Official Internation Queen Fan Club News - QFN-23
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OIQFC Spring magazine 1997
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As has become the norm somewhere in QFN, here are the
highlights from the official fam club magazine. Thanks to
Jacky for never complaining I use this information! 

After Jacky and Val's introduction, comes a very moving
tribute written by Brian about his mother and her life; she
died recently. It gives a little insight into Brian's
personal life which he usually keeps very quiet about. There
are rumours (not from the fan club magazine though) that
because of his mothers death, Brian will not relase his new
solo album nor tour until the end of the year.

Next is a rare hand-written letter from john with 4
accompanying photographs from throughout his career. John
mentions the performance in Paris with Elton John, and
thanks Spike for keyboards. The most interesting thing he
tells us of is a 'musical' in development, (presumably about
Queen's career though he doesn't say). A director and writer
are currently working on a concept.

There is information about the ballet at which Brian 'et al'
performed with Elton, and half a page about the new
orchestral album of Queen music by David Palmer, however
when I tried to order a copy on CD by phone, I was politely
told the wrong number had been printed in the magazine and I
was through to a private number. So please don't use the
number given in the magazine as he may not be so polite
after a few hundred/thousand similar calls.

A list of Brian and Roger's 'Top Ten' videos from the VH1
Queen month (March) are printed, although 'Nothing Compares
2 U' and 'O Superman' are spelled incorrectly.

A couple of photographs are reproduced of Brian, Roger, John
and Spike rehersing at Rogers studio (The Mill) for the
Paris performance, plus one with the medals they received
afterwards.

EMI released the first of their Queen centenary albums on
21st February, which was 'A Night AT The Opera', and carries
the catalogue number LPCENT 12 as it's on vinyl. They also
released 'The Freddie Mercury Album' as LPCENT 10 on the
same day.

The CD game 'Queen - The Eye' is now finished, and is
scheduled for launch in America in June at the 'E3' trade
fair. The world-wide release date is at the ECT Show at
Olympia in London in Sptember. The related books will be
published at the same time.

The Gerry Stickells book 'Roadworks' is still not finished,
as he still has a "great deal" of research to do yet.

A Queen karaoke laser disc is now available in Japan by
Toshiba/EMI. It is in two volumes, with the track listing
the same as Greatest Flix 1 and 2 respectively.

An exhibtion called 'Music 100' which is part of the EMI
Centenary Celebrations, opend in Edinburgh on 15th February,
and will move to London in the summer. Queen-realated, it
features a small bronze of the Freddie statue, the
hand-written lyrics to 'Mother Love', a Brian May Guild
guitar (plus sixpence plectrum), and the 'Live Aid' footage
is also shown.

The real Freddie statue is to have it's own floodlights, and
two plates - (English/French) giving a brief resume of his
life. The original brass plate was stolen within days of the
unveiling. There is a possiblity of postcards of the statue
being produced.

Brian is now working on his new solo album with Cozy, Neil,
Jamie and Spike. A possible release date is September, with
a tour in the Autumn.

Brian was recently honoured by The Grand Order Of Water Rats
(show business' famous charity lodge), where he was
initiated as the 800th Rat since the order began earlier
this century. Officially Brian is now Baby Rat until a new
member is initiated. (I wonder if there is a Great King Rat,
or if Freddie's song has any connection? - Ed).

Roger is still working on his next album, although he hasn't
made a decision to tour yet. He is currently setting up an
independant record label for people who use his studio.
Spike has been mixing the SAS band album at Roger's studio.
The album has no title yet, but has 13 tracks - originals
and cover versions.

Fans sent in questions for Brian and 50 of the best were
chosen, and the first 25 are printed in the Spring issue of
the fan club magazine. A few are reproduced below.

Q - What is your biggest regret? 
A - The same as Albert Einsteins last regret - check it out.

Q - If a film was made about Queen, who would you want to
    play you? 
A - Micheal Keaton...or prefeably Jodie Foster!

Q - Have you ever considered continuing Queen as a three
    piece? 
A - No

Q - If you had one last occassion to meet Freddie what would
    you say?
A - Phone us in some more vocals!


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Subscriptions / Enquiries with SAE or IRC to:

The Official International Fan Club
The Old Bakehouse
16A High Street
Barnes
London
SW13 9LW

Tel: 0181 392 2800
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