In 1991, Freddie Mercury passed away. He was only 45. He died on my birthday. I was 13 years old.
One of my childhood friends loved Queen and it didn’t take long, for me to be hooked. Formed in 1970, they had a massive collection of hits, before I was even born. In July 1985, Queen took part in Live Aid. Hailed as one of the greatest, live performances of all time, they set the bar high. In July 1986 they brought their Magic Tour back to Wembley in London. I watched both concerts on TV. At 7 and 8 years old, I was mesmerised.
In 1985, Freddie released a solo album. Mr Bad Guy. ‘Living On My Own’ was on this album, just not the remix version, we all know today. He looked beautiful on the cover of that album. 1987 to 1989 brought ‘Barcelona’, a fabulous operatic anthem with Montserrat Caballé. ‘The Great Pretender’ and the studio album, The Miracle. Looking back now, it was obvious he was very ill. Tours and live performances had stopped and he was looking more and more tired. At the time, as a kid, I didn’t even notice.
1991 saw the release of Queens last studio album with Freddie. The title track ‘Innuendo’ was epic; powerhouse vocals from Freddie and one of the best musical arrangements, since Bohemian Rhapsody. ‘I’m Going Slightly Mad’ was a heartbreaking moment to see in a Music video. All Queen fans got to see, the man behind the voice and just how fragile he had become. All the rumours, that had surrounded Freddie’s health for years, were floating back to the surface. The video for ‘These Are the Days of Our Lives’ was devastating. That same voice, that same smile, but it was now obvious – we were losing him.
Stories of Freddie and his HIV status were in the news from 1987. He had stopped touring and outside of studio time, was practically a recluse. He died from Aids related complications, at the end of 1991. According to interviews with his friends and band mates, he suffered so much towards the end.
When anyone dies, it is a terrible loss. When it’s a young person, with so much more life to live, it’s tragic. When they die of something, that within a year of death, drugs were available to control it – it’s unbearable. He could have lived. He could have lived with the disease, medicated, healthy and happy. He was taken too young, too early, in every sense.
The legacy of his music lives on. There is no one that can match his stage presence and Queen are still today; one of the greatest rock bands of all time.
A film about Freddie Mercury and Queen is being released this November. Trailers for it are everywhere. Hearing those songs again. Hearing Bohemian Rhapsody again – just made me miss him. Like many fans I guess. Wanting one more chance, to see that smile, watch that swagger and hear him sing. To be in a crowd at Wembley, Knebworth or anywhere, that could hold a capacity crowd. To be singing and dancing to Queen. Not a smart phone in sight, just fans in the moment. Radio Ga Ga leaves no room for anyone’s Android or Apple device!
Top 5 Queen
- One Vision
- Somebody to Love
- Bohemian Rhapsody
- The Show Must Go On
- Radio Ga Ga
Special Mention – Don’t Stop Me Now, I Want It All and Who Wants to Live Forever.
If you get a chance. Watch both performances at Wembley, from Live Aid and The Magic Tour.
Also two interviews:
- ‘The Bigger, The Better’ with David Wigg from 1985 in Munich
- ‘Musical Prostitute’ with Rudi Dolezal from 1984
If nothing else; they will make you smile, laugh and maybe, just maybe, put some Queen on and turn it up!
RIP Mr Mercury
‘Lover of Life – Singer of Songs’