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Product Description
They were renowned for stunning live performances, envied for rumors of their rock ‘n’ roll excess, and beloved for their music, occasionally anthemic and always virtuosic. Nearly twenty years after the death of their engaging and supremely talented front man, Queen remains the archetypal larger-than-life rock band, comfortably enthroned among rock royalty. Now, to celebrate the majesty of Queen’s contributions to rock, here’s the first-ever complete illustrated history of the band.
With glorious concert and candid off-stage photography from throughout the band’s career, as well as concert posters, backstage passes, LPs and singles, and other memorabilia from throughout the world, this is the ultimate visual tribute to Queen. More than 500 photos and artifacts are accompanied by contributions from some of today’s top rock journalists from Europe and North America. In addition to a chronological history of the band, there are reviews of all studio albums, notable excerpts from period publications, complete year-by-year tour dates, and a discography, as well as reflections on the band and their music from many of rock’s top performers past and present, including Slash, Tommy Lee, and Billy Squier.
Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor, and John Deacon combined a dizzying array of influences and genres in creating what would become one of the most compelling catalogs and lasting legacies in rock. Here is the book that dares to match that bombast.
Queen: The Ultimate Illustrated History of the Crown Kings of Rock
This hefty volume covers the entire history of Queen, nothing’s left out. I loved the layout, photos, programs, tour dates, and everything a die-hard fan could ask for in a retrospective. It includes behind the scenes memories of their producer Reinhold Mack, Mick Rock, and many others connected to the band. The author quotes all of the band members’ recollections of all important Queen events, both from the time the events occurred and also years later. This seems especially significant regarding Freddie’s illness and death. Much of the information revealed here was unknown until recently.
Sutcliffe’s exhaustively detailed book includes contemporary reviews of each Queen album, and at the risk of going off on a tangent, I’d like to discuss Jon Bream’s review of A Night at the Opera. With apologies to Lou Reed and Elton John, Bream declares, “Queen’s A Night at the Opera was the gayest mainstream rock album of the 1970s.” He makes this claim based on the never before heard diversity and completely unconventional material. He sums it up, “a gay old time at the opera.” However, my take on the record is that it encompasses all four band members’ dreams and styles with no thought to boundaries, conventions, or budgets. I don’t know what gay has to do with this; any music lover will appreciate the approach and the execution of perhaps the greatest rock record ever. The inclusion of such diverse material as I’m In Love With My Car, The Prophet’s Song, You’re My Best Friend, and Seaside Rendezvous is mad or genius, and certainly risky. In hindsight, the band knew what it was doing, gay or straight doesn’t matter. Bream’s review seems more like a backhanded compliment.
Queen was the most progressive, material-diverse band in history. They were constantly forward thinking; their popularity ebbed and flowed, but they never stagnated. Beyond simply pure entertainment, that is their greatest achievement. Here’s a magnificent quotation that captures this theme, “Just watching that band morph and change directions over the years was just amazing.” – Paul O’Neill, Trans Siberian Orchestra.
Rating: 5 / 5
This book is a must have for all Queen fans. This book has awesome photos and many fascinating facts about the band. The picures alone are worth it, many never seen before. This is the best book by far about Queen. If you are a Queen fan, grab this book and You will be the champion.
Rating: 5 / 5
As a card carrying Queen fan I was more than pleased to receive my copy and immediately get buried in it. It did not disappoint.The layout is superb,mixing ticket stubs (note the prices!!) with t-shirts from different concerts and quotes from the different members. More information flowing out of this book on Deacon than you would ever believe existed.
It just urges you on. You can put it down and go back to it later. You just don’t want to.The running commentaries on different LP’s was most enjoyable,with quotes by Freddie, Brian ,John and Roger thrown in at the appropriate moments.
I have never seen so many exotic pictures particularly of Freddie.
Nearing the end there is a wonderful picture of Freddie at Queens’ last gig together live at Knebworth. The tapes must exist. How can we get John ,Roger and Brian to hit the studio and do a tribute to Fred on the 20th anniversary of his death? What a present it would be to us all.
Everything else I want to say has been said by those who’ve written reviews before me. This is simply the best!
Rating: 5 / 5
A great tribute to Queen! I have waited a long time for such a book to be published about my favourite band. Reading this book has me reliving my youth growing up in England and experiencing Queen when they first began.
This book is rich with beautiful photos and loads of information about the band. A wonderful introduction to the world of Queen in all their glory! A must read for all devoted Queen fans and a terrific book for all “new” Queen fans. I especially like the chapters devoted to each band member about their lives before becoming Queen. At last a book about the brilliant Freddie Mercury that respects his very private personal life. Rest in peace Freddie you are loved and missed by many!
Rating: 5 / 5
This book is an absolute “must have” for any Queen fan, old or new. The turn of every page is like opening a new gift!
Rating: 5 / 5