"Freddie Mercury used a piano as the headboard of his bed. The double-jointed Mercury would awake with inspiration, reach up and back behind his head and play what he'd heard in his dreams. This was how Bohemian Rhapsody began."
I found this very weird fact on BBC News - Smashed Hits. link
Is it just the imagination of a journalist, or could it possible be true? It sounds quite ridiculous!
At the time they weren't rich. While living in a apartment with little space it seems plausible. Where would one leave his piano when there is little space.
Also in the Alfie Boe documentary, his mother sais how she denied him bringing a piano at their house.He was a bit devastated. Its not imposible he grew some extreme passion for the instrument and took full advantage of it when he was able to own one.
As a method of space saving in a small apartment, an upright piano behind a bed may seem like an idea. However it wouldn't be possible to operate the pedals unless you pull the bed out.
The double jointed thing doesn't make sense. If you were laying on your back you could easily play the keys behind and above your head. The problem would be that you couldn't see all the keys clearly, and your hands would be facing the wrong way to play in a natural way. Your thumbs would be on the outside of your finger stretch and not the inside, so effectively forcing you to rethink the notes you are reaching for
noorie wrote:
"Freddie Mercury used a piano as the headboard of his bed. The double-jointed Mercury would awake with inspiration, reach up and back behind his head and play what he'd heard in his dreams. This was how Bohemian Rhapsody began."
I found this very weird fact on BBC News - Smashed Hits.
link
Is it just the imagination of a journalist, or could it possible be true? It sounds quite ridiculous!
this was a quote from john reid their ex manager. it's in one of the documentaries where he says those lines
master marathon runner wrote:
He probably propped himself up on one elbow and tinkled away, and then things get blown outta all proportion .
Double jointed my arse.
That sounds most plausible. I am sure Brian of Roger would have mentioned it if Freddie was double jointed. Quite likely Freddie would have shouted it out himself!
John Reid likes to add colour to stories, it seems. There's plenty of piano pieces with hand-crossing, it's not a surprise if Freddie learnt some of those for one of his exams when he was being classically trained.