I always thought the title and the album cover was a parody of the War of the worlds album. Only - the album for WOTW came out a year later than NOTW - (I always thought it came out fisrt, but I checked, and no). However, I'm of the mind the title and cover is still somehow influenced by the WOTW story, even though I've never read anything to suggest that. If I recall, it was Rogers idea and I know Frank Kelly Freas redid his artwork. But does anyone else know anything about it being influenced by WOTW at all?
As far as I know, the title comes from the tabloid magazine of the same name that ended not too long ago. Queen and NotW have had sort of a feud for pretty much all of Queen's existence, and though it was especially bad when Brian was going through marital problems and Freddie was suspected of AIDS (which, of course, was true). The magazine would dog them almost nonstop, and it inspired Scandal. Even when the album News of the World came out, though, they weren't exactly friends.
As for the cover, obviously that comes from that one Astounding Science Fiction book or whatever. Not sure what that has to do with the NotW tabloid, however. Maybe News of the World was trying to destroy Queen?
Hope that helps. As far as I know, there isn't any influence from WotW, but I could be wrong.
Can't help.
But I do know that the Family Guy episode where Brian leaves copies of the News of the World album everywhere to freak Stewie out is absolutely hilarious. Everybody should watch it.
That Family Guy episode WAS damn funny.
Stewie: "It's that robot! He killed Queen and now he's coming after me!"
Brian: "He didn't kill Queen. They're FINE................................. most of 'em are fine."
(wow)
I assumed the title was from the tabloid newspaper, 'News of the World,' cos queen always hated tabloids, and that was one of the trashiest of them. And at least Roger liked science fiction and robot-ey stuff, so maybe that influenced the picture?
Hi! I just saw this post. I use to talk to Frank Kelly Freas (the artist) wife Laura Freas.. If you go to Frank's website, you can contact her on there. she will tell you EVERYTHING you need to know about the NOTW art. I've asked her pretty much everything there is to ask about that art work. and the robot is sad because it accidently killed queen. like a huge man who didnt know any better squeezing an animal. Of course I never realized this till I did research. Any questions, just ask.
