Blog 33

So much has happened over the last week with the devastation caused by the flooding in so many countries here in Europe, my thoughts go out to all those affected. Also, on another topic, but still something that makes me sad, is that there is so much misinformation on the various sites on the internet. I’ve seen so many comments about Freddie on facebook, made in all seriousness, that are SO wrong, but they will be believed by some that read them.

Molly wanted to know what my daily life as Freddie’s personal assistant consisted of.
A hard question to answer, as each day changed depending on what we were doing, recording, touring or just living, and where in the world. Basically my job was to take care of Freddie’s day to day life, so he could get on with the serious part of making music. At Garden Lodge I would make sure Freddie had his morning cup of tea by 09.00, and then would wait for him to come down stairs and see if the prepared plan for the day would go ahead. Freddie might ring friends to arrange a lunch out. We would sort out what clothes he wanted to wear and after that go shopping. I would generally be with him to carry the credit cards. At the beginning Joe and I would share cooking duties, although more fell to me as Joe became sicker. I would answer the phone or the door bell and generally be around waiting for Freddie to decide what he wanted to do.

Helen asked how I managed to go on after Freddie died.
Again, this is a hard question to answer. Freddie was generous to us when he died, so there was no immediate need to go out and find a job. I went and lived in Mallorca, to be in a place that held no memories of Freddie as he was constantly in my thoughts. I thought I was dealing with things well, until some friends of mine finally told me that life looked much better if you weren’t looking at it through the bottom of an empty glass. I had been drinking a lot, without really noticing. It was after that, that I started responding to fans questions, which has really gone on to this day.

Cassie asked one of the most asked questions. What is the meaning behind Bohemian Rhapsody?
I’m very sorry, but I cannot shed any light on this. Freddie rarely spoke about music that was in the past, songs he had already written. He concentrated on the music he, and the band. was creating, was making at the time. I think the nearest to an explanation is that it was really three songs in one, rock ballad, ‘operatic’ choir and hard rock. Maybe there was, but I’m not sure there was any really deep, hidden meaning, but it obviously made sense to Freddie’s complicated mind, therefore he didn’t feel the need to try to explain it.

Heidi wanted to know if Freddie got annoyed with fans outside Garden Lodge.
I think annoyed is too strong a word. Sometimes Freddie might get a bit irritated that there might be a welcoming committee waiting for him when he got home, as he would have been having a good time with friends and then have to get into the ‘Freddie Mercury’ mode to get out of the car, and get ready for photos and autographs. Freddie was always prepared for this as he left the house to go out. He always said that it was part of ‘the job’. The fans had given him everything he had, so it was a way he could give something back to the fans.

Anne-Marie asked what I thought Freddie might be doing today if he was still with us.
Easy, Freddie would still be making music. Music was Freddie’s reason for living, as was shown with the amount of songs Freddie composed and sang on in the last four years of his life. He might have expanded his musical output, having had a success with working with Montserrat Caballe, and as Dave Clark said after they worked together on the music from ‘Time’, Freddie was considering co-writing a new musical with him.

Caitlin wanted to know how to motivate people into donating to the FFAD cause.
I know there are many of you who make a great effort to raise money for this each year, but find the public’s response to be poor. You must think of it from the public’s point of view. We are all constantly being asked to donate money to some charity or other, to the point where we sometimes pass them by. To make someone want to give, you must make people pay attention, do something that will make them look. Dressing as Freddie is an ideal way to make this happen. Many people will think you are crazy, walking the streets dressed as Freddie, but you will make them notice and if you make them smile, you are more than half way to them putting their hands in their purses or wallets.

Ben asked what Freddie’s favourite dessert was.
Freddie really didn’t have a sweet tooth, so desserts never figured highly on meal menus at home. Sometimes he would want something sweet with a cup of tea in the afternoons and that is when the home made almond and cherry cake would make an appearance.

John wanted to know if there was any song idea by Freddie that started in Garden Lodge, which caused a wow reaction from me.
Not any that comes to mind, as Freddie rarely created a song at home. That was work for the studio. I do remember clearly being in the studio in LA in a room with Freddie and Roger walked in with an audio cassette asking for Freddie’s opinion on an idea he had. Roger played it and Freddie liked it very much, saying that with a bit of work maybe it could be made into something. The result a few weeks later was Radio Gaga.

Raf asked about Freddie’s thoughts about his vocal performance after every show.
Freddie was very analytical after shows. You would know if it was a good show or not during the walk from the stage to the dressing room each night. If he was not happy with the show whether it was his vocal performance or that of another member of the band, dressing rooms could be destroyed. While many mistakes are overlooked by the audience in the live atmosphere, Freddie, Brian, Roger and John were each aware of them. Freddie’s attitude was ‘you are only as good as your last show’ because that is what will be in the memory of each member of the audience, and Queen always wanted to give their best. The dressing room was a totally restricted area for about ½ an hour after each show, by then the discussions would be over.

Dustin wanted to know about Freddie’s routine on show days.
On most show days Freddie would take it fairly easy and rest. There was rarely if ever time for sight-seeing. He would have a big lunch, well, big for him, and then the whole band would make their way to the venue at about 16.00 for sound check. If the hotel was close, Freddie would then go back there for a last 2 hours rest, then back to the venue for the show. The first drink he had in the dressing room was the hot lemon and honey we made up for him.
Have a great week and I look forward to the next time!