Blog 17

Here’s the start of another week. A little bit of traveling for me, also waiting for a couple of emails regarding something else I’m considering. I hope you are all good and ready for whatever this week has in store for you!

Kiril and quite a few others have asked about what Freddie would think about music and musicians today.
Freddie liked anything innovative and exciting. When he listened to something, or even recorded something, the most important thing for him was to find the ‘hook’ which everything else could hang on, usually the chorus. As long as there was an interesting chord sequence or series of notes to look forward to, he would sit and listen to a song. Freddie had a very low boredom thresh-hold, so I don’t think he would sit still for too long listening to what is coming out from many people now-a-days.

Luis asked about Freddie and sports.
When Freddie was young at school, most people know about his prowess as a boxer and table-tennis player. As he grew older he became more of an armchair sportsman and would watch on television. In Garden Lodge he used to watch rugby on TV as a good friend of his was involved in the higher echelons of the game. He used to watch tennis as well. He didn’t quite stop playing however. There are photos of him playing tennis at Pikes Hotel in Ibiza and I also remember him playing at Roger’s house Milhanger. There was also a table tennis table set up outside the back door of Musicland studios and I do remember he did pick up a bat from time to time. Football never really impressed him.

Tassia wanted to know a few things which I can try to help out on.
Freddie spent what time and energy he had in the studio recording right up until his death. I think it was the music inside him that kept him going for those extra years. He would go to Montreux, to the Mountain Studios, for two weeks at a time each 6 weeks, asking the other guys in the band to give him whatever they could for him to sing. You are confusing two of the hot drinks he loved…. He would drink Earl Grey tea with milk and two spoons of sugar, but he would also drink hot water with 1 fresh lemon squeezed into the mug and a couple spoons of honey. This he always took when he was going to use his voice, whether it was a show or recording.

Dash asked what made Freddie grumpy.
Boredom and people doing things without thinking their actions through first really got to Freddie. Freddie just expected everyone to do their best, if we made mistakes, as long as they were genuine, he didn’t mind, but if it was something careless or thoughtless, he would explode. I suppose this was the perfectionist coming out. Freddie would become bored very quickly. I think it was because of this I never saw him pick up a book to read. Magazines and auction catalogues were always around, easy to pick up and put down, but never a book.

Zach asked how Freddie changed in the last year.
Freddie had very much less energy in those last months. It worked two ways; he would get annoyed with himself for being at home not doing anything constructive, so then he would force himself to find some energy to do something. He also conserved energy for the fortnightly recording sessions he made himself do in Switzerland. As we were around him constantly we didn’t really notice the decline, it is only in hindsight that these things become apparent.

Anna asked a couple of Questions regarding Montreux.
Freddie never lived anywhere alone. There were three bedrooms in the apartment in Montreux, plenty of space for Freddie, Jim, Terry, Joe or myself. When I met Freddie in 1979 he was living in Stafford Terrace in Kensington and he wasn’t alone. He always needed someone there to make his tea! It was because of this that I became his personal assistant when he was doing his 2 years out of England in the early 80s. I would be there with him whether in a double bedroom hotel suite or apartment during touring, recording or just living. The Stravinsky Auditorium didn’t exist when Queen played in Montreux. Both times they appeared they performed at the Petit Palais, which was THE venue in the town in those days.

WLF wanted to know if Freddie knew how much he was loved.
Yes, he knew he was loved by the fans, how much, I don’t think so. I don’t think he ever thought what it would be like 20 years after he left, with the love and adoration that still exists today for him. I do know how important the fans were to him, he used to say how he would not have had what he did if it wasn’t for the love of the fans, coming to the shows and buying the music.

Last one this week from John regarding Doctor Who.
Freddie didn’t usually watch this sort of TV, but there was an exception. He did watch the episodes which his friend Peter Straker was in.

Ok enjoy yourselves this week. Here is a photo for you until next time, Freddie where he felt at home!