Author(s): Mick Rock

Music

Queen were the rarest of breeds: both genius in the studio and utterly brilliant performing live. A potent, magical mixture that has won them fans the world over. Such is their success that Queen form part of collectors so-called Mighty Three. Along with The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, no other bands recordings and memorabilia are so highly sought after. Mick Rock was fast becoming the glam-rock photographer du jour when he turned up at Imperial College on November 18th, 1973 to take his first shots of the up-and-coming group. Mick's continuing collaboration with Freddie, Brian, Roger and John lasted until 1976 and Queen's legendary free concert in Hyde Park. During this time he helped create the iconic album covers for Queen II and Sheer Heart Attack and conducted solo photo sessions with Freddie and Roger. Previously unseen out-takes and test Polaroids from these sessions are included in the book, as are over 120 live photographs, many of which are being published for the very first time. Classic Queen is a fitting tribute to a band captured in Mick Rock's lens at the explosive moment between obscurity and world domination.