QUEEN UNSEEN, by Peter Hince

[swordznsorcery]

New book alert! This time it's one written by Queen's head roadie, Peter "Ratty" Hince, who I'm sure most of you will have heard of. He looked after Freddie and John on tour, and also their instruments, as well as overseeing most of the transportation of Queen's equipment. This is as much the story of being a roadie as it is about working for Queen, so it's interesting for any rock fan, I guess. More so for Queen fans, obviously. He doesn't pull any punches at times - Freddie's various tantrums do get covered - but they're written about with obvious fondness. There's a very clear warning at the beginning of the book: this isn't for people who are looking for tabloid style dirt-digging. Instead it's a very honest, but warm-hearted memoir. Worth a look.

One warning, though. If you're looking for political correctness, you will not find it in this book! Some may be offended; Queen's roadies seem to have made their way through a fair percentage of the world's women, for example. And that's quite an understatement. Probably no surprises for anybody who read Crystal's stories on the Fan Club website back in the nineties, though.

Another thing to note - like I said, this is as much about being a roadie as it is about being Queen's roadie. Queen aren't the stars, although Freddie is a very big supporting character. So's John, to a slightly lesser extent, since they were Ratty's main responsibility. Brian comes and goes here and there, Roger slightly more. We still need Crystal to write a book to tell that story! ;)

Comments

[egret]

Yay, I must find a copy!
Thanks for this review!
ETA: It's available for pre-order by Americans on Amazon.com, to be shipped in November.

Has anyone read that 40 Years of Queen one yet? Or is it not even out yet? I don't really want it if it's all scans of ticket stubs and backstage passes, though. (not judging, for those who are into that)

[swordznsorcery]

It is out, at least in the UK, but I don't have it yet. It appears to be the same sort of thing as the E Street Band book from a few years back; and if it is, then it'll be around one hundred pages of information based on interviews, mostly stuff that you already know, but with some nice extra bits that you might well not. Plus lots of fun things to play with. :) The E Street Band one has reproduction tour passes (one laminated), some posters, tickets, and some nice reproduction newsletters and newspaper cuttings. Those were a very nice addition, and are perhaps of more use to people who aren't so interested in the backstage passes! There were some photos I'd not seen before as well. I love it, but then I am a shameless E Street Band geek.

I'm looking forward to the Queen one, but I've been banned from buying it, and have to wait until Christmas!

[ruuger]

Has anyone read that 40 Years of Queen one yet?

I've ordered it, but it hasn't arrived yet - I'll try to remember to write a review when I get it (which should hopefully be today or Monday).

[moonbathe_skin]

My shopping list is growing!!

[ruuger]

Thanks for the review! I've been debating whether to buy this book or not because I was afraid that it would be all about tabloid-style revelations.

[swordznsorcery]

Yes, I admit I was wary, even though I was pretty sure that Ratty could be trusted. We all know what books about Queen can too often be like. When I saw Brian plugging it on his website, I decided it must be okay, though. There is a lot of talk of sex and drugs, but that's just what the road crew (mostly unnamed) were getting up to! He makes no mention of whether or not Queen were also involved.