JFN
Tatterdemalion
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Post by JFN on Dec 4, 2020 10:55:00 GMT
I've never seen anything about The Queen Story on this forum, and I don't know how well-known it is in the fanbase. I think it's interesting that someone decided to write a book about Queen that early on in their career (1976), and it's apparently the first Queen biography in circulation, or almost as Larry Pryce's book came out on the same year? Does anybody know how accurate/detailed it is, and if it's easy to find at a decent price?
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Dec 4, 2020 22:42:00 GMT
The late QueenZone had a review which I'd written years ago. I think it was interesting and it's a different perspective as a lot of things which are common knowledge now weren't part of the fan vocab then (e.g. 'the Red Special').
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dysan
Ploughman
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Post by dysan on Dec 5, 2020 9:44:07 GMT
I've always fancied collecting up his books. He churned out loads of them in the mid-seventies for everyone in the Look-In magazine pop crowd like Gary Glitter, 10CC, Alvin Stardust and The Osmonds. As he was so early with acts like Queen and Bowie, like Sebastian said, his format was followed for many books that followed. I'd say with hindsight they are the book equivalent of those Top Of The Pop / Hot Hits sound-a-like albums but have value as fascinating period pieces.
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Ri
Ploughman
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Post by Ri on Dec 5, 2020 17:58:28 GMT
I looked it up after seeing the snippets that's been going around and it's super intriguing, I guess it's a rare item now but what I'd give to read the entire thing...
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Post by Doughnut on Dec 20, 2020 20:57:20 GMT
I looked it up after seeing the snippets that's been going around and it's super intriguing, I guess it's a rare item now but what I'd give to read the entire thing... I’ve tried to find this but any copies I do come across are stupid prices . |
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pg
Queen Mab
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Post by pg on Dec 30, 2020 23:26:04 GMT
I just re-read the first two/three chapters, to try and get a sense of what Tremlett dug up at the time that may have been subsequently forgotten / edited out.
It was published in 76, but before the release of YMBF.
He appears to have doorstepped the Bulsaras (who politely refused to get involved) and then the Mays (who seem to have invited him in for a good long chat). Brian was "on tour in the USA" at the time and had left his cat and his car with his parents.
Some of the detail is potentially interesting:
The make and year of the motorcycle valve springs in the red special.
Where and how long Brian taught for.
Staffell's recollection of the Albert Hall set list, and potential other Smile recordings.
Name of the agency FM was signed to as an illustrator (source of his kids book)
However....
I'm not sure how much of it can be trusted. Within two paragraphs the red special is built in "Brian's 3rd and 4th years" (which would be when he was 13-15) and in 1963/4 (when he was 15-17). John is described as having spent 4 years as a teacher, only stopping after Q2 release - which would mean he was teaching from the age of 19, while attending university...
With that caveat, Staffell tells of attending a gig on 31.12.71 at an unknown rugby club whereStone Cold Crazy, swafib, liar and jailhouse rock were played, and that John Harris was already involved.
I've just got to quotes from the press on the first single, and the "good use of synths" comment turns out to be from Bob Harris! He's not very positive, despite saying that they'd featured on his show, which must have been BBC session 1 and therfore included KYA in the same arrangement!
I'll update further as I wade through the book
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pg
Queen Mab
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Post by pg on Dec 30, 2020 23:30:44 GMT
 This photo was the most unusual in the middle section - the rest were mostly standard shots we've all seen before. This was labelled "Japan, April 75", which compared to a couple of others marked "1972/3" is pretty accurate.... |
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Post by saintjiub on Dec 31, 2020 1:04:49 GMT
Judging by the errors in this book, I am guessing that Mr Brooks is a disciple of Mr Tremlett.
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pg
Queen Mab
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Post by pg on Dec 31, 2020 9:19:03 GMT
Page 55..."noone could be more heterosexual than Mercury..."
The switch to John Reid was in September 75, shortly after which Tony Brainsby stopped being publicist.
The first album sold 130,000 copies in the USA before they set foot there (not sure about this)
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Post by Doughnut on Dec 31, 2020 9:36:50 GMT
Page 55..."noone could be more heterosexual than Mercury..." The switch to John Reid was in September 75, shortly after which Tony Brainsby stopped being publicist. The first album sold 130,000 copies in the USA before they set foot there (not sure about this) No one could be more heterosexual than Freddie ..I nearly spat my tea out 😂😂 |
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pg
Queen Mab
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Post by pg on Jan 4, 2021 12:34:14 GMT
It appears that the "dregs of glam rock" comment were record mirrors view of Q2...
The Jeanette Charles photo shoot was sept 5 1974 at the Cafe Royal in London, to collect silver discs for Queen 2 (although SSOR was mentioned earlier). It also claims that 250k sales was the reason for the silver award - but albums have always gone platinum in the UK at 300k, whereas singles are silver at 200k...
Press release same day still refers to Deacon John
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Post by akirafish on Aug 1, 2021 14:50:09 GMT
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