Author(s): Mark Hayward

Photography | Music

Queen: On Camera, Off Guard includes a fantastic selection of rare images from one of the world's best-loved supergroups. Featuring pictures from 1969 to 1991, the images include the first ever photographs of Freddie Mercury as a performer with Ibex in Bolton in June 1969 taken by songwriter Chris Smith who recounts his experiences of the night. Further early images of Mercury include pictures taken at Ealing Art College and outside his flat in Shepherd's Bush where Queen's first official photo session took place in 1973. Images from their first Japanese tour, from the Fat Bottomed Girls cover shoot, on tour in South America with Mercury's boyfriend and many many more allow us to get closer to Mercury and the rest of the band than any previous book. Furthermore, many of the photographers of these amazing images give their insights and stories, providing an intimate insight into Queen backstage, onstage and at play.