01-02-2007 – The Mirror – Queen in top band vote win

QUEEN narrowly beat The Beatles yesterday in a poll to find the greatest British band of all time.

The flamboyant rockers got 400 more votes than the Fab Four in a Radio 2 “contest” to win the title.

Rolling Stones came in third, Oasis were fourth and Take That fifth after 20,000 listeners voted.

The final shortlist of five had been whittled down form thousands of nominations for top acts.

Each band was judged on songwriting, lyrics, gigs, and showmanship during the programme hosted by Mark Goodier.

The winners were boosted by a nomination from teen act McFly, who said the group inspired them.

Queen, led by singer Freddie Mercury, had hits from the 1970s to the 90s.

Freddie Mercury tragically died in 1991 from an AIDS-related condition.