Queen guitarist Brian May has revealed in an exclusive interview that the legendary British band is being sued for «vast sums of money» in a bitter legal battle. The lawsuit comes from the heirs of photographer Mick Rock, who passed away in 2021, and centers on the iconic cover of the album «Queen II», released in 1974.
According to Brian May, Rock’s family alleges that the artist did not receive adequate compensation for his work and claims that «it was all his idea,» demanding millions not only in the UK, but worldwide. The photographer, known as «The Man Who Shot the Seventies,» immortalized the band in a dramatic and androgynous black and white image that became one of the group’s most recognizable symbols and later inspired the music video for «Bohemian Rhapsody».
Speaking to The Sun, Brian May expressed his frustration: “His family is suing us right now for vast sums of money. We paid Mick very, very well for what he did for us. His dependents became incredibly greedy and decided it was all their idea and that we owed them millions and millions.” The musician lamented Rock’s absence, with whom he had a good relationship: “He was a lovely guy, very ambitious and quite money-oriented. If he were alive, I know we’d sort this out with a handshake tomorrow.”
The revelation comes at a bittersweet time for the band. Just days before the announcement, Queen released an expanded and remastered edition of «Queen II», which includes previously unreleased material and reinforces the album’s legacy. May acknowledges that the lawsuit casts a shadow over the celebration, but maintains that the band acted correctly at the time.
This legal dispute highlights the complexities surrounding image rights and royalties decades after the creation of rock icons. While Queen continues to tour with Adam Lambert and maintains its status as one of the most influential bands in history, the lawsuit filed by Mick Rock’s heirs serves as a reminder that, even for legends, legacy disputes can extend far beyond the music.
