Freddie Mercury - The Great Pretender

Colorful and authorized: An impressive book about the life of one of the greatest pop stars.

Freddie Mercury loved the cameras, and the cameras loved him. His big performances in flamboyant costumes were his trademark, and his declaration "I will not be a rock star, but a legend" was his motto.

This magnificent illustrated book - the official book - tells the story of one of the greatest pop stars through many rare, some exclusive photos. The first photo of Freddie shows him at six months old with his mother Jer Bulsara on the island of Zanzibar, where he also grew up. There, as a teenager at St. Peter's School, he received numerous awards and was already very creative. He gathered many inspirations, such as for the Queen emblem or the classic "Bicycle," during his school years. His portraits of Jimi Hendrix or Rock Hudson, as well as sketches from his later time in London, are included. Additionally, there are handwritten notes for song lyrics.

The heart of the book features numerous colorful photos from all phases of this dazzling icon of pop history, complemented by extensive texts and many quotes from Freddie. As a young man in Zanzibar, as the frontman of Queen, and as a solo artist: This lovingly designed, large-format book brings the memory of Freddie Mercury back to life.