyde Concert Full Report: Our Correspondent Reports on the Night Queen Captivated 10,000!
• Hyde Concert Full Report: Our Correspondent Reports on the Night Queen Captivated 10,000!
color
Dec 1976
photospread
color
1977
Date
Cover
Contents
Notes
Photos
Jan 1977
• Queen Opens up for the First Time about Freddie's Car Accident
• New Single Sensation
• New Single Sensation
Covershot. ADATR Queen special feature. Photos from the horse race publicity stunt. Came with giant poster
color
Feb 1977
• Interview with Roger Taylor & Brian May
• "A Day at the Races" is what Queen is all about
• "A Day at the Races" is what Queen is all about
color, B&W
Mar 1977
• Best Musician of the Year
unknown
Apr 1977
• Queen's US Tour Schedule
• A Comprehensive Review of all Queen Albums
• A Comprehensive Review of all Queen Albums
color
May 1977
• What makes Queen so Popular in America right now?
color
Jun 1977
• Queen Tours the UK for the Third Time in as many Years
unknown
Jul 1977
• Queen's New Photos have Just Arrived!
unknown
Aug 1977
• Is Queen Moving to Los Angeles?
color
Sep 1977
• On-Site Coverage: Queen at Earl's Court
unknown
Oct 1977
• Roger Taylor Solo Info
unknown
Nov 1977
color
Dec 1977
• Queen's New Album "News of the World"
—a Dedicated Listen
—a Dedicated Listen
unknown
1978
Date
Cover
Contents
Notes
Photos
Jan 1978
• US Tour Report—Rick Nielson of Cheap Trick reviews the Queen Show
Poster
Poster
unknown
Mar 1978
color
Apr 1978
• Queen has Established a Management Company
unknown
May 1978
• Roger Taylor Interview Pt. 1: He doesn't want to Tour?? No kidding—Discover the Humanity of this Rock Guy!
I believe this is a Japanese translation of part of an interview with Roger that appeared in Creem magazine, April 1978
unknown
Jun 1978
• Roger Taylor Interview Pt. 2: Queen is My Pride!
I believe this is a Japanese translation of part of an interview with Roger that appeared in Creem magazine, April 1978
unknown
Jul 1978
• Roger Taylor Interview Pt. 3: Our Goal is to Conquer the World!
I believe this is a Japanese translation of part of an interview with Roger that appeared in Creem magazine, April 1978
color
Dec 1978
• Queen Field Interview: Latest Concert Report & Upcoming Album Preview
unknown
1979
Date
Cover
Contents
Notes
Photos
Jan 1979
• Brian May Interview: The Question is what you want to do... the Money is Secondary!
Covershot.
color
Feb 1979
color
Mar 1979
• Queen on their Way to the Pinnacle of the Rock World
color
Apr 1979
• Catching Queen in Europe! They want to be the only Queen Forever
color
May 1979
Covershot.
color
Jun 1979
• Exclusive Interviews with All Members
• Japan Concert Report
• Japan Concert Report
I believe this poster came with this issue—I see it bundled frequently with earlier ML issues, but the photo was clearly taken in 1979.
color, B&W
Jul 1979
• Roger Taylor Interview: Living your Own Life with the Spirit of Never Giving Up is what Rock'n'Roll is All About!
color
Nov 1979
photospread
color
1980
Date
Cover
Contents
Notes
Photos
Feb 1980
• Queen's Overseas Crazy Tour
unknown
Mar 1980
• Queen's Latest Photos
color
May 1980
Photospread
unknown
Jun 1980
• Top Secret News about Queen's First New Album in Two Years!
Covershot.
unknowns
Aug 1980
John Deacon photo as part of a feature on bass players.
B&W
Sept 1980
color
Oct 1980
B&W
Nov 1980
color
Dec 1980
Roger Taylor & Freddie Mercury photos
color, B&W
1981
Date
Cover
Contents
Notes
Photos
Jan 1981
color
Feb 1981
• Brian May Interview: "We Want to Return to our Beloved Japan Soon!"
color
March 1981
color
Apr 1981
• Their Majesties the Queen Returns to Japan for the Fourth Time!
Covershot.
color
May 1981
• It's Finally Here: Roger Taylor's Solo Album, "Fun in Space"
color
Jun 1981
color
Jul 1981
B&W
Sept 1981
• Queen's 10th Anniversary Event!
Roger Taylor photos
color
Oct 1981
color
Nov 1981
Freddie & Roger photos
color, B&W
1982
Date
Cover
Contents
Notes
Photos
Jan 1982
• Queen 10th Anniversary Special: The Magnificent Trajectory of the Magnificent Group Queen
• Queen Music Theory
• 10th Anniversary of Queen and I: Kaoruko Togo
• Handwritten Biography, Discography, and More!
• Queen Music Theory
• 10th Anniversary of Queen and I: Kaoruko Togo
• Handwritten Biography, Discography, and More!
Covershot.
color
Feb 1982
• Queen 10th Anniversary pt. 2: Press Conference Success—the Champions Speak
• The Future of the Group
• Special Interview
• The Future of the Group
• Special Interview
color
March 1982
color
Jun 1982
color
Jul 1982
• You Decide Queen's Next Japanese Single!
B&W
Aug 1982
• Latest Queen Tour Report
• The New Single has Finally been Chosen by You, the Readers!
• Queen Exhibition & TV Appearances Info
• The New Single has Finally been Chosen by You, the Readers!
• Queen Exhibition & TV Appearances Info
color
Sept 1982
• Freddie Mercury: A Detailed Analysis of the Genius Vocalist of Queen who Reigns Supreme in the Rock Scene! Exploring his Humanity, his Musical Appeal, and Much More.
B&W
Oct 1982
• Kaoruko's Dynamite Interview Collection featuring Queen
color
Nov 1982
color
Dec 1982
• The Queen of Rock'n'Roll Returns to Japan for the 5th Time: Exclusive Interview with Kaoruko Togo
• Anecdotes from 144 hours of Being in Japan
• Concert Report
• Anecdotes from 144 hours of Being in Japan
• Concert Report
Covershot.
color
1983
Date
Cover
Contents
Notes
Photos
Jan 1983
• Queen Japan Tour Offstage Report
unknown
Feb 1983
color
March 1983
B&W
Apr 1983
• Meet Your Old Self Photo Feature: Freddie Mercury
unknown
May 1983
• We Asked 18 Guitarists who their Guitar Heroes Are
Brian May is featured in "We asked..." article, also photos of Freddie & Roger appear
color
Jul 1983
• Superstar Biography Series: The Ever-Popular Queen
B&W
Sept 1983
B&W
Nov 1983
B&W
1984
Date
Cover
Contents
Notes
Photos
Feb 1984
• Long Time No See! Brian May talks about the Solo Project he gave his Child and now, the Latest Queen Album!
unknown
May 1984
• Comic: A Story of Rockstars Past and Present as told through Valuable Photos
color
Sept 1984
color
Oct 1984
• The Queens of the Middle Ages are back! We Finally Caught them on the Move!
photo of Brian May
color
1985
Date
Cover
Contents
Notes
Photos
Mar 1985
Roger Taylor is listed as having a photo, but it's unclear if it's Roger Taylor of Queen or Duran Duran.
color
Apr 1985
color
May 1985
color
Jun 1985
color
Jul 1985
• It was a Success! Freddie Mercury on his 6th Trip to Japan
color
Aug 1985
• Queen's Tell-All Press Conference Tour
color
Sept 1985
color
Oct 1985
Freddie is featured in a "picture flyer parody special", whatever that means.
unknown
Dec 1985
B&W
1986
Date
Cover
Contents
Notes
Photos
Jan 1986
Content unknown
unknown
Feb 1986
• Queen Blooper Comic
unknown
Jul 1986
• Queen's Revenge Special Feature
unknown
Sept 1986
color
Oct 1986
color
1988
Date
Cover
Contents
Notes
Photos
Sept 1988
• The Revival of 70s Superheroes
unknown
1989
Date
Cover
Contents
Notes
Photos
Jul 1989
color
1990s
Date
Cover
Contents
Notes
Photos
May 1990
• Welcome, Queen!
Article is a reprint from Jun 1975 with added commentary
unknown
Feb 1992
• Farewell to Freddie Mercury
probably color
Nov 1995
Covershot
probably color
Jan 1998
Covershot
probably color
Special Queen Issues
Date
Cover
Contents
Notes
Photos
Oct 1975
Queen Special Issue
Queen Special Issue
Queen special interview compilation:
• Queen's Glorious Journey
• Queen's Story
• What is the Appeal of the Queen Sound?
• Queen's Whirlwind into the Japanese Market
• A Thorough Fortune-Telling of Queen
• Queen's Glorious Journey
• Queen's Story
• What is the Appeal of the Queen Sound?
• Queen's Whirlwind into the Japanese Market
• A Thorough Fortune-Telling of Queen
This was released after Queen's first Japanese tour. It came with at least one jumbo poster and a flexidisc containing a special message from Queen. The flexidisc was cheaply produced and reportedly often wore out after only a few listens. When Shinko Music issued a reprinted version of this in 2019, the flexidisc was upgraded to a more durable CD.
color, B&W
Jun 1976
Music Life International Edition vol. 3
Music Life International Edition vol. 3
A special extra edition with more info from the 1976 Japan tour. Came with jumbo poster
color, B&W
Jul 1976
Queen Deluxe Edition
Queen Deluxe Edition
• Queen's entire activities from arrival to departure
• Queen's American Holiday
• Special Notes from Resident Engineer John Harris
• Special Roundtable Discussion: Queen's Entire Japanese Journey
• Previously unreleased photographs from the 1975 UK tour
• Queen's American Holiday
• Special Notes from Resident Engineer John Harris
• Special Roundtable Discussion: Queen's Entire Japanese Journey
• Previously unreleased photographs from the 1975 UK tour
Released after the 1976 tour. Came with pinup posters of each member, a jumbo poster, and possibly more.
color, B&W
Oct 1977
The Magnificent Queen [this is a play on the Japanese title of ADATR, which was The Magnificent Race]
The Magnificent Queen [this is a play on the Japanese title of ADATR, which was The Magnificent Race]
Features more photos from Queen's visits to Japan in 1975 and 1976, plus info on their recent UK tour and shots from Ridge Farm. Came with at least one double-sided pull-out poster.
color, B&W
1979
The Legendary Queen
The Legendary Queen
• 99 Secret Stories of their Stay Revealed!
• Everything about the Japan Performances: 30 Testimonies from Different Attendees
• A Complete Analysis of the Magnificent Queen Performances through Illustrations
• Brian May's Guitar Lessons
• Tour Companions talk about the True Face of Queen
• Everything about the Japan Performances: 30 Testimonies from Different Attendees
• A Complete Analysis of the Magnificent Queen Performances through Illustrations
• Brian May's Guitar Lessons
• Tour Companions talk about the True Face of Queen
A special edition to commemorate the 1979 Japanese Jazz tour. Came with jumbo poster.
color, B&W
1981
Queen the Miracle
Queen the Miracle
• Exclusive Interviews with All Members!
• Full-scale Coverage: Revealing Special Episodes from Japan
• The Definitive Timeline: A Visual History of Queen
• Introducing All Albums and Singles Released in Japan
• A Photo Gallery of Memories with Treasured Photos from their First Trip to Japan to the Present
• Full-scale Coverage: Revealing Special Episodes from Japan
• The Definitive Timeline: A Visual History of Queen
• Introducing All Albums and Singles Released in Japan
• A Photo Gallery of Memories with Treasured Photos from their First Trip to Japan to the Present
A special extra edition with more info from the 1981 Japan tour. Came with jumbo poster
color, B&W
2019
Shinko Music Queen Deluxe reprint set
Shinko Music Queen Deluxe reprint set
Reprints of some of the issues listed above. These came in a set with a (printed) signed postcard, a notebook, posters, and a CD version of the original flexidisc message from 1975. These sets are still available from the Shinko website.
color, B&W
2019
Music Life Special Editions
Music Life Special Editions
Five special compilations, two for the ever-popular Roger and one each for the others.
color
