Product Description

Laura Jackson has interviewed members of Queen, many of their close friends, and several of the world's leading rock musicians to turn the spotlight on the private lives, professional struggles and personal triumphs of the band.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #605728 in Books
• Published on: 2000-10-26
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 240 pages

Customer Reviews

Definitively Dull
Oh, the frustrations of the literate Queen fan. Recklessly, I purchased Jackson's latest Queen-related tome (her third). Verdict: yet another expensive disappointment. Perhaps I should have anticipated it. After all, it comes with the territory. Books for the masses about music for the masses - 'disposable pop', as Freddie might have said.

Perhaps this one is different, I naively thought. A "definitive" biography, no less. Alas, this is nothing more than publishers' hyperbole. Shame on you, Piatkus. The harsh truth is that our "acknowledged Queen expert" has churned out yet another lightweight mix of cliche, received truths and badly researched narrative.

The factual errors are numerous, inexcusable and frankly symptomatic of the sloppy nature of Jackson's approach. Examples? Deacon's near skinhead look was winter '78 not '77. Giorgio Moroder didn't "remake" Metropolis. How could the ALBUM Made In Heaven have kept the SINGLE Wonderwall at Number 2. The image of Freddie "trashing the stage" is an obvious reference to footage shot in Paris on the '79 European tour, not '78.

Still, if I want an encyclopaedic history, I can refer to Jim Jenkins/Jacky Gunn's As It Began. Because even more depressing is the superficiality of Jackson's writing. Lengthy narrative. A dearth of considered comment and analysis. Over-reliance on well-worn interviews. Horrendous cliches ("the gods smiled on them"). A complete lack of objectivity. Truly, this is writing for a soap-opera generation.

What is so desperately needed is a Johnny Rogan of the Queen world to give us a sympathetic yet objective account; yes, to unearth the obscure but also to offer us much more. Someone to detail the downs as comprehensively as the ups, the mistakes as well as the triumphs. Someone to probe, to question, to challenge.

Somebody to tell us honestly about the row with the Sheffield brothers that resulted in the embittered brilliance of Death On Two Legs. And what about the Torpedo Twins, who surely deserve summary execution for their criminal misuse of literally miles of rare Queen footage? And the enigmatic, troubled guitarist who writes lyrics as sensitive as White Man and as crass as Fat Bottomed Girls. The staleness of the We Will Rock You Canada concerts. The dreary quality of the Rock in Rio sound mix on video. The naffness of the Live Magic editing. And so on.

Queen rank as one of the greatest bands in history. There is a balanced story still to be told. They deserve better than this. And so do their fans.

The best book I have read in years!!!!!!!!
This book is the best I just could not put it down. It covers the lives of all the members of Queen, from there childhood days into there personal matters. The book mainly focuses on Freddie Mercury from his love life never a straght forward matter to his struggle with AIDS. One thing that did make me laugh was Freddie's crude comments to the press, on the other hand the sad event of Freddie's death and the effect it had on those who new him best. Don't worry its not all Freddie the others had problems too which this book also covers. I could go on and on telling you about this book lets just say that it clearly states any thing you ever wanted to know about Queen right up to the present day. It is a must bye even if you are not a true fan I think it would still be a joy to read!!!!!

Fantastic!
I'm a huge Queen fan and found this book really good. It's full of little facts that I didn't know, and I loved finding out more about the band. I also really liked Jackson's style of writing.

Didn't find a single part of the book boring and enjoyed every single page. I'd recommend this one!