British rock journalist Lesley-Ann Jones, who has written a definitive biography on Parsi rock star Freddie Mercury, decoded the psychology behind the reclusive icon for her audience at the NCPA's Literature Live festival on Wednesday. In conversation with columnist and radio jockey Vinod Advani, Jones, who travelled on four tours with Mercury's band Queen, spoke about the rise and fall of the band, how it dealt with Mercury's confused sexuality, and why he was a flamboyant performer, but a shy person.
“When we were on tour, I would be interviewing the band, and Freddie would sit in a corner, with his knees curled up, rushing to cover his mouth when someone made him laugh,” said Jones. “He had no confidence, but he would imagine what it would be like to have it, and projected that on stage.”
Jones wrote the first version of the biography 15 years ago, and in 2010, when there were talks of a film, her publisher wanted to reprint the book. “I said I'd have to rewrite it because there was new information I had now,” she said. She interviewed 102 new people in Zanzibar, India and England, where Mercury had lived, for the new version. Mercury was bisexual, and although he never publicly came out, his relationships with men and women were well-known. “He thought his sexuality would embarrass his conservative Parsi parents, who he was devoted to,” said Jones. “Among his band members, it was an accepted fact, and no one minded.”
According to Jones, a biographer's greatest challenge was to not be judgmental about the subject. “I had interacted with Freddie, and spoke to so many people about him,” she said. “Sometimes, I would get five versions of a story. My job was to tell all five so the reader could form his own opinion.”
Speaking about Queen's current frontman choice, American Idol finalist Adam Lambert, Jones said, “He's Queen's greatest fan, and works to pay homage to Freddie, using his wide vocal range and his performance style.” link
Might be a fan of Freddie's... But QUEEN'S BIGGEST FAN?.... What an absurd crock of shit.
He has range but no dynamics. He probably saw a cash in if he got comparisons with Fred. Likewise Brian with him.
He couldn't even remember Brian's name when he was INVOLVED in a COACHING segment with Brian and Roger... What an absolute greatest piece of shit statement.
Most likely the author's intention to exploit the digital eras updates and boost sales on her bio.
Good for the both of them, I guess.... But still a load of horseshit.
That said... I'd probably read it (if I could borrow it)
Although the article appears "fair enough" the title is a bit too strong. "A sad, bewildered, directionless boy" ??? I mean is that a statment of the biographer (part of the interview she gave) or a super strong conclussion the editor of this article came up with?
That title quote is not in the article.
The reason he covered his mouth was likely him being self conscious of his teeth. This does not make him a sad directionless boy.
Sounds like a typical petty journalist who has to get their kicks and attention by slagging off a legend with an image that exists only in her mind. I can only pity her.
The Real Wizard wrote:
Sounds like a typical petty journalist who has to get their kicks and attention by slagging off a legend with an image that exists only in her mind. I can only pity her.
Indeed. What qualifications does she have to pass judgment like this on someone she barely knew? I wonder if she has ever achieved anything in her life as good as STL, BoRap or Barcelona?
As the source and context of the quote are less than clear I suppose it's possible that she was literally talking about his boyhood or youth, and that the words are not an unflattering judgement on his adult self but a summation of some of the effect of his early experiences and their recurring theme of displacement. Or she might just be an annoying journalist. The only thing I personally remember about her book was a grim and vivid description of a row of men lined up to have sex with Fred in a South American hotel room and how compulsive, lost and sad it made him look. So maybe she just seeks the disproportionate attention these kind of utterances generally facilitate.
GratefulFan wrote:
As the source and context of the quote are less than clear I suppose it's possible that she was literally talking about his boyhood or youth, and that the words are not an unflattering judgement on his adult self but a summation of some of the effect of his early experiences and their recurring theme of displacement. Or she might just be an annoying journalist. The only thing I personally remember about her book was a grim and vivid description of a row of men lined up to have sex with Fred in a South American hotel room and how compulsive, lost and sad it made him look. So maybe she just seeks the disproportionate attention these kind of utterances generally facilitate.
In wich chapter is what you mention. I have the book but cant find the "hotel incidents".
STELIOS wrote:
In wich chapter is what you mention. I have the book but cant find the "hotel incidents".
In my copy it's Chapter 20 which is titled "Live". The chapter covers Rock in Rio and the anecdote begins with the recounting of Paul Prenter rounding up the men in a bar. I guess we don't want authors to censor too much but the story stood out to me as exceptionally invasive and I wish it hadn't been included. The mood she set around it was disturbing and voyeuristic. It wasn't 'wild rock star presides over orgy' it was more 'sad, bewildered, directionless boy has compulsive, pleasureless, self-loathing sex'. Perhaps I've compounded the original problem by retelling it. But it illustrates I think why people choose quotes like the one in the title of the article. They stir emotion and promote long recall, sadly to the benefit of the author and detriment of the subject.
Just reading the book. It has major flaws. Not a single footnote too denote the source or time of any commentary. Aside from that, I found the Barbara Valentin information exhausting but important.
It mentions Brian performing at a "start pack" concert but makes no mention of the RNR HOF performance which John deacon did not attend.
Zero annotations which makes it kinda disreputable.
I plan on returning the book.
I've had enough of Freddie's biographies. I will never read one again.
well, maybe the one I will write ... based entirely on the ten days I and other local FC members "shared" with Queen in 1981. We could make up an entire array of morbid, unoriginal lies and maybe even SELL it!
*ponders*