Ok, this may be a really stupid question, and I feel like a total idiot having to ask it. But who IS Greg Brooks? When I'm reading through the forum I see loads of posts about him, but who is he?
I'm sorry for sounding like an idiot about this, but I'd really like to know. Thanks
Thread
Posts in chronological order
Greg is employed by Queen as their official archivist. About 10 years ago, he wrote a book called "Queen Live - A Concert Docmentary", and although there were hundreds of errors, the book was still pretty impressive, as it was created before the Internet age. This is what landed him his job, as Queen were surely impressed, errors aside.
However, he released an "updated" version of the book last year, and most of the errors are still there, including a whole bunch of new errors. He made very little effort to offer much new information about Queen concerts, even though he supposedly has access to all of the recordings and information in Queen's vaults. Fans constantly ask him about what's in Queen's vaults, but it's becoming increasingly evident that he has been told not to reveal anything. One has to wonder what his job actually entails, as it seems pretty clear that he hasn't really done anything of any value, considering his position.
www.google.com
"Greg Brooks Queen"
Haha... look at the third result!
However, he released an "updated" version of the book last year, and most of the errors are still there, including a whole bunch of new errors. He made very little effort to offer much new information about Queen concerts, even though he supposedly has access to all of the recordings and information in Queen's vaults. Fans constantly ask him about what's in Queen's vaults, but it's becoming increasingly evident that he has been told not to reveal anything. One has to wonder what his job actually entails, as it seems pretty clear that he hasn't really done anything of any value, considering his position.
www.google.com
"Greg Brooks Queen"
Haha... look at the third result!
I heard that he was never even first choice for the job. It was initailly offered to Jim Jenkins who co wrote 'As it Began' - a great book I might add.
I think any of the fans that are truly knowledgeable (and who also care enough to do something) should write to Greg (with a copy to Brian and/or QPL) a "nice" letter, and offer their services for editing of text, identification of pictures, correction of errors, etc.
It wouldn't hurt to have a few experts helping for quality control regardless of who gets his name on a book (or whatever the project is). I would start by sending a list of the errors from Greg's book to Greg. Or has this already been done?
It seems that with today's electronic communication, lots of good could come of this type of collaboration with the fans (and the collectors).
It wouldn't hurt to have a few experts helping for quality control regardless of who gets his name on a book (or whatever the project is). I would start by sending a list of the errors from Greg's book to Greg. Or has this already been done?
It seems that with today's electronic communication, lots of good could come of this type of collaboration with the fans (and the collectors).
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]Donna13 wrote: [/QUOTENAME]I would start by sending a list of the errors from Greg's book to Greg. Or has this already been done?[/QUOTE]
Yes, it has. When he was "writing" his second book, he asked people to submit to him corrections from the first book. I did that, and surely many others did as well. But it seems we were mostly ignored, since most of the errors from his first book weren't fixed. Half of the 70s setlists are still wrong, even though I sent him all the corrected ones. I spent weeks listing every little thing that was wrong with the book, and he only used a couple dozen or so. In many cases, he didn't bother to paraphrase, and copied my observations word for word.
He has a long list of people to thank in the acknowledgements, so when you consider how few changes there were from the first book to the second book, it makes you wonder how much work Greg actually did on this book himself (hence the quotation marks above on the word "writing"). In addition, Greg asked me to compile the information from all sources for the book, which obviously would have been a hefty job. I asked him how much it would pay, and he said there was no budget for this kind of thing. So I thought... wow, he'll get someone else to do all the work, and he'll sit on his arse and bring in all the royalties. I think not! I politely declined. I wonder if Brian May is aware of this.
This has led me to begin writing my own book. I now regret being part of Greg's book, because if my book gets published and sold, I can only imagine how some people will criticize me for "copying" Greg's work, when in reality, it's my words in his book. There will also be those who will say certain things in my book must be wrong, because my words disagree with Greg's words, which to them is the definitive work on Queen live, just because of his title. It's so frustrating to even think about it. But it won't stop me!
Yes, it has. When he was "writing" his second book, he asked people to submit to him corrections from the first book. I did that, and surely many others did as well. But it seems we were mostly ignored, since most of the errors from his first book weren't fixed. Half of the 70s setlists are still wrong, even though I sent him all the corrected ones. I spent weeks listing every little thing that was wrong with the book, and he only used a couple dozen or so. In many cases, he didn't bother to paraphrase, and copied my observations word for word.
He has a long list of people to thank in the acknowledgements, so when you consider how few changes there were from the first book to the second book, it makes you wonder how much work Greg actually did on this book himself (hence the quotation marks above on the word "writing"). In addition, Greg asked me to compile the information from all sources for the book, which obviously would have been a hefty job. I asked him how much it would pay, and he said there was no budget for this kind of thing. So I thought... wow, he'll get someone else to do all the work, and he'll sit on his arse and bring in all the royalties. I think not! I politely declined. I wonder if Brian May is aware of this.
This has led me to begin writing my own book. I now regret being part of Greg's book, because if my book gets published and sold, I can only imagine how some people will criticize me for "copying" Greg's work, when in reality, it's my words in his book. There will also be those who will say certain things in my book must be wrong, because my words disagree with Greg's words, which to them is the definitive work on Queen live, just because of his title. It's so frustrating to even think about it. But it won't stop me!
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]pow wow wrote: [/QUOTENAME]I heard that he was never even first choice for the job. It was initailly offered to Jim Jenkins who co wrote 'As it Began' - a great book I might add.[/QUOTE]
Y'know - and this is ONLY my opinion - I thought that while As It Began was a mine of excellent information, it was one of the worst pieces of prose I've ever seen...
Still enjoyed it though...
:-)
Y'know - and this is ONLY my opinion - I thought that while As It Began was a mine of excellent information, it was one of the worst pieces of prose I've ever seen...
Still enjoyed it though...
:-)
I am Greg Brooks, and I am the expert in all things Queen.
And you? ARE NOT!
And you? ARE NOT!
Well, Bob, you can sure make it 'more' definate when you include QPR...
Maybe even solo-tours!
At least there is an oppertunity to make it even more thorough then anything out there in THAT sence ;-)
Maybe even solo-tours!
At least there is an oppertunity to make it even more thorough then anything out there in THAT sence ;-)
Woah.. wait a sec...
So Is our spammer "Queen Archivist" the real Greg Brooks or is he a faker?
So Is our spammer "Queen Archivist" the real Greg Brooks or is he a faker?
"In addition, Greg asked me to compile the information from all sources for the book, which obviously would have been a hefty job. I asked him how much it would pay, and he said there was no budget for this kind of thing. So I thought... wow, he'll get someone else to do all the work, and he'll sit on his arse and bring in all the royalties. I think not! I politely declined. I wonder if Brian May is aware of this."
I think this is a very unfortunate situation. I mean, I wish there was a way you could be paid for the stuff you gave him already. With GB now having access to QPL and "the vault" and Brian's things, and you having your information and collection, it would be good if the two of you could "team up".
I think this is a very unfortunate situation. I mean, I wish there was a way you could be paid for the stuff you gave him already. With GB now having access to QPL and "the vault" and Brian's things, and you having your information and collection, it would be good if the two of you could "team up".
Thanks for all the help, guys :-) Now I can actually sleep at night...
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]<font color=teal>Barzini<h6>Cookie<h6> wrote: [/QUOTENAME]Woah.. wait a sec...
So Is our spammer "Queen Archivist" the real Greg Brooks or is he a faker?[/QUOTE]
He is the real thing. I think he got pulled into the conversations here based on something that he found out that someone was saying about him here. I forget - but it was something like that. It is all there if you search for all his posts and read the first several.
Now, The Fake Greg Brooks is there just to take up the slack. And answer questions that the Real Greg Brooks is too busy to answer. He is like the Santa Claus at the mall. Except that he is still in training, and he takes off too much time to watch football. So, we can not be sure of anything he says - too much spicy food, really.
So Is our spammer "Queen Archivist" the real Greg Brooks or is he a faker?[/QUOTE]
He is the real thing. I think he got pulled into the conversations here based on something that he found out that someone was saying about him here. I forget - but it was something like that. It is all there if you search for all his posts and read the first several.
Now, The Fake Greg Brooks is there just to take up the slack. And answer questions that the Real Greg Brooks is too busy to answer. He is like the Santa Claus at the mall. Except that he is still in training, and he takes off too much time to watch football. So, we can not be sure of anything he says - too much spicy food, really.
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]Donna13 wrote: [/QUOTENAME][QUOTE][QUOTENAME]<font color=teal>Barzini<h6>Cookie<h6> wrote: [/QUOTENAME]Woah.. wait a sec...
So Is our spammer "Queen Archivist" the real Greg Brooks or is he a faker?[/QUOTE]
He is the real thing. I think he got pulled into the conversations here based on something that he found out that someone was saying about him here. I forget - but it was something like that. It is all there if you search for all his posts and read the first several.
Now, The Fake Greg Brooks is there just to take up the slack. And answer questions that the Real Greg Brooks is too busy to answer. He is like the Santa Claus at the mall. Except that he is still in training, and he takes off too much time to watch football. So, we can not be sure of anything he says - too much spicy food, really.[/QUOTE]
:D Lol@Santa Claus
Thanks :P Now i can sleep at night too....
So Is our spammer "Queen Archivist" the real Greg Brooks or is he a faker?[/QUOTE]
He is the real thing. I think he got pulled into the conversations here based on something that he found out that someone was saying about him here. I forget - but it was something like that. It is all there if you search for all his posts and read the first several.
Now, The Fake Greg Brooks is there just to take up the slack. And answer questions that the Real Greg Brooks is too busy to answer. He is like the Santa Claus at the mall. Except that he is still in training, and he takes off too much time to watch football. So, we can not be sure of anything he says - too much spicy food, really.[/QUOTE]
:D Lol@Santa Claus
Thanks :P Now i can sleep at night too....
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]jeroen wrote: [/QUOTENAME]Well, Bob, you can sure make it 'more' definate when you include QPR...
Maybe even solo-tours!
At least there is an oppertunity to make it even more thorough then anything out there in THAT sence ;-)[/QUOTE]
Actually, I don't plan on including anything after 1986, since it's all so well-documented. I don't know what I can add to what's commonly available. Besides, my expertise doesn't lie in the QPR stuff. I think the only thing I could do is point out all the "Roger... AHHHHHHH" moments on bootlegs so people could find them.
Maybe even solo-tours!
At least there is an oppertunity to make it even more thorough then anything out there in THAT sence ;-)[/QUOTE]
Actually, I don't plan on including anything after 1986, since it's all so well-documented. I don't know what I can add to what's commonly available. Besides, my expertise doesn't lie in the QPR stuff. I think the only thing I could do is point out all the "Roger... AHHHHHHH" moments on bootlegs so people could find them.
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]Sir GH<br><h6>ah yeah</h6> wrote: [/QUOTENAME][QUOTE][QUOTENAME]jeroen wrote: [/QUOTENAME]Well, Bob, you can sure make it 'more' definate when you include QPR...
Maybe even solo-tours!
At least there is an oppertunity to make it even more thorough then anything out there in THAT sence ;-)[/QUOTE]
Actually, I don't plan on including anything after 1986, since it's all so well-documented. I don't know what I can add to what's commonly available. Besides, my expertise doesn't lie in the QPR stuff. I think the only thing I could do is point out all the "Roger... AHHHHHHH" moments on bootlegs so people could find them.
[/QUOTE]
If you don't, many people will view the book as a "he said, she said" situation and not be too interested.
Adding post-1986, be it solo/Cross/QPR, will help differentiate your book from the "official" Queen Live. If you are serious about getting it published, then I really think you need that added hook.
Maybe even solo-tours!
At least there is an oppertunity to make it even more thorough then anything out there in THAT sence ;-)[/QUOTE]
Actually, I don't plan on including anything after 1986, since it's all so well-documented. I don't know what I can add to what's commonly available. Besides, my expertise doesn't lie in the QPR stuff. I think the only thing I could do is point out all the "Roger... AHHHHHHH" moments on bootlegs so people could find them.
[/QUOTE]
If you don't, many people will view the book as a "he said, she said" situation and not be too interested.
Adding post-1986, be it solo/Cross/QPR, will help differentiate your book from the "official" Queen Live. If you are serious about getting it published, then I really think you need that added hook.