The movie Bohemian Rhapsody reminded fans not just what an extraordinary performer and creator the Queen frontman was. It also showed his irrepressible humour and quixotic moods. Freddie was quick to laugh, anger, jealousy and love. And nothing stirred him up more than music. Some of his comments about fellow stars are as entertaining as they are indiscrete.
New book Freddie Mercury: A Life, In His Own Words, is out this week packed with hundreds of incredible quotes from the Queen legend, all woven together into a form of autobiography.
In it, Freddie talks of his great admiration for Aretha Franklin: “She must have one of the best voices ever and she sings like a dream. I wish I could sing half as well as she does…
” I’d love Aretha to sing Somebody To Love, actually… But as for me trying to sing with her? Well, she hasn’t approached me yet! I’m mad that George Michael did a duet with her. I could have done it better!”
Their famous duet I Knew You Were Waiting, of course, went on to become a huge international hit.
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Freddie immediately added: “Mind you, having said that I love George Michael. He has a very good voice and a sense of dignity, too. He’s one of the singers that I like.”
Over the years, Freddie revealed his love for other performers like Elton John, Robert Plant and Boy George.
He also confessed he admired British bands like Tears For Fears, Human League and Spandau Ballet.
But there was one fellow solo Brit star and another famous 1980s band who he had rather harsh things to say about.
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In one particular interview Freddie said; “I don’t like the Thompson Twins though. I don’t know the reason why – it’s just one of those things.”
However, he was much more specific about another 90s icon.
Freddie added: “And is Billy Idol just doing a bad Elvis pout, or was he born that way.”
Typical Freddie, even when he was being a little mean (some might say ‘accurate’), he still framed it with humour.
Freddie Mercury: A Life, In His Own Words (£9.99) is available from Amazon
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