Thor, Lee, I have a rather difficult question. It is not by any means my intention to attack this thread. I've said before that this thread is simply fantastic and has brought so much joy to us fans.
But do you think Freddie would be happy with stories about his personal life being discussed on a public forum online? If I have understood his character right from various documentaries and texts, he was a very private man. But now ordinary people, many of whom were not even born when he lived, can read about topics such as how he hooked up with guys, about his weaknesses and about various aspects of his life that were during his lifetime deliberately hidden from the fans.
Perhaps his strive for privacy has been exaggerated? Perhaps if would be alive, he would tell us that he is fine with this thread (and still we could not be a 100% sure, because people often say that they are fine with something even if they are not)?
Thread
Posts in chronological order
OMFG I want to see that photo! I recently saw a copy of the tour manager's bill for that smashed up hotel room...nearly $900 for the wall to be plastered amongst other things.
Sheldon, have you ever listened to the David Wigg tapes? Freddie was really open and frank in those, talking about how he was shit at relationships and admitting he was a big ho. Sometimes I wonder about the privacy too because sometimes he'd be open. Maybe he wanted the best of both worlds, to keep himself to himself yet also 'real' enough to make himself relatable to fans. It must have been a difficult balance.
It's weird for, as cagey as he was over being in male relationships, he was always blurting out how promiscuous he was. E.g. Leiden 1984, he said sex was his hobby. 1982, he replied 'having a lot of sex' when asked what he'll be doing in 20 years time. And back to the Wigg tapes, he admitted he was 'very promiscuous', had slept with a lot of people around the world and had tired of it. So that part of him was definitely not hidden from fans. Just their gender really, but most people guessed anyway.
Also Thor, I know you say you only saw the aftermath, but was Freddie retaliating with Bill? I can't imagine him not hitting him back. I mean, you would stick up for yourself and return blows wouldn't you? Well I would...
It's weird for, as cagey as he was over being in male relationships, he was always blurting out how promiscuous he was. E.g. Leiden 1984, he said sex was his hobby. 1982, he replied 'having a lot of sex' when asked what he'll be doing in 20 years time. And back to the Wigg tapes, he admitted he was 'very promiscuous', had slept with a lot of people around the world and had tired of it. So that part of him was definitely not hidden from fans. Just their gender really, but most people guessed anyway.
Also Thor, I know you say you only saw the aftermath, but was Freddie retaliating with Bill? I can't imagine him not hitting him back. I mean, you would stick up for yourself and return blows wouldn't you? Well I would...
Hi Invisible Woman,
Oh NO, Freddie's Will was NEVER, EVER brought up. We had no business enquiring about that and he had no intent to share it with us.
You are correct. There is no proof that Freddie continued a sexual relationship with Mary, but he trusted her above all. She knew him
early on, spent a good deal of time working for him, including showing up at special events with him as a cover for his homosexuality
and she was often his confident. A lifelong friend through thick and thin and a rock he could count on always was good reason to leave
her a lot of his wealth- well perhaps not as much as she actually got.
All that being said, I truly believe he would not have approved of her cutting herself off from his family, cutting herself off from his loyal
fans. and sadly, the way she treated his in-house staff who besides her, were his closest and dearest friends.
I did not know that Jim was hated. I can't imagine why. He provided love and comfort through the entire illness and that alone, in my
understanding makes him a loyal (despite Freddies indiscretions), and giving individual, He kept the Garden Lodge property completely
and perfectly landscaped which was such a tremendous source of peace and tranquility for Freddie, I think he was the absolute greatest
partner for Freddie. Physically, he was very much Freddie's type. He had a modest upbringing, and a simplicity about him that Freddie
loved. No, Jim should not be hated, he should be admired and THANKED for what he did for our Freddie!
Oh NO, Freddie's Will was NEVER, EVER brought up. We had no business enquiring about that and he had no intent to share it with us.
You are correct. There is no proof that Freddie continued a sexual relationship with Mary, but he trusted her above all. She knew him
early on, spent a good deal of time working for him, including showing up at special events with him as a cover for his homosexuality
and she was often his confident. A lifelong friend through thick and thin and a rock he could count on always was good reason to leave
her a lot of his wealth- well perhaps not as much as she actually got.
All that being said, I truly believe he would not have approved of her cutting herself off from his family, cutting herself off from his loyal
fans. and sadly, the way she treated his in-house staff who besides her, were his closest and dearest friends.
I did not know that Jim was hated. I can't imagine why. He provided love and comfort through the entire illness and that alone, in my
understanding makes him a loyal (despite Freddies indiscretions), and giving individual, He kept the Garden Lodge property completely
and perfectly landscaped which was such a tremendous source of peace and tranquility for Freddie, I think he was the absolute greatest
partner for Freddie. Physically, he was very much Freddie's type. He had a modest upbringing, and a simplicity about him that Freddie
loved. No, Jim should not be hated, he should be admired and THANKED for what he did for our Freddie!
Hello Sheldon,
I think Freddie would be VERY happy that this tribute forum, dedicated mostly to him, would be fine with him as long
as he knew it was run by Kathleen and myself. We try to ignore and isolate certain haters and troublemakers and we
try to keep it clean. Being gay should no longer be considered a flaw in one's personality profile. I think Michelangelo
would be jealous that now he would not have to hide his homosexuality. Many creative and talented men are gay.
Perhaps the more talented of us practiced the piano and listened to opera incessantly rather than playing or watching
football incessantly. Lee and I mostly hope to reveal Freddie the man with his kindness, generosity, keen sense of humor
and loyalty to his close friends. The fact that some people try to insult and degregate this thread is just part of having
an open forum. I can hear Freddie say "oh Kathleen, oh Thor, thank you darlings for telling the story that could not
have been said before. And darlings thank you for treating my fans so nicely and keeping them happy."
I think Freddie would be VERY happy that this tribute forum, dedicated mostly to him, would be fine with him as long
as he knew it was run by Kathleen and myself. We try to ignore and isolate certain haters and troublemakers and we
try to keep it clean. Being gay should no longer be considered a flaw in one's personality profile. I think Michelangelo
would be jealous that now he would not have to hide his homosexuality. Many creative and talented men are gay.
Perhaps the more talented of us practiced the piano and listened to opera incessantly rather than playing or watching
football incessantly. Lee and I mostly hope to reveal Freddie the man with his kindness, generosity, keen sense of humor
and loyalty to his close friends. The fact that some people try to insult and degregate this thread is just part of having
an open forum. I can hear Freddie say "oh Kathleen, oh Thor, thank you darlings for telling the story that could not
have been said before. And darlings thank you for treating my fans so nicely and keeping them happy."
Hey captainjory,
I actually can't remember who was said to have thrown the champagne.They were both capable of it. I guess that it must have been
Bill Reid, in Phoebe's book he describes the night that Bill appeared at his apartment in New York unexpected and banged on the
door, breaking the view hole glass and shouting, "You won't get rid of ME, you won't get rid of me"
I actually can't remember who was said to have thrown the champagne.They were both capable of it. I guess that it must have been
Bill Reid, in Phoebe's book he describes the night that Bill appeared at his apartment in New York unexpected and banged on the
door, breaking the view hole glass and shouting, "You won't get rid of ME, you won't get rid of me"
Thor, do you still remember how my question about Freddie's armpits was considered as disrespectful, really douchey and it was more or less the biggest disgrace of the first thread?
To be brutally honest, I'd say it's not even top 50 material anymore.
I have also a question. Do you have an estimate how many of the people you knew pretty well during '80-'83 later succumbed to aids? Freestone's book gave me the impression the number was pretty bad.
Over 50%? Or even worse?
To be brutally honest, I'd say it's not even top 50 material anymore.
I have also a question. Do you have an estimate how many of the people you knew pretty well during '80-'83 later succumbed to aids? Freestone's book gave me the impression the number was pretty bad.
Over 50%? Or even worse?
Hi miraclesteinway,
Nice to hear from you again.
Yes, you are correct. Freddie left most of the business stuff to a few trusted friends like Mary and the other band members. BUT
would always have the final say in any business transactions.
Nice to hear from you again.
Yes, you are correct. Freddie left most of the business stuff to a few trusted friends like Mary and the other band members. BUT
would always have the final say in any business transactions.
Hey Mr. Michael,
Yes, I certainly do remember you. As one of the first to make that kind of personal question about Freddie was NOT
what I wanted to encourage. I apologize if maybe I came down too hard on you and that probably kept you away
for continued participation. You are right, much worse has been since printed here. I still try to discourage it.
Well, as all is forgiven, I sincerely hope that you give us another chance. Welcome back!
Yes, I certainly do remember you. As one of the first to make that kind of personal question about Freddie was NOT
what I wanted to encourage. I apologize if maybe I came down too hard on you and that probably kept you away
for continued participation. You are right, much worse has been since printed here. I still try to discourage it.
Well, as all is forgiven, I sincerely hope that you give us another chance. Welcome back!
Mr. Michael,
As I worked in the gay bars and lived in New York's West Village, many, many of my more casual friends passed
and three of my best friends also passed namely John Murphy, Joe Scardilli and Freddy Mercury. I would have
to give you a high percentage rate of about 85%. By the time I left New York with Lee, there were few people to
say goodbye to. Heartbreaking but true.
As I worked in the gay bars and lived in New York's West Village, many, many of my more casual friends passed
and three of my best friends also passed namely John Murphy, Joe Scardilli and Freddy Mercury. I would have
to give you a high percentage rate of about 85%. By the time I left New York with Lee, there were few people to
say goodbye to. Heartbreaking but true.
LEE....WHERE ARE YOU?
"You are conspicuous by your absence, darling"
"You are conspicuous by your absence, darling"
captainjory wrote:
Sheldon, have you ever listened to the David Wigg tapes? Freddie was really open and frank in those, talking about how he was shit at relationships and admitting he was a big ho. Sometimes I wonder about the privacy too because sometimes he'd be open. Maybe he wanted the best of both worlds, to keep himself to himself yet also 'real' enough to make himself relatable to fans. It must have been a difficult balance.
It's weird for, as cagey as he was over being in male relationships, he was always blurting out how promiscuous he was. E.g. Leiden 1984, he said sex was his hobby. 1982, he replied 'having a lot of sex' when asked what he'll be doing in 20 years time. And back to the Wigg tapes, he admitted he was 'very promiscuous', had slept with a lot of people around the world and had tired of it. So that part of him was definitely not hidden from fans. Just their gender really, but most people guessed anyway.
Also Thor, I know you say you only saw the aftermath, but was Freddie retaliating with Bill? I can't imagine him not hitting him back. I mean, you would stick up for yourself and return blows wouldn't you? Well I would...
I think I've listened to some parts at least (Solo Collection, right?). Everything you say is true, but on the other hand, he gave much less interviews than other celebrities and if I have understood correctly, almost all of the information we have about his private life has been reported only after his death.
I need to leave the thread from Dec. 22 until Dec. 28 or 29.to celebrate Christmas with Lee, Brandon and Chuck.
Tonight I will be unavailable as I will be attending the San Diego Premier of "Call Me by Your Name" a highly acclaimed
romance and love story of a younger boy (17) by his older male mentor (26) in 1980's Italy. I'll let you all know my opinion
either after the movie or when I return at the end of December.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone. Enjoy yourselves!
Tonight I will be unavailable as I will be attending the San Diego Premier of "Call Me by Your Name" a highly acclaimed
romance and love story of a younger boy (17) by his older male mentor (26) in 1980's Italy. I'll let you all know my opinion
either after the movie or when I return at the end of December.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone. Enjoy yourselves!
captainjory wrote:
There are only a few times I've heard about him getting physical with other people, and it was mostly mutual. e.g Freddie and David Minns came to blows multiple times but frankly, they sound as bad as each other (Freddie socked him in the mouth after David smashed a clog over his head, which I shouldn't laugh about, but I do)
captainjory, I read that David bashed Freddie's hand with the clog? Though my memory might not be correct. I laughed too because David wrote about it in a way that Freddie was so terrible, and yet he went first! And I can only imagine the pain from being hit on the hand by a clog, which could have ruined his piano playing as well.
I think that David Minns was essentially a nice guy though, from the interviews and his writing. I got the impression it was two, young men, in a difficult situation with Freddie's career taking off and fame, etc. Not that it excuses either of them but it was not an ordinary situation. It made me laugh that the driver said he was always having to separate them, lol
thundergod wrote:
Hello Sheldon,
I think Freddie would be VERY happy that this tribute forum, dedicated mostly to him, would be fine with him as long
as he knew it was run by Kathleen and myself. We try to ignore and isolate certain haters and troublemakers and we
try to keep it clean. Being gay should no longer be considered a flaw in one's personality profile. I think Michelangelo
would be jealous that now he would not have to hide his homosexuality. Many creative and talented men are gay.
Perhaps the more talented of us practiced the piano and listened to opera incessantly rather than playing or watching
football incessantly. Lee and I mostly hope to reveal Freddie the man with his kindness, generosity, keen sense of humor
and loyalty to his close friends. The fact that some people try to insult and degregate this thread is just part of having
an open forum. I can hear Freddie say "oh Kathleen, oh Thor, thank you darlings for telling the story that could not
have been said before. And darlings thank you for treating my fans so nicely and keeping them happy."
Thor, thank you for replying. I'm not really addressing the gay issue here, but the aspects of the man's private life in general. I remember reading somewhere here that Freddie was insecure when he had a crush on someone, for example, which was really cute and I loved reading this. I totally understand your point about him being thrilled that his story is told and I'm really happy that he is not forgotten in many ways and still in 2017 as relevant as ever.
One topic that I have always thought should not be discussed in public is Freddie's last days/weeks and the health issues he was facing (or anyone's for that matter). This is the biggest reason why I think Jim's book is disgusting (same with some of Brian's comments). I have never read it, but it has been discussed and quoted here on QZ for years.We really should not know the embarrassing things that happened to the great man during his last days and we should certainly not be watching any private video tapes of him, even though he is in pretty good shape in the Garden Lodge tapes. However, if I see a link titled "Last Photo of Freddie Taken a Day Before He Died", I will click, because that's how most humans are, but nevertheless, that picture should not be made public. It is simply wrong. Same with some stories about whether he liked to be the mailman or the mailbox :D