Villiers, it is pretty odd and such a random thing for someone to say/remember. And I wonder if he would even be that upfront about being lonely with a crew member. Sounds like more of a conversation that would be had with a close friend.
Thread
Posts in chronological order
Hey Lee, I know Thor met him first, but when you met Freddie, did you know who he was? Was there anything that surprised you about him?
@Villiers2, I can understand why Freddie wouldn't discuss his romantic relationships with Mary. If he sensed she still had feelings for him, it would've been hurtful to her. It seems he had those conversations with trusted male friends, like Thor. It must've taken a lot of energy to protect the various people in his life (family, Mary, gay friends, himself) by compartmentalizing to the extent that he did, but I respect him for caring enough to do it. I can also understand how this might lead him to feel like "The Great Pretender." It would get exhausting after a while.
Freddie said Mary was someone he could have serious and deep conversations with. If they didn't talk about his romances, I have to wonder what topics they discussed? It couldn't have all been about Queen business.
I haven't read either of Peter's or David's books yet, although I've got Minns' book on order. I'm looking forward to learning more. Freddie was such an interesting person.
Freddie said Mary was someone he could have serious and deep conversations with. If they didn't talk about his romances, I have to wonder what topics they discussed? It couldn't have all been about Queen business.
I haven't read either of Peter's or David's books yet, although I've got Minns' book on order. I'm looking forward to learning more. Freddie was such an interesting person.
Thor and Lee,
I find it absolutely fantastic that you both remained friends all these years! Were you friends prior to Freddie? (forgive me if this was asked and answered) and how did you both end up on the west coast? Lee, all the best to you in your recovery! That is so unfortunate but am glad your good friend was there for you.
My husband and 18 year old son went to see the movie last night. I was anxious to hear their thoughts. They felt sad that Freddie had such a despondent life and that he seemed to have an alcohol problem to get over loosing Mary. They both felt bad for him because he was so alone. That was their takeaway. Unfortunate for sure but my son did come home and watched Live Aid on Youtube and purchased his first Queen songs for his playlist.
I find it absolutely fantastic that you both remained friends all these years! Were you friends prior to Freddie? (forgive me if this was asked and answered) and how did you both end up on the west coast? Lee, all the best to you in your recovery! That is so unfortunate but am glad your good friend was there for you.
My husband and 18 year old son went to see the movie last night. I was anxious to hear their thoughts. They felt sad that Freddie had such a despondent life and that he seemed to have an alcohol problem to get over loosing Mary. They both felt bad for him because he was so alone. That was their takeaway. Unfortunate for sure but my son did come home and watched Live Aid on Youtube and purchased his first Queen songs for his playlist.
Lee Kathleen Nolan wrote:
Freddie turned to us, without even having to think and said. “I’m going to buy New Jersey, and burn it down...
except for Kathleen’s mother”.
Oh no! Hahah, damn Bill gave NJ a bad name (well..worse than what we have already)!
That’s very funny Robby. Your right. New Jersey IS the brunt of a lot of jokes. Often they come from me, but I always add that it IS right by New York City, which was very handy when I discovered what it was all about. I also add that there are a lot of gorgeous areas in New Jersey.
I’m gonna jump around here, to answer several questions. Thor and I had quite a travel habit circa 1980. We had met through our friend Joe, and Joe was often away working, so Thor and I would hook up and look for trouble...of all kinds. We would jump on a plane, often not thinking or planning, OR realizing the consequences of getting on a plane every 6 to 8 weeks to get out of town. As in it wasn’t cheap. Thor WAS the expert at finding deals so off we would go. After a few years of this, somehow the subject of getting out of New York for a while came up, much to Joe and John’s chagrin. After much deliberation, California was the vote. It HAD to be somewhere warm, after growing up in the east. As I recall, Thor was interested in San Francisco, for nursing opportunities, and I was favoring L.A. Somehow we agreed on San Diego, and off we went. That was 24 years ago this past Sunday, that we arrived. I told everyone in New York that we were just going for 6 months to calm those who thought we were crazy. Other than two and a half years in Provincetown on Cape Cod for me, we are still both here. I spent from 1999 to 2014 in L.A. in “the industry” before I retired. In June it will be five years that I am in Palm Springs.
Opera and ballet - The subject came up, I’m sure several times, as Peter had worked in the field, and stories would be shared. Freddie certainly appreciated both. I remember one night we were all in the TV room of his place at the Soverign. Peter had a VHS tape (whatever the helll that is) of an opera. Let’s say it was Joan Sutherland. Every time the Diva did something phenomenal, vocally, Freddie, Peter, and I would scream with delight along with the audience on the tape. Thor, Joe, and John looked at us each time as though we had become possessed not having a clue as to why we would start cheering. It didn’t stop us. I think maybe Paul might have been there, joining in our reverie. You know the story Thor tells about Paul being enamored with Joe, so if Joe was there he was there. Paul was kind of quiet. Always friendly, always pleasant, and as far as we knew he was great to Freddie, and Freddie enjoyed his company. Little did anyone know what was brewing in his thoughts, when Freddie might have scolded him for something or other. There are a couple of photos of him in our book, having a good time with us. He was definety part of the gang many times.
Oh well, I’m off to collect some of my saliva (how pleasant) to send to Ancestry.Com. I am this age, and I’m STILL determined to find out exactly how much Italian I have in me, the smaller part being Irish and German.
Let’s chat tomorrow. Til then...
Lee Out
I’m gonna jump around here, to answer several questions. Thor and I had quite a travel habit circa 1980. We had met through our friend Joe, and Joe was often away working, so Thor and I would hook up and look for trouble...of all kinds. We would jump on a plane, often not thinking or planning, OR realizing the consequences of getting on a plane every 6 to 8 weeks to get out of town. As in it wasn’t cheap. Thor WAS the expert at finding deals so off we would go. After a few years of this, somehow the subject of getting out of New York for a while came up, much to Joe and John’s chagrin. After much deliberation, California was the vote. It HAD to be somewhere warm, after growing up in the east. As I recall, Thor was interested in San Francisco, for nursing opportunities, and I was favoring L.A. Somehow we agreed on San Diego, and off we went. That was 24 years ago this past Sunday, that we arrived. I told everyone in New York that we were just going for 6 months to calm those who thought we were crazy. Other than two and a half years in Provincetown on Cape Cod for me, we are still both here. I spent from 1999 to 2014 in L.A. in “the industry” before I retired. In June it will be five years that I am in Palm Springs.
Opera and ballet - The subject came up, I’m sure several times, as Peter had worked in the field, and stories would be shared. Freddie certainly appreciated both. I remember one night we were all in the TV room of his place at the Soverign. Peter had a VHS tape (whatever the helll that is) of an opera. Let’s say it was Joan Sutherland. Every time the Diva did something phenomenal, vocally, Freddie, Peter, and I would scream with delight along with the audience on the tape. Thor, Joe, and John looked at us each time as though we had become possessed not having a clue as to why we would start cheering. It didn’t stop us. I think maybe Paul might have been there, joining in our reverie. You know the story Thor tells about Paul being enamored with Joe, so if Joe was there he was there. Paul was kind of quiet. Always friendly, always pleasant, and as far as we knew he was great to Freddie, and Freddie enjoyed his company. Little did anyone know what was brewing in his thoughts, when Freddie might have scolded him for something or other. There are a couple of photos of him in our book, having a good time with us. He was definety part of the gang many times.
Oh well, I’m off to collect some of my saliva (how pleasant) to send to Ancestry.Com. I am this age, and I’m STILL determined to find out exactly how much Italian I have in me, the smaller part being Irish and German.
Let’s chat tomorrow. Til then...
Lee Out
P.S. how silly of me. I meant to mention Monserrat Caballe, whom Freddie adored. That CD makes me nuts. She gifted him a dress she wore that hung in his salon by the window. The back story to how the album came about is fun,
Someone told this next story, but he told us.
As they were walking out to perform Barcelona, Monserrat told Freddie that she was nervous.
(There were doctor’s back stage and they wondered how the hell he would be able to do that.). His response to her being nervous was something along the lines of “Its rock and roll, Darling”. The video is SO exciting.
Maybe someone knows more details about that performance.
Someone told this next story, but he told us.
As they were walking out to perform Barcelona, Monserrat told Freddie that she was nervous.
(There were doctor’s back stage and they wondered how the hell he would be able to do that.). His response to her being nervous was something along the lines of “Its rock and roll, Darling”. The video is SO exciting.
Maybe someone knows more details about that performance.
Hi Lee, I hope you're feeling better !!
Thank you so much for answering our questions, and sharing your stories with us! I really appreciate your and Thor's time and kindness :)
Thank you so much for answering our questions, and sharing your stories with us! I really appreciate your and Thor's time and kindness :)
I had no clue he had done a song with Montserrat Caballe, no clue who she was at all, but I have since had Barcelona on repeat quite often, it’s wonderful! Her voice is amazing and so is his, I get goosebumps just listening to it. I’m going to have to find the rest of the album to listen to.
Here's a lovely interview that's been floating around the internet for the last few days between Freddie and Montserrat. I've seen bits and pieces of it before but Freddie's voice has always been over-dubbed in Spanish. This is the first time I've been able to hear his replies. Montserrat is still in Spanish, but it's fun to watch Freddie's reactions when he's not speaking. He seems very relaxed and he's clearly having fun. The friendship was obviously important to both of them. Enjoy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MF3UweAH2VM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MF3UweAH2VM
Hi Anniebee,
Did you watch the interview with Freddie and Montserrat that was recently posted on another thread? It is quite delightful. The affection they had for one another really shines through.
Did you watch the interview with Freddie and Montserrat that was recently posted on another thread? It is quite delightful. The affection they had for one another really shines through.
Oops...Katydyd5 and I must have been posting replies at the same time. I have tried to listen to this interview a second time, but I can no longer get any sound...I have no idea why as I can hear other YouTube videos just fine. Strange!
I started watching it then had to do something and haven’t picked it back up again. I’ll have to watch it again!
Thank you Lee,
But I think you all need to watch and hear the perfection of "Barcelona". For those who haven't experienced it, here it is!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=op07UzSCu4c
But I think you all need to watch and hear the perfection of "Barcelona". For those who haven't experienced it, here it is!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=op07UzSCu4c
Here's an interesting video too...and Phoebe finally gets some airtime.Warning: this is a bit sad.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uazC2IdI8rw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uazC2IdI8rw