Consider Queen, and we’re keen to wager the Queen II art work is the primary picture that pops into your head. Shot in 1974 by photographer Mick Rock, the art work for the band’s sophomore file has since change into one of the vital recognisable photographs in musical historical past. Nevertheless, following Rock’s demise in 2021, his household are actually pursuing authorized motion, arguing that Rock wasn’t correctly compensated for his work.

Talking to The Solar, guitarist Brian Might reveals that the Rock household are claiming that the late photographer was allegedly not paid sufficient for his work. “His household is suing us in the mean time for huge quantities of cash,” Might says. “Mick was a stunning man, very bold, fairly cash oriented.”

Queen ensured that they “paid [Rock] very, very effectively for what he did”. Regardless of that, Rock’s household are insisting that the payout wasn’t adequate.

Alongside its recreation within the 1975 video for Bohemian Rhapsody, the long-lasting snap of Freddie Mercury, guitarist Brian Might, bassist John Deacon and drummer Roger Taylor has since change into a cultural touchstone, with numerous bands imitating it in photoshoots and music movies. But that legacy has been soured, in mild of the brewing authorized battle.

Maybe alluding to the later recreation of the shot for memorabilia and within the Bohemian Rhapsody video, Might alleges that the Rock household are suing on the grounds that Rock needs to be compensated for each means through which Queen have benefitted from the shot.

“His dependents turned extremely grasping and determined that every part was his concept,” Might explains. “[They believe] we owe him tens of millions and tens of millions, not simply within the UK, however all world wide. In order that they’re suing us throughout… it’s somewhat exhausting for me to be goal in regards to the factor.”

Might goes on to say that, if Rock have been nonetheless alive, the matter might have been settled simply out of court docket. “I’m sorry he’s not round as a result of I do know if he was round, we’d go, ‘Oh, come on, we’ll settle this,’” the guitarist says. “We’d shake palms and it could be executed tomorrow.”

Information of the authorized battle comes shortly after the re-release of Queen II, with an expanded version of the file dropping simply final Friday.