So during last weekend's Breakthru convention, I'd spoken to Peter Freestone and Gary Taylor regarding, amongst other various topics, the Freddie Mercury and Michael Jackson demos. And to sum up some new bits I wasn't aware of previously that I think may be of interest to the fans and collectors here:
-Brian and Roger ARE working on the same three Freddie/MJ tracks that everyone was previously aware of by name. No other unheard collab tracks made between the two exist.
-Victory did NOT have any of the other Queen members on it to start with. It was purely a Freddie and MJ track to begin with. Only *now* with Brian and Roger working on the tracks that they have a fuller Queen connection (and also, most likely may be billed as Queen + Michael Jackson)
-Neither Queen nor even Freddie's estate were able to gain access to the demos' original multitracks (yes, you heard right) until AFTER MJ had passed away.
-Peter and Gary were unwittingly the source of the two demos that had leaked out, as at the hotel Peter used to run with Gary in his employ, they used to play some rare tapes for trusted friends of theirs. However, somewhere along the way some people proved they couldn't be fully trusted and made their own copies of the tapes.
One more thing I forgot to add: Peter also played 'bass drum' on the Victory demo, using the door in Michael Jackson's bathroom! (Remember, these demos were made at MJ's home, and sometimes he would use the bathroom for vocal demos as they would give just the right amount of natural reverb owing to the tiled floors and porcelain tub)
Holly2003 wrote: All well and fine but there's only one thing that really needs cleared up -- was Michael dressed as a zombie or a werewolf? =============================================================================================
LMFAO - I heard he was dressed as a ghost...
GratefulFan wrote: I heard he was dressed.
-MacCauley Culkin
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Didn't see that comin'..................................................................................................draws a big breath of air.....................................waits.......................................................NEITHER DID HE!!!!!!!!
bambams-paradise wrote: No no no! You've ALL got it wrong...he was dressed as Peter Pan bahahahahahaha!!!!! =============================================================================================
hehehehehe
And also silver salmon is NOT and I repeat NOT from the News of the World era. According to Gary, the latest year it could be from is 1973. Hopefully this will end that argument.
"Neither Queen nor even Freddie's estate were able to gain access to the demos' original multitracks until AFTER MJ had passed away."
This is the first time I have wished that Michael Jackson was still alive.
jamster1111 wrote: And also silver salmon is NOT and I repeat NOT from the News of the World era. According to Gary, the latest year it could be from is 1973. Hopefully this will end that argument. =============================================================================================
On any CDs I make with that track on it, I'd label it circa '72!
Inu,
thanks a lot for the (much interesting) info ... despite the boring joke this thread has become later on.
Good to know the three tracks are being worked !!
Jamster1111, you REALLY need to learn to pay attention to things people say 100% and I can't stress this enough, in person OR online.
Gary, if I recall correctly, *speculated* that song COULD date as early as 1971, 1973, BUT the recordings we have ARE from 1977 as the drumkit and sound production style completely match the NOTW sessions.