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Classic Queen
Quirky melodies, flamboyant style, and unforgettable vocal harmonies made Queen one of the most iconic bands of all time. This series of photographs documents the spectacularly productive artistic relationship between Mick Rock and Queen during the 1970’s. Hailed as “the man who shot the ‘70s,” Mick launched his career chronicling the rise and fall of Ziggy Stardust, and moved on to photograph Lou Reed, the Sex Pistols, and Queen. Through more than 250 images from his vast archive, follow Mick from Queen’s watershed gig in London, through to the legendary free concert in Hyde Park. Fascinating anecdotes on his time with the group provide a comprehensive portrait of one of the world’s great bands at a pivotal time in their career.
192 pages, Hardcover
Published October 1, 2007
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About the author
Mick Rock
43 books22 followersMick Rock was the man who photographed rock 'n' roll in the seventies, especially glam. He was the official photographer of David Bowie through all his personas.
A photographer best known for his iconic shots of rock and roll legends such as Queen, David Bowie, Syd Barrett, Lou Reed, Rocky Horror Picture Show, Iggy Pop and The Stooges, The Sex Pistols, The Ramones, Joan Jett, Talking Heads, Roxy Music, Crossfade, Thin Lizzy, Motley Crue, and Blondie. Rock has had major exhibitions in London, Liverpool, Berlin, Manchester, New York, Los Angeles, Oslo, Stockholm, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Tokyo, San Francisco, and Las Vegas.
A photographer best known for his iconic shots of rock and roll legends such as Queen, David Bowie, Syd Barrett, Lou Reed, Rocky Horror Picture Show, Iggy Pop and The Stooges, The Sex Pistols, The Ramones, Joan Jett, Talking Heads, Roxy Music, Crossfade, Thin Lizzy, Motley Crue, and Blondie. Rock has had major exhibitions in London, Liverpool, Berlin, Manchester, New York, Los Angeles, Oslo, Stockholm, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Tokyo, San Francisco, and Las Vegas.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 6, 2012
Mick Rock was one of the most iconic rock n roll photographers of the seventies. From David Bowie to Lou Reed and Iggy Pop, his work was consistently exciting and raw, catching everything from the powerful onstage energy of these rock and roll gods, to intimate backstage parties and home shoots.
What I enjoyed the most about this book (apart from the pictures of the men I have grown to love over my childhood and teen years) was the stories he told behind the shoots, of meeting Freddie and the band, and how close they became - not just on a professional level - but on a more lighthearted friendly level.
I don't consider myself a complete know-it-all on Queen even though I've been intensely collecting and immersing myself in everything to do with them since early 2004, so reading this properly for the first time was a lovely eye opener. To actually read something from a person who actually knew them, not just a journalist or researcher, is special. What he emphasised the most throughout the book was how driven Queen were in their starting days, how passionate they were because they knew from the get-go they were something special. I liked reading how professional the boys wanted to appear, how much time and effort was spent into getting their image right so it would lead to the kind of exposure they wanted. It could have all fallen apart but it didn't.
Each of the members gave up something great and important to be apart of the band. Brian and John gave up PhDs and all these future career options because they believed in the success of the band, even though it wasn't immediate. That's what had me all emotional last night as I sat down and celebrated what would have been Freddie's 66th birthday. I only recently acquired this book so last night was a good time so sit down and read it, not just look at all the pretty pictures. It was well worth it. Mick was open and honest about the band, and I really appreciate his point of view and insight.
What I enjoyed the most about this book (apart from the pictures of the men I have grown to love over my childhood and teen years) was the stories he told behind the shoots, of meeting Freddie and the band, and how close they became - not just on a professional level - but on a more lighthearted friendly level.
I don't consider myself a complete know-it-all on Queen even though I've been intensely collecting and immersing myself in everything to do with them since early 2004, so reading this properly for the first time was a lovely eye opener. To actually read something from a person who actually knew them, not just a journalist or researcher, is special. What he emphasised the most throughout the book was how driven Queen were in their starting days, how passionate they were because they knew from the get-go they were something special. I liked reading how professional the boys wanted to appear, how much time and effort was spent into getting their image right so it would lead to the kind of exposure they wanted. It could have all fallen apart but it didn't.
Each of the members gave up something great and important to be apart of the band. Brian and John gave up PhDs and all these future career options because they believed in the success of the band, even though it wasn't immediate. That's what had me all emotional last night as I sat down and celebrated what would have been Freddie's 66th birthday. I only recently acquired this book so last night was a good time so sit down and read it, not just look at all the pretty pictures. It was well worth it. Mick was open and honest about the band, and I really appreciate his point of view and insight.
May 19, 2020
The writing style is confusing as it jumps around all over the place. I was hoping for a little bit more information but just kind of received the authors perception of things. Pictures were fun and some neat stories, but overall, I was underwhelmed.
May 7, 2019
Cool & great
January 4, 2020
Very nice book. Nice to see something from the music world that I can still say that it makes me feel something and want to hear.
God bless Freddie, Brian, John and Roger.
Amen.
God bless Freddie, Brian, John and Roger.
Amen.
December 27, 2019
This review serves as a proxy for the late great "Classic Queen" music album.
I love these tunes more than their "Greatest Hits" music album.
Disappointed to discover absolutely no mention of their work with Highlander, but maybe licensing prevents publication of trademark names.
Melodic, dynamic, British rock full of soul and imagination, the musicians were also experienced in the ways of academia!
More "Classic Queen/Highlander" Soundtrack tunes in the setlist next time Mr Brian, if you please.
Saw Queen in summer 2019. "Now THAT is inspiring!" -Brian May (audience turned on their flashlight phones and lit up the arena)
I love these tunes more than their "Greatest Hits" music album.
Disappointed to discover absolutely no mention of their work with Highlander, but maybe licensing prevents publication of trademark names.
Melodic, dynamic, British rock full of soul and imagination, the musicians were also experienced in the ways of academia!
More "Classic Queen/Highlander" Soundtrack tunes in the setlist next time Mr Brian, if you please.
Saw Queen in summer 2019. "Now THAT is inspiring!" -Brian May (audience turned on their flashlight phones and lit up the arena)
November 11, 2015
What a cool book! Actually, this is mostly photographs, with some highly entertaining and largely informative bits of text in between. As a photo album, it's brilliant. The camera loves Queen and Mick Rock knows just how to make the most of that fact. I could stare at the pictures for hours. As for the text, I'm always partial to information about musicians which is written by someone sympathetic to them, like a friend, which is clearly the case here! The only reason I take off one star is because I would have liked even MORE information about the band from this source, and because only the very beginning of their career is covered. I wanted the whole story!
June 19, 2019
I thought it was phenomenal. I have been a big fan of Queen for some time now but I never new what went into their very complicated photoshoots and I enjoyed learning about their trials and triumphs in the early days of their existence. It was a very fast and uplifting read all about friendship and self-belief. Mick Rock expressed his journey with the classic rock band in a wonderfully enticing read. It took me two hours to complete, in some ways I am sad that I have nothing left to read. However, it portrays the enticing nature of the book, I honestly couldn't put it down! I know that I will read this book again and again.
July 23, 2011
Wonderful book full of fantastic pictures of the legendary rock band as they begin their rise to fame in the 1970's. Interspersed with the pictures are quotes by Queen front man, Freddie Mercury, as well as photographer/author Mick Rock's thought about the four members of Queen and his memories of the photo shoots.
The images alone make this a must for any Queen fan.
The images alone make this a must for any Queen fan.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews