I have been reading "Freddie Mercury", a memoir by Peter Freestone (Omnibus Press (C) 2001).

Being a fan of both artists, I was pleasantly surprised when I found this excerpt inside (pgs 177/178):


"If he stayed in during the evenings he would usually 'veg out' and watch television. He would never work his life around television and only very rarely ask that we video something for him and then it would be a programme in which he had a special interest if a friend was appearing or if the programme was a live gig, a Prince concert for example.

He had one video of a live Prince concert which he forced many people to watch, sometimes over and over again."

"These video sessions generally occurred at two or three in the morning after Freddie and entourage returned from an evening on the town. The Prince tape was immediately put on and Freddie had sole control of the remote and his guests were subjected to Freddie's enthusiasm for said artist again and again and again. I managed to avoid ever seeing it but the sound of it haunts me to this day! I was lucky in that I had the excuse of constantly getting drinks for the guests which kept me out of the sitting room.

I think Freddie admired Prince because he was so similar to when Freddie was young. Extrovert on stage, thin, dark, hugely energetic and with that charisma which turns a diminutive form into a giant."

amazing fact

BOTH R MUSIC MASTERS
HEY CAN U IMAGINE A COLLABORATION IN THOSE DAYS IT WOULD HAVE BEEN AMAZING, ITS A SHAME THEY NEVER MET

I was watching a documentary the other day about Queen and was wondering what Freddie thought of Prince. Thanks.

Im a friend of Phoebe's and Jim's & I can confirm this.
Have posted a number of times before over the past year or 2 about this very fact.
What most people dont know...is that it was entirely reciprocated!

bananacologne said:

Who is Phoebe and Jim and what are you talking about??

ConsciousContact said:

Seen as u asked SO nicely (!)
'Phoebe' - is Peter's nickname, and Jim was Freddie's Husband 4 the last 8 years of His life.
Have known them both 4 a long time now.

I know Brian May loves Prince's music, so maybe all Queen did/do too.

I believe Queen and Prince are all great musicians and have alot of respect for each other.

Interesting quote, thanks for that

VelvetSplash said:

Velvetsplash - Missing Annabel Chong already!!! that was one majorly-cool avatar...

So the "Queen" loves the "Prince".Wasn't there some UK pop star called "King"?

yes philg there was a pop-star called "King"
the only song i remember was called "Love and Pride"
Paul "King" went on to become a VJ for MTV UK although now i think he is with VH-1..Uk.

PhilG said:

Yes. And there was a Princess for a short time as well.

Unlucky Arsenal
[This message was edited Sun May 4 10:36:06 PDT 2003 by ConsciousContact]

muirdo said:

Thanks.Would have made a great triple bill back in the day.

the UK was also blessed with the pop presence of Princess
dont know what she sung though!!

muirdo said:

Was it that one that went "Come into my life, I got so much love to show you."


Arsene Wenger - Arsenal Minister for Information
- I think we can go the whole season unbeaten

ConsciousContact said:

Heh Heh!

Princess: 'Say Im You're Number One' (for Stock Aitken & Waterman, it was a pretty bloody good album actually)
I liked her - she had fab hair, and a naff video sung on top of a London double decker bus - how could she fail?

muirdo said:

King has another hit called:

Won't You Hold My Hand Now, (These Are Heavy Times)

I have the 12" mix. Used to Love It, The Video Was Great Also. It rocked when New Wave Alternative 80s music was fresh.

Hey, Mr The P was right! I posted a thread about the similarities (physical, songs like "3 Chains O gold" or "Alexia de Paris"/firts sex beginings followed with a more serious costume attitude…). Queen was a great Rock/Pop band! Both queeny and R&R!

'm very happy, and not suprised, 2 c Freddie in admiration 4 Prince
cuz these 2 men

thanks the Joker

does the book say which video Freddie liked 2 c ?

Kodjo said:

Depending on the era the quote refers to I guess it'll be one of Purple Rain, Sign O The Times or Lovesexy's concert films.

Essence said:

Or perhaps the Detroit 1986 TV birthday gig broadcast.

TheJoker said:

and who made this statement ?

It was Purple Rain and yes, the 1986 Birthday Concert that was broadcast...

Thanks so much for posting this, what a great little bit of info!

Prince seemed to have a bit of a Mercury look going on during his "Gold" years to me. Between his paleness, gauntness, HEAVY makeup and bangs... If he'd worn a bushy mustache, it would've been too surreal.

This statement was made by Freddie's long-time friend/personal assistant Peter "Phoebe" Freestone.

The nickname "Phoebe" was coined by Freddie, who apparently came up with similar nicknames for all those associated closely with him.

"Phoebe" was VERY close to Freddie, and knew the truth about his character and his private life. The book was said to be written "in order to set the record straight about some rumours, and to give people an insight into the private life and character of a great artist."


I don't doubt "Phoebe"'s honesty regarding this book. I think it was written by someone who genuinely liked the man, and who was one of the few people whose trust and loyalty was important to Freddie right up until the end.

Bonjour, Kodjo!

I'm happy to see there are lots of us who found some interest in this thread. Rock on!
[This message was edited Tue May 6 6:48:41 PDT 2003 by TheJoker]

Phoebe is a lovely guy, really warm and affable. Im proud 2 be His friend - He has some great stories! He now lives a much more sedate life, running a small store in Prague. He's quite happy with His lot.