Freddie Mercury

The genius, the ferocity, the unafraid joy in his performing … the fearlessness with which he shared his gift: he just GAVE IT AWAY. Open hands. He held onto nothing … Whatever he HAD was meant to be OURS TOO. Nothing was his, and his alone.

Nobody else like him.

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65 Responses to Freddie Mercury

  1. mitchell says:

    im gonna go out on a hyperbolic limb and say i think he was the BEST front man of a band EVER!

  2. Jon says:

    I’m going to put on Queen’s Greatest Hits in honor of Sheila’s rough day. Laughing in anticipation — but with deep, genuine admiration for — the band’s “Flash Gordon” song (from the early 80’s movie, starring among others, Topol — the Israeli actor, not the toothpaste)…and, of course, all the other underrated masterpieces, such as “The Game” and “Body Language.”

    R.I.P., Fred…

  3. Nightfly says:

    Don’t forget “Who Wants to Live Forever” from Highlander.

  4. red says:

    mitchell – I’m out there on that limb with you. I’ve never written about Freddie – I’m almost afraid to.

  5. red says:

    Flash – Flash – I LOVE YOU! BUT WE ONLY HAVE 14 HOURS TO SAVE THE EARTH!

  6. JFH says:

    Well, mitchell, it’s not going out on a limb too far to say that he had the best voice of any front man of a band ever.

  7. Jon says:

    GORDON’S ALIVE!(…LIVE!….LIVE!….LIVE!…LIVE!)

  8. red says:

    hahahaha

    Gordon’s aLIVE (LIVE LIVE LIVE LIVE …)

    So cheesy!!!

    But marvelous. Then there’s stuff like Sunday Afternoon – or ’39 … like these amazing weird little songs – perfect, like British music hall songs. Nobody like them.

  9. Jon says:

    …and fading now into slow ballad part of song: “…Just a man, a man with COURAGE…”

  10. red says:

    And yet, apparently, no one but the pure in heart may find the golden grail – so I don’t know what this whole “he’s just a man” nonsense is all about.

  11. Jon says:

    Oh dear, I don’t know those songs. But anything smacking of British music hall fare…makes me hanker (like a wank-uh)(in ripe cul-uh)…for the sepia-lit (hammock) atmo of those venues (as if I’ve ever been in one…)

  12. red says:

    I am laughing OUT LOUD at your parenthetical “hammock”. hahahaha

    Yeah – ’39 is awesome – such a weird little song. It’s on Night at the Opera, I believe.

  13. Jon says:

    Yeah, the whole unfounded humanizing of F.G. is pure Mercury — trademark subversion of everything expected of him. God love him for it. And don’t you love F.M.’s Addidas in the great photo you posted? Puts me right back on my grandparents’ lawn ca. 1981, performing pantomimed snippets from the Flash Gordon movie (which I hadn’t even seen!), to the sound of Freddie crooning from a Fisher Price tape recorder…and all this very saucily in front of an absolutely befuddled-looking Palestinian gardener, wondering, not doubt, how in the hell he got that job.

  14. red says:

    Fisher Price tape recorder!!! Did we have the same childhood?? Well, except for the Palestinian gardener. That’s all you.

    I love the sneakers. They’re so Freddy – I remember seeing them perform Another one bites the dust – and I seem to recall him wearing those same sneaks.

    Look. Freddie Mercury is freakin’ Harold Hill. Mkay? And nobody can tell me different.

  15. red says:

    “The Unfounded Humanizing of Flash Gordon” was my dissertation topic.

  16. Jon says:

    Harold Hill! Hilarious! Let’s photoshop that sliding trombone into Freddie’s hands pronto! (you know he would approve, desperately…)

    Oh, and no doubt about it: you and I did have the same childhood — Palestinian gardener included.

    And “Another One Bites the Dust?” So many…complex emotions wrapped up with that one for me….incl. being freaked out listening to it when it first came out at my friend Ian’s house, and kind of locking myself in the bathroom it made me so upset. Sensitive little flower, I was. Ahem….

    But: have to get “Night at the Opera” to listen the sepia hammock stuff. Can’t wait.

  17. red says:

    Jon – really? with the another one bites the dust story?? Are you serious? I love stories like that … what was upsetting about it? I know just what you mean,a bout childhood reactions to adult things – it’s like you get a glimpse, TOO SOON … but do you remember why it freaked you out?

    Please divulge it. Here on the internet.

  18. Jon says:

    Oh Hellz No! It was my dissertation topic (until my advisor found out that I plaigiarized it. From you.)

    And that’s why I’m working today for C.H.E.R. — The Center for Humanizing Effete Rock (Stars) — a wonderful think tank based….in my bathtub.

    Huh?

  19. Lisa says:

    You will remember when this is blown over,
    And everything’s all by the way.
    When I grow older,
    I will be there at your side
    To remind how I still love you.
    I still love you.
    I still love you.

    “Love Of My Life”

    Still one of the sweetest songs I’ve ever heard.

  20. red says:

    sniff, sniff ….

    God, I love that song, Lisa.

  21. Jon says:

    And no doubt, basing the think tank in my bathtub has everything (and more!) to do with locking myself in Ian’s mother’s bathroom when “Another One Bites…” came on. Oh god, how to explain this…and on, as you say, the internet, no less?
    Well, let me begin that as I sat on Ian’s mother’s shaggy, peach-colored toilet seat cover, teeth chattering, I noticed a pack of Kents next to the princess phone that she had installed right below the toilet paper roll. First thought: I didn’t know Diane smoked. Second thought: Should I have one? Third thought: I’m gay. Fourth thought: Please let that song be over real soon, because when Freddie screams “Now, take it!”, followed by that awful, grinding, cement-building collapsing sound, itself followed by this menacing, low, rising electronic monotone, which itself is followed by a kind of a rainstick-ish, “chicka-chicka-chicka” sound, which is then followed by Freddie nearly ululating, as though he were Maya Angelou tripping out on some Peyote on a Good Will visit to Soweto….it makes me want to curl up and die.

    I don’t know how else to explain it. That song intimated (in my heart) a kind of barbaric invasion leading to the end of all ends — you know, wilding in the streets, smashed glass, ripped throats. Just the sort of thing any old song on the radio can do.

    Fifth thought: I snuck one of Diane’s Kents into my Toughskins jeans pocket and flushed twice before going back out to Ian.

  22. red says:

    Jon – holy shit. That is brilliant. Wow. Its a short story.

    I know just the moment you mean in the song. It’s primal.

  23. Jon says:

    I’m relieved to hear you know the moment in the song I’m talking about. Pheww. Still gives me chills. But I don’t smoke. At least not if I can help it. And certainly not Kents.

  24. red says:

    And it’s amazing how just a simple word like “Toughskins” can call up an entire ERA. My whole childhood.

  25. red says:

    What the hell is a princess phone?

    I made it up in my head as I read your comment – but …

    what is it really?

  26. Jon says:

    Toughskins! Built tough…and made to stay that way! (unless, of course, everyone at school teases you mercilessly for wearing them, even going so far as to kick you in the ass when you’re in the lunch line…just in case you didn’t hear them snickering.)

    Oh dear Sheila: we DID have the same childhood, “Stupid Pants” sign and everything.

    As for the princess phone, I believe it was/is the actual trademark name for a particular model — the one shaped like a kind of lozenge, the dial pads on the thing’s underside, which itself could be left free standing or mounted somewhere. No doubt, there’s a dissertation on this topic, too, connecting lozenge to throat affliction to Freud’s Dora and her hysterical fear of blow jobs and her privileged (read: Princess) upbringing in early 20th cent. Vienna. Obviously.

  27. red says:

    You know you’re from the same generation when you meet someone who also straddled that Toughskins divide.

    One year they were cool – next year they were not – but … but … we were only 11 … so HOW WERE WE TO KNOW?

    And freakin’ bless you for remembering me with my “I’m wearing stupid pants” sign taped to my back. I never wore Toughskins again.

  28. Marisa says:

    I was still in high school when he died. I went to school crying my eyes out. Cried all day. Couldn’t explain how I felt a tangible sense of loss to anyone I knew and then it got worse when I realized almost no one EVEN KNEW WHO I WAS TALKING ABOUT. It was horrible.

    And you put it beautifully.

  29. Jon says:

    Some memories are indelible. I will forever cherish — obscene as it may sound — your recounting for Kate and me the Tale that Is Stupid Pants. It’s like “Welcome to the Dollhouse” and “Lord of the Flies” and “Carrie” and “Mean Girls” and “Pretty in Pink” all distilled into one little epiphanic (or is it fanny-ic?) moment of sweet, deep, miserable, pubescent, group-think, tuffskinned unhappiness. I fucking well up just thinking of it. (Oh where oh were is our Palestinian gardener now? Could’ve really used him in that lunch line…)

  30. red says:

    Marisa – Now this is REALLY goofy but I STILL feel the loss. He is someone who took up such space that nobody can ever fill it. There are only a couple of people I can think of who are like that. Elvis. Marilyn. Total originals. People who gave us ALL of them … maybe to the detriment of their own personal lives. But that is no matter, and was no matter to them. They had a gift that the WORLD wanted. I mean, we all have gifts – we all do – their gifts are no better than ours – but – there are some people who just need that larger stage. It is DEMANDED of them. Freddie Mercury was one of those people.

  31. red says:

    Jon – hahahaha The Tale that is Stupid Pants.

    hahahahahaha Oh, the shame of that late 70s/early 80s adolescence!

  32. red says:

    Oh by the way, Marisa – I got your wonderful email about “The Giant” – and I have been having terrible trouble with email lately – stuff bouncing back to me, etc. Just wanted you to know I SO appreicated your perspective – and I’ll just tell you that here. :)

    Back to Freddie!!

    I actually love some of the more obscure stuff – like Immortal. And then there is the “too much love will kill you” song which still has the ability to pierce through me like a knife, no matter how times I hear it.

    What he does with his voice when he sings the line “And the pain will make you crazy ….”

    My God. He’s unbelievable.

  33. Jon says:

    Yes, that’s all fine and well about Freddie’s songs piercing you through the heart, Sheila, but, yes, what about your Giant? THAT…is an incredible story (a sentiment I expressed a few days ago on the thread for that piece; don’t know if you ever got that post, but, hell, as long as you’re talking about it now, I’ll say it again: such a strong, wonderful, complex piece.) So, when you sell the film rights for it, you make sure you stipulate that the soundtrack be comprised healthily of The Man that is Mercury (i.e. “I Want to be Free”)

  34. red says:

    Oh, and back to your earlier comment, Jon – I am so thankful that I got over my “hysterical fear of blowjobs”. Poor Dora. Just relax, darling!

  35. red says:

    Jon – all comments are emailed to me, so yes – I did get your comment. You compared me to Mary Gaitskill and I don’t even have to deal with that compliment. I thank you. She is one of my favorites of all time.

  36. Jon says:

    Question: So, what does a Princess say when she’s having sex with her Prince?

    Answer: Beige. I think I’ll paint the ceiling beige.

  37. red says:

    Jon – I am assuming you have seen Secretary – based on a Mary Gaitskill short story?

    I couldn’t believe they actually took that story on – but also that they really went there. Gaitskill’s story didn’t have the happy ending … but the rest of it was totally true to her sick story – which was totally marvelous and human and painful. I adored it!!

  38. Jon says:

    Yes, I saw “Secretary”…and really was impressed by its faithfulness to the original source material. Certainly had a lot to do with the strong screenplay by crazy Erin Cressida Wilson (scribe of the upcoming “Fur,” with Nicole Kidman as — !?! — Diane Arbus), but Gyllenhall (sp?) really sold that thing. I just dig her, reminds me so much of Kate, (and I really really love her), and the movie is as much about her performance as it is of the “performance of adaptation.” (how’s that for a dissertation topic?) But, anyway, since finishing “Veronica,” I’ve sort of become obsessed with Gaitskill and know, as with all the greats, that there ultimately just ain’t that much you can touch when the source material is as astounding as that novel is.

  39. red says:

    I’m excited to see that Diane Arbus movie … and you’re right – Maggie has a Kate-esque quality. There is something about her that just could NOT LIE. That’s what sold that character. I absolutely adored her.

    And yeah, Gaitskill is something else … I actually kind of lost track of her – I read Bad Behavior, the short story collection – and then her first novel Two Girls Fat and Thin – and have kept an eye out for her ever since. I haven’t read her most recent novel though.

    There’s something about her prose that just is so … satisfying. And yet cold and clinical. She’s awesome. And her whole dark-side-of-sex thing is so convincingly done. You can’t get away from the truth she reveals in her stories. I mean, you could try. You could cover your ears and shout LALALALALA but it wouldn’t matter. The truth she describes remains.

    She’s a real idol of mine.

  40. Jon says:

    And come to think of it, The Tale that is Dybell… has a bit of “Secretary” in it. Yes, sure, Irene Cara’s comes in strong too, here, but in terms of, um, how shall we say?…psycho-socio undercurrents, the experience at The Tower that is Lake Point…reminds me a bit (just a bit..) of what the character in the story “Secretary” describes about her feelings and thoughts. And, of course, I mean this as a huge compliment. As in: Freddie Mercury-sized compliment.

  41. red says:

    Someday I will tackle Skybelle. I think there is, you’re right, a whole class thing that is revealed in that story as well. It’s subtle, but it’s there. There’s also that age-old actor thing of knowing, like in your bones knowing, that you are – and always will be- no matter how much money you make – a second-class citizen in most people’s eyes. Even as they come and pay to see you perform. They still don’t respect you. Actors know this. We know it even if we are never really confronted with it head on.

    ALL OF THAT is in the story of Skybelle./

  42. Jon says:

    I would love to hear what you think about Gaitskill’s last novel — when/if you are inclined to read it. It’s pretty harrowing — but, in many ways, a real departure for her in terms of the cold/clinical mantle she’s assumed (or is assumed to have assumed) in previous work. Still, one of my all-time favorite short stories is her “A Romantic Weekend” from Bad Behavior. About a cheating couple that goes off deliberately to the guy’s grandmother’s condominium in suburban D.C. to have an S&M affair, which goes horribly — and comically — awry, the two of them exchanging lines like: “Uh, all right, well, um, shall I abuse you some more now?” I had taught it to an undergrad class and they simply looked at me like I was insane. Of course, I was, but still: DON’T THEY GET IT? Little fuckers.

  43. red says:

    I need to re-read that collection. It’s painful, in many ways. I remember that story. I remember the story about the sad plump middle-aged guy who starts to go see a prostitute – and she’s kind of an artsy girl – not what you would expect (but that is always Gaitskill’s point – I think she was a call girl for a while, she knows of what she speaks) … and the dude falls in love with her. And it’s tragic – not because anything tragic happens – but because through the prostitute/john relationship Gaitskill reveals the ultimate loneliness so many of us feel, the yearning for connection. We know that this guy is ridiculous to fall for this cold hard girl who sells her body to put herself through photography school or whatever … but we also know that he can’t help it. Most of us can’t.

    I will read her new novel. I’ll pick it up this weekend.

  44. Jon says:

    Oh yeah, sure, the whole second-class actor/citizen thing. It’s like: “Trot them out for our serious entertainment, but, please, you can’t be serious, doing THAT for a living! And who are you anyway, you clown/gypsy/moody whore/homewrecking/alcoholic/actor/actress/whore-hustler-whore-once-more? Get OUT of my living room or I will fumigate you!” And I can see how Skybelle would carry that within it. You must write that piece!

  45. red says:

    Yup. Don’t you DARE take yourself seriously. And yet – when Oscar time rolls around, we’ll have betting pools and Oscar parties and sit around talking about your performances – (you know, but … not seriously! Oh God no! We hate you, you selfish egotistical make-believers, but it’s Oscar time! So we’ll bet on who wins …) but if you let on that you have some THOUGHT behind what you do, and you take it seriously (not too seriously, but as seriously as a plumber who needs to understand pipes and metal in order to do his job) – then we mock you.

    Tiresome morons, all of ’em.

    Yup. And Skybelle has all of that in it – because – we (as actors) have internalized that attitude. Whether we like it or not. It works in us. It IS us. Fascinating. I do need to write it. There was a blizzard the night I went and saw Skybelle. Weird … I’ll start to work on it.

  46. Jon says:

    Ah, the yearning for connection. So true, so true. And to think of how Kultur gets in the way or distorts or downright prevents it from happening — especially to those who “most” deserve it. Anyway, I think you’ll enjoy “Veronica.” Intense, but intensely enjoyable. And, what, by the way does this have to do with Freddie M.? I feel like I’ve hijacked this thread from others. You must shut me up. And anyway I must skedaddle, the pooch calls, so does his bladder…

  47. Jon says:

    Bow wow. Step right up. Place your best bet on the throughbred, um, I mean, Actor…of your choi$e. Catch you anon, Red. Long Live Flash!

  48. red says:

    Gordon’s alive! live live live live ……..

  49. Marisa says:

    bizarre about Secretary coming up because the Jake Ryan post had me thinking about James Spader and the whole creepy-hot thing and, therefore, Secretary.

    Don’t worry about the email! Thanks!

    And I agree, there is no one else like Freddie… I know that he was iconic much in the same fashion that Marilyn and Elvis were but he had that sheer enthusiasm and joy and massive energy that was so unique. I can’t think of anyone like that.

    Beyond that, for me, it’s little moments, Almost every Queen song had them, where he would do something “extra” with an inflection here, or a little lilt there… he had great control over his voice and because of that he’s one of the few people who I will sometimes listen to on headphones and get that eerie “this person is just singing into my ear” feeling.

    I feel a Queen week coming on.

  50. Jon says:

    Hahahah!

    (and what’s that other incredibly fabulous lyric lifted from the movie? spoken by the Slavic-tongued villainess? “Something Something to call back (?) special agent Borax…to breeeng back heez body….Call the Weapons! Open Fire! –Laser sound, laser sound, and then the infamous: Gordon’s alive live live live!) (this, by the way, was the part that even back then I couldn’t mouth verbatim — and the gardener knew it! Just shook his head and went back to pruning roses….)

  51. red says:

    I always thought it was:

    ‘Dispatch Warrick and Ajax” (dramatic pause) “to bring back his body.”

    yeah. Me and Warrick and Ajax. We’re like THIS.

  52. red says:

    Marisa – I can’t think of anyone like him either. At least not in the world of grand arena rock.

    He stands alone.

    It’s all so personal with him. That’s what I get. It’s quite amazing.

  53. red says:

    OPEN FI-AH!

    — her stern British-dominatrix accent. (Hey, maybe that’s the Gaitskill connection??)

  54. red says:

    I wonder if any of my other geeky readers would know that line from Flash Gordon?

    Is it warrick and Ajax? Or Borax? Who the hell is going to bring back Flash’s body?

    help???

  55. red says:

    Marisa – and hahahaha with the whole “creepy hot guy” thing with james spader. He’s kind of cornered the market on that role, huh?? How hilarious was he in Secretary – all repressed, with the red pen in the drawer, and his glasses – he was terrific.

  56. Jon says:

    All right. And after this I really must go, or I’m going to be standing in a really big puddle of dog piss. But I couldn’t help it. Sing this and weep! (and I’m sure you’ll howl as loudly as I did in looking at this stuff written out; I’d totally forgotten the part: “General Kaka, Flash Gordon approaching.” “What do you MEAN, Flash Gordon approaching?” Brilliant! General Kaka! General Kaka-Cruella DaVille’s more like it!)

    (and, yes, OPEN FI-AH! Because we’ve got yo’ CU-LUH!)

    Flash – Ah – Saviour of the universe
    Flash – Ah – He’ll save ev’ry one of us
    Seemingly there is no reason for these
    Extraordinary intergalactical upsets (ha ha ha)
    What’s happening Flash?
    Only Dr Hans Zarkov formerly at N A S A
    Has provided any explanation
    Flash – Ah – He’s a miracle
    This mornings unprecedented solar eclipse
    Is no cause for alarm
    Flash – Ah – King of the impossible
    He’s for ev’ry one of us
    Stand for ev’ry one of us
    He’ll save with a mighty hand
    Ev’ry man ev’ry woman ev’ry child
    With a mighty Flash
    General Kaka Flash Gordon approaching
    What do you mean Flash Gordon approaching?
    Open fire all weapons
    Dispatch Warlock and Ajax to bring back his body

    Flash – Ah
    Gordon’s alive
    Flash – Ah – He’ll save ev’ry one of us
    Just a man with a man’s courage
    He knows nothing but a man
    But he can never fail
    No one but the pure in heart
    May find the golden grail oh oh oh oh
    Flash Flash I love you
    But we only have fourteen hours to save the Earth

    Flash

    (g’night!)

  57. red says:

    Uhm …

    General Kaka?

  58. red says:

    Can I please just revel in how close I was in my guess?? Warrick and Ajax? I mean, come on. Gimme the props.

  59. Jon says:

    As far as I’m concerned, you hit the bullseye.

    General Kaka.

    HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!

    How on god’s earth did that pass muster at the studios?

    (and how could I forget the classic “Flash, I love you, but we only have 14 hours to save the Earth?”)

    This is sheer brilliance.

    HA HA HA HA!

  60. JD says:

    FYI – Those are Addidas Wrestling shoes.

    JD

  61. red says:

    Okay, so here is one of the best things about blogging. As far as I know – “JD” has never commented on my site before. It is not a name or an email I recognize. But then here he comes – showing up to give us of more vital information about Freddie Mercury’s sneakers. GENIUS.

    Thanks, JD!!!

  62. Nightfly says:

    All we hear is
    General Kaka
    Warrick and Ajax
    Bring back his body

  63. Liam says:

    Best microphone stand technique in history of rock!

    Sheila, Lydia and I heard a good ‘side’ of a Freddie solo comp for a half hour in a bar in…

    BARCELONA!

    hope to see you tonight!

  64. red says:

    Liam – I’ll be there! Can’t wait!

    BAR-CE-LOOOOONA
    It was the first time we met
    BAR-CE-LOOOOONA
    Ohhhhhhh how could I forget??

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