A Kind of Magic

GratefulFan wrote: There are a great many sources out there that do a better job than Wikipedia at describing early AIDS symptoms and symptoms at transition from HIV to AIDS, which definitely include persistently swollen lymph glands. The acute stage is short and self contained, and thrush is a less common symptom in that stage.  It's a very common symptom of early AIDS, even according to your Wiki article that states in the AIDS section that Typically, resistance is lost early on to oral Candida species [and to Mycobacterium tuberculosis], which leads to an increased susceptibility to oral candidiasis (thrush) 

The 'mushroom' (that's what Freddie and Barbara called the growth in Freddie's throat in 1985) was persistent over time.  There are other 'maybes' that are highly speculative.  An often very subtle symptom of advancing HIV infection is a loss of  lean muscle mass and tone, something I believe you can definitely see from, say, Montreal to Live Aid.  Of course aging along with many lifestyle factors could cause that as well, so that's really just mentioned as a possibility for interest.

The vast, vast majority of infected people develop AIDS between 8 and 10 years after initial exposure and appear very healthy to themselves and observers for nearly all of that time.  Infected in 1985?  I don't think so. Beginning to be symptomatic in 1985 after a typical latency period and then diagnosed with an AIDS defining opportunistic infection (Kaposi's Sarcoma in FM's case) by early 1987 makes a great deal more sense.  See the later (8-9 years post infection) and latest (10 or more years post infection) time periods from the Mayo Clinic: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hiv-aids/ds00005/dsection=symptoms
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I'm not saying that what you wrote didn't make sense! It's very accurate and does describe Freddie's situation! I never noticed loss of muscle mass/tone from 1981/1985 (I was too busy watching his voice-LOL). Could you send me some pictures, so I can analyze? 

It is true that the median time of HIV/AIDS progression is 8-10 years. But also, there's the possibility that Freddie was one of those less common, and tragic cases where HIV/AIDS progressed much more quickly (probably life-style had something to do with it). 

I also read that a Russian soldier named Nicolai infected Freddie and Kenny Everett in 1984?

But overall, you are right: There's lots of maybes and speculation!

I was also quite busy watching his voice, but very very occasionally, between notes, I might have been just very slightly distracted by those white Levis as viewed from the rear. I mean, being honest, wasn't everybody distracted? No? Okay, never mind. Anyway, by Live Aid the view was a lot less distracting because the main attraction of that particular angle was largely gone. Like literally gone from where it had reliably been for a decade or more. And around the same time Jim described him as having 'the thinnest legs he'd ever seen'. But like I said before, a potentially completely meaningless and pointless observation on my part.

We'll never know when Freddie's fate was sealed for sure, but Occam's razor applied says he (and Joe) were probably an awful lot like everybody else. Asymptomatic for 8 or 9 years, with an AIDS defining opportunistic infection by 10 years. There's little compelling reason to think anything else. Fred had none of the risks associated with early development of AIDS (impoverished nation/living conditions, poor nutrition over time, poor general health over time, IV drug user with compromised immune system etc. etc.) He was the picture of glowing health and robustness right up until he wasn't. HIV had been silently circulating from at least the late 1960's and Fred was active by 1975 and had fully embraced the scene in both the UK and America within a short period. I personally think the pieces of information we do have tell one clear and consistent story, but in the end it's just one opinion on the wind.

it was a russian sailor, not soldier and yes it is probable that him was the one to convey the HIV viros to freddie's asshole.  it is a damn shame he is gone :(

andreas_mercury wrote: it was a russian sailor, not soldier and yes it is probable that him was the one to convey the HIV viros to freddie's asshole.  it is a damn shame he is gone :(

Be careful: you can also get HIV by playing drums in a shitty band, especially becasue you're at the back and have to look at everyone else's arses in front of you. Have you had your innoculations yet? If not, take a copy of my email to the hospital and ask them to stick the biggest fucking needle they have in your eye.

Best of luck.

that is not even as funny as my short black joke, you are just crude and retarded.

andreas_mercury wrote: that is not even as funny as my short black joke, you are just crude and retarded. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

...says the man who makes jokes about AIDS and Fred's derriere.

Certainly not one of Queen's magic moments.

One Vision - 9/10
A Kind of Magic 10/10
One Year of Love 8/10
Pain is so Close to Pleasure - 8/10
Friends Will Be Friends - 9/10
Who Wants to live Forever - 10/10
Gimme the Prize - 8/10
Don't Lose Your Head - 7.5/10
Princes of the Universe - 10/10

One Vision — 9/10 (good as rocker but it ain't one of Queen's best songs)
A Kind of Magic — 7/10 (original is much better)
One Year of Love — 7/10 (good experiment)
Pain is so Close to Pleasure — 9/10 (I like it)
Friends Will Be Friends — 6/10 to album version and 8/10 to extended version (overrated song, but good guitar intro in extended version makes it more interesting)
Who Wants to Live Forever — 10/10 (great symphonic ballad)
Gimme the Prize (Kurgan's Theme) — 1/10 (awful song)
Don't Lose Your Head — 1/10 (awful song)
Princes of the Universe — 10/10 (truely gem of the album)

Forever — 9/10 (good variation, but original is better)

Pain Is So Close to Pleasure (Single Remix) — 6/10 (much worse than album mix)

Blurred Vision — 1/10 (boring)
A Dozen Red Roses for My Darling — 5/10 (a little bit entertaining)
A Kind of Magic (Original Version) — 10/10 (good energic song, much better than poppy album version)

Following hot on the heals of their Live Aid triumph 'A Kind Of Magic' could be viewed as a missed opportunity to re cement Queens position as the best act in the world.
It's a bit of a hotch-potch really. Doesn't really feel like an album because it includes songs from the excellent Highlander movie. This makes for a very uneven and confusing listening experience. There are some fine moments particularly the rocking 'One Vision' and the title track is one of their best 80's pop moments but 'Friends will be friends' is quite dreadful, shallow mawkish lighter waving at it's worst.

Don't Lose Your Head is awful, but I enjoy the rest of it.

Princes Of The Universe is probably my favourite Queen song. It's a real man's song. Makes me want to beat my chest.