Wow! NotQuiteAShilling.......A fellow QZer who knew the Tampa Bay Area in the '70's!!??.....I was born at Macdill AFB.....and my grandparents retired from Macdill and settled in St. Pete!! May I ask where you are located now??? I assumed from your screen name you were British?????
When where you last in this area????? Because....BOY have things changed here in the last few decades!!!!! I find the Downtown Tampa skyline almost unrecognizable when shown from the blimp during NFL season!!!!
I spent most of my youth jamming out to Q105....the discovery of FM radio and ALL THAT GREAT music from the 70's and 80's is just Sublime compared to what's available today!!!! Looking back..... I Am so glad that I grew up in the time that I did!!!!
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Posts in chronological order
Lee,
You mentioned taking piano lessons in college. Do you have a piano or keyboard in your home now? If so, what kind of music do you like to play? Did you ever play Freddie's piano in Garden Lodge?
You mentioned taking piano lessons in college. Do you have a piano or keyboard in your home now? If so, what kind of music do you like to play? Did you ever play Freddie's piano in Garden Lodge?
Oh everyone, I've been a bit busy these last few days, but thanks so much for all your kind comments about my work. I won't say any more, except Rainbow61 asked if there is a particular type of music people respond to. I don't play recorded music - we make music together, but occasionally I'll play songs (badly!) with some people if they love particular music or play themselves (I work with an older lady & since she was little her Grandma taught her to play songs with just one hand and amazingly though she has limited language, she can still pick up how to do this with any song. And she knows the lyrics to everything too - she's pretty brilliant! As is everyone I work with, all in their own ways.) but in terms of style, just like us all, everyone likes and responds to different styles of music and enjoys different instruments! :)
What amazing work Thor, though I imagine both areas must have been very difficult too. I worked in a hospice for a little while and it wasn't a sad place at all, but it's always there even though I don't work in a hospice now: the knowledge that some of these children don't have long. That said, there was so much joy, it wasn't really a big thing. :)
Thor and Lee has Peter Freestone given any advice about publishers? I even thought, you could even see if Brian May might back you in any way: [email protected] even if he may write a sentence just saying thumbs up?? I dunno.
Sorry as these two thoughts are I'm sure completely naive and silly and I am sure you must have spoken to Peter about publishers at least. In any case, I am hoping one (or several - so you can choose the best) of the pending responses you await shall be POSITIVE! Let us all join in willing it so!
Also, happy upcoming birthdays Thor and Lee. I'm a March baby too, in fact my birthday is today!!! I'm celebrating by chatting with you all! :D My best friend when I was little had her birthday on Halloween and with mine being St David's Day, we'd pretend we were both witches. :D
thundergod wrote:
Hey Spiralstatic,
I absolutely loved hearing about your work background...are you kidding?, It is a wonderful, selfless expression of YOU.
You may know that I was a Registered Nurse from 1981 through 2017. After three years of Pediatric Oncology, I wound up in Physical Rehabilitation dealing with Spinal Cord Injury, Brain Injury, Stroke, and related physical disabilities. Dementia and Altzheimers were unfortunately well represented in our patient population. In the area of rehabilitation in the U.S., there is a sub-specialty called Recreational Therapy. Apart from a myriad of other approaches they used for their patients, I witnessed the special beauty of music therapy. Of those who were able to, it seemed to be the therapy that produced the most smiles on the unit! This was unlike Physical Therapy, which often drew frowns and shrieks of pain (although, Physical Therapy was equally and critically important to their recovery or at least, their improvement).
In other words spiralstatic, I am so proud to share your dedication to make a difference in peoples lives! I'm right with ya girl!
Oh, and by the way, Freddie was very approving of my choice of professions. A few years later, Phoebe also became a nurse in the U.K.
What amazing work Thor, though I imagine both areas must have been very difficult too. I worked in a hospice for a little while and it wasn't a sad place at all, but it's always there even though I don't work in a hospice now: the knowledge that some of these children don't have long. That said, there was so much joy, it wasn't really a big thing. :)
Thor and Lee has Peter Freestone given any advice about publishers? I even thought, you could even see if Brian May might back you in any way: [email protected] even if he may write a sentence just saying thumbs up?? I dunno.
Sorry as these two thoughts are I'm sure completely naive and silly and I am sure you must have spoken to Peter about publishers at least. In any case, I am hoping one (or several - so you can choose the best) of the pending responses you await shall be POSITIVE! Let us all join in willing it so!
Also, happy upcoming birthdays Thor and Lee. I'm a March baby too, in fact my birthday is today!!! I'm celebrating by chatting with you all! :D My best friend when I was little had her birthday on Halloween and with mine being St David's Day, we'd pretend we were both witches. :D
Oh Wow spiralstatic,
I hear you on the therapy part of helping to heal our patients. All therapy that I witnessed, yes even psychological support, gave people hope of dealing with their new, totally unexpected and strange, life-changing physical and mental losses. I always found that so rewarding. In Physical Rehabilitation, we always considered ourselves to be a team. The doctor seemed to be, at times, the least helpful of the 5 or 6 team members.but certainly not always (it depended on the doctor). Therapists and nurses, I can say, were ALWAYS team oriented and helpful..
I hear you on the therapy part of helping to heal our patients. All therapy that I witnessed, yes even psychological support, gave people hope of dealing with their new, totally unexpected and strange, life-changing physical and mental losses. I always found that so rewarding. In Physical Rehabilitation, we always considered ourselves to be a team. The doctor seemed to be, at times, the least helpful of the 5 or 6 team members.but certainly not always (it depended on the doctor). Therapists and nurses, I can say, were ALWAYS team oriented and helpful..
Also,
We had tried Phoebe's own publisher many months ago, but unfortunately, they said, "no". Contacting them twenty years later than Phoebe, could be a reason. I really don't know.
We had tried Phoebe's own publisher many months ago, but unfortunately, they said, "no". Contacting them twenty years later than Phoebe, could be a reason. I really don't know.
Fingers crossed for you both getting a publisher, I for one am very much looking forward to seeing it. I do think there is a demand for it. Here in the UK Freddie is shown singing from the Wembley gig in an advert on one of the main TV channels. I get to see Freddie on TV every day singing 'who wants to live forwever' . Queen's music is also being playing everywhere too and a lot of their concerts are on SKY TV.
Going back to the film my one bid gripe is that people are believing Freddies life played out as it is portrayed on the screen. I am in a FB group and someone posted asking 'do you think that Freddie visiting his parents with Jim before Live Aid is what made him so pumped up'. People actually believe Freddie would have taken Jim to see his parents before the gig.
I know it is not a documentary but lots of people are not understanding that.
It also really bothers me that 27 years later people are still trying to figure out when Freddie got aids and when he knew he had aids and then making assumptions about how is supposed to have looked on the magic tour. To me he looked really well on that tour and I thought his voice was fantastic. People forget that it was a massive stage area and he liked to cover it all.
Another thing that bothers me is the assumption that Freddie left Munich because he knew he had aids and was hiding it. Phoebe says in his book that Freddie was tiring of Munich in favour of his new passion for Garden Lodge and Jim Hutton. I don't see how the stupid newspapers feel he became a recluse as he did Time and the magic tour in 1986, recorded the Barcelona album in 1987/1988 , the Miracle album in 1989 and so on. It seems the poor man wasn't allowed to calm down without gossip about his reasons.
Going back to the film my one bid gripe is that people are believing Freddies life played out as it is portrayed on the screen. I am in a FB group and someone posted asking 'do you think that Freddie visiting his parents with Jim before Live Aid is what made him so pumped up'. People actually believe Freddie would have taken Jim to see his parents before the gig.
I know it is not a documentary but lots of people are not understanding that.
It also really bothers me that 27 years later people are still trying to figure out when Freddie got aids and when he knew he had aids and then making assumptions about how is supposed to have looked on the magic tour. To me he looked really well on that tour and I thought his voice was fantastic. People forget that it was a massive stage area and he liked to cover it all.
Another thing that bothers me is the assumption that Freddie left Munich because he knew he had aids and was hiding it. Phoebe says in his book that Freddie was tiring of Munich in favour of his new passion for Garden Lodge and Jim Hutton. I don't see how the stupid newspapers feel he became a recluse as he did Time and the magic tour in 1986, recorded the Barcelona album in 1987/1988 , the Miracle album in 1989 and so on. It seems the poor man wasn't allowed to calm down without gossip about his reasons.
I want to add that it may be a good idea to have a lawyer look over any contract that looks presuming, just to make sure they don't sneak in any legalese to screw you! My husband is an attorney and has that drilled into my head haha.
Villiers I joined in on your live this week, it was good. When will you be doing another?
I graduated from a large university that has its own press. Thor, have you thought to be tap into your alma mater (https://cup.columbia.edu/subjects/gender-and-sexuality-studies/mens-studies)? Granted, you may or may not have to add some scholarly work - maybe about the history of the gay scene in NYC - to your coffee table book about Freddie. Lee, I'm sorry, I have no idea where you went to college. Well, it's back to work. L is over.
Hello Thor & Lee,
I'm jumping into the deep end in this lovely pool party you guys are hosting. I'm new to QZ, having joined in the last few weeks. I've read most of the posts in both of your threads but jumped the last 40 pages in this one. ;-)
First, I want to tell you how happy I am that you both are still here in this life, healthy, and able to spread the love and joy to this and other communities, not only because of your prior association and friendship with beloved Freddie, but because you have sweet souls!
I lived in SF from '83 to '01 but really wasn't paying super close attention to the gay scene (being a straight woman and then working a lot). One thing I've been doing as of late is immersing myself in the earlier years of the epidemic -- watching documentaries, reading more articles, understanding more of the politics and also delving into the science behind it all. It's because of my interest in Freddie's story *now* that I've been going in the wayback machine into some history archives.
If you'll indulge, I've been compiling questions for you guys as I've read the thousands of posts on your threads; in the interest of efficiency I'll list them out in this one post. And please to the other QZ members, my questions are not intending to be insensitive or rude, but come from a place of learning and empathy:
1. Brian May talked about how Freddie "lost most of his foot" due to KS. However, this isn't detailed in any of the books I've read (Hutton's, Freestone's). Was part of his foot amputated? Or was this some kind of other treatment done? And if you know, when did such a surgery (whatever it was) occur?
2. Aside from Freddie's foot, what other things were causing him physical pain (if you know)? I read how he was on a few painkillers and suffered greatly and from a medical standpoint I was wondering what else was causing him discomfort and pain (besides the constipation you mentioned many posts ago).
3. I know Freddie had to wear a lot of makeup in his final years and had grown a beard for some time, to obscure the lesions as best he could. Did he wear makeup at home too (during your last visit)?
4. Did you know in June '91 that would be the last time you'd ever visit or see Freddie? And was he able to spend much time out of bed?
5. What was your goodbye like on that '91 visit? Any acknowledgement or mention from Freddie about this goodbye compared to any other previously? Or from you to him?
6. Did you still talk by phone after that June '91 visit?
7. How did you hear of Freddie's passing? (on the news? call from someone?)
8. Did you ever 'sense' Freddie around you after he passed? Any spiritual type things you experienced or could share?
Okay I think I've probably worn you guys out with this post. Again, thank you for just being you and sharing your fun, poignant, and candid thoughts and memories. xoxo
I'm jumping into the deep end in this lovely pool party you guys are hosting. I'm new to QZ, having joined in the last few weeks. I've read most of the posts in both of your threads but jumped the last 40 pages in this one. ;-)
First, I want to tell you how happy I am that you both are still here in this life, healthy, and able to spread the love and joy to this and other communities, not only because of your prior association and friendship with beloved Freddie, but because you have sweet souls!
I lived in SF from '83 to '01 but really wasn't paying super close attention to the gay scene (being a straight woman and then working a lot). One thing I've been doing as of late is immersing myself in the earlier years of the epidemic -- watching documentaries, reading more articles, understanding more of the politics and also delving into the science behind it all. It's because of my interest in Freddie's story *now* that I've been going in the wayback machine into some history archives.
If you'll indulge, I've been compiling questions for you guys as I've read the thousands of posts on your threads; in the interest of efficiency I'll list them out in this one post. And please to the other QZ members, my questions are not intending to be insensitive or rude, but come from a place of learning and empathy:
1. Brian May talked about how Freddie "lost most of his foot" due to KS. However, this isn't detailed in any of the books I've read (Hutton's, Freestone's). Was part of his foot amputated? Or was this some kind of other treatment done? And if you know, when did such a surgery (whatever it was) occur?
2. Aside from Freddie's foot, what other things were causing him physical pain (if you know)? I read how he was on a few painkillers and suffered greatly and from a medical standpoint I was wondering what else was causing him discomfort and pain (besides the constipation you mentioned many posts ago).
3. I know Freddie had to wear a lot of makeup in his final years and had grown a beard for some time, to obscure the lesions as best he could. Did he wear makeup at home too (during your last visit)?
4. Did you know in June '91 that would be the last time you'd ever visit or see Freddie? And was he able to spend much time out of bed?
5. What was your goodbye like on that '91 visit? Any acknowledgement or mention from Freddie about this goodbye compared to any other previously? Or from you to him?
6. Did you still talk by phone after that June '91 visit?
7. How did you hear of Freddie's passing? (on the news? call from someone?)
8. Did you ever 'sense' Freddie around you after he passed? Any spiritual type things you experienced or could share?
Okay I think I've probably worn you guys out with this post. Again, thank you for just being you and sharing your fun, poignant, and candid thoughts and memories. xoxo
Thor, I love that story! Just goes to show you that many publishers don't actually have a clue about what they're doing when it comes to choosing books. Bet they're regretting their decision now lol.
Villers, sorry, I must have missed your first answer. Glad to hear that the videos will be back and am patiently waiting for the reuploads :)
Villers, sorry, I must have missed your first answer. Glad to hear that the videos will be back and am patiently waiting for the reuploads :)
Never to late Aids can affect you everywhere especially the nervous system which you know the brain plays a big role in the central portion of that system if its affected and the immune system attacks the nerves a person can develop painful neuropathy and fall and eventually become so weak they cant walk .The brain controls our movements I'm sure if he was bed bound he was experiencing some of these difficulties.When it hits the nervous system that can be very painful.I dont know about the foot.
From what I've heard it wasn't amputated. I think Brian's words were taken out of context. Both Phoebe and Jim stated he had either a KS lesion or a wound on his foot in Ibiza in 87 that just never healed and got worse and worse until he could hardly walk.
Jim specifically stated days before Freddie passed he wanted to go downstairs and see his paintings and Jim offered to carry him and he declined and walked down the stairs barefoot, so yeah, still had a foot.
Jim specifically stated days before Freddie passed he wanted to go downstairs and see his paintings and Jim offered to carry him and he declined and walked down the stairs barefoot, so yeah, still had a foot.
A very happy birthday to you, Spiralstatic. I hope you are having a wonderful day!!!