Just got through listening to the Hot Space debate on Greg Synth's YT Channel. Peter Freestone said "It's taken you guys to make me realise how bad he was," - referring to the live shows. Not long after one of them says that Freddie's face looked like it had been eaten by a load of rats and that his complexion was like cream cheese.
Odd to hear 'fans' talking so disparagingly about one of their idols.
Any other examples of Phoebe being critical of Freddie's voice?
Just to clarify some things:
1. That was in late 2011 - before I really started finding my comfort zone for Skype stuff and for the channel.
2. The rats and cream cheese comment was a reference to the then-recent new footage of that behind the scenes stuff from Days Of Our Lives. It wasn't intended to be offensive - but it kinda comes across as cringeworthy in retrospect. That new footage was shocking.
3. It was more of an impromptu thing rather than a professional discussion (it was all in fun). Don't take us too seriously!
4. Peter's comment was in reference to the fact the since he was always backstage - he couldn't really hear the performances all too well. Ever since 2011 - he's been downloading all the Queen shows into his computer and listens to them!
5. I plan on having a one-on-one Skype discussion with Peter in the near future. It's going to be much more professional with good questions. I'll post it here!
You're welcome! Looking back, it's kinda silly/cringeworthy in spots - but hey! It was fun!
Peter is an awesome guy - I first met him at the 2010 Breakthru Queen convention in Detroit. This year's Breakthru convention is going be in Detroit again. For once I don't have to take a bus or bring my enhanced driver's license to cross a Canadian border!
Talked to Pete one single time, he was really sweet. Nice, nice guy! Unfortunately, it was a virtual talk, since no-one will ever want to come to Brazil. But it was nice! :P
brunogorski wrote:
Talked to Pete one single time, he was really sweet. Nice, nice guy! Unfortunately, it was a virtual talk, since no-one will ever want to come to Brazil. But it was nice! :P
Peter is very passionate about Freddie and i am sure he was only referring to some behind the stage rehearsal or something.
We all know Freddie is far from a terrible singer he is awesome and still no one betters his voice in the music world.
luthorn wrote:
Critics are like consultants: they know all about doing, but cannot do it themselves.
gerry wrote:
Peter is very passionate about Freddie and i am sure he was only referring to some behind the stage rehearsal or something.
We all know Freddie is far from a terrible singer he is awesome and still no one betters his voice in the music world.
fofum wrote:
Ah, brilliant. Thanks for clearing those things up Greg. I look forward to that next interview with Phoebe :)
He didn't have to clear things up if you were more careful with your first post, putting things into perspective - as Greg did - instead of misleading QZ'ers. A little more care next time would be appreciated.
Well, I'm not sure about the context of Peter's comment, because I haven't listened to that particular podcast or show - but in reference to Freddie being a bad singer, it was probably a quip about a particular bad note or bad night, rather than actually thinking Freddie was a bad singer, and the comment was probably said with a healthy dose of jest. Peter was basically Freddie's best friend - in the UK it is regarded as loving to have a little bit of sarcasm with your best mate, even if they've died.
The rats comment - it's easy to forget that Peter saw Freddie every day, and at that time probably didn't notice in the same way as everyone else did, what was happening physically. It would have been more gradual for him. Then, looking back over Freddie's life, Peter would have watched a lot of the golden years clips, when Freddie looked really good, and the last clips he'd have viewed in black and white. In some ways he had probably forgotten what Freddie actually looked like later in his illness. Perhaps he was in shock and reacting the way a member of the public would have. It's been a long time, and Peter doesn't strike me as the type to dwell on all the nasties, so he was probably genuinely shocked.
That said, Peter has been involved with some cringeworthy TV shows. When Kenny met Freddie, and Freddie's Lovers to name two blips.
miraclesteinway wrote:
in reference to Freddie being a bad singer, it was probably a quip about a particular bad note or bad night, rather than actually thinking Freddie was a bad singer
^ bingo.
He clearly meant he was "bad on some nights."
Which he was.
Japan 76, US 77 (Jan-Mar), Japan 79, Euro 84 - some tours were almost entirely bad nights for Freddie. But he still powered through.
He was a brilliant singer in the studio, but was very inconsistent live. Often excellent, but just as often not. I don't think Phoebe is doing Freddie any disservice by simply pointing out the facts.
^ I would love to have all the vocabulary they (miraclesteinway and The Real Wanker; because I will bother you with that ;)) have. That would make me a better commentarist. Sometimes I don't write nothing I want to write because I don't have the words in English to describe it.
Lots of words lost in the time.
Also, I'm agree with both about Freddie's voice.
I heard somewhere that Peter didn't like the beginning of It's a hard life.
Peter also said that Freddie was in awe of opera singers because of the control they had over their voice, where as Freddie just kind of did it. He was fully aware of his talents and his limitations it seems, and was even a little shy about his own voice although he knew he was a bloody awesome pop/rock and crossover singer.