Review of Brian in Paignton for book signing

On Saturday 5th September, while many people were enjoying visits to Montreux and various meetings for Freddie's birthday, about 250 people queued outside the Palace Theatre in Paignton here in Devon in the south west area of England to buy autographed copies of the paperback version and third edition of the best selling book[i] BANG! - The Complete History Of The Universe[/i].
All three authors attended the launch, arriving seperately, with Brian being the last to arrive due to the busy roads.
We were very lucky with the weather and although it was cloudy the rain kept off until after the doors had opened just after 2.30pm.
For the first group of people who had been standing outside for at least two hours prior to the event starting, the doors opened to much relief and joy as aching legs prevailed. During this time the crowds were all happy and good humoured some even breaking out into Queen songs.
As we entered the lobby of the Theatre we could buy as many books as we wanted for £20 each including a specially made 3D 'planets' book mark for this edition.
A small group at a time were lead into a small conference room as Chris Lintott, Patrick Moore and Brian were seated behind a table, ready with marker pens for this signing session.
At the start we were told that the authors would only be signing their names and that no dedications or individual photos with them would be allowed.
Chris was all smiles, chatty and extremely happy to sign anything in the book. Sir Patrick was sat in a wheelchair and aided by his nurse and helper managed to sign the books, but was very quietly spoken and not as able as he was. Brian was his usual polite, happy and approachable self and signed his name anywhere in the book, chatted, answered peoples questions and did pose with you for a photo or two. 
This was a very special day to meet the three authors of probably the best book on the market, and about the passion of Astronomy that they all share.

Thanks to Brian May a year ago I have got one book about astronomy. And no regrets- the book is good. Especially great pictures.

"probably the best book on the market, and about the passion of Astronomy that they all share."

But the book is utterly irrelevant. Right?

A couple of photos from the event.

Thanks for sharing this, Gary:-) A nice photo of Brian, too. Did you get all your books signed or just one copy each?

Gary, Thanks for the photo's. Could not get to this one as was on my way to watch WWRY in Birmingham at the time. I made it to a signing when the hardback version of the book came out and it was a memorable day meeting and chatting to Brian even though it was over so quickly.

I am hoping that he is going to do a signing session or two when his "Village Lost and Found" book comes out later in the year. If so I will try and get along to one of those.

PS. Any news on volume 3 of the singles collection. Are we likely to see some sort of announcement soon. Interested to see if Princes made it into the box.

Tnaks a lot for the info...I am fond of Astronomy, I have my own Telescope and all what it takes this great "hobby".I bought the book a year ago, is clear, well written and easy learning for those who are not familiarized with the "amateur astronomy thing". I saw a couple of mistakes in the Spanish translation...but just fine.
Keep up the good work!

Hi YV.....yes I got all the books I had signed but they were for other fans who couldn't make it on the day.....and boy were they heavy!
Hi Dragon....No details yet of the new box set, but I'm sure you would rather wait for an official announcement from QPL than a few snippets from me.

Here is the Brian May interview that was printed in the local newspaper 'Herald Express' here in Devon, England. The piece was in the centre pages in a supplement called 'What's On' and dated Friday September 11 2009. Brian's photo was also on the front page.
The interview can be read at brianmay.com

[QUOTE]

[b]GT wrote: [/b]

Here is the Brian May interview that was printed in the local newspaper 'Herald Express' here in Devon, England. The piece was in the centre pages in a supplement called 'What's On' and dated Friday September 11 2009. Brian's photo was also on the front page.
The interview can be read at brianmay.com
[/QUOTE]
Is this the one where the writer called Brian [i]rock royalty[/i] or [i]guitar legend[/i] or [i]ace musician[/i] or [i]greatest living guitarist [/i]or [i]living legend[/i] in nearly every paragraph? It was a nice write-up but the author sounded like he was wetting himself.  :o)