Freddie Mercury questions
#1
BE Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 604
Freddie Mercury questions
Ok, I wasn't even born when Bohemain Rhapasody was released, and when he died I was 12 and don't remember much of it but I have some questions that hopefully people can answer who were around at the time as a lot of my knowledge is based on wikipedia which we all know isn't 100%.
Ethinicity
What is the story behind hiding his Indian roots? Looking at photos you can tell there is something 'different'? No photos then of his parents available? When did he reveal his roots?
Gay or Bisexual
Wikipedia says he is gay, then says something about him being bisexual, I read various things which state he is one or the other Not the most important thing in the world but curiosity
Death
Was it an open secret that Freddie had AIDS amongst people based on his appearance?
Bohemian Rhapsody live
Was it impossible to do the whole song live? Did Queen ever try doing it anywhere?
Ethinicity
What is the story behind hiding his Indian roots? Looking at photos you can tell there is something 'different'? No photos then of his parents available? When did he reveal his roots?
Gay or Bisexual
Wikipedia says he is gay, then says something about him being bisexual, I read various things which state he is one or the other Not the most important thing in the world but curiosity
Death
Was it an open secret that Freddie had AIDS amongst people based on his appearance?
Bohemian Rhapsody live
Was it impossible to do the whole song live? Did Queen ever try doing it anywhere?
#2
Re: Freddie Mercury questions
Ok, I wasn't even born when Bohemain Rhapasody was released, and when he died I was 12 and don't remember much of it but I have some questions that hopefully people can answer who were around at the time as a lot of my knowledge is based on wikipedia which we all know isn't 100%.
Ethinicity
What is the story behind hiding his Indian roots? Looking at photos you can tell there is something 'different'? No photos then of his parents available? When did he reveal his roots?
His parents were Parsis from the province of Gujarat in India, from what I understand it's not so much that he lied about his roots, merely never discussed them. It seems he was a very shy, private man, even his fellow band members didn't know that much about him.
Gay or Bisexual
Wikipedia says he is gay, then says something about him being bisexual, I read various things which state he is one or the other Not the most important thing in the world but curiosity
His one true love was a woman, Mary Austin, who was left his house + money in his will, she still lives in his house. Sexually he preferred men.
Death
Was it an open secret that Freddie had AIDS amongst people based on his appearance?
The band only knew in the last year, it was not spoken about much, if at all. They knew he was dieing when they were recording the last album. No one talked about it publicly out of respect for his privacy.
Bohemian Rhapsody live
Was it impossible to do the whole song live? Did Queen ever try doing it anywhere?
Did'nt they play it live at Live Aid?
Ethinicity
What is the story behind hiding his Indian roots? Looking at photos you can tell there is something 'different'? No photos then of his parents available? When did he reveal his roots?
His parents were Parsis from the province of Gujarat in India, from what I understand it's not so much that he lied about his roots, merely never discussed them. It seems he was a very shy, private man, even his fellow band members didn't know that much about him.
Gay or Bisexual
Wikipedia says he is gay, then says something about him being bisexual, I read various things which state he is one or the other Not the most important thing in the world but curiosity
His one true love was a woman, Mary Austin, who was left his house + money in his will, she still lives in his house. Sexually he preferred men.
Death
Was it an open secret that Freddie had AIDS amongst people based on his appearance?
The band only knew in the last year, it was not spoken about much, if at all. They knew he was dieing when they were recording the last album. No one talked about it publicly out of respect for his privacy.
Bohemian Rhapsody live
Was it impossible to do the whole song live? Did Queen ever try doing it anywhere?
Did'nt they play it live at Live Aid?
This is good:- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eoxknrfBZ8
#3
Re: Freddie Mercury questions
Ok, I wasn't even born when Bohemain Rhapasody was released, and when he died I was 12 and don't remember much of it but I have some questions that hopefully people can answer who were around at the time as a lot of my knowledge is based on wikipedia which we all know isn't 100%.
Ethinicity
What is the story behind hiding his Indian roots? Looking at photos you can tell there is something 'different'? No photos then of his parents available? When did he reveal his roots?
Gay or Bisexual
Wikipedia says he is gay, then says something about him being bisexual, I read various things which state he is one or the other Not the most important thing in the world but curiosity
Death
Was it an open secret that Freddie had AIDS amongst people based on his appearance?
Bohemian Rhapsody live
Was it impossible to do the whole song live? Did Queen ever try doing it anywhere?
Ethinicity
What is the story behind hiding his Indian roots? Looking at photos you can tell there is something 'different'? No photos then of his parents available? When did he reveal his roots?
Gay or Bisexual
Wikipedia says he is gay, then says something about him being bisexual, I read various things which state he is one or the other Not the most important thing in the world but curiosity
Death
Was it an open secret that Freddie had AIDS amongst people based on his appearance?
Bohemian Rhapsody live
Was it impossible to do the whole song live? Did Queen ever try doing it anywhere?
The first video on the last album was a cartoon (innuendo) to enable him to hide his illness. The 2nd video(I;m going slightly mad) where FM was heavily costumed to disguise and apparently took days to film as he had to take frequent breaks. The 3rd song came out after his death (Those were the days) and this clearly showed how ill he was to the public for the first time.
It was impossible to sing BH R live with the group as it stood, the opera bit was never tried live until the musical by Ben Elton, where they were able to achieve it due to the numbers of people on stage.
His first and true love was Mary Austin although for a lot of years it was purely platonic, however he left most of his estate to her on his death.
These are my views, may be a bit wrong on some as can't be bothered to double check and its quite a few years ago now
Last edited by Flogger; Jul 16th 2008 at 4:44 pm. Reason: spelling
#4
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: SW England
Posts: 1,491
Re: Freddie Mercury questions
[QUOTE=babsi;6577201]Ok, I wasn't even born when Bohemain Rhapasody was released, and when he died I was 12 and don't remember much of it but I have some questions that hopefully people can answer who were around at the time as a lot of my knowledge is based on wikipedia which we all know isn't 100%.
Ethinicity
What is the story behind hiding his Indian roots? Looking at photos you can tell there is something 'different'? No photos then of his parents available? When did he reveal his roots?
I don't think that Freddie ever 'revealed' his roots. I think his background emerged after his death. He moved to Feltham with his family in the 1960's from Zanzibar. I think his Dad was a diplomat. His parents definitely look Asian and they are darker skinned than Freddie. I think his family were Pharsee's, an ancient religion from Persia.
Gay or Bisexual
Wikipedia says he is gay, then says something about him being bisexual, I read various things which state he is one or the other Not the most important thing in the world but curiosity When Freddie was a struggling musician he used to live with a woman called Mary Austin. Even after they broke up in the early 1970's they remained closed friends until Freddie died in 1991. Mary helped to look after Freddie during his illness.
Death
Was it an open secret that Freddie had AIDS amongst people based on his appearance?
Bohemian Rhapsody live
Was it impossible to do the whole song live? Did Queen ever try doing it anywhere? I'm not sure that they did?[QUOTE]
Ethinicity
What is the story behind hiding his Indian roots? Looking at photos you can tell there is something 'different'? No photos then of his parents available? When did he reveal his roots?
I don't think that Freddie ever 'revealed' his roots. I think his background emerged after his death. He moved to Feltham with his family in the 1960's from Zanzibar. I think his Dad was a diplomat. His parents definitely look Asian and they are darker skinned than Freddie. I think his family were Pharsee's, an ancient religion from Persia.
Gay or Bisexual
Wikipedia says he is gay, then says something about him being bisexual, I read various things which state he is one or the other Not the most important thing in the world but curiosity When Freddie was a struggling musician he used to live with a woman called Mary Austin. Even after they broke up in the early 1970's they remained closed friends until Freddie died in 1991. Mary helped to look after Freddie during his illness.
Death
Was it an open secret that Freddie had AIDS amongst people based on his appearance?
Bohemian Rhapsody live
Was it impossible to do the whole song live? Did Queen ever try doing it anywhere? I'm not sure that they did?[QUOTE]
#5
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: SW England
Posts: 1,491
Re: Freddie Mercury questions
I went to see Queen back in 1986 at Wembley It was the best concert I ever went to and saddo that I am 20+ years on I still have the t-shirt and concert brochure
#6
Binned by Muderators
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: White Rock BC
Posts: 11,682
Re: Freddie Mercury questions
Ok, I wasn't even born when Bohemain Rhapasody was released, and when he died I was 12 and don't remember much of it but I have some questions that hopefully people can answer who were around at the time as a lot of my knowledge is based on wikipedia which we all know isn't 100%.
Ethinicity
What is the story behind hiding his Indian roots? Looking at photos you can tell there is something 'different'? No photos then of his parents available? When did he reveal his roots?
Ethinicity
What is the story behind hiding his Indian roots? Looking at photos you can tell there is something 'different'? No photos then of his parents available? When did he reveal his roots?
Gay or Bisexual
Wikipedia says he is gay, then says something about him being bisexual, I read various things which state he is one or the other Not the most important thing in the world but curiosity
Wikipedia says he is gay, then says something about him being bisexual, I read various things which state he is one or the other Not the most important thing in the world but curiosity
Death
Was it an open secret that Freddie had AIDS amongst people based on his appearance?
Was it an open secret that Freddie had AIDS amongst people based on his appearance?
Bohemian Rhapsody live
Was it impossible to do the whole song live? Did Queen ever try doing it anywhere?
Was it impossible to do the whole song live? Did Queen ever try doing it anywhere?
By the accounts I have heard, he was a very shy and quiet man (completely opposite to his on stage persona). Being gay and Indian was pretty tough for him in racist and homophobic 1970s Britain.
Last edited by JonboyE; Jul 16th 2008 at 4:54 pm.
#7
BE Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 604
Re: Freddie Mercury questions
Has anyone got a youtube link to the WHOLE of Bohemian Rhapsody being played live?
I mean open secret that the press never announced it but they knew what was going on but didn't publish it. If this was happening now in the internet age I think things would have been different.
I mean open secret that the press never announced it but they knew what was going on but didn't publish it. If this was happening now in the internet age I think things would have been different.
#8
BE Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 604
Re: Freddie Mercury questions
This is from wikipedia:
Mercury has also been criticised for having kept his past of being a Persian living in India a secret from the public. As a journalist from The Times observed, "Freddie himself always played down his Indian origins. In the few interviews he gave, he remained deliberately unclear about them."[1] A close friend of Mercury's further related to biographer David Bret: "[Farrokh] Bulsara was a name he had buried. He never wanted to talk about any period in his life before he became Freddie Mercury, and everything about Freddie Mercury was a self-constructed thing."[47] A journalist from Times Online compared him to Michael Jackson: "He wanted to pass as a white European rock’n’roll star.
Is this fair or not fair?
Mercury has also been criticised for having kept his past of being a Persian living in India a secret from the public. As a journalist from The Times observed, "Freddie himself always played down his Indian origins. In the few interviews he gave, he remained deliberately unclear about them."[1] A close friend of Mercury's further related to biographer David Bret: "[Farrokh] Bulsara was a name he had buried. He never wanted to talk about any period in his life before he became Freddie Mercury, and everything about Freddie Mercury was a self-constructed thing."[47] A journalist from Times Online compared him to Michael Jackson: "He wanted to pass as a white European rock’n’roll star.
Is this fair or not fair?
#9
Re: Freddie Mercury questions
Apols to MB realtor ,didn't read your post before posting and i have just echo'd most of your points
#10
Binned by Muderators
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: White Rock BC
Posts: 11,682
Re: Freddie Mercury questions
Is this fair or not fair?
Rock musicians were meant to be macho. Even Elton John had to pretend to be straight. As far as the media were concerned gay people were limp wristed, effete queens like John Inman in Are you Being Served.
White Britain was very anti brown people.
Thank God for progress.
Last edited by JonboyE; Jul 16th 2008 at 5:09 pm.
#11
Re: Freddie Mercury questions
Has anyone got a youtube link to the WHOLE of Bohemian Rhapsody being played live?
I mean open secret that the press never announced it but they knew what was going on but didn't publish it. If this was happening now in the internet age I think things would have been different.
I mean open secret that the press never announced it but they knew what was going on but didn't publish it. If this was happening now in the internet age I think things would have been different.
No, the sun was forever trying to get photo's of Freddie looking thin,so they could scoope to the world he had aids.
#12
Binned by Muderators
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: White Rock BC
Posts: 11,682
Re: Freddie Mercury questions
There were rumours. I don't recall being surprised when it was announced he was about to die of AIDS.
#13
Binned by Muderators
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: White Rock BC
Posts: 11,682
Re: Freddie Mercury questions
I am 50 now and was a teenager when Queen first became famous.
I didn't know he was Indian for years and years, until I read a magazine article about "Famous Asians in England". It was a short article.
As for his homosexuality, having seen him on stage it didn't take a great leap of imagination, but it was not acceptable to be Out in those days. My OH meet him once, briefly, at a client's business. This must have been in the late 80s. She said he made no attempt to hide his campness, and he was escorted by two large, very "butch" (but equally very gay), men.
I didn't know he was Indian for years and years, until I read a magazine article about "Famous Asians in England". It was a short article.
As for his homosexuality, having seen him on stage it didn't take a great leap of imagination, but it was not acceptable to be Out in those days. My OH meet him once, briefly, at a client's business. This must have been in the late 80s. She said he made no attempt to hide his campness, and he was escorted by two large, very "butch" (but equally very gay), men.
#14
Re: Freddie Mercury questions
My turn , my turn
I remembet seeing a programme on Freddie after his death and he was talking about his "indian" life and living in Zanzibar.
He looked v ill in the SLightly mad video - you could tell he was seriouly ill at the time.
I too was at Wemnley in 1986 - FRONT ROW AND AM IN THE VIDEO ))))_
There was a live video for sale and they did BR - although as siad by others - the operatic bit was "pre-recorded" while FD went off stage to change.
and I still have the T shirt
I remembet seeing a programme on Freddie after his death and he was talking about his "indian" life and living in Zanzibar.
He looked v ill in the SLightly mad video - you could tell he was seriouly ill at the time.
I too was at Wemnley in 1986 - FRONT ROW AND AM IN THE VIDEO ))))_
There was a live video for sale and they did BR - although as siad by others - the operatic bit was "pre-recorded" while FD went off stage to change.
and I still have the T shirt