In 2011, the world celebrated the 40th anniversary of Queen - one of the
most innovative, glamorous, and influential bands in history. Over the
course of the band's career, they have grossed 170 million album sales
worldwide, have written 18 number one hits, and performed 700 concerts.
While some acts enjoy a forte of incredible showmanship, a virtuoso
instrumentalist, a strong, charismatic leader, or a prolific sole
songwriter, Queen beholds all of these strengths. Although Freddie
Mercury and Brian May are recognized as the prime songwriters, each of
the members have penned number one hits, including classics such as
Bohemian Rhapsody (Freddie Mercury), Another One Bites the Dust (John
Deacon), A Kind of Magic (Roger Taylor), and We Will Rock You (Brian
May). The fates brought the four creative and cerebral youths together
in London in 1971 (Mercury was by then an established fine and graphic
artist, May was enveloped in the study of astrophysics, Roger Taylor
enrolled in dental school, and John studying electronics). Since then,
they have made history with their sophisticated fusion of operatic
expression, theatrical performance, symphonic melody, and raw
rock-and-roll. Beginning with their debut Queen in 1973 (EMI/Electra
Records), the band took the UK by storm, then conquered the United
States along with rest of the world, serving as pioneers of stadium rock
and enjoying commercial success and momentum well into the 1980s (marked
by the famous Live Aid appearance in 1985) through the early 1990s. The
whirlwind took a startling pause when singer Freddie Mercury passed away
from AIDS on November 24, 1991. The living members have forged ahead and
remain great music makers. The Complete Illustrated Lyrics is the first
book of its kind. Never before has there been a complete Queen lyric
book. The hundreds of images that accompany the songs range from
handwritten lyrics to rare photographs from the stage to the studio.
Also included is a complete discography, pairing each song to the album
on which it was originally released. Designed by the band's longtime
creative director, Richard Gray, the book is as true to the band as can
be, carrying with it the flamboyance, expression, and depth that Queen
embodies as writers and performers. If there is one book for a fan of
the band to possess, this is the one.
