Hi all,
after 2 years of planning, this year I'm finally going to Montreux! I'll come on July 4, and I'll be staying 5 days. The main reason is (of course) the Freddie's statue. Also I wanted for years to see Switzerland. And third, I'll get a chance to see Black Sabbath (under the name "Heaven and Hell" with Dio on vocals) on the second day of 41st Montreux Jazz Festival! :)
Here is an interesting little story from link.
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Freddie Mercury and the band Queen loved visiting the Swiss Riviera for its calm and beauty. But they also came because of the famous recording facilities available at Mountain Studios in Montreux; at the time, one of the best recording studios in the world. When Queen first came to Mountain Studios in 1978, the Montreux Jazz Festival was in full swing during the same period, and so they decided to call the album they were in process of recording, “JAZZ”. David Richards was the sound engineer at the studio and Queen were so impressed with the result of the recordings that they simply bought the studio and hired David Richards as their producer and sound engineer. Queen went on to record some of their biggest hits at the studio, including the tracks on their last album “Made in Heaven”. This masterpiece was Freddie Mercury’s ultimate recording. He passed away at his home in London shortly after his last visit to Montreux. The cover of the "Made in Heaven" album was created from a photograph of one of Freddie’s favourite places in Montreux, The Lake House, where he had spent much of his spare time. Freddie Mercury told his friends, "If you want peace of soul, come to Montreux", November 25, 1996 five years after his death, a bronze statue was unveiled by the lakeside in Montreux; a figure forever singing songs of life, love, struggle and hope becoming an integral part of the town. Every day, fans honour his memory by laying a flower at the statue's feet.
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Who will visit Montreux Jazz Festival this year? Who was there?
p.s.
Grapefruit - if you see this, send me a mail, so that I can send you a postcard from Montreux. ;)