thundergod
Correction...Somewhere I mistakenly spelled Montreux, Switzerland as Montrose, Switzerland...please ignore . My apologies to all of you and to Heidi and her Grandfather..lol
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matt z
I feel this may be the dumbest question ever, err the silliest. But oddly enough it's probably relevant.
Since you knew Freddie back in his NY days. ...
Did Freddie Mercury ever visit ...... (dun dun dun! )..... QUEENS? (*wouldn't seem likely)
ALSO. ..on the NYC subject. .. when I got to watch their only Saturday Night Live performance, it seemed that both he and Eddie Murphy were a bit talkative. ...what was that about?
Who admired who?
And more generally, were the bandmates at all localized and "chummy" in the early 80's or were they living completely separate lives? Much had been said about John's departure from the band due to the effect of Fred's passing on him.
I'm grateful you've filled in some details that ppl may otherwise not have known. Particularly the MJ, FM split....the media always conjures up something salacious
Since you knew Freddie back in his NY days. ...
Did Freddie Mercury ever visit ...... (dun dun dun! )..... QUEENS? (*wouldn't seem likely)
ALSO. ..on the NYC subject. .. when I got to watch their only Saturday Night Live performance, it seemed that both he and Eddie Murphy were a bit talkative. ...what was that about?
Who admired who?
And more generally, were the bandmates at all localized and "chummy" in the early 80's or were they living completely separate lives? Much had been said about John's departure from the band due to the effect of Fred's passing on him.
I'm grateful you've filled in some details that ppl may otherwise not have known. Particularly the MJ, FM split....the media always conjures up something salacious
noorie
This is one of the most interesting topics on QZ in the longest time. Thanks Thor! You should write a book containing all your personal anecdotes about Freddie. It makes for lovely reading!
thundergod
OK mattZ...interesting, yet crazy questions indeed....LOL . I can answer a few of them.
We all went on a day trip to one of Long Islands nearest great beaches called Jones Beach. Freddie rented a limousine and we packed it tight with beach toys, picnic lunches, and all kinds of crazy costume items.
So, to get to Jones Beach, you must drive through Queens for about 1/2 hour but I don't think Freddie ever spent time there, unless he may have had a Queen Concert at the old Shea Stadium (like the Beatles had in 1965-66 and Billy Joel and Paul McCartney on closing night, etc.) which is located in Queens at Flushing Meadow.
By the time I met Freddie, the band members all got along fine but did not do any socializing together and were all pursuing their own lives. Brian May and Roger Taylor were very respectful of Freddie's friends and talked with us each time we met, and it was always great to see them. Unfortunately, I never heard or said a word to John Deacon, but I just assumed he was "the quiet one." Freddie never had even one bad or slightly bad word to say about them.
Now the Saturday Night Live performance was interesting. The night before the show, Freddie had a major fight with a guy he was dating from New Jersey, with minor wrecking of his hotel room. He got about 1/2 hour of sleep, but Freddie always loved the day after a "good" boyfriend fight. You notice that Freddies singing was not at it's best that night and with good reason. As far a Eddie Murphy was involved, I don't remember anything unusual.
We all went on a day trip to one of Long Islands nearest great beaches called Jones Beach. Freddie rented a limousine and we packed it tight with beach toys, picnic lunches, and all kinds of crazy costume items.
So, to get to Jones Beach, you must drive through Queens for about 1/2 hour but I don't think Freddie ever spent time there, unless he may have had a Queen Concert at the old Shea Stadium (like the Beatles had in 1965-66 and Billy Joel and Paul McCartney on closing night, etc.) which is located in Queens at Flushing Meadow.
By the time I met Freddie, the band members all got along fine but did not do any socializing together and were all pursuing their own lives. Brian May and Roger Taylor were very respectful of Freddie's friends and talked with us each time we met, and it was always great to see them. Unfortunately, I never heard or said a word to John Deacon, but I just assumed he was "the quiet one." Freddie never had even one bad or slightly bad word to say about them.
Now the Saturday Night Live performance was interesting. The night before the show, Freddie had a major fight with a guy he was dating from New Jersey, with minor wrecking of his hotel room. He got about 1/2 hour of sleep, but Freddie always loved the day after a "good" boyfriend fight. You notice that Freddies singing was not at it's best that night and with good reason. As far a Eddie Murphy was involved, I don't remember anything unusual.
thundergod
Thank you noorie. A book? Well I think that every memory I have will probably be laid out right here! I hope I have enough to last a few weeks here, the responses have been unbelievable.
noorie
Well, if ever you decide to write a book, please let me know. You have your first customer lined up right here! :) (And tons more from QZ, I imagine.)
kokax
thanks so much for your replies Thor !
May I throw in another silly one ? When you met in 1980 were the Tom of Finland and Mineshaft t-shirts fashionable in the NY scene ? Would you buy that in the clubs ? Did he wear them as a hidden signal, or just because he liked them without further thoughts... ? Thanks so much for your time !
May I throw in another silly one ? When you met in 1980 were the Tom of Finland and Mineshaft t-shirts fashionable in the NY scene ? Would you buy that in the clubs ? Did he wear them as a hidden signal, or just because he liked them without further thoughts... ? Thanks so much for your time !
thundergod
HaHa kokax,
Considering how fashion conscious and fashion adventurous that gays are SUPPOSED to be, in the early 80's we ALL dressed exactly the same. Everyone had a moustache, everyone wore blue jeans, and everyone wore denim jackets. We called that outfit the "Leisure Suit". In the winter, the denim jacket was exchanged for a leather jacket. Freddie wore the same clothes that we were wearing, one almost HAD to then.to look sexually desireable. We all had tank-tops (I think British call them singlets) under our jackets or white tee-shirts. I prefered plain white, but I think Freddy did have logo tees like you mentioned from Tom of Finland and the famous Mineshaft sex club in the meat-packing district of New York. In New York he played the average Joe and never HID anything...he loved that about New York.
Considering how fashion conscious and fashion adventurous that gays are SUPPOSED to be, in the early 80's we ALL dressed exactly the same. Everyone had a moustache, everyone wore blue jeans, and everyone wore denim jackets. We called that outfit the "Leisure Suit". In the winter, the denim jacket was exchanged for a leather jacket. Freddie wore the same clothes that we were wearing, one almost HAD to then.to look sexually desireable. We all had tank-tops (I think British call them singlets) under our jackets or white tee-shirts. I prefered plain white, but I think Freddy did have logo tees like you mentioned from Tom of Finland and the famous Mineshaft sex club in the meat-packing district of New York. In New York he played the average Joe and never HID anything...he loved that about New York.
matt z
Well, while we've got your attention here (*in spite of the spam attacks that keep occurring on this site) I think I'd read somewhere that Elton John was called Sharon by Rod Stewart (go figure) and I wouldn't know the origin of that inside joke.
That would explain no b movie actress.
But (!) On the subject of b-movie actresses. Did Freddie have a favorite?
By that time, Joan Crawford, Betty Davis, Sophia Loren, Gina Lollobrigida (what a talented woman), Vivien Leigh, Diana Dors, Melina Mercouri, Sara Montiel, Marlene Dietrich and even someone heralded like Elizabeth Taylor were all pretty much getting scant parts or completely retired.
Did Freddie ever accumulate any movie memorabilia?
I'd get the feeling he would be more fond of the former than someone say like Marilyn Monroe. ...or am I wrong?
Where did his fascination with b movie queens come from? Did he frequent many midnight movies? Films?
They'd have only been available in reel to reel home projection or tv broadcasts/vhs/beta transfers at the time.
P.s. Was he a FAN of Barbara Valentin's films or just the lifestyle?
That would explain no b movie actress.
But (!) On the subject of b-movie actresses. Did Freddie have a favorite?
By that time, Joan Crawford, Betty Davis, Sophia Loren, Gina Lollobrigida (what a talented woman), Vivien Leigh, Diana Dors, Melina Mercouri, Sara Montiel, Marlene Dietrich and even someone heralded like Elizabeth Taylor were all pretty much getting scant parts or completely retired.
Did Freddie ever accumulate any movie memorabilia?
I'd get the feeling he would be more fond of the former than someone say like Marilyn Monroe. ...or am I wrong?
Where did his fascination with b movie queens come from? Did he frequent many midnight movies? Films?
They'd have only been available in reel to reel home projection or tv broadcasts/vhs/beta transfers at the time.
P.s. Was he a FAN of Barbara Valentin's films or just the lifestyle?
thundergod
Oh Brother, matt Z...6 questions..seriously..LOL, I will try
1) I really don't think Rod Stewart was involved in this very gay game, but I may be wrong. I just always assumed it was a Freddie creation.
2) One of Freddie's all time favorite movies was called "The Women" with Bette Davis, Lucille Ball, and Joan Crawford. One night when we were all
a bit buzzed, He kept rewinding the movie to his favorite scenes, over and over and acted out many of the short scenes such as "Pardon me while I Un-swallow",
"Watercress, I'd sooner eat my way across the front lawn" and his favorite scene when I think it was Joan Crawford pulling a chair under herself with her leg only
and not missing a beat of a gossipy conversation the girls were having.
3) He was a collector of some pretty valuable Japanese art (paintings and sculptures) which he displayed throughout the Garden Lodge. I don't remember any
movie memorabilia. He had an animated picture of his beloved cat (Delilah) which was drawn by the Disney Studio and was supposed to become an animated feature named
"Delilah". I guess the project was scrapped when he became increasingly ill.
4) I DO believe he prefered "B" actresses because they were more consistently campy than the other Stars.
5) I had heard of Barbara Valentin, but I forgot what I had read about her, so I went back and re-read her chapter in "Mercury-An Intimate Biography of Freddie Mercury" by
Lesley-Ann Jones. Although it probably comforted Barbara, I sincerely believe that he was 99% gay and maybe 1% bisexual at the most (well, except maybe when he was as high as a kite).
He craved companionship and I guess she provided that. Again, I could be wrong..Remember, I never saw them interact with each other. I was not involved in the Munich days at all.
So, matt Z....maybe give me two questions at a time. Please remember, most of my knowledge of Freddie is from 1980 to 1983 and after that only about six or seven one week visits, some phone calls
and letters after 1983. I AM having fun reminiscing though, so thanks for your communications.
1) I really don't think Rod Stewart was involved in this very gay game, but I may be wrong. I just always assumed it was a Freddie creation.
2) One of Freddie's all time favorite movies was called "The Women" with Bette Davis, Lucille Ball, and Joan Crawford. One night when we were all
a bit buzzed, He kept rewinding the movie to his favorite scenes, over and over and acted out many of the short scenes such as "Pardon me while I Un-swallow",
"Watercress, I'd sooner eat my way across the front lawn" and his favorite scene when I think it was Joan Crawford pulling a chair under herself with her leg only
and not missing a beat of a gossipy conversation the girls were having.
3) He was a collector of some pretty valuable Japanese art (paintings and sculptures) which he displayed throughout the Garden Lodge. I don't remember any
movie memorabilia. He had an animated picture of his beloved cat (Delilah) which was drawn by the Disney Studio and was supposed to become an animated feature named
"Delilah". I guess the project was scrapped when he became increasingly ill.
4) I DO believe he prefered "B" actresses because they were more consistently campy than the other Stars.
5) I had heard of Barbara Valentin, but I forgot what I had read about her, so I went back and re-read her chapter in "Mercury-An Intimate Biography of Freddie Mercury" by
Lesley-Ann Jones. Although it probably comforted Barbara, I sincerely believe that he was 99% gay and maybe 1% bisexual at the most (well, except maybe when he was as high as a kite).
He craved companionship and I guess she provided that. Again, I could be wrong..Remember, I never saw them interact with each other. I was not involved in the Munich days at all.
So, matt Z....maybe give me two questions at a time. Please remember, most of my knowledge of Freddie is from 1980 to 1983 and after that only about six or seven one week visits, some phone calls
and letters after 1983. I AM having fun reminiscing though, so thanks for your communications.
matt z
Thanks, Thor. It's much appreciated. I find it absolutely AMAZING that an animated film/segment/story was to take place regarding Delilah.
What a revelation.
*(ppl here really love to trash on that song) I don't find it anything out of the ordinary for someone who wrote "Lazing on a Sunday Afternoon"
I really think it was 3 questions. The other Rod Stewart thing... it's supposedly a fact. (*but an "internet fact" at best) Hell if I know. Thanks for the frank communication. This is really engrossing. I'm sorry if the writing is a bit lengthy. Long day, couple of brews. The mind wanders.
I'll have to check out "the women" one of these days. The campiest I've seen Crawford was in that William Castle flick STRAIT- JACKET where she tries to seduce her daughter's fiancee.
That was hilarious. I only found it by way of Horror Author "Robert Bloch"... plenty of beheadings and studio props. It's "something else". "Fantastic trash"? ....something like that
This is all just a comment. Thanks for the recall, it's all very interesting and very MUCH appreciated.
I believe you may be actually closing much speculation for the "uber-fans" on this site. I know you've shed plenty light on things for me.
Thank you. You may yet complete some of the tapestry that is the band's history.
This is invaluable
What a revelation.
*(ppl here really love to trash on that song) I don't find it anything out of the ordinary for someone who wrote "Lazing on a Sunday Afternoon"
I really think it was 3 questions. The other Rod Stewart thing... it's supposedly a fact. (*but an "internet fact" at best) Hell if I know. Thanks for the frank communication. This is really engrossing. I'm sorry if the writing is a bit lengthy. Long day, couple of brews. The mind wanders.
I'll have to check out "the women" one of these days. The campiest I've seen Crawford was in that William Castle flick STRAIT- JACKET where she tries to seduce her daughter's fiancee.
That was hilarious. I only found it by way of Horror Author "Robert Bloch"... plenty of beheadings and studio props. It's "something else". "Fantastic trash"? ....something like that
This is all just a comment. Thanks for the recall, it's all very interesting and very MUCH appreciated.
I believe you may be actually closing much speculation for the "uber-fans" on this site. I know you've shed plenty light on things for me.
Thank you. You may yet complete some of the tapestry that is the band's history.
This is invaluable
stevelondon20
If I may ask a Question please Thor. Hot Space is personally one of my favourite Albums, and there is so much shit surrounding it, that it really baffles me. What's your Opinion on it? Was it really the cause of huge uproar within the Band? Was Freddie really upset with the Chart Performance? Cheers.
thundergod
stevelondon,
Sorry, but I do not know much about the Hot Space album or anything other than it probably did cause a rift between the band members. I think the band was getting tired of each other after such a long time together. I believe they each had their own ideas about what Hot Space should be and how it should be done and it may have been missing the cohesiveness that was once always there. But, when they realized that Freddies days would be limited I'll bet they all craved what they had there and any differences may have seemed petty. One of my favorite quotes come from Judy Collins (of all people) with "Don't it always seem to go, that you don't know what you've got till it's gone." I think this philosophy is very much present within the two remaining band members. Maybe Hot Space would have even been better if some members didn't try to reign Freddie in and continued to follow his vision.
Sorry, but I do not know much about the Hot Space album or anything other than it probably did cause a rift between the band members. I think the band was getting tired of each other after such a long time together. I believe they each had their own ideas about what Hot Space should be and how it should be done and it may have been missing the cohesiveness that was once always there. But, when they realized that Freddies days would be limited I'll bet they all craved what they had there and any differences may have seemed petty. One of my favorite quotes come from Judy Collins (of all people) with "Don't it always seem to go, that you don't know what you've got till it's gone." I think this philosophy is very much present within the two remaining band members. Maybe Hot Space would have even been better if some members didn't try to reign Freddie in and continued to follow his vision.
Dr Magus
Hi Thor may i ask you a question?
Did Freddie ever mention Paul Rodgers at all? Did he have any posters of him on the wall in his apartment? Did he play Free records all night long gushing about how Paul was his idol and all time favourite singer?
Did Freddie ever mention Paul Rodgers at all? Did he have any posters of him on the wall in his apartment? Did he play Free records all night long gushing about how Paul was his idol and all time favourite singer?
kokax
Hi Thor,
thanks a lot for the update on fashion trends at the time ! Much appreciated ! :)
So where you also present during the event at his NY apartment with music journalist Lisa Robinson if I may ask ? If so, did she come along to watch a slideshow with FM's friends as well as her friend Fran Lebowitz as she recalls in her memory ....or was the event a party as Peter Freestone mentions in his book that Robinson attended with photographer Annie Leiboviz ?
thanks a lot for the update on fashion trends at the time ! Much appreciated ! :)
So where you also present during the event at his NY apartment with music journalist Lisa Robinson if I may ask ? If so, did she come along to watch a slideshow with FM's friends as well as her friend Fran Lebowitz as she recalls in her memory ....or was the event a party as Peter Freestone mentions in his book that Robinson attended with photographer Annie Leiboviz ?