| Rock It 21.04.2009 17:56 |
Ex-UK Subs drummer Stevie Ze Suicide is now forging a career as a sleaze/glam frontman. Here’s the second in an irregular series of Ze Suicide Diaries… Ze Suicide Diaries Part 2: Stevie meets Queen! Now what have James Bond and Carry On Camping got in common? Great films? Well, Bond’s got chicks everywhere, fast cars and a license to kill, and Carry On Camping reminds me of some of the tours I’ve had to do, but they were also both filmed in the same place- Pinewood Studios. Writing lyrics for Sex Drugs and Death, a new song that I’m recording on Monday for a single, I think back…. I remember I was once in EMI and an A&R man said “If only I could find a rock act out there with the image” and I said “I’m here, why don’t you sign me?” He said “Cos you’re crap.” Now I took that as a huge compliment, cos I know that if he’d liked me, I’d have been doing it all wrong! Always keep one foot in the gutter, thats what I say. What I mean by that is no matter how sucessful you become, or how lavish a production budget you may have, keep the music hungry and it will never die Anyway, let’s go back to Pinewood Studios. It’s the late eighties and I’m continuing my experiences at MGMM, and today is Queen day! I am to work on a track Freddie Mercury is doing with a big fat opera singer from Spain called Madam Monserrat. The track is called Barcelona, and we are to be at Pinewood film studios by 6am prompt. I always thought opera was a bit posh, so this was going to be interesting….. anyway I arrive at Pinewood and meet a nice bloke from Leeds called Mike Moran who did Sarah Brightman and all that stuff, “We’re in Roger Moore’s dressing room,” he said “The cleaners love him, so watch where you sit!” I walk in to Rogies room, where the cleaners tell me to be very careful with his things, because he’s a very lovely gentleman and they think the world of him. “He always gives us flowers and we keep the place spotless” they said. And now stupid old Pinewood is letting a bloody rock band in. “Who is it anyway?” they concerningly spit. “Queen.” I said “Well just tell them to behave themselves. This is Roger’s room.” “Well he is James Bond” I replied, trying hard to be on their side. “Yes he is!” They shout proudly “And he’s a very nice man, a very very nice man, and you’re in his room!” and off they go. At this point my mind is pre-occupied with thoughts of Aston Martins and I think I must get a Rolls Royce before we run out of oil. Freddie arrives. I’ve met him before and he recognises me. “Guess what? You’re in Roger Moores dressing room!” I said trying hard to please him. “Let’s hope he’s hoovered up then!” replies Freddie with his usual wit, and everybody laughs. The ice is broken. At this point I knew I was in the company of a driving force, and he was. Freddie Mercury’s energy and professionalism were second to none. This guy was just stunning, utterly charming and very funny. A total rock star. Even Freddie’s immaculate Louis Vuitton make-up case was an inspiration. (Now all these years later I have a make-up case of my own, but mine came from B&Q.) I poured his drink as ordered- Don Perignon Champagne and Vladivar vodka… mixed. “Shaken, not stirred” I quipped as I handed it to him. “Oh, don’t be bloody silly” he said, “Where’s Monserrat? Has she arrived yet? No? Well let me know when she does please, dear.” I grab a crafty Don Perignon and vod for myself and hide outside to await her arrival. Monserrat arrives, and her assistant, or bodyguard or whatever he is, lays down the law with gusto. “No hairspray! No alcohol! ABSOLUTELY no ciggies , perfume, or any food may enter Madam’s room!” A voice bellows to me. He’s a real busy-body bully-beef this bloke. However she turns out to be a really nice friendly lady, like a best friend’s mum or something. She smiles and laughs and everything!. She eats fruit and drinks fruit juice, not the expected sausage, egg, and bacon fry-up as I thought. I’d bought all this food we won’t need. By this time Freddie is ready to meet Mrs Monserrat. He picks up his drink and cigarettes, and walks casually across. I’m thinking “Oh NO!” as he gets to Madame Monserrat’s door and the bodyguard stands in his way and attempts to tell him not to come in with his selection of banned items “Oh get out of the way. Move, move, man! Freddie wafted him to one side like a fly, a brilliant moment, and he walked in with cigarettes, alcohol and enough hairspray to melt the ozone. Later that day I sat back and watched in amazement at Freddie and Madame Monserrat’s performance on Barcelona, conducted of course by the great Mike Moran. What an experience. I hope that the next time you see the video you’ll think of this story and the fun we had backstage So back to today, writing down lyrics for the single I am recording on Monday reflects just how times have changed since those more carefree days…. “The dead sink their claws in me, the living steal the air I breathe, and lepers pick their days in careful pain. The smell of death around a suicide, do pretty flowers make you want to cry? now Satan spreads his wings and calls your name…” The lyrics sound pretty dark, but as I’m writing them, at the back of my mind I’m thinking how you can’t get hold of silver lipstick for love nor money, a subconcious reminder to myself that however hard hitting a message is, it should still be delivered with entertainment in mind. That is the fabulous legacy left to us by all the great performers, artists and musicians, such as Freddie Mercury, Jimmy Hendrix, Bob Dylan, Iggy Pop etc. If we ignore these lessons in art and theatre the world, and rock music, would be a much duller place. And speaking of great artists, Ive just interviewed my heroes Dave and Don from Slade, a little extra item for the first Ze Suicide DVD we are putting together. Finally, let’s return again to Pinewood. In the early hours, on the way home, we cross Baker Street, and Freddie’s car stops next to ours at the lights. I looked over and put my thumb up to say “See ya, matey”. He smiled and raised his hand to say goodbye. That was the last time I was ever to see the great man. Yes James Bond is cool, but Freddie was a real gentleman who showed us all just how it should be done. Bond is the ultimate icon and a hero to his cleaning ladies, but Freddie Mercury was in a class of his own, elegant and inspiring, always with one foot in the gutter just in case he needed to “Let them eat cake, she says, just like Marie Antoinette” We all miss Freddie Mercury so much. x. Copied from : link |
| fmarsong 21.04.2009 20:42 |
whatta a nice time...its really great to hear thanks for sharing |
| andreas_mercury 22.04.2009 00:24 |
too much spare time writing ficton stories again... |
| Bigfish 22.04.2009 03:24 |
Err.... by the time Fred worked with Montse at Pinewood Timothy Dalton was James Bond. Roger Moore having retired in 1985 after A view to kill. Nice story though...... |
| andreas_mercury 22.04.2009 04:00 |
yeah do some research for your next story,no offence but really. |
| vadenuez 22.04.2009 16:19 |
Erm... I assure you that 25 years later, people still call 'James Bond' to Roger Moore as much as they probably do with Sean Connery. I fail to see how does a minor detail like that could bring the whole story down. |
| Rock It 22.04.2009 17:32 |
Do some research!??? I did not write this, "Timothy Dalton was James Bond" WTF!?? If you have any comments regarding this story go to: link Jesus, whats wrong with you people (andreas_mercury / Big Fish)! It's just a (funny) story, and how the hack should i know if it's authentic or not!? |
| andreas_mercury 23.04.2009 01:09 |
but it wasnt funny |
| Bigfish 23.04.2009 04:25 |
Rock It wrote: Do some research!??? I did not write this, "Timothy Dalton was James Bond" WTF!?? If you have any comments regarding this story go to: link Jesus, whats wrong with you people (andreas_mercury / Big Fish)! It's just a (funny) story, and how the hack should i know if it's authentic or not!? It IS a cool story. Excellent post. Just pointing out that I'm a James Bond anorak as well as a Queen one. |
| Bad Seed 24.04.2009 05:53 |
Well I'd like to say I think thats a great strory. Thanks! |
| Rami 24.04.2009 15:24 |
Very interesting, thanks a lot! |