FEATURE:
The King of Queen
IN THIS PHOTO: Freddie Mercury performing with Queen at their incredible Live Aid set at Wembley in 1985/PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images
A Towering Voice: Remembering Freddie Mercury
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I will publish other features…
IN THIS PHOTO: Queen/PHOTO CREDIT: Michael Putland/Getty Images
closer to the thirtieth anniversary of his death. It is hard to believe that, on 24th November, it is thirty years since the world lost the peerless Freddie Mercury. The reason I wanted to mention him today is that I have been listening to a lot to his music - more than I otherwise would. One of my favourite Queen albums, A Kind of Magic, turned thirty-five on 2nd June. Founded in 1970, Queen recorded fourteen albums whilst Mercury was alive – they have released posthumous records. Now, Adam Lambert heads the band. Whilst he is an exceptional singer, there is something about Mercury that will never been matched. It is heartbreaking that, on 30th May, 1991, Mercury recorded the final music video with Queen, These Are the Days of Our Lives. He was so strong and committed to the very end. I want to bring in news of a Freddie Mercury graphic novel that is coming soon. Before that, here is some biography regarding the great man:
“The life of Frederick Bulsara began on the East African island of Zanzibar on September 5, 1946. 25 years later in London under the name of Freddie Mercury he was fronting the now legendary rock group named Queen.
The immortal operatically styled single ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ was released in 1975 and proceeded to the top of the UK charts for 9 weeks. A song that was nearly never released due to its length and unusual style but which Freddie insisted would be played became the instantly recognisable hit. By this time Freddie’s unique talents were becoming clear, a voice with a remarkable range and a stage presence that gave Queen its colourful, unpredictable and flamboyant personality.
Queen was always indisputably run as a democratic organisation. All four members are each responsible for having penned number one singles for the band. This massive writing strength combined with spectacular lights, the faultless sound, a sprinkling of theatricality and Freddie’s balletic movements made up Queen on stage and on film.
Their phenomenal success continued around the globe throughout the 80’s highlighted in 1985 by their show-stealing and unforgettable performance on stage at Live Aid.
His first major collaboration outside Queen was with Dave Clark for the recording of London’s West End musical Time, in 1986. This was followed in 1987 with the realisation of one of Freddie’s long-term dreams; to record with the world revered opera diva Montserrat Caballé. The LP’s title song, ‘Barcelona’ went on to become an anthem for Señora Caballé’s home city and the theme for the Olympics in 1992.
Freddie returned to the studios to record ‘Innuendo’ with Queen in 1990.
On November 24th, 1991, Freddie’s struggle against AIDS ended when he passed away just over 24 hours after he had publicly announced he had the disease. Musicians and fans from all over the world paid their highest respects as the passing of rock’s most innovative, flamboyant ambassador signified the end of an era at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert at Wembley Stadium on April 20, 1992 which gave birth to the Mercury Phoenix Trust, the AIDS charity set up in Freddie’s memory by the remaining members of Queen and Freddie’s Executor, Jim Beach.
IN THIS PHOTO: Freddie Mercury with Montserrat Caballé (they released the album, Barcelona, in 1988.. The L.P.’s title song went on to become an anthem for Caballé’s home city and the theme for the Olympics in 1992)
Despite twenty years having passed since Freddie lost his life to HIV complications, he remains in the minds of millions throughout the world as one of the greatest artists we will ever see. In September 2010 (coincidentally, around Freddie's 64th birthday) a poll carried out among rock fans saw him named the Greatest Rock Legend Of All Time, beating Elvis Presley to claim the title, and ahead of David Bowie, Jon Bon Jovi, Jimi Hendrix and Ozzy Osbourne.
Taking it one stage further, Freddie’s 65th birthday, September 5, 2011 was celebrated with a major party in London in aid of The Mercury Phoenix Trust, hosted by Queen’s Brian May and Roger Taylor.
While most publicly recognised as the front man to one of the most progressive rock bands of the 70’s, Freddie defied the stereotype. A taste for venturing into new territories – a trait that was to have a marked influence on the direction Queen would take – took Freddie to explore his interests in a wide spectrum of the arts, particularly in the areas of ballet, opera and theatre, even taking a participating role: in October1977 the sell-out audience of a charity gala at the London Coliseum organised by Royal Ballet Principal dance Wayne Eagling received the surprise of an unannounced appearance by a silver-sequinned leotard-clad Freddie performing an intricate routine choreographed for him by Eagling. In 1987 he made a one-night appearance in Dave Clarke’s Time at the Dominion Theatre, although legend has it Freddie occasionally turned up at the theatre to support friend Clarke’s musical, one night selling ice-creams in the stalls! Freddie would have loved the fact that The Dominion now plays host to the band’s phenomenally successful musical We Will Rock You which has now held the Dominion stage nearly seven years longer than Time’s two year run”.
I know there will be a mix of celebration and sadness when we mark thirty years since Mercury’s death. Of course, it is tragic that he is no longer with us, though he left a huge legacy. To me, he is one of the greatest voices ever. The sheer power and panache he injected into every song is amazing! His emotional range was phenomenal. Listening to interviews he conducted, he was quite shy - though he was also very funny and captivating. He had this aura and gravitas that marked him out, not only as one of the greatest frontmen ever; he was also a hugely arresting and fascinating person. Some dislike Queen because of the pomp and overlook the incredible songwriting of Mercury. Aside from writing classics like Bohemian Rhapsody, he penned so many of Queen’s biggest songs, including Bicycle Race, Killer Queen and Crazy Little Thing Called Love. I can just about recall (being eight) when the news of Mercury’s death broke. I was aware of Queen’s music and was sad. In the years since, I have come to appreciate him, not only as the leader of Queen, but as a solo artist too. He was such an amazing force of nature. As a live performer, he was one of the most magnetic. One only need to think about Live Aid in 1985 and that iconic set! I don’t think we will see another artist with the same incredible voice and gift as Freddie Mercury. His legend will never die.
Before ending this feature, there is something exciting happening. Later in the year, a graphic novel is being released in November. As we learn from the official Freddie Mercury site, it something every fan will want to pre-order:
“Z2 COMICS ANNOUNCES THE FIRST-EVER OFFICIAL REDDIE MERCURY GRAPHIC NOVEL–LOVER OF LIFE, SINGER OF SONGS
The Legendary Rock Icon to be Honored In An All-New Book Inspired By His Music, Life, and Words
Click here to pre-order now in Softback, Hardback and Limited Edition Deluxe Hardback, which includes exclusive prints and a coloured version of 'Never Boring'.
LOS ANGELES, CA – Z2 Comics is proud to partner with Universal Music Group and Mercury Songs Ltd for Freddie Mercury: Lover of Life, Singer of Songs, the first-ever graphic novel paying tribute to one of the greatest figures the music world has ever known.
For the first time in comics format, Freddie Mercury: Lover of Life, Singer of Songs will be a journey through Freddie’s life; from his childhood in Zanzibar and India, through his formative years in England, to become the rock star, known and loved by millions around the globe. The story is told in his own words, with each chapter giving a glimpse into the many facets of his life.
Written by Tres Dean (All Time Low Presents: Young Renegades), the graphic novel will give a true insight into the many experiences that helped shape the young Farrokh Bulsara and his compelling existence, both on and off stage—that was the life of Freddie Mercury, Lover of Life, Singer of Songs.
Following up on the tremendous success of the Oscar-winning 2018 film Bohemian Rhapsody, and inspired by the book Freddie Mercury: A Life, In His Own Words, compiled by Greg Brooks and Simon Lupton, this upcoming graphic novel will be another essential addition to the bookshelf or coffee table of fans new and old, sumptuously illustrated by Kyla Smith, Robin Richardson, Safiya Zerrougui, Tammy Wang, and Amy Liu, with accompanying cover painting by David Mack.
Freddie Mercury: Lover of Life, Singer of Songs is available for preorder in standard 136-page softcover ($19.99) and hardcover ($29.99) editions, released in finer comic shops, book and record stores in November. Available exclusively through Z2 in a special hardcover deluxe edition for $99.99 complete with an exclusive vinyl LP, as well as limited edition prints by Sarah Jones, Kyla Smith, and Sanya Anwar. Reserve your copy today!”.
I know we have the Bohemian Rhapsody film that came out in 2018. I watched it and really enjoyed it. We got to see more of Freddie Mercury beyond what he was like in the studio and on stage. I wonder whether there will be a documentary or any other release ahead of the thirtieth anniversary of his death. In any case, I wanted to put out a feature prior to then to remember one of my favourite artists ever. The fact that we are still talking about Mercury and playing his music so long after he has passed shows what an impact he has had. He truly was…
ONE of the very greatest.