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Review
"A deeply personal page-turner, being one man's intimate diary of a lost time in the music industry, spent working for one of the greatest and most renowned bands in Rock history." --Worleygig.com
Product Description
Imagine being alongside one of the greatest bands in the history of rock, touring the world and being there as they perform at some of the best and biggest music venues in the world. Peter Hince didn't have to imagine: for more than a decade, he lived a life that other people can only dream of as he worked with Queen as head of their road crew. In 1973, Queen was the support act for Mott the Hoople, for whom Peter was a roadie. Back then, Queen had to content themselves with being second on the bill and the world had not yet woken up to the flamboyant talent of Freddie Mercury. Peter started working full time for Queen just as they were making A Night at the Opera, the album which catapulted them to international stardom. In this intimate and affectionate book, Peter recalls the highlights of his years with the band. He was with Freddie when he composed 'Crazy Little Thing Called Love'; he was responsible for making sure that Freddie's stage performances went without a hitch - and was often there to witness his famed tantrums! He was also party to the sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll which are invariably part of life on the road with a rock band.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Wow. This was worth the wait!
This book is one of the best damn books about rock & roll and touring, ever.
In fact it is THE best book about the band Queen, written from inside the QProds organization and covering 12 years of triumphs and glory. The lows and mistakes are covered too and are recounted honestly yet not dwelt upon long - too much fun to be had really.
It is packed full of stories: fresh, new and untold tales of band and crew, life on the road and in the studio. The humour, derived from the serious business of touring, (long hours, hard work, set backs and occasional frustrations), comes across immediately: the (very) funny irreverent banter between crew and band, served the purpose of keeping everyone going and upbeat, sometimes in the face of adversity. In the territory of rock and roll, it's an honest account of crew and band lifestyle, without being tabloid in any way. No sleazy revelations here.
Peter Hince's new book is a well-constructed, interesting and highly engaging read - a definite must have. His style is effortless, and it's a joy to read. I actually couldn't put it down and read it one long go, bursting out laughing at regular intervals. The opening chapter - inspired, which I won't spoil for you - sets the book up for intrepid band and crew forays into different worldwide territories, cultures and experiences. The chapter on Japan was particularly entertaining! The book is a journey and one that you feel included in.
It's accurate: this is what it was really like to work with the greatest rock band of the 20th century.
It's also brilliant. Go and buy it.
This book is one of the best damn books about rock & roll and touring, ever.
In fact it is THE best book about the band Queen, written from inside the QProds organization and covering 12 years of triumphs and glory. The lows and mistakes are covered too and are recounted honestly yet not dwelt upon long - too much fun to be had really.
It is packed full of stories: fresh, new and untold tales of band and crew, life on the road and in the studio. The humour, derived from the serious business of touring, (long hours, hard work, set backs and occasional frustrations), comes across immediately: the (very) funny irreverent banter between crew and band, served the purpose of keeping everyone going and upbeat, sometimes in the face of adversity. In the territory of rock and roll, it's an honest account of crew and band lifestyle, without being tabloid in any way. No sleazy revelations here.
Peter Hince's new book is a well-constructed, interesting and highly engaging read - a definite must have. His style is effortless, and it's a joy to read. I actually couldn't put it down and read it one long go, bursting out laughing at regular intervals. The opening chapter - inspired, which I won't spoil for you - sets the book up for intrepid band and crew forays into different worldwide territories, cultures and experiences. The chapter on Japan was particularly entertaining! The book is a journey and one that you feel included in.
It's accurate: this is what it was really like to work with the greatest rock band of the 20th century.
It's also brilliant. Go and buy it.
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I received this book as a present yesterday evening - and finished it on the train this morning. That's how gripping and easy-flowing Peter Hince's account of his whirlwind decade with Queen is. Starting in the 1970s as a typical provincial teenager, a `mad-for-it' general gofer and plugger-inner, living on `Thousand on a Raft' (beans on toast) and copious amounts of sniff, blow, gargle, snort, suck and other rock enliveners, the roadie known as `Ratty' ended his stint with the world's most flamboyant band as the man they relied on to get their multi-million-dollar show round the world and on the boards, on time and in place, while still being at his overlords' command at the drop of a tiara, with trusty screw-driver and book of contacts at the ready. You don't do that by frying your brains, and Hince had the sense to get out and get on with his artistic calling as a photographer while everything synaptic was still more or less intact.
At show-time in stadiums across the world the author would crouch in the shadow of Freddie Mercury's grand piano, ready to pass his master a glass of water, a phallic microphone or a reassuring grin. But unquestioning sycophancy was never going be the right way to deal with a man like Fred, who could be as cold and monstrous as the next superstar when things didn't go just as he wanted. Mercury desperately needed proper friends - ones who could tell him when he was being too much of a princess. By his own account Hince did that when he needed to. What comes across in bold in this humorous and rollicking story is the hard-bitten roadie's love for the complicated and ultimately lonely man who acted towards him like a kind of rascally uncle. Rarely does a roadie write a book - far more rarely one that gets this close and personal.
At show-time in stadiums across the world the author would crouch in the shadow of Freddie Mercury's grand piano, ready to pass his master a glass of water, a phallic microphone or a reassuring grin. But unquestioning sycophancy was never going be the right way to deal with a man like Fred, who could be as cold and monstrous as the next superstar when things didn't go just as he wanted. Mercury desperately needed proper friends - ones who could tell him when he was being too much of a princess. By his own account Hince did that when he needed to. What comes across in bold in this humorous and rollicking story is the hard-bitten roadie's love for the complicated and ultimately lonely man who acted towards him like a kind of rascally uncle. Rarely does a roadie write a book - far more rarely one that gets this close and personal.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I know a book is going to be a great read when you can open it on any page and before you know it you have turned over 3!
What makes this book so refreshing is that of course it is part of the Queen story but is taken from a completely different view point. Books in the past have mostly been written by people who did not know the band so were bad impersonations of each others work.
Peter is telling his story of being a roadie in the 70's and 80's with great humour (believe me.....insert Spinal Tap instead of Queen!! His self depreciating sense of humour and talking about his country origins makes you believe that anyone could travel the world and be part of the biggest band that ever was.
The book also gives character to the band as individuals...something that we seem to forget when we class people as icons is that they were flesh and blood.
What comes out most about the book is Peter's genuine love of his job, his affection for his 'bosses' and their respect of him.
One of the great added bonuses of this book are the pages of rare and mostly unseen images of the band all taken by Peter himself.....
Enjoy......I certainly did!
What makes this book so refreshing is that of course it is part of the Queen story but is taken from a completely different view point. Books in the past have mostly been written by people who did not know the band so were bad impersonations of each others work.
Peter is telling his story of being a roadie in the 70's and 80's with great humour (believe me.....insert Spinal Tap instead of Queen!! His self depreciating sense of humour and talking about his country origins makes you believe that anyone could travel the world and be part of the biggest band that ever was.
The book also gives character to the band as individuals...something that we seem to forget when we class people as icons is that they were flesh and blood.
What comes out most about the book is Peter's genuine love of his job, his affection for his 'bosses' and their respect of him.
One of the great added bonuses of this book are the pages of rare and mostly unseen images of the band all taken by Peter himself.....
Enjoy......I certainly did!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A real page turner - excellent!
This is the most refreshing view inside one of the top rock bands of all time, & Peter Hince is a superb guide & narrator for the journey. Read more
Published 13 days ago by hussellj@hotmail.com
An amazing insight to Queen from the inner circle
Having followed Queen for years this book is an amazing insight from within the inner circle.
A compelling read that was difficult to put down.
A compelling read that was difficult to put down.
Published 17 days ago by kaspont
A Truly Entertaining Read by a Fantastic Guy!
There are precious few well written books about Queen and Freddie Mercury, and as the majority of Queen Fans have no doubt realized those that are available (whilst probably well... Read more
Published 24 days ago by Robinson
YNWA
This is a colourful account and having cross examined the author I am certain that it gives us a true insight into the workings of that world at the time. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Ian [Rush]
queen unseen peter hince
ive been a queen fan for 30 years now, i saw queen 11 times and met the band at elland road leeds 1982
this is the best queen book ive ever read,some amazing stories from... Read more
this is the best queen book ive ever read,some amazing stories from... Read more
Published 2 months ago by dave varley
A Must Read For Queen Fans
This is the best book I have read relating to Queen and I have been a major fan since the 70s. From backstage to onstage , airports to hotels , this is great story of a roadie and... Read more
Published 2 months ago by squeezefan
a terrific tale of tarts, tours & toot!
Like many people have already stated, this book is one which absorbs you completely upon opening. I devoured it during two long soaks in the tub and on both occasions exited much,... Read more
Published 2 months ago by top_leighton
Days of his life.
I bought this book because I've been a Queen fan for over 30 years. Now I've read some books that claim to tell all the lurid tales that accompany a band of their stature. Read more
Published 2 months ago by chalkywhite
A Cracking Read!
I must admit, Peter Hince's book was not what I was expecting. It was much much better!
If I had properly read the description of 'Queen Unseen' on the inner jacket, I... Read more
If I had properly read the description of 'Queen Unseen' on the inner jacket, I... Read more
Published 3 months ago by JB Traveller
An enjoyable caper in the musiverse
I can't do it, I simply can't go on! It's no good - the show will just have to be cancelled!
And with those words the book launches into the aristrockratic world of... Read more
And with those words the book launches into the aristrockratic world of... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Eleventh Dimension
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