Blog 13

Sorry about the delay, I feel guiltier as each day goes by and I haven’t sent the latest addition. I have been to Dresden twice, once for the opening of the QUEEN BACKSTAGE Exhibition, and also I was invited to the HOPE Gala, an evening to raise money to fight HIV/AIDS in South Africa. They raised more than 115,000 euros. Just come home from Holland and the Dutch QUEEN Day where they raised more than 3,000 thousand euros for the fight. It really warms my heart than there are still people that are aware of the danger and are doing what they can to help.
I also embarked on a new project myself. A friend of mine, Milan Satnik and myself have started to go around schools here in Czech Republic raising awareness of HIV/AIDS. Milan said there is not enough spoken about it at the time when most children need to know, so we talk to 14-17 year olds. I was surprised at the lack of knowledge already there, but was happy to answer all the questions they had. A small step towards saving lives.
Also Matilda deserves a huge pat on the back after her 9 km swim to raise money for the MPT. Ok on with some more questions…….

Karim asked about Freddie’s thoughts on his flambouyancy.
Freddie knew that some of his gestures were a little over the top, but he never really worried about it. The nearest he came to doing something about it was to take up smoking! Not only did it suit his image at the time, end of 70s beginning of the 80s, it gave him something to do with his hands! Freddie was very aware that he spoke ‘with his hands’. Basically waving them around when talking, when he had a cigarette, he had a reason to be using his hand, to smoke and to shake off the ash. As far as the costumes went, Freddie usually went for the shock value as well as something to contribute to the ‘show’, as this was important to him. Freddie did say in an interview that ‘Somebody to Love’ was a very important song for him.

Marc asked about Montreux.
Yes, Freddie did spend quite a lot of time in his apartment in Territet. It had a wonderful view of the Alps and lake, as many of you will have seen if you have been to Montreux. He still hadn’t completely finished furnishing it when he left for the last time in November ’91. He still spent some time looking at various bits of crystal etc for it, but I suppose that could also be said Garden Lodge, There would always be something else to be done. There is very little of Freddie’s Montreux left. History has not been very kind in that various restaurants have disappeared. You can walk around and there are some shops he spent some time in. The outside of the studio can still be seen, and of course the Montreux Palace has named the last suite Freddie stayed in after him. Obviously I am biased, but you can still FEEL Freddie in the town, around the statue and walking along the lakeside. Many fans who have been to the town have felt the same.

Paul asked about Freddie and music. I will include an answer to Micky and Nilton at the same time.
Paul wanted to know if Freddie would have composed operas if he had been born 100 years before his time. Purely conjecture, but if you think of what he did write, it does bare a similarity to what was written in the past. Don’t forget, all the big opera composers of that time, Verdi and Puccini, as mentioned, wrote contemporary songs as well. While they wrote for specific singers of the time, all the music was written with a specific voice in mind, Freddie would have been very rare in that he would have sung them as well as writing them. As a composer, Freddie would listen to the music of today, but I’m not sure how he would like it. While QUEEN’S music has meaning, it does it musically, not spoken over a beat, and I think Freddie would continue in this vein. I also think Freddie would have sung until his voice gave out, if he was still writing today. He knew his voice was a precious gift and so used it to the best of his ability. I will say this only the once, I believe Freddie would be very happy that other artists thought enough of his music to try to sing it and use it in shows. Whether we enjoy a performance or not is purely up to us and our appreciation of the music. When it gets down to it, I am happy to hear the music live, and then take into account my feelings on the interpretation.

Kdykes asked about Freddie and Japanese food.
While Freddie loved almost everything Japanese, he did draw the line as sashimi. He would try some of the sushi, as long as raw fish wasn’t involved. He would try any of the cooked food and did enjoy teriyaki.

Nico wanted to know about the relationship between Freddie and Michael Jackson.
Both admired their musicianship and musical abilities. While they knew each other, no-one would ever call them the best of friends. You could compare it to someone you work with, you like them, but they are not a person you would include in your private life. A decision was made at the time of planning Freddie’s funeral that it would be a family time. Many of Freddie’s friends wanted to be there, but we felt it was really time for those people closest to him and not to make it a big publicity splash.

Kevin asked about Freddie’s charisma.
Believe me; it was there all the time. It was the natural Freddie. He wasn’t very tall at 5’ 9” , or 177cm, but if he was to walk into a crowded room, all eyes would automatically turn towards him. You could feel his presence.

I do hope to answer all your questions in time. There are so many and you will find that some are being answered without your names being mentioned. I am not ignoring you, but space is limited?!