Queen: "New Book Out Now "Is This The Real Life?"

Last week saw the U.S. release of a new Queen bio, titled "Is This The Real Life?" (yep, the opening line from "Bohemian Rhapsody"), via Da Capo Press. Penned by author Mark Blake, the book tells the complete story of the British band that perfected and popularized "arena rock" during the 1970's and 1980's.

The 410 page book is priced at $25.00, and includes such tales about a chance encounter between the Sex Pistols' Sid Vicious and Freddie, the writing of such Queen classics as "Crazy Little Thing Called Love," the preparation of the group's show-stopping performance at Live Aid, and Freddie's final reclusive years, before dying from an AIDS related illness in 1991.

"Is This The Real Life?" also contains a 16-page black and white photo section, which includes such rarely seen shots as the band members during their school days, Freddie preparing for a performance with the Royal Ballet Company in 1979, and a shot of arguably the most over-the-top/gaudy costume ever (from the set of the best-forgotten video for "It's A Hard Life").