Queen: The Neal Preston Photographs - by Dave Brolan (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

The official book on Queen, one of the greatest ever rock bands, photographed by one of the greatest ever rock photographers--with text by Brian May and Roger Taylor and intimate accounts from Neal Preston revealing the stories behind the pictures

Neal Preston is one of the most prolific and highly regarded rock photographers of all time. He began working with Queen in the mid 1970s as their tour photographer. He was present on the legendary South America tour in 1981, Live Aid in 1985, and the band's last tour with Freddie Mercury in 1986, among others. Brian May has commented, "Neal just has the knack, the skill, to always be in the right place at the right time."

This official book, produced in collaboration with the band, features over 200 images and is an exhilarating ride through their years on the road together. It is the first time Preston and Queen have collated this work in one volume: glimpses of life backstage, live performances, post-performance highs and lows, and outtakes--many of which have never been seen before--are accompanied by memories and anecdotes from Preston with forewords by Queen guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor. The pages vibrate with a palpable energy.

Review Quotes

From 1977, rock smudge Neal Preson documented Queen on-stage and off, braving machine guns and Wack Jacko. Now there's a book of his best work with the band, some of it unseen. "You just do your job and try not to get shot." he [says].--Mark Blake "MOJO Magazine"

Queen: The Neal Preston Photographs" is the official photographic volume documenting the band's rise to glory. Preston and members of QUEEN, guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor, have collated over 300 hundred images -- many of which have never been seen before -- along with Preston's personal account, to offer a glimpse into the exhilarating life of QUEEN.--Editors "Blabbermouth.net"

For about a decade, the veteran American photographer Neal Preston had exclusive access to the British rock band Queen, photographing them both onstate and offstage throughout their tours: from News of the World to the A Kind of Magic albums. All of his images capturing the classic Queen lineup of Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor and John Deacon have been assembled in a new photo book that really depicts the band at their most regal and majestic best. Of course Preston's memorable photograph of Mercury in a classic pose from his 1985 Live Aid performance is in this book--as if you had to ask.--David Chiu "Forbes"

Renowned rock photographer Neal Preston's new book, Queen, documents the four decades he spent snapping the band on tour with dozens of never-before-scene candid photographs taken behind the scenes [...] Guitarist Brian May said: 'Neal captured the essence of Queen, live and dangerous, while we quietly and unexpectedly got on with becoming, perhaps momentarily, the biggest band in the world.'--Tate Delloye "Daily Mail"

[Preston's] images captured the band at the height of their powers, personified by the flamboyant stage theatrics of the late and beloved lead singer Mercury. Not only photographing the band in their familiar element of performing underneath their dazzling lighting rig, but Preston also candidly documented the band's lives offstage--whether it's them hanging out in their dressing rooms before a gig, meeting other famous people, or just goofing around.--David Chiu "Forbes: Media"

A new official Queen coffee table book, featuring images that the British rock legends' longtime official tour photographer Neal Preston shot of the band during its heyday[...] Queen -- The Neal Preston Photographs, will feature more than 300 images, including classic pics and previously unpublished photos, covering the period from 1977 to 1986. The book includes images capturing the band on stage, backstage and in candid moments while on the road.--Matt Friedlander "ABC: News Radio"

A statement on Queen: The Neal Preston Photographs reads: "It is the first time Preston and Queen have collated this work in one volume: glimpses of life backstage, live performances, post-performance highs and lows, and outtakes - many of which have never been seen before - are accompanied by memories and anecdotes from Queen guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor. The pages vibrate with a palpable energy."--Scott Munro "Classic Rock"

Brian May has recently talked about the book and shared his honest thoughts [...]"Neal just has the knack, the skill, to always be in the right place at the right time."--Eray Erel "MetalCastle"

Queen: The Neal Preston Photographs covers some of the most significant Queen tours [...] Each photograph of the band on set is an explosion of movement and intense feeling. Freddie Mercury striding across the stage in a diamond leotard with unparalleled precision or the famous shot of him leaning back as far as he could go at Live Aid; the frenzied expression of Roger Taylor at his drumkit, the cool confidence of Brian May riffing off Mercury and the serious vigour of John Deacon, makes the energy in each shot palpable.--Editors "ArtDaily"

Titled Queen - The Neal Preston Photographs, the book covers Queen tours from 1975 to 1986. Not just pictures on stage, but backstage, on the road and everything in between. Both active Queen members Brian May and Roger Taylor will be contributing to the exciting new project.--George Simpson "Express.co.uk"