Press Coverage

Brian May tells Cheltenham Literary Festival about Freddie Mercury
– https://youtu.be/_wgsMpYQeqQ

GLOUCESTERSHIRE LIVE
11 October 2017 (updated 12 Oct) by Robin Jenkins

The Queen guitarist delights crowd by talking about his lesser-known passion

Think of Brian May and you think of his curly long hair swinging from side to side as he makes his guitar sing on stage with legendary British rock band Queen. Or you might think of him doing his best to prevent badgers from being culled in the UK countryside. But for those not in the know, there is much more to Brian than that. Take his almost life-long passion for 3-D photography for instance that brought him to Cheltenham’s literature festival.

There must have been 500 to 600 people in the audience for last night’s event, during which he explained how he could take himself back to past moments just by looking at his many 3-D photographs.

It was fascinating, whether you were a Queen fan or not, to see Brian’s snaps. He captured fellow band mates Freddie Mercury, Roger Taylor and John Deacon on stage but also in intimate and often unguarded moments off stage.

It’s remarkable to think that while one of the world’s biggest bands were busy doing their thing, one of their number found time to record some of it on film. I couldn’t help but wonder whether that might have sometimes irritated the other Queen members, who must have had more than their fair share of paparazzi-style media attention as it was. But Brian’s love of taking photographs has created a wonderful collection of images that we can all see, in his new book – Queen in 3-D.

He explained that his interest in 3-D photography began when he was nine or ten years old. Cards came with Weetabix packets that, when you sent off for a viewer, meant you could transform ‘flat’ pictures into more life-like 3-D ones.

Looking at pictures of Freddie and the other band members during their many tours around the world, Brian said: “Writing this book has made me remember things I had forgotten. I treasure these views because I feel like I am there.” He revealed one of his favourite pictures was one he took of Freddie having his make-up done backstage in 1985. It captured him in a natural moment and not posing for the camera as he so often did.

While talking fondly about Roger and John, and the band’s current singer Adam Lambert, Brian not surprisingly spent a lot of time showing pictures of legendary front man Freddie. He said: “Freddie’s smile was so memorable. I can see it in my mind every day.”

Brian even got the super-polite audience to let their hair down for a few moments – leading them in a brief foot-stamping rendition of We Will Rock You.“That’s what live is all about – it’s what you don’t expect,” he said.

Asked by an audience member what he thought about Queen’s music featuring on the GCSE music syllabus, he said he was delighted that the band’s songs had become “entwined” in people’s lives. He said he did not know how that had happened and added: “I feel very fortunate. It’s beyond any dream we could have had.”

DAILY EXPRESS
Brian May EXCLUSIVE: Queen in 3-D – UNSEEN

Freddie Mercury pictures in new book REVEALED
BRIAN MAY spoken exclusively with Express.co.uk about his new autobiographical book, Queen in 3-D, featuring hundreds of unseen pictures of Freddie Mercury and the band.
10 October by George Simpson

The 70-year-old guitarist has had quite the career as lead guitarist of one of the biggest rock bands in the world. Aside from Queen, Dr Brian May CBE, has had a fondness for science, being an astrophysicist and stereoscopic enthusiast.

It’s the latter, discovered in the 1830s, that’s the basis of his new book Queen in 3-D. Part autobiography, part 3-D picture book, May says it’s “a complete chronicle of Queen through the years [with] hundreds of pictures I’d forgotten about.”

The guitarist has had an fascination with photography, especially stereoscopes from an early age.

May revealed: “My dad taught me how to develop my own films. He was one of these people who could turn his hand to anything really. The 3-D part came because I used to get 3-D pictures in cereal packets, we all did in those days.

Brian May EXCLUSIVE: Queen in 3-D – UNSEEN Freddie Mercury pictures in new book REVEALED

Brian May has had a fascination for 3-D photography all his life

Brian said this picture of Freddie is one of his favourites, because shows how he was in private

He continued: “In this case it was a piece of cardboard with two pictures side by side. They looked identical, but they weren’t. They were the stereo pair.” After sending off for a viewer, May soon found that 3-D would become a life-long passion, something he shared with the rest of Queen.

May said: “They kind of got used to my eccentricities. I didn’t actually buy a stereo camera until we went to the States…in about 1974. Prior to that I had been taking stereo pictures in other ways, which I still do. In fact anyone can do it with an iPhone.

“You just take a picture with your weight on your left foot and then another picture with your weight on your right foot. And you put your pictures together and you have your stereo picture.

“The magic of 3-D is created because you’re using two different views of the universe, one through from each eye, and that of course is what our brain is doing every second of our waking lives.”

Brian May took pictures of Queen all through the band’s time together

But it wasn’t just May who enjoyed photography, Freddie himself embraced the art – despite being known for being shy in private – snapping away with his polaroid. In fact much of Queen in 3-D consists of unseen pictures of the late singer, who sadly died in 1991, all of which are viewed through May’s OWL stereoscope that comes with the book.

May added: “It’s pretty much all unseen. Nobody has seen these pictures except for in private. Apart from the fact that they’re in 3-D, they’re my own personal pictures. Really ninety percent of it or more has never been seen before.”

When it comes to a favourite, the guitarist picked out one of Freddie backstage applying make up, because of how it makes you feel like you’re with him. He said: “For me that sums up Freddie. Someone behind the big front, very pensive and shy. The whole thing springs to life and you really feel like you’re in that room with Freddie.

WATCH BRIAN MAY LOOK ON AS THE QUEEN BIOPIC RECREATES THE LIVE AID SET

 

Queen in 3-D by Brian May comes with a stereoscope he designed himself, called the OWL

Apart from gazing at Queen through a Victorian lens, the book is the closest thing to an autobiography by May, who admitted he’d had some good reactions to people enjoying the anecdotes.

The 70-year-old star is due to speak on his new book at Cheltenham Literary Festival this evening, for which tickets have already sold out. For those lucky enough to attend, May teased: “I will be projecting pictures from the book and everyone will be able to see in 3-D [thanks to glasses] without any headaches. I get lots of wows. I’ll say a few words and do a Q&A after that.”

Queen in 3-D by Brian May is out now.

ROLLING STONE
05. Oktober 2017 von Ina Simone Mautz

„Queen in 3D“: So haben Sie Queen garantiert noch nie gesehen!

“Queen in 3D “: So you have never seen Queen guaranteed!

Queen-Gitarrist Brian May veröffentlicht mit „Queen in 3-D“ (erscheint am 06. Oktober) nicht nur ein beeindruckendes Virtual-Reality-Erlebnis, das über 300 noch nie zuvor gesehene Fotos aus seiner privaten Sammlung zeigt, sondern auch die erste offizielle Autobiografie der Band.

Queen’s guitarist Brian May, with his “Queen in 3-D” (released October 6), is not only showing an impressive virtual reality experience, which shows more than 300 previously unseen photos from his private collection, but also the first official Autobiography of the band.

Eine royale Krone hat niemals nur einen brillantbesetzten Zacken – vielleicht ist das die Erklärung dafür, warum Brian May es auch mit 70 Jahren noch in so vielen Bereichen auf die Spitze treibt: Als Gitarrist und achtsamer Kronjuwelenverwalter von Queen, als Doktor der Astrophysik und kompetenter Sachbuchautor, dessen Wissen sogar schon die NASA in Anspruch nahm, als begeisterter Blogger und Social-Media-Aficionado, als Gründer des Save Me Trust, der sich unermüdlich für den Schutz von Wildtieren einsetzt, als Kopf hinter ‘Brian May Guitars’, jener Firma, die seine einst mit Vater Harold in achtzehnmonatiger Arbeit gefertigte „Red Special“-Gitarre nachbaut, und: als begeisterter Stereoskopie-Enthusiast.

A royal crown never has a brilliantly tipped face – perhaps it is the explanation why Brian May is still at the age of 70 in so many areas: as a guitarist and an eighth crown jewel administrator from Queen, as a doctor of astrophysics and a competent non-fiction book author , whose knowledge has even claimed NASA, as an avid blogger and social media aficionado, founder of the Save Me Trust , who is tirelessly committed to the protection of wildlife, as the head behind Brian May Guitars, which once rebuilt his “Red Special” guitar, produced by Father Harold in eighteen months’ time, and as an enthusiastic stereoscopic enthusiast.

An dieser Stelle bedarf es womöglich einer Erklärung. „Stereoskopie“ klingt für den Laien wahrscheinlich wie ein unangenehmes medizinisches Untersuchungsverfahren, wie ein Schwippschwager der Endoskopie. Es ist aber eine faszinierende Form der visuellen Illusion. Charles Wheatstone, Professor für Experimentalphysik am Londoner King’s College, erfand 1838 einen Apparat, mit dem er die Funktionsweise des menschlichen Auges imitieren und so auch bei einem zweidimensionalen Bild den Eindruck von Dreidimensionalität erzeugen konnte. Einzige Voraussetzungen: Das Bild musste in zweifacher, nebeneinander angeordneter Ausführung vorhanden sein und die Blickwinkel des Bildpaares exakt um 6,5 cm voneinander abweichen, ganz so wie die Blickwinkel eines Augenpaares.

At this point, it may be necessary to make an explanation. “Stereoscopy” is likely to be an unpleasant medical examination procedure for the layman, like a swimmer of endoscopy. It is however a fascinating form of visual illusion. Charles Wheatstone, Professor of Experimental Physics at London’s King’s College, invented an apparatus for imitating the functioning of the human eye in 1838, thus creating the impression of three-dimensionality in a two-dimensional image. The only prerequisites: the image had to be present in duplicate, arranged side by side and the viewing angle of the picture pair differ exactly by 6.5 cm, just like the viewing angles of a pair of eyes.

Selbst hergestellte Stereobilder

Self-made stereos

Als Brian May im Grundschulalter war, steckten Stereofotos als Beigaben in den Müslipackungen – ein äußerst kindgerechtes Verkaufsargument. Mit elf Jahren investierte der kleine Brian dann seine Ersparnisse in einen Stereobetrachter, der es schließlich ermöglichte, diese Bilder endlich auch dreidimensional sehen zu können. Der clevere Junge durchschaute das Prinzip der Stereoskopie schnell und simulierte es mit einer ganz normalen, einfachen Kleinbildkamera, indem er zwei nahezu identische Bilder machte (allerdings mit den besagten 6,5 cm Blickwinkelunterschied), sie nebeneinander auf Pappe klebte und dann durch sein Müslischachtelbilder-Stereoskop betrachtete. Es funktionierte! Er fühlte sich wie ein Wissenschaftler, aber ein bisschen auch wie ein Unternehmer und schrieb den ausgedachten Firmennamen “Seethroo Ltd. Feltham” auf seine sorgfältig datierten, selbst hergestellten Stereobilder.

When Brian May was in the basic school age, stereophotos were put in the mueslip packs as an extremely child-friendly sales argument. At the age of eleven, the little Brian then invested his savings in a stereobetter, which finally made it possible to finally view these three-dimensional images. The clever boy quickly looked through the principle of stereoscopy and simulated it with a normal, simple camera, by making two almost identical pictures (with the same 6.5 cm angle difference), sticking them side by side on cardboard and then using his muesli- Stereoscope. It worked! He felt like a scientist, but also a bit like an entrepreneur, writing the imagined company name “Seethroo Ltd.”.

Erst 15 Jahre später, während einer Amerika-Tour mit Queen im Jahr 1974, erstand May seine erste richtige Stereokamera, von denen noch unzählige weitere folgen sollten. Second-Hand-Fotoläden gehörten für ihn fortan zum Pflichtprogramm in jeder Stadt, in der Queen auftraten. Seit Mitte der Siebziger hatte er also immer eine Stereokamera im Handgepäck. Über 300 seiner privaten Queen-Fotos sind nun erstmals im 256 Seiten umfassenden Buch „Queen in 3-D“ zu sehen – wobei auch einige Bilder ohne 3-D-Option darunter sind, ebenso ein paar Aufnahmen aus Mays Familienalbum (Mutter, Vater, Ex-Gattin, aktuelle Gattin, Kinder und natürlich May selbst).

Only 15 years later, during an America tour with Queen in 1974, May got his first real stereo camera, of which countless more should follow. Second-hand photographs were a must for him in every city where Queen appeared. Since the middle of the seventies he always had a stereo camera in his hand luggage. More than 300 of his private Queen photos are now available for the first time in the 256-page book “Queen in 3-D”, which includes some pictures without a 3-D option, as well as a few recordings from Mays Familienalbum (mother, Ex-wife, current wife, children and of course May himself).

Der etwas andere Blick auf Queen

The slightly different view of Queen

Damit der geneigte Leser die 3-D-Bilder auch in voller Schönheit bewundern kann, hat May einen Stereobetrachter entwickelt, der auseinandergeklappt wie eine Eule aussieht (daher sein Name: „OWL“) und von jedem, der das Überraschungsei-Konstruktionsdiplom besitzt, in 10 Sekunden zusammengebaut werden kann. Alle anderen werden wohl 15 Sekunden brauchen. Mit anderen Worten: Es ist wirklich kinderleicht. Auf dem aus gelbem Plastik gefertigten Stereobetrachter, der zusammen mit „Queen in 3-D“ in einem sehr haltbaren Premiumpappschuber steckt, prangt das Wappen der London Stereoscopic Company (gar nicht unähnlich dem Queen-Wappen!). Sie wurde 1854 auf der Londoner Oxford Street gegründet und bot europaweit das größte Sortiment an Stereobildern und Stereobetrachtern an. 1922, als die Geschäfte nicht mehr so gut liefen, wurde das Geschäft jedoch aufgelöst. Gut 85 Jahre später hat Brian May die London Stereoscopic Company zusammen mit einigen engagierten Mitstreitern reaktiviert und gibt unter diesem Namen neben Stereobilder-Sets, -Büchern und -Betrachtern nun auch „Queen in 3-D“ heraus.

In order for the inclined reader to admire the 3-D images in full beauty, May has developed a stereobooker, which looks like an owl (hence its name: “OWL”), and everyone who owns the Surprise Construction Design 10 seconds can be assembled. All others will need 15 seconds. In other words, it is really child-friendly. The coat of arms of the London Stereoscopic Company (not unlike the Queen’s coat of arms) is emblazoned on the stereobook, which is made of yellow plastic, which together with “Queen in 3-D” is in a very durable premium cardboard box. It was founded in London on Oxford Street in 1854 and offered Europe’s largest assortment of stereobooks and stereobooks. In 1922, when the business was not going so well, the business was dissolved.London Stereoscopic Company, along with some dedicated contributors, and is now releasing “Queen in 3-D” as well as stereo sets, books and viewers.

Wenn man den Dreh mit dem Blick durch den „OWL“-Stereobetrachter raushat, was erstaunlich schnell geht und leicht verständlich erklärt wird, ist dieses Buch ein wahres Juwel. So nah dran war man bei Queen noch nie! Man kann die Wärme des Bühnenscheinwerferlichts förmlich spüren, kann beinahe fühlen, wie der Tourbus über nächtliche Autobahnen rauscht, hört die besonders euphorischen japanischen Fans jubeln und meint manchmal sogar, den Rockstarschweiß riechen zu können. Man sieht Freddie Mercury höchst konzentriert unter der Trockenhaube sitzen oder turnend an einer Kleiderstange, erlebt den sonst so stillen Bassisten John Deacon mit spitzbübischem Grinsen, Schlagzeuger Roger Taylor und seine damalige Freundin im Bandurlaub auf Hawaii und Brian May bei Selfie-Experimenten (er hat schon in den Siebzigern Lightpainting gemacht!).

The book is a real jewel when you look at it with a view through the “OWL” stereobook, which is amazingly fast and easy to understand. So close you were with Queen never before! You can almost feel the warmth of the stage light, you can almost feel the tour bus rushing over nightly highways, the especially euphoric Japanese fans are cheering and sometimes even smell the rockstar sweat. You can see Freddie Mercury sitting under a dry hood or playing a clothes rail, watching the otherwise quiet bassist John Deacon with a mischievous grin, drummer Roger Taylor and his then girlfriend on the band vacation in Hawaii and Brian May in self-experiments in the seventies lightpainting!).

Bisher nie gesehene Queen-Impressionen

Never seen Queen impressions

Der Leser erfährt nicht nur eine Menge über den Queen-Tournee-und-Studio-Alltag (unter anderem auch jenen in den Münchener Musicland Studios, in denen „The Game“, „Hot Space“, „The Works“ und „A Kind Of Magic“ aufgenommen wurden), sondern lernt nebenbei auch die Menschen hinter den Kulissen kennen: Roadies, Promoter, Tourmanager, Tontechniker, persönliche Assistenten, Videoregisseure. Man sieht die Band als Touristen fernab des Tourlebens, etwa in einem Spielzeugladen in Zagreb, in der Wüste von Las Vegas oder in Ost-Berlin. Und man darf sie dreidimensional in ganz privaten Momenten erleben – backstage oder auch mit ihren Partnern und Kindern.

Not only does the reader learn a lot about the Queen’s tour and studio life (including those at Munich’s Musicland Studios, where “The Game”, “Hot Space”, “The Works” and “A Kind Of Magic “), but also gets to know the people behind the scenes: roadies, promoters, tour managers, sound technicians, personal assistants, video gauges. You can see the band as a tourist away from the tourist life, for example in a toy store in Zagreb, in the desert of Las Vegas or in East Berlin. And you can experience them three-dimensionally in very private moments – backstage or even with their partners and children.

May hat zu jedem Foto mindestens eine unvergessliche Anekdote parat, die er in angenehmem Plauderton erzählt, den man von seinem Blog „Bri’s Soapbox“ kennt. Es ist ein privater, vertraulicher, vollkommen allürenfreier und gerne auch mal selbstironischer Ton. Während man durch den Stereobetrachter die dreidimensional lebendig werdenden Bilder bestaunt, hat man beinahe das Gefühl, in Mays Wohnzimmer auf dem Sofa zu sitzen und gemeinsam sein privates, auf magische Weise mit einer Zeitmaschine verbundenes Fotoalbum durchzublättern. Man kann fast den Windzug seiner mittlerweile grauen Lockenpracht spüren, wenn er sich nach vorne beugt, um ein Bild genauer zu erklären.

May has at least one unforgettable anecdote to each photo, which he tells in a pleasant conversation tune, which one knows from his blog “Bri’s Soapbox”. It is a private, confidential, completely self-sufficient, and also sometimes self-centering tone. While you are amazed at the three-dimensional images that live through the stereobook, you almost feel like sitting in the living room on the sofa and flipping through your private photo album, magically linked to a time machine. You can almost feel the wind of its now gray curl, when he bends forward to explain a picture more precisely.

Für seine Bandkollegen findet May in dem sehr ausführlichen Begleittext, der gefühlt etwa die Hälfte des Buches ausmacht (der Begriff „Bildband“ würde dem Werk also keineswegs gerecht), ausschließlich liebevolle Worte: Den nach dem gemeinsamen Auftritt mit Elton John in Paris im Januar 1997 endgültig ausgestiegenen John Deacon nennt er überdurchschnittlich häufig „Deacy“, lobt Freddie Mercurys oft unterschätzten Gitarrenkünste und Roger Taylors modische Geschmackssicherheit. Auch andere Künstler und Bands werden anerkennend erwähnt: May hält The Who für einen der besten Live-Acts der Welt, Eric Clapton ist ein Held für ihn, von Led Zeppelin haben Queen sich die Bühnenbeleuchtungs-Ästhetik abgeguckt und über Aerosmith könnte er vielleicht Geschichten erzählen… (macht er aber nicht).

For his band colleagues, May finds in the very detailed accompanying text, which makes about half of the book (the term “picture book” would not do justice to the work), exclusively loving words: after the joint appearance with Elton John in Paris in January 1997 John Deacon, a formerly actor, he often calls “Deacy,” praises Freddie Mercury’s often underestimated guitars and Roger Taylor’s fashionable taste. Other artists and bands are also acknowledged: May holds The Who for one of the best live acts in the world, Eric Clapton is a hero for him, Led Zeppelin Queen have looked down on stage lighting aesthetics, and perhaps he could tell stories about Aerosmith … (but he does not).

Queen hätten nie Pelz tragen dürfen

Queen could never wear fur

Der Gitarrist ist allerdings auch dafür bekannt, keine deutlichen Worte zu scheuen: Dass die Band einst Pelz trug, wie auf einigen der Fotos zu sehen ist, geht im Nachhinein natürlich gar nicht mehr, auch Pferderennen (das Queen-Album „A Day At The Races“ wurde 1976 bei einem Pferderennen vorgestellt) sind für den engagierten Tierschützer mittlerweile verachtenswert. May ist niemand, der sich diplomatisch windet und davor drückt, seine Meinung zu äußern. Wann immer sich eine Möglichkeit bietet, trägt er seine Ansichten in die Welt – auch in diesem Buch, etwa bezüglich Trump, Brexit, Nationalismus, Krieg, Nachhaltigkeit und immer wieder Tierschutz (seit 2008 ist er auch Präsident der „Royal Society For The Prevention Of Cruelty To Animals“, der weltgrößten Tierschutzorganisation).

The guitarist is, however, known for not saying a single word: the fact that the band used to wear fur, as can be seen in some of the photos, does not go any further, after all, even horse-racing (the Queen album “A Day At The Races “was presented in 1976 with a horse racing) are meanwhile despicable for the committed animal protectionist. May is no one who is diplomatic and expresses his opinion. Whenever there is a possibility, he carries his views into the world – also in this book, about Trump, Brexit, nationalism, war, sustainability and animal protection (since 2008 he is also president of the “Royal Society For The Prevention Of Cruelty To Animals “, the world’s largest animal protection organization).

Mit der Band-Historie von Queen haben diese (allerdings wirklich nur kleinen) thematischen Ausflüge auf den ersten Blick nichts zu tun. Wenn man aber bedenkt, dass May in den mit Queen bereisten Ländern nicht nur um sich selbst kreiste, sondern immer auch den Blick über den Rockstar-Tellerrand in fremde Kulturen gepflegt und genossen hat, und dass Musik stets danach strebt, ein verbindendes Element zu sein, dann ergeben seine gesellschaftlichen Kommentare auch im Bandkontext Sinn.

With the band history of Queen these (but really only small) thematic excursions at first sight nothing to do. But when you consider that May in the countries traveled with Queen not only circled around herself, but also has always looked over the rock star box in foreign cultures cultivated and enjoyed, and that music always strives to be a connecting element , then his social commentaries also make sense in the context of the band context.

Musikalisches Vermächtnis

Musical legacy

Die Kapitel zwischen dem letzten Queen-Konzert im Londoner Knebworth Park am 9. August 1986 und der Premiere des Queen-Musicals im Jahr 2002 werden vollständig ausgespart – was sehr angenehm und taktvoll ist. Niemand braucht Fotos von einem gesundheitlich angeschlagenen Mercury. Dafür finden auf den letzten 25 Seiten des Buches auch Paul Rodgers und Adam Lambert Erwähnung, die jedoch niemals als Freddie-Ersatz gedacht waren, was ja auch sowieso völlig undenkbar wäre, sondern als Möglichkeit, das musikalische Vermächtnis von Queen aufrechtzuerhalten und auch für jüngere Generationen erlebbar zu machen.

The chapters between the last Queen concert in London’s Knebworth Park on August 9, 1986 and the premiere of the Queen’s musical in 2002 are completely sung – which is very pleasant and tactful. No one needs photos of a health-assured Mercury. Paul Rodgers and Adam Lambert, however, were never mentioned as Freddie substitutes, which would be quite unthinkable anyway, but as an opportunity to maintain the musical legacy of Queen and also for younger generations experience.

Nicht nur für Fans, sondern auch für lockere Sympathisanten der Band ist das ausgesprochen hochwertig aufgemachte „Queen in 3-D“-Buch ein grandioses Erlebnis, denn es gewährt Einblicke in den Queen-Kosmos, die man in dieser Form noch nie sehen durfte. Und es gelingt diesem Mammut-Werk sogar auch dann noch zu überzeugen, wenn man sich nicht unbedingt für die Band, sondern primär für den 3-D-Effekt begeistert – May hat nebenbei genügend Fotografie-Nerdtalk untergebracht, um den interessierten Fotofan genauso erfolgreich abzuholen. It’s a kind of magic.

Not only for fans, but also for loose fans of the band is the exceptionally high-quality “Queen in 3-D” book a grand experience, because it gives insights into the Queen cosmos, which one could never see in this form. And it is even possible to convince this mammoth work if one is not necessarily enthusiastic about the band, but primarily for the 3-D effect – May has also accommodated enough photography nerdtalk to pick up the interested photo fan just as successfully , It’s a kind of magic.

(earBOOKS, 39,95 Euro)

 

 

SAVONA NEWS
 3 October 2017 by Graziano De Valle

ENGLISH TRANSLATION BY BARBARA MUCCI – with thanks: [Italian  text follows]

“Queen in 3-D” translated by Raffaella Rolla: “I’m happy to live in Val Bormida”

“I’m so proud to have worked on this project. I found it so exciting and interesting”

An intimate vision of the band from the inside, in 3-D style. This is the basis of “Queen in 3-D”, a stereoscopic masterpiece which tells the story of the famous British rock band through Brian May’s snapshots and memories.

From an early age Brian would travel with a stereo (3-D) camera in hand, so on Queen tours and during recordings he was able to capture rare behind-the-scenes moments of one of the world’s greatest rock bands. Initially thought by Brian to be a quick job, this project turned into a labour of love for May and his team, which spanned three years.

The book features more than 300 never-seen-before stereo pictures, and it will be published in Italian language on 6th October by Edel Italy. Raffaella Rolla, who was born in Milan but now lives in Val Bormida, is the official translator. “I’m glad I moved to Val Bormida, where I can continue my work as a translator in the peace and tranquility of this valley and the nature that surrounds me – she says – I know, there are those who want to live in big cities and want to get away from the valley. I’ve made the opposite choice, I’ve decided to move here”.

“My relationship with Queen dates back to more than 25 years ago, and although my literary and linguistic training is British (having graduated in England), the first contacts with them were not for professional reasons”, Raffaella explains. “In 1991, struck by Freddie’s demise, I decided to do something concrete about the fight against AIDS, so I joined a voluntary association based in Milan, the ASA, and tried to help. I was involved in some initiatives including the organization of charity events in memory of Freddie Mercury, and that was how I came into contact with Queen’s management. I asked for the permission and sponsorship for organizing these events and their supervision or control over the funds raised. Since then, having organized these shows for three consecutive years, I gained the confidence of Queen’s manager and later of the band. During the following years, a good relationship was established both at personal and work level and, not surprisingly, they often came to me for translations and collaborations of various kinds, , for the Italian production of their musical “We Will Rock You” for example, which arrived in Italy thanks to Barley Arts”.

“I’ve known Brian for over 20 years now. To be honest, I wasn’t the one who contacted him for the book, but Brian himself wanted me to do that, expressly asking the publisher that the translation was entrusted to me because I know the subject, but above all I know Brian very well, his way of writing and expressing himself, and for Brian, this is crucial”, she says. “As with all his collaborators, he wants everything to be in the hands of the right and most competent person to do that job. That’s why, as for the translation of this book, he said that his words are safe in my hands. Over the years, we developed an excellent relationship of mutual respect and trust. We reached a good understanding and we share many common interests that rarely have something to do with music. But I always keep things well separated: work and professionalism is one thing, but our personal relationship falls within the private sphere of friendship and, of course, I won’t talk about this latter”.

“Of course I’m proud to have worked on this project that I found so exciting and interesting and I am equally proud of this further proof of respect and trust by Dr. May”, she continues, “and although you know you’ve gone as high as you could in your work, it’s always good to feel appreciated and respected. Obviously, this is not the first book I translated for him, but already in 2015 ‘Brian May’s Red Special’ was published, the story of homemade guitar built with the help of his father, and over the years I collaborated with other projects related to Queen, such as the musical I have nominated above, or initiatives such as the permanent exhibition called ‘Queen Studio Experience’ in Montreux for the Mercury Phoenix Trust (the Aids Fighting Association founded in 1992 after Freddie’s death), and many others. However, I would like to point out that although Queen have played an important role in my life, and they continue to, my job as a translator is not limited to them. In fact, in 2017, in addition to the publication of ‘Queen in 3-D’, I am proud to have completed some equally prestigious and important projects such as the travelling exhibition dedicated to Napoleon, which will open its doors in Turin at the end of October, and the collaboration with the International Alba White Truffle Fair (starting these very days), and all the events associated with it. This is to point out that, quoting Freddie Mercury who used to say ‘If you’re going to do something, do it with style’, I love my work and I feel strongly committed with each project”.

The engineer Paola Riccucci also took part in the Italian edition of the book. “In addition to being a friend of Brian May”, she explains, “she is a great stereoscopic expert and I personally wanted her as a photography consultant”.

“At present, given Dr. May’s many commitments, both on Queen front and on the extra-musical one, not least his commitment to the battles in defence of animal rights, with his “Save Me” association, a date has not yet been scheduled”, Raffaella says, “but I know that the publisher is making arrangements and let’s see if we can have him a few days in Italy before he starts with the Queen + Adam Lambert European Tour. To be honest, the book is about Queen and focuses on 3-D photography, and given Brian’s passion for photography I would not mind inviting him here in Val Bormida, perhaps at the opening of the Ferrania Film Museum, but it’s not up to me to propose it”.

The book is published in a box with a 3-D lenticular photo on the cover and featuring an exclusive 3-D stereoscope (OWL) patented by Brian May.

 

 

ITALIAN ORIGINAL
I ‘Queen 3-D’ tradotti da Raffaella Rolla: “Felice di vivere in Val Bormida”

“Fiera di aver lavorato a questo progetto che ho trovato molto appassionante e interessante”
[‘Queen 3-D’ translated by Raffaella Rolla: “Happy to live in Val Bormida”]

Una visione intima dall’interno della band in formato 3D. E’ questo il canovaccio del libro ‘Queen in 3-D’, un capolavoro in stile stereoscopico che racconta la storia della famosa band britannica attraverso i ricordi e gli scatti di Brian May.

Fin dagli esordi, il noto chitarrista era solito portare con sé una stereocamera (3-D), così durante i tour dei Queen o durante le registrazioni poteva catturare dei rari momenti dietro le quinte di una delle più grandi rock band mondiali. Pensato come una realizzazione veloce, il libro è stato terminato da May dopo oltre tre anni di lavoro.

L’opera che raccoglie più di 300 illustrazioni stereo inedite, sarà presentata in lingua italiana il prossimo 6 ottobre da ‘Edel Italy’. La traduzione è stata eseguita da Raffaella Rolla, milanese di nascita, ma residente da circa sei anni in Val Bormida. “Sono felice di essermi trasferita in Val Bormida, dove posso continuare la mia attività di traduttrice nella pace e tranquillità di questa valle e della natura che mi circonda – racconta – lo so, c’è chi desidera la grande città e vuole scappare dalla valle. Io ho fatto la scelta contraria, ho deciso di trasferirmi qua”.

“Il mio rapporto con i Queen risale a più di 25 anni fa e sebbene la mia formazione linguistica letteraria sia ‘british’, essendomi laureata in Inghilterra, i primi contatti con loro non furono per motivi di lavoro – spiega Raffaella – nel 1991, colpita dalla scomparsa di Freddie, decisi di fare qualcosa di concreto per la lotta contro l’Aids, cosi mi unii a un’associazione di volontariato milanese, l’ASA, e cercai di dare il mio aiuto. Mi impegnai in alcune iniziative fra cui l’organizzazione di eventi di beneficenza in memoria di Freddie Mercury e fu così che venni a contatto con il management dei Queen. Chiesi l’autorizzazione e il patrocinio per poter organizzare questi eventi e la loro supervisione, ovvero un controllo sui fondi raccolti. Da allora, avendo poi organizzato questi spettacoli per 3 anni consecutivi, ottenni la fiducia del manager dei Queen e in seguito della band. Con gli anni si instaurò un buon rapporto sia a livello personale sia lavorativo e, non a caso, si rivolsero spesso a me per traduzioni e collaborazioni di vario genere come per esempio, per la produzione italiana del loro musical We Will Rock You che approdò in Italia grazie a Barley Arts”.

“Conosco Brian da più di 20 anni ormai. Per questo libro, ad essere sinceri, non sono stata io a contattare lui, ma è stato Brian a scegliermi, chiedendo espressamente all’editore che la traduzione fosse affidata a me perché, oltre a conoscere l’argomento, conosco bene lui, il suo modo di scrivere e di esprimersi, e per Brian, questo è fondamentale – racconta – Come per tutti i suoi collaboratori, lui vuole che ogni cosa sia nelle mani della persona più adatta e competente a svolgere quel lavoro. È anche per questo che, per quanto riguarda la traduzione di questo libro, ha dichiarato che le sue parole sono al sicuro e in ottime mani con me. Nel corso degli anni con Brian si è sviluppato un ottimo rapporto di reciproca stima e fiducia. C’è una buona intesa e condividiamo molti interessi che raramente sono collegati con la musica. Ma tengo sempre ben separate le cose, un conto è il lavoro e la professionalità e un altro è il rapporto personale che rientra nella sfera privata dell’amicizia e di quest’ultimo ovviamente non ne parlo”.

“Naturalmente sono fiera di aver lavorato a questo progetto che ho trovato molto appassionante ed interessante e sono altrettanto fiera dell’ennesima dimostrazione di stima e fiducia da parte del dr. May – prosegue – per quanto si sia consapevoli di dare sempre il massimo nel proprio lavoro, fa sempre piacere sentirsi apprezzati e rispettati. Ovviamente non è il primo libro che ho tradotto per lui, già nel 2015 fu pubblicato “La Red Special di Brian May”, la storia della sua chitarra artigianale costruita insieme a suo padre, e nel corso degli anni ho collaborato ad altri progetti legati ai Queen, come il musical che ho nominato in precedenza, oppure ad iniziative come la mostra permanente Queen Studio Experience a Montreux per il Mercury Phoenix Trust (l’associazione per la lotta all’Aids fondata nel 1992 dopo la morte di Freddie), e molti altri ancora. Ci tengo comunque a precisare che sebbene i Queen abbiano avuto un ruolo importante nella mia vita, e continuino ad averlo, la mia attività di traduttrice non si limita a loro. Infatti, in questo 2017, oltre alla pubblicazione di ‘Queen in 3-D’ sono orgogliosa di aver portato a termine dei progetti altrettanto prestigiosi e importanti come la mostra itinerante dedicata a Napoleone, che verrà inaugurata a Torino a fine ottobre, e la collaborazione con la Fiera Internazionale del Tartufo d’Alba, aperta in questi giorni, e gli eventi ad essa collegati. Questo per ribadire che, per citare Freddie Mercury ‘Qualsiasi cosa tu faccia, falla con stile’, amo il mio lavoro e mi dedico con passione ad ogni progetto”.

Alla realizzazione dell’edizione italiana ha preso parte anche l’ingegnere Paola Riccucci. “Oltre ad essere anche lei un’amica di Brian May – spiega – è una grande esperta di stereoscopia e l’ho voluta personalmente in qualità di consulente per la fotografia”.

“Al momento, dati i molteplici impegni del Dr May, sia sul fronte Queen sia su quello extra musicale, non ultimo il suo impegno nelle battaglie in difesa degli animali, con la sua associazione “Save Me”, non è ancora stata stabilita una data – conclude Raffaella – Ma so che l’editore ne sta parlando e vediamo se riusciamo ad averlo qualche giorno in Italia, prima che riparta con il tour europeo dei Queen + Adam Lambert. Sinceramente, visto che il libro parla dei Queen ed è incentrato sulla fotografia in 3D, e considerando la passione di Brian per la fotografia a me non dispiacerebbe poterlo invitare qui in Val Bormida, magari in occasione dell’inaugurazione del ‘Ferrania Film Museum’. Ma non sta a me proporlo!”.

Il libro si presenta in un cofanetto con foto lenticolare 3-D in copertina e con un esclusivo stereoscopio OWL 3-D brevettato dallo stesso Brian May.

 

BA Magazine [British Airways] have published interview with Brian in their “My Club” section. The interview took place back in May 2017, covering touring and Queen in 3-D.

The item is in advance of a BA audio documentary on Queen in 3-D and the London Stereoscopic Company,

Read more in:
THE CLUB
October 2017

MY CLUB: BRIAN MAY

A photo taken in Japan by Brian May (featured in ‘Queen in 3-D’)

The rock legend and astrophysicist has been Queen’s unofficial behind-the-scenes photographer during the band’s tours since the 1970s, resulting in his fascinating new book, Queen in 3-D. Here, the Gold Executive Club Member talks to The Club about his bucket list destination, being inspired by Japan, and why he loves flying with BA.

How did you get the idea for your book?
I’m always taking stereoscopic photographs – I find it fascinating. The magic of 3D has been with me since I was a kid, so I always snapped away on tour, in dressing rooms, on boats and on planes, but it’s only recently I’ve thought to share those photos. In the end, it was hard to know what to leave out. Every picture has a memory.

Where have you toured the most?
We did long tours every year in the USA during the 1970s. It was the centre of rock music at that time. We were just kids from London, we hadn’t seen anything like it, especially Kansas City. The cars were massive and we were in a cowboy town – it was mind-blowing.

Most inspiring place you’ve visited?
Japan was inspirational for us and it was unexpected because the previous generation had been at war with the Japanese, and that was still very much a present memory. We had a massive connection with the people – we turned into a real rock band in Japan. Unlike most bands who would just stick to Tokyo and Osaka, we toured to Kobe, Hiroshima and Nara. I love the gardens, the temples, the whole way of life.

Where is on your bucket list?
Antarctica, to meet the penguins and take in their culture – and, of course, visit the International Space Station (pictured). I’m lucky to have toured pretty much everywhere, apart from Russia and China.

How do you balance touring with visiting a new destination?
I try to do it all. You have a limited time to explore a wonderful place you’re probably not going to visit again for another couple of years – or maybe ever. My tip is to go up a tall building because you can get a good feel of a city from the highest vantage point. But we’re not tourists and there to visit museums – we’re there to meet and interact with local people.

What do you love most about travelling with BA?
The staff are always friendly and happy to help – nothing is too small for them. The service really stands out.  

Queen in 3-D by Brian May (The London Stereoscopic Company, £50) is available worldwide. Queen will be touring Europe, Australia and New Zealand from 1 November 2017 (queenonline.com)

Listen out for a new audio documentry with Brian May, which will be aired onboard flights on High Life Entertainment in the not-so-distant future.

Interview by Katie Gatens

An extensive piece on Queen in 3-D has appeared in the Italian Frammenti magazine

Article translated to ENGLISH – Italian follows below

FRAMMENTI MAGAZINE

“Queen in 3-D”: Queen as you’ve never seen themQueen as you have never seen them, guaranteed!

29 September 2017 Lorena Nasi 0 Fotografia, Musica/

The Italian version of the 3-D Queen in 3-D book, written in first person by Brian May, including more than 300 stereo photos and a stereoscopic viewer designed by him, will be released on October 6th.

“Queen’s music has crossed every barrier of age, race, colour and religion since our first meeting in 1970, when we decided, early on, that we would change the world! I am proud of our efforts, and I hope that this book will convey part of those beautiful feelings that we ourselves have experienced while all this happened. You have all seen Queen from the outside. Now enjoy them from the inside, in 3-D “.
Brian May, from the book’s preface.

Yes, you read it well. We are talking about Queen and this is not yet another book about the world-renowned rock band that has changed the history of music. First of all, because it is written directly by Brian May, without the involvement of any ghost writer, and secondly because it features more than 300 unpublished images. And these are not just pictures of Freddie, Roger, John and Brian during their career and the many world tours: they are stereophotos mainly taken by Brian himself with his stereoscopic cameras. These 3-D illustrations printed in the book can be viewed thanks to a special device, the stereoscopic OWL viewer, designed and patented by Brian May, and which is included in the box set.

Video unboxing https://youtu.be/sNovltIBgZU

“To have a real stereoscopic vision you need two images of the same subject taken in a way that the perspective of the two points of view is as similar as possible to that of the human eyes, considering that the average distance between the two eyes is 65 mm “(Donato Consonni,”Il grande libro delle camere Ferrania” The great book of Ferrania’s photo cameras). The intuition that stereopsis, i.e. this natural human mechanism, could be artificially recreated came from Charles Wheatstone, who in the first half of the XIX century invented the stereoscope, using it with drawings made from two different viewpoints, since photography itself was about to be invented at that time.

But how was Brian May’s passion for stereo photography born? As he himself tells us in the book, he had this “brainwave” when he was 12. It all came from a Weetabix cereal box that included a picture with two almost identical photos of animals and a coupon to receive a Vistascreen viewer to enjoy them in 3-D. From that moment a great enthusiasm and interest in stereo-photography grew with him. Brian bought his first 35mm stereocamber in 1974, during the first Queen tour in the States, and since then he just couldn’t do without these devices, and he captured in a most original and suggestive way almost 50 years of the band’s history. Since 2006 he has also been running The London Stereoscopic Company, the publisher of the book.

Queen in 3-D will be released for the Italian market on October 6th, published by Edel Italy and can be ordered here.

As we did for Brian May’s book on his Red Special, we’d like to talk about Queen in 3-D asking for the very precious collaboration of Raffaella Rolla, who worked on the Italian translation and who is defined by Brian in his video as “my wonderful friend Raffa”.

Hi Raffaella and thank you again for being always available for us. We already know, from the previous interview, about your connection with Queen and Brian May in particular. We know him as a musician, astrophysicist, philosopher, writer and stereo photographer…. A lover of art and science, a multi-faceted man. I have the impression we never get to know everything about him…. Queen in 3-D was defined as “the closest thing to an autobiography that May ever wrote”. Is there a “new” part of Brian and of the other band members arising from the lines of the book, which had not emerged yet?

A lot of books have been written about Queen over the years, however none of them was written by a founding member of the band. In this book there are photos taken backstage or in private moments of leisure and relax, and behind each single shot there’s an interesting story or an anecdote. And all these stories can only be told by someone who was there and experienced those moments and situations directly. Mind you, this has nothing to do with gossip or scandalistic stories, they are ordinary portraits of everyday life, of a personal experience. This is not just a 360-degree view on the Queen world, it is actually an X-ray view!

Brian May shows the Italian version of  “Queen in 3-D”

Queen in 3-D is a plunge into the past of Queen’s history and Brian’s life. As you worked on the Italian translation, is there an episode in particular that struck you most? Maybe an anecdote you didn’t know that is tied to a stereophoto, for example?

I truly loved the book as a whole, because it condenses in a most effective way the band’s history from the beginning to the present-day, but I loved it even more because it’s so exciting to see these memories that come to the surface and flow, picture after picture, like in a Joycean “stream of consciousness”. The multiple facets of Dr May are enshrined here: the man, the artist, the son, the father. The photos that struck me most are the personal ones: for instance, when he turned up at his parents’ house with his first important car to show that choosing music rather than an academic career had not been such a reckless idea after all; or for example when he tells about his cat Squeaky, how he saved her, took care of her and the promises he made to her. But there are so many to enjoy.

The project of this book took about three years. Did Brian expect to have much material?

It took three years to complete this book because Brian is always very busy and he cannot commit himself exclusively to a single project, and because it has not been easy to select the photos to be published. He has gathered so many over the years and I am sure there would be enough material at least for another volume if he felt like doing it! But I don’t think another titanic challenge like this would cross Dr May’s mind. Nevertheless, he is such an unpredictable man, always in action and “multi-tasking”, if we could define him this way. And one of his main qualities is to be able to work on multiple projects, at the same time, and accomplish them in a most excellent way.

Apart from diehard fans and Queen enthusiasts, who should have this elegant Queen in 3-D box set on their bedside table?

It is an interesting book from many points of view, it is not only meant for fans or for lovers of photography, it is definitely a book for everyone. Brian introduces the readers into the magic world of stereoscopy and, by explaining in simple words, he gets them involved in his own passion. It’s not a boring book and actually, you are looking forward to moving on to the next photo and hear his story. Then again, Brian always manages to make everything he does so interesting, he puts his heart in it, and this can be perceived in his music, his photos, his words.

CURIOSITY. The Stereoscopic Photography Accessories data sheet written by Donato Consonni, whose link was provided, is about the Condor camera, produced by Ferrania with Officine Galileo, between 1947 and 1952. The Ferrania factory will be the protagonist of one of our articles in the coming months, at the opening of the Ferrania Film Museum in Cairo Montenotte (SV). We thank Alessandro Bechis, collaborator for research and advisory activities for the museum.

===

IN ITALIAN:

FRAMMENTI MAGAZINE

“Queen in 3-D”: i Queen come non li avete mai vist
29 settembre 2017 Lorena Nasi 0 Fotografia, Musica,

«La musica dei Queen ha attraversato ogni barriera di età, razza, colore e religione fin dal nostro primo incontro, intorno al 1970, quando decidemmo, precocemente, che avremmo cambiato il mondo! Sono fiero dei nostri sforzi, e spero che questo libro trasmetta parte di quelle belle sensazioni che noi stessi abbiamo provato mentre tutto ciò accadeva. Avete visto tutti i Queen dall’esterno. Ora godeteveli dall’interno, in 3-D». Brian May, dalla prefazione del libro.

Eh sì, avete letto bene. Stiamo parlando dei Queen e questo non è l’ennesimo libro sulla rock band di fama mondiale che ha cambiato la storia della musica. Primo perché è scritto direttamente da Brian May, senza aver coinvolto nessun ghost writer, secondo perché raccoglie più di 300 immagini inedite. E non si tratta di semplici fotografie che ritraggono Freddie Mercury, Roger Taylor, John Deacon e Brian durante la loro carriera e i numerosi tour in giro per il mondo: sono stereofoto realizzate per lo più da Brian stesso con le sue fotocamere stereoscopiche. Queste illustrazioni 3-D riprodotte nel libro sono visionabili grazie a uno strumento, il visore stereoscopico OWL, ideato e brevettato da Brian May, incluso nel cofanetto del volume.

«Per ottenere una vera e propria visione stereoscopica occorrono due immagini del soggetto riprese in modo che la prospettiva dei due punti di vista sia il più possibile simile a quella degli occhi umani, considerando che la distanza media tra le pupille dei due occhi è di 65 mm» (Donato Consonni, “Il grande libro delle fotocamere Ferrania”). L’intuizione che la stereopsi, ossia questo meccanismo umano naturale, potesse essere riprodotta artificialmente fu di Charles Wheatstone che nella prima metà dell’Ottocento inventò lo stereoscopio, usandolo con disegni realizzati da due visuali differenti, in quanto la fotografia stava per essere inventata proprio in quel periodo.

Ma a cosa si deve la passione di Brian May per la stereofotografia? Come racconta lui stesso nel libro, la “folgorazione” arrivò quando aveva 12 anni. Il tutto nacque da una scatola di cereali Weetabix che conteneva una cartolina con due foto quasi identiche di animali e l’offerta per ricevere un visore Vistascreen per poterle ammirare in 3-D. Da lì in poi, l’entusiasmo e l’interesse per la stereofotografia crebbe con lui. Brian acquistò la prima stereocamera 35 mm nel ’74, durante il primo tour dei Queen negli USA, e da allora non ha più potuto fare a meno di questi dispositivi, immortalando in maniera originale e suggestiva quasi 50 anni di storia della band. Dal 2006 dirige inoltre The London Stereoscopic Company, editrice del libro.

Queen in 3-D
Foto di Neal Preston, Morumbi Stadium, 1981

Il libro uscirà per il mercato italiano il prossimo 6 ottobre edito da Edel Italy ed è prenotabile qui.

Queen in 3-D

Il contenuto del cofanetto Queen in 3-D

Come nel caso del libro sulla Red Special di Brian May, anche per parlare di Queen in 3-D ci avvaliamo della collaborazione della preziosissima Raffaella Rolla, colei che ne ha curato la traduzione italiana ed è citata nel video di Brian come «la mia meravigliosa amica Raffa».

Ciao Raffaella e grazie ancora per essere sempre così disponibile con noi. Già dalla scorsa intervista sappiamo del tuo legame con i Queen e con Brian May in particolare. Lo conosciamo come musicista, astrofisico, filosofo, scrittore e stereofotografo… Un cultore dell’arte e della scienza, un uomo poliedrico. Ho come l’impressione che non si riesca a sapere veramente tutto su di lui… Queen in 3-D è stato definito “la cosa più simile a un’autobiografia che May abbia scritto”. C’è una “nuova” parte di Brian e degli altri componenti della band che traspare dalle righe del libro, che ancora non era emersa?

Sono stati scritti moltissimi libri sui Queen nel corso degli anni, ma nessuno finora è mai stato scritto in prima persona da un membro fondatore e componente della band. In questo libro ci sono foto scattate nel backstage o in momenti di relax e di vita privata, e a questi scatti sono legati altrettanti racconti e aneddoti. Tutte cose che solo chi ha vissuto quei momenti e quelle situazioni può sapere. E non si tratta di gossip o di episodi scandalistici, sono semplici scene di vita quotidiana, di un proprio vissuto. È una visione non solo a 360°, ma a raggi X, del mondo Queen!

Queen in 3-D

Brian May mostra la versione italiana di Queen in 3-D

Queen in 3-D rappresenta un vero e proprio tuffo nel passato della storia dei Queen e della vita di Brian. Avendo avuto l’opportunità di tradurlo, c’è un episodio in particolare che più ti ha colpito? Un aneddoto che non conoscevi legato a una stereofoto ad esempio?

Io ho apprezzato il libro nell’insieme, perché condensa in modo efficace la storia della band dagli inizi al presente, ma ancora di più perché è appassionante vedere questi ricordi che riaffiorano e fluiscono, foto dopo foto, in uno “stream of consciousness” joyciano. Qui sono racchiusi i molteplici aspetti del Dr May: l’uomo, l’artista, il figlio, il padre di famiglia. Le foto che mi hanno più colpito infatti sono state quelle personali: quando ad esempio si presentò con la sua prima macchina importante a casa dei suoi genitori per dimostrare che scegliere la strada della musica e rinunciare alla carriera accademica non era stata una scelta azzardata, oppure quando racconta della sua gatta Squeaky, di come l’ha salvata e si è preso cura di lei e delle promesse che le ha fatto. Ma ce ne sarebbero tanti altri.

Il progetto di questo libro è durato ben tre anni. Brian si aspettava di avere così tanto materiale a disposizione?

Ci sono voluti tre anni per realizzare questo libro sia perché Brian è sempre molto impegnato e non può dedicarsi esclusivamente a un solo progetto, sia perché non è stato semplice selezionare le foto da pubblicare. Ne ha raccolte talmente tante in tutti questi anni e sono certa che ci sarebbe del materiale sufficiente per almeno un altro volume, se solo volesse realizzarlo! Ma non credo che al momento il Dr May abbia in mente un’altra impresa titanica di questo genere. Tuttavia è un uomo imprevedibile, sempre attivo e “multi-tasking” se così vogliamo definirlo. E una delle sue doti principali è di riuscire a lavorare a più progetti contemporaneamente e a portarli al termine in modo egregio.

Queen in 3-D

Fan accaniti o meno a parte, chi non dovrebbe fare a meno di avere l’elegante cofanetto Queen in 3-D sul comodino?

È un libro interessante sotto molti punti di vista, non è rivolto solo ai fan o a agli appassionati di fotografia, è decisamente un libro per tutti. Brian introduce al magico mondo della stereoscopia e, spiegando in parole semplici, coinvolge il lettore in questa sua passione. Non è certo un libro noioso e anzi, non vedi l’ora di passare alla foto successiva e a sentire il suo racconto. D’altronde Brian riesce sempre a rendere interessante tutto ciò che fa, ci mette il cuore, e questo traspare dalla sua musica, dalle sue foto, dalle sue parole.

CURIOSITÀ. La scheda degli Accessori per Fotografia Stereoscopica scritta da Donato Consonni, di cui abbiamo fornito il link, riguarda la fotocamera Condor, prodotta da Ferrania con le Officine Galileo, tra gli anni 1947 e 1952. La fabbrica Ferrania sarà protagonista di un nostro articolo nei prossimi mesi, in occasione dell’apertura del Ferrania Film Museum a Cairo Montenotte (SV). Ringraziamo Alessandro Bechis, collaboratore in ricerca e divulgazione del museo.

Classic Rock Magazine in Italy carries an article on “Queen In 3-D” Book”

(Thanks to Barbara Mucci for English translation)

CLASSIC ROCK – ITALY No 59
HARD STUFF
BOOKS

QUEEN IN 3-D BY BRIAN MAY
THE LONDON STEREOSCOPIC COMPANY
50 £
By Maurizio Becker

IN ENGLISH – ITALIAN TEXT BELOW

“Hello folks. Brian here. I just wanted to tell you a few words about my next book Queen in 3-D. For me, it was a labour of love in every way, it took me about three years to finish it and I could bring it to light because for the most part of my life I had a real thing for stereo photography. So, in those good times with Queen, I’ve always had a stereo-camera with me, and this is a collection of all the pictures I’ve been collecting over the years, many of which, well – many of which have been taken by me, and others by people I’ve handed my stereo-camera for a while”. (Read on below)

When this message by Brian May has been spread on the internet last May, (non sono molto sicura su questa frase…) Queen fans were crossed by a shiver: wow! A wonderful object to buy or give away next Christmas. Moreover, this expensive (but not too much, actually…) big book of 255 pages and 309 images, accompanied by lines and lines written by Brian May himself, is an object unique in some ways. The Owl – the 3-D viewer designed by the guitarist specifically for this book – is housed in the slipcase and realised under the glorious London Stereoscopic Company brand, the London-based company founded in 1854 by George Swan Nottage (but made famous by photographer and inventor William England) in order to launch commercially in Europe the stereoscopic photography, or binocular vision (more simply, three-dimensional vision), which in those years, thanks to Sir Charles Wheatstone’s experiments and studies, became a real fashion.

It’s easy to guess that this is a very funny game: you can sit in a chair, preferably after putting an old Queen album on the turntable, then you can open the book, place the Owl on the pages and dive through the story of Freddie Mercury’s band in 3-D. A sort of “homemade”3-D, needless to say, maybe not as sparkling as the lenticular one that adorns the cover of the book, but equally fascinating. What’s important is dreaming, isn’t it?

Narration starts far back in time, as Brian has always been into music and photography (and 3-D, of course!) since he was a young boy. Step by step, picture after picture, caption after caption, all the way up to our day, to Queen pharaonic show in the “Lambert era” held in Barcelona on 22nd May 2016, and to the realisation of Bohemian Rhapsody‘s 3-D version in cooperation with Google. Then, obviously, the most exciting pages – those of Freddie Mercury with Queen.

Memories of their debut album, the first perception of the great American success (at the Orpheum in Boston, Massachussetts, February 1975), the first unforgettable show at the Madison Square Garden, the JAZZ tour and the ones in Japan, the filming of the legendary Radio Ga Ga and It’s A Hard Life videoclips, and of course the last unforgettable tour with Freddie, all flow through your Owl by mixing public photos with private ones (never seen before), rarities and pieces of life experience. A book destined to become a highly sought-after collectable item, you can bet!

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IN ITALIAN

CLASSIC ROCK – ITALY
HARD STUFF
LIBRI

Queen in 3-D
Brian May
THE LONDON STEREOSCOPIC
COMPANY, STERLINE 50

“Salve gente. Qui Brian. Volevo solo dirvi qualche parola sul prossimo libro Queen in 3-D. Per me è stato in tutto e per tutto una prova d’amore, ha richiesto circa tre anni e l’ho potuto realizzare in quanto per la maggior parte della mia vita ho avuto una fissazione per la fotografia stereo. Per cui, in tutti quei classici bei tempi con i Queen, ho avuto con me una fotocamera stereo, e questa e una raccolta di tutte le fotografie che ho ammassato nel corso degli anni, molte delle quali, be’ – moltissime delle quali, sono state scattate da me e altre fatte a noi da persone alle quali ho affidato per un po’ la fotocamera stereo”.  Quando lo scorso maggio la rete ha diffuso questo messaggio di Brian May, il popolo dei Queen è stato percorso da un brivido: caspita!  Un oggetto meraviglioso da regalare e regalarsi il prossimo Natale. E in effetti, questo costoso (ma neanche troppo) librone di 255 pagine, con 309 immagini e lunghi testi scritti di proprio pugno da Brian May, è un oggetto per certi versi unico. Nel cofanetto che lo contiene, trova infatti alloggio anche lo stereoscopio Owl, il visore 3-D progettato appositamente dal chitarrista per questo libro e realizzato con il glorioso marchio della London Stereoscopic Company, l’azienda londinese fondata nel lontano 1854 da George Swan Nottage (ma resa celebre dal fotografo e inventore William England) con la mission di lanciare a livello commerciale in Europa la stereoscopia, ovvero la visione binoculare (più semplicemente, tridimensionale), che in quegli anni grazie agli esperimenti e agli studi di sir Charles Wheatstone ne era diventata una vera e propria moda. Com’è facile intuire, si tratta di un giochino molto divertente: ci si accomoda in poltrona, preferibilmente dopo aver messo sul giradischi un vecchio album dei Queen, si apre il libro, si posiziona lo stereoscopio Owl sulle pagine e ci si tuffa nella storia della band di Freddie Mercury in 3-D. Un 3-D un po’ casareccio, va da sè, forse non cosi scintillante come quello lenticolare che adorna la copertina esterna del libro, ma ugualmente affascinante. L’importante e sognare, no? La narrazione prende le mosse da lontano, da quando Brian era un ragazzino appassionato di musica e fotografia (e di 3-D, ovviamente!), per arrivare passo dopo passo, foto dopo foto, didascalia dopo didascalia, fino ai giorni nostri, al faraonico show dei Queen “era Lambert” a Barcellona del 22 maggio 2016 e alla realizzazione in collaborazione con Google della versione 3-D di Bohemian Rhapsody. Nel mezzo, ovviamente, le pagine più entusiasmanti: quelle dei Queen di Freddie Mercury. Sempre mescolando immagini pubbliche a foto private mai viste, curiosità e pezzi di vita vissuta, sotto il vostro Owl scorrono i ricordi dell’album d’esordio, della prima percezione del grande successo americano (all’Orpheum di Boston, Massachussetts, nel febbraio 1975), del primo

indimenticabile show al Madison Square Garden, del tour di JAZZ e di quelli in Giappone, delle riprese del mitico video di Radio Ga Ga e quello di It’s A Hard Life, e naturalmente dell’ultimo indimenticabile tour con Freddie. Un libro destinato a diventare un ricercatissimo oggetto da collezione, c’è da scommetterci.

Maurizio Becker

 

ITALIAN PRESS:

Once upon a time there was Queen…..

VANITY FAIR Italy
4 October 2017

Approximate transcript:

Once upon a time there was Queen

The secret life of Queen was also as in this picture: Freddie Mercury relaxing on a deckchair, drinking coffee. One of the 300 images of Queen in 3-D, the band’s first autobiography written by Brian May, edited by Edel Italy and released on October 6th. [sic 17 October]  May, Queen’s guitarist, was a photography enthusiast in three dimensions. He always had a “stereocamera” with which he documented the life of the band since its inception.  Illustrations can be explored in 3D with a patented stereoscope from May himself and attached to the book. Who knows if also has studied Rami Malek, the actor of the series Mr Robot, who has the difficult task of interpreting Freddie Mercury in the Bohemian Rhapsody movie. Book and biopic (the footage is in progress, coming out in 2018) will bring us in the history of the Queen, currently on tour, with Adam Lambert at Freddie’s post.  In this format, and with a cluster of classics, will play on November 10 in Bologna. F.C.

04/10/2017

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IN ITALIAN:

VANITY FAIR – ITALY

C’erano una volta i Queen

La vita segreta dei Queen era anche come in questa foto: Freddie Mercury che si rilassa su una sdraio, bevendo caffè.  È una delle 300 immagini di Queen in 3-D, la prima autobiografia della band scritta da Brian May, pubblicata da Edel Italy e in uscita il 6 ottobre. [sic 17 ottobre]   May, chitarrista dei Queen, era un appassionato di fotografia in tre dimensioni.  Aveva sempre con sé una «stereocamera» con cui ha documentato la vita della band fin dagli esordi.  Le illustrazioni sono esplorabili in 3D con uno stereoscopio brevettato dallo stessa May e allegato al libro. Chissà se Ie ha studiate anche Rami Malek, I’attore della serie Mr. Robot, che ha il difficile compito di interpretare Freddie Mercury nel film Bohemian Rhapsody.  Libro e biopic (Ie riprese sono in corso, uscirà nel  2018) ci porteranno nella storia dei Queen, al momento in tour, con Adam Lambert al posta di Freddie.   In questa formazione, e con una scaletta zeppa di classici, suoneranno il 10 novembre a Bologna. F.C.

04.10.2017

Italian fans….

Queen grace the cover of Italian magazine Classix! October-November 2017 issue, 22/09/2017.  “Queen in 3-D” is the lead story.  (ENGLISH TRANSCRIPT  – our thanks to Barbara Mucci –  followed by the article in ITALIAN language.

ENGLISH TRANSCRIPT:

BRIAN MAY – ‘QUEEN IN 3-D’
By Tony Aramini – Classix! Magazine
Oct-Nov 2017
Translated by Barbara Mucci

Let’s start with some technical information. Stereoscopy is a photographic technique, which produces two images of the same subject taken from slightly different angles, simulating the points of view of the two human eyes. These pairs of photographs, viewed through a special viewer (stereoscope), create an impressive three-dimensional effect. Strangely enough, this is a technique older than photography itself that, after decades of attempts, was perfected in the mid-nineteenth century using pairs of drawings.

Brian May has discovered stereoscopy when he was a child thanks to a couple of complimentary cards inside a cereal box. From the back of that pack, he filled a coupon to order, at the price of one shilling and a halfpenny, the appropriate viewer. Little Brian was astonished to receive the keenly awaited parcel: through those lenses, the hippos depicted on those cards took magically life, turning into three-dimensional images. He didn’t know it yet, but he had just found a passion that would have marked his life forever, second only to that electric guitar that would have given him honour and glory with Queen. Caught up in the excitement, he began to experiment with that ingenious technique, with his simple camera, taking pictures from slightly misaligned perspectives: although it was a rudimentary method, it worked. They were the first of many stereographs taken by Brian May who, over the years, would cultivate the passion providing himself with the appropriate equipment, starting from dual-lens cameras. By demonstrating his sense of originality on this front too, May, despite all technological innovation, was not tempted by Polaroid’s immediate gratification but, even during the global success of Queen, he didn’t give up a flair for this particular kind of photography, taking dozens and dozens of images documenting Queen’s life both off stage and on stage (in fact, during their gigs, May often entrusted his stereoscopic camera to some collaborators placed to the side of the stage). Snaps being hidden for years in some drawer of his house. At least to this day….

In fact, this is the premise with which the luxurious “Queen In 3-D”, a huge coffee table book (with attached stereoscope) is born. It will make possible to everyone to admire the best of sixty years of snaps in three dimensions (copied from the original negatives when possible, and sometimes digitally cleaned to ensure the best quality): from the first free card found in a cereal box (“I don’t throw anything away”, May admits in a serious way. Thank goodness!) to the Queen World Tours in the 70s and 80s, until the recent tours with Adam Lambert behind the microphone.

But it’s more than that, because this not only is an aesthetically pleasing book but it is also interesting to read: all the photographic material is in fact accompanied by lines and lines written by Brian May himself, who, without a ghost-writer and with a sober and “confidential” style, indulges in memories, anecdotes and comments. Do not expect an autobiography or a classic biography about Queen. Although he follows a quite methodical timeline, May often jumps from one topic to another or deals summarily a few chapters of his long life story (artistic and personal) in favour of other ones, but here is the best part: he sounds like an old friend talking. This is obviously an essential appointment for all the staunchest Queen fans. Moreover, ‘Queen In 3-D’ is an interesting publication on many levels so that it can aspire to even reach a larger audience (photo enthusiasts, for example, may appreciate Brian May’s story about the evolution of the techniques used). The price, about fifty euros, is not ridiculous, but correct when compared to the quality of the finished product.

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ITALIAN:

BRIAN MAY
‘QUEEN IN 3D’
(Ear Books/Edel, 256 pagine)

Partiamo da qualche informazione tecnica.  La stereoscopia è una tecnica fotografica che produce due immagini di uno stesso soggetto riprese da angolazioni leggermente diverse, come a simulare i punti di vista dei due occhi umani.  Queste coppie di fotografie, osservate attraverso uno speciale visore (stereoscopio), generano un suggestivo effetto a tre dimensioni. Strano a dirsi, ma si tratta di una tecnica più vecchia della fotografia stessa che, dopo decenni di esperimenti, è stata perfezionata a metà del XIX secolo, usando coppie di disegni.

Brian May la stereoscopia l’ha scoperta da bambino, grazie a un paio di cartoline in omaggio con un pacco di cereali. Dal retro di quel pacco compilò un coupon per ordinare, al prezzo di uno scellino e mezzo, l’apposito visore. Ricevuto l’agognato pacchetto, il piccolo Brian restò stupefatto: attraverso quelle lenti, gli ippopotami raffigurati su quelle cartoline presero  agicamente vita, trasformandosi in immagini tridimensionali. Non lo sapeva ancora, ma aveva appena scoperto una passione che gli avrebbe segnato la vita per sempre, seconda solo a quella chitarra elettrica che gli regalerà onori e gloria in seno ai Queen. Preso dall’entusiasmo, iniziò a sperimentare quella portentosa tecnica scattando, con la sua semplicissima macchinetta, coppie di immagini riprese da prospettive leggermente disallineate: un metodo rudimentale, ma che funzionava.  Furono le prime di tantissime stereografie scattate da Brian May, che nel corso degli anni coltiverà la passione munendosi di attrezzature adeguate, a partire dalle caratteristiche macchine con doppio obiettivo. Dimostrando la sua originalità anche in questo aspetto, May, pur attento ad ogni innovazione tecnologica, non si fece tentare dalla immediata gratificazione delle Polaroid, ma, anche durante il successo planetario dei Queen, non abbandonò il gusto per questo particolarissimo tipo di fotografia, scattando decine e decine di immagini che documentarono la vita della “regina” sia off stage che on stage (May infatti durante i concerti affidava spesso la sua fotocamera stereoscopica a qualche collaboratore piazzato a bordo palco). Scatti rimasti per anni in qualche cassetto di casa sua. Almeno fino ad oggi. È questo infatti il presupposto con cui nasce il lussuosissimo tomo ‘Queen In 3D’, un enorme offee table book (con stereoscopio allegato) che permetterà a tutti di ammirare in tre dimensioni il meglio di sessant’anni di scatti (riprodotti dai negativi originali quando possibile e talvolta ripuliti digitalmente per assicurare la migliore qualità): dalla primissima cartolina trovata in omaggio coi cereali (“Non butto via niente”, ammette significativamente May. E meno male!) alle tournée mondiali dei Queen anni ’70 e ’80, fino alla recente incarnazione con Adam Lambert dietro il  microfono.

Ma c’è di più, perché non si tratta di un volume solo bellissimo a vedersi, ma anche altrettanto interessante da leggere: tutto il materiale fotografico è infatti accompagnato da righe su righe scritte di proprio pugno da Brian May, che, senza ghost writer e con uno stile sobrio e “confidenziale”, si lascia andare a ricordi, aneddoti e commenti. Non aspettatevi, però, un’autobiografia o una classica biografia dei Queen. Pur seguendo una linea cronologica abbastanza ordinata, May spesso salta di palo in frasca o tratta sommariamente alcuni capitoli della sua lunga storia (artistica e personale) in favore di altri, ma il bello è anche questo: sembra quasi di sentir parlare un vecchio amico. E se per i fan più affezionati si tratta di un appuntamento ovviamente irrinunciabile, c’è da aggiungere che ‘Queen In 3D’ si dimostra una pubblicazione interessante su così tanti livelli da poter ambire a un pubblico persino più nutrito (da appassionati di fotografia, per esempio, potreste apprezzare non poco il racconto di Brian May sull’evoluzione delle tecniche adoperate). Il prezzo, attorno alla cinquantina di euro, non è irrisorio, ma assolutamente corretto se rapportato alla qualità del prodotto finito.
(Tony Aramini)

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Please also check out Brian May’s Unboxing Italian “Queen in 3-D” book video.

And Brian’s commentary HERE

Italian Press article today:

Read here in Italian:
SPETTAKOLO.IT
www.spettakolo.it/2017/09/12/a-ottobre-esce-ledizione-italiana-di-queen-in-3-d-di-brian-may/

A ottobre esce l’edizione italiana di “Queen in 3-D” di Brian May
di Massimo Poggini-
12 settembre 20170