Author: George Tremlett
First Published: 1976
ISBN: 0 8600 7412 9
Written around the same time as Larry Pryce’s ‘Official Biography’ (in fact, a couple of people George Tremlett tried to interview were hesitant about it because they were also being consulted by Pryce), ‘The Queen Story’ exemplifies the liberties and limitations found when researching a subject matter from a private and independent angle. Tremlett had much more experience than Pryce as an author and journalist and that’s clearly reflected in his use of language and his attention to detail. The phenomenon can still be seen nowadays when you compare the works coming from official and unofficial sources.
Tremlett had no access to the band members, their producer, their chief engineer or people who were close to them in terms of the Queen organisation (e.g., roadies, assistants, designers). So what did he do instead? Check other sources: the band members’ families, former colleagues, people not directly affiliated to them at the moment but who could share loads of stories. That’s also reflected on the data offered: while Pryce gave some details that would have been nearly impossible to attain without direct access to the band (such as the brands and dimensions of Roger’s drum kit and John’s bass rig, or the fact ‘Now I’m Here’ had been partly inspired by the Rolling Stones), Tremlett shared other information, including whatever the official book was not allowed to reveal: Freddie’s birth name, the fact Brian didn’t build the guitar on his own but instead it was a joint project with his dad, the exact figures of Trident’s investment, the origins of ‘See What a Fool I’ve Been’ and the inclusion of some negative comments (without necessarily accusing the press of being ignorant segments of human residual matter) as well as references to concerts that didn’t necessarily go as planned. A more three-dimensional view, indeed.
Chapter 1
After a long eloquent introduction explaining why Queen were different to other groups and why they were so famous but also quite mysterious, the author moves on to praise Freddie’s songwriting talent, then Brian’s (comparing him to Paul McCartney) and then tells the story of how he unsuccessfully sought an interview with the Bulsaras (this is the first printed source where Freddie’s original surname is revealed, something Tony Brainsby had claimed not to know and which is completely missing from Larry Pryce’s book). For those interested in the personal lives of Freddie’s relatives, Tremlett describes his parents’ house in detail and informs his sister (then in her early twenties) was married to Roger Cooke and living in the North of England.
He then goes on to tell the reader about his encounter with Brian’s parents just over a hundred yards from the Bulsaras; he reveals that Brian’s thesis hadn’t been finalised (unlike Pryce’s book, which inaccurately claimed he’d already earned a PhD). Brian’s dad speaking about Queen II, about ‘Brighton Rock’ and about ‘Father to Son’? Absolutely priceless! There’s also the story of the guitar but this time including the invaluable contributions from Mr May Sr, and a mention of Brian’s temp jobs before he became a full-time musician. More gossip as they mention Brian’s car at the time was a Volvo 1800 and talk about some of their experiences being the parents of a rock star, such as Harold being asked for his autograph at a Mott the Hoople concert.
Chapter 2
Interview with Tim Staffell, including some detailed stories about 1984, their influences, the fact Brian used to sing their cover of ‘Yesterday’ and Tim got jealous of the reception he used to get for it, Smile, Freddie’s background and family, the origins of ‘See What a Fool I’ve Been’, Ibex, Wreckage, the band’s New Year’s Eve concert in late 1971 (where Tim confirmed they’d played ‘Stone Cold Crazy’ and it was already fast).
Chapter 3
The release of ‘Keep Yourself Alive’, several reviews of it by different people and publications, an in-depth story of the fan club and how the three founding members had been brought together by their admiration for Jimi Hendrix (not Paul Rodgers). Regarding the fan club, the book claims they had about ten thousand members in Europe and seven thousand in Japan, which illustrates how massive they were in that country. A former co-worker of Freddie’s then tells the story of an early Queen concert that went wrong, then talks in detail about Mary Austin.
It’s Tony Brainsby’s turn to speak, narrating how he entered the Queensphere, how he arranged for Brian to be the first member to be interviewed (by Guitar magazine, the article was published in July 1973). It’s quite telling, in retrospect, that the book claims ‘no one could be more heterosexual than Mercury.’ John Bagnall also tells his story, in far more detail than what he’d done on Larry Pryce’s book. Some early concert reviews were also included, one of which singled out ‘Liar’ as their best song.
More press reviews follow, one of which (by the Record Mirror) is quite hard on the second album. Melody Maker were also quite critical of ‘Killer Queen’ and ‘Flick of the Wrist’. The book then follows by describing the band’s recent success in Europe, America and Japan… a minor quibble, though: not a mention of Canada.
Chapter 4
Norman Sheffield’s story, including information taken from his financial records. Figures include a £ 15,000 investment on the band by September 1972, increased to £ 33,000 by July 1973, £ 62,976.26 just two months after that, and by the time the band severed their contract, Norman claimed they owed Trident £ 190,000. Advances by EMI for the first two albums had allegedly been for £ 4,000 and £ 7,000, respectively.
Chapter 5
Dave Thomas’s take on the band’s performance at the Pheasantry in November 1972. More monetary data: the debut album reportedly cost £ 13,000, the second one £ 20,000 and the third one £ 30,000 (mind you, that would be about £ 160,000, £ 230,000 and £ 345,000 in 2015). Also some anecdotes about tours, rows, parties and so on.
Chapter 6
Another interview, this time with David Crocker, who helped the band get in touch with John Reid after they split up with Trident, and who’d known them from before the days of their first album. He also gave some figures: £ 32,000 for the video of ‘Bohemian Rhapsody.’
Chapter 7
The author narrates, briefly, what had happened to the band since they’d switched management: their living situation, then going to Surrey, then to Wales, then completing the album, touring and so on. Then some general comments about the group.
Very interesting, Seb. Just one note: calculating the 'modern equivalent' of a given amount of money is always sketchy at best. There are so many circumstances and variables to take into account that turning 13 000 pounds from 1971 into a figure of 160 000 is fairly arbitrary - it could be anything from about 80 000 all the way up to about 800 000, depending on what you compare it to. Historians are very hesitant to use such calculations as the outcome is pretty much always misleading except in very specific cases.
Much more useful than translating the sums into hypothetical modern money would be to compare the figures to the amount of money used to record other albums by other artists in the 1970-75 period. That would put the sums into a historical perspective.
That'd certainly be a great idea, as well as translating those figures in terms of what it used to cost back then to buy a car, etc.
Should I ever publish these writings (never say never), I'm definitely gonna tweak all those bits as much as possible.
^ Or in term of minimum wage per hour at that time. That would give an explicit idea how much the sum is.
Sebastian wrote:
Interview with Tim Staffell, including some detailed stories about 1984, their influences, the fact Brian used to sing their cover of ‘Yesterday’ and Tim got jealous of the reception he used to get for it
Now that's what I wish to watch/listen to :)
Thank you Seb.
I still have my original copy of this book. The good thing about it is that it was written while the memories were still fresh in the minds of the people who told their stories. Not stories told 40 years later.
I remember buying this book back in '76 and enjoying the read.
There was also another one out at the same time by Larry Pryce.
Both 50p each and available from the same newsagent opposite my school.
Sadly my copies are falling apart a bit now!