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Freddie Mercury: The Definitive Biography
'Exactly the sort of tribute Mercury himself would have wanted'
SPECTATOR
SPECTATOR
This is the definitive biography of Freddie Mercury. Written by an award-winning rock journalist, Lesley-Ann Jones toured widely with Queen forming lasting friendships with the band. Now, having secured access to the remaining band members and those who were closest to Freddie, from childhood to death, Lesley-Ann has written the most in depth account of one of music's best loved and most complex figures. Meticulously researched, sympathetic, unsensational, the book - like the forthcoming film - will focus on the period in the 1980s when Queen began to fragment, before their Live Aid performance put them back in the frame. In her journey to understand the man behind the legend, Lesley-Ann Jones has travelled from London to Zanzibar to India. Packed with exclusive interviews and told with the invaluable perspective that the twenty years since Mercury's death presents, Freddie Mercury is the most up to date portrait of a legendary man.
353 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1997
876 people are currently reading
5338 people want to read
About the author
Lesley-Ann Jones
30 books87 followersLesley-Ann Jones is a British biographer, novelist, broadcaster and keynote speaker.
She honed her craft on Fleet Street, where she worked as a newspaper columnist and feature writer for more than twenty years. She has also worked extensively in radio and television, appears regularly in music documentaries in the UK, USA and Australia, and is the writer and co-producer of ‘The Last Lennon Interview’, a film about the final encounter, in New York, between the former Beatle and BBC Radio One presenter Andy Peebles.
Her debut memoir ‘Tumbling Dice’ is out now.
NB: the cover of TUMBLING DICE displayed here is NOT the current, correct one, but is of an edition that was never published! It appears to be impossible to change it! The ISBN for the CORRECT, CURRENT VERSION is 978109175
First serialisation rights for TUMBLING DICE were acquired by the Mail on Sunday UK, published across four pages on 7th April 2019. Second serial went to The Times, UK, featured as a double-page spread on 10th April.
The author’s interview with US ABC Radio network is syndicated to 2,000 stations across the United States. She has discussed the book on most BBC local stations, including BBC York, Northampton, Guernsey, Cornwall, Solent, Hereford & Worcester, Derby and Oxford. Live radio exposure continues over the coming weeks, with BBC Radio London’s Robert Elms Show, Wandsworth Radio, Express FM’s The Soft Rock Show, K107FM Scotland, Wycombe Sound, Camglen Radio (Scotland), the Sticks Radio Show & podcast, BBC Radio Kent, Radio Caroline, Talk Radio’s The Paul Ross Show and Talk Radio Europe’s Bill Padley Show.
Lesley-Ann Jones’s agents are currently negotiating with two independent production majors on a screen adaptation of TUMBLING DICE.
Other recent works include ‘Hero: David Bowie’, ‘Imagine’, and ‘Ride a White Swan: The Lives and Death of Marc Bolan’. Her globally-acclaimed definitive biography of Queen frontman Freddie Mercury, re-issued in 2019 as ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, is a Sunday Times Top Ten Bestseller. The book accompanies the band’s long-awaited eponymous feature film, the highest-grossing music biopic of all time.
The author is currently working on two further titles, for publication in 2020.
She is a mother of three, and lives in London.
She honed her craft on Fleet Street, where she worked as a newspaper columnist and feature writer for more than twenty years. She has also worked extensively in radio and television, appears regularly in music documentaries in the UK, USA and Australia, and is the writer and co-producer of ‘The Last Lennon Interview’, a film about the final encounter, in New York, between the former Beatle and BBC Radio One presenter Andy Peebles.
Her debut memoir ‘Tumbling Dice’ is out now.
NB: the cover of TUMBLING DICE displayed here is NOT the current, correct one, but is of an edition that was never published! It appears to be impossible to change it! The ISBN for the CORRECT, CURRENT VERSION is 978109175
First serialisation rights for TUMBLING DICE were acquired by the Mail on Sunday UK, published across four pages on 7th April 2019. Second serial went to The Times, UK, featured as a double-page spread on 10th April.
The author’s interview with US ABC Radio network is syndicated to 2,000 stations across the United States. She has discussed the book on most BBC local stations, including BBC York, Northampton, Guernsey, Cornwall, Solent, Hereford & Worcester, Derby and Oxford. Live radio exposure continues over the coming weeks, with BBC Radio London’s Robert Elms Show, Wandsworth Radio, Express FM’s The Soft Rock Show, K107FM Scotland, Wycombe Sound, Camglen Radio (Scotland), the Sticks Radio Show & podcast, BBC Radio Kent, Radio Caroline, Talk Radio’s The Paul Ross Show and Talk Radio Europe’s Bill Padley Show.
Lesley-Ann Jones’s agents are currently negotiating with two independent production majors on a screen adaptation of TUMBLING DICE.
Other recent works include ‘Hero: David Bowie’, ‘Imagine’, and ‘Ride a White Swan: The Lives and Death of Marc Bolan’. Her globally-acclaimed definitive biography of Queen frontman Freddie Mercury, re-issued in 2019 as ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, is a Sunday Times Top Ten Bestseller. The book accompanies the band’s long-awaited eponymous feature film, the highest-grossing music biopic of all time.
The author is currently working on two further titles, for publication in 2020.
She is a mother of three, and lives in London.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 582 reviews
September 6, 2018
This was a very readable biography and, more than anything, it reminded me why I am glad I will never be famous and have never had the drive to become so.
As exciting and globetrotting as Mercury's life definitely was, as many people by whom he seemed to be constantly surrounded, I can't help but think his life was very lonely.
Even his relationship with the supposed "love of of his life," Mary Austin, seemed to be built on guilt and his own idea of what should have been. And, as seemingly devoted as a lot of his...other entourage members appeared to be...there is, in my opinion, something inherently suspect about anyone who gives up their entire life to basically follow someone else around.
Now, as with any biography, it's impossible to know what is truly accurate.
Any biography is written by a human (who may or may not have their own agenda) and recollected by more humans (whose recollections are skewed by time and perhaps their own ideas of what they want to remember happening and not necessarily what actually happened). All these things are subjective and inherently fallible.
Anyone who has had a nasty breakup can attest to how suddenly only that person's positive attributes and overall awesomeness is sometimes all you remember. Their tendency to leave the toilet seat up and their habit of acting like a dick to your friends is suddenly glossed over by, well, everything nostalgic.
Now, I'm not saying that Mercury left the toilet seat up or treated his friends like a dick - although it does seem like he treated a lot of people as commodities to be put on the shelf and taken out only when he was ready to play with them. An aspect of the book I really appreciated.
So many times you read a biography and the author is either an obvious sycophant or, in contrast, someone whose apparent goal in life is to tear that person's legacy down. In this book, I thought the author did a great job of straddling the the line between both.
I felt like she did a great job highlighting what made Freddie Mercury one of the most iconic, magnetic, and mysterious artists of all time...and yet never glossed over his faults and humanity.
I LOVE reading biographies, although oftentimes, they can change the way I felt previously about the subject in question. Sometimes it's a huge bummer, because it completely changes my image of someone. Example: I still to this day will change the channel immediately when a Red Hot Chili Peppers song comes on, so much did I loathe AK's Scar Tissue.
Fair? No.
Still the way it is? Yes.
All in all, I think the author here did a great job of bringing the reader a true taste of who Freddie Mercury was, while still respecting his legacy and struggles.
That said, be warned that a lot of the information from this book seemed to be gathered from the hangers-on who were pretty much paid to serve (and leach off of) Freddie. In a way, with the exception of perhaps Mary Austin, he seemed to only surround himself on a daily basis by people who wanted to use him - whether for the fame, the wealth, the excitement of the grand parties celebrating the sex, drugs, and roll n' roll lifestyle, or the mere validation of being around someone who had all of these these things.
Did those people - who later argued about who was actually with him when he died as if needing the "credit" - love him and care for him at the end for that sole reason alone? Perhaps.
I did find it somewhat telling, however, that the first thing Mary Austin (the person Mercury stated repeatedly throughout his life was the only person he truly trusted) did when she inherited his home and the majority of his fortune was to kick all of those people out.
The author made it sounds like Mary was cold and heartless to do this, but I can't help but think there was a definitive reason she took this action. Not that the author ever asked Mary about it.
In fact, it appeared as though Freddie's family and Mary Austin had very little to do with this book and appeared only through quotes taken from other sources. In fact, his family and Mary seem to be the ONLY people in his life who didn't seek to "cash in" from his death and legacy in some way...not that Mary needed to, being that she inherited everything...but still.
Regardless, as suspicious as the motives of many of the sources here might have been, they DID share many years of Freddie's life, especially at the end. And I did enjoy reading their recollections - accurate or inaccurate as they might have been.
All in all, I left this book loving Freddie Mercury just as much as I did going in.
Although, I also left it feeling a bit sad for both him and everyone caught up in the hurricane that was his life.
Edited later: Here is an excellent review about a similar book which I thought described the hanger-on issue very well.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
As exciting and globetrotting as Mercury's life definitely was, as many people by whom he seemed to be constantly surrounded, I can't help but think his life was very lonely.
Even his relationship with the supposed "love of of his life," Mary Austin, seemed to be built on guilt and his own idea of what should have been. And, as seemingly devoted as a lot of his...other entourage members appeared to be...there is, in my opinion, something inherently suspect about anyone who gives up their entire life to basically follow someone else around.
Now, as with any biography, it's impossible to know what is truly accurate.
Any biography is written by a human (who may or may not have their own agenda) and recollected by more humans (whose recollections are skewed by time and perhaps their own ideas of what they want to remember happening and not necessarily what actually happened). All these things are subjective and inherently fallible.
Anyone who has had a nasty breakup can attest to how suddenly only that person's positive attributes and overall awesomeness is sometimes all you remember. Their tendency to leave the toilet seat up and their habit of acting like a dick to your friends is suddenly glossed over by, well, everything nostalgic.
Now, I'm not saying that Mercury left the toilet seat up or treated his friends like a dick - although it does seem like he treated a lot of people as commodities to be put on the shelf and taken out only when he was ready to play with them. An aspect of the book I really appreciated.
So many times you read a biography and the author is either an obvious sycophant or, in contrast, someone whose apparent goal in life is to tear that person's legacy down. In this book, I thought the author did a great job of straddling the the line between both.
I felt like she did a great job highlighting what made Freddie Mercury one of the most iconic, magnetic, and mysterious artists of all time...and yet never glossed over his faults and humanity.
I LOVE reading biographies, although oftentimes, they can change the way I felt previously about the subject in question. Sometimes it's a huge bummer, because it completely changes my image of someone. Example: I still to this day will change the channel immediately when a Red Hot Chili Peppers song comes on, so much did I loathe AK's Scar Tissue.
Fair? No.
Still the way it is? Yes.
All in all, I think the author here did a great job of bringing the reader a true taste of who Freddie Mercury was, while still respecting his legacy and struggles.
That said, be warned that a lot of the information from this book seemed to be gathered from the hangers-on who were pretty much paid to serve (and leach off of) Freddie. In a way, with the exception of perhaps Mary Austin, he seemed to only surround himself on a daily basis by people who wanted to use him - whether for the fame, the wealth, the excitement of the grand parties celebrating the sex, drugs, and roll n' roll lifestyle, or the mere validation of being around someone who had all of these these things.
Did those people - who later argued about who was actually with him when he died as if needing the "credit" - love him and care for him at the end for that sole reason alone? Perhaps.
I did find it somewhat telling, however, that the first thing Mary Austin (the person Mercury stated repeatedly throughout his life was the only person he truly trusted) did when she inherited his home and the majority of his fortune was to kick all of those people out.
The author made it sounds like Mary was cold and heartless to do this, but I can't help but think there was a definitive reason she took this action. Not that the author ever asked Mary about it.
In fact, it appeared as though Freddie's family and Mary Austin had very little to do with this book and appeared only through quotes taken from other sources. In fact, his family and Mary seem to be the ONLY people in his life who didn't seek to "cash in" from his death and legacy in some way...not that Mary needed to, being that she inherited everything...but still.
Regardless, as suspicious as the motives of many of the sources here might have been, they DID share many years of Freddie's life, especially at the end. And I did enjoy reading their recollections - accurate or inaccurate as they might have been.
All in all, I left this book loving Freddie Mercury just as much as I did going in.
Although, I also left it feeling a bit sad for both him and everyone caught up in the hurricane that was his life.
Edited later: Here is an excellent review about a similar book which I thought described the hanger-on issue very well.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
July 30, 2023
7/30 SOOO I finally found the authorized QUEEN bio! And I was able to buy a used copy because I’m book poor. Oh and shoe poor. Umm maybe purse poor too. Annnd business casual dress for the job you want poor. But I digress. Anyway.. this book was a real disappointment to me and a judgemental disservice to the memories so many have of freddie and the guys. I’m not saying don’t read this; I’m just saying keep your options open. There were some interesting moments in this book. I didn’t hate this book. It was just a tad hyper focused on some of the wrong things.
Journalist: “So…what is bohemian rhapsody about?”
Freddie: “ppffftt I don’t know!”
Yes, I cry sometimes when I hear him sing. That’s why I keep a TikTok skit that I actually found on Pinterest entitled “how under pressure was recorded “. I watch it everyday because it’s that hilarious! And then the last song Freddie did his best to sing before he died. He made it halfway and then Grandpa May had to finish it. Those men are the strongest on earth to be able to love him and slowly watch him die while he wants to please his fans as long as possible. I understand that’s why John deacon finally said No More because losing Freddie triggered desolate feelings he had to overcome as a child when he lost his father. THESE ARE THE TOPICS I WISH TO LEARN ABOUT FREDDIE! Not his visits to a gay bar, or all of his one night stands. This book was a total disservice to his memory.
Freddie is a boy from Zanzibar, educated in India, born a Parsee, fleeing for his life with his family during revolution to London where his legend begins. The legend of the man who craves affection; the man who loves cats; the man who graduates with a graphic arts degree but feels inferior to his band mates who are astronomers, med students, physicists. The man with the voice of an angel
Sadly so much focus is placed on his homosexuality and one night stands, that it appears there was nothing else to his life, which sells him so short. He was a caring, lovely, sensitive soul, much more well-rounded than the author gave him credit. I wasn't interested in his lovers or his sexcapades; I was interested in the whole man. It seems accurate that Freddie never could fill the empty holes in his soul and he had an addictive personality with a complex about getting old. He was a massive presence not only on the stage. He did everything over the top; otherwise it just wasn't worth doing.
I could perhaps give this 2.5 stars but no higher. I question the journalist author's motives.
Journalist: “So…what is bohemian rhapsody about?”
Freddie: “ppffftt I don’t know!”
Yes, I cry sometimes when I hear him sing. That’s why I keep a TikTok skit that I actually found on Pinterest entitled “how under pressure was recorded “. I watch it everyday because it’s that hilarious! And then the last song Freddie did his best to sing before he died. He made it halfway and then Grandpa May had to finish it. Those men are the strongest on earth to be able to love him and slowly watch him die while he wants to please his fans as long as possible. I understand that’s why John deacon finally said No More because losing Freddie triggered desolate feelings he had to overcome as a child when he lost his father. THESE ARE THE TOPICS I WISH TO LEARN ABOUT FREDDIE! Not his visits to a gay bar, or all of his one night stands. This book was a total disservice to his memory.
Freddie is a boy from Zanzibar, educated in India, born a Parsee, fleeing for his life with his family during revolution to London where his legend begins. The legend of the man who craves affection; the man who loves cats; the man who graduates with a graphic arts degree but feels inferior to his band mates who are astronomers, med students, physicists. The man with the voice of an angel
Sadly so much focus is placed on his homosexuality and one night stands, that it appears there was nothing else to his life, which sells him so short. He was a caring, lovely, sensitive soul, much more well-rounded than the author gave him credit. I wasn't interested in his lovers or his sexcapades; I was interested in the whole man. It seems accurate that Freddie never could fill the empty holes in his soul and he had an addictive personality with a complex about getting old. He was a massive presence not only on the stage. He did everything over the top; otherwise it just wasn't worth doing.
I could perhaps give this 2.5 stars but no higher. I question the journalist author's motives.
January 19, 2019
"I'm a very emotional person, a person of real extremes. And often that's destructive, both to myself and others."
That voice! That face! That style!
After watching the movie "Bohemian Rhapsody" last year, I decided to followup with reading a book to find out more about Freddie Mercury. I'd always just taken his amazing voice for granted, as I cannot remember a time when Queen's music has not been a part of my life. And I still remember exactly where I was when heard the sad news of his passing on the radio. Some things stick in your memory.
So I decided it was time to fill in some missing gaps in my knowledge, and to find out more of the metamorphosis of shy Farrouk Bulsura to the ultimate performer Freddie Mercury.
Lesley-Ann Jones provides a good account of Freddie's early years, as a lonely child bundled off to boarding school. Then his time in art school, meeting the other members of Queen, running a market stall with Roger Taylor, to the amazing highs with Queen. It was interesting without being overly gossipy.
As with so many people with amazing talent, Freddie Mercury was a bundle of contradictions. The over-the-top, flamboyant showman was the opposite to the off the stage person who was often painfully shy unless amongst close friends. The complexities of Freddie Mercury are intriguing.
What stood out for me was his humour. There are so many amusing anecdotes contained throughout the book, such as his rivalry with Elton John. And calling Sid Vicious "Mr Ferocious". Only Freddie would dare.
The book brought home to me the catch 22 situation of being so adored. Of performing to packed stadiums (over 250,000 people over two nights in South America!), but to still be seeking that one special person to love.
The ending of the book is inevitable, but that doesn't make it any less sad.
Freddie, you remain a one-of-a-kind 💖 Sorely missed.
May 19, 2022
Cause we are the champions of the world
He was a star even before he became a star. If you know what I mean.
Queen and Mercury each have their own, heard for the first time or heard at a significant moment in life. With texts understood correctly or incorrectly or not at all understood at all, but intuitively grasped the meaning. Here is an advertisement for "Lucky" on TV, the best guy in the world smokes them and now I smoke only them, racing cars are flying, We are the Champions sound, and yes, what doubts can there be, we are champions!
Here is a friendly feast, the owner of the house says: "And we will listen to Queen, do you like Queens, Majechka?" The rolled-up eyes of a friend: "Yes, he's already got everyone with his Mercury, now he's found free ears, get ready" And in the next hour and a half I listen to Leshkin's lecture accompanying the English-language film. Many years later I find out that he hanged himself and, to the tears that instantly came with a heap of thoughts: "Masha is an orphan now, oh, Lyosha, what have you done..." - an inappropriate one is added: "And he told me about Queen"
Here is the opening of the Olympics, Freddie and Montserrat Caballe sing "Barcelona". God, how good they are! And here is "Moulin Rouge" and the incredible beauty of Nicole Kidman in an episode of Show must go on. And here is a stupid demotivator in the format of SMS correspondence " - Mom, I just killed a man. - What, how did it happen? - Put a gun to his head, pulled the trigger, now he's dead. "Don't do anything stupid, son, I'm going, we'll hide the body and everything will be fine." I pour Bohemian Rhapsody on a USB stick - listen and sing along in the car.
They are divided into quotes, live their own lives, have become memes, but still inseparable from the creators. From the one person with whom you have always been associated. Therefore, the fact that a significant part of the book by rock journalist Leslie-Ann Jones about the band is a story about its frontman, is perceived rather natural. If it were not so, we, the readers-listeners would be disappointed.
Cause we are the champions of the world
Он был звездой еще до того, как стал звездой. Если вы понимаете, о чем я.
Queen и Меркьюри у каждого свои, услышанные впервые или услышанные в значимый момент жизни. С понятыми верно или неверно или вовсе никак не понятыми текстами, но уловленным интуитивно смыслом. Вот реклама "Лаки" по телевизору, их курит лучший парень на свете и я теперь курю только их, летят гоночные болиды, саундом We are the Champions, и да, какие могут быть сомнения, мы чемпионы!
Вот дружеское застолье, хозяин дома говорит: "А слушать мы будем Queen, любишь Квинов, Майечка?" Закаченные глаза подруги: "Да он уже всех достал своим Меркьюри, вот нашел свободные уши, готовься" И в следующие полтора часа слушаю Лешкину лекцию, сопровождающую англоязычный фильм. Много лет спустя узнаю, что он повесился и, к мгновенно подступившим слезам с ворохом мыслей: "Машка теперь сирота, ох, Леша, что же ты наделал..." - добавляется неуместное: " И про Queen он мне рассказал"
Вот открытие Олимпиады, Фредди с Монсеррат Кабалье поют "Барселону". Боже, как они хороши! А вот "Мулен Руж" и немыслимой красоты Николь Кидман в эпизоде Show must go on. А вот дурацкий демотиватор в формате СМС-переписки " - Мама, я только что убил человека. - Что, как это случилось? - Приставил пушку к его голове, нажал курок, теперь он мертв. - Не делай глупостей сынок, я еду, мы спрячем тело и все будет в порядке". Заливаю Bohemian Rhapsody на флешку - слушать и подпевать в машине.
Они разъяты на цитаты, живут собственной жизнью, стали мемами, но все же неотделимы от создателей. От того единственного, с кем всегда ассоциировались. Потому то, что значительная часть книги рок-журналистки Лесли-Энн Джонс о группе - это рассказ о ее фронтмене, воспринимается скорее закономерным. Если бы не так, мы, читатели-слушатели были бы разочарованы.
Слушатели, потому что есть аудиовариант в превосходном исполнении Игоря Князева. Биография, происхождение, (кто такие парсы?) Фаррух Булсара, семья.небогатая, но обеспеченная, безмятежное детство на Занзибаре. Отправка восьмилетнего мальчика школу в другую страну. Успехи в учебе и некоторых видах спорта, несомненный талант к живописи. "Я ни за что не подумала бы, что он гей". " Я поняла, что он гей сразу. как только увидела" - поди разбери теперь, как оно было, да и какая, в самом-то деле, разница. Проваленные экзамены и возвращение, спустя еще восемь лет, на Занзибар. Независимость страны, революция, эмиграция семьи в Англию.
Мальчик-тихоня с безупречными манерами и великолепным правильным английским, любимец мам друзей в жизни - ураган, тайфун, торнадо на сцене. Совершенное преображение, и таким он будет всегда. Встреча со Smile, Брайан Мэй и Тим Стаффел, после к ним присоединяется Джон Дикон. Все молоды, замечательно талантливы, амбициозны и умны, все (кроме него) заканчивают получать высшее образование. Группа теперь не Smile, он придумал новое название Queen (рискованное, прямо скажем) и логотип. И сам он больше не Фаррух Булсара, он теперь Фредди Меркьюри (бог Меркурий, андрогинное двуполое существо, вестник богов и самый мягкий металл ртуть, ускользающий, сверкающий).
Сочиняют все четверо, все невероятные труженики и высочайшие профессионалы. Успехи и разочарования. Возможность записывать уже первые композиции на прекрасном студийном оборудовании с шестнадцатиполосным звуком. Клипы, известность, концерты, туры, слава.Женитьба на Мэри, круговерть романов, окончательное принятие своей гомосексуальной природы.
Невероятные, вошедшие в легенду, вечеринки Меркьюри. Работа-работа-работа, записи, концерты. Выступление на Live Aid, ставшее звездным часом звездного состава группы. Болезнь, угасание, смерть. Целая эпоха, которая разворачивается перед твоими глазами
Интересная, информативная, написанная с уважением и любовью, но не обходящая неудобных моментов, книга.
He was a star even before he became a star. If you know what I mean.
Queen and Mercury each have their own, heard for the first time or heard at a significant moment in life. With texts understood correctly or incorrectly or not at all understood at all, but intuitively grasped the meaning. Here is an advertisement for "Lucky" on TV, the best guy in the world smokes them and now I smoke only them, racing cars are flying, We are the Champions sound, and yes, what doubts can there be, we are champions!
Here is a friendly feast, the owner of the house says: "And we will listen to Queen, do you like Queens, Majechka?" The rolled-up eyes of a friend: "Yes, he's already got everyone with his Mercury, now he's found free ears, get ready" And in the next hour and a half I listen to Leshkin's lecture accompanying the English-language film. Many years later I find out that he hanged himself and, to the tears that instantly came with a heap of thoughts: "Masha is an orphan now, oh, Lyosha, what have you done..." - an inappropriate one is added: "And he told me about Queen"
Here is the opening of the Olympics, Freddie and Montserrat Caballe sing "Barcelona". God, how good they are! And here is "Moulin Rouge" and the incredible beauty of Nicole Kidman in an episode of Show must go on. And here is a stupid demotivator in the format of SMS correspondence " - Mom, I just killed a man. - What, how did it happen? - Put a gun to his head, pulled the trigger, now he's dead. "Don't do anything stupid, son, I'm going, we'll hide the body and everything will be fine." I pour Bohemian Rhapsody on a USB stick - listen and sing along in the car.
They are divided into quotes, live their own lives, have become memes, but still inseparable from the creators. From the one person with whom you have always been associated. Therefore, the fact that a significant part of the book by rock journalist Leslie-Ann Jones about the band is a story about its frontman, is perceived rather natural. If it were not so, we, the readers-listeners would be disappointed.
Cause we are the champions of the world
Он был звездой еще до того, как стал звездой. Если вы понимаете, о чем я.
Queen и Меркьюри у каждого свои, услышанные впервые или услышанные в значимый момент жизни. С понятыми верно или неверно или вовсе никак не понятыми текстами, но уловленным интуитивно смыслом. Вот реклама "Лаки" по телевизору, их курит лучший парень на свете и я теперь курю только их, летят гоночные болиды, саундом We are the Champions, и да, какие могут быть сомнения, мы чемпионы!
Вот дружеское застолье, хозяин дома говорит: "А слушать мы будем Queen, любишь Квинов, Майечка?" Закаченные глаза подруги: "Да он уже всех достал своим Меркьюри, вот нашел свободные уши, готовься" И в следующие полтора часа слушаю Лешкину лекцию, сопровождающую англоязычный фильм. Много лет спустя узнаю, что он повесился и, к мгновенно подступившим слезам с ворохом мыслей: "Машка теперь сирота, ох, Леша, что же ты наделал..." - добавляется неуместное: " И про Queen он мне рассказал"
Вот открытие Олимпиады, Фредди с Монсеррат Кабалье поют "Барселону". Боже, как они хороши! А вот "Мулен Руж" и немыслимой красоты Николь Кидман в эпизоде Show must go on. А вот дурацкий демотиватор в формате СМС-переписки " - Мама, я только что убил человека. - Что, как это случилось? - Приставил пушку к его голове, нажал курок, теперь он мертв. - Не делай глупостей сынок, я еду, мы спрячем тело и все будет в порядке". Заливаю Bohemian Rhapsody на флешку - слушать и подпевать в машине.
Они разъяты на цитаты, живут собственной жизнью, стали мемами, но все же неотделимы от создателей. От того единственного, с кем всегда ассоциировались. Потому то, что значительная часть книги рок-журналистки Лесли-Энн Джонс о группе - это рассказ о ее фронтмене, воспринимается скорее закономерным. Если бы не так, мы, читатели-слушатели были бы разочарованы.
Слушатели, потому что есть аудиовариант в превосходном исполнении Игоря Князева. Биография, происхождение, (кто такие парсы?) Фаррух Булсара, семья.небогатая, но обеспеченная, безмятежное детство на Занзибаре. Отправка восьмилетнего мальчика школу в другую страну. Успехи в учебе и некоторых видах спорта, несомненный талант к живописи. "Я ни за что не подумала бы, что он гей". " Я поняла, что он гей сразу. как только увидела" - поди разбери теперь, как оно было, да и какая, в самом-то деле, разница. Проваленные экзамены и возвращение, спустя еще восемь лет, на Занзибар. Независимость страны, революция, эмиграция семьи в Англию.
Мальчик-тихоня с безупречными манерами и великолепным правильным английским, любимец мам друзей в жизни - ураган, тайфун, торнадо на сцене. Совершенное преображение, и таким он будет всегда. Встреча со Smile, Брайан Мэй и Тим Стаффел, после к ним присоединяется Джон Дикон. Все молоды, замечательно талантливы, амбициозны и умны, все (кроме него) заканчивают получать высшее образование. Группа теперь не Smile, он придумал новое название Queen (рискованное, прямо скажем) и логотип. И сам он больше не Фаррух Булсара, он теперь Фредди Меркьюри (бог Меркурий, андрогинное двуполое существо, вестник богов и самый мягкий металл ртуть, ускользающий, сверкающий).
Сочиняют все четверо, все невероятные труженики и высочайшие профессионалы. Успехи и разочарования. Возможность записывать уже первые композиции на прекрасном студийном оборудовании с шестнадцатиполосным звуком. Клипы, известность, концерты, туры, слава.Женитьба на Мэри, круговерть романов, окончательное принятие своей гомосексуальной природы.
Невероятные, вошедшие в легенду, вечеринки Меркьюри. Работа-работа-работа, записи, концерты. Выступление на Live Aid, ставшее звездным часом звездного состава группы. Болезнь, угасание, смерть. Целая эпоха, которая разворачивается перед твоими глазами
Интересная, информативная, написанная с уважением и любовью, но не обходящая неудобных моментов, книга.
July 6, 2012
I was disappointed in this book as I have been in every single book about Freddie Mercury and Queen since his death. The one redeeming bit of information in this version of his life was the information on Barbara Valentin the German actress that he had a long-term love relationship with in the eighties. Though he lived his life predominantly homosexual his deepest love relationships were with two women, Barbara and Mary Austin (to whom he left most of his fortune, she had been his girlfriend in the seventies).
Freddie was a complicated man, he was gay and yet loved women and had sex with both men and women. He was likely a sex addict, always looking for intimacy and closeness and using sex as a substitute. He never fully embraced his homosexuality (and never admitted it publicly to protect his strictly religious family) yet was also at odds with all of his relationships.
He was an extreme narcissist and yet his sexual and romantic partners were all much less than he was in talent, intellect and class. They were for the most part the worst of hangers-on, siphoning off his money and energy, being close to someone whose star was so bright it had no choice but to burn out.
The band members in Queen are not featured much here which is too bad because it leaves much of the story in the hands of these blood-suckers who were close to Freddie in his life, almost to a one of them being paid by him. Except for the band members who knew a different side of him these people are repugnant, the only mercy being that most of them are dead now, likely due to them being drug addicts and drunks. There was not one person involved in Freddie's life (outside of friends like Elton John and Dave Clark)who was in Freddie's life because they truly cared about him and wanted nothing from him (I'm not counting the band members in this either).
His "gardener/lover" Jim Hutton wanted to justify his tell-all book about Freddie detailing their sex life and drug use and tried to make it sound like there was a real bond and deep love between them when Freddie had numerous other relationships while being involved with him, including the long-term one with Barbara Valentin. Jim was hurt that the women got more of Freddie's fortune than he did and desired to make some money on his book.He died of lung cancer in 2010.
Eventually everyone who knew Freddie (who hadn't died of AIDS or just died of whatever their addictions were) wrote a book about him. Ironically none of them ever truly knew this man. I doubt that he even knew himself.
Freddie was not the man he appeared to be onstage but then he was not the man who had gay orgies either. He was not the man who drank gallons of vodka and snorted tons of cocaine. He was not the man who protected his family from the truth about his wild life. He was not the friend he appeared to Brian, Roger and John. He was not the lover of women and sex partner of men. He was not the semi-husband he appeared to be to Mary Austin and the passionate lover to Barbara Valentin. He was not the devoted son and brother to Bomi, Jer and Kashmira. All of it was a show.
So who was Freddie Mercury off-stage when there was no one to play to? I believe and I do not care how silly it sounds that the only creatures on Earth who truly knew him were his cats.
So I guess that's the bottom line - this book could have been much shorter and called An Old Queen and His Cats. And it would have been much more honest, more heart-felt and a better tribute to this enigma.
Freddie was a complicated man, he was gay and yet loved women and had sex with both men and women. He was likely a sex addict, always looking for intimacy and closeness and using sex as a substitute. He never fully embraced his homosexuality (and never admitted it publicly to protect his strictly religious family) yet was also at odds with all of his relationships.
He was an extreme narcissist and yet his sexual and romantic partners were all much less than he was in talent, intellect and class. They were for the most part the worst of hangers-on, siphoning off his money and energy, being close to someone whose star was so bright it had no choice but to burn out.
The band members in Queen are not featured much here which is too bad because it leaves much of the story in the hands of these blood-suckers who were close to Freddie in his life, almost to a one of them being paid by him. Except for the band members who knew a different side of him these people are repugnant, the only mercy being that most of them are dead now, likely due to them being drug addicts and drunks. There was not one person involved in Freddie's life (outside of friends like Elton John and Dave Clark)who was in Freddie's life because they truly cared about him and wanted nothing from him (I'm not counting the band members in this either).
His "gardener/lover" Jim Hutton wanted to justify his tell-all book about Freddie detailing their sex life and drug use and tried to make it sound like there was a real bond and deep love between them when Freddie had numerous other relationships while being involved with him, including the long-term one with Barbara Valentin. Jim was hurt that the women got more of Freddie's fortune than he did and desired to make some money on his book.He died of lung cancer in 2010.
Eventually everyone who knew Freddie (who hadn't died of AIDS or just died of whatever their addictions were) wrote a book about him. Ironically none of them ever truly knew this man. I doubt that he even knew himself.
Freddie was not the man he appeared to be onstage but then he was not the man who had gay orgies either. He was not the man who drank gallons of vodka and snorted tons of cocaine. He was not the man who protected his family from the truth about his wild life. He was not the friend he appeared to Brian, Roger and John. He was not the lover of women and sex partner of men. He was not the semi-husband he appeared to be to Mary Austin and the passionate lover to Barbara Valentin. He was not the devoted son and brother to Bomi, Jer and Kashmira. All of it was a show.
So who was Freddie Mercury off-stage when there was no one to play to? I believe and I do not care how silly it sounds that the only creatures on Earth who truly knew him were his cats.
So I guess that's the bottom line - this book could have been much shorter and called An Old Queen and His Cats. And it would have been much more honest, more heart-felt and a better tribute to this enigma.
August 7, 2012
I was so disappointed with this book. I was expecting a story of the life of Freddie Mercury, who I thought was a fascinating person. Instead, I got Lesley-Ann Jones' story of how she interviewed people with second, third, fourth, and so on knowledge of some of Freddie Mercury's life. The photographs were interesting in the first section, but I thought it was tacky of the author to include photos of herself in the second section of the book.
I would not recommend this book at all. Sorry!
I would not recommend this book at all. Sorry!
September 6, 2022
"Numele meu este Connor MacLeod din clanul MacLeod. Sunt nemuritor". Așa a început totul. Așa a început pentru mine îndelungata relație cu Queen, după ce am văzut, cred că prin '94, un film care se numea Highlander. Adică Nemuritorul, numele sub care e cunoscut la noi. "Princess of the universe" se numea una din piesele de pe coloana sonoră a filmului, cea care l-a făcut nemuritor pe Freddie Mercury. O melodie incredibil de puternică, atât de puternică încât mă făcea și pe mine să mă simt etern și invincibil.
Freddie Mercury (Farookh Bulsara pe numele real) a înființat Queen în 1970, împreună cu Brian May și Roger Taylor. În 1971 formația devine completă, gata să scrie istorie, prin alăturarea lui John Deacon. Și așa a rămas vreme de 20 de ani, probabil cea mai sudată formație de muzică rock. Este și singura trupă de rock în care toți cei patru membri au compus hituri. Și ce hituri! Deunăzi am ascultat Bohemian Rapsody, o piesă plină de forță și energie, a cărei muzică în crescendo îmi dă fiori de fiecare dată când o aud. Și care mă umple și pe mine de energie. Aș putea să le enumăr pe toate, nu cred că există vreo melodie sau album care să nu-mi placă.
Bohemian Rapsody: Biografia completă a lui Freddie Mercury m-a ajutat sa-l cunosc pe omul Freddie, despre care știam prea puțin. Un adevărat showman pe scenă, era mereu atent la schimbările din modă și din industria muzicală, mereu conștient și la curent cu așteptările publicului și ale fanilor, întotdeauna pregătit să se adapteze. Mereu intr-o continuă transformare. Nu a fost un erou pe un soclu, și nici nu și-a dorit asta. A fost un om cu o poftă uriașă de viață, care și-a trăit fiecare zi ca și cum ar fi fost ultima. A avut defecte și calități, ca oricare dintre noi. Și o voce de neegalat, capabilă să trezească emoții intense.
Freddie Mercury (Farookh Bulsara pe numele real) a înființat Queen în 1970, împreună cu Brian May și Roger Taylor. În 1971 formația devine completă, gata să scrie istorie, prin alăturarea lui John Deacon. Și așa a rămas vreme de 20 de ani, probabil cea mai sudată formație de muzică rock. Este și singura trupă de rock în care toți cei patru membri au compus hituri. Și ce hituri! Deunăzi am ascultat Bohemian Rapsody, o piesă plină de forță și energie, a cărei muzică în crescendo îmi dă fiori de fiecare dată când o aud. Și care mă umple și pe mine de energie. Aș putea să le enumăr pe toate, nu cred că există vreo melodie sau album care să nu-mi placă.
Bohemian Rapsody: Biografia completă a lui Freddie Mercury m-a ajutat sa-l cunosc pe omul Freddie, despre care știam prea puțin. Un adevărat showman pe scenă, era mereu atent la schimbările din modă și din industria muzicală, mereu conștient și la curent cu așteptările publicului și ale fanilor, întotdeauna pregătit să se adapteze. Mereu intr-o continuă transformare. Nu a fost un erou pe un soclu, și nici nu și-a dorit asta. A fost un om cu o poftă uriașă de viață, care și-a trăit fiecare zi ca și cum ar fi fost ultima. A avut defecte și calități, ca oricare dintre noi. Și o voce de neegalat, capabilă să trezească emoții intense.
January 15, 2012
Before reading this book I knew very little about Freddie Mercury. He was the lead singer of Queen and he died from AIDS and that was about the size of it. Upon finishing the book I feel that I have a better understanding of what it was like for him in his situation, but the most overwhelming factor that I will take away from this is 466 paged biography is that no one really knew Freddie Mercury and that's how he wanted it.
Jones has written a very interesting and seemingly unbiased account of Freddie's life and, besides the sections that were a little dry, I found it a very interesting read. Jones' most outstanding accomplishment is in her research and her interviews which helped to convey the inconsistencies and betrayals in Freddie's life. With only a few exceptions, it seemed that everyone wanted a part of Freddie.
Good choice...thanks Donna
Jones has written a very interesting and seemingly unbiased account of Freddie's life and, besides the sections that were a little dry, I found it a very interesting read. Jones' most outstanding accomplishment is in her research and her interviews which helped to convey the inconsistencies and betrayals in Freddie's life. With only a few exceptions, it seemed that everyone wanted a part of Freddie.
Good choice...thanks Donna
July 18, 2012
Without reading any book about Freddie Mercury, I must say that Freddie is, in my opinion, the greatest singer of all time. In Jones'tell-all about the late Queen frontman, she chronicles the other side of the "Lover of life. Singer of Songs." A side that's surrounded by loneliness, insecurity, and a heavy excess of sex, drugs, and rock and roll.
"Mercury" tells the story of Freddie's story behind songs like "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "We Are the Champions" as well as what went on during his boyhood life in Zanzibar to his time with Queen and his final months spent in a recording studio making music while dying of AIDS.
According to Jones, most rock star biographies deal with the rise and fall of superstardom and the struggle to get back on top. Despite the obstacles that Mercury and Queen went through, their music defines any person's moment in victory or love.
"Mercury" tells the story of Freddie's story behind songs like "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "We Are the Champions" as well as what went on during his boyhood life in Zanzibar to his time with Queen and his final months spent in a recording studio making music while dying of AIDS.
According to Jones, most rock star biographies deal with the rise and fall of superstardom and the struggle to get back on top. Despite the obstacles that Mercury and Queen went through, their music defines any person's moment in victory or love.
March 10, 2022
A well written and very engaging book centred upon Freddie but also on Queen and their rise to glory. Freddie was royalty in every sense and this is a sensitive, balanced and very readable story. Lots of good photos. I learnt much about the man, the band and those who meant most to him. A uniquely interesting man.
Bohemian Rhapsody was unique as were Queen. Hugely successful but massively daring when everyone in ‘the know’ had it down to fail. Thank goodness there were still risk takers prepared to gamble. Of the song the author writes: “Soaring and decadent, brimming with thinly-disguised personal agony and ecstasy, it is an impossible blend of baroque and ballad of Music Hall and monster rock. Its incongruous elements are held together by a string of cacophonic guitar-grindings, classical piano sequences, sweeping orchestral arrangements and rich, multifaceted chorales, all dubbed, overdubbed and overdubbed again to the point that, depending on one’s mood, it can be unbearable to listen to. There can be few rock fans on the planet who don’t know it by heart”.
I like the fact that each chapter is prefaced by a Freddie quote, usually offset by one from another (non Freddie) player. Thus, towards the end we have Freddie saying: “I’ve had upheavals and I’ve had immense problems, but I’ve had a wonderful time and I have no regrets. Oh dear, I sound like Edith Piaf”!
And Rick Wakeman: “Certain people in this industry are not meant to grow old. Freddie was one of them. He lived his life to the full. He died young, but he crammed in an amazing amount. More than most people could in five lifetimes.”
Recommended.
Bohemian Rhapsody was unique as were Queen. Hugely successful but massively daring when everyone in ‘the know’ had it down to fail. Thank goodness there were still risk takers prepared to gamble. Of the song the author writes: “Soaring and decadent, brimming with thinly-disguised personal agony and ecstasy, it is an impossible blend of baroque and ballad of Music Hall and monster rock. Its incongruous elements are held together by a string of cacophonic guitar-grindings, classical piano sequences, sweeping orchestral arrangements and rich, multifaceted chorales, all dubbed, overdubbed and overdubbed again to the point that, depending on one’s mood, it can be unbearable to listen to. There can be few rock fans on the planet who don’t know it by heart”.
I like the fact that each chapter is prefaced by a Freddie quote, usually offset by one from another (non Freddie) player. Thus, towards the end we have Freddie saying: “I’ve had upheavals and I’ve had immense problems, but I’ve had a wonderful time and I have no regrets. Oh dear, I sound like Edith Piaf”!
And Rick Wakeman: “Certain people in this industry are not meant to grow old. Freddie was one of them. He lived his life to the full. He died young, but he crammed in an amazing amount. More than most people could in five lifetimes.”
Recommended.
September 16, 2017
Maybe not so definitive as described, but for me was an interesting read that has opened my eyes to the life of Freddie Mercury.
I loved their music from when I was little and now I have more information about the songs, the artists, how was their struggle in those days, etc. Some of the things said here by Freddie you could find them on youtube, so not a lot of news here, but the whole history of his life with it's upside downs was fascinating.
Definitely worth a check.
I loved their music from when I was little and now I have more information about the songs, the artists, how was their struggle in those days, etc. Some of the things said here by Freddie you could find them on youtube, so not a lot of news here, but the whole history of his life with it's upside downs was fascinating.
Definitely worth a check.
August 28, 2012
This was an enjoyable read but not exactly an intimate biography as the title suggests. Most sources she uses are old rock magazine interviews and Jones seems rather keen on name dropping even when it isn't clear why one needs to know what other music industry connections a producer might have.
In addition, despite her admiration for Freddie she does not allow for bisexuality to exist in his case, often insisting that he was a closeted gay man, not bisexual. The fact that Freddie loved both women and men was something she admits but then seems to disregard.
With regards to Garden Lodge and Freddie's entourage there she describes the multiple lovers in his life getting on and even sleeping in the same bed as 'bizarre' while at the same time trying to highlight any small animosities as proof of how it was all some kind of fateful tragedy rather than people merely loving and respecting each other. It's as if Jones can comprehend the gay man that Freddie was but the bisexual or polyamorous Freddie is beyond her.
It's clear though that Mercury wanted to simply be who he was with all of the imperfections that make all of us human. There is no doubt he loved his many partners in a variety of different ways, whatever current convention thinks otherwise.
What comes across most stongly in the book, and to Jones's credit, is Mercury's shyness vs his onstage outrageousness. A kind of Janus faced character that left no one really knowing all of him.
If you are looking for an excellent biography of Queen this isn't your book. If you are looking for an overview of the life of Freddie then, baring the misconceptions of his personal life, you may want to give it a read.
In addition, despite her admiration for Freddie she does not allow for bisexuality to exist in his case, often insisting that he was a closeted gay man, not bisexual. The fact that Freddie loved both women and men was something she admits but then seems to disregard.
With regards to Garden Lodge and Freddie's entourage there she describes the multiple lovers in his life getting on and even sleeping in the same bed as 'bizarre' while at the same time trying to highlight any small animosities as proof of how it was all some kind of fateful tragedy rather than people merely loving and respecting each other. It's as if Jones can comprehend the gay man that Freddie was but the bisexual or polyamorous Freddie is beyond her.
It's clear though that Mercury wanted to simply be who he was with all of the imperfections that make all of us human. There is no doubt he loved his many partners in a variety of different ways, whatever current convention thinks otherwise.
What comes across most stongly in the book, and to Jones's credit, is Mercury's shyness vs his onstage outrageousness. A kind of Janus faced character that left no one really knowing all of him.
If you are looking for an excellent biography of Queen this isn't your book. If you are looking for an overview of the life of Freddie then, baring the misconceptions of his personal life, you may want to give it a read.
September 27, 2012
I have to admit up front that I've been a huge Queen fan since the 70s when I was a kid listening to their music. They remain one of my favorite groups of all time, and I believe Freddie was the greatest front man of any band ever.
Now that that's out the way, how was the book? In a word -- splendid! I just put away a biography on another favorite of mine -- David Bowie -- cause the authors just seemed to want to skewer him and it really put a damper on my enthusiasm for the man. I had to stop reading it to save what I still liked about him. So I was nervous in picking up a book on Freddie Mercury, fearing something similar might happen. Not to worry. The author, Lesley-Ann Jones, does a truly magnificent job of thorough research and exhaustive writing to put out a rather unbiased book on a great singer, one which elucidates while still making clear that no one ever truly knew the man well. He was one thing to his family, another to his first girlfriend (yes, girlfriend) Mary, another to his lover Jim, another to his German lover Barbara, another to his band mates, another to his fans, and so on and so on. One thing that was clear was that his bombastic personality while on stage didn't transfer to his personal life, where he was generally quite shy.
Jones starts the book with his upbringing on Zanzibar and his boarding schooling in India and interviews relatives, in some cases, fairly distant relatives. I mean, the author really went all out. It was fascinating to read about the band's early struggles and the making of "Bohemian Rhapsody," Queen's masterpiece. My primary complaint is not much time is spent on other songs. I would have loved more than one line about "We Will Rock You" or "Another One Bites The Dust," and more than a paragraph or two on "We Are The Champions." Some of the albums barely merit more than a paragraph, and while I know Jones wanted to chronicle their infamous hard core rock and roll partying, it gets a bit repetitive after awhile. I think more meat could have been added to the songs and albums, at least some of them.
It was sad to read about Freddie's personal life, his love life. He was always being used and he seemed to never be content with one person, other than Mary, with whom he stopped having a sexual relationship after six years. Incidentally, I knew this, but Freddie left the vast majority of his estate to Mary when he died in 1991. One would have thought his gay lover(s), but nope, Mary. He also never clearly came out to his family. That I didn't know. It was for religious reasons. It was great fun reading about Freddie's enthusiasm about ballet and opera, about his run in with Sid Vicious in a studio when both were recording at the same time, about his spending sprees, his wild orgies, etc, etc. And face it, the man was a genius with a four octave range. What talent. Pity he had to die of AIDS so young. It was shocking to read how many of his friends and lovers were dropping like flies during the 80s. Really shocking.
I would have liked more about the band as a whole, but alas, the book was about Freddie, and if I want to read about Queen, I guess I'll have to get a good Queen bio, eh? Great book, fun read, hard to put down, worth five stars....
Now that that's out the way, how was the book? In a word -- splendid! I just put away a biography on another favorite of mine -- David Bowie -- cause the authors just seemed to want to skewer him and it really put a damper on my enthusiasm for the man. I had to stop reading it to save what I still liked about him. So I was nervous in picking up a book on Freddie Mercury, fearing something similar might happen. Not to worry. The author, Lesley-Ann Jones, does a truly magnificent job of thorough research and exhaustive writing to put out a rather unbiased book on a great singer, one which elucidates while still making clear that no one ever truly knew the man well. He was one thing to his family, another to his first girlfriend (yes, girlfriend) Mary, another to his lover Jim, another to his German lover Barbara, another to his band mates, another to his fans, and so on and so on. One thing that was clear was that his bombastic personality while on stage didn't transfer to his personal life, where he was generally quite shy.
Jones starts the book with his upbringing on Zanzibar and his boarding schooling in India and interviews relatives, in some cases, fairly distant relatives. I mean, the author really went all out. It was fascinating to read about the band's early struggles and the making of "Bohemian Rhapsody," Queen's masterpiece. My primary complaint is not much time is spent on other songs. I would have loved more than one line about "We Will Rock You" or "Another One Bites The Dust," and more than a paragraph or two on "We Are The Champions." Some of the albums barely merit more than a paragraph, and while I know Jones wanted to chronicle their infamous hard core rock and roll partying, it gets a bit repetitive after awhile. I think more meat could have been added to the songs and albums, at least some of them.
It was sad to read about Freddie's personal life, his love life. He was always being used and he seemed to never be content with one person, other than Mary, with whom he stopped having a sexual relationship after six years. Incidentally, I knew this, but Freddie left the vast majority of his estate to Mary when he died in 1991. One would have thought his gay lover(s), but nope, Mary. He also never clearly came out to his family. That I didn't know. It was for religious reasons. It was great fun reading about Freddie's enthusiasm about ballet and opera, about his run in with Sid Vicious in a studio when both were recording at the same time, about his spending sprees, his wild orgies, etc, etc. And face it, the man was a genius with a four octave range. What talent. Pity he had to die of AIDS so young. It was shocking to read how many of his friends and lovers were dropping like flies during the 80s. Really shocking.
I would have liked more about the band as a whole, but alas, the book was about Freddie, and if I want to read about Queen, I guess I'll have to get a good Queen bio, eh? Great book, fun read, hard to put down, worth five stars....
February 1, 2019
Era da tantissimo tempo che volevo leggere una biografia dei Queen e grazie all'uscita del film la mia voglia è diventata tale che finalmente ce l'ho fatta 👑
Direi che anche solo il titolo parla da solo, unito al mio rating.
Ho apprezzato molto il ritratto che è stato dato di Freddie Mercury soprattutto perché in questa biografia vengono spiegate tantissime cose molto personali che non sapevo.
Vengono citate tantissime persone, comuni o famose, con cui lui ha avuto un rapporto di amicizia o amoroso.
La sua personalità era davvero molto particolare, quasi doppia tanto che la persona che saliva sul palco sembrava completamente diversa da quella che si rapportava con gli altri nella vita di tutti i giorni.
Mi è piaciuto molto il fatto che, nonostante la biografia sia principalmente di Freddie, si sia dato moltissimo spazio anche agli altri componenti dei Queen e alla band stessa.
Ho adorato vedere come il gruppo sia praticamente partito da zero, fallendo innumerevoli volte, per poi arrivare al successo che oggi tutti conosciamo.
Ci sono moltissimi dettagli tecnici riguardati canzoni, case discografiche e tour quindi la lettura non è semplicissima dato che si rischia di perdersi tra tutti quei nomi, date e cifre ma essendo già a conoscenza di questa cosa ho deciso di andare con molta calma e i Queen mi hanno accompagnata per tutto il mese di gennaio.
Sapevo che alla fine si sarebbe per forza di cose arrivati alla parte più difficile, quella della malattia.
Il capitolo conclusivo, quello che parla della morte, del funerale e delle varie commemorazioni é stato molto difficile da leggere per me, quasi come se non mi sentissi pronta ad accettare che queste cose sono già successe anni e anni fa.
Penso che sia stata una enorme perdita per tutto il mondo, ma grazie a questo libro la leggenda di Freddie continua a farci amare la sua musica 💕
Direi che anche solo il titolo parla da solo, unito al mio rating.
Ho apprezzato molto il ritratto che è stato dato di Freddie Mercury soprattutto perché in questa biografia vengono spiegate tantissime cose molto personali che non sapevo.
Vengono citate tantissime persone, comuni o famose, con cui lui ha avuto un rapporto di amicizia o amoroso.
La sua personalità era davvero molto particolare, quasi doppia tanto che la persona che saliva sul palco sembrava completamente diversa da quella che si rapportava con gli altri nella vita di tutti i giorni.
Mi è piaciuto molto il fatto che, nonostante la biografia sia principalmente di Freddie, si sia dato moltissimo spazio anche agli altri componenti dei Queen e alla band stessa.
Ho adorato vedere come il gruppo sia praticamente partito da zero, fallendo innumerevoli volte, per poi arrivare al successo che oggi tutti conosciamo.
Ci sono moltissimi dettagli tecnici riguardati canzoni, case discografiche e tour quindi la lettura non è semplicissima dato che si rischia di perdersi tra tutti quei nomi, date e cifre ma essendo già a conoscenza di questa cosa ho deciso di andare con molta calma e i Queen mi hanno accompagnata per tutto il mese di gennaio.
Sapevo che alla fine si sarebbe per forza di cose arrivati alla parte più difficile, quella della malattia.
Il capitolo conclusivo, quello che parla della morte, del funerale e delle varie commemorazioni é stato molto difficile da leggere per me, quasi come se non mi sentissi pronta ad accettare che queste cose sono già successe anni e anni fa.
Penso che sia stata una enorme perdita per tutto il mondo, ma grazie a questo libro la leggenda di Freddie continua a farci amare la sua musica 💕
July 25, 2021
This is an excellent biography of Freddie Mercury by former journalist and biographer Lesley-Ann Jones. This is an in-depth biography written by someone who knew him personally and carried out extensive interviews to get the true Freddie Mercury story.
Freddie Mercury was a flamboyant showman and lead vocalist for Queen. A genius in many ways and certainly a one off who paraded in front of his fans in outrageous costumes but until the film came out much of his life remained unknown. He was the first major rock star to die from AIDS. when the world was still learning about this dreadful disease. Hard to believe that 30 years have passed since his death and he is still a massive iconic figure in music. Lesley-Ann Jones relates his legendary life, detailing the rise to fame and his living life to excess that would end his life.
I lived through the rise of Queen and it was enjoyable to relive and reminisce such times like Live Aid. Great memories and an entertaining read. Died relatively young but certainly lived life to the full.
Freddie Mercury was a flamboyant showman and lead vocalist for Queen. A genius in many ways and certainly a one off who paraded in front of his fans in outrageous costumes but until the film came out much of his life remained unknown. He was the first major rock star to die from AIDS. when the world was still learning about this dreadful disease. Hard to believe that 30 years have passed since his death and he is still a massive iconic figure in music. Lesley-Ann Jones relates his legendary life, detailing the rise to fame and his living life to excess that would end his life.
I lived through the rise of Queen and it was enjoyable to relive and reminisce such times like Live Aid. Great memories and an entertaining read. Died relatively young but certainly lived life to the full.
October 6, 2022
I think it's rather hard to rate a biography but I rate they way the book is crafted rather than rate the person's life. It was an okay biography but far from one of the better ones out there. Love having the book on my shelf though due to the content and pictures but might need to find another biography about Freddie Mercury
September 5, 2017
Good bio. Good number of pics. I would have liked pics of studio and houses, pics of his infamous 39th birthday party, pics of his hottest, largest success at Live Aid.
I appreciate that Lesley-Ann Jones allowed the interviewees to have their say instead of limiting them to short quotes. Part of this was necessary because Freddie Mercury divided up himself between people, kept things compartmentalized. Since many times Freddie would be betrayed by friends and lovers and other professionals, he did compartmentalize. Through the long quotes, we see Freddie through various peoples' eyes.
Amazingly--or not--I seem to just now have discovered Freddie Mercury and Queen. I have spent days reading and then watching videos of their songs. My favorite Queen songs: "We are the Champion," "We Will Rock You," and "Bohemian Rhapsody". My favorite performamce: Live Aid. My favorite Freddie video: "The Great Pretender," the extended version.
Ino completing this bio, I complete my most recent obsession.
I appreciate that Lesley-Ann Jones allowed the interviewees to have their say instead of limiting them to short quotes. Part of this was necessary because Freddie Mercury divided up himself between people, kept things compartmentalized. Since many times Freddie would be betrayed by friends and lovers and other professionals, he did compartmentalize. Through the long quotes, we see Freddie through various peoples' eyes.
Amazingly--or not--I seem to just now have discovered Freddie Mercury and Queen. I have spent days reading and then watching videos of their songs. My favorite Queen songs: "We are the Champion," "We Will Rock You," and "Bohemian Rhapsody". My favorite performamce: Live Aid. My favorite Freddie video: "The Great Pretender," the extended version.
Ino completing this bio, I complete my most recent obsession.
November 28, 2018
DISCLAIMER *This is a bit of a book vs movie review*
A real emotional rollercoaster without a dull moment. I have read many biographies and autobiographies in the past. They all have a bit you skim through at some point when the details get too long and arduous to read. Not this! It was very easy to read and full of quotations from friends, family, music industry bigwigs and even psychiatrists.
"It was the perfect stage for Freddie Mercury: the whole world." Bob Geldof
"It wasn't even dark, he was whipping up all this magic in daylight." Dave Hogan (photographer at Live Aid)
The explosive start with Live Aid in chapter one mirrors the movie Bohemian Rhapsody to a tee (although the book predates, obviously). Although the main focus is how Queen outperformed everyone that day, there is also a lot of other information like when and how Bob Geldof came up with the whole idea (I did not know that Queens had not been invited to sing in Do They Know It's Christmas!)
The book then delves deeply into Freddie's childhood and time in Zanzibar and India. The writer even goes on an expedition to find his birth certificate (which is apparently missing - suspected to have been bought illegally and in someone's private collection now). Her interviews with friends and family shed so much light on Freddie's background and upbringing. (He was called Bucky!)
The next thing that struck me were the many differences with the movie - too many to name! How he met and joined the band, how they got their first album recorded, the truth is so different I was wondering if I had watched an adaptation or fictionalisation of the truth at the cinema the day before reading the book (For example, they had a VERY hard time being picked up by radio DJs in the UK and could not get onto playlists at the beginning). However, I felt that his relationship with Mary Austin came across better on screen (although, again, there were many conflicts like, she did not abandon him as portrayed in BR)
The wild parties... Oh my God! Jaw dropping! I can understand why those were left out of the movie!
I also learned about Peter Freeman, Barbara Valentin and others who were so close to him but did not get a mention in the movie. And Jim Hutton - the true story of how they met is so different!
The book has a total of 25 chapters that take the reader from place to place and event to event. Freddie's multi-faceted, almost chameleon-like character came out very well in the story. You follow his as he goes from sleeping on the floor to super rockstardom. You feel each betrayal, each hurdle he had to overcome. There are moments you are cheering him on and moments you find the hedonistic OTT life too much to comprehend. There is also a lot of commentary into what the songs and lyrics mean - the writer's own take on Bo Rap is that Scaramouche (a clown from the commedia dell'arte) was Freddie himself, Galileo the 16th century astronomer is obviously Brian May, and Beelzebub (prince of demons) is Roger Taylor who was the wildest party animal at the beginning. I don't know how much water that holds, to be honest, but back stories to why and how the songs came about is definitely interesting.
And the final chapters - I was in tears. There was so much empathy and emotion in the description of his final year, death, funeral and the aftermath, all fans MUST read this. The wealth of information also lead me to some fantastic old videos (like Freddie's performance with the Royal Ballet) that are hidden away on Youtube.
Here are some of the titbits that have stayed with me...Did you know - Brian May developed gangrene in his arm after a routine inoculation and there was a real fear of amputation?
that Freddie was aerophobic?
that after their first appearance of Top of the Pops in 1974 Freddie ran along Oxford St to watch their appearance on a TV in a shop window because he didn't own one himself?
that Freddie and Roger ran a market stall in Kensington and were as thick as thieves? (I thought their relationship on BR was actually quite strained)
that when they landed in Argentina for the tour in 1981 the flight announcements all stopped and they started playing Queen music instead!
There was one comment in earlier reviews that this is a mash-up of all the interviews and books that have come before, with no new material. I disagree. Yes, there were a lot of quotes from various sources, but there were also many insights from the author herself and personal interviews / conversations too. Of course, I have not read all the other biographies of Freddie and Queen out there, but I am sure there is a lot of overlapping bound to happen when you write about the same subject!
My only criticism is, because the chapters were broken by personalities and events there was a lot of jumping back and forth in the timeline when you read from one chapter to another - where you stop and go 'wasn't that mentioned earlier?' However, if you are a fan of Queen, or if you have just watched Bohemian Rhapsody, this is a book which would fascinate you.
A real emotional rollercoaster without a dull moment. I have read many biographies and autobiographies in the past. They all have a bit you skim through at some point when the details get too long and arduous to read. Not this! It was very easy to read and full of quotations from friends, family, music industry bigwigs and even psychiatrists.
"It was the perfect stage for Freddie Mercury: the whole world." Bob Geldof
"It wasn't even dark, he was whipping up all this magic in daylight." Dave Hogan (photographer at Live Aid)
The explosive start with Live Aid in chapter one mirrors the movie Bohemian Rhapsody to a tee (although the book predates, obviously). Although the main focus is how Queen outperformed everyone that day, there is also a lot of other information like when and how Bob Geldof came up with the whole idea (I did not know that Queens had not been invited to sing in Do They Know It's Christmas!)
The book then delves deeply into Freddie's childhood and time in Zanzibar and India. The writer even goes on an expedition to find his birth certificate (which is apparently missing - suspected to have been bought illegally and in someone's private collection now). Her interviews with friends and family shed so much light on Freddie's background and upbringing. (He was called Bucky!)
The next thing that struck me were the many differences with the movie - too many to name! How he met and joined the band, how they got their first album recorded, the truth is so different I was wondering if I had watched an adaptation or fictionalisation of the truth at the cinema the day before reading the book (For example, they had a VERY hard time being picked up by radio DJs in the UK and could not get onto playlists at the beginning). However, I felt that his relationship with Mary Austin came across better on screen (although, again, there were many conflicts like, she did not abandon him as portrayed in BR)
The wild parties... Oh my God! Jaw dropping! I can understand why those were left out of the movie!
I also learned about Peter Freeman, Barbara Valentin and others who were so close to him but did not get a mention in the movie. And Jim Hutton - the true story of how they met is so different!
The book has a total of 25 chapters that take the reader from place to place and event to event. Freddie's multi-faceted, almost chameleon-like character came out very well in the story. You follow his as he goes from sleeping on the floor to super rockstardom. You feel each betrayal, each hurdle he had to overcome. There are moments you are cheering him on and moments you find the hedonistic OTT life too much to comprehend. There is also a lot of commentary into what the songs and lyrics mean - the writer's own take on Bo Rap is that Scaramouche (a clown from the commedia dell'arte) was Freddie himself, Galileo the 16th century astronomer is obviously Brian May, and Beelzebub (prince of demons) is Roger Taylor who was the wildest party animal at the beginning. I don't know how much water that holds, to be honest, but back stories to why and how the songs came about is definitely interesting.
And the final chapters - I was in tears. There was so much empathy and emotion in the description of his final year, death, funeral and the aftermath, all fans MUST read this. The wealth of information also lead me to some fantastic old videos (like Freddie's performance with the Royal Ballet) that are hidden away on Youtube.
Here are some of the titbits that have stayed with me...Did you know - Brian May developed gangrene in his arm after a routine inoculation and there was a real fear of amputation?
that Freddie was aerophobic?
that after their first appearance of Top of the Pops in 1974 Freddie ran along Oxford St to watch their appearance on a TV in a shop window because he didn't own one himself?
that Freddie and Roger ran a market stall in Kensington and were as thick as thieves? (I thought their relationship on BR was actually quite strained)
that when they landed in Argentina for the tour in 1981 the flight announcements all stopped and they started playing Queen music instead!
There was one comment in earlier reviews that this is a mash-up of all the interviews and books that have come before, with no new material. I disagree. Yes, there were a lot of quotes from various sources, but there were also many insights from the author herself and personal interviews / conversations too. Of course, I have not read all the other biographies of Freddie and Queen out there, but I am sure there is a lot of overlapping bound to happen when you write about the same subject!
My only criticism is, because the chapters were broken by personalities and events there was a lot of jumping back and forth in the timeline when you read from one chapter to another - where you stop and go 'wasn't that mentioned earlier?' However, if you are a fan of Queen, or if you have just watched Bohemian Rhapsody, this is a book which would fascinate you.
February 1, 2024
After watching many Freddie and queen documentary’s I wanted to read her book and glad I did. Very detailed, not much research as the author knew Freddie. This isn’t just about Freddie and queen but also talks about what happened in the years which was written and talked about
August 3, 2012
This is a solid and very moving biography of Freddie Mercury, one of my greatest heroes and role models.
Jones is at her best when describing the introverted and caring man behind the glossy exterior of the world's best frontman. Of course, Freddie's loneliness and romantic nature come through in the best songs that he wrote for Queen ("Somebody to Love," "Love of My Life," "Bohemian Rhapsody," "It's a Hard Life," "Save Me," etc.). But Jones, although never directly, allows her reader to glimpse the strong interpersonal relationships, generosity, and longing for understanding that contribute to the composition of Freddie's song, as well as his sense of despondency that, despite his larger-than-life persona, the singer was never able to shake. In fact, the book even speculates that Freddie's reckless use of drugs and dangerous experiences in gay clubs in the late 1970s and early 1980s may have been a way of destroying himself, a way of bringing about his early death.
Jones does tend to discuss Freddie's sexuality more than the complexities of his music - and this decision is problematic for any reader who's seriously interested in the man as a musician who could sing in four octaves, play the piano extremely well, and occasionally write songs of a compositional complexity that rivals some classical composers or, at the very least, Brian Wilson. It IS important to know that Freddie was a sexual omnivore. His appetite for both sexes - and, in the second half of his life, mainly men - destroys the commonly held perception (the perception of non-Queen fans) that he was exclusively gay. Mercury was a man of great complexity - emotional, sexual, musical, intellectual, you name it.
I'm hoping that at some point, I'll come across a Mercury or Queen bio that discusses the importance of Freddie's Zoroastrian upbringing on his life. Jones kind of gets there, with her comments on how Freddie had to remain closeted because his homosexual tendencies were against his religious upbringing. He, therefore, couldn't come out to his family. She also touches on Zoroastrian burial rituals near the end of her text. But I wanted more on how Freddie's religious upbringing impacted his songwriting and performance style.
One final point. Jones deftly handles Freddie's final days, creating him almost as a tragic figure. If Freddie had a tragic flaw, it was perhaps his addiction to excess, which probably came from his continual longing for love and stability. After he became the legendary frontman of Queen, he could only pursue his quest for love through excess. Thankfully, he found a core group of friends, lovers, and bandmates who truly cared for him and helped him ease his way into death by serving as nurses or plowing through the heated recording sessions for The Miracle, Innuendo, and Made in Heaven.
So Freddie's life teaches us that we, too, can be caring and compassionate, even in the face of death. It simply took the excesses of his partying and performing - and the greatness of his music - to teach us what a true saint a human being can be. Need proof? Listen to the lyrics that Freddie wrote for the final three Queen albums.
And the man could sing opera!
Jones is at her best when describing the introverted and caring man behind the glossy exterior of the world's best frontman. Of course, Freddie's loneliness and romantic nature come through in the best songs that he wrote for Queen ("Somebody to Love," "Love of My Life," "Bohemian Rhapsody," "It's a Hard Life," "Save Me," etc.). But Jones, although never directly, allows her reader to glimpse the strong interpersonal relationships, generosity, and longing for understanding that contribute to the composition of Freddie's song, as well as his sense of despondency that, despite his larger-than-life persona, the singer was never able to shake. In fact, the book even speculates that Freddie's reckless use of drugs and dangerous experiences in gay clubs in the late 1970s and early 1980s may have been a way of destroying himself, a way of bringing about his early death.
Jones does tend to discuss Freddie's sexuality more than the complexities of his music - and this decision is problematic for any reader who's seriously interested in the man as a musician who could sing in four octaves, play the piano extremely well, and occasionally write songs of a compositional complexity that rivals some classical composers or, at the very least, Brian Wilson. It IS important to know that Freddie was a sexual omnivore. His appetite for both sexes - and, in the second half of his life, mainly men - destroys the commonly held perception (the perception of non-Queen fans) that he was exclusively gay. Mercury was a man of great complexity - emotional, sexual, musical, intellectual, you name it.
I'm hoping that at some point, I'll come across a Mercury or Queen bio that discusses the importance of Freddie's Zoroastrian upbringing on his life. Jones kind of gets there, with her comments on how Freddie had to remain closeted because his homosexual tendencies were against his religious upbringing. He, therefore, couldn't come out to his family. She also touches on Zoroastrian burial rituals near the end of her text. But I wanted more on how Freddie's religious upbringing impacted his songwriting and performance style.
One final point. Jones deftly handles Freddie's final days, creating him almost as a tragic figure. If Freddie had a tragic flaw, it was perhaps his addiction to excess, which probably came from his continual longing for love and stability. After he became the legendary frontman of Queen, he could only pursue his quest for love through excess. Thankfully, he found a core group of friends, lovers, and bandmates who truly cared for him and helped him ease his way into death by serving as nurses or plowing through the heated recording sessions for The Miracle, Innuendo, and Made in Heaven.
So Freddie's life teaches us that we, too, can be caring and compassionate, even in the face of death. It simply took the excesses of his partying and performing - and the greatness of his music - to teach us what a true saint a human being can be. Need proof? Listen to the lyrics that Freddie wrote for the final three Queen albums.
And the man could sing opera!
February 22, 2019
Ever since I saw the movie Bohemian Rhapsody for the first time in cinema, I've called myself a Queen fan. Yes, I was one of those who really began to listen to Queen's songs after seeing the movie. Before that I also listened to their music occasionally. I found the movie - Freddie's story - to be so inspiring that I couldn't get it out of my head afterwards. It's still on my mind very often and I can't wait for the DVD to arrive!
Like I said, I found Freddie's story a very inspiring one and I wanted to know everything about it. The thing I found the most inspiring in the movie was that Freddie simply did what he was passionated about and didn't let anyone get in his way. I could definitely use some, maybe better not all of it, of that ambition! Besides that I think Freddie was a really special person and very loving to those who mattered to him.
This, and more, was all captured in this biography written by Lesley-Ann Jones. Just like the movie, it showed the good, but also the bad. It didn't put Freddie on a pedestal only because he was so great and perfect. Of course, Freddie wasn't perfect, but his imperfections were also what made him such a great performer and loved by so many.
If you're a Queen fan, but even if you're not, this biography is a must-read. It not only tells of Freddie, but also of the band Queen, its rising and the time it all took place.
Like I said, I found Freddie's story a very inspiring one and I wanted to know everything about it. The thing I found the most inspiring in the movie was that Freddie simply did what he was passionated about and didn't let anyone get in his way. I could definitely use some, maybe better not all of it, of that ambition! Besides that I think Freddie was a really special person and very loving to those who mattered to him.
This, and more, was all captured in this biography written by Lesley-Ann Jones. Just like the movie, it showed the good, but also the bad. It didn't put Freddie on a pedestal only because he was so great and perfect. Of course, Freddie wasn't perfect, but his imperfections were also what made him such a great performer and loved by so many.
If you're a Queen fan, but even if you're not, this biography is a must-read. It not only tells of Freddie, but also of the band Queen, its rising and the time it all took place.
February 15, 2021
I’m trying not to let my undying love for Freddie Mercury cloud my judgment. This is just an average biography. Nothing extraordinary whatsoever, and it’s probably a lot more dense than necessary. The writing was fine, but again – nothing that leaves a lasting impression. This book is basically a compilation of facts I already knew. For a diehard fan, that’s probably to be expected, but with a title like “An Intimate Biography” I had higher hopes. It seems like that kind of title should be reserved for situations where the subject sits down with a chosen biographer and does a deep dive, revealing never-before-disclosed childhood memories. Here, Jones took the work of countless other journalists and organized it into her own book. There were no first-hand interviews, no primary source material. You’ll see a lot of “As Roger remarked in Q magazine in 2011…” and “Freddie confided to John Blake, then a pop writer on the London Evening News…” and “…commented Brian in Mojo magazine.” Despite the “About the Author” section’s claim that “She toured with Queen and had unrivaled access to the band,” that really didn’t come across in her writing. I can only recall three particular first-hand accounts, which involved a night in a Montreux bar in 1986, a concert in Budapest, and a viewing of the famed Live Aid performance from the wings.
This was an enjoyable read because I love the subject. But as far as biographies go, it’s nothing to write home about.
This was an enjoyable read because I love the subject. But as far as biographies go, it’s nothing to write home about.
July 21, 2023
Ok - it was good. Obviously the story of queen and Freddie’s life is always interesting and important to me. The reason I rated it so low is because of the writing. There’s obviously been a lot of dedication and research put into the book but the focus in almost every chapter went back onto Freddie’s sexuality and his struggles with hiv/aids. The constant repetition on the theme (as important as it is) kept making it seem as if that was all he was. I also didn’t enjoy how some of the book kept flicking between different times and got a bit confusing. Also just some weird approaches to the writing which I don’t think match the writers intention for what they wanted to say (I.e Freddie ‘choosing’ to be gay). Reading things like that definitely seemed odd to me but I don’t think that was what the writer had intended to say. Overall great research but the structure and focus could’ve been better
February 26, 2019
Freddie Mercury was certainly an enigma. A man with addictive tendencies who took vices to excess, I have to wonder if he'd have lived long even if he hadn't become a rock star. But the book helped me understand what made him a world wide legend... amazing vocal range, driven work ethic and exacting perfection for his craft and a charismatic stage presence. Pairing the book with You Tube videos of his performances really made him come to life. So now onto Bohemian Rhapsody
December 17, 2020
So, basically bunch of interviews with old homophobes about a very, very arrogant super rockstar.
This is my first time reading a biography. I think it's well-written and it kept me interested, but a lot of things could've been talked about in a better, more delicate way.
This is my first time reading a biography. I think it's well-written and it kept me interested, but a lot of things could've been talked about in a better, more delicate way.
May 6, 2019
I have enjoyed being a rock fan since 2000, I love listening to Queens songs like I want to break free, Crazy little things called love, Radio Gaga, We will rock you, Under Pressure, The Show must go on. There were so much energy and strength in Queen's music. I know that Freddie Mercury was the greatest frontman of all time, but I ignored that he was a rock star, with African and Indian roots, he was born in Zanzibar, his parents emigrated to England. He started playing at school parties and church ceremonies. One day he met Roger and Brian they created Queen. One of the best rock baof all time. Freddie Mercury was popular and unique his life remains a mystery , Leslie Ann Jones took us back to a memory and. to understand how life was for Freddie Mercury.
July 8, 2021
A moving, ambitious, entertaining book.
January 29, 2024
This book would have received even fewer stars if it hadn't been about Queen. How one can manage to write such a dull book about such an amazing character is beyond my comprehension. Especially as the author claims that she knew Freddie in person and even goes as far as to include several photos of herself with him and his entourage in the book. Honestly, why should we care to look at that? Also would be great to use a greater variety of adjectives except "camp" in the first part of the biography. Seriously underwhelmed.
January 28, 2019
After seeing Bohemian Rhapsody in theatres, I knew there was way more to the Freddie Mercury story than was presented to me through the straightwashed film, so I began a quest to obtain more information in order to learn more about the enigmatic lead singer of Queen. My local library had two books on Freddie Mercury, and this book had the shorter wait list, so, 3 weeks later, here I am to write my review. I was mainly hoping to learn more about the things that happened in his life that shaped him to be such a theatrical performer (his design background, his vocal & piano training, his inspiration for his on-stage outfits, etc.), but, spoiler alert, I did not obtain it.
To summarize what I learned: Freddie Mercury was born in Zanzibar as Farrokh Bulsara on Sept. 5, 1946. His parents sent him to school in India where he obtained the nickname Freddie. When Freddie was 18, his family fled from Zanzibar to escape the revolution and moved to London, England. Freddie studied Graphic Art and Design at Ealing Art College and eventually joined Brian May & Roger Taylor in a band that would be called Queen (John Deacon was the last member to join the band). Queen released 14 albums with Freddie Mercury and were hugely successful worldwide. Freddie died of bronchial pneumonia resulting from AIDS on November 24, 1991.
On the whole, I did not love this book. I think perhaps the main takeaway, as I see it, is that Freddie Mercury was, as best as he could be, an extremely private person that guarded his emotions and his heart and seemed to have done The Absolute Most (drugs, sex, alcohol - the usual) to avoid dealing with his truths (namely, his sexuality). Because Freddie was so private, and because he has unfortunately passed away, we will never know all the answers to the questions we have about his life. All that we have left is the point of view of people who were involved in Freddie's life in some way, and that, is the premise of this book. The people interviewed in this book knew Freddie in some capacity, and their words and their perceptions were recorded to create the narrative surrounding Freddie's life in this "intimate" biography.
There's a chance I might've rated this book one star higher if not for the writing surrounding the concept of Freddie's sexuality. Some of the things written about Freddie were beyond comprehension: "He was gay, but not exclusively gay." "Because by this time Freddie had chosen to be gay..." "The greatest irony of Freddie's life is that, though he was essentially gay, his most meaningful relationship was with a woman." Worse still, there is a section of this book that accuses two individuals of possibly being the ones to have infected Freddie with HIV. There are SO many things wrong with this! There is absolutely no way for us to find out how Freddie contracted HIV and it is inexplicable that two individuals were name dropped for a question that will never be answered! I understand that this book was originally written in 1997 (released Jan. 1, 1998) and things were different then (note: it was also revised in 2012 for the then impending release of Bohemian Rhapsody), but, just as a reminder for the readers of today: 1. sexuality is a spectrum, and, 2. homosexuality is not a choice. Because Freddie never publicly came out and rarely seemed to address his sexuality, we do not know what he identified as (if anything) and to write about his sexuality and relationships this way is irresponsible, dismissive and unfair. In Bohemian Rhapsody and in this book, Mary Austin and Barbara Valentin are given more clout as Freddie's former (female) lovers more than say, Jim Hutton, who was Freddie's (male) partner for the last six years of his life. I sensed a thinly veiled layer of homophobia while reading this book and I was not living for it. Unfortunately, it really impacted my ability to enjoy this book.
After I finished this book, I watched a documentary called Freddie Mercury: the King of Queen. Between the documentary, this book, and Bohemian Rhapsody, very few things matched up. I take this as more evidence that it's a job to say what things were really like for Freddie Mercury and honestly, there's probably something nice about that.
To summarize what I learned: Freddie Mercury was born in Zanzibar as Farrokh Bulsara on Sept. 5, 1946. His parents sent him to school in India where he obtained the nickname Freddie. When Freddie was 18, his family fled from Zanzibar to escape the revolution and moved to London, England. Freddie studied Graphic Art and Design at Ealing Art College and eventually joined Brian May & Roger Taylor in a band that would be called Queen (John Deacon was the last member to join the band). Queen released 14 albums with Freddie Mercury and were hugely successful worldwide. Freddie died of bronchial pneumonia resulting from AIDS on November 24, 1991.
On the whole, I did not love this book. I think perhaps the main takeaway, as I see it, is that Freddie Mercury was, as best as he could be, an extremely private person that guarded his emotions and his heart and seemed to have done The Absolute Most (drugs, sex, alcohol - the usual) to avoid dealing with his truths (namely, his sexuality). Because Freddie was so private, and because he has unfortunately passed away, we will never know all the answers to the questions we have about his life. All that we have left is the point of view of people who were involved in Freddie's life in some way, and that, is the premise of this book. The people interviewed in this book knew Freddie in some capacity, and their words and their perceptions were recorded to create the narrative surrounding Freddie's life in this "intimate" biography.
There's a chance I might've rated this book one star higher if not for the writing surrounding the concept of Freddie's sexuality. Some of the things written about Freddie were beyond comprehension: "He was gay, but not exclusively gay." "Because by this time Freddie had chosen to be gay..." "The greatest irony of Freddie's life is that, though he was essentially gay, his most meaningful relationship was with a woman." Worse still, there is a section of this book that accuses two individuals of possibly being the ones to have infected Freddie with HIV. There are SO many things wrong with this! There is absolutely no way for us to find out how Freddie contracted HIV and it is inexplicable that two individuals were name dropped for a question that will never be answered! I understand that this book was originally written in 1997 (released Jan. 1, 1998) and things were different then (note: it was also revised in 2012 for the then impending release of Bohemian Rhapsody), but, just as a reminder for the readers of today: 1. sexuality is a spectrum, and, 2. homosexuality is not a choice. Because Freddie never publicly came out and rarely seemed to address his sexuality, we do not know what he identified as (if anything) and to write about his sexuality and relationships this way is irresponsible, dismissive and unfair. In Bohemian Rhapsody and in this book, Mary Austin and Barbara Valentin are given more clout as Freddie's former (female) lovers more than say, Jim Hutton, who was Freddie's (male) partner for the last six years of his life. I sensed a thinly veiled layer of homophobia while reading this book and I was not living for it. Unfortunately, it really impacted my ability to enjoy this book.
After I finished this book, I watched a documentary called Freddie Mercury: the King of Queen. Between the documentary, this book, and Bohemian Rhapsody, very few things matched up. I take this as more evidence that it's a job to say what things were really like for Freddie Mercury and honestly, there's probably something nice about that.
January 12, 2020
În sfârșit am văzut și io Bohemian Rhapsody. Filmul. Și numai pentru că minunata mea doamnă ține morțiș să aibă grijă de jalnica mea cultură cinefilo-muzicală și m-a obligat (sub amenințarea că dorm pe preș dacă nu mă uit!) să îl văd.
Evident că și de data asta a avut dreptate. Adică filmul mi-a plăcut. Nu că ar fi o capodoperă sau ceva. Dar n-a fost deloc o idee proastă cu care să îți ocupi vreo două ore din weekend.
Doar că io am avut norocul (cred; așa am perceput io treaba, știi cum zic…) să fi citit înainte cartea: Bohemian Rhapsody. Adevarata biografie a lui Freddie Mercury de Lesley Ann Jones
Și altfel m-am uitat la film, parol. Adică pe sistem de completat punctele de suspensie sau cum i se zice. Adică, bref, cred că filmul plus cartea ar fi un pachet numai bun să înțelegi și mia bine ce a vrut să spună autorul. Și regizorul. Amândoi.
Despre carte vă raportez în acest episod din #RaftulLuiChinezu. Despre film nu zic mai mult decât am zis. Căci n-ai cu cine cu mine pe partea asta, n-ai cu cine!
Pentru recenzia video, intrați aici https://cristianchinabirta.ro/2020/01...
Evident că și de data asta a avut dreptate. Adică filmul mi-a plăcut. Nu că ar fi o capodoperă sau ceva. Dar n-a fost deloc o idee proastă cu care să îți ocupi vreo două ore din weekend.
Doar că io am avut norocul (cred; așa am perceput io treaba, știi cum zic…) să fi citit înainte cartea: Bohemian Rhapsody. Adevarata biografie a lui Freddie Mercury de Lesley Ann Jones
Și altfel m-am uitat la film, parol. Adică pe sistem de completat punctele de suspensie sau cum i se zice. Adică, bref, cred că filmul plus cartea ar fi un pachet numai bun să înțelegi și mia bine ce a vrut să spună autorul. Și regizorul. Amândoi.
Despre carte vă raportez în acest episod din #RaftulLuiChinezu. Despre film nu zic mai mult decât am zis. Căci n-ai cu cine cu mine pe partea asta, n-ai cu cine!
Pentru recenzia video, intrați aici https://cristianchinabirta.ro/2020/01...
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