The Cross

Formed in the late 1980s as a side project by Queen's drummer Roger Taylor, the Cross initially merged classic rock with dance elements before dropping those influences to issue two albums of unadorned rock. At the time of the band's formation in 1987 Taylor predicted it would become a major act within six months, yet the group found no traction outside Germany and disbanded in 1993.

After Queen's Magic Tour concluded in 1986, Taylor used the lull in Queen activity to assemble his own band, which he called the Cross. He abandoned the drum kit to play rhythm guitar and sing lead. Spike Edney, keyboardist on Queen's tours, joined immediately, while the remaining musicians—guitarist Clayton Moss, bassist Peter Noone, and drummer Josh Macrae—were located through an advertisement in the music press.

With material already prepared, Taylor recorded most of the debut album Shove It on his own before touring with the full lineup. The record's blend of classic rock and dance influences drew favorable British reviews but still charted only at the lower end of the UK album list, as did its three singles. It failed to register in the United States, where the band would release nothing further.

Following the next Queen album the members reconvened to write Mad, Bad and Dangerous to Know collectively and adopted a straightforward rock style. Lead single "Power to Love" reached only the bottom of the British charts, and the album itself did not chart at all. Popularity persisted in Germany, however, so the third album Blue Rock appeared solely in that territory after English record support evaporated.

A final concert in 1993 marked the end of the group. Taylor later recorded solo albums and resumed work with Queen, Edney co-founded the S. A. S. Band, and Noone joined Miss World.