Queen: The Ultimate Illustrated History of the Crown Kings of Rock

Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor, and John Deacon—they were renowned for electrifying live performances, envied for rumors of rock ’n’ roll excess, and beloved for music that melded an array of genres. To celebrate Queen’s music and accomplishments, here’s the first history befitting this larger-than-life rock band.

Packed with stunning performance and offstage photographs—dozens of them previously unpublished—as well as handbills, posters, backstage passes, tickets, T-shirts, LPs, and singles gathered from around the globe, this is the ultimate visual history for Queen fans everywhere. All told, more than 500 photos and artifacts are accompanied by specially commissioned works from a host of today’s top rock journalists in Europe and North America. A history of the band written by longtime U.K. music writer Phil Sutcliffe spans the pre-Queen years to current work with Paul Rodgers. Complementing this thorough account are reviews of all studio and live albums; complete year-by-year tour dates; an extensive annotated discography; reflections on the band and their music from some of rock’s top performers past and present; and exclusive insights from former crew chief Peter Hince, longtime producer Reinhold Mack, and Mercury collaborator Billy Squier.

Queen created one of the most compelling catalogs and lasting legacies in rock. Little surprise, then, that forty years after their debut, they are enthroned among rock royalty. Here is the book that dares to tackle their towering achievements.

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.

London-based freelance journalist Phil Sutcliffe has been writing about rock since 1974 and has interviewed greats like Paul McCartney, Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen, Pink Floyd, Kate Bush, Radiohead, Nirvana, Nick Cave, and Queen. His work has appeared in myriad publications, including Mojo, Q, the Los Angeles Times, Blender, Sounds, and more. Phil’s back catalog is mostly available on the world’s best archive of music writing: rocksbackpages.com.

Contents

Chapter 1               Foreplay: The Making of Queen

Chapter 2               The White Side And The Black Side

Chapter 3               A Little High, A Little Low

Chapter 4               Music And Love Everywhere

Chapter 5               Making The Rocking World Go ’Round

Chapter 6               Playing The Game

Chapter 7               Under Pressure

Chapter 8               Break Free

Chapter 9               Want It All

Chapter 10             Goodbye Everybody—I’ve Got To Go

Chapter 11             Carry On, Carry On

Selected Discography And More (Also Selective)

Acknowledgments

Sources

Contributors

Index