40 Years of Queen
The Anniversary publication ‘40 Years of Queen‘ is the first authorized book including an introduction by Brian May and Roger Taylor. This is a full and comprehensive history of Queen with photos and memorabilia some undeen until now. This 40 Years of Queen book was released in November 2011 the year of their 40th anniversary. The book has been authored by UK music writer Harry Doherty who has been a music journalist since the early 70s. He has worked for Melody Maker, Metal Hammer, Hard n’ Heavy magazine and Classic Rock magazine.
Even now in 2020, as I write this review of 40 Years of Queen, 29 years after Freddie’s death, Queen is as big as ever. Bohemian Rhapsody the Movie was released only 18 months ago, with the film winning the most Oscars at the 2019 Academy Awards, the ‘We Will Rock You’ stage show and musical continues to thrill audiences around the world (resuming as soon as the Covid pandemic passes) and Queen and Adam Lambert continue to bring the Queen Back Catalogue to a new younger generation through their World Tour and charity concerts and online MicroConcerts via Instagram.
This ’40 Years of Queen’ publication is the first authorized Queen book. It tells the inside story of Queen and how their music changed rock music around the world forever. The Book features over 200 photographs, posters, pull outs and also removable memorabelia.
Originally Priced : £30
ISBN : 978-1-78177-013-9
When I originally opened this book I saw that in the inside cover there was a ‘pull out and keep’ full poster for the Queen concert at the Rainbow. I was chuffed, as I always wanted one. I felt this was a real bonus and it was a lovely touch. However, little was I to know that these surprises would continue.
Some of the further surprises in the 40 Years of Queen book include;
- A4 poster for a Christmas Ball in 1973
- Artwork, letters and a pull ou A5 photo from the first album
- Pull our fan club letters from 1975
- The Race Card from the Kempton Park race meet to promote “A Day at the Races“
- Hot Space promotional Cube which you can assemble
- Hand Written Lyrics from The Works album
- A long ‘Miracle’ Poster
- and much more…
The book is a phenomenal journey through the history and music of Queen and really gives an insight into each album. I have only touched on what is in thos book but I think it is a must for every Queen fan. It can be hard to find but there are some listings on Amazon retailing from about £45 or you might try your luck in your nearest second hand book shop as you might get ’40 years of Queen’ for a lot less than you might think.
If you have read this book, ’40 years of Queen’ by Harry Doherty please send me your thoughts by email, tweet or instagram @shanesqueensite.
Some Photos from inside 40 Years of Queen
Full List of items included in the book ’40 Years of Queen’
- First US tour press pack including press release, photos and poster, 1973
- Liverpool concert poster, Christmas 1973
- Very early Rainbow poster 1974
- Ticket from Rainbow concert, November 1974
- Hand-drawn tour map, Europe 1974
- Four handwritten letters from the band to the Queen Fan Club, 1975
- Race card from Kempton Park racecourse, A Day At The Races launch, 1976
- Signed poster for A Day At The Races, offered by the fan club, 1976
- EMI promotional flyer for A Day At The Races, 1976
- Press release from US version of News of the World, 1977
- Bohemian Rhapsody blue vinyl record with cover, 1978 (paper facsimile)
- European tour menu, 1978
- Crazy Tour poster, 1979
- European tour backstage pass, 1979
- Unused ticket from Nagoya, Japan concert, 1979
- Flash Gordon film premiere ticket, 1980
- Invitation to the Hot Space end-of-tour party, 1982
- Hot Space promo cube, 1982
- Four handwritten song lyrics from The Works: “I Want To Break Free” (John); “Hammer To Fall” (Brian); “It’s A Hard Life” (Freddie); “Radio Ga Ga” (Roger).
- Unused ticket to Knebworth, August 9, 1986
- The Miracle promotional poster, 1989
- Interview CD featuring all members of the band talking to Tom Browne on BBC Radio 1. Originally broadcast in December 1977.