Thoughts on Thor Arnold and Lee Nolan's eleven year friendship with Freddie

I can remember my uncle getting sick with the virus he kept getting bronchitis and they couldnt get rid of it so my grandma rushed him to dr one night because he coudn't breath they said he had pneumonia and was very sick and put him in hospital so they began running tests on him and he had AIDSt the type of pneumonia he had was associated with the new virus that was out and they told my grandma there was no treatment it was terminal .He lasted about one week and passed in the hospital in 1988.We all were so upset he didnt even look sick he was tall about 240 but he had that cold for a while and was complaining of being tired to his partner so after my uncle's passing his partner got tested and his test was negative .I guess the point I'm trying to make is noone knew they had it till it was too late so I dont think anyone is responsible for this terrible virus that has took millions.

Hey Spiralstatic,

You are, "Like a Circle in a Spiral, like a Wheel within a Wheel." ....LOL !

Credits: (Songwriters: Marilyn Bergman, Michel Legrand, Alan Bergman, "The Windmills Of Your Mind", Oscar winner for Best Song in 1969 and originally sung by Noel Harrison)

Seriously, I enjoyed reading your thoughts on some major topics dealing with Freddie. The tender way you treated the subject was entirely admirable. Don't worry about not actually knowing Freddie in real life. Many superfans here know way more than I do or am able to remember about the man.Your thoughts are valuable here.

Wow, NeverTooLate,

Is this information regarding Mary what you deduced from Peter and Jim's books, or did you know Mary at all? I learned my lesson twice to stay away from this topic, but I appreciate your input.
I witnessed Mary as a polite, smiling, extremely quiet, but a special and long-lasting, extremely close friend of Freddie's. I must admit, I did, get the feeling she did not want to deal with any of Freddie's gay friends, not even his long term housekeeper/chef (Joe), constant and loyal attendant (Phoebe) and lover (Jim). However, she was asked by Freddie to join us several times, which she did, but I am not quite sure if he had to drag her down to make a quick, polite, appearance for us.

Well, I realize now that should have read everyone's comments before adding my own. I went from the last comment I made till the most recent. This topic will not end. After Freddie's death, I had reason to be in London with a friend of mine. I rang up Phoebe to see if he might want to get together. He did and introduced my friend for his first time at the Garden Lodge. He was also gracious to allow us into Freddie's bedroom which was, so far, left intact. He showed us the collage of photos that Lee had framed and had given to Freddie. It was on his night-stand.Wow, did I feel good despite being sad.
Phoebe directly told me that he was not happy with this, his final week. He did mention some "unkind" things that
he was put through. It was particularly bad for him when
he "supposedly" was allowed to take the many items that Freddy had given him. After all, they lived in the same house for six years and Freddie loved to give gifts. Mary
put a stop to this that last week feeling that the three guys were stealing from her and also hired security agents.
Peter was not allowed some of the things he was entitled
to keep. How would anyone feel about that! Freddie's
MOST TRUSTED male worker and friend, being watched for potential stealing if not already, highly suspected.
I am a BIG Phoebe fan and I must say that that last meeting with Phoebe in London, left a bitter taste in my mouth. Just think if someone, these days, said to any of us, off the cuff, "Oh, Freddie Mercury, he was overrated and perverted, I don't like him.." How would we fans think of that...Kinda warm and fuzzy? I think not!
The woman should not be trashed but her methods perhaps need some apologizing for.

Thor I agree with you Mary is a hard subject to discuss she has been so nasty to Freddie's fans as well.She let them write memories and messages on the wall to the property in his honor for years and then decides she no longer wants fans to leave flowers or anything so sad.To me she comes across as bitter about something.But on the other hand what really upsets me to treat the people that took care of Freddie so terrible in the home that they had lived in is to me uncalled for.Freddies death affected so many of you guys including the ones that cared for him.I couldnt sleep at night if I had done those things to someone that cared for the dear friend I loved.

Has anyone seen the picture of Mary recently posted in a British magazine?? I found her unrecognizable and quite dowdy. Age doesn't appear to have been too kind to her........karma's a beyotch!

>Wow, NeverTooLate,
Is this information regarding Mary what you deduced from Peter and Jim's books, or did you know Mary at all? I learned my lesson twice to stay away from this topic, but I appreciate your input.

Hi Thor,

This is my interpretation and understanding from reading Peter & Jim's books. I know no one involved in Freddie's life or anyone associated with him or Queen.

Yes I have she is 67 so she has aged but she has gained so much weight I almost didnt recognize her.To me it really doesnt matter what a person looks like we all age but when you live your life with bitterness and hate in your heart it has a way of showing up on the outside.

I've been following this thread since my wife watched the movie and started taking an interest in the time I worked for Jim Beach at Mary Austin's home. She told me she found this page and I've been reading with intrest. I don't remember meeting you personally Thor but my name is Shaun, I worked at the Garden Lodge after Freddie's passing as security on the grounds. I did get to know some of the guys living in the property behind the Garden Lodge. Joe and Jim in particular seemed very down to earth and my heart went out to them. I got to know Ms.Austin pretty well. The woman they had in the film was absolutely nothing at all like the woman herself but maybe she was different in the 70's? Granted she didn't know me as a friend, I still found her to be very cold, short with fans and just about everyone else when the cameras weren't rolling. When the cameras were around, she was totally different. It's very interesting seeing what everyone's views of her are having never met her. Joe once told me that Freddie had hid things from her in his life and said she did not in fact know the real Freddie. Jim said something similar, though I can't recall his exact words. Anytime I would smile or offer up a "Hello ma'am, good morning" she would glance over and nod or not acknowledge us at all. She never learned our names. I saw many interactions with her and the guys that lived behind the garden lodge and they were never friendly. Jim and Joe seemed to bend over backwards to get her to smile or chat with them and she was not interested. She just seemed cold. I made mention to Joe that perhaps it was grief making her do this and he said no that she had always been that way. I don't know Mr.Mercury's life story but I do know Joe and Jim were among some of Freddie's favourite people and I can understand why. They were kind gents. I was sad to hear about their passing. I was still chatting with Jim at 2000 and I don't recall him saying they buried the hatchet but I know he did visit her once or twice after he left London. However it was not Mary who called him as I remember. The other way around. Either way I hope they found peace because as someone who watched some of it, I can tell you she made a terrible mistake in the way she treated them. Mr.Beach asked us not to talk to the press while we worked there and told us what to say when asked after our contract was over. I told him once our contract was over, we wouldn't need to lie about anything. He seemed annoyed. I got the idea he wanted to portray a certain look for the garden lodge story in the press and it wasn't the truth. I figured it was probably about keeping the gay characters out of the spotlight. Thanks for an interesting insight into Mr.Mercury's life. This is all very cool to read.

Hey Shaun, I think I may know exactly who you are. Would you mind telling me your last name? You can private message if you feel more comfortable. Thank you for reaching out and talking with us! If you are who I think you are then you must have a ton of info from inside Garden Lodge right after Freddie's passing. Were you there when Jim and Joe moved out?

Well...SHAZAM! Shaun, perfect timing!!
Welcome! Please share more.....at your convenience!

Hello. It's Matthews. Yes I was there when they moved away. I helped Jim pack up and he was nice enough to give me a few items. I had some of Mr.Mercury's items in my home for a few years before I had to sell. My wife had a very complicated pregnancy and the bills got to be very hard for us. I like to think Jim would understand.

You are who I thought you are! I actually owned 2 of the CDs from Garden Lodge that you sold. I followed your auctions lots for a while. Very cool! I'm sure Jim and Fredsie would both understand that. Have you still got some Garden Lodge items? How much did Jim and them get from Garden Lodge?