clarification of Thor Arnold's role in Freddie's life

Nice thoughts adreme13,
Thank you so much. Freddie remains a one of a kind wonder in life as well as in death!

Thor,

Such a great list of qualities. I hope they are able to capture the real Freddie in the movie! To reach that level of fame and still maintain your humility and be a genuine and kind person is truly rare.

There is a great interview with Freddie in 1985 before the Rock in Rio festival. I think it embodies so many of the qualities people love in Freddie. If you haven't seen it, look for it on YouTube. He is utterly charming is this interview! Friendly, humble, sincere, and very funny! The interviewer begins immediately with a question about "I Want To Break Free". She seemed to think he had written it and that the song was for the gay community. The way he handled it was great.

Did he ever mention that song and how it was received in the states? I just saw the video last year, and could not for the life of me figure out what all the commotion was about. Banned by MTV. How ridiculous! Here is a group of guys who are obviously spoofing and having fun. At the time I watched it, I didn't know anything about the Coronation Street connection, but enjoyed the video anyway. Thought it was quite entertaining!

Rainbow61 wrote:

@Villiers

Thanks for the funny story about Freddie and the phone. Loved it!

The driver was Ratty, Freddie' s roadie. He wrote about it in his book. The accident happend while bringing Fred from a studio session outside of London to Mary who felt ill. I can assure you that Ratty's book is worth reading every page. Pain is so close to pleasure.

https://www.peterhince.co.uk/

Btw.: Mary said in an interview with the BBC that during the "Magic Tour" Freddie already knew about what's coming the forthcoming years.

Thor, thank you for all the stories and information and your time to share them with us. Always a really good start each day for me.

Kind regards,
W.

@Double-U Its been years since I have last read Ratty's book but Ratty first told the story in 'The Real Life' by David Evans and David Minns in the late 90s. The Great part about the book is that it has stories told by tons of friends (Ratty included) and it's all about Freddie. I too like Ratty's book, but I feel it focused more on Ratty himself and his awesome experiences working with Queen than it does on any member of the band.

- Since you met Freddie in 1980 and he then invited you to a Queen concert in Philadelphia, this would mean you saw the show in Philadelphia on 08/22/1980. Is that correct?
That must have been a spectacular first show for you since Freddie was in TOP shape during that tour, looking and sounding absolutely fantastic.
Are there any concerts you saw that stand out for you? Or shows you enjoyed most?

- Did you attend Freddie's 39th birthday party in Munich in 1985? And if yes, can you spot yourself in the "living on my own" clip?

- 1986 was a year of great professional succes for Freddie (Wembley concerts etc.) but it also looks like this was the year he slowed down in terms of partying etc. It looks like this slowing down started maybe in late 1985. Maybe the death of your friend (both you and Freddie) John Murphy had something to do with that? What do you think?

Hi Thor,

thank you very much for your stories and comments. You seem to be a very sweet and nice guy. I'm glad Freddie had friends like you. You always speak so warm about him. I'm sure he would be very proud of you!

Tank you

@Thor

I know you are featured in the "Freddie's Lovers" documentary. Do you know any others you are interviewed in?

You still look young and healthy, btw!

Once again...thrilled to be talking to you and dread the day you pull the plug here!

Hi Thor,

Thanks for visiting the forum and fueling our obsession with all things Freddie.
I wanted to ask you if you could confirm the story that Freddie once took Princess Diana to a gay bar disguised as a man. Apparently, this happened in the late 80s, so maybe you weren't in such close contact with Freddie, but it'd be great if you could at least confirm that they knew each other.

Link: telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/diana/9963557/Freddie-Mercury-smuggled-Princess-Diana-into-gay-bar-disguised-as-a-man.html

Cyborg, Peter Freestone already said that Freddie never even met Princess Diana in his "Ask Pheobe" column.

Uh-oh...I think I may have stepped over the line with Thor commenting on his current appearance.

LOL...he may think I'm a stalker!

@PrimeJiveUSA

Nah, you were just being complimentary.

Hi on my way up,
I'm impressed, your memory is better than mine. I thought it was some time in October, but
if you know the exact date of the Philadelphia concert, well then, you are right and I need to
correct my memory...LOL
The concert was unbelievable. I was so unaware of what a real rock concert was like that I found
it very strange to have a ringing in my ears for the next 24 hours...but it was worth it, despite the
discomfort.
I have never seen Freddie outside of the US, Canada, and the UK. That birthday party in Munich
would have been great, I'm sure but I am not in that video clip.
John Murphy passed in 1983. My friends and I always thought that it was in Munich that he may
have partied a bit too much. I was not aware of any slow down at that time.
too hard

Hey JomaDuckSoup,
I really appreciate your very kind comments. Thank you so much.

Hi PrimeJiveUSA,
In that video, I feel I look way too ..uhmmmm...plump
We were mislead in that documentary. We had no idea that many
of the questions would be so salacious. If I had a chance
to do it again, I would have NEVER have given away
those private details. They assured us that those questions
and answers would be edited out. They lied!

Hey Rainbow61,
Thanks again for the education. I had never heard of "Coronation Street"
That was a great song. Freddie told me that Brian was the only one
uncomfortable with the production...and no wonder...he doesn't make a
very pretty woman- LOL.