First published 2026
Freddie Mercury left behind nearly two decades of creative material when he died in 1991. His former fiancé and closest friend Mary Austin inherited not just his home and belongings, but also his complete songwriting archive. This collection spans from his pre-Queen compositions through his final solo works. The notebooks contain unpublished songs that were never recorded, alternative versions of "Bohemian Rhapsody," and multiple drafts of "Don't Stop Me Now." Austin shares personal stories and memories that illuminate Mercury's creative process. The book includes rare photographs from Mercury's private collection, most never published before. Together, the materials create a comprehensive record of how one of music's most celebrated performers developed his craft. Readers gain access to the private creative world of the Queen frontman, seeing both his published masterworks and the abandoned experiments that shaped his artistic journey.
Genres: biography, 20th-century, non-fiction, music, 21st-century
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: biography, creative-journey
Period: 1991
320 pages · Hardcover · Dey Street Books