Queen: The Ultimate Illustrated History of the Crown Kings of Rock [Illustrated] [Hardcover]

The one piece of excellent news for Queen fans arrives in the form of a new coffee table book, Queen: The Ultimate Illustrated History of the Crown Kings of Rock. I can say without exaggeration that it s the most exciting Queen release of the past 15 years.Lovingly written and compiled by journalist Phil Sutcliffe, Queen: The Ultimate... is 287 pages worth of illustrated beauty, featuring multitudes of photos of the band throughout their career many of them previously unpublished and scores of memorabilia: concert programs, posters, domestic and foreign 45 singles, LPs, backstage passes, ticket stubs...you name it, it s here, and there are over 500 photos in all.It s not just a pretty picture book, however: Sutcliffe has written quite the comprehensive biography of the band. It s not as thorough as the Queen bio As It Began, but it s not meant to be, either. What separates this book from others is Sutcliffe s generous use of band interviews over the years, including many conducted by Sutcliffe himself. And though only the most hardcore of fans would have purchased the books written by Freddie s partner, Jim Hutton, or his personal assistant, Peter Freestone (yes, I own both), Sutcliffe compiles the best supporting information from each of these books, and also gives special attention the final years of Queen an especially touching period where the band rallied around Freddie to help him complete Made in Heaven.Sutcliffe isn t the only contributor to the book; each album in the Queen canon is reviewed in detail by rock journalists such as Jon Bream, Jim DeRogatis, Gary Graff and Greg Kot, while close friends of the band offer personal recollections. One of the most touching essays comes from Reinhold Mack, producer of The Game, Flash Gordon, Hot Space and The Works: not only does Mack recount the band s work ethic in the studio, but offers a number of personal photos of Freddie and Mack s son, Little Freddie (I m not making that nickname up) who was also Freddie s godson. A Christmas card from Freddie to Little Freddie is one of the most touching inclusions. Finally, the book includes 'endorsements' of the band from other artists, such as Geddy Lee, Neil Diamond, Slash, Wayne Coyne, Tom Morello and others. While not entirely necessary (I m not sure why I care what Adele thinks of Queen), they re a nice finish to an breathtakingly beautiful book. Having read numerous Queen books over the years, I thought I knew everything there was to know about this band but Queen: The Ultimate... has provided me with new anecdotes and stunning visuals at every turn. It s probably more than any casual fan of the band will need, but anyone with more than three or four Queen albums in their collection will find it to be absolutely indispensable and a welcome addition to their book collection. It is, quite simply, an absolute dream for all Queen fans. --popdose dot com, November 2009...This beautifully packaged book, a perfect balance of photos and text, arrives on Nov. 15, 2009, and retraces the history of this massively popular and influential group. Brimming with more than 400 photographs and pieces of memorabilia including concert programs, posters, domestic and foreign 45 singles, LPs, backstage passes, ticket stubs, and more QUEEN: The Ultimate Illustrated History of the Crown Kings of Rock also includes a discography, and commentary from dozens of admiring musicians and performers. The result is the most complete and captivating portrait of this larger-than-life group, one that captures and celebrates as never before Queen one of popular music s most successful recording artists of all time. Queenmuseum.com has collaborated with images of rare records & memorabilia to this great book. -- -- --Queen Museum, November, 2009...a lovely book, just published. From wild and excessive parties, to professional and mesmerizing performances, -- -- --Playmusic dot com, December 2009

Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor and John Deacon - A.K.A Queen. They were renowned for electrifying live performances, envied for rumors of their rock n roll excess, and beloved for their music that has brought togther an array of genres. Nearly 20 years after the death of their supremely talented front man and over 190 million album sales worldwide, Queen remains the classic larger than life rock band, enthroned among rock royalty.Packed with glorious performance and off-stage photographs, dozens of which are previously unpublished, as well as tour memorabilia, collectables, LPs, and singles from around the globe, this is the ultimate visual tribute to Queen. More than 500 photos and artifacts in total are accompanied by a band history, album reviews, complete tour dates, a thorough discography and reflections from some of rock s top performers past and present. These include Slash, Tommy Lee and Billy Squier.Queen combined a dizzying array of influences and genres in creating what would become one of the most lasting legacies in rock. Here is the book that dares to tackle the band s towering achievements...Edinburgh Guide, December, 2009....Certainly some of the decisions Brain May and Roger Taylor have made since Freddie Mercury's death in 1991 have been dubious to say the least but the short-lived Paul Rogers collaboration, the 'We Will Rock You' musical and the bands appearences on the X-factor and American idol have bought a whole new legion of fans to the Queen camp. Sure, a majority of peole will associate Queen with their big stadium rock albums rather than the majesty of their their earlier material so waht respected scribe Phil Sutcliffe ahs done is give a handy overview of the band's entire career. There are no reveltaions or anything like that; it's a history of the band that's well-written and informative. i consider myslef ot be a Queen fan and some of the visual material in this book is absolutely stunning. It's a heavy ahrdback that weighs a tonne and is filled to the brim with geat visual treats like ticket stubs, posters, and assorted bits of memorablilia. There are tour dates, press articles and album reviews. The photographs of the bans offstage - especially those with Freddie at home or with friends - are revelaing and quite touching. Even without listening to music, the photographs of the band onstage show them as the rock gods they still are....definatly one to pick up! -- --Fireworks magazine, Janaury 2010. For those who only think of queen in terms of West End musicals and recent half-band reboots, this luxurious tome should act as a potent reminder of the group as titean's of rock's most decadent age. Mojo's Phil Sutcliffe lights a path from their frustratingly early struggles through mid-70's pomp to the hit-packed 80's, and the death of Freddie Mercury in 1991. There are Queen Nuggets galore, with images of orignal 8-track cartridges and rare tour merchandise sitting alongside unseen photos and tributes form some of their most famous fans. lest we forget - here were four whipsmart songwrites, each of whom enjoyed Top 3 success throughout the band's lifespan. Not even the Beetles managed that....Mojo, March, 2010...Established rock journo Phil Sutcliffe's tome catalouges the entire length of Queen's career, form thier debut performance at surrey colleague in 1971 to the final show ( with the original line-up at least) in 1968 and is unadultarated coffee-table fare. Split into discernable cahpters, the historical copy is easy to read and comes embellished with qutes form fellow rockers and hangers-on plus a clever series of boxouts that dispel various myths courtesy of luminaries who were actually there. The majority of glossy photos have barely seen the light of day before...the definative work - for now --Guitarist, January, 2010

nearly 20 yaers after the death of their charismatic fornt man and with more than 190 million album sales worldwide, queen remain the classic larger than life rock band. Although they enjoyed their greatest success in the Eigties, stealing the show at Live Aid, and selling out stadiums worldwide, the bands most innovative work came in the Seventies. Now a new book captures the band in their pomp, both offstage and on. Packed with glourious performance and off-stage photographs ( dozens of which are previouslt unpublished), as well as tour memorabilia, collectibles, LP's, and singles from around the globe. More than 500 photos and artiofacts in total are accompanied by a band history, album reviews, complete tour dates, a thorough discography, and reflections form some of rock's top performers past and present... --Choice Magazine, Feb, 2010

From running a market stall in Notting Hill, Freddie Mercury put together a band that became a legend - Queen! Renowned for stunning live performances, envied for unbelievable rock 'n' roll excesses, and loved and adored all over the world for their music they are the greatest rock band of all time, with over 300 million records, singles, videos, DVDs sold to date. Nearly twenty years after the death of flamboyant front man Mercury, Queen remain what they were - the archetypal, larger-than-life rock band, enthroned as music royalty for ever, and this book is the ultimate visual tribute to them. Glorious concert and off-stage photography covering the band's whole career, tour memorabilia, collectible LPs, singles from throughout the world - over 500 photos and artefacts in all - are accompanied by a band history, album reviews, complete tour dates, discography, reflections from some of rock's top performer's past and present. Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor, and john Deacon combined to a dazzling array of influences and genres in creating what would become one of the most lasting legacies in rock, and this book captures it in glorious, larger-than-life detail.