Back again! So we are officially into autumn here in the northern hemisphere and it really feels like it. Leaves changing colour on the trees are beautiful, it’s the brown ones on the grass that cry out to be cleaned up that are the problem!
Sini asked many questions about Freddie and his thoughts about himself, but I will try to give an answer to cover a few of them.
I think one of the reasons for Freddie’s success is that he really believed in himself. He knew he had a talent, both vocally and in creating the music, and he used it to the best of his ability. He could be self deprecating, as in the ‘musical prostitute’ quote, but he knew what he was capable of. He never set out to change the world with his music, his aim was to write what he felt and he hoped his fans would like it. He succeeded most of the time, but as with everything, you cannot be approved of all the time, as shown by his references to Hot Space from the stage.
Aric wanted to know if Freddie preferred vinyl to cd.
For the sound quality Freddie much preferred cds, but as far as designing the cover he always used the lp format. Cds were too small. Even though the reproductions were exact, he found them much too small for the design stage and he also felt that the fans would miss out on much of the detail in the reduced in size versions.
Sheri asked about why we all left Garden Lodge after Freddie died. I know I have answered this before but it comes up quite frequently still.
Before Freddie died he expressed verbally his wish that Jim, Joe and I could stay in Garden Lodge until we were ready to face the ‘outside world’. He knew none of us would want to stay forever, and was even then thinking about others before him. It was a very kind thought, but not very practical. As you all know in his will he left Garden Lodge and all its contents to Mary Austin. This did not include three adult males. So that Freddie’s written will could go through probate it was necessary that we were no longer in the house and we were all given three months to make our arrangements. We were not evicted onto the streets, as Freddie had made sure we all had somewhere to go.
Alexander asked what Freddie thought about Germany.
Freddie did have a soft spot for Germany. Even before his stay in Munich, he always had a good time there. The audiences were more demonstrative with their approval than many other countries, and they also seemed more open to British music than the UK. Other bands for example found more approval in Hamburg and West Berlin before they became known in the UK. Munich became Freddie’s city of choice firstly because of Mack and the Musicland Studios, and then of course came his extended time with Barbara Valentin, who showed him how to explore the hidden depths of her home city. It wasn’t always the best of times, but he did enjoy himself.
Anne also has asked a million questions, so here is a short description of what gave Freddie peace.
Considering Freddie’s pace of life, there never being enough time in a day to fit everything in, the most at peace I ever saw him was in his garden at Garden Lodge. There were times when he wanted to be on his own to think and he would just go quietly into the garden and sit by the fish pond. Generally there would be a couple of the cats with him and I can still envisage him now, wearing his grey track suit bottoms and a yellow t shirt, sitting in one of the Japanese style shelters, with Delilah lying on his lap, with Freddie gently stroking her, his eyes closed and in his own world. It could last upto 15 minutes before the world would intude on his peace and he would be back to his active self.
Hannah asked about the Lake House in Montreux.
Many people mistakenly think that Freddie stayed in the chalet that is seen on the cover of the Made In Heaven album. That is actually the boat house of the property which gives easy access to the boat on the water. The ‘Duck House’ is actually the long concrete building that can be seen behind the chalet if you view it from the lake, and is hidden from the road side. It is a wonderful bungalow with many well appointed rooms that acquired the nick name because the owners loved ornamental ducks! Wooden ones, crystal ones, porcelain ones….. ducks of all sorts and sizes. Freddie enjoyed his time there, but eventually he decided he wanted somewhere a bit more permanent than a rented house and that was when he bought his apartment.
Ian wanted to know what Freddie would say about John’s absence from the band now.
That is a very difficult question as it never arose during Freddie’s lifetime. Knowing Freddie as I did, I would say he would just think, that is what he wants to do, then that is what will happen. Freddie never pressurized anyone into doing something they didn’t want to do. Everyone was free to make up their own mind. I’m sure if Freddie was still with us, Queen would also be with us with John, still making wonderful music. John has decided he has had enough of that and left the music behind. I still enjoy seeing Brian and Roger making music, because that is what they want to do.
There was another very difficult question, this time from David. What would the classical composers, Mozart, Beethoven and the like think of Freddie’s Barcelona album?
Even as old as I am, I never actually met Mozart or Beethoven, so it is hard to say what they would have thought. Every era has its great composers, obviously including those mentioned. You have to think, what is fame? In his own way Freddie is more famous than the older composers because he has been heard live by more people than Mozart because of the world tours Freddie was on. Having said that, Mozart has been heard by more people, because his music has been around longer, and nearly everything he composed is available on cd. Honestly I would assume that as composers they would respect what Freddie did in creating this music in a style not heard before. In his own way he was actually continuing with their tradition of writing the music with a specific opera singer in mind.
Milan and I have started on our tour of Czech schools talking about HIV/AIDS awareness. It is frightening standing in front of all these youngsters 14-17, when they have some really intense questions, but it is wonderful when Milan asks them if they have heard of Freddie Mercury and they all say YES!
Have fun till next time!
21
Aug 2013
by Phoebe Freestone