'I've always thought of us as a top group. Sounds very big-headed, I know, but that's the way it is.' – Freddie Mercury

Step into the electrifying world of Queen in their official limited edition Killer Queen, a stunning tribute to one of rock music’s most legendary bands. Featuring the revered work of photographer Mick Rock and commentary from Mary Austin, John Deacon, Brian May, Freddie Mercury and Roger Taylor, Killer Queen offers an unprecedented visual chronicle of Queen’s meteoric rise.

‘Mick Rock always was a class act. We met, he and we young Queenies, at a point in our careers where the skies had opened up and creatively the scope of our journey was limitless - very exciting times.’ – Brian May

Celebrating 50 years of the iconic Queen II cover photographed by Rock, and of the founding of Genesis in 1974, we are honoured to release the final copies of Killer Queen. First published in 2003, only 50 numbered copies now remain, co-signed by the late Mick Rock and Brian May.

THE PHOTOGRAPHY

Killer Queen

'They were fun and they were cute. Even without the makeup on, they were pretty adorable, friendly people.' - Mick Rock

On the 18th of November 1973, Mick Rock took his first shots of an up-and-coming group called Queen at the band's breakthrough gig at Imperial College, London. Mick's photographs of the concert are just a small part of an archive of nearly 400 rare and unseen images preserved in Killer Queen for posterity. From electrifying live performances to closed-door recording sessions, from studio portraits to candid backstage moments, Mick Rock's photographs capture the charisma and energy that defined Queen.

'Looking back, it is obvious that Mick was a master of his art very early on. The images in this book (including many we rejected at the time, sometimes for artistic reasons, sometimes for reasons of vanity!) stand up fresh and untarnished by time.' - Brian May

Mick's collaboration with Freddie, Brian, Roger and John lasted until 1976 and Queen's legendary free concert in Hyde Park. During this time he helped create the iconic album covers for Queen II and Sheer Heart Attack. Previously unpublished outtakes and test Polaroids from these famed sessions are included in Killer Queen, a testament to the enduring magic of Queen, immortalized through Mick Rock's lens.

'If you go on stage, you might as well look good. It seems like a waste of time if you don't. I mean, why the hell are you up there?' - Roger Taylor

THE MANUSCRIPT

Killer Queen

'It was quite a moment when we decided to turn professional. We'd been playing in our spare time but really I didn't think, myself, that we'd ever do it. We went from school dates to playing little gigs, trolling around in a battered old van.' - John Deacon

Accompanying Mick Rock's stunning visuals is a manuscript of meticulously sourced quotes from John Deacon, Freddie Mercury and Roger Taylor, plus intimate reflections and new text from Mick Rock, Brian May and Mary Austin. Collectively, their voices offer personal insights and untold stories that bring the photography to life.

'With Freddie there were always new heights, always new images, new thoughts. I feel he had a right to enjoy his third eye and the right to enjoy himself, and all I ever really wanted to do was protect him so that no one would hurt him.' - Mary Austin

Brian May's anecdotes about the band's creative process and Mary Austin's heartfelt memories of Freddie Mercury add a deeply personal dimension to the collection. Together with an introductory essay by Mick Rock, a chronological timeline, tour itineraries and tipped-in articles from Sounds and Circus magazines, Killer Queen is a must-have for every Queen fan, a historical document of a band whose artistry forever changed the face of rock music.

THE LIMITED EDITION

Killer Queen

'A book so ludicrously luxurious even by Genesis's standards.' - Record Collector

Strictly limited to 2,500 numbered copies, Killer Queen is individually signed by Brian May and Mick Rock.

The 212-page large-format volume reproduces nearly 400 images on 11 different paper stocks, including acetate, trace, and 200 gsm matt art stock (page size: 340mm x 240mm / 13⅖" x 9½"). Quarter-bound in Italian leather and buckram, with gold foil blocking and gilt page edging, each copy of Killer Queen is housed in a protective solander (clamshell) case.

Only 200 copies remain in the Killer Queen limited edition signed by Brian May and Mick Rock. We are thrilled to present these final copies in a new solander case featuring a colour reproduction from the Queen II cover shoot. The updated case design commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Queen II album release and the founding of Genesis Publications in 1974.

Final copies: Only 50 left

Signed by: Brian May and Mick Rock

Main Volume: 340 x 240mm, 212 pages

Binding: Quarter-bound in Italian leather

Box: Archival solander case

Killer Queen

The Official Signed Limited Edition

Select from the following copies:

Collector

Deluxe

No longer available

The official signed limited edition by Brian May, Roger Taylor, Mary Austin and Mick Rock, and featuring archived quotes from Freddie Mercury and John Deacon.

Page size: 340mm x 240mm
212 pages

ISBN:
0904351831
Collector
2150 copies
Signed by:
Mick Rock and Brian May
Paper:
11 different papers, including acetate, trace and 200gsm matt art
Binding:
Quarter-bound in Italian leather with gold leaf hand tooling and gilded page edging
Box:
Archival solander case

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Killer Queen

The Official Signed Limited Edition

Queen & Mick Rock

THE PHOTOGRAPHY

Killer Queen

THE MANUSCRIPT

Killer Queen

THE LIMITED EDITION

Killer Queen