Queen have parted company with EMI after 40 years at the record label.

The band have signed to Universal and will release re-mastered versions of all their albums next year.

The releases, which will start with the first five in March, will coincide with Queen’s 40th anniversary.

Guitarist Brian May said: "We are very excited, after all this time, to be embarking on a new phase of our career.”

Queen have continued to perform despite the death of singer Freddie Mercury in 1991.

The band’s decision to EMI follows the record label owner’s Terra Firma’s failed lawsuit against Citigroup.

The Rolling Stones and Radiohead have also left the label in recent years.

(by Jason Gregory)