Wow, you guys have been busy today! There are several things I'd like to comment on.
First, Thor, thanks so much for your heartfelt post about your feelings after Freddie died. It touched me that we have been able to be a part of your healing. This is the only thread I read on QZ because it is usually so kind and welcoming. I feel like I am coming to a group of friends where I can openly talk about someone I love and admire . Thor, you and Lee have created a safe place for all of us.
Most of us who post on this thread make a great effort to be open to all of the people Freddie held dear in his life. Mary and Jim are both polarizing figures but we are able to keep it civil out of respect for Freddie.
I have made some friends here who I enjoy immensely. I believe Thor and Lee made that possible.
Thanks guys!
Thread
Posts in chronological order
Whoops, sent that last post before I was finished.
I think Freddie was beautiful in all of his incarnations, but I have to admit that I liked the mustache period best. You could really see his face and bone structure. I also liked the clean shaven look that came after, though I am aware if was for a sadder purpose. The early years were fun! He could pull off any look he wanted. There was only one look that I didn't like and I'm not sure I can even describe it. His hair was very styled, brushed completely back from his face in almost a pageboy look. Luckily that one was short-lived. Oh, and the short, curly Crazy Little Thing Called Love look was super sexy.
Emerald, welcome! I taught 2nd grade for most of my career. Old enough to be able to do some wonderful things, but young enough that they still hadn't developed attitude.
I had read that Freddie perfected his table tennis as a young boy on the long trips by sea to the boarding school. Apparently there was a table on board ship and they passed the time playing. I think Brian said that he was unbeatable in later years. I had also heard the story of him playing with his right hand behind his back. Was there a table in one of the backstage scenes in the Bo Rhap movie? I could be wrong, but if so, it would have been a nod to that part of his life.
NeverTooLate, your posts are always so articulate. Everything you said about Thor's post was so well said. I often am thinking the same things, but am not so finessed. I'm curious, is writing part of your career?
Ok, now I think I am finished. I get the feeling that Lee takes notes as he reads when he stops by so that he can answer everything at once. I should pick up that technique so that I can get it all in one post.
I think Freddie was beautiful in all of his incarnations, but I have to admit that I liked the mustache period best. You could really see his face and bone structure. I also liked the clean shaven look that came after, though I am aware if was for a sadder purpose. The early years were fun! He could pull off any look he wanted. There was only one look that I didn't like and I'm not sure I can even describe it. His hair was very styled, brushed completely back from his face in almost a pageboy look. Luckily that one was short-lived. Oh, and the short, curly Crazy Little Thing Called Love look was super sexy.
Emerald, welcome! I taught 2nd grade for most of my career. Old enough to be able to do some wonderful things, but young enough that they still hadn't developed attitude.
I had read that Freddie perfected his table tennis as a young boy on the long trips by sea to the boarding school. Apparently there was a table on board ship and they passed the time playing. I think Brian said that he was unbeatable in later years. I had also heard the story of him playing with his right hand behind his back. Was there a table in one of the backstage scenes in the Bo Rhap movie? I could be wrong, but if so, it would have been a nod to that part of his life.
NeverTooLate, your posts are always so articulate. Everything you said about Thor's post was so well said. I often am thinking the same things, but am not so finessed. I'm curious, is writing part of your career?
Ok, now I think I am finished. I get the feeling that Lee takes notes as he reads when he stops by so that he can answer everything at once. I should pick up that technique so that I can get it all in one post.
Katydyd,
You took the words out of my mouth. I too am way impressed with NeverTooLate's writing skills. I read her reply three times over because it flowed so beautifully. I wish I had that skill. Maybe the book would have been picked up already if Lee and I could write that eloquently...just kidding of course. The book has to be in our own writing styles to maintain its authenticity.
You took the words out of my mouth. I too am way impressed with NeverTooLate's writing skills. I read her reply three times over because it flowed so beautifully. I wish I had that skill. Maybe the book would have been picked up already if Lee and I could write that eloquently...just kidding of course. The book has to be in our own writing styles to maintain its authenticity.
[Dramatic Voice] Where is Lee? What have you people done with Lee?! [Exit stage left]
Oh, that old lazy good for nothing so and so... Just Kidding...he is at work right now. I will be visiting him again on April 6th for a few days of work and play.
I will tell him you all miss him and try to get him to make an appearance.
I will tell him you all miss him and try to get him to make an appearance.
Katy, thank you for the nice compliment! Yes writing has been an important skill in my career. All business-oriented, marketing, and sometimes technical, depending on the various jobs I held.
Thor,
Thank you for that beautiful and personal recollection of how you dealt with such a devastating loss. The golden thread interwoven throughout the stories you and Lee share is the respect and love you both had for Freddie…it shines through every time. I know your book will be a loving tribute to a person that we all treasure, but for whom you were lucky enough to call a dear friend. I only hope that when I get my copy in the mail that it arrives on a weekend because I’m sure I will want to read it in one sitting...no matter how late I have to stay up!!!
Thank you for that beautiful and personal recollection of how you dealt with such a devastating loss. The golden thread interwoven throughout the stories you and Lee share is the respect and love you both had for Freddie…it shines through every time. I know your book will be a loving tribute to a person that we all treasure, but for whom you were lucky enough to call a dear friend. I only hope that when I get my copy in the mail that it arrives on a weekend because I’m sure I will want to read it in one sitting...no matter how late I have to stay up!!!
Welcome Emerald,
I was a 3rd grade teacher for most of my career. Our spring break was always in the middle of April...but that is because we had a mid-winter vacation in February.
This is a great community of Queen fans. We certainly differ in background and life experience and yes, sometimes points of view.. but that is what makes the conversations interesting. I have learned so much from the people here.
Thor...I looked back at your first post. I almost does not seem possible it will be 2 years this summer that you first made your presence known. Wow...I bet you didn't anticipate this outcome when you first introduced yourself. The unexpected directions life takes us....
I was a 3rd grade teacher for most of my career. Our spring break was always in the middle of April...but that is because we had a mid-winter vacation in February.
This is a great community of Queen fans. We certainly differ in background and life experience and yes, sometimes points of view.. but that is what makes the conversations interesting. I have learned so much from the people here.
Thor...I looked back at your first post. I almost does not seem possible it will be 2 years this summer that you first made your presence known. Wow...I bet you didn't anticipate this outcome when you first introduced yourself. The unexpected directions life takes us....
Thor,
I'm glad your FreddienotFreddy is fairing well and I wish him continued recovery.
I remember Phoebe telling a story (on his blog I believe) about Freddie receiving an award that had his name spelled as Freddy and him telling Phoebe he could have it because he (Freddie) didn't know who "Freddy Mercury" was.
Speaking of our favorite Freddie looks, I think he was his most beautiful around The Works/Live Aid era. My second favorite is between 1977-79, when his hair is getting shorter every year, but he hasn't grown the mustache yet. I think he absolutely adorable in those couple years before he went full sexy with the mustache in 1980.
I'm glad your FreddienotFreddy is fairing well and I wish him continued recovery.
I remember Phoebe telling a story (on his blog I believe) about Freddie receiving an award that had his name spelled as Freddy and him telling Phoebe he could have it because he (Freddie) didn't know who "Freddy Mercury" was.
Speaking of our favorite Freddie looks, I think he was his most beautiful around The Works/Live Aid era. My second favorite is between 1977-79, when his hair is getting shorter every year, but he hasn't grown the mustache yet. I think he absolutely adorable in those couple years before he went full sexy with the mustache in 1980.
Thank you so much for your honest and heartfelt reply Thor. Time is a great healer; I am so happy that you have found this group of lovely people and are happy to share your memories with us.
Never before have I become so interested in a person in the public eye; I have been surprised at my own emotions, 27 years after his death and I found myself greiving because he was was one of a kind. There hasn't been anyone like Freddie since.
My favourite Freddie look starated from the period where he cut his hair shorter and grew the moustache, I preferred Freddie with a moustache which is funny in a way as I have read that this look didn't go down very well with some fans . I think that Freddie looked awsome during the Magic Tour.
What intrigues me is Freddie's change of style in the years after the Magic Tour . You will notice in videos and photos floating around that he started to dress more formal in smart trousers , shirt and tie. I have seen him say in a few interviews that he felt he wouldn't always be able to run around the stage in tights etc.
Thor/Lee did you notice a difference in Freddie after the Magic Tour but before he was diagnosed compared to your new york days?
:)
Never before have I become so interested in a person in the public eye; I have been surprised at my own emotions, 27 years after his death and I found myself greiving because he was was one of a kind. There hasn't been anyone like Freddie since.
My favourite Freddie look starated from the period where he cut his hair shorter and grew the moustache, I preferred Freddie with a moustache which is funny in a way as I have read that this look didn't go down very well with some fans . I think that Freddie looked awsome during the Magic Tour.
What intrigues me is Freddie's change of style in the years after the Magic Tour . You will notice in videos and photos floating around that he started to dress more formal in smart trousers , shirt and tie. I have seen him say in a few interviews that he felt he wouldn't always be able to run around the stage in tights etc.
Thor/Lee did you notice a difference in Freddie after the Magic Tour but before he was diagnosed compared to your new york days?
:)
NTL, I just knew you had writing in your background! Your posts are so polished and I look forward to reading them. Writing is my favorite way to express myself too, though I tend to put my fingers to the keys and just spew my thoughts out.
OH NO....
A destroyed message from Lee...I hope you saved a copy Lee.
A destroyed message from Lee...I hope you saved a copy Lee.
Well, he’s back.
Black Queen’s Kid...thank you for your concern, and I deserve it. When Thor left the last time he bound me with duct tape so I wouldn’t go out to the clubs we frequent here and steal his thunder (pun intended). He didn’t want me to be having too much fun without him as my wingman.
Truth be told, I need to recover from the going out thing after Thor’s visits, as that young kid wears me out.
Thank you one and all for the birthday greetings. Thor and I decided that we REALLY didn’t finish our celebrating in true Mother fashion, and we will be continuing the celebration next week end. Also thank you for the St Patrick’s day wishes. I worked, which I’ve been doing a lot lately, and that’s fine.
I’m journeying to Ireland in a few months for a friend’s wedding at Waterford Castle (I was seriously tricked into it...) more about that later.
I made a promise to myself that I would have it paid for in advance, unlike my last trip. (Yuck). It was on my bucket list, but didn’t think 8 would go this soon.
I am Irish, German, and mostly Italian. I brag the most about the Italian part. SO for clarification I sent my spit into Ancestry.com, you just spit in an envelope, right?
Black Queen’s Kid...thank you for your concern, and I deserve it. When Thor left the last time he bound me with duct tape so I wouldn’t go out to the clubs we frequent here and steal his thunder (pun intended). He didn’t want me to be having too much fun without him as my wingman.
Truth be told, I need to recover from the going out thing after Thor’s visits, as that young kid wears me out.
Thank you one and all for the birthday greetings. Thor and I decided that we REALLY didn’t finish our celebrating in true Mother fashion, and we will be continuing the celebration next week end. Also thank you for the St Patrick’s day wishes. I worked, which I’ve been doing a lot lately, and that’s fine.
I’m journeying to Ireland in a few months for a friend’s wedding at Waterford Castle (I was seriously tricked into it...) more about that later.
I made a promise to myself that I would have it paid for in advance, unlike my last trip. (Yuck). It was on my bucket list, but didn’t think 8 would go this soon.
I am Irish, German, and mostly Italian. I brag the most about the Italian part. SO for clarification I sent my spit into Ancestry.com, you just spit in an envelope, right?