The Associated Press
Published: Monday, Jan. 9, 2012 - 6:06 am
LONDON -- Elton John is writing his first book, a personal account of the AIDS crisis.
The musician says "Love is the Cure: Ending the Global Aids Epidemic" will include memories of friends who died of AIDS-related illnesses, including Queen frontman Freddie Mercury.
British publisher Hodder & Stoughton says the book will be published in July along with an audio book read by the British pop star. The U.S. publisher is Little, Brown.
Proceeds will go to the Elton John's AIDS Foundation.
John said Monday the book would ask why more is not being done to cure the disease.
He said AIDS "is a disease that must be cured not by a miraculous vaccine, but by changing hearts and minds, and through a collective effort to break down social barriers."
QUEEN lead guitarist Brian May is looking at the possibility of a tour with drummer Roger Taylor
"I hesitate to say this, but it may happen," he said. "As soon as we appeared with Adam Lambert at the VMAs, the phone started ringing and it hasn't stopped since. There are an awful lot of people out there who would like to see that package, so we may do something. But I'm not going to say what it might be!"
Brian, now aged 64, said he still found it hard to believe Queen had reached the 40 year milestone.
He said: "It's amazing, I don't know where it goes, all sorts of scrapes have happened. But what's amazing is that for a band that's been without its singer for 20 years, we've been more active than ever."
Brian said a follow-up to stage hit We Will Rock You was also waiting in the wings.
He said: "Ben Elton has written a sequel, which I think is magnificent. I guess what we don't have is the time and the right moment to put it on yet, because We Will Rock You takes up a lot of our time, we're a victim of our own success."
May has confirmed work has commenced on the Freddie Mercury film, which will begin shooting this year (2012).
A message from May posted on Queen's official website reads, "Work is now fully under way for the much-vaunted feature film on the life of Freddie. Peter Morgan has delivered a first draft of the movie, which everyone is very excited about, and Sacha Baron Cohen is chomping at the bit to get into the role, in a way which certainly would delight Freddie!".
Roger Taylor also confirmed that 3 unreleased songs between Michael Jackson and Queen frontman, Freddie Mercury will soon see the light of day. Surviving Queen members, Roger Taylor and Brian May have gotten permission from the Michael Jackson estate to release the three songs. They were recorded in the early 80s, while both of the two singers were at the pinnacle of their careers.
Taking flight in 2012, the "Queen Extravaganza" tour will hit North America with dates spanning coast-to-coast, all the while celebrating the music and live show of Queen.