OT: Freddie Mercury: A Kind of Magic

[tammy]

Haven't seen that special, Deb. Some time ago, I bought a DVD on "the making of a night at the opera" - I don't know why I bought it, I'll probably never watch it again. I like a lot of Queen songs, but haven't heard all of them. One of my favorites is "It's a Hard Life" written by FM.

[Paul_UK]

If that movie is made i think a lot of people will be surprised as to how wild and promiscuous Freddie really was. He certainly burned the candle at both ends.

Queen after show parties are almost legendary!! - I always remember the story Elton told in an interview that as well as a welcome drink you got handed a straw to snort the lines of coke being carried around on silver trays by dwarfs in tuxedos!!

[conversationpc]

Queen after show parties are almost legendary!! - I always remember the story Elton told in an interview that as well as a welcome drink you got handed a straw to snort the lines of coke being carried around on silver trays by dwarfs in tuxedos!!

If true, it is kinda funny but also very sick.

[Deb]

If that movie is made i think a lot of people will be surprised as to how wild and promiscuous Freddie really was. He certainly burned the candle at both ends.

Queen after show parties are almost legendary!! - I always remember the story Elton told in an interview that as well as a welcome drink you got handed a straw to snort the lines of coke being carried around on silver trays by dwarfs in tuxedos!!

I can believe it. The friends' of Freddies that they talked to in that special I watched, talked about those lengendary "theme" parties and showed footage from a couple of them. One was a 'hat party'. Everybody had to wear hats and there is footage of Freddie partying in a big elaborate bonnet!

[Uncle heFTy]

The tales are apochryphal and often so exaggerated by the distance of memory that they are hard to accept. I know Brian refutes many of the stories. When the original of that programme came out on C4 in the UK it caused many Queen fans to roll their eyes and many 'Joe & Joanna Public's' to go 'wow!'

I have been a liker (as opposed to a fan) of Queen's music since the days when Bo Rhap was first released, but didn't really get into the band until Freddie died and then it became a major part of our lives.

Turning to JSS' renditions; part of the priviledge of being a part of the crew is that you get to see and experience the rehearsals and sound checks and when they (the original JSSB) first rehearsed the Convention set they did so in our upstairs studio - it was hard to keep a dry eye. Howie brought his own style and interpretation to the guitar parts, Gary added a hugely professional bass line and a great deal of lightness in terms of humour, Alex his inimitable Latin feel and Jeff - brought Freddie's vocals to life. And then, when they strode on to the stage in Prestatyn and the audience were expecting a Queen tribute band but got one of the best concerts they had ever heard topped off by the 'Disco medley' (which some hated as not being 'Queen' but most loved', Jeff had found an outlet for one of his two favourite bands - Queen, the other being (of course) Journey. The rest, as they say.....

Uncle H

[styxman]

Uncle H,

Where did they play in Prestatyn, I lived but 15 mins away from that place and can't think of a place suitable, was it the old Butlins/Pontins place on the Beach? My old man still plays the golf course right by it. Haven't been back in some 20 years so it was nice to hear a familiar place name

[Uncle heFTy]

Yes it was Pontins - until this year home for the Officlal International Queen Fan Club Convention - and before that it was Southport. Jeff has played there on no fewer than 4 times (3 as JSSB)

He is, after all a Queen fan too!

The band also played the Freddie party at Imperial College, London and... the list is seemingly endless.

[styxman]

Yes it was Pontins - until this year home for the Officlal International Queen Fan Club Convention - and before that it was Southport. Jeff has played there on no fewer than 4 times (3 as JSSB)

He is, after all a Queen fan too!

The band also played the Freddie party at Imperial College, London and... the list is seemingly endless.

I can't believe it, so close yet so far {away} (sounds like a Hall and Oates Song!) I've been pissed on that beach by that same venue too many times to remember, wait till I tell my mates someone I know has played there It's a pretty low profile place, hope Prestatyn knew who they had in their joint....an A1 fuckin' megastar