Laura Jackson (1) (1957–)

I haven't yet seen "Bohemian Rhapsody," but I did read this book earlier this year and liked it a lot. I would recommend it to any fan of Queen, for sure.

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Queen got their start in the "swinging 60's" scene in London, in which Freddie was a "dedicated follower of fashion." They released a number of early singles, some of which proved to be modest hits ("Keep Yourself Alive"), while others landed with a dull thud. One music industry guy even told them that "the last thing the world needs right show more now is another Led Zeppelin." In spite of such stinging rebukes the band soldiered on, led by Freddie and his unstoppable ambition. They started to get some real exposure by touring with Mott the Hoople, with whom they became good friends.

One of Freddie's closest friends was a woman named Mary Austin. Sometimes they were lovers, but mostly it seems that she was there to be his best friend and confidante.

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This book really captured my attention. I don't know when Queen played their final shows, but I think I was just a little too young to see them play live. Without a doubt, Freddie Mercury was one of the most amazing, most flamboyant, most over the top rock stars of all time. In Queen's early years he was driven and ambitious, convinced that he was born to be a star and that Queen would rule the world. He put all of the haters to shame by accomplishing everything he set out to do.

He also immersed himself into the world of gay culture, sometimes cruising the streets for a partner, other times bouncing from one night club to the next. Once he became a superstar he would arrive at the clubs in a Rolls Royce, sending the people there into a tizzy once they realized that the world famous Freddie Mercury was in the house. He threw lavish parties that quickly turned into orgies of sex and drugs; Freddie's drug of choice was cocaine, which helped him to maintain his super-charged energy levels.

He kept his private life private, only rarely granting interviews, and declaring that certain parts of his life were off limits (his parents and early childhood years, for example). show less

After letting it languish on my TBR shelf for nearly 3 years, I am finally reading it. I was right, I am enjoying it. I am learning things I didn't know about Mr. Simon and his former partner, Art Garfunkel, their growing up years, the years before widespread fame, and the factors leading to their eventual parting.
This book has sent me to YouTube to listen to old favorites; Simon and Garfunkel were part of the soundtrack of my youth.

(I do think that the term "definitive" should be reserved show more for critics and not for the author or publisher to decide.) show less

A must read for any Stones fan. Really puts a new perspective on the early Stones and how much of a role Brian Jones played in their beginnings. And though I don't think Jagger or Richards are capable of murder it does raise questions about what the possibility of foul play in Brian Jones death.

This is not only a very informative book about Bono, but also the band U2. I first picked up this book because I wanted to know how the band started, and what there lives were like when they were young. This book told me all of that, and more. Bei9ng a fan of U2, i very much enjoyed reading about there history in this book. However, if you are not a U2 fan, it may not be the book for you. This book explains with alot of detail the entire history of U2, rather than just focusing on Bono.