Hi Thor & Rainbow 61,
thank you very much for your comments !
@Rainbow61, thanks for your eloquent analysis !
"We all know about the unrelenting media speculation and the shameful photos that callous newspaper editors disrespectfully published while he was sick. (Topic for another time…those people are contemptible) "
Brilliant idea for another thread ! To discuss these stories ( without publishing links here), as well as tabloid media's lack of integrity & responsibility ( gee...I am naive, old fashioned :) could help to explain what kind of personal terror he was facing at the time.
( at least one papparazzis' mega career was launched as a result and FM's name came up also in the Rupert Murdoch phone -hacking scandal....one has to dig around a bit in cyberspace though to find those background articles)
@Thor,
there was the despictable tabloid media on the one hand . One the other hand, - dare I say this ?- there seem/seemed to be fanatics who must explore everything. According to Peter Freestone, Freddie kept a special drawer for letters from fanatics and - correct me if I am wrong- in one case also alerted the police. What would be your take on modern age fanatics who feel entitled to drive Mary Austin into a state to have her address removed from google maps ( which maybe is psychological comfort to her ? ) or sniff around on graveyards along with tabloid media among some years ago? ---- Do you think, with contemporary technology- from mobile phone cameras to drones and the internet- your friend would still live in that house if he was alive ? Sorry, it's a clumsy question... sometimes am just wondering ..... This said, your classy answers are really admirable !
Thread
Posts in chronological order
Hey kokax,
I watched some recent wonderful programs dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the passing
of Princess Diana. The paparazzi was horrible back then and so were the manufactured
scandalous trash that the tabloids put out. It has only gotten worse over 20 years. Nowadays
it is the desperate pursuit of nude photographs that no doubt catch a very hefty fee. Yes, I can
imagine that if Freddie lived in the Garden Lodge now, he would not be able to enjoy the garden,
and would have to fight off camera laden drone attacks!
I can't really comment on any mean spirited fanatics. Freddie did not talk about them and
spared us any words they might have written.
I watched some recent wonderful programs dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the passing
of Princess Diana. The paparazzi was horrible back then and so were the manufactured
scandalous trash that the tabloids put out. It has only gotten worse over 20 years. Nowadays
it is the desperate pursuit of nude photographs that no doubt catch a very hefty fee. Yes, I can
imagine that if Freddie lived in the Garden Lodge now, he would not be able to enjoy the garden,
and would have to fight off camera laden drone attacks!
I can't really comment on any mean spirited fanatics. Freddie did not talk about them and
spared us any words they might have written.
Bonjour Thor, I've been on holiday so thus fell behind. Very grand of you to continue to spend the time sharing memories.
Seems some on here are obsessed with who he slept with, beats me why but there you go. I can understand the illness time line interest, to my disgust found myself a little interested in that a while back, especially having read Somebody To Love (which it it's defense does not claim to be the definitive word but rather conjecture based on research on the disease). What is without dispute that is that it's very sad and frustrating as a fan that he wasn't a million years away from much better treatment. I do always find his quotes such as "I'll never make old bones" somewhat eerie as although they are easy rock star comments to make it does seem he had a sense of how self destructive his behaviour was. I also note some on here love to phrase a question to you so that you confirm their idealistic view on him, I guess all great people have many sycophants. You paint a balanced picture of the man and acknowledge his irresponsible attitude and the fact that lets'face it he did nothing for AIDS awareness when alive. As I have written before I accept that was his choice and understand it.
To go back to the music if I may be so bold, I asked a question which was lost in the more serious stuff, did you ever go and see any rock bands with Fred? His diverse music taste is well documented but he was in a rock band and he liked it loud so he must have appreciated rock n roll too. Did you ever go and see New York Dolls or anyone like that? I believe he was mates with Rob Halford around your time? Aside from all the gay scene D.I.S.C.O stuff was he still listening to The Beatles and Zepelin at all, or maybe even any rock n roll bands of the time? Cheap Trick's singer recently said that Freddie hand picked them for the support on one tour.
Seems some on here are obsessed with who he slept with, beats me why but there you go. I can understand the illness time line interest, to my disgust found myself a little interested in that a while back, especially having read Somebody To Love (which it it's defense does not claim to be the definitive word but rather conjecture based on research on the disease). What is without dispute that is that it's very sad and frustrating as a fan that he wasn't a million years away from much better treatment. I do always find his quotes such as "I'll never make old bones" somewhat eerie as although they are easy rock star comments to make it does seem he had a sense of how self destructive his behaviour was. I also note some on here love to phrase a question to you so that you confirm their idealistic view on him, I guess all great people have many sycophants. You paint a balanced picture of the man and acknowledge his irresponsible attitude and the fact that lets'face it he did nothing for AIDS awareness when alive. As I have written before I accept that was his choice and understand it.
To go back to the music if I may be so bold, I asked a question which was lost in the more serious stuff, did you ever go and see any rock bands with Fred? His diverse music taste is well documented but he was in a rock band and he liked it loud so he must have appreciated rock n roll too. Did you ever go and see New York Dolls or anyone like that? I believe he was mates with Rob Halford around your time? Aside from all the gay scene D.I.S.C.O stuff was he still listening to The Beatles and Zepelin at all, or maybe even any rock n roll bands of the time? Cheap Trick's singer recently said that Freddie hand picked them for the support on one tour.
thundergod wrote:
Hey kokax,
I watched some recent wonderful programs dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the passing
of Princess Diana. The paparazzi was horrible back then and so were the manufactured
scandalous trash that the tabloids put out. It has only gotten worse over 20 years. Nowadays
it is the desperate pursuit of nude photographs that no doubt catch a very hefty fee. Yes, I can
imagine that if Freddie lived in the Garden Lodge now, he would not be able to enjoy the garden,
and would have to fight off camera laden drone attacks!
I can't really comment on any mean spirited fanatics. Freddie did not talk about them and
spared us any words they might have written.
Hey Thor,
it seems like he's not one to dwell on whatever unpleasantness thrown his way, be it his illness, the relentlessness press, betrayals etc. Even if it affects him, he's not one to show it and "burden" the people around him like vent his frustrations or whine to anyone. He simply wanted to keep the atmosphere light and everyone around to have a fun time.
Thor my old Mucker, I just visited Garden Lodge and said a Happy Birthday from you. It's a shame that Mary has taken the tribute wall down but it's her house I suppose.
Welcome back LOTV,
Thank you for sharing your views. I am so sorry that I missed your original question.
Throughout the time that I was friends with Freddie, we never once went to a concert.
'80-'83 was a huge working time for Freddie and Queen. I was lucky enough to attend
about 8 to 9 Queen concerts. With so much band work, I would assume he liked being
away from the music scene. I never heard him mention any interest in the New York Dolls
but that doesn't mean he did not like their music. The subject just never came up.
By the way LOTV, what is an "old Mucker"? I have never heard that name before. I'm
hoping that it is a term of ultimate endearment...LOL
Thank you for sharing your views. I am so sorry that I missed your original question.
Throughout the time that I was friends with Freddie, we never once went to a concert.
'80-'83 was a huge working time for Freddie and Queen. I was lucky enough to attend
about 8 to 9 Queen concerts. With so much band work, I would assume he liked being
away from the music scene. I never heard him mention any interest in the New York Dolls
but that doesn't mean he did not like their music. The subject just never came up.
By the way LOTV, what is an "old Mucker"? I have never heard that name before. I'm
hoping that it is a term of ultimate endearment...LOL
Hi conundrumme,
Yes, you are absolutely correct. It was my experience that Freddie
always was interested in creating an up-beat, keep them laughing
type atmosphere. It was so obvious that he got pleasure when
everyone was in a light-hearted mood. In New York, he occasionally
confided in me about his relationships but oddly enough, it was
always on the phone and never in person. He knew I was not a
musical person so he never needed to discuss any problems
with the band or the people who managed his tours. I'm sure he
had others in the Queen organization that he could vent problems
to..
Yes, you are absolutely correct. It was my experience that Freddie
always was interested in creating an up-beat, keep them laughing
type atmosphere. It was so obvious that he got pleasure when
everyone was in a light-hearted mood. In New York, he occasionally
confided in me about his relationships but oddly enough, it was
always on the phone and never in person. He knew I was not a
musical person so he never needed to discuss any problems
with the band or the people who managed his tours. I'm sure he
had others in the Queen organization that he could vent problems
to..
Hi, Thor.
Thank you once again for the continuing flow of good stories. I am always coming back to see more. I would bet many other Queenzoners are also quietly checking back from time to time.
Cheers,
Ogre-
Thank you once again for the continuing flow of good stories. I am always coming back to see more. I would bet many other Queenzoners are also quietly checking back from time to time.
Cheers,
Ogre-
Hey Ogre,
I'm glad you enjoy this...thanks for the positive feedback
I'm glad you enjoy this...thanks for the positive feedback
HAPPY BIRTHDAY FREDDIE!
^Having a few pints of Kilkenny in Freddie's memory, like I do every year. Well, it's Guinness usually, but my local had a discount going on Kilkenny. As long as it's Irish, it doesn't matter.
Good for you Costa86,
I usually save my Guinness for St. Patrick's Day, but why NOT on Freddie's
birthday as well. Cheers! my friend.
I usually save my Guinness for St. Patrick's Day, but why NOT on Freddie's
birthday as well. Cheers! my friend.
Now that you mention it Thor, Happy Birthday, Mr. Mercury!! It's been a pretty touching day. Almost every city here in Spain had their own party as a tribute for him and charity events collecting money for AIDS researching.But of course it was worldwide!! Someone living at Montreux told me, not because it's his birthday, but there is not a single day, someone doesn't bring fresh flowers to the statue. It's always crowded with people. After all this years, this doesn't happen with so many other people! I celebrated Freddie's life today with his music nonstop and had a couple of vodkas in his memory, as we both drink usually the same.
Thank you Thor for being a breath of fresh air for this website. There seems to be more new and old people posting of Queenzone lately.
Even with most of the clubs in Montrose still being closed thanks to the hurricane, the LGBT community out here is celebrating his life tonight- as it does every year. A handful of bars are open and serving your choice of a vodka or tequila shot with yellow food coloring called "The Killer Queen Shot" for tonight only! I'm finally off work, so I'll be grabbing one myself. Happy birthday to the legend.