Monday, March 28, 2011

New Queen Bio Tells Complete Story

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").

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Woman injured by rock-wielding teen may face charges

A Mid-South woman who was injured after a teen attacked her with a rock says Memphis police may file charges against her.

Charlotte Gathings suffered serious injury after a fight involving her daughter. But now, she may face trouble of a different kind.

"The investigator said that they were thinking about filing charges against me for simple assault and starting a riot," she said.

Gathings claims she was only trying to break up a fight the day she picked her daughter up from Raleigh Egypt High. That's where another teen was trying to fight her daughter. Gathings broke up the altercation with help from her son.

"He said, 'That's not what the camera says,' but I say otherwise because I don't have enough dignity in my heart to put my hands on somebody else's child."

An hour later, Gathings says a carload of teens showed up at her Raleigh home. One of them hit her in the head with a rock.

Gathings says investigators are now giving her an ultimatum.

"They want both of us to drop charges against each other in order for me not to be charged, and I'm not fixing to do that," she said.

Memphis police would not comment on the case, citing an ongoing investigation. However, as of Tuesday afternoon, no additional charges had been filed in the case.

Meanwhile, doctors tell Gathings it may take her up to a year to fully recovery from her injuries. She is currently seeking legal advice.