The Old Truman Brewery in Brick Lane was the venue for a star-studded party last Thursday to launch a popular exhibition about rock band Queen.

Band members Brian May and Roger Taylor were joined by the Foo Fighters, Jessie J, McFly, Alexa Chung and Sophie Ellis Bextor to celebrate the launch of Stormtroopers in Stilettos, an exhibition dedicated to the band’s early years which is running until March 12.

The band’s drummer Taylor said it was “quite shocking” to suddenly remember their formative years in the 1970s and said it had reminded him of their frontman Freddie Mercury who died in 1991.

Guitarist May said he hoped it could be an inspiration to its visitors, particularly if they were in bands themselves.

Set across themed rooms, the exhibition, created by the band’s label Island Records, includes artwork, costumes and instruments dating from before the band’s formation in 1971 to their spectacular free concert in front of 250,000 fans in Hyde Park in 1976.

There is also a recreation of the studio in which Bohemian Rhapsody was recorded.

The exhibition’s website reported 500 people queuing in Brick Lane to view it on its opening day last Friday.

Entry is free. Visit stormtroopersinstilettos.com.