| thundergod 30.11.2017 20:11 |
Forum Opening December 10, 2017 |
| stevelondon20 30.11.2017 22:47 |
Can we discuss earlier? |
| thundergod 01.12.2017 00:16 |
Actually, no. We have a good reason not to start until Dec. 10th. Sorry friend. |
| stevelondon20 01.12.2017 10:58 |
No worries mate. Look forward to it. |
| dysan 01.12.2017 11:15 |
Could we have a concise appendix thread of facts found in the other thread? It's a little to large for a browse. |
| SmokyQuartz 01.12.2017 18:42 |
Looking forward to it Thor and Lee! |
| matt z 01.12.2017 19:50 |
PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE They're probably trying to decide on the best conjunction: Thorlee (sounds like an adjective) Leethor (Lex Leethor) Arnolin (sounds like a cleaning solution) Nolinnold (sounds like a factory additive/preservative/paint remover) Joking aside. Thank you two for offering to participate in this. Said beforehand. |
| slightly mad 22 02.12.2017 16:06 |
Can’t wait |
| people on streets 02.12.2017 19:50 |
Whats the use of all this? Not too sure Freddie would've appreciated a bunch of gossiping 'friends' talking about his life on a Queen fan forum. |
| thundergod 02.12.2017 21:58 |
people on streets, Sorry you are so bitter about a site that has not yet started. I hope you can get a lot more love and caring from those important to you. I do and I feel great! |
| YAWN 02.12.2017 22:59 |
@People on the streets Well, you didn't know Freddie. Thor and Lee did. And gossip isn't what they're doing. They're stating facts. Which is miles better than flipping through pages of bullshit made up by tabloids. Relax and give it a chance, friend. Or don't. Either way, we'll be here enjoying it. |
| Iron Butterfly 02.12.2017 23:07 |
Thank you Thundergod and all who made the other thread such an enlightening and encouraging place to read and taking part in. Looking forward to more. |
| Rainbow61 03.12.2017 05:30 |
@ People on Streets, It may be that your comment is due to a concern over the accuracy of information being exchanged on this thread. If so, then I appreciate that you care. However, when I hear the word "gossip", I think of something that is disrespectful...gossipers don't care about facts and they often do not care about the subject of their gossip...they care about the attention their words generate. It seems that the majority of people who have been drawn to this thread are here to honor not only Freddie's music, but the person he was outside of music. If this thread had a "National Inquirer" tone to it, then I bet most people would not be interested in participating. I'd like to think that Freddie is smiling in amazement that his fans, old and new, are still interested in his life, and that his good friends, Thor (and soon Lee) are taking time to honor that legacy by keeping it real. |
| SmokyQuartz 03.12.2017 20:37 |
@ people on streets I respect that you are probably trying to protect Freddie, but why don't we give this a chance? It's not started yet... I think Villiers hit the nail bang on, this is going to be more respectful and a better tribute than the rubbish in the tabloids. :-) |
| matt z 09.12.2017 03:19 |
link Just thought I'd share this bit of info. As you'd referenced in the other thread, Freddie was a fan of the film THE WOMEN. Well. This place i always go to; The Egyptian Theater in Hollyweird is screening it on January 28th along with a prior presentation about historical Hollywood. Their screenings typically use original prints or restored prints; from the best available sources. They screen both classics and ludicrous cult flicks/trash. Very often with guest stars, directors Q&A and/or discussions Some belong to directors, some belong to historical libraries etc. ...tickets go on sale next Monday, and as it's a VERY prominent popular film for a certain bunch I'm guessing the early sales are in anticipation of high ticket demands. Just trolling ur thread again, apologies. :) Carry on... Speaking of CARRY ON. ...i enjoy those silly trashy flicks. Think I'll watch one. |
| Invisible Woman 09.12.2017 10:32 |
"Freddie was a fan of the film THE WOMEN". This is proof for LR1 that Freddie wanted to become a woman. I'm joking a little.:D |
| thundergod 10.12.2017 02:15 |
COUNTDOWN TO NEW FORUM: 18 HOURS |
| Rainbow61 10.12.2017 02:52 |
YEAH!!! |
| SinkingIsland 10.12.2017 18:57 |
Hello! Looking forward to joining in. |
| thundergod 10.12.2017 20:02 |
Hello One and All, I am hoping that you will enjoy this joint effort between Lee and myself to answer questions and celebrate Freddie's life. He was a one of a kind, creative genius but it was his genuine caring about his friends made him so much more special to Lee, John and Joe and then even Brandon. |
| thundergod 10.12.2017 20:03 |
"friends that made him" |
| thundergod 10.12.2017 20:05 |
Lee will join in shortly, I am sure. |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 10.12.2017 20:09 |
Greetings everyone. Here we go. I should light the fruit hat in celebration. Freddie would SO laugh at that. |
| thundergod 10.12.2017 20:11 |
HaHa...ah, the fruit hat. I am laughing already at that. |
| miraclesteinway 10.12.2017 20:15 |
Hello Thor and Lee, I didn't join in the last thread because by the time I noticed it, it was already larger than the Torah.... Thanks for this thread, it's better than any biography written by a journalist! OK you have to tell us all what the fruit hat is! |
| SinkingIsland 10.12.2017 20:23 |
I only found the previous thread yesterday. I was up, literally, all night reading. I finally found the last page, read that it was all over and was terribly disappointed until I read further to realize this would take its place. Perfect timing. I am mostly at a loss for words over my amazement and joy in Mr. Arnold's kindness and openness. Freddie found an intelligent and loyal friend. |
| thundergod 10.12.2017 20:24 |
Lee was the creative source behind the whole making and displaying of the fruit hat. I will let him tell you about that. |
| thundergod 10.12.2017 20:26 |
Welcome SinkingIsland, Thanks so much for the kind words. I am glad you found our new thread. |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 10.12.2017 20:26 |
Hey MiracleSteinway. Not to start with a story about me, but here goes. #1 Freddie’s got a huge kick out of the fruit hat. I brought it with me the last time Thor and I visited the Garden Lodge together, and put it on after dinner one night when we went up to say goodnight to Freddie. I had it left over from when I use to direct Singing Waiters on Cape Cod. It was my version of the fruit hat Carmen Miranda wore in The Lady with the Tutti Frutti hat.......except that mine lit up. I had to attach the girl singing to a 20 foot extension cord, as she re-enacted the song before amazed diners. It was upgraded to a battery pack for the visit to London in 91. I’ll try and find a photo of Ms Miranda on line to post. Then, when I have the guts, I’ll post one of me in it. HA! |
| thundergod 10.12.2017 20:30 |
And Welcome miraclesteinway ! Glad to have you participate. |
| Sheldon 10.12.2017 20:39 |
I don't really feel like asking anything right now, but I would like to say that it's really fantastic that you guys are doing this. I'm sure this thread will bring lots of joy to dozens (or, hopefully, hundreds) of people. |
| thundergod 10.12.2017 20:50 |
Welcome Sheldon, (or are you young Sheldon...lol), Thanks so much for your support. When you do have a question, don't hesitate to ask. |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 10.12.2017 20:56 |
Thanks Sheldon. This COULD be a spectator sport, though chime i at any time. |
| SmokyQuartz 10.12.2017 20:59 |
Hi Thor and Lee....and Welcome to Lee! It's great to have the opportunity to talk to you both. I have a question that may have got a bit lost on the last thread.....so here goes: Freddie once said in an interview that he was petrified of being alone. It was a snippet of an interview and he didn't elaborate. I'm curious whether you got that impression with him, or whether you'd have any ideas as to what this was about. I always thought creative people have to be alone to create, lol. That said, he also said in an early interview that he locked himself away to write. Thanks! :-) |
| miraclesteinway 10.12.2017 21:06 |
I have a question, it's a bit silly. Did you ever visit Karaoke bars with Freddie and did he ever sing in them? Were they even a thing then? |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 10.12.2017 21:11 |
SmokyQuartz. Hi, and thanks for the question. It's my opinion that petrified is a strong word, but if he actually said it I guess it was in his vocabulary. There wasn't that much of an opportunity for him to be completely alone, so solitude might have been cherished from time to time. Perhaps, in this interview, he was referring to having that number one person in his life, as in a significant other. I don't doubt that his childhood was filled with lonely moments, as he was away at school, and not around his family as much as most people are through their childhood. I'm confident that a situation like that can make you more aware of those around you throughout your life. |
| thundergod 10.12.2017 21:15 |
Hey miraclesteinway, Oh no, Freddie would never want to do karaoke. In New York, he wanted to be a "musician named Fred." His voice would have betrayed him in that endeavor. |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 10.12.2017 21:26 |
Thor.......could you JUST imagine had Freddie done that? What a hoot. I DO think that was a great question. Keep em coming MiracleSteinway, Imagine him doing a 30's standard or something? |
| thundergod 10.12.2017 21:31 |
That would have been fun for sure, but it would not have been Freddie at all. He never sang for or with his friends when he was off-stage. |
| SmokyQuartz 10.12.2017 21:32 |
Thanks Lee for your response, petrified is a strong word and I'm going on memory, but as I recall, Freddie wasn't saying it with strong emotion, rather it seemed to be just used descriptively, for emphasis. The interview is on You Tube somewhere and if I ever come across it again I'll link you to it. :-) |
| Katydyd5 10.12.2017 21:39 |
I'm so glad you are both here. I have a couple of questions, but I'll get to them later. In the meantime, Lee, you must post a picture of you in the fruit hat! |
| miraclesteinway 10.12.2017 21:39 |
I'd love to have heard him do a '30's standard, and in fact had he still been here today, that's something I could picture him delving in to, like Annie Lennox did recently (well, 5 years ago). Of course, I can't remember a time when Freddie wasn't famous, and in the UK there was no chance that he wouldn't be recognised a few times while out and about so it's funny to me that in NYC he wanted to be "a musician named Fred" - but then I do remember on some of the documentaries it was said that he could be more anonymous there. I could imagine Freddie standing up in a Karaoke bar and someone going "hey, that sounds a bit like.... oh...." Did he ever talk about music with you? I mean in terms of the creative process of making the music, or was his friendship with you more detached from his work? There are things I'd love to ask him - like how exactly did he think a rock band would get away with a 19th Century Viennese pastiche called "The Millionaire Waltz" and for it to actually not just work, but be totally excellent! Did he talk about the influences on his music? Did he ever mention about the process behind say, Seaside Rendezvous, March of the Black Queen, or the original version of Love of My Life? Those would be the things I'd want to talk about with him, to sit in a room with two pianos and have a little jam and he could sing whilst talking through some of his compositions. I'd love to know exactly how he worked out his vocal harmonisations - some of it is incredibly complicated, and even more so when one considers he had little or no formal training, and certainly not in species counterpoint (unless he read through numerous books on the subject, which given most of the first four albums, I wouldn't be surprised if he did a little research....) Also, in interviews, he talked a lot about Mr Bad Guy, the LP I mean, and how good it was going to be. Of course it wasn't a commercial success and although it contains some strokes of genius (the Mr Bad Guy track itself is beautiful), it's probably not overall his best work. Did he talk about the album with you, before or after its release and did he ever mention what he thought of it as a piece of work? I'm kind of drivelling, but when I think about Freddie, I can't help but absolutely geek out over the way his music is composed, and be bewildered by exactly where it came from within him. I mean, it's fun to read about the parties and some of the antics.... Finally, for now anyway, as I see it Freddie was a genius - his creativity that he displayed particularly on the early albums was off the scale. Did he realise he was a genius? I don't really take any quips or off-the-cuff remarks from his interviews as being all that serious (the things like "I always knew I was a star and now the rest of the world seems to agree"). Or was he just Fred? |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 10.12.2017 21:41 |
SmokyQuartz That would be great. Thor That comment about Freddie is an understatement. Other than an occasional vocal ease to clear his thought or a smattering of something he might have been working on with Ms. Caballe, or something, he NEVER broke into song as I recall. |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 10.12.2017 21:58 |
MiracleSteinway. It's clear you are a musician. I don't remember the last time I heard someone use "counterpoint" (at which I was AMAZING, LOL) in a sentence. My degrees are in the Performing Arts, with an emphasis on Music. Advanced Theory gave me a run for my money, but I completely loved Counterpoint Class. I think that's because it's based on theorems, like Geometry vs Algebra. I aced Geometry but Algebra, yuck. That being said, having spent as much time as I did in Music classes, and appreciating what a genius Freddie was at what he did, I would NEVER embark on a discussion that would in any way question his choices. I DID often have a "How the hell did you come up with that" feeling about his work. I have in the past googled the questions you have.......the Bohemian Rhapsody story is very interesting. |
| miraclesteinway 10.12.2017 22:12 |
- oh I wasn't questioning his choices at all, I just wondered how he came up with what he came up with. My guess is that throughout his youth he put his favourite music on repeat until he worked out every part - or it just went into his brain by osmosis. I can imagine him sitting at the piano trying to work out exactly what was going on in his favourite records. God knows I did that with Queen albums in my teenage years (and still didn't find everything). I suppose his influences were quite complicated, and I hazard a guess that his time in India must have influenced him in at least some way. I am a musician yes, I've just finished recording the 6 partitas of Bach for a small label in Italy, and I'm playing third Rachmaninoff concerto with my local symphony at easter, but I've very little patience when it comes to sitting down to compose (something I'd like to change) despite being able to sit for hours in piano practice mode. What's your instrument Lee? |
| beemack74 10.12.2017 22:50 |
Hello again Thor, and Hello and welcome, Lee. I don't have any questions yet but I would just like to echo other's comments in saying it is fantastic to have the both of you here and I am very much looking forward to reading some more wonderful stories about the man who has brought us all together here, Mr Freddie Mercury! |
| YAWN 10.12.2017 22:52 |
Hi Lee! After glancing through Peter Freestone's first book again recently, he says one of the things that was different about the New York Daughters (that Freddie wasn't used to) was having to wait on them as they had jobs and lives of their own. Freddie was accustomed to having people drop everything to hang out with him, and it turns out Freddie really liked that about you. He felt like just one of the guys, instead of "Freddie Mercury- superstar". Did you guys ever know that something as simple as a call saying "No Freddie, I can't get there until I'm off work." made him happy? You guys made him feel normal and accepted. I think that's great. Also, were you both familiar with Bill Reid? Any thoughts you'd like to share on him? Peter made it pretty clear what kind of a guy he was, but I'm wondering if either of you have any stories about him or if Freddie mentioned anything to you guys. |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 10.12.2017 23:05 |
MiracleSteinway. I was a voice major. Though classically trained, I didn’t have anything along the lines of a big voice. In grad school they let me pick a focus that included Operetetta and “meatier Broadway”. I eventually ended up pursuing a career in New York theatre, but that was short lived. |
| miraclesteinway 10.12.2017 23:10 |
Thanks Lee: So as a voice major, I can ask you, on this forum and in many other places online there has been much discussion about the changes in Freddie's voice over his 20 year recording career. Did Freddie ever talk about his voice changes or did he just get on with it? I know voices change over time, but people talk about for instance the difference in tone between A night at the opera and A kind of magic, and then Innuendo. I've a friend who went to pursue a career in NY, he was in the Book of Mormon, I haven't seen him for a few years sadly but we're still in touch. Actually he worked with Brian May on something for some reason, but he doesn't actually know him beyond that project. I couldn't tell you what it was he did, it was about 7 or 8 years ago. |
| thundergod 10.12.2017 23:13 |
I guess Lee is out for now, but I will let him answer the comments by miraclesteinway and Villiers.just above. Also, I know this thread has just started but unfortunately I start jury duty tomorrow (Monday) morning. The first day usually lasts about 8 hours and is a full day but if I do not get assigned to a case, this could be my first and last day for two more years. Anyway, I'll keep you all informed at about 7pm PDT (California time). Thanks, Thor |
| Blenkolove 10.12.2017 23:18 |
Merry Christmas!!! And Great Big Welcome to Lee and of course Thor!! How exciting is this?????? The previous thread was Sooooo helpful in making Freddie out to be the true and authentic person I always felt he was......compared to the way many biographies n such made him out to be!!! The way YOU Thor described Fred's thoughts, actions and loyalties Jive SOOO much better with what my 'gut' was feeling......I look SOOO forward to what else this thread will reveal about the 'real Freddie!! During this week interlude....i found 'Ask Phoebe' and That too is also very very enlightening!!!! THANK YOU ALL FOR THIS MAGICAL GIFT!!! |
| YAWN 10.12.2017 23:24 |
Thor, as an attorney, I thank you for your time and doing your civic obligation. But as a normal person, I feel for you lol. Nobody likes having to do it. Let's hope you aren't stuck there for too long. Yikes :( |
| thundergod 10.12.2017 23:35 |
Thanks Villiers, I don't mind doing it, but I hate the first day with all the hanging around. Thank God Lee lent me his "Freddie Mercury by Peter Freestone with David Evans" book.which I intend to read more thoroughly than I did years ago. |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 10.12.2017 23:58 |
Lots of thoughts to care, so I apologize for the rambling. JURY DUTY!!!!!! YUCK!!!!! For some reason I have been spared that treat. DON'T know how, but I've never had to go. I think they should have a different process by which they choose who is called, but that's just me. Bill Reed.........hhhhhmmmm.........Villiers, Bill Reed has been accurately described on all accounts that I have seen. Let me say something about the New York Daughters. From Day 2, we were an immediate entity in Freddie's life. We....Thor, Joe, John, and myself, traveled in a pack great deal of the time. In fact some people referred to us as the Rack Pack, as in the Famous Las Vegas Rat Pack, that consisted of Dean Martin, Shirley McLaine, Sammy Davis, Jr., etc. When were showed up we didn't enter a room we sort of "arrived" someone once said. We had four distinctively different personalities. We didn't have to visit en masse to hang with Freddie. We all had to be at our jobs, but so often had the chance to arrange our schedule to have special play time with Freddie. Because of that, I'm not sure that Freddie's men took kindly to any attention he gave us, as it meant, as in this case Bill, less attention was sent in their direction. I got the same inference when we met Jim Hutton, thought he was much more the gentlemen, at all times. We DID have time with Bill in our company, though often their bickering caused him to be eliminated from our play time.........something he brought about himself. One of my FAVORITE Freddie quotes, of which we have have dozens, came when Freddie was REALLY angry with Bill about something or other. Bill and I were both originally from New Jersey, and once when Freddie was REALLY angry with Bill he blurted out........."I'M GOING TO BUY NEW JERSEY............AND BURN IT DOWN.............EXCEPT FOR KATHLEEN'S MOTHER!!!!!! We roared. Blenkolove I wanna check out the Ask Phoebe thread. We are still in touch via Facebook, and it's always a thrill to see his name cross my Facebook Page. It can't be said enough.....Phoebe was and is, Charming, kind, thoughtful, likable, lovable, giving of himself, and all around a wonderful man, There's no surprise that he shot of has his own fan base. MiracleSteinway In regards to Freddie's voice changing......hhhhhmmmmm......other than gaining strength and character as he got older, irregardless of any medical issues that have been intimated over the years, I can't really say I noticed any other change in his vocals. I don't want anyone to flat line here........but........though I MUST have heard Bohemian Rhapsody and other numbers I wasn't familiar wit Queen, and I had no idea who Freddie Mercury was when they said we were heading out to meet up with him. (I was locked in a practice room, or in a dance class for most of the 70's, and was pursuing my Broadway goals. ) I immediately realized I was making a new special buddy when we met for the first time, and we would soon connect on many levels, Did I miss any subjects?........Fair warning..........Verbosity has never been a shortcoming of mine.......LOL |
| c.jory 11.12.2017 00:05 |
I'm screaming - that's the third quote I've read where Freddie's threatened to buy a place/venue and destroy it hahaha! Love it! One is in Brian May's photo book where he threatened to buy a place because the bouncer turned him away for wearing the wrong clothes! Freddie wasn't even rich yet at that time! I remember Phoebe's book had something like that about Bill getting jealous of his friends. RE: Jim Hutton, Phoebe gave the impression he sometimes got irritated he didn't have enough one-to-one time with Freddie, cos he always had people over! |
| YAWN 11.12.2017 00:51 |
Lee, thank you. I loved that bit about Freddie threatening to buy NJ and burn it down. That's my kind of petty LOL. Sounds like everyone agrees on Bill. I'm left wondering what Freddie liked so much about him. Jim seemed much more relaxed and non aggressive. Sounds like you guys had a blast together. I'm personally thankful that my hero found some genuine people like you guys that made him laugh and brought him joy. It can't be easy for a celebrity to real friends. You gave him that :) btw, I'm sending a private message your way, Lee |
| Catus 11.12.2017 01:13 |
It is so great to have BOTH of you here! Thank you so much for doing this for all of us, I am looking forward to following this thread. |
| matt z 11.12.2017 01:23 |
@Lee Kathleen Nolan It could be worse, you could be terse. |
| Blenkolove 11.12.2017 02:14 |
Freddie was quoted as saying he was going to be a Legend.........and in fact...Became a Legend!!! But one can't help but wonder if he had ANY IDEA JUST WHAT KIND OF LEGEND HE IS TODAY?????!!!!!! My three and four year old grandaughters are his BIGGEST FANS!!! His music....most of which is New to me (with the exception of Boz Scaggs and Billy Joel....i was a Greatest Hits and Now that's what I call music consumer) calms me, energizes me, gives me the strength to make it thru my worst day, rocks my world when I'm on my way to ANOTHER day at work.....He AND HIS VOICE JUST CAPTIVATES AND MESMERIZES ME!!!! To know how HARD he fought to record EVERYTHING HE COULD......FOR US.....makes me quit whining about all the crap in my life, suck it up, and face the world with All I have....because Freddie's Strength and his music make it all bearable and beautiful!! To me......FREDDIE IS LOVE |
| thundergod 11.12.2017 02:26 |
Wow Blenkolove, Well said! BRAVO. |
| Katydyd5 11.12.2017 02:29 |
"a musician named Fred" fascinates me. I know I could find this info in several books, and Thor probably covered it in the first thread, but I got to that thread late. Could you recount the story of how you met? Who was he with in the bar? Did he call himself Fred and tell you he was a musician? I've read that he often found a dark corner to sit in so he could survey the scene and then send his friends out to meet people he might be interested in and then bring them back to him. Did that happen with you? I appreciate that both of you are willing to share your lives with all of us. It's really been fun to see Freddie through your eyes. |
| Stop The Madness 11.12.2017 02:30 |
Good I'm glad this thread is finally happening. I watched the Thor pages for months and I was disgusted. I'm hoping this one will be better. The man I looked up to wasn't a gay. He could not have been a gay man. Lee what kind of women did Freddie go for? Did you see him get women? I think everyone lied about him not going for girls and I think they probably just burned the photo proof to keep the gay story going for fans. Peter Freestone was with him all the time and still says that a man that talented and that handsome wasn't interested in women. I know he's your friend but I think he's a liar too. |
| Dustin Zimmerman 11.12.2017 02:35 |
I was bummed to see the old one ended but this new one is great. It probably was a better idea to start a new thread entirely. I joined in around page 40 and even I never finished reading the whole thing. Is it cool to ask questions that's have already been brought up in the other post? To get Lee's views on stuff that is |
| Dustin Zimmerman 11.12.2017 02:42 |
@Stop The Madness Try to remember that opossum isnt brain food. |
| thundergod 11.12.2017 02:44 |
Of course Dustin Zimmerman. I will be glad to repeat stories from the old thread and Lee will too. |
| thundergod 11.12.2017 02:50 |
Well MADNESS...you sure live up to your name. So let's STOP it right now. If it is too difficult for you to even imagine that Freddie would not be attracted to your private parts...keep hating, maybe someone will listen to you or better yet...go away. |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 11.12.2017 02:56 |
Dear Stop the Madness. Thanks for your input....NOT STOP THE FUCKING MADNESS. Freddie left the last 12 plus years of his life as a gay man. G....A......Y........GAY man.....homosexual.....liked men for sex........didn't like pretending he wasn't. You don't belong here if you can't speak in intelligent sentences. I pity your mentality. |
| Stop The Madness 11.12.2017 02:57 |
Well THOR. I'm a man so that's not an issue. Im a man who loves women and you're telling me my idol was a gay. Are you saying that because it's true or because you WANT it to be true? He was too talented and too handsome to stick to just men. |
| Stop The Madness 11.12.2017 02:59 |
I can't respect a gay man. If Freddie was a gay I'm no longer a fan. So fine he was gay. Anyone want to buy my queen records? I don't want gay shit in my house. |
| thundergod 11.12.2017 03:02 |
S the M, Even worse that you are a man. Because YOU love women sexually does not mean anyone does or should. Lee and I were only his friends for 11 years but you think you know him better. Sad |
| thundergod 11.12.2017 03:03 |
Bye,bye now! |
| YAWN 11.12.2017 03:03 |
As a fellow member of the LGBT community, let me just say: fuck off, STM. I'm not straight and I managed to become a lawyer. Thor isn't straight and he saved lives. Freddie was gay and he changed the face of music. We aren't beneath you. You're a sad little man in desperate need of some therapy. Piss off- you won't be missed. |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 11.12.2017 03:07 |
be gone Stop The Madness. Be gone before someone drops a house on YOU! There, I just sent something a little gay to your house See ya Wouldn't wanna be ya |
| thundergod 11.12.2017 03:09 |
You go Villier's |
| thundergod 11.12.2017 03:13 |
correction:" because you love women sexually, it does not mean that everyone does or should" |
| Dustin Zimmerman 11.12.2017 03:19 |
Stop The Madness, this next question is for you. Hope you like it. Lee Peter talked about Freddie's type of man. Cab driver type lol. Thor told us he helped Freddie bag a guy he had his eye for a while. Did you guys all help him out in that department? I have a buddy who FREEZES in front of people he likes. He totally shuts down and it took myself and my other friend John to introduce him to the person he ended up staying with for 6 years. Was Freddie that way? Did he approach men himself or was he too shy? There always seemed to be two Freddies. The larger than life legend and then there was the shy guy that kept his eyes down. I'm guessing he was outgoing on stage and in groups of people he felt comfortable with but perhaps was more reserved in the company of those he didn't know too well |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 11.12.2017 03:27 |
I think a lot of Gay men have two sides as you just described. Sometimes they are right out there going after who they want, and sometimes their shyness takes over and their friends help. Thor, correct me if I'm wrong, but I think I remember two kinds of hookups with which we helped Freddiie. On occasion it might be "hey my friend likes you but is very shy". My friends did that for me,on occasion, and shy I'm not....... and there was the situation where we would say "I have a special person who thinks you're hot. Come say ' HI' ". That's how I remember it anyway. I could be wrong in that memory, but I think when it came to that Freddie was a normal Gay man...........they see what they like, but rejection ALWAYS sucks. |
| thundergod 11.12.2017 03:30 |
Hey Dustin, I think you are right on on everything you just said. Freddie the gregarious showman and friend but very shy about meeting strangers. I think he was made fun of when he was a child (probably due to his teeth)...buckie is a horrible nickname for anyone while growing up. By the way, most of the time when out together, I noticed this and would try to introduce him to people. He never asked me to. |
| YAWN 11.12.2017 03:40 |
Funny you guys say that, because it's something I noticed as well. Jim Hutton was approached by Freddie pretty boldly (lol) while Peter also told stories of Freddie asking Joe or Paul to approach men for him. Then again, he also said for weeks after Freddie first met Jim, he asked Joe to run into certain bars and see if Jim was there. Lol my friends and I do the same. I asked my friends to check to see if someone I had my eye on was a regular at her bar for a few weeks. I dated her for a year. She was bat sh*t nuts, but it was a fun year LOL. Thor, I'm glad you guys were around to introduce him to people. I think you're right that he was bullied at school, and although it may have given him some tough skin, it's never easy to get rejected or laughed at. Seeing as he still covered his teeth with his hands when he laughed up until he died, I think it's something that was still always in the back of his mind. |
| Dustin Zimmerman 11.12.2017 03:46 |
Thor good point. I'm sure being picked on at school followed him into adulthood. He seemed to have a sense of humor about it in certain situations but deep down it was probably something that still bothered him a little. His teeth that is. Lee that's great that you guys got together to help each other our like that. Reminds me of the first time my older brother tried to hook me up with someone from school. He told me he would play it cool. He walked up to this girl, pointed at me, said something, then she made a face and walked away. I asked him what he said to her and he replied "I told her you were shy but you wanted to ask her....baby, did you fart? Because you blew me away." I sure hope you guys had better pick ups lines for Freddie and his men lol |
| Blenkolove 11.12.2017 04:20 |
I know this is gonna sound weird.........and I admit I myself...am a little weird......BUT I LOVE FREDDIE'S TEETH!!!!!!!! I WISH I COULD FIND MORE PICTURES OF HIM SMILING WITH HIS TEETH AND NOT PUTTING HIS HAND UP TO COVER THEM. HE HAD AN INCREDIBLE SMILE WITH HIS TEETH. The few pictures I have seen just make me smile more!!! I've worked in the Dental field for over 20 years and while Veneers and crowns make Lots o'money for the practice.....i HATE the homogeneous facade that this 'plastic ' society has thrust upon the masses!!!!! I encourage my patients to embrace their individuality!! If they have gaps in their teeth but their teeth are healthy.....why not embrace it.....it adds charm and character!! Whiten teeth??? Well, ok if your teeth are healthy....but NOT TO THE POINT THAT THEY ARE AN ARTIFICIAL WHITE!! I remember a time when 'capping one's front teeth just became a 'thing'....but Even then...you didn't want too perfect teeth As others would assume u had DENTURES!!!!!!!! Anyhoo......Freddie's teeth are one of his features that I REALLY LIKE and it makes me a little sad that he felt so insecure about them. Plus...they looked to be very strong and healthy teeth!! I also really like the slight speech impediment you can hear from time to time that his Overbite GAVE him. After all my Freddie research these last eight months or so......my science nerd kicked in and I couldn't help but wonder if Fred"s Overbite contributed to his vulnerability to contract AIDS as you can see in some photos just how deep his overbite/overjet were And that allowed his lower anterior teeth to Supererupt.....and my experience with this kind of bite allows the lower teeth to penetrate into the soft tissue of the palate....therefore providing a direct route for infection by this open port????????? .....just a thought....... |
| Rainbow61 11.12.2017 07:00 |
Hi Thor and Lee, Thor, it’s great to have you back…and Lee, so excited you have decided to join us. I knew this revised thread would prove to be popular! Every now and then we are fortunate enough to meet people that we immediately know are destined to be our friends. Finding those people is one of life’s magic moments…Kismet! It sounds like you both had that with Freddie as he had with you. That so many people feel connected to Freddie who have never met him is testament to an immensely appealing quality he had. I was wondering…was the social climate such during the early 80’s in NYC that you could be open in public about who you were dating? Apart from the relative comfort zone of the bars or Freddie’s apartment, would a person who saw Freddie out in a restaurant or walking along the street with Bill Reid have surmised they were a couple or did the need to remain private about his life preclude that possibility, even in NYC where he enjoyed a fair amount of anonymity? (Feel free to include what it would have been like for you during that time as well if that doesn’t seem too nosy) Lee...you will enjoy the "Ask Phoebe" column. He always seemed like a gentle soul to me. |
| miraclesteinway 11.12.2017 08:18 |
"Stop the Madness" is just a troll..... |
| miraclesteinway 11.12.2017 08:24 |
I do want to ask about Freddie's attitude to public knowledge about his sexuality. It's widely thought that Freddie somehow hid his sexuality from the public, and it's true there are a few photos of him at events well into the 1980s when he has Mary beside him and Jim Hutton perhaps in the background. But from watching Queen videos, interviews, any available footage, it seems to me that Freddie didn't hide his sexuality per se, he just didn't come out publicly in the media. In fact there is an interview from the mid-1980s where a journalist asked him if "I want to break free" was written for the "gay world", and he answers that to start off with, it wasn't written by him, it was written by John who is married with 4 children. While it seems Freddie valued his privacy, how concerned was he that the public would find out he was gay? Or did he not mention it? |
| Apocalipsis_Darko 11.12.2017 08:52 |
Hi Thor and Lee. Where were the Freddie favorite clubs in New York and why? I also see a photo with Heaven famous discoteque in London. Do you think cruising was an insult to gay community? |
| Apocalipsis_Darko 11.12.2017 08:52 |
Cruising the film, I mean. |
| Dustin Zimmerman 11.12.2017 09:23 |
Miraclestinway Freddie hinted at his sexuality on stage wearing gay club shirts and such but he was terrified of being outed. I've spoken with Freestone about it in the past. He used Mary and Barbara as beards but Barbara was just a friend, never a lover and Mary stopped being a lover in the mid 70s. He actively hid being gay in the press by holding Mary or Barbaras hand if press were around and making his boyfriends walk behind them. He also asked David Wigg specifically NOT to print that he was in a relationship with a man in the 1987 Ibiza interview when Freddie was talking about how happy he was with Jim. David asked "Can I say that its with a man?" And Freddie replied "NO! You mustnt say that!". That audio can be found in The Untold Story doc. It was one thing to hint about it, it was another to be outed. Remember that according to David Minns, Freddie's parents knew he was gay and confronted him which made him very upset and he also had to take the band into consideration. So he was made to feel some shame about it while also trying to explore it. It had to be hard. I believe it was Brian that said the band once had to tell Freddie to tone down the gay vibe in some song or album he was working on because they felt like it excluded their straight fan base. So he tried to venture out and was left trying to find a balance. He came out to John Reid and someone who ran the Fan Club years ago and said "I'm gay and I'm in love with a man but I can't tell anyone because it would ruin everything". That tells you right there.. |
| Dustin Zimmerman 11.12.2017 09:24 |
I know that was for Thor and Lee to answer but I thought I'd toss that info in. Sorry |
| YAWN 11.12.2017 09:33 |
To add to Dustin's comment, I'm just gonna leave this photo here. Lol. Like Peter Freestone said, Freddie never denied being gay. But I do believe he was very aware of what coming out would do to his career. Glam rock was all about the bisexual image, but being gay wasnt as accepted. Which is stupid, but that's how it was. Freddie was just not comfortable with coming out as gay at the time. I do wonder if he had made it to 2017, if he would have came out. It's a different time now...but I guess we'll never know. |
| Apocalipsis_Darko 11.12.2017 09:43 |
Remember Villiers the glam artist in Elektra Jobriath. He said he was gay, and all US denied him everything....very sad and horrible story. Jobriath deserved being a star and not being insulted by his sexuality. At least, to me is the same proud being gay, heteresexual or bisexual. No matter that, matter the person in my humble opinion. |
| YAWN 11.12.2017 09:51 |
Yes, and that's the sad part of it. Back then, if you came out as gay it could ruin your career. Imagine working as hard as Freddie and the boys did in the beginning, just to be slammed by the press because you arent bisexual, but gay. It make no sense, but that's just how It was back then. Such a shame because many a gay entertainer have had to cover it up. Their sexuality shouldn't have had any effect on their legacy. Poor Liberace denied it his entire life (although LESBI-HONEST, we all knew LOL). The man even sued a mahazine for trying to out him once. His estate still claims he didnt die of an AIDS related illness when he definitely did. All because of the fear of whay it would do to his career. I'd like to think that the majority of the world is more open minded these days...excluding Stop The Madness, of course. |
| raucousmonster 11.12.2017 11:05 |
I love the idea of Freddie being too shy to approach someone in a club. It's just one more endearing thing about him. Mind you, as someone else pointed out here already there's nothing shy about walking up to Jim and demanding to know how big his member was. Maybe the showbiz sherbet gave him extra confidence that night. ;) But I can imagine rejection would be hard for Freddie - if nothing else he might have envisioned some guy telling all his friends that Freddie Mercury asked him out and he rejected him. On the subject of sticky rejections I was at a wedding in Scotland on Saturday and the best man shared a story about how the groom worked in the Virgin megastore and really fancied a girl who worked alongside him. He never had the nerve to even talk to her as she was so beautiful but a few years later he bumped into her again and decided to just go for it. She asked how he was doing and he innocently replied "I'm still at Virgin". The girl blushed and assured him that he'd meet somebody special one day and then hurried away. I know that's not Freddie related but I'm still chuckling about that and thought you'd get a kick out of it. :) |
| Rainbow61 11.12.2017 14:26 |
As far as my question about Freddie being open about who he dated in NYC, I was referring more to subtle social cues. Often you see two people in public who give off the "couple vibe" If you are really paying attention you can just tell they are" together" even if you don't see the typical overt signs. So I was wondering if Freddie even allowed himself even those subtle forms of affection/expression in public or did his responsibilities to the band...family considerations etc. overrule such displays? |
| Rainbow61 11.12.2017 16:35 |
Thor, Will be interested to hear about your jury experience. About a decade ago I did grand jury duty. It was a couple times a week for over a month. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Not only was it interesting, but I was pleasantly surprised how seriously the grand jury panel took their duty. Much discussion...nothing the DA presented was rubber stamped. I wonder how jury duty works in other countries? Would Freddie have ever received a notice to report for jury duty?.... "Sorry, I will be unavailable at that that time...will be in the middle of a world tour with my band!" |
| Invisible Woman 11.12.2017 17:51 |
Hi Thor,Hi Lee Thanks for the new thread, I think this will be interesting as the previous one. Lee, we have already asked Thor for this and I would like you to tell us which Freddie's and Queen's song,album and music video you like most? Question for both of you: we know about the female nicknames he called his male friends. How many Freddie called you with your real names and how many with nicknames? When did you talk with him did you used more Freddie or more "Melina"?Have you ever been bothered by these female nicknames? |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 12.12.2017 01:02 |
Dustin That was funny. I’d like to think we were clever and inviting. LOL |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 12.12.2017 01:02 |
Dustin That was funny. I’d like to think we were clever and inviting. LOL |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 12.12.2017 01:30 |
Lots of comments to catch up on today. I checked the thread a couple of times today, and then WOW...........the participation is fantastic. Where should we start? The first thing I wanna say will cover several subjects. One thing that struck me about Freddie is that when we went out, if he was recognized, he was recognized. In the gay bars there might have been some whispering when they saw him, but I don't remember anyone being offensive. They were very respectful. Thor, do you remember any "crazies" when we were out and about? I don't remember ANY time that his being spotted made it to the tabloids. It was a non issue almost. Freddie enjoyed going to see Thor at work, the leather bars, Studio 54, and the Saint. The Saint might have been where I first met him........or it might have been Uncle Charlie's Video Bar. I found him to be himself when we were out, but a bit more reserved. He never made a scene. There WAS a night out that I'll never forget. We went out in Chicago after the concert, and as we were dancing, Freddie got into it, and all of a sudden he was being lifted into the air by others on the floor........people that we didn't know. I don't remember if they knew it was him, or they were just helping someone having a good time to have a better time........he had a HUGE smile on his face. As far as Freddie and Bill being out together, Bill was pretty low key, unless he was starting an argument The nicknames.........for some reason Peter and I were always Phoebe and Kathleen. As proper daughters we referred to him as Mother. I don't think I ever called him Melina. Friends of his that we would meet, DID call him Melina, and he referred to himself as Mother most of the time. I got a kick out of it, but as a rule when I talk about Freddie and our Friendship, I pick and choose who I tell about the Kathleen saga. Joe and John weren't around as much, and more often than not they were Joe and John.........and who would want to mess with the name Thor? LOL It doesn't get better than that. HA ! One time he referred to himself as Melina sticks in my mind as my favorite. It is actually a video used in Freddie's Loves. He was in a REALLY good mood, and when the camera got to him he sang, "EVERY NIGHTS A PARTIE.......AND MELINA'S MANSION". I wish we had audio here, as his inflection was hysterical. If Freddie had lived a full life WOULD he have eventually come out. Hard to say. Queen would still be going strong, that's for sure. I'm jumping around here..........what have I left out? |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 12.12.2017 01:37 |
Apocolipsis_Darko I'm gonna ask Thor about accuracy here, but I think Cruising showed it how it was........maybe only the "darker" aspects, of course, but all that WAS going on. As far as the gay population being offended..........somebody is always offended by something, but the gay population on New York knew that this scene was prevalent, AND they also knew there were many other scenes through the city in the late 70's and early 80's. |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 12.12.2017 01:57 |
Bienkolove That thought line about susceptible tissue in the mouth would truly be a conversation starter. It is not unusual, that when discussing safer sex, that it is suggested that one doesn't brush their teeth, there by exposing delicate tissue to invasion. That brings the conversation to the subject of kissing. My Doctor in L.A., who I will not give up even though I now live in Palm Springs, is brilliant, and has had many AIDS patients in his practice. Speaking as a gay man HE once told me "if you got it from kissing, we all would have it." I have remained HIV Negative, I am tested regularly, and I have been tested over 40 times since the test started in 1986. Whatever I'm doing, I'm doing the right thing. |
| Katydyd5 12.12.2017 02:00 |
Lee, you are a born storyteller! I'm having so much fun reading this thread. I could be way off on this, but I thought I remembered Thor saying Freddie wasn't a very good dancer. Am I imagining that? What did you think? He moved so well on stage that it's hard to think of him as anything but great on a dance floor. |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 12.12.2017 02:11 |
LOL Kaydyd5 I was JUST going to answer your question from page 4. I said Freddie was getting "into it"........I didn't say he was dancing well......LOL LOL That's probably why he was smiling when they lifted him up and started throwing him around........ His concerts speak for themselves. That man could move.......disco dancing? John Travolta would have had nothing to worry about LOL DO ask Thor to tell the first night story again. I always enjoy hearing it. I try to get him to give actual dialogue, which would register to me as I know their voices, speech delivery, and attitude. You made me smile, PS. |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 12.12.2017 02:16 |
Villiers You are an attorney? Did you say that? |
| matt z 12.12.2017 02:36 |
An ordinary question : That you know of....aside from maybe a great big feast procured by Phoebe and maybe a tree...did Freddie do the "Christmas" celebration thing each year? Mass... broadcast or anything like that. I'm non religious, just trying to get my mind rolling. Also....if ever. ...was Freddie a prankster? I've never heard any such story related. Closest thing I've read was Thor's story regarding backstage food selections and his demand for abundant hot food items. (*only to never have a bite) ...but that hardly qualifies as an intentional feat |
| Katydyd5 12.12.2017 02:39 |
LOL! I wonder why there was a difference between moving on stage and dancing in a club. I'll be honest and admit that his go at ballet was, shall we say, courageous. I think it's fun, and even sweet, but not exactly gifted. However, he's mesmerizing on the rock stage. Why didn't it translate ? Thor, you see that Lee suggested you tell the first night story again complete with dialogue! I'm all ears. : ) |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 12.12.2017 02:46 |
My favorite Freddie .......videos/songs Anything Monseratt and Barcelona I was born to love you Fat bottomed girls I'm going slightly Mad Bad Guy CD His very last video All later stuff after I knew him........ Bohem Rhap goes without saying |
| YAWN 12.12.2017 02:54 |
Lee, yes sir! I come from a long line of lawyers too. My father, grandfather, uncles and 2 aunts. All sharks lol. I only just saw your response via private message by the way. Responding soon! |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 12.12.2017 03:01 |
ok Matt Z i'm gonna let you out me here I..... Kathleen Kodak..... joker....... too kind for his own good......... TROUBLE MAKER (obviously........LOL.......NOT).......was the cause of that problem. I think it was the Chicago concert. We got backstage.......we were always invited back before the cool down was done........we were family..... Freddie says....KathLEEN ( which is how he said it), why aren't you eating.....? I said....."I'm good....kinda want something warm........." OOOOMMMMGGG was THAT the wrong thing to say. Began the tirade about there not being hot food. Mother's voice was raised and off it went..... They were supposed to have hot food, but I was REALLY ok........ everyone froze..... Brian, Roger, and John were WTF..............LOL Off Freddie went on his rant The next night?.......LOTS of hot food........................................and no one ate...............OUCH Won't do that again...............were ONLY I was given the chance now .........SAD FACE....... |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 12.12.2017 03:02 |
Villers What is your professional focus? What type of law? |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 12.12.2017 03:13 |
PS on the hot food story........ after the rant Freddie turned to me and said something along the lines of "Fun to see Mother go off Darling?....LOL" |
| YAWN 12.12.2017 03:13 |
Family law for me, Lee. I'm brand new, and loving it so far! |
| thundergod 12.12.2017 03:16 |
Oh-oh I am back from jury duty...but exhausted! This was my day, Up at 6:15am....parked at the trolley stop...rode the trolley to NEAR the courthouse. Walked 8 blocks to the actual courthouse...patted down because I have a metal knee...entered the jury room and waited, waited, waited until my name was called at 10:30AM...went to the assigned courtroom...waited, waited, waited...called in at 11:15am along with 49 others. Each person was asked a set of printed questions...by # 18 it was lunch time. We were warned not to be late and be back at 1:30pm SHARP. We waited and waited and the judge became available, 20 minutes late! being a smart aleck, I announced after we all were kept waiting outside the courtroom in a loud voice. "Now I see why we were told to show up exactly on time." Many laughs. So they finished interviewing the rest of the 49 possible jurors, it was time for a 15 minute (don't be late) break at 3:15pm. At 4:15pm we were admitted back to the courtroom. 15 more minutes about the accused changing his plea from "not guilty" to "guilty" and we were dismissed! |
| YAWN 12.12.2017 03:17 |
Oh, and I meant to ask you if Freddie ever talked about his time in boarding school or his family? I once read about him changing the subject when people would bring it up. Also wondering what would have happened is someone dared to call him by his real name LOL. "Farrokh!" Something tells me he wouldn't be too pleased. Did he ever talk about his life before he became Freddie Mercury or Mother? |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 12.12.2017 03:19 |
Matt Z I don't remember having a special Christmas Dinner, but I DO remember the gift exchange at the holidays. So much fun....... We didn't need a reason to celebrate. Any get together was a celebration. We would celebrate a "TUESDAY" were it to present itself. Whenever a drink was poured we toasted.......Freddie always lead the toast. We toasted life, toasted fun, toasted friendship. CHEERS DEARS!!!!!! |
| thundergod 12.12.2017 03:23 |
ALL, I promise to write the first meeting with Freddie ....tomorrow! Signing off! |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 12.12.2017 03:25 |
oh Thor........that's why i WON'T do Jury Duty...............................if i don't have to LOL |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 12.12.2017 03:36 |
Villiers DO NOT remember any stories about his childhood... odd....huh? |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 12.12.2017 03:54 |
Buon Sera Kidandos. Beauty Sleep Time LOL |
| Rainbow61 12.12.2017 05:12 |
Lee, You mentioned the documentary "Freddie's Loves" in one of your responses. I know Thor was extremely disappointed with the final product and the way he was represented. (Thor...hope I summarized this correctly) Lee, I was wondering what your opinion of the video is? |
| Apocalipsis_Darko 12.12.2017 09:27 |
any funny story from Haloween Lee? What was the best birthday party in New York and why? How was the time after the concert with all the adrenaline in his body? Did he need rest a little before go with the family(i man, you guys)? And thanks for the answers. |
| LOTV 12.12.2017 11:03 |
@Thor - hello and welcome back. @Lee - Welcome indeed. I've asked Thor what he thinks on the criticism that Fred should have done more for AIDS awareness when alive so I won't go over that again. Lee, did Freddie ever talk to you about Prenter and what a total arsehole he was? Lee, did you ever sense the man was a wrongen? To be honest I didn't know much about Prenter until a couple of years back, I remember some of the latter year hounding and it still angers me. I prefer to remember the years prior to that and still love the more outrageous stories about Freddie, even some may not be PC or indeed embellished. Lee any thoughts on Queen with Lambert? Sorry to ignore you Thor, I've picked your brains enough. Cheers |
| LOTV 12.12.2017 11:40 |
Seems I can't reply directly to posts, have my rights been curtailed? Interesting the debate about Freddie and his open sexuality (or not). From what I remember and I was only a kid so it wasn't discussed in great detail with me everyone knew he was gay or 'bi' as it was termed sometimes. Must admit at the time I presumed he slept with men and women at the time, being such a vivacious character, but that clearly wasn't the case for his latter years. Looking back now I find it hard to argue that he in any way hid his sexuality, he adopted gay looks and he wore Heaven and Mind Shaft t-shirts for God's sake, how much more blatant could he be? Am I right that the arm-band he wore for Live Aid was a nod to the gay community watching? Also it's quite clear from Lee and Thor that he was quite open in New York as he was in Munich. I wonder in the age of cameraphone would he have been? He was also a shrewd business man and very commercially focused, as well as being a musician with integrity (quite a conflict in some ways) and I think it's pretty clear one of the reasons he didn't want to 'come-out' was for professional reasons. And you know what, why should there be a standard way of coming out? I wrote this on Thor's forum, I'm not obliged to tell the world I prefer women am I, so why should Fred have been for men? It's right there in how the individual behaves. There's also an interview with him talking about IWTBF we've all seen a million times when he says of dressing in drag "People presume it's all my idea, because you know, I'm what I am but.." OK he's stopped short of saying he's gay but not far. My take is that he didn't hide it and for those that knew - fine, for those who hadn't worked it out - who cares? On the question of would a 70 year old Freddie be 'out', in this day and age I don't know how he'd have been able to hide it. Just my twopenneth, for the little it's worth. |
| noorie 12.12.2017 18:37 |
Hello, I am Noorie’s uncle. I am not planning to make an account because I am an old codger (born few days after Freddie) and I do not participate in internet forums or any social media. My niece has been badgering me to write about my time with Freddie at St. Peter’s. I am doing this just this once to make her happy. Freddie and I were in school together since we were both very small lads. I only know him as Farrokh, and then later as Fred Bulsara. Not Freddie Mercury the superstar. He was a really friendly and good-natured chap, and we were very good friends. We both had some family in Mumbai, so we spent our holidays there, and he came over to our place very often, so we spent quite a lot of time together. It was quite a normal childhood. At school, nobody teased him any more than they teased anybody else. (All these references to Bucky and other horrors at school are pretty much nonsense.) We were a great group of friends, getting up to mischief, bunking class and sneaking out to Tableland (a big plateau close to our school). The food was atrocious and the teachers very strict. Corporal punishment was quite normal, but that was the case in most places. Freddie was even then an extremely generous lad. We used to get ‘tuck’ from home or from visiting family friends from time to time. Once he received a box of very fancy chocolates – a rare treat. Normally the rule was that we offered all our friends some of our tuck, but kept the lion’s share for ourselves. But Freddie shared these very special chocolates equally with everyone, and then gave me a couple more for my sister (who was studying at Kimmins, our sister school across the street). He was always like that. Fred was always the peace-maker. He hated it when anybody in our group fell out with one another, and always tried to get everybody to be friends again. He’d joke around until we had to laugh and give up our silly fights. One thing about Fred - he loved to win! Whether at sports or studies (not a very strong point), he loved collecting his cups and trophies and certificates, and getting photographed with them. And Freddie loved his mother very much. We were all made to write letters home by our teachers. Most of us just wrote a few lines – we were fine, were they fine, we missed them… things like that. But Fred always wrote his mother long letters telling her in detail about everything that was going on. He also kept all her letters to him very carefully. They shared a very strong bond. I think around grade 10 or 11, he moved full time with his aunt in Mumbai, and went to St. Mary’s School there. After that I lost touch with him. I went back to my home in Scotland, and he went on to become Freddie Mercury. I never saw or heard from Freddie again except for one time I was in London in 1974, I think, and ran into my old friend Farrokh Bulsara from school. Noorie has written about that meeting in detail on another thread, so I won’t bore you all by going into it again, but I am so happy that with me he was still Fred Bulsara – never once mentioned who he was, and I had no idea either, as I was not and am not into rock music, and there was no internet back then to keep everybody informed about everything.. We just chatted for a few minutes about our families, a couple of school chums, and that was all. It was much later that I realised my school friend Fred was now a famous rock star! It was a very happy experience. Okay folks, that’s all. Noorie will now hopefully keep her promise and not pester me about Freddie every time I see her. |
| noorie 12.12.2017 19:24 |
Noorie's uncle again. I wanted to add that I was very upset to hear about his painful agonising illness and death. It was unbelievable that he suffered so much. A couple of years after that when I went to India for a visit, a couple of us got together and toasted our friend Farrokh Bulsara. |
| thundergod 12.12.2017 20:02 |
Wow noorie's uncle, What a fascinating story. I am so glad she pushed you to tell us about your early friendship with "Fred." I am so glad to hear that he WAS NOT made fun of in school but actually admired. Thank you again. I know so little about Fred's early life. What a breath of fresh air on the subject! Again I say...WOW! |
| thundergod 12.12.2017 20:05 |
LOTV, Lee will answer your questions, but give him time, the poor guy has just started his work week today until Sunday. |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 12.12.2017 20:18 |
Rainbow61 Freddie's Love........hhhhmmmm.......here goes. The TV station contacted me after Thor told them I was the guy with the photos of our adventures. They found my sister on line, and relayed the message to her. My sister is kinda quiet, so when all of a sudden she was in the middle of a communication of a London TV station searching for me, she frantically tried to reach me. I was vacationing at the time, and remember calling them from the deck of my cabin on a ship in Hawaii. Yay for cell phones........anywho...... I spoke to the director or assistant for a few minutes, and we set up a time to chat when I returned home to the L.A. area. We were on the phone for over an hour, as I answered random questions, and spoke about the things I knew Freddie loved. Mary, Art, his homes, and his friends to mention a few........the chat went well. The next thing I know, Thor and I were being treated to lunch at a hotel in Beverly Hills, prior to the taping of our segments. I was somewhat suspect as to their goal here with the show, and found myself a bit concerned of misspeaking, and giving away too much personal info. Little did I know that it would mean, they would barely show me in the show.......LOL........my photos, however, DID play an important part in the final product. I'm taking a moment to set this up as I feel we were lulled into what we thought was going to be a positive declaration of all things love and Freddie. Thor was a bit more comfortable in sharing some private stuff........nothing over the top........ When we saw the final product, which we didn't see until they sent us the finished copy, we were WT.........They didn't really twist our words or anything, but they seemed to be so focused on anything "tabloid worthy". Suffice it to say, we weren't as happy as we could have been. |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 12.12.2017 20:22 |
Apocolipsis_Darko Don't remember a Halloween, but the Easter Bonnet Party, was a blast. I'm sure you've seen the photos. We would often catch up on celebrating everything when we saw each other, as getting up to 8 people together when everyone is working, traveling, or playing was tricky. As I have mentioned, we didn't need a special occasion to celebrate being together. One birthday celebration for me DID fall ON my birthday. We headed up to Freddie's place around midnight for a little celebration before we went out on the town. I actually have a photo of that night. Fun, fun, fun |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 12.12.2017 20:25 |
LOTV and Noorie GREAT posts............i have a couple of appointments.......will address all when I return........ Again, thank you to everyone for making this a special place to recall special times....... |
| Rainbow61 12.12.2017 21:20 |
Noorie, Please pass along a BIG thank you to your uncle. His recollections were amazing! Freddie's pre-fame school days are far less documented then his Queen days, so it was a joy to read about Freddie during that time period. I'm not surprised that he was a kind and generous person even then. Loved reading again about your uncle's encounter with Freddie and how Freddie didn't need to be the "rock star" with him. I find Freddie's genuineness and lack of star arrogance very heart-warming! |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 12.12.2017 21:28 |
Noria's Uncle I have to quote Thor here......."WOW" I don't believe anyone has written anything like that about Freddie. I hope you get to see our responses as I, for one, was thrilled to hear even the smallest of details revolving around his child hood. Thanks you sir.......and thank you Noorie for being just enough of a pest to get Uncle to fill us in. |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 12.12.2017 21:30 |
Rainbow 61 sorry.......a typo.....Freddie's Loves, plural |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 12.12.2017 21:46 |
LOTV I'm not sure that Freddie DIDN'T contribute to the AIDS issue in some way. His friend, Sir Elton certainly did and does. Maybe it was one of those things that he kept private.......didn't choose to speak of...... I suppose only Mary, Phoebe, and Jim may have known. Our encounters with Paul were brief and seldom, as I recall. As Thor has mentioned he had a thing for our friend Joe (another "Liza" as his last name was Scardili). Joe was quite handsome, and Paul fell slave to his charms, so he probably had something to do with us being asked for on so many an occasion, like Thor said. I DO remember Paul and Freddie "coming to blows" one evening in Freddie's hotel suite. Doesn't matter which hotel. Doesn't matter what it was about........I don't remember. Paul was VERY unhappy, and I'm sure embarrased and marched off to his room.....followed by his trick du jour, who clearly would have rather stayed and played with us. I like your attitude to proclaiming or should I say NOT proclaiming one's sexual orientation. Good for you. About Freddie not being able to stay in the closet were he still to be around? Sir Elton certainly never suffers because of his candidness. Freddie could very well have oozed out of the closet in a very class, sophisticated way, or rumors might have just become stronger and stronger until people didn't need to ask. it IS 2017. That being said, I must quickly add, that there are still people who live in another world like that troll who joined us for a moment on Sunday. Who thinks like that.........?........and he claimed that Freddie was his idol. |
| Stop The Madness 12.12.2017 22:34 |
Call me a troll if you want but that story about Noorie's uncle is false. Before you jump down my throat keep in mind that he said the Buckie thing never happened. Have any of you seen the untold story? Freddie's own letters home to his mother admit he was called Buckie all the time. The boys who were interviewed for it have proof that they knew Freddie at the time and they said it happened. This guy just comes on here and says he knew Freddie with contradicting information from official documentaries that Freddies family and Peter Freestone supported and he's believed. Come now. You guys should know better than that. Noorie does your uncle have any proof of his claims? I'm just wondering why his story is so much different from the ones Freddie wrote home and those from the friends who really knew him. I also followed the entire Thor thread and never once did you ever mention anyone in your family knowing Freddie. You even discussed Freddie in boarding school once and still never said your uncle knew him. I find it really odd that suddenly your uncle who has no photos of proof of knowing him back just pops up. |
| Dustin Zimmerman 12.12.2017 22:44 |
Stop The Madness Although I think you're an asshole for your first post I have to admit that I agree here. I read it earlier and I too found it odd. I have The Untold Story on DVD so I can confirm what Maddness said about THAT is true. But who knows maybe he has pics with Freddie. There are tons of pics of Freddie with friends at St.Peters on The Untold Story. Someone had a camera. Also all of them called him Freddie and not Fred because apparently Freddie didn't like that. The band called him Fred that was about it. When he signed their year books at St.Peters it was always signed either Farookh or Freddie. Never Fred. |
| thundergod 12.12.2017 22:56 |
Stop The Madness, My only hope is that you live in Alabama and have voted for Roy Moore because after all I am sure EVERYONE would rather have a pedophile as a Senator from Alabama than some queer or Democrat. By the way, you promised to leave the site in disgust. This will be my last communication to you. Your madness should be stopped! |
| Dustin Zimmerman 12.12.2017 23:03 |
Thor Agreed but at least he had a point this time. |
| thundergod 12.12.2017 23:06 |
That's cool Dustin, maybe you and Stop The Bigotry- I mean Madness -can Private Message each other. I have no reason to not believe noorie nor her Uncle...Perhaps The Untold Story could use a little fact scrutiny. After all the man Freddie introduced himself as FRED, a musician. His privacy name was Alfred Mason when I met him. |
| The Squirrelly One 12.12.2017 23:09 |
I found the new thread! It took my long enough. I thought it had it bookmarked but I guess it didn't take....I have been reading and catching up on it and it's great so far! I'm just going to ignore Stop's first post because it was hateful and ugly however I too had the same questions about Norrie's uncle's story. Lee welcome! Will you be uplaoding any of your lovely pictures here to share? I hope so! Thor has been a sweetheart and we've been very lucky to have him |
| Dustin Zimmerman 12.12.2017 23:13 |
Thor why is it that when you disagree with someone you get defensive and jump to conclusions? We saw it a few times on the last post. First of all the Fred thing wasn't from the untold story. It was from Peter Freestone. Secondly why would the untold story need to be fact checked when the information came from Freddie's mothers mouth on video? And Peter Freestone. And his sister. And Mary. And the band. And a million other people who knew him for years and years. And Freddie's own letters. His mother kept his letters and they WERE read in the doc. And yeah they do say he was called that for years. I politely agree with this guy on this ONE thing and you assume I'm a dick too? |
| YAWN 12.12.2017 23:15 |
Lol Dustin I think Thor was just trying to keep the peace. |
| c.jory 12.12.2017 23:18 |
RE: Freddie's name. He used to sign himself as Fred Bulsara on college artwork, so maybe he just didn't like people who didn't know him that well calling him Fred. I guess if he took a liking to you, he'd allow 'Fred'. Roadies called him it too. |
| The Squirrelly One 12.12.2017 23:19 |
Yes everyone leave it be! We had enough bickering on the last post. Let's leave this one as nice as possible. I'm still dying to hear about the first time you guys met Freddie in detail! |
| YAWN 12.12.2017 23:26 |
Yes and the band called him Fred. Well, Brian did at least. Makes me think about that audio of queen arguing and Brian huffing "I'm playing it exactly how it is on the record, Fred." And Freddie exploding back with "Well, you're expecting us to be PUUURFECT before you'll even ATTEMPT" LOL |
| YAWN 12.12.2017 23:29 |
link this lolol |
| thundergod 12.12.2017 23:31 |
Hello again The Squirrelly One, I'm glad you found the site and thanks for your support. Just remember, Madness called Peter Freestone a liar. I knew Phoebe pretty well. He lived with Freddie for at least eleven years. He is one of the kindest, supportive, and a true gentleman who became our friend as well as Freddie. For someone who never knew Freddie nor Peter Freestone to make such an assertion is truly ridiculous. I'll trust noorie's Uncle before I take as fact ANYTHING that this LOONEY TUNE has typed. |
| Apocalipsis_Darko 12.12.2017 23:39 |
Thor, don't give more chance to Madness. Guys, you are better than this homophobic guy. |
| thundergod 12.12.2017 23:40 |
Sorry Dustin, No offense made toward you but I just don't want another "gay basher" on this new thread. He said he would never listen to Queen again if freddie was gay. Sounds nuts to me. You are fine Dustin. |
| The Squirrelly One 12.12.2017 23:43 |
Yes i saw that ridiculous post from him and im sorry someone so rude found their way to this page but I trust peter very much and it's worth noting that peter was in The Untold Story and supports it and it's facts so although it was coming from a very rude person [Madness] I have to side with Dustin in that he had a point for this topic alone. I would not have brought it up myself but to be fair it is valid. Some of the things her uncle said in fact do not match was has been proven from Freddie himself his family and Peter. But i personally will never call someone a liar. Perhaps he did know Freddie and Freddie just showed him a different side of himself that his other friends didn't see. I think the topic is better left where it is. I can see this going to a very bad place and it's not fair to everyone else. |
| Dustin Zimmerman 12.12.2017 23:50 |
Thor I would hope you know by now that I'm a huge supporter of Freddie being gay. Because I agreed with his views on something that was stated in an official documentary about Freddies early years (not his sexuality) does in no way mean i support Madness himself and his anti gay views. Freddie's time at boarding school and his being gay are two completely different things. Looks like squirrelly understood what I was getting at. |
| thundergod 12.12.2017 23:50 |
Agreed Squirelly, Lee and I have decided to just ignore from now on. Noorie always presented herself to be honest and caring. It does not make sense to me that she would make up this story...And with that, enough said. We will leave it as a mystery. |
| thundergod 12.12.2017 23:51 |
ignore Stop, I mean |
| thundergod 12.12.2017 23:57 |
OK Dustin, I apologize if I made you uncomfortable and was singling you out as a "Stop" fan. As I knew you on the other thread, you have always presented yourself as very open minded. I think I may have transferred some of my anger at "stop" onto you. I am so sorry. |
| thundergod 13.12.2017 00:01 |
Correction of an earlier post: Lee's work week starts on Wednesday, not Tuesday...sorry Lee. |
| YAWN 13.12.2017 00:03 |
Oh good, it's all settled. In the spirit of moving on (and admittedly because i will use any excuse at all to post this picture of freddie because it cracks me up) Cleanse the palate with this lovely photo of Mother. Lol enjoy. *I don't remember if I posted it in the other thread but I'm hoping Lee and Thor will get a kick out of it if they haven't seen it * |
| Dustin Zimmerman 13.12.2017 00:05 |
Thanks Thor. It's all good |
| Rainbow61 13.12.2017 00:08 |
Hi Lee, So what did you do after your "short-lived" theater career in the 70's? Did Freddie take an interest in your former musical endeavors? Do you still like to sing and play piano? Thor and Lee, Did Freddie ever solicit your feedback after the concerts you attended? Is there a concert moment that stands out..either because of something outrageous Freddie said or did, or maybe just the audience reaction to a particular song? |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 13.12.2017 00:23 |
VILLIERS!!!!!!! I JUST saw that photo on Pinterest. had NEVER seen it before and here it is........it defines "Camp". a favorite word of Freddie's, Rainbow61 I sang in a club for a few summers, but left the grind of pursuing theatre in New York. After going to a TON of auditions and basically begging people to listen to 30 seconds of a song, which you think you do pretty well, as they eat, and talked, and giggled.........(thank GOD there were no cell phones back then)..........I decided I sorta kinda wanted to have a normal life. By normal I mean making money, and living life, and not leaving town every three months for some kind of touring. NOW.......that being said, those who are talented enough to make a REAL living out of a theater career, with an UBER talent have my envy. An UBER talent, I obviously wasn't. I did give it a go. NEVER would I sing or play the piano in front of Freddie....LOL.......what a woose I was. HA! My goal these days is being an UBER kind person. Much better use of my energies. |
| matt z 13.12.2017 00:25 |
FIRST I find out that Freddie was Gay! And THEN i found out he was a MASON! !! (Alfred) Good God .. i think i can sell this to the DAILY MAIL! What a secret life he led! Now I've gotta go home and doctor up some Freddie/Masonic images... This sounds like a job for Raymond Burr.... also a mason. Speaking of Raymond Burr and celebrity types. Did Freddie ever encounter the guy? Did he ever meet Rob Halford of Judas Priest? Rob continues to talk highly of Freddie. ..was even quoted when asked what's on his ipod....he said "Every Queen album" |
| noorie 13.12.2017 00:30 |
Wow! Seriously? I am really very sorry I made my uncle post his childhood memories. Especially when he did not want to. 1. I have seen the Untold Story many times (naturally being a Freddie fan), so if I had made up my uncle's story, naturally, I would have stuck to those facts!!! I am not an idiot. These are the memories of somebody else, and you can either read them or not. It does not matter at all to anybody either way. 2. "Stop...', I had posted a story about my uncle on another thread (not Thior's) previously. Thor and Lee, I thank you sincerely for your kindness and for sharing your memories with us. |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 13.12.2017 00:33 |
Matt Z that was very funny.............. RE: Rob..........I sounded just like him when I sang..............that was a joke. Don't know if he and Freddie ever met or partied |
| Stop The Madness 13.12.2017 00:46 |
Noorie I'm sorry you posted it here too since we caught you in a lie. I'm still waiting on those pictures or literally any proof at all that he knew Freddie. I can say my uncle knew Freddie. You say you posted about it in another thread but I haven't seen anything. Please send me the link and the proof he knew Freddie. Im also srill left wondering why when everyone was discussing Freddie at boarding school in the Thor thread you never mentioned your uncle. I find that off because you were very active in that conversation at that point. Why didn't it cross your mind to ever mention this uncle before? So you saw the untold story and still decided to make up things that don't match it? Weren't you the same person who said Freddie calling people dear and darling wasn't a gay thing but a parsi thing and everyone did it? And people there called you out too because again it's in the untold story. His teachers and friends were actually asked about it on camera and they all said it was odd and that nobody else did it. Your stories never seem to match proven facts. Don't waste your breath telling me to go away. I'll continue posting if I please. |
| thundergod 13.12.2017 00:55 |
Hey norrie, Even if I am the only one, I want to thank your Uncle profusely. Why bother making that stuff up...ridiculous! |
| noorie 13.12.2017 00:56 |
^^^ I have been active on QZ for quite a few years now, and it is really because of a very few people like you that I do not post anything personal. But, Thor (and now Lee) have been infinitely kind in so many ways, that I overcame my reluctance to share somebody's memories with Freddie. I am so sorry you feel the need to challenge everything and everybody. And I am not asking you to go away. You have the right to post here as often as you like. Please scroll down. End of page 2. This was in August. link And now, I am done with this topic. |
| noorie 13.12.2017 00:58 |
Oops Thor. Thank you. I did not realise you had posted as well. I was replying to 'Stop.... ' Thank you so much. Actually it was YOUR kindness to me that made me take an active role on your thread. Thanks for that. :) |
| thundergod 13.12.2017 01:05 |
Thank you noorie....I believe you. |
| thundergod 13.12.2017 01:12 |
Lee and I both think that since this is our thread we have no right to ignore someone disagreeing with us or anybody's opinions , but we DO have the right to avoid, isolate and ignore haters and so do all of you. |
| Stop The Madness 13.12.2017 01:15 |
Uh huh. So let me talk about my uncle that knew freddie too. He met Freddie on 1976 and they were close friends. I don't need to post any proof because I just said it online so it must be true. I can't believe you're really trying to get people to buy that. You're either lying about your uncle entirely or your uncle lied. I'm going to guess you don't have an uncle who was there at all and you're just typing as him. Either way the stories you have are crap. RE why someone would lie:for attention. Just like she did on the last post claiming to know Freddie was calling people dear and darling at boarding school because she's parsi too and she knows it's their thing when people who were actually there said it was NOT common and NOT what anyone else did. She's trying too hard. Where are the photos of him with Freddie? |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 13.12.2017 01:16 |
ditto, my friend |
| YAWN 13.12.2017 01:23 |
Oh! Just thought of another one. Was there ever a time when Peter wasn't around and Freddie needed to get some food or drive somewhere that you can remember? There's this story about Freddie that Roger Taylor told once about them before they got big. They were practicing or something and Freddie announced that he was hungry and he was going to boil an egg. He turned on his heel and came back in the room to ask "Roger, how does one boil and egg?" To which Roger replied "......I don't know". LOL. I remember reading somewhere that Freddie was very rarely without someone to look after him but was sometimes left in a position where he had to figure things out on his own. Someone had a story about him a few years back. He was trying to get somewhere in New York and was without Peter. His friend said "How the hell are we going to get there without a limo?" And Freddie responded "Well, dear...They have these things here....They get you from one place to another...i think they're called cabs!" |
| thundergod 13.12.2017 01:29 |
LOL Villiers, great story |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 13.12.2017 01:31 |
i wanna make sure that my response "ditto my friend" was in regards to Thor's comment not STM STM please go away.......you would get so much further if you weren't so bitter and homophobic. Everyone's opinion is welcome, but when it comes from such a hateful demeanor, nobody hear wants to listen. Does EVERY conflict in your life end this way? I am SO sorry. A little more compassion would get you a lot more of an audience. Peace........... As this is my site, may I ask that nobody encourage him...........he can go troll somewhere else........please ignore him........ This entire thread has turned to a question as to what happened over 60 years ago........60 years..........let it be. |
| thundergod 13.12.2017 01:36 |
When we knew Freddie, Peter was not just his "man Friday" but literally his man Mon,Tue,Wed,Thur, Fri, Sat.and Sun. Villiers memories that she read were probably before we knew him. Peter Freestone would have taken a bullet for Freddie and Freddie knew that! Their relationship was beautiful.and I can't remember one time that Phoebe was not with us. |
| YAWN 13.12.2017 01:42 |
Yes, Thor I think you're right! The cab thing was in the 70s, I think. Peter joined Freddie's personal team in 79 or 80. I was so glad to hear you mention Peters boyfriend Patrick in your last thread because I was always curious about peter getting enough free time of his own to date. I know he adored Freddie and I'm sure he didn't mind working as much as he did (especially since lots of it seemed like fun!) but everyone wants a little alone time at some point. It sounds like peter did manage to find a balance there of personal time and Freddie time |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 13.12.2017 01:47 |
Villiers Patrick ws very fun, and an attentive buddy to Peter. We spent a great deal of time with him. The three of us visited in the early 90's I believe, when Phoebe was visiting Patrick in L.A. It was fun reminiscing. Patrick has since passed.....I don't know if Thor mentioned that. I have a couple of fun photos of him. |
| YAWN 13.12.2017 01:57 |
Oh no, I didn't know he had passed. I'm sorry to hear that. The pictures we have seen of you guys all together with him and Peter all looked like a blast! You guys really did look like a family. A very close circle of friends, and you could see it in the photos. Speaking of photos (yes, after this one I swear I'm done hogging the thread LOL), I've always wondered what the heck was in that gift on the table in the top photo here. Maybe someone remembers? Looks like a sausage! Wrapped in white. Looks like he's holding a vhs, too? I love that shot at the bottom. That's what I mean I say they looked like a family. Very close and genuinely happy. |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 13.12.2017 02:03 |
I loooooove those photos from Phoebe's book. Maybe what he was holding was a frame of photos? The firecracker like wrapped time is a mystery. I'll check my photos. The bottom photo is us carrying on when we visited Freddie in Bel Air. FUN TIME |
| Katydyd5 13.12.2017 02:11 |
Nudging Thor to tell the story of the first meeting! Lee, will you eventually post some of your pictures? |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 13.12.2017 02:22 |
Katydyd5 I WILL share some teasers, but i'm not sure what i'm going to do with the photos. I want to share, and have it be special........ |
| Blenkolove 13.12.2017 02:39 |
Hi!!! HAPPY Tuesday Everybody!! I would LOVE to see a picture I haven't seen before!!!Maybe it could be a Christmas present from u to All of us......No pressure though!! lol I have studied Every picture in every book I have Plus all the ones I could find on Pinterest, google...... What I see in many pictures appears like a "Great, fun, fab kinda "boys club"?? Then as Freddie's home, Garden Lodge, takes center stage the people surrounding Freddie along with his friends, the look seems to morph into a FAMILY!!! It's Lovely to see his Chosen Family......to know the love was shared and reciprocated!! Good to know Fred was never ALONE ALONE!!!! |
| Blenkolove 13.12.2017 02:47 |
I would REALLY like to see the photo collage Freddie kept by his bed as his illness took over. I believe from previous thread....you Lee had the framed collage made for Freddie!! If it's tooo personal, we could all understand you not wanting to share. |
| Saint Jiub 13.12.2017 02:52 |
thundergod wrote: Stop The Madness, My only hope is that you live in Alabama and have voted for Roy Moore because after all I am sure EVERYONE would rather have a pedophile as a Senator from Alabama than some queer or Democrat. By the way, you promised to leave the site in disgust. This will be my last communication to you. Your madness should be stopped!I would not mind having a queer as a senator ... but only if he or she lived in a log cabin ... |
| Katydyd5 13.12.2017 02:56 |
Lee, I didn't mean to push about the photos. I would respect whatever you choose to do with them. Ever thought of writing a book? |
| thundergod 13.12.2017 03:00 |
OK Katydyd, On August 21st, 1980. Joe S. John M and myself met up at about 1:30am at one of our favorite watering holes. Lee N. was still at his job on Cape Cod, so it was just the three of us. At about 3:00 am we decided to move on to a nearby after-hours bar called The Anvil. It had a reputation of being a sleazy bar but I like the upstairs which had enough light to actually see people. As many waiters, bartenders and managers of restaurants and bars that stayed open late. It was a fun place to unwind after work for these evening/night workers and of course that meant some really good-looking guys.were often there. The downstairs was very dark where the sleaziness went on but I and my friends did not like the free-for-all, dark, dark area where you could not see anyone very well. We stayed upstairs at first together and then we broke away from each other to cruise a bit. I had noticed this guy earlier who was my type....dark short hair, mustache, thin build and so I decided to approach him. We exchanged names and this guy introduced himself as Fred. When I asked him what he did for a living he said "I'm a musician" I said something like "oh great" but asked no other questions. I had no idea who he was and just assumed he was an English musician named Fred. When we decided to go home together, I invited him to my house, not too far away. He said he had to go back to his hotel.I asked if he had a car and he said that he would rather go back in my car. "No problem" I said. He was staying across on the east side of the city and we were in the west side. In my rear view mirror, I noticed a limousine following ever turn I made which followed us all the way to the Berkshire Place Hotel a very upscale hotel. I finally had to ask him, "are you a musician or a famous musician. He finally let on that he was Freddie Mercury from Queen. Of course I knew Queen but I did not know the names of anyone in the group. We spent the night after some strong drinks and cocaine and actually spent more time chatting than doing the deed. Freddie invited me to hear his concert in Philadelphia the next evening August 22nd. I politely said no, because I had to work. I left the hotel but I did know the name of the hotel in Philly and his "hotel name" Alfred Mason. We'll when I got home and thought about this, my roommate said "Are you crazy...call in sick." So I found somebody to work for me and decided that since I did not have a phone contact for Freddie, I would just drive to Philadelphia, go to that hotel and try to contact him knowing his fake name. I managed to get Alfred Mason's room number (unheard of today in these times). So I went up to his room and knocked. Peter Freestone answered the door obviously waking up from a nap. Freddie was in bed but invited me in and was actually excited to see me. I later found out from Peter that he was thrilled to have someone go through so much effort to see him. The concert that night was my first Queen concert ever and I was given a backstage pass. After the show, we went out to the bars and Freddie was in great form. We had a lot of fun but maybe had done a little too much coke. The bedroom did not go too successfully on either of our sides but we still had a fun time. After that day, Peter had given me his address in London which I held on to. I decided to send a thank you note to Peter for being so kind and attentive. He wrote back and invited me to meet up again. I asked if I could bring my three best friends along and he said YES! The rest is history. |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 13.12.2017 03:03 |
Katydyd5 Really? Should Thor and I do that? Tell me more about your thoughts on that. I would be interested in everyone's opinion. |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 13.12.2017 03:12 |
Latydyd5 I was referring to the book idea. DIDN"T realize Thor had gotten all that in, in the meanwhile. Fun story, huh? |
| Apocalipsis_Darko 13.12.2017 03:17 |
I have one anecdote with I did an interview with Russel Mullcahy. I became friends. Especially with Freddie and Roger. The only 2 anecdotes I can share (it was the 80’s!) are, one night in the studio, Freddie taught me a few cords on a piano and I am in one of the songs somewhere…and also one night, I was in Earls Court, London, I think I was a little drunk, and I knocked on Freddie’s door. He put me to bed in a guest room and the next morning I woke and he was making a full English ‘hangover’ breakfast for me. It was a breakfast I will never forget! Bless Freddie Mercury. And Queen forever! |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 13.12.2017 03:19 |
Apocalipsis_Darko Whoa whoa whoa .......did that happen.......VERY cool....... what great breakfast company THAT must have been! |
| YAWN 13.12.2017 03:19 |
Omg. YES you should do that, Lee! You guys were a bright spot in Freddie's life. You knew him in a way his fans never will. It would be great if you wrote a book! Lee, have you seen This Was The Real Life by David Minns (Freddie's first bf) and David Evans (who also wrote a book with Peter)? If not, please please click this link and download it on you phone or kindle. It's a great read filled with stories of friends and David gave details about his time with Freddie and Freddie's family that nobody else knew. It was very interesting and it's something I think you and Thor could do that would be even more exciting! David and David knew Freddie for years but didn't stay close for as long as you did. Here's the link. If you'd decide to check it out, please be sure to for load it only online for kindle (the app) as it's the only version that includes the extra bits from David Minns about his time with Freddie and Freddie's struggle regarding his sexuality in the early 70s. Fascinating stuff! link Actually, I think you can even just click "read for free" and the sample it gives you includes all of David's extra bits after David Evans completes his introduction. The full version includes all the stories and pictures from friends. It's something Id love to see you guys try! |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 13.12.2017 03:22 |
Villiers WOW you think so? you're brilliant AND adorable......I'm biased cause you're Facebook friend. LOL |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 13.12.2017 03:23 |
......not biased in the "you're adorable" category You ARE adorable |
| YAWN 13.12.2017 03:27 |
Oh shucks! LOL And yes, I do think so! You guys would be great! That (and idk how you guys feel about it), but Queen conventions. It might sound odd, but every year or so Queen fans pay to take part in conventions that the fan club puts together. The money goes to the fan club and Freddie's AIDS charity. Peter is usually there to answer questions and take part in the fun. Drinks, jokes, and stories all around. I could see MANY a queen fan lining up to see a Q&A session with you, Thor and Peter. Just saying! |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 13.12.2017 03:29 |
OH MY What should I wear? ok.......now you know my sense of humor.......LOL |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 13.12.2017 03:30 |
Villiers..... where does this take place? Maybe Thor and I could preview our anticipated book there........ another joke.........................................or not...........................hehehehehe |
| YAWN 13.12.2017 03:34 |
Lol I love your energy! No wonder Freddie enjoyed his time with you guys! I'll tell you like I told Thor, if either of you are in the Houston Texas area, drinks are on me! You two are a hoot, and the Montrose area out here is fantastic. Everything from those sleazy bars Thor was talking about to wine tasting and classy clubs. It's nearly all owned by LGBT people as well. I go nearly every weekend for a few drinks with friends |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 13.12.2017 03:35 |
Viillers DEAL! Havent gotten there in years, but you never know XOXOXO |
| YAWN 13.12.2017 03:36 |
Lee, it happens in two places, actually! It usually happens once a year in England and they also hold an American one. I haven't been to one yet but I've been tempted. If the NY Daughters are there, I may HAVE to grab a ticket! I think the American one happens in Boston? I don't recall for sure but Jacky Smith of the fan club would be thrilled to get you two involved if you were really interested! |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 13.12.2017 03:37 |
Villiers Interesting |
| YAWN 13.12.2017 03:40 |
Just floating the idea out there, no pressure! But the book, that is something I do wanna twist your arm about lol Think about it! Sounds great! |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 13.12.2017 03:42 |
Wiiiiilllll do Thanks, gal Sleepy time here.....LOL.....early morning. Ciao, special peeps |
| The Squirrelly One 13.12.2017 03:43 |
I agree with Villiers about the book and the convention! The book is something that could not only be a joy to read but could help clear up some rumors going around. Thor let us know that John Murphy was never a lover of Freddie's but a recent book not only told people that they were lovers but that John was the one that gave Freddie AIDS because he was exposed to patient zero. How awful was that! To drag the name of that poor man through the mud to sell copies of their poorly informed book. That book is very popular with fans right now and I don't understand why. |
| YAWN 13.12.2017 03:44 |
See ya! |
| Dustin Zimmerman 13.12.2017 03:47 |
Yep and a group of Italian fans who keep trying to get people to believe Freddie wasn't gay but bisexual made some videos on YouTube my friend showed me a few days ago called Freddie's Secret Lovers. They tossed in women he never slept with and oh Lee, did you know that you were a secret lover of Freddie's too? Lol some of these fans man... |
| Rainbow61 13.12.2017 05:27 |
Lee, Thanks so much for providing the background on your music career. |
| Rainbow61 13.12.2017 06:23 |
Thor and Lee, For every active participant on this thread, I wonder how many silently follow along?...the number would probably astound us! It is amazing that 26 years after his death, Freddie still captivates the imagination of so many people. That you both shared a part of Freddie's remarkable life gives you a unique perspective that biographers will never have. I think an homage to your good friend would be as warmly received as this column has been. Go for it!!! Have you ever thought about attending the annual Freddie birthday party in Montreux that is held every September? I bet they would love to have you as special guests. I have never been...but it sure looks like a blast! |
| LOTV 13.12.2017 10:45 |
@ Lee and Thor, thanks for your time. As written earlier I can't directly quote in this forum now for some reason. Annoying. Lee, with regards to AIDS awareness the criticism I occasionally have to fend off regarding my music hero is that had Fred spoken about his illness earlier in his life he could have done a lot for AIDS awareness due to his fame. As I wrote with Thor I can 100% understand his reticence, especially back then when the world was even more pig ignorant. Of course what the critics aren't often aware of is that his last ever performance singing live was at a show for an AIDS charity, and he was pretty far down the line unfortunately. It was a fantastic performance and typical of the man's courage and commitment to his art. Can't be a Queen / Freddie fan on the planet who doesn't go to bits when watching the video for Days. Lee, has Thor told you what Mary has done to Garden Lodge? The tribute wall is gone and it's all been sanitised. Miserable cow. @Noorie(Uncle). Thanks so much, how amazing to read something genuinely new and first hand. |
| Blenkolove 13.12.2017 11:10 |
Yeah!!!!! Roy Moore is defeated!!!!! There's hope still....... |
| LOTV 13.12.2017 11:43 |
@TSO. Funnily enough I broke my self imposed rule of not reading books on Freddie for Somebody to Love, I'd read some good reviews. I found it quite a depressing read, had to read something light after it. I had no knowledge of Patient zero and any of the background to the virus. Must confess I was skeptical from the off when it talks about HIV coming from a bloody carcass. In it's defense it does also rebuff the Dugas as patient 0 theory and doesn't present all as fact, rather hypothesis. Perhaps a slightly thicker skin required with regards to the book? On that note, do I bother with This is the real life? I honestly don't think there's an anecdote I haven't heard on Fred, indeed even the gentlemen on here who knew him back up the consistent narrative that he could be immensely private and in some ways nobody knew him. With regards to Freddie's Loves, I've written this before I don't mind it. Yes it's trashy old nonsense but come on lets not re-invent the man as a saint. As written before I think Thor comes across fine on it. It's not to be taken too seriously, surely? Freddie liked fun. And hey I'd be well chuffed if after my death the size of my appendage is still talked about, sadly I think this will not be the case ;-) Btw I was told something about Freddie's death by someone in the music industry a year or two after which I'm not even sure I want to ask opinion on, I'm worried it could potentially be controversial. It's not insulting or anything though. |
| Blenkolove 13.12.2017 11:56 |
Lee and Thor..... I vote YES for the book!! As been said before.......but also because what I Personally reaped from these threads.......THIS "FREDDIE" needs to be revealed!!! There is still SO MUCH INTEREST IN FREDDIE OUT THERE!!! Plus.........the Movie will drum up even more interest and intrigue in a whole new generation. I said this previously but it's true.....i'm not sure How I ended up at Thor's thread....i think I clicked a link from comments in YouTube.....but finding this forum has been a Godsend!!!! And I thank you All so much!!!! It truly confirmed to me that Freddie was the Kind, Warm, Loyal, Thoughtful GENIUS I KNEW HE WAS DESPITE ALL THE "CA-CA" IN MANY OF THE BOOKS, TABLOIDS, AND DOCUMENTARIES! Let me explain what's going on w me.....i am 55 yrs old. I HAVE LOVED AND BEEN MYSTIFIED BY FREDDIE (AND QUEEN) since as far back as I can remember. I clearly remember every time I walked into a Barnes n Noble or Boarders I would head right to biography section looking for BOOKS about Freddie.....then I'd head to music section to see what was available on Queen but especially Freddie!!! Usually I'd end up empty handed and disappointed; ( Fast forward to 2016..........a last minute Christmas gift kinda Forced me to use Amazon to obtain this particular GIFT (EVEN THOUGH I'D PAID FOR PRIME FOR 3 YRS.....I'D NEVER USED IT MYSELF...THE PRIME WAS REALLY FOR MY KIDS (MILLENIALS....UGH) PURCHASING THAT ONE GIFT OPENED THE DOOR For me to then see that I could order ALL the books on Freddie THAT I HAD ALWAYS WANTED!!!!@!!! By about the fourth book.......my husband asked me if "there's something going on with me that he should know about?" Too funny.....but I was engrossed in FREDDIE!!°NEXT I ORDER ALL DOCUMENTARIES I COULD get my hands on!! Then onto YouTube...Now I'm Here;) I've been ordering all the music cd's I overlooked in my youth!!!! IT'S BEEN A BLAST!!! NOT TO MENTION A GREAT ESCAPE FROM THE AWFULLNESS OF THE DONALD DUMP POLITICS!!!!!! SO PLEASE PLEASE WRITE YOUR BOOK!!! I WANT IT FOR MY COLLECTION!!! |
| The Squirrelly One 13.12.2017 12:17 |
LOTV I dont even think it's about having a thick skin to read Somebody To Love. I think it's just another tabloid wrapped in a pretty cover. It had all kinds of misinformation and also tried to say Freddie was gay "until" he was bisexual with Barbara Valentin which is just Lesley Jones bull. It never happened but that didn't stop this book from "gay erasing" Freddie as others have put it. I personally think books like that are not only spreading false info but are slapping the gay community in the face by claiming Freddie wasn't one of them. Not to mention Freddie. Yes he was very private but he also told Peter Freestone that if something was to be written about him he wanted it to be honest. Honestly he was not bisexual and I honestly I think all information in books should (ideally) come from close friends and family only. That's why I would like to see Thor and Lee come out with one. At least theirs would be an honest first-hand account. The symptoms it claimed Freddie had also didn't match some of the stuff Peter has discussed. Btw LOTV were you the one who was going to see the concert the other day? How was it? |
| c.jory 13.12.2017 12:18 |
LOTV wrote: @TSO. Funnily enough I broke my self imposed rule of not reading books on Freddie for Somebody to Love, I'd read some good reviews. I found it quite a depressing read, had to read something light after it. I had no knowledge of Patient zero and any of the background to the virus. Must confess I was skeptical from the off when it talks about HIV coming from a bloody carcass. In it's defense it does also rebuff the Dugas as patient 0 theory and doesn't present all as fact, rather hypothesis. Perhaps a slightly thicker skin required with regards to the book? On that note, do I bother with This is the real life? I honestly don't think there's an anecdote I haven't heard on Fred, indeed even the gentlemen on here who knew him back up the consistent narrative that he could be immensely private and in some ways nobody knew him. With regards to Freddie's Loves, I've written this before I don't mind it. Yes it's trashy old nonsense but come on lets not re-invent the man as a saint. As written before I think Thor comes across fine on it. It's not to be taken too seriously, surely? Freddie liked fun. And hey I'd be well chuffed if after my death the size of my appendage is still talked about, sadly I think this will not be the case ;-) Btw I was told something about Freddie's death by someone in the music industry a year or two after which I'm not even sure I want to ask opinion on, I'm worried it could potentially be controversial. It's not insulting or anything though.One thing I had a problem with in the STL book: the claims he had hairy leukoplakia, which he had seen a NYC doctor about in 1982 (in the middle of a US tour) Their source? A barman who knew Kenny Everett. That is not good enough. I don't buy it. Also with photographs, tour footage and plenty of eyewitnesses, no one has yet mentioned him having anything of the sort. Until then, it stays in the bullshit bin. I had no problem with Freddie's Loves in general, I don't know why people get upset that Phoebe and Thor made 'well-endowed' comments because anyone with eyes can see it wasn't small. LMAO It's a light-hearted insight into the fun he had in the gay clubs and nice to hear from his friends etc. My only issue with it is it feeds into the Lesley Ann Jones biography nonsense with the 'he suddenly flipped his sexuality and went with a big ugly woman' narrative. I have lost count of sources that say the Barbara stuff is nonsense and doesn't fit with reality. Even her friend was on it saying 'maybe - if he wasn't homosexual [they would have been together].' She wasn't a lover, so was pointless being there. All it's done is throw petrol on the sexuality debate, which shouldn't even be a debate. |
| The Squirrelly One 13.12.2017 12:18 |
LOTV now I'm curious about what it was you heard about his passing! |
| The Squirrelly One 13.12.2017 12:21 |
Captianjory my thoughts exactly. Someone had explained all the issues with the Somebody To Love book on the facebook weeks ago and you have hit everything they covered! |
| c.jory 13.12.2017 12:23 |
The Squirrelly One wrote: LOTV I dont even think it's about having a thick skin to read Somebody To Love. I think it's just another tabloid wrapped in a pretty cover. It had all kinds of misinformation and also tried to say Freddie was gay "until" he was bisexual with Barbara Valentin which is just Lesley Jones bull. It never happened but that didn't stop this book from "gay erasing" Freddie as others have put it. I personally think books like that are not only spreading false info but are slapping the gay community in the face by claiming Freddie wasn't one of them. Not to mention Freddie. Yes he was very private but he also told Peter Freestone that if something was to be written about him he wanted it to be honest. Honestly he was not bisexual and I honestly I think all information in books should (ideally) come from close friends and family only. That's why I would like to see Thor and Lee come out with one. At least theirs would be an honest first-hand account. The symptoms it claimed Freddie had also didn't match some of the stuff Peter has discussed. Btw LOTV were you the one who was going to see the concert the other day? How was it?THIS YESSSS, I agree so much I'm shouting. It was good insofar as it shows what it was like for a gay man living in 60s/70s Britain, how they had no role models, were seen as comedy stereotype figures on TV and there were quotes from contemporary gay people about how life was for them. Very interesting. THEN suddenly it copy/pastes Lesley Ann's book into it, all the Barbara stuff is there without question, no fact checking or critiquing done: suddenly he was a bi man, after all that 'gay men have to hide it' plus quotes where Freddie DIRECTLY CALLED HIMSELF GAY (to multiple people) are kind of swept away and gay is replaced with bi. They just erased the struggle he had in the late 60s - early 70s and that is kind of disrespectful. It was a long journey for him to get to the point he was happy to be gay. |
| Blenkolove 13.12.2017 12:35 |
There is a radio interview out there where Freddie had to postpone due to illness and a few days? later when he actually does the interview...the Broadcaster claims he wasn't sure if Fred was Really sick.......until Fred shows him his tongue...which the Broadcaster claims Fred's tongue looks to have a Duffel Coat on it!! I work in Dentistry.....and while I didn't see his tongue personally.....the description fits hairy leukoplakia! |
| Blenkolove 13.12.2017 12:37 |
Which...by the way can be a symptom of a depleted immune system....and Even HIV |
| The Squirrelly One 13.12.2017 12:38 |
Captianjory I agree 100%. My family have been in-person autograph collectors for years and my uncle Charles met Freddie and the band 2 times to grab autographs. He was by no means close to Freddie or knew him personally but told me that even on those very brief meetings it was "obvious" that Freddie was gay in the way he carried himself and above all he told me over and over that Freddie was one of the only musicians out of the hundreds he met that left him feeling like he was " in the presence of greatness". If a total stranger could tell he was gay how could "biographers" not look into those Barbara claims and see how fake it was? Being gay didn't define him but it was a part of his story and it's wrong to erase it or mislabel it imo! |
| Blenkolove 13.12.2017 12:40 |
It could have also been Candida....... |
| Dustin Zimmerman 13.12.2017 12:45 |
I have been googling it. The only way to control it to be on meds constantly. Freestone never mentioned Freddie taking any meds during that time. During one of the conventions he was asked about Freddie taking medication. Peter said he was asked to get absolutely everything for him even a Tylenol for a headache. He would have known if Freddie was taking any meds for anything like that hairy thing. He said before he had AIDS in 87 Freddie never took any meds at all outside of the odd headache pill. He didn't have that stuff they claim he did. There would have been photos and Peter would have remembered it. In photos of him in the mid and even late 80s he didn't have it on his tongue so if he did have it then he would have been on meds. That peter would have known about. That radio interview was probably from a cold. My mom's been a nurse for years. It's a common thing. |
| Dustin Zimmerman 13.12.2017 12:48 |
Candida... yeah that's pretty nasty too lol. |
| c.jory 13.12.2017 12:57 |
Blenkolove wrote: There is a radio interview out there where Freddie had to postpone due to illness and a few days? later when he actually does the interview...the Broadcaster claims he wasn't sure if Fred was Really sick.......until Fred shows him his tongue...which the Broadcaster claims Fred's tongue looks to have a Duffel Coat on it!! I work in Dentistry.....and while I didn't see his tongue personally.....the description fits hairy leukoplakia!Yeah I know the one you mean, but that is 1985, between Japan tour and Live Aid. The book was talking about 1982. Also it wasn't curable. The 1985 thing wasn't permanent. It could be a yeast infection. Sorry if this topic is grossing people out hahaha. I'll stop |
| Blenkolove 13.12.2017 13:03 |
Hairy leukoplakia......depending on the cause....can be reversed w a round of medication..in dental..we use a compound call MIRACLE MOUTH RINSE Wa steroid,antifungal,antibacterial mix Thor????Chime in plz |
| c.jory 13.12.2017 13:06 |
The Squirrelly One wrote: Captianjory I agree 100%. My family have been in-person autograph collectors for years and my uncle Charles met Freddie and the band 2 times to grab autographs. He was by no means close to Freddie or knew him personally but told me that even on those very brief meetings it was "obvious" that Freddie was gay in the way he carried himself and above all he told me over and over that Freddie was one of the only musicians out of the hundreds he met that left him feeling like he was " in the presence of greatness". If a total stranger could tell he was gay how could "biographers" not look into those Barbara claims and see how fake it was? Being gay didn't define him but it was a part of his story and it's wrong to erase it or mislabel it imo!Yes! Villiers and I often talk about this! Every mannerism is that of the archetypal gay queen. The way he walked, stood, things he said. Everything. Unfortunately when you point this out to some fans, they yell that stereotypes are bad, how 'it's wrong to make blanket statements about ALL gays being camp'. The fact is, the stereotypes exist for a reason and Freddie fits so many of them and it's not a bad thing. Someone said Freddie was hyper masculine at all times. Links were thrown their way depicting him shrieking in his own home, and dancing gayly across the stage. Well...they got blocked for it! I have a few gay friends who are camp and effeminate and their intonations when they're being sarcastic make me scream with laughter. From people's descriptions, Freddie comes across the same. I think that's why I like him, I reckon I'd have got on with him! |
| c.jory 13.12.2017 13:07 |
Blenkolove wrote: Hairy leukoplakia......depending on the cause....can be reversed w a round of medication..in dental..we use a compound call MIRACLE MOUTH RINSE Wa steroid,antifungal,antibacterial mix Thor????Chime in plzDid treatment exist in the early 80s though? I don't believe Freddie had it. The source in the book was a London barman friend of Kenny Everett's. What the hell would he know? It's not a good enough source; it's hearsay that doesn't fit with footage of the time. If he had it, you'd see it in his mouth at the Milton Keynes concert and the many photos from the tour. soz for blank post below. oops |
| c.jory 13.12.2017 13:09 |
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| Dustin Zimmerman 13.12.2017 13:11 |
Blenkolove do you normally treat people that have it and also have HIV though? The article I read said those with HIV have reoccurring issues with it. Which...would mean he was taking meds that Peter would know about and even if he wasn't taking meds he would know if Freddie went to the doctor. Remember Peter said he knew that Freddie didn't have any symptoms or odd physical stuff until much later. The book said it happened in 1982. |
| LOTV 13.12.2017 13:22 |
@TSO. My review of the gig is in the QAL section. Sadly it left me feeling a little flat, but didn't stop me seriously considering going to see them tonight. When I saw them in Chicago 14 and Nottingham 15 they were superb, but that's a different discussion. I don't remember much on the Valentine stuff in STL but as I've written before it's impossible to conclusively prove that nothing happened at all, although it would seem unlikely. Don't call me a bi-washer or whatever, I'm not. As I wrote earlier at the time when I was younger I found it plausible he was bi but clearly on the whole for most of his adult life he wasn't. To me, it's not really important. Sorry. Does seem like there may well have been a heap of shit in STL, I should have stuck to my guns but then I didn't take it as gospel so no harm done. @TSO PM me if you want. I really don't want to attention seek and foster mystery but I'll share with you if you want. |
| c.jory 13.12.2017 13:23 |
LOTV wrote: Btw I was told something about Freddie's death by someone in the music industry a year or two after which I'm not even sure I want to ask opinion on, I'm worried it could potentially be controversial. It's not insulting or anything though.SPILL |
| Dustin Zimmerman 13.12.2017 13:28 |
lotv not to cut in but Freddie told 2 different people on two different occasions that he never had sex with Barbara so I think we can say for a fact that nothing happened. Freddie would have no reason to lie about it. I dont remember Crystal Taylor's exact quote anymore but he was one of the people that asked Freddie directly about it and Freddie said no. I also wanna know what you heard about his death. Can I get a PM too? I'm just nosy. |
| LOTV 13.12.2017 13:33 |
DZ, fair enough. As long as he wasn't too off his tits that he may not have remembered it ;-) But enough of her, she really is just a footnote. |
| c.jory 13.12.2017 13:35 |
That is true ^ a relatively brief friendship with a big gap in the middle that has been blown way out of proportion. But if drugs stop him getting it up with an attractive person like our Thor here, then they're gonna prevent him from banging a[n ugly] woman. Okay that's it. I am happy to pretend she didn't exist from now on! I WANT TO KNOW TOO, LOTV so...send me a message as well |
| The Squirrelly One 13.12.2017 13:43 |
Right again captianjory. It makes no sense at all that drugs would stop Freddie form being able to have relations with Thor who he was attracted to but it allowed him to be off his head enough to have sex with a woman and not remember it. LOTV sending a message to you now about the rumor you heard! |
| Katydyd5 13.12.2017 14:05 |
Thor, thanks so much for telling your story again. I'm assuming Freddie wasn't alone in the club, so who was with him? Personally I think he's one of the most beautiful men I've ever seen, so I can understand your attraction. : ) Lee, a book??? Yes, yes, yes! Put me on your pre-order list immediately! I think it would be met with great enthusiasm by everyone. Is this still just an idea in preliminary stages or have you two actually started something? You both know how to tell stories, and that combined with pictures would be fantastic. I've never been to any of the conventions, but YouTube has many interviews led by Peter Freestone at the Montreaux convention. You would be received most enthusiastically. Actually that brings up another question. Thor, I'm curious about what made you decide to open up your lives now? Whatever it was, I'm so happy you did. I'm having so much fun reading both you and Lee. |
| LOTV 13.12.2017 14:08 |
Dunno what's going on rockers n rollers - I seen to be persona non grata. Seems I can write as LOTV but that's it. I can't see PMs or reply directly to posts. Am I going slightly mad? |
| noorie 13.12.2017 15:10 |
LOTV, just one of the new glitches on QZ. Just let your cursor hover around the spot where the 'reply' etc icons used to be, and you will be able to use them. Weird, but it works... :) |
| LOTV 13.12.2017 15:38 |
aha, how poor. Cheers |
| noorie 13.12.2017 17:49 |
Thor and Lee, first of all, please let me apologise a thousand times for hijacking this amazing thread. And to thank you for your support. It is just that it is extremely frustrating and upsetting to be branded a liar by somebody sitting behind a machine. And to be told that being a Parsi, I don’t understand Parsi behaviour! Here is an article on the internet about an old age Parsi home. Please check the heading (Hi, Darling!) and scroll down to this paragraph. link “Parsis from cities across Gujarat and Mumbai are choosing to settle in Navsari, Surat’s twin city, in the company of new-found friends, some bedridden, some just elderly. Even though almost each one of them nurses the sadness of loneliness, their voices light up in loud, crisp and cheerful greeting, “Hi, Darling!”, at the chance of a conversation with a stranger.” Naturally, it does not explicitly mention that Parsis refer to each other as ‘darling’ and ‘dear’ quite commonly – that is not the subject of the article, but the very heading should point to the fact. Not 100% proof, I grant you, but an obvious indication. Freddie’s school had tons of non-Parsis in it. They may have found it odd to hear him speak like that. But, to any Parsi it is not odd at all – that was my point. There are only around 60000 Parsis in the world, with about 50000 of them in India, mostly in Mumbai. The rest of us who live in other countries, have loads of distant (and near) family in Mumbai. So every Parsi is connected in some way; we don’t require 6 degrees of separation, 3 is all it takes. ?? We have Parsi colonies (baugs) all over Mumbai and other places in India, where most Parsis tend to live, Parsi schools, Parsi colleges, Parsi sports clubs, Parsi hospitals, 3 Parsi magazines and news-papers (apart from many smaller ones), so believe me, for people of any one Parsi family to know people from another Parsi family is no big deal! Our grand-parents, parents, cousins, etc. most likely went to school or college with one another, or lived in the same neighbourhood. Whenever I come across another Parsi, within 5 minutes, we have discovered common connections (That too is a Parsi thing to do – find common connections! ??) Before Freddie became a rock star, his family was just like any other Parsi family, so for my uncle to have gone to India for his schooling and met him there is not a big deal at all. It only becomes a big deal because of who Freddie became in later life. (Btw, most Parsi boys go to Billimoria school (a Parsi school) in Panchgani, very few go to other schools - mainly expat kids) In any case, once my uncle calms down, with his permission, I will give Thor and Lee his name and other details. Now, with another thousand apologies and a promise not to mention this again, on with Thor’s and Lee’s fantastic thread…. |
| thundergod 13.12.2017 19:05 |
The idea of a book would take a big commitment from both of us. I will discuss it with Lee when I see him during Christmas in 10 more days. I am retired but Lee still works so we will have to discuss this idea. |
| thundergod 13.12.2017 19:11 |
By the way, I thoroughly enjoyed reading your comments and replies to each other. Thank you all (well, perhaps minus one bigot). If I ever miss a question please feel free to remind me.of it and also anything you were not able to read on the other thread.I do not mind re-telling a story again on this new site.. |
| thundergod 13.12.2017 19:19 |
Hey Katydyd, Phoebe was, of course, with him in the club but since I didn't know him I was a bit oblivious to him and gave all my attention to Freddie. I'm pretty sure Peter backed off while we were chatting but I now know was aware of everything that went on. It was just Phoebe and the driver in the limousine so I think they were just out together that night (ah...morning). |
| thundergod 13.12.2017 19:27 |
Also, I get occasional leukoplakia as well, but it is limited to my inner cheeks as a response to the trauma I put my oral cavity to while grinding in my sleep. I never heard of the "hairy" version of it. If this happened in 1982, I would have probably known because Freddie would have asked for my opinion of it as I was by then a practicing Nurse. |
| Tonya 13.12.2017 21:18 |
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| Stop The Madness 13.12.2017 23:47 |
Noorie for God's sake WHO CARES about your uncles name and details?? I asked for PROOF. Photos. Let's see photos of him with Freddie in school. Otherwise your story is still just fiction. All you would have to do is go online and look up the signed photos of year books and things from Freddie's time in school and pick out one of those names. No I want PROOF. I don't give a rat's ass what his name is or where he came from or whatever else you spent your desperate time putting together to keep your lie going. I want photos. I can tell you my uncle was from England and type up a bullshit story too about how he was old chums with Paul McCartney. Unless I had proof everyone with half a brain would assume it's fake. Especially when I claim all the known facts about him at the time were wrong. You re trying to come off like you have some deep insight to Freddie because you're parsi. You're full of it. He called people dear and darling because he was gay. You're claiming your uncle went to school with him and that's not odd BUT only parsis call others dear and darling and it was really rare for other parsis to be in the school and that's why evert one at the school that it as strange? You can't even keep up with your lies. If he was so close to you parsis then why did he change his name? He was going by FREDDIE well before he left India. He was super parsi so he called everyone dear all his life but he also changed his name because he was just SO proud of being a parsi he needed to hide it? Come on. You weren't close to him and your family wasn't either. You don't have any deep insight. You're making stuff up to feel closer to him. |
| SmokyQuartz 14.12.2017 00:16 |
Thor and Lee, I will send a pm to you both re my thoughts on a book, as Lee has invited this. :-) I'll catch up with this thread later this week and read properly, things have been a bit hectic here. |
| thundergod 14.12.2017 00:19 |
Hi noorie, No reply necessary. I wanted to say thank you once more for your Uncle's honest words on this thread. After relating your knowledge of the Parsi community and that of your uncle's recent message.I was able to find many characteristics that you described in Freddie himself and it makes perfect sense. |
| Katydyd5 14.12.2017 00:21 |
Thor, thanks again for telling the story of your meeting. I assumed Phoebe was with Freddie at the club, just wanted to know for sure. |
| thundergod 14.12.2017 00:21 |
Welcome Tonya, Please try your message again, blanks happen to everyone once or twice. We'd love to hear what you have to say! |
| thundergod 14.12.2017 00:23 |
You are very welcome Katydyd. |
| Blenkolove 14.12.2017 01:29 |
Noorie, Thank you for the info on ur culture!! As soon as I read that Freddie and his family were Parsi's and Zoroastrianism was their religion.....i immediately googled it and learned much about ur beautiful and peaceful ancient religion/culture!! My favorite part was that Parsi's believe that Life and the GIFT of living was to be celebrated!! Sooo Beautiful, and it seems that that too was Freddie's philosophy!!!! THANK YOU for taking the time to 'teach' us about something so valuable and precious!! (Sorry but I couldn't stomach reading the HOSTILE reply from u know who....reminded me too much of my morning commute w/all the angry road-rage drivers out there) |
| noorie 14.12.2017 01:47 |
Thank-you everybody for your kindness. I think that Thor has created this really kind and friendly thread on QZ. Attracting all the nicest people on QZ (with a couple of exceptions). And giving us so many fun insights into Freddie's life. It is a good thread to visit. And share. Thank you Thor. And now Lee as well. |
| thundergod 14.12.2017 01:47 |
Nicely stated Blenkolove. I'm really happy that most of the good people on this site support her. |
| thundergod 14.12.2017 01:51 |
Norie, you are one of the best and we all love you here (with a couple of exceptions)...LOL |
| Katydyd5 14.12.2017 02:11 |
Noorie, thanks so much for the info on Parsi life. I'm always looking to learn new things. |
| The Squirrelly One 14.12.2017 02:13 |
I just got back from the from Home Depot and the gentleman that was helping me was built like a Greek god! I said 'My goodness aren't you a muscle man!' just joking with him and he said 'haha yes my name is pretty fitting. I'm Thor. You know like....with the hammer?' L o l! I told him I have only ever known of one other gentleman with that name and he laughed and said people ask him if his name if real or not all the time! He said he goes by John now but his first name is Thor and of course I thought of you. Are all you thors muscle men then?? Lol |
| Saint Jiub 14.12.2017 02:16 |
SmokyQuartz wrote: Thor and Lee, I will send a pm to you both re my thoughts on a book, as Lee has invited this. :-) I'll catch up with this thread later this week and read properly, things have been a bit hectic here.Thor & Lee - I think a book by you and Lee would come with an independent and unique perspective from "typical blokes/friends" that do not have professional ties to the music industry. Your friendships with Freddie appear to be more relaxed when Freddie can get away from the music business and be with you guys for a few casual hours now and then. |
| thundergod 14.12.2017 02:27 |
Hi Squirrelly, I was born with the name and was lanky during childhood. I started working out at age 16 and didn't stop until I was 49. Now at 62, I let my muscles go. I figured enough was enough. I always get the same question as your Home Depot Thor "What's your real name" Some I have to show my driver's license, but most always add "what a cool name". I give thanks to my parents for the name. I was born in a major thunder and lightning storm in New York City and my Father came up with the name as a sign from the god's (he had been drinking with his Irish buddy Jimmy Kelly) from across the street. I'm just glad it was not snowing!!!...LOL |
| thundergod 14.12.2017 02:29 |
Thank you Panchgani we will see what happens. |
| The Squirrelly One 14.12.2017 02:44 |
Well thor don't forget I have seen your recent picture so I can attest mucles or not youre still as handsome as ever! Did Freddie ever ask you for any workout advice? Did he ever express any desire to be buff himself? I heard an interview with him once where he talked about not having enough time to workout. Perhaps he just enjoyed sitting back and appreciating muscles on other men vs workingout himself? I know we talked about this before but it's been weeks! |
| Blenkolove 14.12.2017 02:51 |
Noorie.... I may be off...but I thought Fred's mom stated on a documentary that Freddie was born on the Parsi New Year's Day....Do Parsi's celebrate Christian holidays...ie Christmas, Easter??? Any "special days you celebrate that we might not know about??? I'd love to hear more about you and Paris customs!!! Oh....and HAPPY CHANUKAH to All our Jewish friends@!!! |
| thundergod 14.12.2017 03:00 |
HaHa Squirrelly, When Freddie moved into his New York City Condominium, he or more probably Phoebe, bought a beautiful sparkling exercise system. He did not use it once and gave it to me when he moved out of New York. I stored it at my sister's house but her son kind of took it over without my permission. Once while visiting I asked to look at it, but it was nowhere to be found because my nephew sold it off for heavier equipment. I'll never forgive him! |
| Catus 14.12.2017 03:09 |
Hi Noorie, I have been so amazed by your uncle's story and by your insight into your culture! Thank you so much for sharing this with all of us. |
| Catus 14.12.2017 03:40 |
Thor and Lee, I have a question that you might have answered already but I could not remember if Thor mentioned it in the previous 100-page conversation... :) How did Freddie come up with this whole business of calling you guys "daughters"? Do you know if he had this "Mother" idea when he met all of you, or did he play this game with his other friends as well? And I just wanted to say that I LOVE this thread! It is such a treat being able to read it, so thanks a lot!! |
| thundergod 14.12.2017 04:01 |
Hey Catus, Well, Freddie had played this game before we met him. The idea behind it was to come up with the first name of a B rated actress, based on the real last name. There were exceptions. For example Joe Fanelli and Joe Scardilli got Liza of course and she was an A actress but because of the great fit of names they got it. Before I knew Freddie, he would be called Melina due to Melina Mercouri by his friends and for some reason, Elton John was nicknamed Sharon. Was there an actress named Sharon John in Britain? Lee Nolan was given the name Kathleen in "honor" of Kathleen Nolan the co-star of an 1960s era American TV show called "The Real McCoy's" John Murphy got the name Delia, based on an old Irish singer named Delia Murphy. I got the name P.P. based on a singer on British TV named P.P. Arnold. She was partially famous for the British version of the song"Angel of the Morning" The only name that stuck was Kathleen. We other three were rarely called by our Freddie nicknames. |
| Catus 14.12.2017 04:11 |
Hey Thor, Thanks a lot, I imagine how much fun he had finding an actress that would match the last name! And how did you guys come up with the idea that you are his daughters? |
| thundergod 14.12.2017 04:20 |
Well Catus, He referred to himself as Mother, so we were Daughters as decided by Freddie. We thought it was all in good fun! |
| Catus 14.12.2017 04:34 |
Thank you so much Thor! |
| matt z 14.12.2017 06:19 |
Reiterating a past question since Lee is here. Dainty lee angry lee normal Lee formal Lee ...ever hear those? Anyways. The question: Freddie was in college as an art student. Do you have any examples of Fred's drawings/work? Did u guys ever witness him and his artwork. ..had he ever talked about the subject? (*as in how did these 4 very different people come together and become this legendary band) They're seldom seen, I'd seen a few featured briefly in the UNTOLD STORY doc....and though it'd be wonderful to have them compiled and EXHIBITED on a tour someday. ....i don't think anybody cares to work towards it. Thor had expressed that this subject would be more your specialty or Mary's I've always thought it'd be a great Labour of love to compile those existing works that were made or even sold at Kensington market. I wonder how many survive? It's a VERY neglected facet of the man's life (*although I'm pretty sure he'd just call the stuff ordinary and scholastic) |
| LOTV 14.12.2017 11:29 |
Fred was fit as a fiddle for world tours from 82 onwards. He said himself one of the reasons he couldn't do it forever was because he had to keep himself fit so he must have done some fitness work. Maybe he bench pressed Phoebe and did laps of the ludicrous sized hotel suites he used to stay in! |
| Martin Packer 14.12.2017 13:44 |
"Sharon" relates to the "Sharon from Pinner" cliché. Pinner is a suburb in North West London - not as far out as the Watford that Elton John is from. |
| thundergod 14.12.2017 14:44 |
Hi LOTV, Freddie always had a lot of energy and a fast metabolism. However, I never witnessed any regular exercise or muscle building. He looked great but always remained very slender. I believe that he remained physically fit by the nearly two hour long antics and constant running around the entire stage during tours. |
| thundergod 14.12.2017 14:51 |
Hey Martin Packer, I've always wondered where that name for Elton John came from. Thank you for the information. I don't know anything about the "Sharon from Pinner cliche." Perhaps you could explain how that cliche came about when you have time. |
| noorie 14.12.2017 15:54 |
Blenkolove wrote: Noorie.... I may be off...but I thought Fred's mom stated on a documentary that Freddie was born on the Parsi New Year's Day....Do Parsi's celebrate Christian holidays...ie Christmas, Easter??? Any "special days you celebrate that we might not know about??? I'd love to hear more about you and Paris customs!!! Oh....and HAPPY CHANUKAH to All our Jewish friends@!!!Blenkolove, Parsis celebrate everything!! Christmas (Christmas tree and all) and Halloween, and Diwali (with beautiful diyaas), and Easter (Easter egg hunt with tons of chocolate!), and every festival that comes along. Growing up, my family even celebrated Hannukah, eating latkes -courtesy our Jewish neighbours! But we have 2 of our own. One is on the 21st of March - a spring celebration called Navroz, meaning new beginning. The second falls between mid-August to early September (the date changes slightly each year as the Parsi calendar is different from the Gregorian calendar. There are 10 gathas - days of special prayers, followed by Pateti (last day of the old year, and the next day is another Navroz (very unimaginative people, couldn't figure out 2 names, called both festivals Navroz) which is our New Year and the start of the Parsi calendar. I guess in 1946, this must have fallen on September 5. So Freddie was a New Year's baby! Naturally! :) :) Back to Thor and Lee. About the book... I just thought, that if you are going to write a book, you should try and get it out in the stores around the time the Freddie movie is released. The movie will generate a lot of fresh interest in Freddie, and hopefully a best seller for you!!! And Thor, you must have had very imaginative and interesting parents to have named you Thor! The kind of name every guy longs to have! And a Happy Hanukkah to all our Jewish QZers. :) |
| Katydyd5 14.12.2017 16:45 |
link Stick with me just a little longer. Clearly I'm stuck on the club dancing issue, but I promise this is the last question. I attached the video for Back Chat. I've always supposed that Freddie danced lke this in clubs. I think it looks pretty good, but what do I know? Is this like anything you guys experienced with him in clubs? |
| Katydyd5 14.12.2017 16:49 |
Nevermind. Apparently my techdweeb has reared its head and I don't know how to post a link here. |
| thundergod 14.12.2017 17:10 |
Katydyd, All one has to do is copy and paste in a new window. I just did! |
| thundergod 14.12.2017 17:18 |
Wow, That was good dancing! I have no idea then why he was so shy about dancing. Maybe he had a choreographer for his videos and followed the steps but could not come up with them himself and felt awkward. If Freddie could not control how he came across on a random dance floor, perhaps he was not interested |
| MiracleTour1989 14.12.2017 18:00 |
Lee, welcome to the thread. Thanks so much for sharing your personal knowledge of Freddie. You, too, Thor. Did Freddie ever see any of the big films of the 80s like Ghostbusters or Gremlins or ET? Did he ever share any information about the state of the band in the early to mid 80s when there reports of friction and breaking up? Did he ever weigh in on the topic of AIDS in the early to mid 80s? How did he tell you he was ill? Thanks for sharing, Lee and Thor. Really quite amazing that you're a part of this community. |
| noorie 14.12.2017 18:14 |
Thor, please check your pm. :) Info sent. :) |
| thundergod 14.12.2017 18:47 |
And noorie, please check your PM |
| noorie 14.12.2017 18:53 |
Sorry Thor, for some reason your pm has not come through. |
| thundergod 14.12.2017 19:00 |
OH NO noorie It was long so be patient while I rewrite it. |
| noorie 14.12.2017 19:13 |
Please take your time, Thor. No rush. Thank you so much. I am just glad I could send you the info. |
| thundergod 14.12.2017 20:01 |
noorie, I am not getting the "message sent" notification. There must be a problem. I may have to share my response to your message on the thread and don't worry, what is private will remain private. |
| thundergod 14.12.2017 20:03 |
But after two long message attempts, I will wait until later or tomorrow. |
| noorie 14.12.2017 20:19 |
Thor, I absolutely trust your discretion in posting what you'd like to. And please take your time. I really don't want to monopolise your attention! :) |
| thundergod 14.12.2017 20:24 |
At least if my time is monopolized it is with a wonderfully kind and caring and most of all, honest individual We all love you noorie and your uncle! |
| noorie 14.12.2017 20:40 |
Awww!!!! Thanks. :) He looks scary, doesn't he???? Lol! |
| SmokyQuartz 14.12.2017 21:49 |
Noorie, I hadn't got around to saying thanks for your posts and your Uncle's. I enjoyed your first post on Thor's thread about the Parsi community too. Sent you a pm. :-) |
| noorie 14.12.2017 21:54 |
^^^ SmokyQuartz, thanks. pm-d you back. :) |
| thundergod 14.12.2017 22:23 |
Hey noorie, I am going to condense my private comments to you. I feel you would make the perfect ambassador to represent the Parsi community. I know that your community is not evangelical and not prone to explaining their religious beliefs. It seems and judging by your uncle point of view, that you are a proud people who do not need fanfare from others. To tell you the truth, your culture seems to represent something near a Utopia. Imagine if all cultures were non-judgemental, kind to everyone, loving, and are joyful and fun loving. It shines such a light on why Freddie was so kind and real to his friends. I hope your uncle may understand that what you two have done is explain why Freddie was so kind and friendly. The information about the Parsi community (unknown by many until now) helps us finally understand Freddie's true nature. I thank you so much for allowing us to have insight into your people. It so helps explain Freddie's personality and why we still love him so. |
| noorie 14.12.2017 22:45 |
Thor, wow! I'm going to let my mother read this! I have no words to express your kindness, or the kindness of most everybody (we still have our exceptions.. :) ) on this thread. When you first started your thread, I thought 'Thor is so lucky to have had a friend like Freddie'. Now I also feel, 'Freddie was so lucky to have a friend like Thor'! And to me, that says it all. Now, please Lee and Thor, let's hear about Freddie, before everybody is totally sick of me!!! |
| thundergod 14.12.2017 22:50 |
Probably, many of you know this interview, but I read it for the first time and wanted to share it with those who didn't. By Angela Levin9:00AM BST 08 Sep 2012 Freddie Mercury’s mother was watching the Olympic closing ceremony when her adored son’s image suddenly appeared on a vast screen. “I cried out: 'Oh my dear boy, where are you?’” she tells me. “I miss him so much.” A cheeky smile then spreads across her face. “They showed John Lennon too, but there was much more applause for my Freddie.” Freddie, born Farrokh Bulsara, the frontman of rock band Queen and charismatic solo performer, died in 1991 of Aids-related pneumonia. He was 45. Jer Bulsara, who is 90 next month, has found immense consolation in his continuing popularity, yet when talking about him her voice still cracks with emotion. “His passing doesn’t seem more than 20 years ago,” she says. “I still feel he is around because his music is played so often. It reassures me that he is still loved by people all over the world, but of course, none of them love him as much as his mother.” Mrs Bulsara, who lives in a purpose-built three-bedroom bungalow in Nottingham, is tiny, immaculate and rather stooped, but her brain is sharp and her kind eyes sparkle when she talks about “my boy”. She is a practising Parsee, a religion that follows the prophet Zoroaster which arrived in India from Persia in the 7th century. She is also deeply private and this is the first in-depth interview she has given. The reason is a lavish new book: Freddie Mercury, The Great Pretender, A Life in Pictures that is full of wonderful photographs, including several never-before seen images, that span the rock star’s life. One can only imagine how hard it must have been for Freddie’s devoutly religious parents to come to terms with their firebrand son. Fortunately, the love flowed both ways and Freddie seems to have tried to protect them from his excesses. Related Articles India's dwindling Parsi population to be boosted with fertility clinics 16 Oct 2012 Freddie Mercury becomes Angry Bird on a bicycle 03 Sep 2012 Donny Osmond: 'I was washed up by 21' 10 Sep 2012 In pictures: Freddie Mercury 24 Nov 2011 Indeed, Mrs Bulsara reveals a very different Freddie to the exotic, bisexual, wild-living, supremely talented performer the public knew. “Freddie kept a strict division between his work and his home all his life,” she says. “If I ever asked he would say, 'Mum that is business, and this is family.’ He was kind and very respectful both to myself and his father.” Her husband, Bomi, a former cashier in the British Colonial Office, died nine years ago aged 95. His sexuality was not a subject Freddie ever discussed at home. Nor did he tell her that he was HIV positive or dying of Aids. “He protected us by never discussing these matters,” Mrs Bulsara reveals. “It is quite different now, but back then it would have been very hard for him to tell us and we respected his feelings.” Did she visit him when he was dying? “Of course,” she whispers. “He didn’t have to say anything. I knew he was very ill.” Freddie was born in Zanzibar in 1946 and went to an English-style boarding school in India when he was eight. “We tried to instil good values into him, like respecting the family and giving 100 per cent to whatever he did and although he wasn’t religious, he respected our ways.” The Parsee faith believes in one invisible God and is founded on the three tenets of good thoughts, good words and good deeds. “Freddie always loved to sing and set up a school band when he was 12. In 1964, as a result of the Zanzibar Revolution, the family, including Freddie’s younger sister Kashmira, now 60, fled to the UK and settled in a four-bedroomed terraced house in Feltham, Middlesex. Mrs Bulsara and her husband found it hard, not least because of the weather, but Freddie thrived. Like most parents they wanted their only son to have a safe job. “Most of our family are lawyers or accountants, but Freddie insisted he wasn’t clever enough and wanted to play music and sing,” she laughs. “My husband and I thought it was a phase he would grow out of and expected he would soon come back to his senses and return to proper studies. It didn’t happen.” It was an excuse, of course, and instead Freddie went to Ealing Art College where he studied for a diploma in art and graphic design. “I felt particularly sad when Freddie decided to leave home and move to a flat in west London,” his mother continues. “He was always playing music and an elderly neighbour complained about the noise so he said it was time to go. I told him I understood. “He first had a flat and then a big house, also in Kensington, but when he wasn’t away on tour, he would come home regularly. He always liked my cooking, especially my dahls, sweet and sour mince and cheese biscuits. When he was famous and had people to dinner he’d sometimes ask me to make them for him. “He was so generous, too. One day he bought me a complete set of antique silver cutlery to apologise for not turning up for a meal. I didn’t like to use it as it was so posh, so only put it out when he came. He also invited us for meals prepared by his cook and made a big fuss of me. When I went into the kitchen out of habit to help, he’d insist I sat down and relax.” Freddie had countless male lovers in his life, but the individual he called the love of his life was a woman. Freddie met 19-year-old Mary Austin, who was a PR for the Biba boutique, in the early Seventies. They were together for seven years and he later described her as his common-law wife. He said she was the only person he truly loved and left his mansion, most of his wealth and recording royalties to her. He even took her home to meet his parents. “She was lovely and used to come to us for meals,” Mrs Bulsara recalls. “I used to wish they had got married and had a normal life with children. But even when they broke up, I knew she still loved my boy and they stayed friends right to the end. I haven’t seen her since he died.” Did she approve that he left her the bulk of his estate? “Why not?” she replies firmly. “She was just like family to us and still is.” Mary had two sons; Richard, who Freddie knew, and Jamie, born shortly after his death. Her relationship with their father didn’t last and she later married a London businessman. She still lives in Freddie’s splendid mansion. Within a couple of years of Freddie’s death, there were significant medical advances in the treatment of HIV and Aids. Some believe that if he had lasted a little longer his life could have been saved. Mrs Bulsara has a more philosophical approach. “It was a very sad day when he died in November 1991, but according to our religion when it is the right time you cannot change it. You have to go. God loved him more and wanted him with Him and that is what I keep in my mind. No mother wants to see her son die, but, at the same time, he has done more for the world in his short life than many people could do in 100 years. “After he died my husband and I missed him so much we decided to move to Nottingham, where Kashmira was living with her husband, Roger, so we could be close to our two grandchildren. I have settled in and I am happy up here. I take great comfort today in all the things that happen around Freddie. There are so many tribute bands and I have been about six times to see We Will Rock You [the Queen musical in London]. “I was also very happy with the Freddie for a Day event,” she adds. This annual event, which takes place on or around Freddie’s birthday (Sept 5), involves individuals dressing up as Freddie to raise money for the Mercury Phoenix Trust, founded by members of Queen and which helps Aids charities around the world. Mrs Bulsara is particularly keen on the new book, containing finely reproduced photographs of Freddie from the time he was six months old until shortly before his death. It shows a goofy-toothed tee |
| thundergod 14.12.2017 22:55 |
continuing: Mrs Bulsara is particularly keen on the new book, containing finely reproduced photographs of Freddie from the time he was six months old until shortly before his death. It shows a goofy-toothed teenager – “I tried to sort it out with braces but he didn’t bother wearing them. Later he didn’t want to do anything that might affect his voice” – a flamboyant rock star and cross dresser. It also includes a CD of an interview with Freddie from the Eighties. Mrs Bulsara’s face lights up as she tenderly turns the pages, putting the photographs in context and commenting, not always favourably, on his hair and clothes. “As a mother you think, 'what is this?’” she laughs pointing at a particularly garish outfit. “I often told him I didn’t like his clothes and dresses, and tried to get him to cut his hair, but he would explain it was something you have to do when you are in the pop world and gradually I learnt to accept it. She pauses for a minute, then smiles. “Whatever he did or wore I always saw in him the same child I knew, he would tell us lots of jokes and I could always connect with him.” Not every mother could say that about their famous son. |
| thundergod 14.12.2017 22:57 |
WOW |
| Blenkolove 14.12.2017 23:07 |
WOW!! PERHAPS 'LOVE OF MY LIFE" WAS WRITTEN FOR HIS MUM!!! THAT WAS SO BEAUTIFUL....I HAVE TEARS???? |
| thundergod 14.12.2017 23:09 |
Hey Blenkolove, That is exactly how it affected me as well. Thanks for your thoughts. |
| Catus 14.12.2017 23:43 |
It's so beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time... Thanks for sharing this interview with us... |
| Catus 14.12.2017 23:49 |
I recently watched a documentary that I really liked, it is told from a perspective of a British opera singer who regards Freddie as his hero and inspiration. Trying to find out more, he talks to Freddie's friends and family, including his mom and sister. If you don't mind, I'll share this little bit here just in case anyone's interested. link (starting approx. from 8min 30 sec) |
| thundergod 14.12.2017 23:50 |
Catus, You are very welcome, are you starting to see why his culture undoubtedly helped make him, Our Freddie. He was always so happy and full of life. |
| Catus 15.12.2017 00:01 |
Thor, yes, it is a great insight for me; I really did not know much about this culture before and I think now I can understand his origins much better. And even through I've never seen him live I feel a lot of support when I'm listening to Freddie's and Queen songs, in a very real and substantial way. |
| Katydyd5 15.12.2017 00:24 |
On the PM topic, I found out fairly early that if your PM is long, it simply gets cut off at some point. I switched to email contact with one new friend from QZ and since both of us are long-winded, it works better for us. |
| Katydyd5 15.12.2017 00:26 |
Noorie, I agree with Thor. The information you are sharing opens a window to Freddie that we might not have had without you. I had Googled Parsi and Zoroastrian when I first started on this journey, but you have made things so clear. Thank you! I know there must be a way to reply directly to a post, but I haven't figured it out. |
| noorie 15.12.2017 00:30 |
Katydyd thank you. To reply to any post, just let your cursor hover over the empty space next to the date over that post.. where the icons used to be. You cannot see the icon, but you will be able to read 'reply to quote'. Just click on that invisible icon! :) |
| Katydyd5 15.12.2017 00:32 |
Wow, thanks Noorie! |
| Katydyd5 15.12.2017 00:36 |
Thor, I had read that interview with Freddie's mom before, but I never tire of it. There is so much love and longing in her words. As the mother of two sons, I cannot imagine losing either of them. Her pain must have been so deep. Her words are another door into his personality and the reasons why he is still so loved today. I sometimes wonder what he would think if he knew how loved he is and how enduring his legacy is across the world. I have the book she references and it is beautiful. Though I had seen many of the pictures before, having them in one big beautiful book is a treasure. I have a nice library of Freddie/jQueen books and would be delighted to add another. (hint, hint) |
| Blenkolove 15.12.2017 00:44 |
Noorie........ I've been slammed at work and want to go back and re-read the latest posts!!! ! Didn't want u to think I wasn't Absolutely Positively Grateful for : 1st YOUR TIME 2nd YOUR WILLINGNESS TO OPEN UP TO US (Strangers Really.....w common Love for ALL THINGS FREDDIE) and 3rd.YOUR ENLIGHTENMENT!!!! TTYS?? |
| noorie 15.12.2017 01:10 |
Enlightenment? I would not go that far Blenkolove!! :) But would love to talk to you whenever.. .... :) Wow! Thor has brought so many people to this thread.. Amazing! Thor, I now have the book mentioned in the beautiful interview you reproduced on my 'to buy' list. Somebody who has it told me it was very beautiful and very beautifully laid out. Has anybody here read it? Freddie Mercury - The Great Pretender - A life in pictures. |
| Katydyd5 15.12.2017 01:31 |
I have the book Noorie. It's lovely and well worth owning. |
| YAWN 15.12.2017 01:31 |
I have a few copies of it. My family know im a Freddie fan so every year I get buried beneath Freddie books and DVDs as gifts. I usually end up with a few extra of everything. It's ok. It's a collection of photos most of us have seen before, put together nicely. |
| YAWN 15.12.2017 01:37 |
Also where the heck is KathLEEN?? Lmao. Did he say he was taking a break or did we scare him off already? Lol |
| thundergod 15.12.2017 01:40 |
Villiers, He is working tonight until 10pm PDT. |
| YAWN 15.12.2017 01:46 |
Ah ok. He may have even posted that and I just didn't see it. I've been meaning to catch up on the thread for a while. I chime in from time to time but I just started my Christmas break from work (No calls to my phone and no freaking emails lol) so I've been spending most of my day getting reacquainted with my old friend Jack Daniels. I say friend....I love him, he doesn't love me lol. I've got some Janis Joplin on and am currently attempting to wrap gifts. What kind of records did Freddie play around the house? Was he into Joplin by any chance? |
| The Squirrelly One 15.12.2017 02:02 |
Villiers that takes me back to my college days. Shots of Jack and fun nights! I can't do it now unless I mix it with something. I've gone soft! I tend to stick with just wine these days. Did Freddie ever branch out from vodka and wine? Perhaps a bit of tequila? Everyone likes a good margarita sometime right lol |
| Blenkolove 15.12.2017 02:42 |
HEY Everybody!!!! The US Government wants to Hijack OUR INTERNET!!! IF WE ARE STILL A DEMOCRACY.......WE ALL NEED TO CONTACT ALL OUR REPRESENTATIVES AND THE FCC AND LET OUR VOICES BE HEARD........THE US IS RAPIDLY BECOMING an AUTOCRACY!!!!! |
| Rainbow61 15.12.2017 02:42 |
Hi Thor and Lee, I think this question got lost...unless I missed the response. :) Was wondering if Freddie ever asked what you thought about his performance after any of the shows you attended? Did he seem to need your feedback? Did you ever hear him mention anything (positive or negative) about his own performance or that of the others in the band? Was curious if he was ever self-critical. (Maybe all post-show discussions were between the band members only?) You might have mentioned this before, but can you talk about a specific moment/moments during any show that really stands out for you? I'm sure there were many. When I watch Queen concert videos, I am completely enthralled by what a dynamic and powerful singer Freddie is....it never gets old watching him perform...oh, to have seen him live!!! |
| Blenkolove 15.12.2017 02:59 |
SORRY SORRY SORRY!!! I LOATHE POLITICS.......BUT I HATE WHAT'S HAPPENING TO AMERICA MORE. The main reason I've spent Months engrossed in Freddie......is to AVOID the AWFUL that's been happening. But if Gov't gets control of internet...WE may not be able to do what we are ALL DOING RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW!!! I THINK?We American's still have a VOICE.... Just saying: ) |
| Dustin Zimmerman 15.12.2017 03:06 |
Sorry blenkonlove but whats this got to do with Freddie? Did I miss something? Just seems really random and with no backstory. Did I miss a post about it before and how it goes to Freddie or? What's going on |
| thundergod 15.12.2017 03:26 |
Hi Rainbow, Freddie never discussed if he was disappointed in any particular concert. As I have said before, he never wanted to talk about work when he was away from work. Also, I loved the smoke screen, the high powered moving colorful lights, and the power of Freddie no matter what he sang. No offence to Brian May but Lee and I always went for a beer during his guitar solo....except when his parents were behind us...LOL |
| YAWN 15.12.2017 03:34 |
We all do, Thor. Don't feel bad. Lol. |
| Fireplace 15.12.2017 03:40 |
Thor, a bit late in the game but I loved the story how you got your name. God knows every man should have an Irish drinking buddy named Jimmy Kelly. |
| thundergod 15.12.2017 03:40 |
He is a genuinely a good person. I just like songs with lyrics, not instrumental heavy metal. sorry. |
| thundergod 15.12.2017 03:42 |
Hey Fireplace, I agree...LOL |
| thundergod 15.12.2017 03:55 |
Hello Blenkolove, I used to blurt out political statements too, but you have to remember that this thread has people on it from all around the world, I agree with you, but please Private Message me with political viewpoints. Thank you friend! |
| Katydyd5 15.12.2017 03:55 |
I've seen YouTube of Brian's solos and I think that beer sounds pretty good. I like Brian a lot, more so the more I read, but I'm not into the heavy metal either. Wasn't that a welcome break for the rest of the band though? Oh shoot, I can't think what the closed off area on the stage was called............doll's house? That sounds wrong. But didn't they disappear in there to regroup, catch their breath, etc? Did Roger do extended drum solos? |
| thundergod 15.12.2017 04:04 |
Hi Katydyd, According to what I have read and heard, there were drum solos also, but I don't think that happened during the two American tours. I would have remembered that (I hope) because I had good feelings about Roger. |
| YAWN 15.12.2017 04:06 |
I've been to 4 Queen and Adam shows and I have gone to the bathroom or gotten nachos during every single one of Brian's solos lol. Tons of people do. My brother is a big drum fanatic so he always stays put for the Roger drum battle but even he gets ups and stretches a bit when Brian goes solo. Brian even joked once that he knew people left to get refreshments when he played. I don't think he takes it to heart lol. He's a massive talent but I can't do 11 minutes of instrumentals either. |
| Dustin Zimmerman 15.12.2017 04:22 |
Thor and Lee did either of you ever see Freddie party hard enough to get sick? My cousin called me today and told me about his weekend adventures that left him puking out of a car window thanks to unlimited free drinks at a party. Peter Freestone talked about the very first time he ever watched Freddie on his own. Freddie was usually being taken care of by Paul Prenter at the time but while at a club Paul got lucky with a man and left peter in charge. He was to let Freddie have fun and take him where he wanted and make sure Freddie got back to the hotel safely. Apparently Freddie voted for staying at the gay bar and drinking peppermint schnapps. Lots of schnapps. Peter said he didn't feel like he had the right to suggest Freddie slow down so he just let him drink and by the end of the night Freddie was stumbling around and nearly passed out in an elevator on the way back to his room. Poor peter got stuck cleaning up Freddie's puke by the end of the night. Such is the life of a rockstar though! Freddie slept it off and was fine the next day. But talk about a hard first day at work for Peter. |
| Dustin Zimmerman 15.12.2017 04:25 |
As a man in my 20s in beautiful Cali, I am all too familiar with partying that hard. Which is why I ask |
| Blenkolove 15.12.2017 04:36 |
Thor, Lee, and ALL following this thread, Mea Culpa!! I'm New to Social Media....But I'm old enough to know better than to espouse Political opinions!!! I had just returned home from work, turned on a bit of News.......had a knee-jerk reaction!! It won't happen again!! *****not sure if I can PM?? I'm on a device and realize it has limitations***** And to Thor....THANKS for having my back <3 |
| Rainbow61 15.12.2017 05:45 |
Thor and Lee, Thor, on the last thread you mentioned a fun trip to Jones beach, Freddie renting a limo, bringing beach toys and crazy costumes. Sounds like you had a blast (well maybe not for Peter as he mentions in his book he got sunstroke). Can either of you elaborate on that day a bit more? Did you guys spread out on towels and work on your tans....go swimming...walk up and down the beach? What beach toys...a volleyball, frisbee etc.? What kind of crazy costumes would you wear at a beach? I remember Peter saying that he never saw Freddie swim at any time he knew him. So did Freddie just walk in the water up to his knees? Just trying to get a picture of what that day was like. Thanks for indulging my silly questions!!!! |
| thundergod 15.12.2017 05:50 |
Dustin, who wouldn't? This is a paradise! |
| thundergod 15.12.2017 05:57 |
Hey Rainbow, I remember a delicious picnic lunch prepared by Peter Freestone. Also, we had some disguised cocktails. Jones Beach did not allow alcohol. Oh well! I don't remember costumes but I do remember beach blow-up toys. and silly glasses and neckwear. |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 15.12.2017 06:18 |
I just wrote about a 300 word response, and it was kidnapped by the internet, somehow......OMG.....and it WAS brilliant. I'll try again. |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 15.12.2017 06:19 |
i'll try again.....it went something like this............. |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 15.12.2017 06:28 |
OMG....it happened again. The internet just gave out as I was on another 300 page response. ggggggrrrrrrr I'll try again........... |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 15.12.2017 06:31 |
Sooooooooooo Hiiiiiiiiiiiii It's nice to be missed and talked about. Old line............the only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about. Noorie, thanks for being Norrie. Villiers, thanks for missing me. One of my favorite lines from Freddie, came when I had just came off of a busy work week. He said "Kathleen, where have you been? You were conspicuous by your absence". It's a line I use to this day. I'm posting and replying before the message is stolen again. |
| thundergod 15.12.2017 06:34 |
Lee, it's been happening to me too. |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 15.12.2017 06:41 |
OK.....SOOOOO Thor has outed us about our beer runs when Brian started his solo.........it IS true and we got such a kick pout of the tradition, except for the second night at Wembley when Brian's parents were sitting next to us the second night at Wembley Stadium..........we waited until an appropriate moment to get the beer......LOL We were in the friends and family section for the concert both nights. Mick jagger was BEHIND us for the second night, also. That made us feel special.....HA ! I absolutely do not remember Jim being there for the Wembley concerts. He avoided us when he could. Might have been a jealousy thing, or some strange assumption that he wasn't wanted around. Freddie had gotten a huge limo bus so we could all travel from The gArden Lodge together. There was along in the back where Thor, Freddie, Brandon, and myself planted ourselves........maybe Phoebe was there, because I have a great photo of the four of us that SOMEONE had to have taken. Maybe it was Jim, but he doesn't seem to remember us, as there is not a single word in his book about the New York Daughters, except of the line where John Murphy was assumed to be a lover of Freddie's, and probably passed the virus on to him because, he, John, had slept with patient zero........W T F ???????? Just because patient zero was a flight attendant did not mean that all flight attendants slept together. YIKES. |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 15.12.2017 06:46 |
It happened again...........i was tying away, and boom....gone |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 15.12.2017 06:49 |
JONES BEACH Fun, fun, fun. Freddie's limo pulled up to my corner, and Mother sprung from the sun roof with his arms in the air. The usual suspects were there, including Freddie's New York chauffeur, with some strange zebra shirt on, cause Freddie had told him to wear something festive. Bill Reed was there, and behaved himself ALL day....... There were LOTS of photos, and a sweet one of Freddie and Bill on the ride home...... i don't remember Freddie going into the water. The cocktails were strong. I really, REALLY good time was had by all........ What have I missed question wise? |
| thundergod 15.12.2017 06:53 |
Matt z had some questions for you Lee. |
| thundergod 15.12.2017 06:56 |
On page 14 |
| The Squirrelly One 15.12.2017 07:25 |
Wait wait Lee! You mean Jim Huttons book when you say he never mentioned the NY Daughters but said John Murphy gave Freddie AIDS? I have read the book at least 50 times over the years and knew Jim personally along with his niece who I still consider a dear friend. He never said that about John in his book. that John thing was stated as fact in the Somebody To Love book (which was lies) and a few other poorly informed books. Like I told Thor when I asked Jim about the NY Daughters he smiled and said he was thrilled Freddie had friends like them. When we talked about you guys he never once had a bad word to say. Just that he didn't know you guys very well. He loved that you were friends with Freddie. I think he probably just felt like he didn't fit in. He definitely didn't say the John Murphy stuff. Remember he was reporting back in his book calling out the lies that the press and Paul Prenter spread about Freddie at the time. He certainly never believed John gave Freddie AIDS as he told me himself that he didn't know who gave it to him and neither did Freddie. He also stated that in the book. Jim was closer to Freddie's England friends and the band but I think it's because he was around them more. He stayed in touch with Brian until he passed in 2010. Keep in mind that Freddie often flaunted other lovers in front of him to make him jealous all the time too. Peter confirmed that on many occasions. He never mentioned any of you being Freddie's lover at any point so I doubt jealousy kept him away in this case. He did tell me about Winnie though! Sorry just wanted to clear that up! I can see how you guys might have taken it a different way with Jim not hanging around. |
| Dustin Zimmerman 15.12.2017 07:34 |
Huh? Are you sure that line from Jim's book about Murphy wasn't about what some tabloid wrote because I'm very familiar with Huttons book and he didn't say that to my knowledge. Also Jim didn't take the photo you're referring to. He didn't get to take much of anything from the house. As Peter said Jim and them were asked to leave Garden Lodge right after Freddie died and Jim didn't get to take any photos. He actually asked Mary if he could get some that he himself took of freddie and she said no. She also didn't let him take the cat he bought for Freddie. The stuff he had in his book was stuff he either managed to sneak out or stuff he already put away. Doubt he could even sneak anything out because Mary actually had security that wouldn't let them in after Freddie died. Jim Joe and peter were searched when they left the house every time theu stepped in for anything. If anyone took your photo from Garden Lodge it was Mary. The last time peter went in he mentioned all the photo frames still being there but the photos of his friends and Jim Joe and he were all removed. She also didn't let peter get all his belongings. He talked about a suitcase he never was allowed to get back. |
| c.jory 15.12.2017 07:39 |
I went to a Queen + Adam concert on Wednesday night and loads of people walked out en masse as soon as the solo started! |
| Dustin Zimmerman 15.12.2017 07:42 |
This is from Peters book. He was saying that Paul Prenter had gone to the press and claimed John was a lovers of Freddie's. "On May 4, Freddie was devastated by another story about him in the Sun. And so was I. His old friend, Paul Prenter had stitched him up. Aids Kills Freddie's Two Lovers, it declared, and the story was run across three pages. Tony Bastin, from Brighton, and John Murphy, an airline steward, had died from the disease in 1986. And Prenter claimed that Freddie had called him late one night and poured out his fears about Aids." |
| Dustin Zimmerman 15.12.2017 07:42 |
Sorry my last post should have said it was from Jim's book not Peters lol. |
| c.jory 15.12.2017 07:53 |
Yeah like Dustin says, it was definitely Prenter who started the John Murphy rumour and the STL book ran with it cos the authors didn't do good enough research. I worked out he hadn't slept with John cos Peter's book never mentioned it. |
| YAWN 15.12.2017 07:56 |
Welcome back KathLEEN! Lol What was your impression of Mary? Hope I'm not opening a can of worms here lol. I've never met her, but the vibe I got from her character has never been....very good? I wont go too deep into my thoughts on her choices after Freddie's death but let's just say I was disappointed in what I read about some of ways she made Peter and Jim feel. She could have (and should have imo) handled that very differently. *sticking my nose in where it doesn't belong, I know LOL* Thor said she didn't seem very interested in joining in with the fun when you guys were around. Was that the vibe you got as well? Did you guys ever share any fun times with her? I'm assuming she was only seen when y'all were in London. I'm sure she meant a great deal to Freddie but I'm wondering if she ever reached outnto any of his friends at all because the general feeling about her from his gay friends was that she avoided them. At least that's what I got from some books and interviews |
| Dustin Zimmerman 15.12.2017 08:07 |
Lol What did Thor say on his thread about Mary? "I might burst the Saint Mary image". It doesn't take much to do that when you look at the facts. Just read Freestone's second book. I don't think Thor was a fan of hers and I'm certainly not. Joe, Jim and Freestone weren't either by the end of things. |
| YAWN 15.12.2017 08:11 |
Lemme just hop on here and clarify before it gets weird (Lord, nobody has time fo' that!): I don't mean for this to become a Mary slag fest LOL. I didn't know her personally so im just going off books and interviews (as I said). Just curious to see what Ms LEEN got from it at the time! |
| Invisible Woman 15.12.2017 12:57 |
I read Jim's book, Jim wasn't said that in his book. I think Jim was a very good and modest man and he didn't want to impose his presence but he wanted that your group of friends to spend as much more time alone with Freddie. Maybe I'm not in right, but I think so. Question(s) for both of you. Thor and Lee,when would you get a chance to make a documentary about Freddie what would be the name of the documentary and who would you invite to talk about Freddie? And if you really would be publish a book about friendship with him, what would be the title of that book and what would be the cover of it , some photo, drawing or something else? Thanks. |
| Rainbow61 15.12.2017 13:14 |
Thor and Lee, Thanks for your responses....That must have been a sight with Freddie standing up through the sun-roof with outstretched arms. Hope you snapped a picture of that! |
| Blenkolove 15.12.2017 14:56 |
Hi Noorie I sent u a pm |
| noorie 15.12.2017 17:15 |
Blenkolove, check your pm-s please. :) |
| noorie 15.12.2017 17:16 |
Blenkolove, check your pm-s please. :) |
| noorie 15.12.2017 17:32 |
Just wanted to add 1 thing. Somebody (sorry, I've forgotten who) mentioned they'd love to see some of Freddie's original art work. Well, a lot of it was displayed at the Stormtroopers in Stilettos Exhibition held in 2011. Here is a link to the article and some of the pictures: link I loove Freddie's words on the front window - "Let's face it darlings, we're the most preposterous band that's ever lived" Sooo Freddie! |
| noorie 15.12.2017 17:34 |
Lee, just to see all your photographs in a book would be most awesome! And yours and Thor's anecdotes about each photograph would be the icing on the cake. |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 15.12.2017 17:39 |
Sorry all. I didn’t mean to start a riot about John Murphy. I mid understood how it was stated. Also what I meant by Jim took the photo in the back of the bus lounge, I meant he might have snapped the shot. I’ll be more careful. |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 15.12.2017 17:46 |
MIS understood how the comment was stated. |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 15.12.2017 17:55 |
Matt Z When Freddie mentioned art school it was in passing, as I reccall. As far as his work, we were never shown any. MAYBE Mary might have something, but maybe not. Perhaps she might have done kind of art show of the work Freddie purchased when before he died. When we were there in June of 91 a LARGE amount of items arrived, and were strewn around the large lounge. Freddie said it was worth 3 million pounds. Maybe he thought his own work should be kept private with all the items he was purchasing. So many questions that only Mary could answer. Too bad she has never written anything, has she? I did read one interview about here. Has anyone here ever met her? |
| noorie 15.12.2017 17:59 |
Lee, a lot of Freddie's original art was displayed at the Stormtroopers in Stilettos Exhibition held in 2011. Here is a link to the article and some of the pictures: link |
| thundergod 15.12.2017 18:18 |
OMG noorie, That is a wonderful site. I really didn't know that Freddie was so talented in art as well as music. Thanks |
| c.jory 15.12.2017 18:21 |
Some of his drawings are in the Great Pretender picture book I think, in the covers, signed 'Fred Bulsara'. I could double check but can't be bothered to get the book which is just 3 feet away from me. I am too lazy. I think Freddie's mum was the owner of his college work - and now it must have been passed to his sister. They presented some on The One Show a few years ago. link |
| thundergod 15.12.2017 18:22 |
Hi Dustin, I think when Lee said Jim may have taken the picture, he meant Jim may have "snapped" the picture on Lee's camera, not his own. |
| c.jory 15.12.2017 18:23 |
Lee Kathleen Nolan wrote: So many questions that only Mary could answer. Too bad she has never written anything, has she? I did read one interview about here. Has anyone here ever met her?The only thing Mary's done are interviews for The Daily Mail, OK Magazine, The Untold Story and The Mysterious Mr Mercury (radio). There are also snippets from David Wigg interviews in various biographies but unsourced. ALSO: I've seen her walking about, but not met her. That probably doesn't count though does it! |
| thundergod 15.12.2017 18:27 |
Hey captainjory, I read your comments about everyone going for refreshments during the guitar solo and had to laugh. Poor Brian. |
| c.jory 15.12.2017 18:33 |
It's as if as soon as people realised what was happening they were like 'time for a piss and some popcorn!' He was up on a platform for it so maybe he didn't see! Haha |
| Blenkolove 15.12.2017 18:37 |
HEY Noorie....ck ur pm....ty |
| Blenkolove 15.12.2017 18:41 |
Re: Brian I saw something on YouTube where his wife Anita says (I'm paraphrasing) when Brian is getting down w/his guitar....he's in Another World!" So Brian probably doesn't even notice (or care?)Lol |
| noorie 15.12.2017 18:45 |
Check yours Blenkolove! :) |
| Blenkolove 15.12.2017 18:45 |
And Ditto on Noorie's book idea!! That's Exactly what I was picturing in my mind as well!!! I LOVE JUST LOOKING AT PICTURES OF FREDDIE!!!! I STUDY THEM, LOOK AT THEM OVER AND OVER....AND CAN'T EVER SEEM TO GET ENOUGH!!! |
| thundergod 15.12.2017 18:51 |
That good Blenkolove because as I have always thought he was a very talented guitarist (ala Hendricks) and SUCH a nice and genuine person! I may change my mind if the new movie carpets over Freddie's true nature during 1976 until 1991. Brian and Roger are the final say about how the movie portrays Freddie. |
| Blenkolove 15.12.2017 18:54 |
Plus 'the daughter's' perspective is so fresh and AUTHENTIC!! The world Needs to know!!! I was hoping Mary would write a book......however i think much Less about her now that I know she never talked to Jer...or invited her to Freddie's house after Freddie's death!!!! That ALONE SPEAKS VOLUMES!!! Plus.....a book by DAVID WIGG would be AMAZING!! |
| c.jory 15.12.2017 18:58 |
thundergod wrote: That good Blenkolove because as I have always thought he was a very talented guitarist (ala Hendricks) and SUCH a nice and genuine person! I may change my mind if the new movie carpets over Freddie's true nature during 1976 until 1991. Brian and Roger are the final say about how the movie portrays Freddie.I am worried about that too. It's definitely going to be a saint Mary film though, judging by things Brian said. Ah well, as long as it doesn't go down the route of the freaky docu-drama on Ch5 with Munich female threesomes, it's all good. I think a sanitized film might be boring. He sounded a lot of fun. |
| c.jory 15.12.2017 19:00 |
Blenkolove wrote: Plus 'the daughter's' perspective is so fresh and AUTHENTIC!! The world Needs to know!!! I was hoping Mary would write a book......however i think much Less about her now that I know she never talked to Jer...or invited her to Freddie's house after Freddie's death!!!! That ALONE SPEAKS VOLUMES!!! Plus.....a book by DAVID WIGG would be AMAZING!!True RE Wigg - he is withholding things Freddie said from the public and it would be nice if he released them. He has recordings where Freddie was discussing his sexuality and the nature of his relationships with his female friends. I've HEARD them and yet they have now disappeared from the internet. The "uncut" tapes on YouTube ARE cut. I know he has them, so it would be interesting. |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 15.12.2017 19:39 |
Ray the film........just throwing this out there. Has a new director been chosen, since Bryan Singer was ousted.......?.......and has the reason surface as to why he was an show? Something about a personal illness, that his people wouldn't talk bout. Has there been an update? |
| Blenkolove 15.12.2017 19:40 |
OH REALLY???? I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR IT ALL...ESPECIALLY NOW!! Hey....u all heard that the Director of Bo Rhap movie was fired ???? Bryan Singer I think....like 2 wks ago!!! THAT movie may Never see the light of day!!! |
| c.jory 15.12.2017 19:42 |
Lee Kathleen Nolan wrote: Ray the film........just throwing this out there. Has a new director been chosen, since Bryan Singer was ousted.......?.......and has the reason surface as to why he was an show? Something about a personal illness, that his people wouldn't talk bout. Has there been an update?Apparently it's Dexter Fletcher now... Since the sacking, news sites were flooded with the allegations levelled at Singer...!! So it makes you wonder if it has something to do with it... |
| Blenkolove 15.12.2017 19:46 |
It's time 'they' let it All out of the vault!!!! Freddie's stored music, interviews...ALL OF IT!!! REMEMBER what Fred himself said......he didn't care...AS LONG AS HE WAS NEVER PORTRAYED AS BORING....AND BOY...THAT'S ONE THING HE'LL NEVER BE! :) |
| Shvili 15.12.2017 23:47 |
Where is Joe Dare now? This is so genuine... just raw feelings. link Let me guess...... You Know Nothing About It. lol get the fuck out of here with your bullshit. |
| thundergod 16.12.2017 01:58 |
Really Shvili, Could you sober up before you write. You seem to be one of those nasty kind of drunks. |
| thundergod 16.12.2017 02:03 |
Person number two...ignore and isolate. |
| thundergod 16.12.2017 02:05 |
It actually matters in the end! |
| YAWN 16.12.2017 02:08 |
Thor check your PM |
| thundergod 16.12.2017 02:16 |
I did Thank You |
| Dean_ 16.12.2017 02:30 |
Thank you kindly for the great amounts of stories and insight on all things Mercury! I wish you both a wonderful christmas and new year when it comes. Live Aid was a defining moment in Queen's career and in the world of music. Most people I talk to, remember where they were the day of that massive event. I've not actually seen the American release, and if I recall correctly there was maybe interviews that cut into Queen's performance, but do you guys, Thor and Lee, remember where you both were on that particular day and were you aware that Queen were going to be playing? Regarding America, would it mostly be when Queen were on tour that Freddie would be able to hang out with you guys? Did he ever come over spontaneously/when he had time off? What was your personal opinion on Queen's music Thor? Thank you once again guys! All the best. |
| Blenkolove 16.12.2017 02:33 |
Ok.....HERE'S a change of topic.....i've been asking All my patients this and the answers are very interesting! Does Thor or Lee know if Freddie had a Favorite Christmas movie????? It's well documented Fred Cherished Christmas!! My ALL Time Fave is A Christmas Story!!!! 'I TRIPLE DOG DARE YA!!HEHEHE |
| Katydyd5 16.12.2017 02:41 |
Thor and Lee, I've been curious about something, and though I think I may know the answer I'm going to ask anyway. When you were at Queen concerts where he was in full Freddie Mercury mode, did you ever have even a moment of being star struck? Maybe looking from afar and thinking, "My God, I'm that Freddie Mercury's friend!!!" I know that the fact that you treated him as Fred the musician, one of the guys, is what made your friendship special, but I wonder if who he was kind of snuck up on you at times. |
| thundergod 16.12.2017 02:53 |
Welcome Dean, When that concert happened, I use to work 3pm to 1130pm. I'm not even sure if it was carried live in the US. I had to catch up with news reports on TV and after, video clips on the internet. Freddie did not invite us for this performance. We would have to wait for the Magic concerts at Wembley which we WERE invited to. Freddie would never just show up, although I wouldn't have minded it, and he would arrange everything over the phone. He liked my apartment in the West Village because of my having a large patio on the first floor and nicely done landscaping, as well as proximity to some of the most popular bars and restaurants. He loved it. My experience with Queen music was hearing "Killer Queen" on my car radio while driving to a Medical School interview in Virginia.I liked what I heard and then upon hearing Bohemian Rhapsody my mind was blown! Early Queen was not my thing besides these two songs but after meeting Freddie and going to my first concert in Philadelphia, I could not get enough of Queen music. |
| thundergod 16.12.2017 03:00 |
Hey Katydyd, I was star struck for the first concert. After Freddie became a friend I admired his accomplishments as a friend would, not as a star. Freddie was so happy to meet people who were NOT star struck by him but became close to him because of him, not because of his star power. |
| Shvili 16.12.2017 03:01 |
Hahahahahahaha.....ha you guys are too cute. carry on. |
| thundergod 16.12.2017 03:06 |
Hi Blenkolove, I do not remember Freddie having a favorite Christmas movie. Mine is "A Christmas Carol" the 1951 version with Alistair Simms, Hermione Badeley and Kathleen Harrison...classic (I have no attachment to any other version, even the 1930s one or any of the new versions). |
| Iron Butterfly 16.12.2017 03:25 |
thundergod wrote: Hey Katydyd, I was star struck for the first concert. After Freddie became a friend I admired his accomplishments as a friend would, not as a star. Freddie was so happy to meet people who were NOT star struck by him but became close to him because of him, not because of his star power.That's truly amazing :-). |
| thundergod 16.12.2017 03:26 |
Thank you Bullet |
| Blenkolove 16.12.2017 03:30 |
Thanks Thor......i will have to watch That one!! I've seen the George C Scott one and thought that was the original??? It's ok......can't stand the Bill Murray version. For a good pull on the heartstings...It"s a Wonderful Life ROCKS!!.......Lee??? |
| thundergod 16.12.2017 03:35 |
Blenkolove, Lee is working until 10pm PDT. I don't know if he will get online after work. |
| thundergod 16.12.2017 03:38 |
link Blenkolove...this should help you. |
| thundergod 16.12.2017 03:40 |
Blenkolove, let me know if you watch it and what you think. |
| Blenkolove 16.12.2017 03:43 |
I ADORE HERMIONE BADDELEY!!! Amazing, First Class Character Actress!!! Great Tastes Thor!!! |
| Blenkolove 16.12.2017 03:48 |
I Will watch it and let u know!! THANKS FOR LINK<3 |
| thundergod 16.12.2017 03:48 |
Blenkolove, You must watch it then...she is fantastic and Alistair Sim is perfect for this roll. Kathleen Harrison is incredible! |
| stevendabudgie 16.12.2017 04:10 |
Dear Lee, dear Thor, speaking of movies: In "Bicycle Race" there are the lines: "Jaws was never my scene And I don't like Star Wars" Do you now whether Freddie really disliked Jaws and Star Wars? |
| thundergod 16.12.2017 05:33 |
Sorry stevendabudgie, I have no idea. |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 16.12.2017 05:37 |
Hey Thor. Did we ever go to the movies with Mother? |
| thundergod 16.12.2017 05:42 |
I don't think so. |
| thundergod 16.12.2017 05:43 |
Glad you are here Lee! |
| thundergod 16.12.2017 05:46 |
I must tell our funny story when we got in line for "ET the extra terrestrial" The lady behind us said, "this used to be considered science fiction... man has walked on the moon...this is now science FACT!" |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 16.12.2017 05:46 |
Hey you. Not to bring up s repeat story, or maybe I am......watching “The Women” on TV? That would be a flash back I would kill for. LOL |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 16.12.2017 06:04 |
Blenkolove Fave holiday movie “The gift of Love. A Christmas Story. 1998 made for TV movie with Polly Holiday Miss “Kiss my grits” from the Alice show. Angela Lansbury and Lee Remick Star. Dunno why. Live that film. |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 16.12.2017 06:04 |
I meant LOVE that film. |
| Blenkolove 16.12.2017 06:12 |
Back to the Live Aid topic.....Honestly I can't remember sitting down to watch it. I think I clicked back and forth to it....vaguely remember some of the acts....But for some reason I DO remember the hoopla and ALL THESE fantastic musicians gathering together for "Do They Know It's Christmas" It's STILL one of my favorite Christmas songs. I am deeply sorry Queen/ Freddie wasn't included!! However....i do remember EXACTLY where I was and what I was doing the minute I heard Rock Hudson died of AIDS!!!!!!!! Weird huh?? |
| Blenkolove 16.12.2017 06:15 |
Gosh....i feel like I must live under a rock!! Never heard of that one either!!! THANKS Lee....i'll add it to my list!!!<3 |
| Blenkolove 16.12.2017 06:18 |
Sounds like there might be a story behind "The Women" movie????? |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 16.12.2017 07:10 |
I love the way Thor tells that story. Thor, you’re on. I’ll give it a try if you don’t want to. |
| YAWN 16.12.2017 07:11 |
Freddie LOVED that movie, apparently. The first time I saw it, I was staying over at my friend David's house the night before he married his partner John Michael. I said "That movie looks old. Why tf are we watching an old movie instead of tossing dollar bills at a stripper named Big Boy?" He sat me down and showed me the cult classic. It's hilarious. I can picture Freddie screaming with laughter watching it. Making Peter dress up like the countless Lol. We did end up a male strip club later that night btw. LOL. |
| matt z 16.12.2017 07:38 |
Lee Kathleen Nolan wrote: Blenkolove Fave holiday movie “The gift of Love. A Christmas Story. 1998 made for TV movie with Polly Holiday Miss “Kiss my grits” from the Alice show. Angela Lansbury and Lee Remick Star. Dunno why. Live that film.Probably because of the LEE involved... ;-) (kiddin).. But man... Lee Remick... what a hot one... seen her in A FACE IN THE CROWD the other day on the big screen.... ::sizzle:: However.... Patricia Neal steals the show..even from Andy Griffith's thunderous performance (yes, Andy Griffith....Mayberry itself..he's a disreputable wild man if there ever was one in this film)... she grounds it all.. EIther way... thank you Noorie for the link... I'd always suspected that STORMTROOPERS IN STILLETTOS event was "under wraps" and tight security, cause I never found (when it happened) any posts of the photography online. Maybe one day soon it'll get a US exhibition. I'd love to see Freddie's artwork in person. Thank you, Lee for answering my inquiry. Sounds pretty amazing... I guess when you've got the dough that sort of collecting becomes a good hobby. (collecting). I HAVENT really...but I have my own collection of "stuffs" In a sense, the world is so much greater for his having passed on the art and design bit...and gone into music. You can hear in the early years (IBEX and SOUR MILK SEA recordings that came to light)...that he wasn't the refined vocalist that he became...it's very clear that the guy put in some hard work. Gotta admire that desire and direction. He recreated himself into that powerful persona onstage. sorry for the length, but Lee, you mentioned Freddie's art collection....it sounds like it was continually expanding. Beauty needs appreciation. Did Freddie have any sort of Hollywood/Film Memorabilia? I know I'd asked Thor already. Just wondering. BTW: I plan on seeing that screening of THE WOMEN when it hits hollyweird in January. I was almost a fan of Paulette Goddard via Charlie Chaplin...until I watched some of her other flicks. Crawford goes without question whether stealing the scenes or desperately trying to upstage others she'd always been a devoted actress. Lucille, one of the most gifted comedic females, gorgeous as well. I'm going to look for "The Gift of Love: a Christmas Story".... I love sappy stuff if it rings true. So much happens in life that we can all cherish. As an "agnostic" I don't practice any of these "holy days" but I understand the significance of reflection at the end of the year/seasons. Many thanks for your reflections and generosity in sharing these parts of your lives. Thanks gents |
| FlashElephant 16.12.2017 13:25 |
This won't be popular, but I'm going to say it. Propably I'll be a homophobe, hater or another trendy nickname but I'm still going to say it. When the first Thor-thread was created it was incredible. It had something special and all the stories were intresting and you would always look forward to the new posts. Now, some months later it's more or less just a dumpster fire. If you remember that old YouTube-comment about lapdogs etc. Well, now it's more or less reality. I don't know what the "New York Daughters" were all about. Maybe when someone didn't agree with them or happened to have a different opinion the Daughters would turn into bitches who would talk you down and become very negative towards you. This thread gives me that vibe. The Daughters actually seem like a unfunny and conservative group. Hard to belive this guys were hunting for arseholes back in the day. That story about someone's cousin and Freddie was propably one the dumbest thing ever written here and almost everyone is believing that? And those who don't are instantly criticized. It's easy to guess what the reaction will be. I will be the biggest arse hole and disrespectful cunt for writing this. But that's all right. Just keeping it real. |
| FlashElephant 16.12.2017 13:31 |
Not able to edit my post, but I meant the story about someone's uncle. Then again, it could have also been his cousin, aunt or grandpa. |
| Katydyd5 16.12.2017 13:56 |
thundergod wrote: Blenkolove, Lee is working until 10pm PDT. I don't know if he will get online after work.OK, I'm waaaaay into Lee's personal business here so feel free to ignore me, but I'm curious as to what he does for a living. His late night ending time leaves me curious. I was so interested when he shared his early efforts to make it onto Broadway, so I wonder where he eventually landed. I apologize in advance if you've already answered this. |
| Rainbow61 16.12.2017 16:37 |
Thor, I remember you telling a story about Freddie flying a friend of yours from Houston for the weekend during a time when there was a paralyzing snow storm in NYC. You were all invited to Freddie's place and you concluded the story with "All went out in the snow to have some winter fun" . So Thor and Lee....what was the "winter fun"? Snowball fights? LOL It didn't seem like Freddie was a fan of cold weather...do you recall anything he said about winter...snow? Did he appreciate the beauty of winter during a snowstorm? Watching it storm from the vantage of his high rise apartment and seeing snowflakes illuminated by the city lights must have been glorious! |
| thundergod 16.12.2017 16:38 |
Hey Katydyd, Lee used to be the manager of catering for Dreamworks (Spielberg, Katzenberg, Geffen). He resigned from that job in LA and moved to Palm Springs. He is now the manager of the evening shift of a major, nationwide supermarket. He is well loved at his job because of his natural skills, friendliness and interest in his customers. |
| thundergod 16.12.2017 16:47 |
Hi Rainbow, HaHa, you caught me. I said "all", but it really should have read "all except Freddie and Phoebe." Yes, Freddie hated the cold, but loved the view of the city from the windows of his warm apartment.. |
| thundergod 16.12.2017 16:55 |
Flash Elephant, So sorry you do not like the new thread.But Lee and I like it a lot. |
| Rainbow61 16.12.2017 16:57 |
Thanks Thor...although I was hoping you had some great story about Freddie making snowballs and playfully pelting you guys in the back. LOL. |
| Katydyd5 16.12.2017 17:35 |
thundergod wrote: Hey Katydyd, Lee used to be the manager of catering for Dreamworks (Spielberg, Katzenberg, Geffen). He resigned from that job in LA and moved to Palm Springs. He is now the manager of the evening shift of a major, nationwide supermarket. He is well loved at his job because of his natural skills, friendliness and interest in his customers.Oh I'll bet that DreamWorks job was fascinating. I can imagine how well loved he is at the job now. He's got a great sense of humor and I suspect he can be fun on the job. Thanks for answering. |
| thundergod 16.12.2017 17:38 |
Katydyd, Hopefully Lee can fill in more for you about Dreamworks. |
| Blenkolove 16.12.2017 17:47 |
You know who Else could write a great book?? Jim Beach!! Or even JOHN Reid???? Still wrestling w the Mary angle........I get that she was his first Love, I get the mutual 'use of each other , Jim claims Guilt is what motivated Freddie"s Loyalty....But her demeanor post Freddie is most baffling!! Lee....any thoughts you'd like to share???? |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 16.12.2017 20:16 |
Morning All. Gonna try and catch up. The questions that were directed at the both of us? I agree with Thor. The first time I saw Queen I was like OMG. I hadn't seen a rock group since college days in the early 70's. The production values were ten fold by the 80's. After knowing Freddie before the concert, I was thrilled t see my friend up there making magic happen for thousands of people. I think my first concert was at the Arena in the Meadowlands outside NYC. The four of us traveled with Phoebe and Freddie in a limo. As we were were pulling in the back stage door garage, people were screaming "Freddie, Freddie, Freddie" as they were peering through windows, trying to decided which mustached person behind the darkened windows was Freddie. As we stepped out of the car, Freddie turned to me and said "Kathleen, Kathleen, Kathleen". Such fun. |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 16.12.2017 21:15 |
RE: The Queen Movie coming out 12/18, Dexter Fletcher is taking over the director's job, but alledgedly there is only a couple of more weeks of filming left. Has anyone googled the cast on IDMB.Com? There are some random individuals form the New York days listed, which makes it appear like they are summing up those few years with a couple of characters. It WILL be interesting to see what they do with the Mary character. A couple of you have asked my opinion about her. I found here to be quite aloof. Not rude or unpleasant in any way, and I didn't feel like she was avoiding us, but..........it wasn't the connection that we had with Joe and Phoebe. |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 16.12.2017 21:23 |
I don't remember the AIDS concert being shown in the states. Sounds like it would have been, right? A lot of it was staged during the daylight hours which means that it would have been morning here. Maybe not as popular a time to show it? Maybe they showed it in the evening at a later date? There was an American concert as well, as you know, and I remember that it WAS a big deal that Phil Collins was going to perform in London and one of the US venues. It was Phil Collins, right? I just read that the concert was viewed in 110 nations. I was working evenings as well, and VCR madness hadn't really happened in my world yet. |
| thundergod 16.12.2017 21:28 |
Oops Lee, Live Aid (for starving people in the world), not AIDS concert. |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 16.12.2017 21:31 |
Blenkolove wrote Sounds like there might be a story behind "The Women" movie????? There is a fun story. Seeing Freddie really, laugh at something, or truly enjoy something common place was always refreshing. He LOVED that movie. It isn't hysterical in its entirety, and there is some drawn out exposition that is needed for the story, but when it is funny, it is VERY funny. Freddie would quote lines from it, and hit repeat to show us a scene again. This is gonna sound corny, but not every home had a VCR in the early 80's so it was a treat to have one to enjoy. There is a short version and a long version. There's a fun treat in the long version that George Cukor stuck in that is different. |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 16.12.2017 21:37 |
Rainbow61 Unfortunately our English Friends didn't fancy a romp in the snow.....LOL..... We did though. It was a HUGE storm, and the snow banks fro the plows made it impossible to cross the street. You literally had to climb up one somehow, and then find a way to get down the other side. New Yorkers REALLY got together, I recall, to make it a special day. Everyone was helping each other, and thrilled to have an adult snow day. People were spray painting little scenes on the side of the huge snowbanks. I MUST dig those photos out. The fact that we were able to get from Greenwich Village by subway made it easy for us to get to the Sovereign. That was the name of the Co Op building where Freddie lived. Actually, I don't remember if his place was a Cop Op OR a Condo. |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 16.12.2017 21:48 |
I'm flattered to have been asked about working at DreamWorks. After being a singing waiter for years.....(we would do four to five 45 minute shows a night, WHILE waiting tables). It was crazy but it was a money maker. I bring it up because that is how I got to know the restaurant business inside and out. Not having to perform AND wait tables made a waitering job a breeze in comparison, and let me have my free time, when needed to skip out of town for a break, and/or play with my friends. Thor and I use to go somewhere every 6 to 8 weeks, to get out of town. We finally decided to "get out of town" and moved to California. I told everyone, including myself that I was only going for six months. That was 1984. Other than a couple of years living in Provincetown MA., to get it out of my system, I am still in sunny California......but I'm digressing. More and more restaurant work lead to my fine dining stint at the best restaurant in San Diego, at the time, and later to my "Catering Career". DreamWorks was amazing. I was the Food and Beverage Director in charge of all things food. That involved 12,000 meals a week for the employees, and 26 Coffee Kitchens. YIKES. It was always fun to Cater to the stars, and I often wished that Freddie would have been able to come and visit. From Bradgelina to Jerry Seinfeld, they came and went, and everyone was great and appreciative. |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 16.12.2017 21:50 |
SOOOOOOOO I guess I don't need another cup of coffee. LOL......I'll try harder to keep up with posts as they come in, instead of taking the thread prisoner when I'm not working. I got on a roll there. |
| Rainbow61 16.12.2017 23:17 |
Lee, Freddie had such a great sense of humor... I can just hear him saying "Kathleen, Kathleen, Kathleen" with a big grin on his face! Such interesting stories...by the way, I love it when you get on a roll! You are still working, so however and whenever you choose to answer these questions is greatly appreciated. What kind of songs did you do as a singing waiter? Whew...Sounds challenging to both sing and wait tables. So if we look carefully at the credits rolling at the end of certain movies, might we possibly see your name roll by? :) |
| Rainbow61 16.12.2017 23:30 |
Thor and Lee, Over the past few months as the two of you have discussed this thread, did you ever discover you had very different points of view or recollections about certain events? If so, do you care to share? Would you say you both spent roughly an equal amount of time with Freddie, or did career requirements or differences in schedules mean one of you was available more often than the other? Thanks again to you both for this delightful "conversation" you have allowed all of us to participate in. Everyday I look forward to new tidbits of info nestled in the truly remarkable experiences you both have shared with us... and for that I feel truly grateful! |
| Kismet 16.12.2017 23:54 |
was freddie really as "well endowed" as people made out on "Freddie's Loves"? or is it a case of blowing it out of all proportion cuz he was a celebrity? both thor and phoebe freestone said it so I don't feel too ashamed about asking. |
| c.jory 17.12.2017 00:00 |
Blenkolove wrote: You know who Else could write a great book?? Jim Beach!! Or even JOHN Reid???? Still wrestling w the Mary angle........I get that she was his first Love, I get the mutual 'use of each other , Jim claims Guilt is what motivated Freddie"s Loyalty....But her demeanor post Freddie is most baffling!! Lee....any thoughts you'd like to share????He'd definitely loved others before her! But yeah I agree with the fact they were mutually beneficial to each other...it's not the slushy love story portrayed in certain books and documentaries. You don't have to know them personally to work this out. |
| noorie 17.12.2017 00:03 |
Lee, I would love to go to a restaurant with singing wait-staff. But so far, the only thing even close to that has been at The Hard Rock Cafe, where every hour, all the staff climbed on top of the bar and sang YMCA!!!! It was such a hoot, and everybody joined in and started clapping and dancing! One question - when you took care of the catering, did any of the stars you met mention Freddie at all? Any interesting comments? |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 17.12.2017 00:10 |
Hi Rainbow We mostly performed show music....we would do all the hits from popular Broadway shows that were crowd pleasers. We also did a 30's show of standards, a 60's music review, etc: but the biggest hit was always the 50's show, 'cause we would get dressed up. |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 17.12.2017 00:13 |
Captainjory makes a good point. I got the impression that Freddie and Mary were soul mates. They connected in a way that few do. As I mentioned in Freddie's Loves, Jim was the closest we ever saw to someone coming into Freddie's life, and becoming as special to him, as Mary was. |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 17.12.2017 00:13 |
Captainjory makes a good point. I got the impression that Freddie and Mary were soul mates. They connected in a way that few do. As I mentioned in Freddie's Loves, Jim was the closest we ever saw to someone coming into Freddie's life, and becoming as special to him, as Mary was. |
| matt z 17.12.2017 00:14 |
noorie wrote: Lee, I would love to go to a restaurant with singing wait-staff. But so far, the only thing even close to that has been at The Hard Rock Cafe, where every hour, all the staff climbed on top of the bar and sang YMCA!!!! It was such a hoot, and everybody joined in and started clapping and dancing! One question - when you took care of the catering, did any of the stars you met mention Freddie at all? Any interesting comments?HARD ROCK cafe? YMCA? that sounds horrifying. Not even close to the genre. But hey. ...money money money. |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 17.12.2017 00:18 |
Jumping back a bit to Rainbow61 question. It was funny the catering department were NEVER mentioned in any of the credits. In Animated features EVERYONE is given a credit, who worked at the studio, whether or not they even came close to working on the film. I worked on over 20 films........definitely most of DreamWorks' repertoire, and though I had a fan base, my name never appeared. Never spoke to any of the "talent" about Freddie, but there sure was an audience for my Freddie experiences.........for sure. I worked with close to 2,000 people. That meant a LOT of fans. I'm off to my only Holiday Party for the season.......Its got an early start. More Later, of course. |
| Katydyd5 17.12.2017 00:18 |
Thanks for sharing about DreamWorks. I think I would be star struck in that situation, but I guess you would get used to it. Lee, would you consider yourself a foodie? Do you cook? Was the singing waiter stint in Provincetown? I've been there twice for the ever famous whale watch tours, and I found the town charming. I remember one great independent book store with a really nice selection.. Obviously you must prefer the West Coast, but as an original East Coast inhabitant, now in the Midwest, I like the pace and progressive feel to the East. I've been to CA, and enjoyed it, but not sure I'd want to live there. Then again, right after my divorce, I wanted to skip town and open a shop in Mendocino, so who knows. I digress. Live Aid was so long ago, but I seem to remember it being live, switching back and forth from the US to Britain. Didn't Freddie choose the time they were to be on stage specifically so that it would be shown in t he US too? I introduced myself on Thor's original thread by saying the Live Aid performance woke me up to Queen. Of course I knew who they were, but seeing Freddie power on to that stage and own it was incredible. I still watch the YouTube video of the performance on a regular basis. The Kathleen, Kathleen, Kathleen story is cute. I love a good sense of humor! |
| noorie 17.12.2017 00:42 |
matt z wrote: HARD ROCK cafe? YMCA? that sounds horrifying. Not even close to the genre. But hey. ...money money money.I know!!!! That's why it was so hilarious, and oddly a lot of fun! Perhaps it was meant to be ironic..? |
| SinkingIsland 17.12.2017 00:50 |
Lee and Thor... What do you recall about the New York condo? I am curious about square footage and number of beds / baths, but would like to hear about anything prominent in your mind. Thor mentioned the presence of flowers previously. Do you recall any other decor tidbits? I also think Thor said everyone went to their respective homes after partying (not positive about that), but wonder if there was ever the occasional crash at Freddie's place. Thanks again for being here. I really appreciate everyone here who is kind and peaceful. |
| BETA215 17.12.2017 01:15 |
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| c.jory 17.12.2017 01:31 |
Lee Kathleen Nolan wrote: Captainjory makes a good point. I got the impression that Freddie and Mary were soul mates. They connected in a way that few do. As I mentioned in Freddie's Loves, Jim was the closest we ever saw to someone coming into Freddie's life, and becoming as special to him, as Mary was.At least with Freddie and Jim there didn't seem to be the guilt thing going on. Phoebe heavily implies Freddie was constantly compensating Mary out of guilt and that was the basis of their long friendship. He basically said it wasn't healthy lol |
| thundergod 17.12.2017 01:31 |
Well isn't THAT special. Ignore and isolate. |
| thundergod 17.12.2017 01:33 |
Not you captainjory |
| c.jory 17.12.2017 01:36 |
Thor, the vid above is quite amusing, whatever the poster meant by it - it's Freddie singing in his house and the title is just what he was singing! Click bait I guess! |
| YAWN 17.12.2017 01:40 |
Yes it's Freddie singing exactly what the title says but TRUST ME the first time I saw that title on YouTube I was pissed too lol. But it's just Freddie joking around. I bet the sounds of his laugh in that video bring back some memories for y'all |
| thundergod 17.12.2017 01:48 |
Oops, I guess I jumped the gun, I don't like to see the word "fag", sorry. |
| YAWN 17.12.2017 01:51 |
Me either. My friends always joke around and ask if it's ok if they use the word, and I always say no. I know they don't mean anything by it, but it's still offensive to me. |
| thundergod 17.12.2017 01:54 |
Thank you Villiers...I agree. |
| thundergod 17.12.2017 01:57 |
Even in gay liberal New York, Fag was still occasionally yelled from passing cars. I HATED that! |
| Blenkolove 17.12.2017 02:16 |
Lee and Thor.....(for Lee when he returns from party) Speaking of starstruck......do u remember if Freddie was ever starstruck....and if so..by who?? Or could u think of anyone who might possibly have made him feel that way?? And contrary to a Previous post....i think this thread is amazing!!! THANK you both for sharing!! Xoxo |
| Katydyd5 17.12.2017 02:25 |
Actually that tape above is quite a bit longer in its entirety. It's Freddie, Mike Moran, Straker and a few others at Freddie's house. The first part of the tape is snippets from one show tune after another. I like when they get going on Summertime from Porgy and Bess. They seem to be challenging and trying to top each other with each song. I've only heard it once or twice because it does go on and on, but it is kind of fun. Lots of laughter. As for the word fag, I find it completely offensive, but could it be one of those instances where they can say it, but nobody else had better? |
| thundergod 17.12.2017 02:50 |
I hate the "F" word as much as women hate the "C" word. If I took it out of context...oh well. |
| Blenkolove 17.12.2017 02:52 |
It's funny......but I started re-reading Phoebe's first book today in a hot salt bath (my therapy) and it's reading sooooo different to me this time because Thor and Lee have such respect and kind words for Phoebe, I'm experiencing it in a Totally new light!!!!!! When I first read it a few months ago....i wasn't sure of Phoebe's m.o.......and seeing him in interviews he comes across as almost too Nice.....if ya get my drift. But these forums have cleared my vision and enhanced my perspective!! TY Also...Phoebe's book has many picture of NY daughters that i look at completely differently now....it's nice to be able to put a Person to the faces I'm seeing!! It's almost like I know you Both!!! |
| thundergod 17.12.2017 02:55 |
Thank you Blenkolove, Much appreciated. A person could have no better friend than Peter Freestone. Freddie was quite lucky. |
| Blenkolove 17.12.2017 03:20 |
No, THANK YOU!!!! I Think you Both have done a great service by clearing up so very many misconceptions that have apparently circulated for too many years!!!! As I've stated before.....it's almost like the more I read about Freddie....the More questions I had. But reading All your stories and accounts....i feel assured that the Freddie I saw intuitively IS the Freddie that existed.....And that feels right!!! |
| YAWN 17.12.2017 03:24 |
Peter said the only 2 celebs Freddie was ever nervous about meeting were montserrat and Prince. He couldn't sit still waiting her to arrive the first time they met bc he admired her voice so much. And with Prince, he never met him because he was too nervous. According to Peter, once while Los Angeles or NY (forget which) Freddie found himself in the same parking lot as Prince. He spotted him and Peter suggested he go over and say hello. Freddie said no because he didn't know if Prince would even know who he was! Can you imagine! And after doing some research, turns out Prince DID enjoy Queens early work and probably would have enjoyed meeting freddie. According to Peter, freddie had a vhs tape of a Prince concert that they got VERY sick of hearing because freddie would play it on repeat for hours. Rewinding back to his favorite parts and making friends watch it over and over with him lol. Apparently he felt that he and Prince were similar in some things. I can't blame him for being a fan, as I myself think the world of Prince. After looking into him, how could I not be impressed- the man mastered every instrument he put his hand on just to spite his father (a musician who told him he wouldn't amount to much). That's my kind of petty! Lmao |
| YAWN 17.12.2017 03:26 |
That was for whoever it was that asked if Freddie was ever starstruck with other celebs^ Sorry, I forgot who asked! |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 17.12.2017 03:29 |
Sinkingisland RE: freddie's Condo We were there many times.......the walls of the dining room and living room were lined with a taupe silk fabric. It came that way. Freddie's room was yellow.......the TV Media room was grey, I think. Thor? The chandeler in the dining room was VERY modern with column like crystal spikes about ten inches long hanging form it........if you unhooked one of the columns, and stick it in the flowers beneath, it was reminiscent of the scene from the Christopher Reeves Superman, where he did something like that with similar crystals at his home base. My memory is vague on the Superman scene, but Frediie got a kick out of me playing with the chandelier, on more than one occasion. |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 17.12.2017 03:33 |
GOD I hate the "F" word. I grew up being called it, and it sucked. It is now like the "N: word, and the "C" word as Thor mentioned. Some think.........and I'm saying some..........think that gay people can say the "F" word, black people can say "N" the word, and women can say the "C" word. I don't care who says it, it doesn't sit well with me..........just makes me remember how ignorant the world still is in regards to different lifestyles. Not everyone of course, but there is still those out there that will never get it. They don't have a clue, and just won't be swayed. |
| Blenkolove 17.12.2017 03:34 |
I Love Freddie!!! ALWAYS HAVE!! Nothing I have ever read.or heard could change my mind!! I just didn't truly Appreciate his Musical GENIUS until I started my research!! I've mentioned my Freddie undertaking to a few of my close patients and friends....some bite, some don't ......but I always get a word in about what a Flippin' GENIUS he was musically, visually and even business wise!!! And then to combine that passion and talent with such a quick wit!!! What's Not To Love?????? |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 17.12.2017 03:34 |
P.S. Sinking Island I recently found a blue print of Freddie's place at the Sovereign on line. It is an exact replica of how the place was laid out. It was fun finding it, |
| Shvili 17.12.2017 03:37 |
I sincerely apologize if i have offended anyone. These are my Georgians link |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 17.12.2017 03:40 |
Thor and I truly agree on many things when it comes to Freddie stories.........we might feed each other's memory by adding a specific date, time, or incident, but we pretty much match on all our stories...........I'm lucky that I have the photos to help me remember. Thor and I are gonna breeze through the photos next week when he is in the desert, but he has a better memory than he gives himself credit for...........I gotta say, Thor borders on brilliant.......no I take that back........he IS brilliant, and has a powerful grasp on all things kind and right. We REALLY agree on politics, but we decided to not talk about that stuff here, and I am SOOOO glad that rule was set. LOL |
| YAWN 17.12.2017 04:01 |
Mhmmm. Thor knows I agree with him on that. He got a kick out of me getting handcuffed (no charges were pressed) at a rally against our latest Prez (lets just say im not a fan of his) AND THATS I'LL IM GONNA SAY ABOUT IT, I SWEAR, I SWEEEAR. lol Lee, I know DreamWorks isn't Disney or Pixar but I was wondering if you enjoyed the movies these companies make? Disney and Pixar just came out with the movie Coco, and after seeing it tonight I cried like a baby! The music was brilliant and message was so sweet. If any of you enjoy Disney at all and beautiful artwork, GO SEE IT!.....did I mention I cried?? Lol. I'm absolutely amazed at the animations they're able to make now. Freddie was into graphic design in college and as you know, that could lead to animation. Having seen photos of his artwork, I can't help but wonder what kind of great animations he might have come up with if given the chance. |
| Rainbow61 17.12.2017 04:04 |
Thor and Lee, I agree with you about the name calling. All those words are extremely offensive. In fact, any word said with derision is offensive. That is why when people talk about Barbara Valentin and call her "Fat Cow" I cringe. If they find fault with her conduct or words in regards to Freddie, that's fair game. But how many women on this thread are Rubenesque or zoftig themselves? Are they "Fat Cows" too if they are built just like Barbara? I know that example does have the horrible historical significance of the the "F" or "N" words... but those types of comments do cause a lot of pain. As a former teacher, I can attest how much name calling hurts... One of the best things we can teach our children is tolerance. |
| YAWN 17.12.2017 04:09 |
Sorry but I have to say it: those that call Barbara a fat cow call her that because it's what Freddie called her. He called her a whale too. Lol doesn't make it right but hey...it also wasn't right for her to make false claims about him trying to kill her either. Freddie was no abuser :) But the less said about her the better, imo. Sorry, I had to lol |
| Dustin Zimmerman 17.12.2017 04:14 |
Pffffffft no way. Barbara WAS a fat cow. Call her what she was. A lying cow who happened to be fat. If she can call Freddie an insane woman killer who fell into psychotic traces, she can be called a fat cow. At least fat cow is accurate for her. That's more than can be said for the crap she called Freddie. |
| Dustin Zimmerman 17.12.2017 04:16 |
I have friends who are heavy and built like her physically and I would never call them that. But then again they didn't try to claim that someone slammed their head into a sink tried to crack their skull or strangle them not their sleep. Barbara did so uh....No I'm not ever sorry for calling her a fat cow. |
| YAWN 17.12.2017 04:18 |
So ANYWAYS, about DreamWorks, Lee?..lol. |
| YAWN 17.12.2017 04:25 |
Also my friend and I were just talking about this photo. Best guess is 82 or 83, but the shirt looks like the kind of stuff sold in the stalls around California's beaches. You guys wouldn't happen to know anything about this 'cocky b' would you? Lol. Perhaps it was the beach outing?? |
| miraclesteinway 17.12.2017 08:40 |
I've just watched the "Freddie's Loves" documentary from 2004, to try and put faces to your names - Thor and Lee, you guys are cute! |
| c.jory 17.12.2017 10:03 |
Barbara Valentin is the sole cause of all the gay erasure of Freddie, the constant debates over his sexuality and has contributed to homophobia in the fandom. She deserves these names. Queen's producer said she was nothing but a drug dealer who he wouldn't touch with a stick! As has been said, she accused him of violence and went to the press about all the threesomes she imagines she had with him. Because of that, she's fair game I think. People come on here calling Paul Prenter all sorts for going to the press but The Whale gets a free pass even though she's created hatred and tried to blacken Freddie's name. She has nothing but contempt from me. Her name didn't need to be thrown back into this thread. |
| Rainbow61 17.12.2017 14:41 |
I am not defending the kind of person Barbara was as I clearly said her words and actions were fair game for criticism! I am all for exposing any lies or misconduct she engaged in as they pertain to Freddie. I accept your contempt for her. But if the logic is: Barbara has done terrible things...so it is okay to call her a whale, then it would have been okay to have called Andrew Cunanan a "F" on the news because he was clearly gay and a murderer. He was a bad gay, so the "F" word is warranted. As for the comment "Her name didn't need to be thrown back into this thread" ...my initial response only followed the general discussion that Thor and then Lee had over name calling they disliked, so my comment dovetailed specifically with that and happened to be connected to Barbara, which is a relevant topic. I was just stating how I felt and thought this was a place I could do that. However, this is an extremely long thread and fully admit I could have missed the list of "banned topics"! |
| miraclesteinway 17.12.2017 14:58 |
To be honest, whatever kind of person Barbara was, she's dead. While that doesn't make her a saint and nor does it change the past, there's little point about feeling angry about it now. |
| Sponge Caves 17.12.2017 14:59 |
Freddie called her a whale. But I suppose it's okay for him to call his so-called friend (at the time) a whale cos he's people's god. Notice how if Freddie says something nasty, it's okay...like he called Peter a Rubens painting and called some fans UGLY in the audience. And he called some Spanish fans 'a bunch of fucking tacos'. But oh it's Freddie, he's just JOKING, it's not conveniently not body shaming and anti-fattist when it comes from the mouth of the Moustache God. I hate when people try to police a forum. Especially a forum about a man whom multiple people describe as being extremely bitchy and acerbic. |
| c.jory 17.12.2017 15:00 |
miraclesteinway wrote: To be honest, whatever kind of person Barbara was, she's dead. While that doesn't make her a saint and nor does it change the past, there's little point about feeling angry about it now.I know, but it's hard not to be when nearly every day, someone mentions her and it causes a huge fight so it feels kind of current. I left all Queen social media groups because I was tired of fans forcing the Barbara sex thing down people's throats. It's all over blogs too so new fans are coming along and starting fights over her. It's probably the only Freddie related topic in which people get threatening and abusive over. |
| Kismet 17.12.2017 15:07 |
There is loadsa quotes of freddie being nasty to be honest darlings, lets not tell fans off and be sycophants to freddie when he was worse lolololol |
| Blenkolove 17.12.2017 15:11 |
Hey Rainbow......dont feel bad cuz I missed Obviously missed the banned list too!!!!jk I like the prev response that said she was just a footnote!!! |
| SinkingIsland 17.12.2017 17:22 |
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| BETA215 17.12.2017 17:29 |
thundergod wrote: Oops, I guess I jumped the gun, I don't like to see the word "fag", sorry.Ooh, sorry. I just wanted to post something that I thought would be funny to you. At least, it makes me laugh :D |
| thundergod 17.12.2017 18:18 |
Hey BETA215, This is my 136th page. When I saw the words "die fags" I assumed you were one of the haters we want to avoid on this thread.. People and yourself have made me see the light about this clip. I sincerely apologize and welcome you to the forum. |
| Dustin Zimmerman 17.12.2017 18:23 |
Sponge Caves Captianjory and Kismet are right. The reason people call her that is because Freddie did and it's true. Don't want to be called ugly names? Don't accuse people of abuse and change their life story to benefit yourself after they die. She deserved to be called much worse. People go on and on about Paul Prenter daily in the fandom. She did the same thing that he did but worse. Much worse. Paul got death threats. If all she got was fans calling her a fat cow she got off easier than she should have. Fans addressing her by the name Freddie gave her is hardly worth getting hurt over. |
| SmokyQuartz 17.12.2017 19:05 |
When I saw the 'f*ck off and die....' link, I laughed, but that's because I knew the context behind it...I too had forgotten what that must look like to someone who doesn't know it's Freddie's version of Que Sera, lol. Thor I totally understand your reaction to it. Actually, on a more serious note, I wonder if he was 'joking' about something pretty harsh that was actually going on....it was his way of getting it out of his system maybe, by creating a joke. My dad was Irish and when all the Irish jokes came out he laughed right along with everyone else, it's a defence. On the subject of people calling people fat and whales, etc, lol, I usually decide on the basis of the person's overall personality. If they are warm, caring, generally good people, then I might turn a blind eye, as long as no one is hurt. But if the person is nasty in other ways, not joking, not in the right context, etc, doing it too often, then it would be a red flag. It's certainly frowned upon much more now than it was back in the 80's. |
| Sheldon 17.12.2017 19:20 |
Villiers wrote: Peter said the only 2 celebs Freddie was ever nervous about meeting were montserrat and Prince. He couldn't sit still waiting her to arrive the first time they met bc he admired her voice so much. And with Prince, he never met him because he was too nervous. According to Peter, once while Los Angeles or NY (forget which) Freddie found himself in the same parking lot as Prince. He spotted him and Peter suggested he go over and say hello. Freddie said no because he didn't know if Prince would even know who he was! Can you imagine! And after doing some research, turns out Prince DID enjoy Queens early work and probably would have enjoyed meeting freddie. According to Peter, freddie had a vhs tape of a Prince concert that they got VERY sick of hearing because freddie would play it on repeat for hours. Rewinding back to his favorite parts and making friends watch it over and over with him lol. Apparently he felt that he and Prince were similar in some things. I can't blame him for being a fan, as I myself think the world of Prince. After looking into him, how could I not be impressed- the man mastered every instrument he put his hand on just to spite his father (a musician who told him he wouldn't amount to much). That's my kind of petty! LmaoSorry to hijack the thread, but maybe Thor or Lee have any similar stories about themselves or Freddie. I'm always fascinated when I read stuff like this. I love Freddie's music more than any other music in the world, but I really really dislike Prince's music. Same thing with Queen/Hendrix and Queen/Foo Fighters. It's really mind blowing that a person who made music you love enjoyed music you hate and the other way around :D |
| Blenkolove 17.12.2017 19:27 |
Hey Thor!! I just came to your introduction in Phoebe's book and it is SOOO cool to know your backstory to it!!! THAT one decision on ur part to go track down Freddie and attend that concert was responsible for impacting So many lives!!!!......once Again...TY!! for sharing your time and experiences<3 <3 |
| c.jory 17.12.2017 19:38 |
Sheldon wrote:I think I get what you mean - I spent a day listening to the artists Queen cited as influences and most (not all) did nothing for me. And it's weird, I feel like, 'how could they make their own stuff because they were inspired by that shite?' Freddie was mad about Jimi Hendrix but he's only got one song I like.Villiers wrote: Peter said the only 2 celebs Freddie was ever nervous about meeting were montserrat and Prince. He couldn't sit still waiting her to arrive the first time they met bc he admired her voice so much. And with Prince, he never met him because he was too nervous. According to Peter, once while Los Angeles or NY (forget which) Freddie found himself in the same parking lot as Prince. He spotted him and Peter suggested he go over and say hello. Freddie said no because he didn't know if Prince would even know who he was! Can you imagine! And after doing some research, turns out Prince DID enjoy Queens early work and probably would have enjoyed meeting freddie. According to Peter, freddie had a vhs tape of a Prince concert that they got VERY sick of hearing because freddie would play it on repeat for hours. Rewinding back to his favorite parts and making friends watch it over and over with him lol. Apparently he felt that he and Prince were similar in some things. I can't blame him for being a fan, as I myself think the world of Prince. After looking into him, how could I not be impressed- the man mastered every instrument he put his hand on just to spite his father (a musician who told him he wouldn't amount to much). That's my kind of petty! LmaoSorry to hijack the thread, but maybe Thor or Lee have any similar stories about themselves or Freddie. I'm always fascinated when I read stuff like this. I love Freddie's music more than any other music in the world, but I really really dislike Prince's music. Same thing with Queen/Hendrix and Queen/Foo Fighters. It's really mind blowing that a person who made music you love enjoyed music you hate and the other way around :D Also when I was younger people listened to "the holy trinity of Emo bands" - Fall Out Boy, Panic! At The Disco and My Chemical Romance. P!ATD, & MCR list Queen as their influence and Fall Out Boy don't, yet it's FOB I like - the other two don't appeal much at all. Odd that. |
| SinkingIsland 17.12.2017 20:17 |
Thanks, Lee, for the reply. |
| Sheldon 17.12.2017 20:25 |
captainjory wrote:Yes, this exactly!Sheldon wrote:I think I get what you mean - I spent a day listening to the artists Queen cited as influences and most (not all) did nothing for me. And it's weird, I feel like, 'how could they make their own stuff because they were inspired by that shite?' Freddie was mad about Jimi Hendrix but he's only got one song I like. Also when I was younger people listened to "the holy trinity of Emo bands" - Fall Out Boy, Panic! At The Disco and My Chemical Romance. P!ATD, & MCR list Queen as their influence and Fall Out Boy don't, yet it's FOB I like - the other two don't appeal much at all. Odd that.Villiers wrote: Peter said the only 2 celebs Freddie was ever nervous about meeting were montserrat and Prince. He couldn't sit still waiting her to arrive the first time they met bc he admired her voice so much. And with Prince, he never met him because he was too nervous. According to Peter, once while Los Angeles or NY (forget which) Freddie found himself in the same parking lot as Prince. He spotted him and Peter suggested he go over and say hello. Freddie said no because he didn't know if Prince would even know who he was! Can you imagine! And after doing some research, turns out Prince DID enjoy Queens early work and probably would have enjoyed meeting freddie. According to Peter, freddie had a vhs tape of a Prince concert that they got VERY sick of hearing because freddie would play it on repeat for hours. Rewinding back to his favorite parts and making friends watch it over and over with him lol. Apparently he felt that he and Prince were similar in some things. I can't blame him for being a fan, as I myself think the world of Prince. After looking into him, how could I not be impressed- the man mastered every instrument he put his hand on just to spite his father (a musician who told him he wouldn't amount to much). That's my kind of petty! LmaoSorry to hijack the thread, but maybe Thor or Lee have any similar stories about themselves or Freddie. I'm always fascinated when I read stuff like this. I love Freddie's music more than any other music in the world, but I really really dislike Prince's music. Same thing with Queen/Hendrix and Queen/Foo Fighters. It's really mind blowing that a person who made music you love enjoyed music you hate and the other way around :D |
| SinkingIsland 17.12.2017 20:26 |
Blenkolove... Totally agree! I, too, am re-reading Phoebe's first book. I only discovered, about two weeks ago, that he wrote a second book. I bought it immediately, but decided it best to re-read the first before starting the second. BTW... I am a dental person, too! :) |
| Blenkolove 17.12.2017 22:29 |
Sinkingisland, Me too!!!! ;)...... I didn't Realize Phoebe had a Second book until I joined this forum!! Plus....i wasn't too sure about Phoebe Until I joined Thor's and Now Thor n Lee's forum....so I highly doubt I would have sought it out?????....But Maybe?? I'M Really diggin' this Book the 2nd Time Around!!! I looked up Phoebe's 2nd book on PRIME but it's only available from 3rd party seller.....i prefer to stay w /PRIME. I'm gonna check Phoebe"s blog next....i remember he had a store......just don't recall if his books were there!! It's SOOO cool ur in Dental too!! So do u find yourself lovin' Freddie's teeth.....and studying them When u find them in picts???? |
| Mier 17.12.2017 23:52 |
Hello Thor and Lee! Lady from Holland is calling :) I have read al the pages from Thor's previous topic and this one as well. Wanted to join in at the 10th..but my shyness held me under the carpet :D Love all the stories that I read about Freddie. Thank you so much Thor and Lee and everyone who's joining here. Maybe my English will be rubbish here and there, but I hope I can make myself a bit understandable if I want to ask a question. So I have one burning under my fingertips... Can one of u tell me which brand shoes did Freddie wore back at these days? Did he always had sneakers on? Was he devoted to Adidas? mostly white sneakers? or other colours as well? I'm asking this because I love sneakers :D A big warm wave from overseas! |
| Blenkolove 18.12.2017 03:43 |
So Lee....So Thor....you've expressed you're views on watching Freddie giving live performances.......But WHAT was it like to Actually be in the recording studio w/Fred while he was Creating??? What were ur impressions of Rheinhold Mack??? He comes across on interviews as such a Calm and grounded soul???? |
| LOTV 18.12.2017 13:07 |
People, just a thought. Don't you think it's a bit rich getting all prissy about a great candid audio of Fred getting hammered and arsing about with his mates but also being adamant (correctly) that the film should not sanitise him? We all know he was no saint and like all of us he could do and say shitty things. Because he was flawed is one of the reasons he's such a hero of mine, because he was imperfect. He could be rude, foul mouthed, aggressive and bitchy. All of which could be very very funny. Let us not forget he jumped into a crowd and punched a photographer (topical offence at the moment) and was known for telling fans to fuck off upon occasion. Some on here are desperate to cast Mary as the villain yet clearly Freddie wasn't, neither did he ever portray himself as a victim. "Do what you want with me, but for God's sake don't make me boring" "Remember me how you fucking well want Dear, but not as boring". And yes I get the "f" word is deeply offensive. It's not the first time I've heard recordings of Fred using it. Btw as an aside John was at that gathering, he was mixing the drinks. Thor and Lee thanks for your continued contribution. |
| Katydyd5 18.12.2017 14:12 |
LOTV wrote: People, just a thought. Don't you think it's a bit rich getting all prissy about a great candid audio of Fred getting hammered and arsing about with his mates but also being adamant (correctly) that the film should not sanitise him? We all know he was no saint and like all of us he could do and say shitty things. Because he was flawed is one of the reasons he's such a hero of mine, because he was imperfect. He could be rude, foul mouthed, aggressive and bitchy. All of which could be very very funny. Let us not forget he jumped into a crowd and punched a photographer (topical offence at the moment) and was known for telling fans to fuck off upon occasion. Some on here are desperate to cast Mary as the villain yet clearly Freddie wasn't, neither did he ever portray himself as a victim. "Do what you want with me, but for God's sake don't make me boring" "Remember me how you fucking well want Dear, but not as boring". And yes I get the "f" word is deeply offensive. It's not the first time I've heard recordings of Fred using it. Btw as an aside John was at that gathering, he was mixing the drinks. Thor and Lee thanks for your continued contribution.Well said LOTV! The flaws are part of the package and I wouldn't want anything less. I don't want to get anything going on Mary, but I agree with you completely. Freddie was no victim. Thor and Lee, thanks so much for putting up with all of the fun and some of the nonsense that goes on here. I've got an actual list of questions for both of you, but I don't want to overwhelm. |
| LOTV 18.12.2017 16:21 |
Regarding Freddie's loves, I just watched it again. I stand by that both our hosts come across as just fine and I really don't see why the furore, it's a bit of harmless fun. Tacky in places but on the whole it's very complementary and warm towards Fred. I think some on here are in danger of canonizing the man. Also, Phoebe says Freddie slept with both (although I do think that may just be mischevious editing ;-) ) |
| noorie 18.12.2017 16:39 |
Thor, please check your pm when you have the time. :) |
| Mier 18.12.2017 18:40 |
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| Mier 18.12.2017 18:40 |
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| Mier 18.12.2017 18:44 |
Sh*t, the site works really really great :D Absolutely awesome to write down 5 times my question. Let me do it one more time..because I can't get enough.. About Mary, If she was so protective and wanted to respect Freddie's wishes to keep Garden Lodge private, why did she do an interview including pictures inside the house? With her standing like a model in his art decor? |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 18.12.2017 18:46 |
Hi All.......been very holiday busy. miss you Mier...welcome.......sneakers, huh, I'm seeing sneakers in my mind, but not to a point that it was too much. Blenkolove We were at the recording studio a couple of times. He unceremoniously took charge and definitely knew his way around. I think I told this story in the last thread.......Once we went to the studio, and I had a terrible hangover.......LOL.......it was in L.A., and let's just say that we had a very good time each night. Freddie ALWAYS "rallied" (his word) and was on his game. He looked at me, and said something like "Kathleen, you look green.........why don't you go nap in the car". He said it with complete kindness and caring, and I was THRILLED to take him up on his suggestion. I fell asleep in the car for a period, and everyone came out so we could go to dinner right next store to the studio at a place call Entourage. I have always meant to try and find it, so will finally do so. Freddie came and woke me up........HA!. We get inside and it's me, Freddie, Roger, and me at the table waiting for the rest to come.......I was a zombie........and Freddie asked me to tell Roger a Bette Midler joke that he LOVED. I do NOT know how I did it, but I "rallied" and was able to deliver the joke much to their enjoyment. Freddie laughed like he hadn't ever heard me tell the joke the many times I had. GOD, I love Bette Midler. I had a dog named Bette for a while. She was like half the size of Delilah. |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 18.12.2017 18:54 |
Jumping back to Freddie's Loves for a minute........ Though I felt a little duped regarding the premise of the producer, they were very kind to us, and very appreciative of our input. There WERE some outlandish comments made in the project, but there were also a lot of loving caring thoughts coming from people who LOVED Freddie. We were, and I know Thor will agree, very proud to be two of Freddie's loves on the friendship level.......... P.S. We had NEVER heard about Barbara to the best of my recollection..........had we Thor? We were a bit taken aback with that story. I DID love the birthday party video......it one of my favorite Freddie videos. As you know, it took two nights of taping......one with Freddie alone, and one WITH the party revelers.......would have LOVED to have been there. |
| thundergod 18.12.2017 19:16 |
LOTV, Go a little easy on me, ok? Since this site is visited by a few trolls, I just assumed this was some intolerant and trashy information. Both Lee and I have explained how the "F" word affects our feelings. I had never seen this link before and it didn't look like something I wanted to see.. I didn't know if Freddie had ever used that word with us but I'm pretty sure he didn't. I have already apologized as soon as I found out the truth. I am not prissy nor ever have been |
| Sponge Caves 18.12.2017 19:55 |
LOTV wrote: Some on here are desperate to cast Mary as the villain yet clearly Freddie wasn't, neither did he ever portray himself as a victim. .He did play the victim a bit to be honest. Example 1: "No one wants to share their life with me". Granted he allowed traitors and users into his life but he was a serial cheat. Almost every relationship from Mary onwards. Phoebe said he didn't appreciate getting cheated on in return. He felt he could do what he wanted but they weren't allowed. Playing the victim example 2: All that melodramatic stuff about having no friends, that everyone in his life was fake and lying about liking him, when he obviously had many people in his life who adored him. |
| Sponge Caves 18.12.2017 19:57 |
LOTV wrote: Some on here are desperate to cast Mary as the villain yet clearly Freddie wasn't, neither did he ever portray himself as a victim.When I first got into Freddie I thought he and Mary's friendship was sweet. But reading HER interviews in combination with others' opinions made me see this sweet love story isn't what it seems. She made herself the 'villain' by slagging off his friends, family and the band and being ungrateful. Plus all the contradictory stories and admitting she wasn't even in love with him at first. |
| Sponge Caves 18.12.2017 19:59 |
LOTV wrote: Regarding Freddie's loves, I just watched it again. I stand by that both our hosts come across as just fine and I really don't see why the furore, it's a bit of harmless fun. Tacky in places but on the whole it's very complementary and warm towards Fred. I think some on here are in danger of canonizing the man. Also, Phoebe says Freddie slept with both (although I do think that may just be mischevious editing ;-) )Yeah...no one's ever denied Freddie had slept with women at some point. A lot of gay men do at first. You're lowkey a bi-screamer and it's boring. |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 18.12.2017 21:13 |
Noorie please check your pm |
| SmokyQuartz 18.12.2017 21:42 |
Is anyone else not able to quote on this forum at the moment? It's stopped me replying to 3 people...ah well Lee, I really love all the stories, along with Thor's. :-) |
| noorie 18.12.2017 21:43 |
Lee, please check yours. :) |
| noorie 18.12.2017 21:45 |
SmokyQuartz, please let your cursor hover next to the date of the post you want to reply to. There is 'edit post', 'reply to post' and 'reply with quote' - all invisible until you hover over them! :) Click on the 'reply with quote'. |
| Invisible Woman 18.12.2017 21:55 |
This discussion of did Freddie was bi or gay going to never end it, as it seems to me. It's not that important to me.He didn't made music only for gay people or only for straight people but for all people. Why is it so important did he slept with both women and men? I think it is much more important that he found love and the person who loved him and whom he loved and that person was a man. My question on page 18 is still unanswered. If you want to give answer it would be fine and if you don't want to give answer thanks in that case too. |
| SmokyQuartz 18.12.2017 21:56 |
Sponge Caves, something you mentioned about Freddie calling fans 'ugly,' I read that too but I believe it was in the early days, they were young and starting out and it was a private joke, amongst friends. The joke being that you can't have ugly people at a Queen concert. I agree with you and others here that Freddie should not be sanitised. At the same time I think some fans hang on to his 'bad' stuff because they think it makes their bad behaviour ok, and they take what he did out of context (I'm not saying you did). A lot of the examples given by people took place privately, with close friends who wouldn't take offence, etc. Also they were years apart, but when written in one paragraph make it look like he was doing that all the time. No one would want Freddie to be a saint, but I get the impression he was essentially a good person with morals. Far too many people have said that he was kind, warm hearted and generous. At the same time he took no shit from people and by all accounts you had to work hard to gain his acceptance. Good for him. He said in one interview that he lets his characters loose at the right times, I think there were many facets and he did let them loose when he felt it was appropriate. Someone mentioned he punched a photographer?? I've never heard that one....what happened? Why? (edited, LOTV, it was you and yes I agree re his imperfections, it allows others to have them too) |
| SmokyQuartz 18.12.2017 21:58 |
noorie wrote: SmokyQuartz, please let your cursor hover next to the date of the post you want to reply to. There is 'edit post', 'reply to post' and 'reply with quote' - all invisible until you hover over them! :) Click on the 'reply with quote'.LOL, got it, they disappeared, thanks Noorie! :-) |
| thundergod 18.12.2017 22:09 |
Hi Invisible Woman, Sorry we did not get back to you on your question yet. So far we are not 100% decided on doing a book. Doing a documentary is not even on our "things to do list". We'll let you know if a book is in the making after Christmas or in the new year. Thanks for being patient.. |
| Dustin Zimmerman 19.12.2017 00:15 |
Lol yeah Lee you were probably taken aback by the Barbara story because it's ridiculous. Lets see.. In every interview he ever took his entire career when asked about who he was dating he only talked about Mary even when Barbara claims they were together. Peter said it never happened (multiple times he's had to say it). If he was bisexual why didn't he ever get back with Mary who he loved enough to leave so much to? If he was bisexual then why didn't anyone in his circle EVER see him show interest in women at all after Mary? There were plenty of men on record but peter said in all the years he knew Freddie, freddie never had sex with a woman or even showed interest in one sexually. Surely a bisexual with access to loads of women and cash could have and would have been seen showing interest in women at some point. He didn't. Gee wonder what could mean. Barbara herself said Freddie didn't tell her he had AIDS after he found out and even cut himself by accident near her and screamed for her to get away from him and not touch the blood. Yet he told Jim Hutton, and Joe Fanelli (who he had stopped having sex with some 7 years before that) to get tested. If he had any sexual relationship with Barbara why did he not tell her to get tested too? Why did he hide it from her when he told his ex lovers? Why did she have to find out about it over a year after he was diagnosed instead of him telling her? Why didn't he leave her anything in the estate? Why did he literally tell two separate people on two separate occasions that he never had sex with her? Why was she on the untold story (audio and video) NEVER claiming to have been his lover? On a documentary that just so happened to be fact checked. Lee, I don't blame you guys for thinking it was odd. It was odd because it never happened. It's also worded a certain way in the Freddie's Loves doc. Peter says he slept with men and women because before Mary, there were women. Peter also says he knows they shared a bed but had they ever had sex, freddie would have said something to him about it. Barbaras own best friend was on there saying literally "had Freddie not been a HOMOSEXUAL perhaps they could have been married". She was a beard in the 80s (not one he even took seriously because he never even mentioned her in interviews and just held her hand for for the press in photos). A beard who waited until he died to make bullshit claims and that's why it was so weird for you to hear it, Lee. Keep in mind that peter talks about the fact that Freddie used her as a beard for a while (like mary was at the time) but Barbara turned around and started telling the German press that they were getting married. Freddie started to realize that every time they left a restaurant or theater in Germany, there were suddenly press and media waiting for them so she had to grab his hand or kiss him for photos. He talked about how COINCIDENTLY all the press that showed up to take their photos and spread the marriage lie just so happened to be friends with Barbara herself. Freddie started to question how they always seemed to know where they would be- ready to take their photo. Freddie cut her out of his life for a few years for a reason. She tried using him while he was alive and he didn't care for it. So she waited until he was dead and a tabloid writer who wouldn't fact check came around to use his name again. This time he wasn't here to defend himself. She even tossed in some physical abuse and attempted murder for good measure. And invisible women it's important to know Freddie was gay and not bisexual because lgbt people (especially in that time) struggled with having to hide their sexual identity for fear of losing their careers. The man had to keep it on the DL for years. To ignore it or claim it isn't important (his story and his struggle) isn't important....Is disrespectful. It's part of who he was. That's why it's important. If you don't want to hear a Barbara rant again just skip over it. The can of worms was already opened. Lee mentioned his shock over the story when he heard it and I'm telling him why it was shocking. |
| thundergod 19.12.2017 01:11 |
Well Dustin, The fact that Lee and I knew nothing about this woman and when we were in London, still did not hear of her, says something. Freddie never once since I've known him, ever pointed out a woman as his desire. I dated about five girls in High School in order to fit in with the crowd and cause no attention to myself. In the early '70s, you could not admit you were gay and especially if you could "pass" as straight. No name-calling, no shoves into the lockers and no bullying was just fine with me. So, the "beard" philosophy is definitely true. Also, a good amount of gays even went as far as marring and having children to ensure they could still become doctors and lawyers and professors. If you did not live as a gay man (or woman) in the 1970's you would just have NO idea of how it actually was then. |
| Dustin Zimmerman 19.12.2017 01:45 |
Thanks Thor. Well said. It's a damn shame that so many people had to deal with that kind of bullying and abuse for being gay. |
| Katydyd5 19.12.2017 02:14 |
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| thundergod 19.12.2017 02:47 |
OK Katydyd, I hope people can understand this so I'll try not to go too far. When I was 6 years old I wound up in the playground behind a big tree and I put my hand down a very cute kids pants. He was wearing his cub-scout uniform and I thought he was dreamy. From age 9 to 14, the little old lady who lived nextdoor started to rent out her upstairs rooms to college students. I would turn out all my lights, pull up a chair and spent hours trying to catch this guy either coming out of the shower, having sex with a girl, or masturbating. Even if I stayed awake until 4AM with school the next day, it was WORTH it. I got such a secret thrill out of this. I guess my point is that I always knew I liked men but I had no idea what that made me. Finally I saw a David Susskind (popular in the late 60's) interview with a "homosexual." I was relieved that I had a new understanding of who or what But my preferences at such an early age had no name for it. I went the next day to the Hofstra University Library and spent the whole day looking up books on homosexual behavior well that was sort of a relief for me but I also became very disturbed.that I was something that people hated and despised. I was miserable until age 17 when I left home on Graduation Day and met and fell in love with a very special person. That was great and I was finally content with myself and happy. |
| thundergod 19.12.2017 02:49 |
Katydyd, What happened to your question, I read it here, answered, and now the message is gone. |
| thundergod 19.12.2017 02:54 |
Correction: "homosexual." I was relieved that I had a new understanding of who or what I was, but my preferences at such an early age had no name for it. |
| YAWN 19.12.2017 02:56 |
Thor that happens sometimes when you're trying to edit a comment. But I saw what she asked. She asked Thor how young he was when he realized he was gay or how he knew. Thor, you and I have a similar story there. And apparently Freddie had his first experience with a boy at 14 at St.Peters. I assume his story was much like ours. |
| thundergod 19.12.2017 02:58 |
Always a pleasure to hear from you Villiers, Thank you much. |
| Katydyd5 19.12.2017 03:04 |
thundergod wrote: Katydyd, What happened to your question, I read it here, answered, and now the message is gone.I am so sorry. I decided it was way too personal, so I wanted to delete it, but it still left my name hanging there. I was kinda hoping it would look like a mistake. Thanks for answering though. I think you have a wonderful opportunity here to tell Freddie stories, and to educate at the same time. |
| Katydyd5 19.12.2017 03:19 |
LOL Villiers, you were too quick for me! |
| Blenkolove 19.12.2017 03:25 |
Thor.....you're very brave for putting your story out there!! But it sounds very Real!! Thank you for sharing such an intimate story. The atrocities that humans have put other humans through....whether it's in the name of religion, race, or sexual identity is a pox on our entire species!! Why humans can't just 'live n let live"???....i'll never understand. I've quite often stated that Humans are bad animals!! My dogs have taught me more about forgiveness, unconditional love, stoicism, living in the moment, and of course loyalty and undying affection!!! I haven't met too many humans w/as many good traits as these!! But Hopefully, as we evolve and grow......i do Think that a large majority of us humans are learning and practicing peace, tolerance, embracing differences, and loving ALL People!!! |
| thundergod 19.12.2017 03:42 |
HaHa Blenkolove, Both my sister and myself as well as Brandon are animal lovers. She and he volunteer in Animal Shelters in their prospective states. My sister once drove from New York to Mississippi just to deliver a dog to a new owner at her own expense. We always comment on how most animals have much better personalities and love for all, than most of people. |
| thundergod 19.12.2017 04:10 |
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| thundergod 19.12.2017 04:12 |
Oh no...I'm right there with you Katydyd...but I didn't try to edit, or erase...LOL |
| Tonya 19.12.2017 04:25 |
Rainbow61 - I have been one of the silent followers of these two threads. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading all these stories and everyone’s input (well, except for a couple ??). As I closed the thread one night last week, I hit the reply button unknowingly. Imagine my surprise when I checked it again later and Thor had responded! Lol Thor and Lee (I am aware that I am posting this time! Ha) - I know you said you sat in the friends and family section with Brian’s mother and father at one concert. Did you ever see Freddie’s parents or any of the other band members’ families? |
| thundergod 19.12.2017 04:42 |
Welcome Tonya, I have never met Freddie's Mom and Dad or his sister. I don't think we ever introduced to John Deacon's family nor Rodgers. Of course they may have been back stage but I just did not recognize them. Freddie was not all that interested in mingling with the band when his friends were around. I wish now that I had been introduced to all of them. |
| Tonya 19.12.2017 05:28 |
Thanks Thor! |
| Rainbow61 19.12.2017 06:40 |
Hello Tonya and welcome. Glad you are here! |
| c.jory 19.12.2017 08:55 |
Thor, I'd been wondering if you'd had girlfriends to fit in in your youth too. I just never asked in case you thought I was too nosy! The bi screamers will be claiming you're bi because of this too. They have no concept of how necessary it was to fit in and act straight. It's all interesting to me to hear experiences of gay men in the 70s because I am writing a story about one. It's a challenge to write. I'm not a gay man myself obviously, but I've experienced homophobia against myself (!) As a teen, I wasn't feminine, I didn't really identify with other girls much or join in conversations about hot boys. As a result, kids speculated i was a lesbian and I was bullied severely for it. I had a whole class chant "dyke" at me once and people refusing to sit next to me in assembly. People shoving me up against walls and claiming they'd been "lezzed up" by me. Had i really been a lesbian, I'd have been suicidal about it. So I can totally empathise with gay people. I hate the gay erasure because I have had a taste of how homophobia feels and know how resilient they have to become. That's why I always step in when people simplify Freddie's life as "yeah well he liked women so his life was easier". It really wasn't in his youth. |
| c.jory 19.12.2017 09:00 |
So when people say his sexuality doesn't matter, in terms of understanding him as a person it totally matters. In terms of his music of course it doesn't matter what he was. Though I think it did contribute to the campiness of some of the songs. Some are just like: a straight guy wouldn't have written that! |
| LOTV 19.12.2017 11:10 |
Sponge Caves wrote:You know what's boring, a screaming Queen finding offence where there isn't any. See look, I can throw insults around too.LOTV wrote: Regarding Freddie's loves, I just watched it again. I stand by that both our hosts come across as just fine and I really don't see why the furore, it's a bit of harmless fun. Tacky in places but on the whole it's very complementary and warm towards Fred. I think some on here are in danger of canonizing the man. Also, Phoebe says Freddie slept with both (although I do think that may just be mischevious editing ;-) )Yeah...no one's ever denied Freddie had slept with women at some point. A lot of gay men do at first. You're lowkey a bi-screamer and it's boring. I couldn't give a shit about how many women he did or didn't sleep with. I couldn't give a shit. The only reason his sexuality is of slight interest to me is because it was part of who he was . This 'bi-screamer' nonsense is just paranoid bullshit. |
| LOTV 19.12.2017 11:16 |
thundergod wrote: LOTV, Go a little easy on me, ok? Since this site is visited by a few trolls, I just assumed this was some intolerant and trashy information. Both Lee and I have explained how the "F" word affects our feelings. I had never seen this link before and it didn't look like something I wanted to see.. I didn't know if Freddie had ever used that word with us but I'm pretty sure he didn't. I have already apologized as soon as I found out the truth. I am not prissy nor ever have been@Thor, apologies, no offence intended. I understand how growing up and now living in a world that still thinks it's everybody else's business which gender an individual sleeps with has been and is harder for you. I appreciate the 'f' word has been hurled about to hurt and is synonymous with nonacceptance and homophobia. Well I understand in principle but of course I can never truly understand. The closest I have come is to have had to deal with mild racism. I certainly would never use the word. Clearly Fred felt in certain company he could own it. My general point is lets not sanitize him and understand and discuss all of his character. With regards to lamping the troublesome photographer I still think good for him, the bloke had it coming, but it's not exemplary behaviour. |
| LOTV 19.12.2017 11:24 |
SmokyQuartz wrote: Sponge Caves, something you mentioned about Freddie calling fans 'ugly,' I read that too but I believe it was in the early days, they were young and starting out and it was a private joke, amongst friends. The joke being that you can't have ugly people at a Queen concert. I agree with you and others here that Freddie should not be sanitised. At the same time I think some fans hang on to his 'bad' stuff because they think it makes their bad behaviour ok, and they take what he did out of context (I'm not saying you did). A lot of the examples given by people took place privately, with close friends who wouldn't take offence, etc. Also they were years apart, but when written in one paragraph make it look like he was doing that all the time. No one would want Freddie to be a saint, but I get the impression he was essentially a good person with morals. Far too many people have said that he was kind, warm hearted and generous. At the same time he took no shit from people and by all accounts you had to work hard to gain his acceptance. Good for him. He said in one interview that he lets his characters loose at the right times, I think there were many facets and he did let them loose when he felt it was appropriate. Someone mentioned he punched a photographer?? I've never heard that one....what happened? Why? (edited, LOTV, it was you and yes I agree re his imperfections, it allows others to have them too)Smoky, I'd have to dig about because I can't remember which gig it was. Pretty sure it was in the UK. There was a photographer in the front row and Freddie asked him to stop the flash getting in his eyes. The bloke continued and an altercation followed with insults being thrown back and forth. Later in the gig Fred had enough and jumped into the crowd and belted him. He got in a bit of trouble for it I believe. There's an audio of it I heard years ago, maybe worth a search? Sorry that's all I can recall off the top of my head. |
| LOTV 19.12.2017 11:30 |
thundergod wrote: Well Dustin, The fact that Lee and I knew nothing about this woman and when we were in London, still did not hear of her, says something. Freddie never once since I've known him, ever pointed out a woman as his desire. I dated about five girls in High School in order to fit in with the crowd and cause no attention to myself. In the early '70s, you could not admit you were gay and especially if you could "pass" as straight. No name-calling, no shoves into the lockers and no bullying was just fine with me. So, the "beard" philosophy is definitely true. Also, a good amount of gays even went as far as marring and having children to ensure they could still become doctors and lawyers and professors. If you did not live as a gay man (or woman) in the 1970's you would just have NO idea of how it actually was then.Thor, how did you muster up the ability to be sexual/intimate with women? Was it repulsive? There must have been an element of self hate, which I think is one of the most abhorrent aspects of having a sexually intolerant society. The secret pain and misery it causes. |
| Sponge Caves 19.12.2017 11:31 |
LOTV wrote:You're the one who's brought up 'but he could have been on drugs and didn't remember' several times. In this thread and the last. You wouldn't mention it if you didn't keep thinking about it.Sponge Caves wrote:You know what's boring, a screaming Queen finding offence where there isn't any. See look, I can throw insults around too. I couldn't give a shit about how many women he did or didn't sleep with. I couldn't give a shit. The only reason his sexuality is of slight interest to me is because it was part of who he was . This 'bi-screamer' nonsense is just paranoid bullshit.LOTV wrote: Regarding Freddie's loves, I just watched it again. I stand by that both our hosts come across as just fine and I really don't see why the furore, it's a bit of harmless fun. Tacky in places but on the whole it's very complementary and warm towards Fred. I think some on here are in danger of canonizing the man. Also, Phoebe says Freddie slept with both (although I do think that may just be mischevious editing ;-) )Yeah...no one's ever denied Freddie had slept with women at some point. A lot of gay men do at first. You're lowkey a bi-screamer and it's boring. Can't stand people who deny caring about a topic they wade in on. |
| LOTV 19.12.2017 11:39 |
thundergod wrote: OK Katydyd, I hope people can understand this so I'll try not to go too far. When I was 6 years old I wound up in the playground behind a big tree and I put my hand down a very cute kids pants. He was wearing his cub-scout uniform and I thought he was dreamy. From age 9 to 14, the little old lady who lived nextdoor started to rent out her upstairs rooms to college students. I would turn out all my lights, pull up a chair and spent hours trying to catch this guy either coming out of the shower, having sex with a girl, or masturbating. Even if I stayed awake until 4AM with school the next day, it was WORTH it. I got such a secret thrill out of this. I guess my point is that I always knew I liked men but I had no idea what that made me. Finally I saw a David Susskind (popular in the late 60's) interview with a "homosexual." I was relieved that I had a new understanding of who or what But my preferences at such an early age had no name for it. I went the next day to the Hofstra University Library and spent the whole day looking up books on homosexual behavior well that was sort of a relief for me but I also became very disturbed.that I was something that people hated and despised. I was miserable until age 17 when I left home on Graduation Day and met and fell in love with a very special person. That was great and I was finally content with myself and happy.What a candid response. What's great about this story is that it's a tail of young lust, the genders of all characters don't really matter. I really wish that everybody could see it like that. I remember seeing some pornographic playing cards when I was young. Remember those tacky things? I got stirrings looking at all the images including very well endowed men with fantastic physiques. I spent a couple of years wondering and worrying what that made me. |
| LOTV 19.12.2017 11:49 |
Sponge Caves wrote:I can't stand people who find offence where there isn't any to reinforce a self created narrative of being oh so fucking liberal.LOTV wrote:You're the one who's brought up 'but he could have been on drugs and didn't remember' several times. In this thread and the last. You wouldn't mention it if you didn't keep thinking about it. Can't stand people who deny caring about a topic they wade in on.Sponge Caves wrote:You know what's boring, a screaming Queen finding offence where there isn't any. See look, I can throw insults around too. I couldn't give a shit about how many women he did or didn't sleep with. I couldn't give a shit. The only reason his sexuality is of slight interest to me is because it was part of who he was . This 'bi-screamer' nonsense is just paranoid bullshit.LOTV wrote: Regarding Freddie's loves, I just watched it again. I stand by that both our hosts come across as just fine and I really don't see why the furore, it's a bit of harmless fun. Tacky in places but on the whole it's very complementary and warm towards Fred. I think some on here are in danger of canonizing the man. Also, Phoebe says Freddie slept with both (although I do think that may just be mischevious editing ;-) )Yeah...no one's ever denied Freddie had slept with women at some point. A lot of gay men do at first. You're lowkey a bi-screamer and it's boring. He could have been on drugs and done gods knows what. It's possible, how do you know, you weren't there either. I've conceded based on what Thor and Lee tell us it's highly unlikely. I've never slept with a man, but how do you know I haven't? I've conceded to friends that in my younger sexually free days I may have 'done something' with a man if it had pleased a girl I thought was super hot. But I didn't, so I'll never know. In the moment, these things can be fluid, especially under the influence. I look forward to you now claiming I'm suppressed and a self hater, a homophobic homosexual. |
| Stop The Madness 19.12.2017 11:50 |
Lotv you're asking Thor if he was repulsed by women because he was gay? Really? Aren't you the same dude talking about how much you don't care about gay and bi shit? You're also the same one that goes keeps claiming he could have had sex with women under heavy drugs and just not remembered it. For someone who doesn't care you sure bring it up every chance you get buddy. Careful. Your troll is showing. To answer your retarded question, even Adam gay Lambert had sex with a women and said it felt good but it wasn't his cup of tea. And IM being called homophobic here. Ironic! With love, from one troll to another. |
| Sponge Caves 19.12.2017 11:54 |
LOTV wrote:Sorry to disappoint you but you clearly don't know what I'm about. I'm not some easily offended teenage tumblrina.Sponge Caves wrote:I can't stand people who find offence where there isn't any to reinforce a self created narrative of being oh so fucking liberal. I look forward to you now claiming I'm suppressed and a self hater, a homophobic homosexual.LOTV wrote:You're the one who's brought up 'but he could have been on drugs and didn't remember' several times. In this thread and the last. You wouldn't mention it if you didn't keep thinking about it. Can't stand people who deny caring about a topic they wade in on.Sponge Caves wrote:You know what's boring, a screaming Queen finding offence where there isn't any. See look, I can throw insults around too. I couldn't give a shit about how many women he did or didn't sleep with. I couldn't give a shit. The only reason his sexuality is of slight interest to me is because it was part of who he was . This 'bi-screamer' nonsense is just paranoid bullshit.LOTV wrote: Regarding Freddie's loves, I just watched it again. I stand by that both our hosts come across as just fine and I really don't see why the furore, it's a bit of harmless fun. Tacky in places but on the whole it's very complementary and warm towards Fred. I think some on here are in danger of canonizing the man. Also, Phoebe says Freddie slept with both (although I do think that may just be mischevious editing ;-) )Yeah...no one's ever denied Freddie had slept with women at some point. A lot of gay men do at first. You're lowkey a bi-screamer and it's boring. I'm just bored with your repetitive comments. |
| Dustin Zimmerman 19.12.2017 12:03 |
LOTV let it go. You're the one that keeps bringing it up. For someone who "doesn't care" about the topic, you sure do hold on to it. "Lotv you're asking Thor if he was repulsed by women because he was gay? Really? Aren't you the same dude talking about how much you don't care about gay and bi shit? " Hate to agree with that guy, but true. YAWN. |
| LOTV 19.12.2017 12:10 |
Stop The Madness wrote: Lotv you're asking Thor if he was repulsed by women because he was gay? Really? Aren't you the same dude talking about how much you don't care about gay and bi shit? You're also the same one that goes keeps claiming he could have had sex with women under heavy drugs and just not remembered it. For someone who doesn't care you sure bring it up every chance you get buddy. Careful. Your troll is showing. To answer your retarded question, even Adam gay Lambert had sex with a women and said it felt good but it wasn't his cup of tea. And IM being called homophobic here. Ironic! With love, from one troll to another.To credit you with an answer you don't deserve. It matters not to me whether an individual is gay, bi or straight. However I am interested in sexuality and experiences that are different to my own. I have a gay friend who has said the thought of sleeping with women is pretty repellent to him. He tells some very funny stories about his university encounters with beards. |
| LOTV 19.12.2017 12:17 |
Typical, one can't ask questions or challenge perspectives without being accused of all sorts. You do get how that does nothing for equality don't you? Perhaps some aren't bright enough to understand the subtle difference? Or choose not to in the name of appearing liberal. Challenging is now apparently trolling. If you're not intelligent enough to understand the notion that I am tolerant of all sexuality yet still intrigued by 'the other' then I am onto a losing cause explaining it. |
| The Squirrelly One 19.12.2017 12:17 |
In all fairness LOTV...You do say that you don't care what Freddie was and when his friends and people say he was gay, you keep saying that nobody knows for sure that he didn't have sex with women while on drugs and just didn't remember. So you're asking what he was and you're given the answer.....then claiming it's not certain. It sure does come across as you not wanting to accept Freddie for what he was. You want to know about it....He was gay. Most gay men have sex with women before coming to terms with it. I have had 3 gay friends in my life who have slept with women for years before coming out. One was married to my childhood best friend. Just my two cents. |
| LOTV 19.12.2017 12:19 |
Sponge Caves wrote:Which is OK because I'm bored of your self serving evangelizing.LOTV wrote:Sorry to disappoint you but you clearly don't know what I'm about. I'm not some easily offended teenage tumblrina. I'm just bored with your repetitive comments.Sponge Caves wrote:I can't stand people who find offence where there isn't any to reinforce a self created narrative of being oh so fucking liberal. I look forward to you now claiming I'm suppressed and a self hater, a homophobic homosexual.LOTV wrote:You're the one who's brought up 'but he could have been on drugs and didn't remember' several times. In this thread and the last. You wouldn't mention it if you didn't keep thinking about it. Can't stand people who deny caring about a topic they wade in on.Sponge Caves wrote:You know what's boring, a screaming Queen finding offence where there isn't any. See look, I can throw insults around too. I couldn't give a shit about how many women he did or didn't sleep with. I couldn't give a shit. The only reason his sexuality is of slight interest to me is because it was part of who he was . This 'bi-screamer' nonsense is just paranoid bullshit.LOTV wrote: Regarding Freddie's loves, I just watched it again. I stand by that both our hosts come across as just fine and I really don't see why the furore, it's a bit of harmless fun. Tacky in places but on the whole it's very complementary and warm towards Fred. I think some on here are in danger of canonizing the man. Also, Phoebe says Freddie slept with both (although I do think that may just be mischevious editing ;-) )Yeah...no one's ever denied Freddie had slept with women at some point. A lot of gay men do at first. You're lowkey a bi-screamer and it's boring. |
| Dustin Zimmerman 19.12.2017 12:23 |
LOTV are YOU not intelligent enough to see that you're spewing crap left and right with this? You claim you dont care what he was but you're being told he was gay and you're STILL sitting here trying to push that bullshit theory about him being fucked up on drugs and fucking chicks and just not remembering it and now you're claiming he may have even hid it from his gay and bisexual friends. Come the fuck on. You're not interested in others sexuality. You're interested in trying to make the man something he wasn't. He was homosexual. He had sex with chicks before coming out like most gays do. Build a bridge and get over it. Take your drug theory with you. |
| LOTV 19.12.2017 12:24 |
The Squirrelly One wrote: In all fairness LOTV...You do say that you don't care what Freddie was and when his friends and people say he was gay, you keep saying that nobody knows for sure that he didn't have sex with women while on drugs and just didn't remember. So you're asking what he was and you're given the answer.....then claiming it's not certain. It sure does come across as you not wanting to accept Freddie for what he was. You want to know about it....He was gay. Most gay men have sex with women before coming to terms with it. I have had 3 gay friends in my life who have slept with women for years before coming out. One was married to my childhood best friend. Just my two cents.Squirelly, I accept your point of view and can see you case. However hopefully I have explained myself in recent posts. You have the ability to be succinct and engage properly in debate, unlike the moron on this thread. Thankfully you are far more pleasant than I am. I'll let that particular Devil's Advocate viewpoint die. |
| The Squirrelly One 19.12.2017 12:29 |
I think the arguing does nothing but take away from the thread and it's a bit selfish to do it here when Thor and Lee are being so kind taking part in this for us. If anyone wants to continue it, can I suggest private messages instead of posting here? I think everyone here is better than that. |
| The Squirrelly One 19.12.2017 12:30 |
Lotv I think we posted at the same time. I just saw your last comment. I'm sure everyone is on the same page now. Thanks |
| LOTV 19.12.2017 12:31 |
Dustin Zimmerman wrote: LOTV are YOU not intelligent enough to see that you're spewing crap left and right with this? You claim you dont care what he was but you're being told he was gay and you're STILL sitting here trying to push that bullshit theory about him being fucked up on drugs and fucking chicks and just not remembering it and now you're claiming he may have even hid it from his gay and bisexual friends. Come the fuck on. You're not interested in others sexuality. You're interested in trying to make the man something he wasn't. He was homosexual. He had sex with chicks before coming out like most gays do. Build a bridge and get over it. Take your drug theory with you.Dustin Zimmerman, the spokesperson for the Queen fan community. How could I dare speak out against one so worthy? You know no more about Freddie Mercury than I do. Yet you are happy to represent yourself as THE authority along with the arbiter of decency. Don't patronise me with your linear thinking bullshit, please. |
| The Squirrelly One 19.12.2017 12:33 |
And we're right back where we started. That lasted all of about 30 seconds. |
| Stop The Madness 19.12.2017 12:35 |
So there you have it folks! LOTV is a full-fledged retard. Is your helmet on too tight? Trollololololll |
| LOTV 19.12.2017 12:36 |
The Squirrelly One wrote: I think the arguing does nothing but take away from the thread and it's a bit selfish to do it here when Thor and Lee are being so kind taking part in this for us. If anyone wants to continue it, can I suggest private messages instead of posting here? I think everyone here is better than that.Duly noted. I will struggle to let inaccurate assumptions and accusations against my character go unchallenged though. To return to the music, whilst we wait for our hosts to return, what is your favourite live performance you've heard by Queen? For me the versions of PTG and SM from Queen on Fire are absolutely top notch, along with the DOTL from Live Killers. |
| LOTV 19.12.2017 12:38 |
Stop The Madness wrote: So there you have it folks! LOTV is a full-fledged retard. Is your helmet on too tight? Trollololololll"Retard". Is that acceptable? True colours shown there. |
| Dustin Zimmerman 19.12.2017 12:39 |
Are you still here bitching? You're bitching about me thinking I know more about him than others when YOURE the one sitting here claiming to know more than his friends who said he was simply gay? You can't really be that dense. It's not possible. You have to be trolling. |
| LOTV 19.12.2017 12:39 |
The Squirrelly One wrote: And we're right back where we started. That lasted all of about 30 seconds.About 45 to be fair. Crossed threads. |
| Stop The Madness 19.12.2017 12:40 |
LOL "true colours shown here" No shit! Ironic statement coming from you! |
| LOTV 19.12.2017 12:41 |
Regarding The Prophet DZ, in respect for TSO I bow and step off the mat on this matter. |
| The Squirrelly One 19.12.2017 12:44 |
For gods sake someone be above all this and just stop commenting back. Everyone here is dangerously close to ruining this thread beyond salvaging. I'm logging out for a break. I'll try to put some positivity in here and start my day off by saying I hope you all relax, breathe and have a good day. Lifes too short guys. |
| Sponge Caves 19.12.2017 12:44 |
thundergod wrote: OK Katydyd, I hope people can understand this so I'll try not to go too far. When I was 6 years old I wound up in the playground behind a big tree and I put my hand down a very cute kids pants. He was wearing his cub-scout uniform and I thought he was dreamy. From age 9 to 14, the little old lady who lived nextdoor started to rent out her upstairs rooms to college students. I would turn out all my lights, pull up a chair and spent hours trying to catch this guy either coming out of the shower, having sex with a girl, or masturbating. Even if I stayed awake until 4AM with school the next day, it was WORTH it. I got such a secret thrill out of this. I guess my point is that I always knew I liked men but I had no idea what that made me. Finally I saw a David Susskind (popular in the late 60's) interview with a "homosexual." I was relieved that I had a new understanding of who or what But my preferences at such an early age had no name for it. I went the next day to the Hofstra University Library and spent the whole day looking up books on homosexual behavior well that was sort of a relief for me but I also became very disturbed.that I was something that people hated and despised. I was miserable until age 17 when I left home on Graduation Day and met and fell in love with a very special person. That was great and I was finally content with myself and happy.This reminds me of something I read about Freddie. Now, a lot of people dismiss it as a bad source because it's from a rather tabloidy sensationalist author David Bret (I agree, he's kinda SHIT). And also because the informant remained anonymous, (so 'hmmm') but: this guy claimed he was also gay at St Peter's and he and Freddie used to spy on the older boys getting in the bath! It was the only way they could 'get their kicks'. There's a reason people are particularly keen to ignore this story and that's because there's a darker side to it. I'm going to write what it said anyway because it seems relevant. Okay basically one of the older boys was said to have bullied him into sex and Freddie was absolutely terrified of the consequences of being seen as gay. He didn't report this boy because the shame terrified him - but it wasn't the shame of being taken advantage of - it was the fact he had enjoyed it and he didn't want to admit his feelings. In spite of the dubious source, I do believe it, because it just seems likely. Freddie also alluded to things happening in school in a 1974 interview. He also fell in love with another boy at school and there's a theory he was expelled for it. In any case, his parents knew he was gay. So when he came to Britain, he dated girls for a while, because basically he was badly shamed for being a gay kid. That's why he didn't come out til he was thirty. |
| LOTV 19.12.2017 12:45 |
Thor & Lee, it's well documented Freddie's love of Japan and most things Japanese, do you recall whether this extended to any interest in martial arts? We are lead to believe he was a competent boxer in his youth. |
| Dustin Zimmerman 19.12.2017 12:47 |
TSO you're a gem. Consider it squashed. You have yourself a good day too. |
| c.jory 19.12.2017 12:51 |
Sponge Caves wrote:It fits with his type too. The boy "Robert" was said to be "overweight, unattractive and reprehensible" ... lol reminds me of a few of his other boyfriends!thundergod wrote: OK Katydyd, I hope people can understand this so I'll try not to go too far. When I was 6 years old I wound up in the playground behind a big tree and I put my hand down a very cute kids pants. He was wearing his cub-scout uniform and I thought he was dreamy. From age 9 to 14, the little old lady who lived nextdoor started to rent out her upstairs rooms to college students. I would turn out all my lights, pull up a chair and spent hours trying to catch this guy either coming out of the shower, having sex with a girl, or masturbating. Even if I stayed awake until 4AM with school the next day, it was WORTH it. I got such a secret thrill out of this. I guess my point is that I always knew I liked men but I had no idea what that made me. Finally I saw a David Susskind (popular in the late 60's) interview with a "homosexual." I was relieved that I had a new understanding of who or what But my preferences at such an early age had no name for it. I went the next day to the Hofstra University Library and spent the whole day looking up books on homosexual behavior well that was sort of a relief for me but I also became very disturbed.that I was something that people hated and despised. I was miserable until age 17 when I left home on Graduation Day and met and fell in love with a very special person. That was great and I was finally content with myself and happy.This reminds me of something I read about Freddie. Now, a lot of people dismiss it as a bad source because it's from a rather tabloidy sensationalist author David Bret (I agree, he's kinda SHIT). And also because the informant remained anonymous, (so 'hmmm') but: this guy claimed he was also gay at St Peter's and he and Freddie used to spy on the older boys getting in the bath! It was the only way they could 'get their kicks'. There's a reason people are particularly keen to ignore this story and that's because there's a darker side to it. I'm going to write what it said anyway because it seems relevant. Okay basically one of the older boys was said to have bullied him into sex and Freddie was absolutely terrified of the consequences of being seen as gay. He didn't report this boy because the shame terrified him - but it wasn't the shame of being taken advantage of - it was the fact he had enjoyed it and he didn't want to admit his feelings. In spite of the dubious source, I do believe it, because it just seems likely. Freddie also alluded to things happening in school in a 1974 interview. He also fell in love with another boy at school and there's a theory he was expelled for it. In any case, his parents knew he was gay. So when he came to Britain, he dated girls for a while, because basically he was badly shamed for being a gay kid. That's why he didn't come out til he was thirty. |
| The Fairy King 19.12.2017 13:15 |
Reading through this thread and also the one dedicated to Thor...i must say i enjoy the stories you (Lee and Thor) tell about yourselves more than the ones about Freddie (although Freddie is the main reason why we're here). The more this thread progresses it's getting more uncomfortable and creepy. These so-called "fans" that come out of nowhere that are sudden experts in every little private detail of Freddie's life. I like the stuff about being gay back in the day. What you guys went through. What it meant back then and what (gay/bi/trans) people had to deal with bears more of a social and historical significance than when and how he contracted the virus or he did or didn't pound the odd vadge here and there. |
| Invisible Woman 19.12.2017 13:51 |
To better explain my post from yesterday. When I said that it doesn't really matter,I said that doesn't really matter TO ME.In music or in any other sense. If anyone thinks that Freddie was bisexual,I have nothing against that opinion. I think he was gay, but I don't think that's the only or the most important thing which identified him as a person! I think he knew exactly who was but he had no need to shout "I am gay!I am gay!" Of course, he also thought about his career,public image, other members of the band, band management... He wanted to protect his career,family and the people around him. Today is a different time,but even today people hide that they are gay. But I think no need to argue about such things and no need to insult each others.It doesn't make sense. |
| Katydyd5 19.12.2017 13:53 |
Trying to get back on track here......................I've heard and read books and interviews where people, particularly Peter F., say that Freddie was easily bored and never still. Thor and Lee, did you find that to be true? Did he ever just sit and chill? |
| Katydyd5 19.12.2017 14:04 |
thundergod wrote: Oh no...I'm right there with you Katydyd...but I didn't try to edit, or erase...LOLI apologize again. I left you out there hanging having posted a very personal and revealing response with no apparent reason for having brought it up. It was unintentional and I felt terrible. Hopefully I'll manage to figure out how to use this site at some point. I do need to thank Noorie for showing me how to find the little invisible buttons, but I need to get some boundaries before I post. |
| c.jory 19.12.2017 14:14 |
Further to what Katydyd5 says, did you ever find you could have long and in-depth one-to-one conversations with him (real life, not including on the phone)?? Or did he keep getting up and changing the subject? I remember some college friends saying he'd randomly just sing when they were trying to talk to them and it was annoying lol |
| LOTV 19.12.2017 15:19 |
Invisible Woman wrote: To better explain my post from yesterday. When I said that it doesn't really matter,I said that doesn't really matter TO ME.In music or in any other sense. If anyone thinks that Freddie was bisexual,I have nothing against that opinion. I think he was gay, but I don't think that's the only or the most important thing which identified him as a person! I think he knew exactly who was but he had no need to shout "I am gay!I am gay!" Of course, he also thought about his career,public image, other members of the band, band management... He wanted to protect his career,family and the people around him. Today is a different time,but even today people hide that they are gay. But I think no need to argue about such things and no need to insult each others.It doesn't make sense.Lets be honest Invisible Lady, he was mainly protecting his career and the band didn't want a major statement for commercial reasons. But as I wrote earlier I don't see it as he didn't come out, he just never made a statement in the press and he hardly tried to hide it. Not many straight rock n rollers would have heard of Anvil or Mineshaft let alone worn the t-shirt. |
| Darren_1977 19.12.2017 21:42 |
Regarding Barbara valentin, I thought I read somewhere that Freddie bought her a flat in Munich and a year or so before he passed away he bought houses for those closest to him, namely Jim , joe and Peter and Trevor Clarke , there were other names mentioned but I’ve forgotten them or was this just one of the many stories made up by the press like the aids promo video he supposedly filmed |
| c.jory 19.12.2017 21:51 |
He got her one in 1985; they were going to be flatmates, but he never moved in cos he found out she was leaking lies about the nature of their friendship to the press. But yeah I also heard he bought homes for a few people. Definitely the guys in the household, but I heard there were more. Nice dude. |
| SmokyQuartz 19.12.2017 22:12 |
Darren_1977 wrote: Regarding Barbara valentin, I thought I read somewhere that Freddie bought her a flat in Munich and a year or so before he passed away he bought houses for those closest to him, namely Jim , joe and Peter and Trevor Clarke , there were other names mentioned but I’ve forgotten them or was this just one of the many stories made up by the press like the aids promo video he supposedly filmedAw...he bought a house for Trevor Clarke, he seemed like a really nice guy in the documentaries and Freddie was HIS mother too (as he'd lost his own, Freddie apparently offered to take on the role) |
| SmokyQuartz 19.12.2017 22:19 |
LOTV thanks for that account you provided, I would have found it infuriating to have light shining in my eyes all the time, but there we are, I suppose none of us were there to see how the situation erupted. Lee, here's a question. I asked Thor previously about whether Freddie ever talked 'deep' or shared his philosophy on life. I'm wondering if he ever did with you. |
| Obsidian Willow 19.12.2017 22:46 |
I don't really have a question for this thread, just popping in to say "Hi." I'm new-ish to the Queen fandom and I'm enjoying all the lovely stories you guys have about Freddie :) |
| SinkingIsland 19.12.2017 22:51 |
Hi Obsidian Willow! |
| Rainbow61 19.12.2017 22:52 |
Welcome Obsidian Willow...after a while, you will not be able to resist asking a question or two! :) |
| SinkingIsland 19.12.2017 23:01 |
Blenkolove... I study everyone's teeth. I'll bet you do, too. :) I will rewind and / or pause programs for that reason. Only a fellow "toothie", like you, would understand. I do like character, as you mentioned before, and agree it is sad Freddie was embarrassed about his teeth sometimes. He was beautiful as he was. I remember what the old Prosthodontist said to the denture patient who wanted the straightest, whitest ones. He asked, "Do you want people to think you have nice teeth or nice dentures?" |
| Obsidian Willow 19.12.2017 23:07 |
Yikes...I was browsing through up until the 'Noorie's uncle' debate and then skipped forward to see how long the thread was. Things seem to have taken a turn for the worse... |
| Rainbow61 19.12.2017 23:13 |
Hi Thor and Lee, Did you ever hear a phrase or line from any song that Freddie wrote that you thought might be taken from an experience with Freddie that you were part of or witness to? Maybe one where other people would find the phrase/line obscure, but you guys understood the origin and would grin at being "on the inside"? It could be something as simple as a comment Freddie made that he later incorporated into a song. |
| SinkingIsland 19.12.2017 23:29 |
Lee & Thor... What, typically, did Freddie wear for a night on the town? Also, did he use fragrance? I seem to have read somewhere that he did. |
| SinkingIsland 19.12.2017 23:46 |
Thor... any thoughts to add to Lee's recollections regarding my question on page 23 (just before the 'F' bomb)? |
| SinkingIsland 19.12.2017 23:55 |
Hi - I'm reading "Freddie Mercury: An Intimate Memoir by the Man who Knew Him Best" by Peter Freestone and wanted to share this quote with you. "August 17: Indianapolis, Indiana 18-19th (we stayed in NewYork) It was during this stay in New York that Freddie met up with his own personal Viking. Thor Arnold is blond and big and beautiful and we met him in one of our usual haunts, whether The Spike or The Eagle or The Anvil or wherever is immaterial. Thor is a genuine, all-American boy." |
| c.jory 19.12.2017 23:58 |
lol aww Phoebe thought you were beautiful! <3 hehe |
| thundergod 20.12.2017 01:35 |
A challenge does not have to be nasty and belittling. The occasional curse word is fine...but not directed toward another. TIT for TAT blow-up arguments with all the previous quotes is a pain to read and exhausting. I believe it was LOTV and Dustin who went through 3 or 4 pages of nasty comment throwing on the old site. ONCE AGAIN...please use the PM function to argue on and on. Really nobody wants to read it in the way it is presented on this thread. |
| thundergod 20.12.2017 01:37 |
And with that I'll try to answer some of the questions on the last 4 pages...but tomorrow. |
| Blenkolove 20.12.2017 01:44 |
Amen Thor!!! ....if I wanna experience That kinda rage.....i'll just get in my truck n head for some traffic congestion!!lol. And Thor...you are quite stunning!!! How's ur teeth??lmao ;) |
| thundergod 20.12.2017 01:47 |
Just checked back...it was Dustin, LOTV and someone named day dop. |
| thundergod 20.12.2017 01:50 |
Blenkolove, I need four dental implants for five teeth four of which were nearly falling out (lower fronts). |
| thundergod 20.12.2017 01:51 |
Correction: I meant five implants not four. |
| Blenkolove 20.12.2017 01:54 |
Ouch!! That's expensive!! I was just kidding...but implants are an amazing replacement for natural teeth!!!!! |
| thundergod 20.12.2017 02:04 |
Yes, the expense would cut off too much of my retirement savings. |
| Obsidian Willow 20.12.2017 02:44 |
Question for Thor and Lee-- Do either of you know if Freddie ever continued with visual art once he got famous? He designed the Queen crest, but that seems to be it. I saw a youtube video a while back about a museum exhibit about Queen's early years, and the curator was saying something about how he designed/sewed some of his early stage costumes. I know that was (probably) before you guys knew him, but is there any truth to the rumors? |
| Obsidian Willow 20.12.2017 03:06 |
And for a part 2 to my question... Speaking of Youtube videos, are you aware of the Garden Lodge tapes? If so, what are your opinions on them? Personally, I think it's nice to see Freddie in candid unguarded moments, but some of them were a bit too private to be shared. |
| LOTV 20.12.2017 10:32 |
thundergod wrote: A challenge does not have to be nasty and belittling. The occasional curse word is fine...but not directed toward another. TIT for TAT blow-up arguments with all the previous quotes is a pain to read and exhausting. I believe it was LOTV and Dustin who went through 3 or 4 pages of nasty comment throwing on the old site. ONCE AGAIN...please use the PM function to argue on and on. Really nobody wants to read it in the way it is presented on this thread.Don't believe I've engaged with The Spokesman before but I take the point. Moving on. |
| thundergod 20.12.2017 21:10 |
I thought I would share with you all what I just read in Phoebe's first book that "One of the things he hated most was being called Fred." Although he introduced himself to me as Fred to pretend to be an average kind of guy, that was limited to one time on Sept. 21 1980. From then on, it was always Freddie. Interesting to note for some here who do refer to Freddie as Fred. |
| thundergod 20.12.2017 21:14 |
Let me try to answer all the legitimate questions that some of you have asked between turmoil of the word-fight. It may take a little while. |
| thundergod 20.12.2017 21:42 |
Hello LOTV, I appreciate your apology for insulting me with the word "prissy" Also, the old verbal fight between you, Dustin and one other can be reviewed somewhere around pg.82 of the old site. I also think I remember a long verbal fight somewhere around pg 45. I have not verified that one yet, but my point was made about wasted space with every quote over and over again. Quotes are great but readers can remember what was said by either backing up a page or just on their own memory. Using one quote if any would be much better for all readers. My experience shows that a large number of quoted thoughts, usually indicates a verbal fight. I hope we can agree on this. |
| thundergod 20.12.2017 21:48 |
The above needs also to be said to Sponge Caves. Please try to limit the number of previous quotes in your present reply. People probably do not care to read all the quotes over and over and over. Too tedious. |
| thundergod 20.12.2017 22:51 |
LOTV, Regarding how I was able to "perform" with girls in High School, you have to remember that this was 1967 to 1972. Sex among young straight boys and girls was discouraged and would cause problems in the families involved. I remember a 16yo boy from one of my classes who got a 15yo girl pregnant. They were ridiculed inside the school's boundaries and at home, even worse. The girl was forced to leave the school and the boy was forced to go, I believe, to finish his last two years in a Catholic school by his parents. Little did they know about what went on in some Catholic Schools and Churches. So, basically all I needed to do was make out with the girl in a friend's basement, parents out of the house, with the lights turned off. As I got older you were expected to cop a few feels of their breasts and longer French kissing sessions. None of my girlfriends ever reached for my crotch, so I had it made in the shade. A girl from 2017 would find this limit unthinkable. In the 60's most girls wanted love before sex and probably are on the pill at an earlier and earlier age every decade. |
| thundergod 20.12.2017 22:57 |
LOTV, Favorite performances where I was in attendance would have to include my mind-exploding first concert in Philadelphia, and of course the Wembley "Magic" performance where the group was as outstanding as the Live Aid performance, which I did not attend. |
| thundergod 20.12.2017 23:04 |
LOTV, no one is interesting in communicating with Stop TM. He proved himself to be argumentative, homophobic and very nasty. Please read his first couple of introductory statements if you haven't yet. END of subject. Feel free to PM him with my blessings. |
| thundergod 20.12.2017 23:10 |
LOTV, In regard to Freddie"s sports history, as I have said, he never discussed his past with us and never talked about sports. If he was Boxing in school, it probably was mandatory that you pick SOME sport back then. Also, maybe he got a thrill out of hitting someone, in a controlled setting, even if he lost. |
| thundergod 20.12.2017 23:13 |
Hey Fairy King, Thanks for your acknowledgement as to how it was in the past. Much appreciation friend! |
| YAWN 20.12.2017 23:14 |
Thor, it sounds like you had a much easier time than Freddie did when it came to women. He tried for years to date them and did have sex with them but cried in the middle of it with his girlfriend Rose (before Mary) saying he needed a man. He wanted to be bisexual, but as a bisexual myself, I can assure you none of us NEED both genders. If I'm with a man, I don't need a woman and if I'm with a woman, I don't need a man. I certainly don't stop in the middle of the fun to cry about it, either. She left him and he moved on to Mary. And according to her, she noticed a difference in their sex life around 75 and put it together. She had to confront him twice about it. The first time, he told her he thought he was bisexual and she suggested he was gay considering their sex life had changed and had he been bisexual, he would have no problem with being with her physically. They stayed together for a while and she was forced to have that conversation with him again. She said in a radio interview that he came up to her in the kitchen and was trying desperately to say something but coukdnt get the words out so she asked him 'Are you trying to tell me you're gay?', and he smiled and sat down in relief. The poor guy couldn't even get the words out. I feel for him, because I too wanted to be something I wasn't at one point. I tried for years to be straight. Then I tried for 2 years to be a lesbian. In both situations I was wildly uncomfortable and depressed. I'm convinced that had I not come out about being bisexual, I wouldn't be here today. The depression was too much. Freddie didn't come out to the public, but even Brian May has mentioned how much happier he seemed once he started living as a gay man in his private life. |
| The Squirrelly One 20.12.2017 23:21 |
Thor you May have been joking when you told LOTV to PM that Madness guy but for the sake of ending trolling here, I have to believe it's a better option to not stir the pot with that person. If we want him to stop commenting here, private messaging him after he stopped responding on the thread may result in him returning. |
| thundergod 20.12.2017 23:30 |
Hello Invisible Woman, If somebody says that Freddie hated cats and the people who knew him say that isn't true, who would you believe. The same should go for Freddie's sexuality. If one wasn't with him for a large portion of his life like Peter Freestone and to a lesser degree Lee and myself, why doubt first hand knowledge. And if it's not important to any individual, we would suggest one might try trusting us- We are not fake biographers who never knew Freddie. We CAN claim to know a lot about Freddies personality, his generosity and his kindness to his friends and what we don't know can be found in Peter Freestone's book(s). He was truthful, not trying to make Freddie gay, he just was. No conspiracy that I've noted. |
| thundergod 20.12.2017 23:45 |
Hi Sqiuirrelly, I was just kidding, but LOTV himself said he cannot let a smear of his character go .I suggested an alternate method, but let him know clearly that most of us don't want to read the nitty gritty of a NASTY argument. |
| SinkingIsland 20.12.2017 23:57 |
I highly recommend the book Queen Unseen by Peter (Ratty) Hince for anyone who hasn't read it. He was a roadie for Freddie and John. Lots of laughs. |
| thundergod 20.12.2017 23:59 |
Hello Villiers, I believe that many gay men nowadays could AS A NECESSITY, if being caught in a gay situation, might find some cover in saying, if he was compelled to do so, state that he is bi-sexual. As you know, back in the day, bisexuallity was not tolerated either. Homophobes, if they HAVE to these days will look the other way if it was bisexuallity that made him grope that other guy in the company's mensroom. |
| thundergod 21.12.2017 00:03 |
Hey SinkingIsland, I will try to read it soon. I am still finishing Peter's first book. I thing you had some questions on an earlier page. If you don't get an answer today, we'll try for tomorrow. |
| SinkingIsland 21.12.2017 00:06 |
Thanks! I was starting to think I did something wrong. I worry about everything, though. I noticed you, as I, hate to make mistakes with words and feel compelled to correct. You are not alone. :) |
| thundergod 21.12.2017 00:06 |
correction: change "gay situation, might" to "gay situation, fund" ...not "might find"- sorry |
| thundergod 21.12.2017 00:07 |
AY YAHY YAHY...... "gay situation, find" not fund. |
| thundergod 21.12.2017 00:08 |
Agreed SinkingIsland...LOL |
| SmokyQuartz 21.12.2017 00:10 |
thundergod wrote: Hi Sqiuirrelly, I was just kidding, but LOTV himself said he cannot let a smear of his character go .I suggested an alternate method, but let him know clearly that most of us don't want to read the nitty gritty of a NASTY argument.On that subject, speaking more generally, I think when we can't let something go, it's because something about it bothers us. So, say that person on you tube who called us all rat dogs, I actually found that funny. Not because it was, it was rude, etc, but to me it said more about the sad person saying it than it did about anyone else. How bothered by us must they have been to make that comment in the first place? When people defend anything vigorously they are not secure about that thing. Same when we defend ourselves IMO. LOTV this isn't directed at you, I'm making a general comment because I've seen quite a few people 'react' to stuff and actually, it's a shame, because they also have so much to offer. Every time we react, the crazy person doing the attacking is learning which buttons to press. |
| YAWN 21.12.2017 00:19 |
"Every time we react, the crazy person doing the attacking is learning which buttons to press." Very true. Good point. |
| c.jory 21.12.2017 00:20 |
I just had a look at the Youtube comment (Freddie's Loves pt 4) Funny how the first person to mention it on the old thread recently reappeared in this thread to mention it again...which just so happened to be on the same day the troll returned to YouTube with more insults. I wouldn't be surprised if they were the same person... Another one to be ignored from now? |
| thundergod 21.12.2017 00:49 |
Hey Smoky, I'm not quite sure how your response applies to my reply on the subject of personal verbal fighting on this thread. This is for everyone, I am not singling you out Smoky, I was saying only that Lee's and myself, supported by many others don't care for long, winded arguments on this thread with so many repeated quotes (sometime 1/3 of a page) above their current reply... and it seem to inevitably get nasty. I'm not saying this should be a bleaching type of thread, but when it is a back and forth between only two or three members, what about the rest of us?. Again, it's certainly ok to disagree, but maybe without profanities being hurled at each other and name calling. Many have said they don't like that and we don't like it either. This is not a freedom of the speech issue. This is not a government, this is a thread of Lee's and mine. Please all, respect some common sense restrictions on prolonged nasty fights in order to keep this thread healthy If that request is unfair, I don't see it. |
| thundergod 21.12.2017 00:59 |
hey captainjory, Thank for your comments.I agree but only when they state intolerance and hatred on the site, we shouldn't jump to conclusions. I've been burned before. |
| SinkingIsland 21.12.2017 00:59 |
We all have something good in common here, so why not be kind to one another? Well said, Thor! |
| SinkingIsland 21.12.2017 01:10 |
Do either of you, Thor or Lee, remember the number of the co-op in The Soverign or at least what floor? I just read it has 48 floors and it's an impressive looking building. |
| thundergod 21.12.2017 01:22 |
|
| thundergod 21.12.2017 01:26 |
SinkingIsland, I believe it was on either 46th or 47th floor. I'm sure he would have preferred the penthouse, but it was occupied and not for sale. |
| SmokyQuartz 21.12.2017 02:14 |
Sorry Thor, I didn't make it clear why I quoted you. I was just picking up and expanding on the subject of not being able to let things go that you'd mentioned in that quote. I'm totally in agreement with your position over the fighting that's been going on. Villiers, thanks. |
| thundergod 21.12.2017 02:57 |
Sounds good Smokey! |
| thundergod 21.12.2017 03:34 |
Hey Katydyd, Regarding Freddie being bored easily: As far as I've seen, this is 100% true. He was very much the hyperactive type of person. Sometimes, when there was a lull in our conversation, I would thank God Kathleen was there to keep him continually entertained. It took pressure off of me and enabled me to come up with even more entertainment and funny stories, even about the hospital I was currently working. Nothing funny about kids dying of cancer, but there was plenty of funny stories about the staff. In one of our visits to London, I remember telling a funny story about the San Diego hospital I was working in. For example... it was dinner time and because the room the nurse was in was close to the nurses station, so I heard every word of the following conversation: A very old lady said to the nurse, "What's for dinner dear?" The nurse answered , "Fish" "What honey, I can't hear you." to which the nurse shouted FISH" "Sorry dear, what is it?" The nurse opened the tray and displayed the fish. The lady finally said, "Oh hamburger" Freddie laughed hysterically and it's a hard story to tell with out laughing yourself. |
| thundergod 21.12.2017 03:51 |
captainjory, Freddie did not often have long 1 on 1 conversations, except when it came to MEN!.He considered me an authority on the gay community and would ask for advice i.e. "Should I go after him", "Do you think he is goodlooking? " I never lied to placate him. I mostly would have to say, well he's a little heavy, not my type" to which Freddie replied "He's for me darling, not YOU." We would laugh and laugh. Now, the Uncle Charlies bartender, Ray, that I fixed him up with was drop dead gorgeous. He also always wanted to know what the best club or bar that had recently opened was.and any exceptional private parties happening in Greenwich Village. He always trusted my judgement. |
| thundergod 21.12.2017 03:56 |
Hi Darren_1977, My group of friends were kind of left out of all of the Germany days. He probably would have felt uncomfortable about the old friends meeting the new friends. I think he realized the ice thrown our way from Peter Straker, et. al. |
| thundergod 21.12.2017 03:59 |
I will try to answer all the questions from pg. 30 and 31 tomorrow. My arthritic fingers want to escape from the keyboard right now. |
| thundergod 21.12.2017 03:59 |
I'm hoping that Lee might be available to help me. |
| YAWN 21.12.2017 04:00 |
Thor, that's awesome! I have always wondered if I would share the same sense of humor as Freddie. Could I have made him laugh...that story about the fish cracked me up and it's good to know he found that funny- it's just my type of humor! |
| Blenkolove 21.12.2017 04:17 |
So.....i think this was mentioned on Thor's previous thread??? And I can't remember who or how it was brought up (shoot! I can hardly remember what I had for dinner last night...ugh) but I just Ordered Struwwelpeter for my granddaughter!!!! I've been a bookworm all my life....and it appears my granddaughter is one too!! And of all the things I bought her for Christmas.....i may be Most excited about this story!!!!! I grew up with Hans Christian Anderson, The brother's Grimm, Aesop's Fables, Miss PiggleWiggle, The Hobit...and So much more!! But I never knew of this tale until Thor's forum!! So a BIG TY to those that mentioned it. Which leads me to wonder....If Freddie had a Favorite childhood book or fable????? Maybe Kash would know.....does anyone on this forum have communication w/her?????? |
| YAWN 21.12.2017 04:49 |
To answer your question blenk, in the 70s he filled out a fan club questionnaire. He was asked what his favorite book was. He said Peter Rabbit. I like his answer to 'What's your dream?' "To remain the divine lush creature that I am." How camp! And yes, it was filled out by his own hand. So for those who aren't familiar with his handwriting in the 70s, have a look. Pretty cool. |
| YAWN 21.12.2017 04:52 |
But according to Peter, the only thing he ever saw Freddie read entirely from front to back were the little books in New York that listed all the gay clubs and discos around the area. Thor, maybe you remember those. Freddie himself said he didn't read very often. He wasn't one to pick up books. I don't think he was patient enough to read a novel. |
| thundergod 21.12.2017 04:59 |
Villiers, Yes that's true, but in New York as a bartender, I had the latest, greatest information. No need for the Bob Damron guide. |
| Dustin Zimmerman 21.12.2017 05:02 |
Villiers! Under "special talent" he wrote "pouncing and poovery"! L O L I googled it and it means "male homosexuality". It's a term used in England. I'm laughing so hard lol. He was so outrageous. He came out on this questionnaire on the down low and nobody noticed LOL |
| thundergod 21.12.2017 05:03 |
Benkolove, Wow, that is excellent. I hope you will read it to her. My sister and I remember the name as Strubbelpeter but we must not remember correctly, because even the spell check says Struwwelpeter...LOL |
| YAWN 21.12.2017 05:06 |
Maybe Peter meant he read it before he met you, Thor. Its in his book. But yes, I too would be using you for knowledge about the community at the time. The internet wasn't a thing back then so if you wanted to be where the party was, you needed friends who were on the know! I'm so glad he had you guys. Sounds like Peter had his share of fun with you all too! |
| YAWN 21.12.2017 05:08 |
Dustin Z omg i forgot about that lol. My friend from England brought it up once and I had to Google it too! |
| thundergod 21.12.2017 05:29 |
That's hilarious Dustin, thank you. |
| Blenkolove 21.12.2017 05:31 |
Villiers, Ahh Yes....the Spartacus Guide!! Thanks for Freddie"s Questionnaire....that's Really cool!! I believe Freddie was always telling us in one way or another about his true self.....always in our Face....so obvious we missed it!! That was a small part of his GENIUS....And what I love n admire about him most!!!!!! |
| thundergod 21.12.2017 05:44 |
HaHa, there were two books, Spartacus guide (helpful in non-US/Canadian places) and Bob Damron for more accurate, up to date locations in the US and Canada. |
| thundergod 21.12.2017 05:49 |
Don't worry pg 30 and 31. Some questions are multiple and if I go back a page to check for more, I lose what I have written in this box. So it is more difficult. i'll try to tackle it tomorrow. |
| Rainbow61 21.12.2017 05:53 |
Hey Thor, Just wondering...does arthritis run in your family or do you think yours is related to your work? |
| Rainbow61 21.12.2017 05:58 |
Villiers, Thanks for the fan club questionnaire. That was a lot of fun to read. For his weight Freddie put 8.5 stones. I had to use a conversion calculator I found online to figure out what that was...about 119 pounds. I know he was fairly slender, but wow, that seems pretty light! |
| Rainbow61 21.12.2017 06:38 |
Thor and Lee, Do you recall what you did the last time you were with Freddie in NYC? Did you know it was your last get-together at the time? |
| thundergod 21.12.2017 06:39 |
Hey Rainbow, My great grandmother had severe crippling osteoarthritis. My maternal grandmother died at an early age. My mother was spared this, but she was NOT spared from Parkinson's. I have it worst in most of my knuckles on both hands and my left knee. I had a knee replacement 10 years ago My right knee did not act up until this past July and my left shoulder has acted up in October. My sister has it in both knees (with replacements) and both of her knuckles. Just about the same time I felt it in my left shoulder, so did she. Genetic?...yes, unfortunately! |
| thundergod 21.12.2017 06:50 |
Oh yes Rainbow, Lee and I were kind of distraught. Joe and John to a lesser degree because they both were pursuing their 1983 boyfriends. Freddie explain it to us as his time in New York was over because citizen and tax requirements in the UK. Had Freddie stayed, I think we would not have made the decision to move to San Diego. Without Freddie and Phoebe and with Joe and John never seeming to be available anymore for us, we knew the fabulous SIX would be dissolved. California was the best option to find new friendships and perhaps lovers. It worked out well for us. |
| Rainbow61 21.12.2017 07:06 |
Thor, Gosh, that sounds quite painful! I greatly appreciate all the typing you do to keep up with these questions considering how uncomfortable it is. I type very slowly...I can't imagine the glacial pace I would post on this thread if I typed with arthritic knuckles! Are you thinking of getting the right knee replaced as well? |
| Rainbow61 21.12.2017 07:23 |
Thor, Just to clarify, my last comment "that sounds painful" was in reference to the arthritis! Even with arthritic knuckles, you still respond much faster than I do! In regards to Freddie moving...thanks for sharing how that impacted you. Goodbyes are always so difficult. It seems like that couple of years with Freddie was a magical time of fun and friendship. Did you get the sense that this was difficult for Freddie also, or did he tend to keep his feelings inside? |
| miraclesteinway 21.12.2017 08:07 |
Hi guys, I've been admiring this thread from afar, because I've been backed up with the lurgy and sleeping a lot this week, and because I was in London last week to see the Q+AL show at the O2 (which I unashamedly LOVED). Thor - that thing about Freddie not wanting to be called Fred is interesting. I'd read it before that he hated being called Fred, but Brian May frequently refers to him as Fred. Perhaps this is because before he was famous he was known as Fred Bulsara, and I'm almost certain that I saw on "The Untold Story" a painting or something signed "Fred Bulsara". I guess if you meet someone who refers to themselves as one name for a few years and then changes their name, sometimes it's difficult not to revert back to the name you originally knew them as. I must confess I've had to apologise to a couple of transgender friends of mine for using the pronouns I formerly knew them by, automatically (I know Freddie wasn't trans, but there was the transition if you like between Farokh, Fred, and Freddie. Perhaps there was even Frederick in there somewhere - I wonder if Mrs Bulsara called him Farokh until the end?). The other interesting and lovely thing in this thread is that it's clear now to everyone reading that Freddie was unashamedly gay, and out of the closet, in his personal life. Disregarding the fact that the public weren't told (and it's none of their business), it's great to know that Freddie lived knowing there was nothing to be ashamed of and that it's completely natural. To be fair that was one thing that Brian May said on TV the week after Freddie died - the question was something like, "what do you hope people learn from his death, Brian?" and Brian said something like "that there's nothing wrong with being gay". So obviously in his professional circle it was something that he didn't hide either. Elton John said he came out as bisexual because it was simply easier than saying he was gay, somehow it would be more acceptable if people thought he was just kind of experimenting. At the time he made that remark he was free to say what he wanted of course. We live in very different times now here in the west where largely we are able to come out without too many repercussions. Of course there are still problems in families which is always a very sad situation, and the political climate has lurched quite far to the right in recent years even in what we thought was liberal Britain (In 1997 Britain was portrayed as the coolest, most liberal place on earth. In 2017 it's.... a bit different, sort of like 1977 with the racism but not so homophobic). Freddie Mercury was never going to be revealed as an uncomplicated character, but the fact that he was Indian, gay, born an immigrant in Zanzibar, died an immigrant in London, and somehow in between those two points became the most revered rock musician of the late 20th Century is still pretty unfathomable. There are people who are born into the industry who can't do what he did. I do have one question. The others in the band seem to be more inside the industry - more in touch with what others are doing in the rock and pop scene, they have friends who are also rock musicians etc, but Freddie seemed to be an outsider. Have I got that right? |
| thundergod 21.12.2017 13:37 |
Hi Obsidianwillow and welcome to the thread, I did not meet Freddie until 1980 .Lee met him in 1981 Neither of us would be the ones to comment on things from the early years. Some of our members know everything there is to know about Freddie throughout his life. Hopefully one will answer that question from pg 32.for you. |
| thundergod 21.12.2017 13:39 |
Correction: Page 41...sorry. |
| thundergod 21.12.2017 13:50 |
Obsidianwillow, Regarding the Garden Lodge videos:I only found out about these tapes recently from a participant on my old thread. I think they are a hoot. Sometimes the amateur video is too dark, but you still get the idea. The highlight was the Garden outdoor lunch where inside furniture and table settings were put outside. It was so wonderfully done by all the staff / friends of the Garden Lodge.. |
| thundergod 21.12.2017 14:07 |
Correction: Change page 41 to 31.on the Obsidianwillow reply above. .I hate typos! |
| Katydyd5 21.12.2017 14:19 |
Thanks so much for answering so many questions! This has become my new favorite stop online, well, after my addiction to FB. Sorry to hear about your arthritis Thor. I've had both knees replaced and they are great! I'm about to have a quick eye surgery to support an orbital fracture, so I'll be bionic before long. Life is still great, no matter what! At some point Lee mentioned that Freddie came to blows with Paul Prenter, and also shared the "hot food" story. I've read that Freddie could exhibit quite the temper, but I wasn't aware that he could get physical. Did you see the temper or the physical nature of anger/frustration often? This question is coming from someone who is no angel when provoked, though never physical. We are all human! Thanks also for answering the question about boredom and the need to keep moving. As a former teacher, I'm thinking I've seen a lot of kids like that over the years. I'm sure many of them grew up to be exceptional too. |
| FlashElephant 21.12.2017 15:33 |
Captainjory is obviously refering to me as that Youtube commentator. Though she/he didn't even have the guts to use my name, only hinting who it could be. Should I take offence at your innuendo? First of all my writing style is no way near the style of that 753019 or whatever he is called. Secondly, I don't even have the same arguments as the YouTube commentator has and I have also asked here about some regular stuff. I just said that the YouTube commentator's point of view seems every day more understandable. His way of expressing himself maybe a bit rough, but I get his point. And my own argument was that this thread (or actually the previous one) is nothing like it was in the beginning. And others have said the same thing. At times it's not enjoyable to read. People who call themselves tolerant and call other people haters argue about everything and call people like Mary, Straker, Barbara whoever with all kind of ugly names. At the moment there are huge double standards in this thread. And like I said before who the hell is arguing with a straight (or a gay) face that Freddie wasn't gay? It's like saying water isn't wet or it's not cold in the south pole. And if some people don't buy any stories about uncle's or other relatives, well who can blame them! |
| c.jory 21.12.2017 15:52 |
I merely thought it was a coincidence you both appeared at the same time. Calm yo tits. |
| c.jory 21.12.2017 16:15 |
I am really nosy about what the fight was between Freddie and Paul Prenter! There are only a few times I've heard about him getting physical with other people, and it was mostly mutual. e.g Freddie and David Minns came to blows multiple times but frankly, they sound as bad as each other (Freddie socked him in the mouth after David smashed a clog over his head, which I shouldn't laugh about, but I do) Never read anything about him swinging punches unprovoked. Well, apart from the time he allegedly smashed a mirror over Pete Brown's head...aaaaand when he slapped a boy in school. So I'm interested. Also we all know Bill Reid bit him and was an angry sort of man, but did you ever see Freddie thump him back? Winnie and Tony Bastin were apparently violent/unpleasant to him too, so would you say he had bad taste in men or did he deliberately seek out volatile people for the thrill? It's well documented he would engineer conflict to get him fired up for a show. Sounds fucked up, but interesting all the same. |
| Invisible Woman 21.12.2017 19:12 |
@Thor, Yes, that's exactly what I wanted to say, I believe what you say,what Peter Freestone say,what Jim Hutton said. But I think,if someone doesn't believe, let they believe in what they want. It's the choice of that persons. Someone mentioned comments from You Tube. I watched many of footage and read a lot of comments,there are very insulting comments, full of hate, about Jim. The other thing I noticed is that people who say that Freddie was bisexual and that Mary was his only and real love,as the greatest proof of the that is because she inherited the most of his wealth. For me that is no proof, on the contrary. I wonder what you think about this. What do you think, why his testament was so? Did you ever talk with him something about his will? Of course, I also want to read Lee's answer. Thanks. |
| thundergod 21.12.2017 19:45 |
Flash Elephant, I'm glad you're enjoying the thread! |
| thundergod 21.12.2017 19:57 |
Hey captainjory, I never witnessed Freddie being violent, but I saw the aftermath of it. Lee has a picture of the famous Hotel room in Vancouver B.C. with a champagne bottle smashed through the wall Freddie posed in this picture with a proud, big smile on his face. If Lee and I write a book, look for that picture...lol He had a quick temper but never toward his inner circle of friends. He usually saved that for anyone of his temporary lovers. As was stated many times, Freddie got creative energy after a "good" fight and almost thrived on it. |
| Sheldon 21.12.2017 19:59 |
Thor, Lee, I have a rather difficult question. It is not by any means my intention to attack this thread. I've said before that this thread is simply fantastic and has brought so much joy to us fans. But do you think Freddie would be happy with stories about his personal life being discussed on a public forum online? If I have understood his character right from various documentaries and texts, he was a very private man. But now ordinary people, many of whom were not even born when he lived, can read about topics such as how he hooked up with guys, about his weaknesses and about various aspects of his life that were during his lifetime deliberately hidden from the fans. Perhaps his strive for privacy has been exaggerated? Perhaps if would be alive, he would tell us that he is fine with this thread (and still we could not be a 100% sure, because people often say that they are fine with something even if they are not)? |
| c.jory 21.12.2017 20:04 |
OMFG I want to see that photo! I recently saw a copy of the tour manager's bill for that smashed up hotel room...nearly $900 for the wall to be plastered amongst other things. |
| c.jory 21.12.2017 20:12 |
Sheldon, have you ever listened to the David Wigg tapes? Freddie was really open and frank in those, talking about how he was shit at relationships and admitting he was a big ho. Sometimes I wonder about the privacy too because sometimes he'd be open. Maybe he wanted the best of both worlds, to keep himself to himself yet also 'real' enough to make himself relatable to fans. It must have been a difficult balance. It's weird for, as cagey as he was over being in male relationships, he was always blurting out how promiscuous he was. E.g. Leiden 1984, he said sex was his hobby. 1982, he replied 'having a lot of sex' when asked what he'll be doing in 20 years time. And back to the Wigg tapes, he admitted he was 'very promiscuous', had slept with a lot of people around the world and had tired of it. So that part of him was definitely not hidden from fans. Just their gender really, but most people guessed anyway. Also Thor, I know you say you only saw the aftermath, but was Freddie retaliating with Bill? I can't imagine him not hitting him back. I mean, you would stick up for yourself and return blows wouldn't you? Well I would... |
| thundergod 21.12.2017 20:43 |
Hi Invisible Woman, Oh NO, Freddie's Will was NEVER, EVER brought up. We had no business enquiring about that and he had no intent to share it with us. You are correct. There is no proof that Freddie continued a sexual relationship with Mary, but he trusted her above all. She knew him early on, spent a good deal of time working for him, including showing up at special events with him as a cover for his homosexuality and she was often his confident. A lifelong friend through thick and thin and a rock he could count on always was good reason to leave her a lot of his wealth- well perhaps not as much as she actually got. All that being said, I truly believe he would not have approved of her cutting herself off from his family, cutting herself off from his loyal fans. and sadly, the way she treated his in-house staff who besides her, were his closest and dearest friends. I did not know that Jim was hated. I can't imagine why. He provided love and comfort through the entire illness and that alone, in my understanding makes him a loyal (despite Freddies indiscretions), and giving individual, He kept the Garden Lodge property completely and perfectly landscaped which was such a tremendous source of peace and tranquility for Freddie, I think he was the absolute greatest partner for Freddie. Physically, he was very much Freddie's type. He had a modest upbringing, and a simplicity about him that Freddie loved. No, Jim should not be hated, he should be admired and THANKED for what he did for our Freddie! |
| thundergod 21.12.2017 21:04 |
Hello Sheldon, I think Freddie would be VERY happy that this tribute forum, dedicated mostly to him, would be fine with him as long as he knew it was run by Kathleen and myself. We try to ignore and isolate certain haters and troublemakers and we try to keep it clean. Being gay should no longer be considered a flaw in one's personality profile. I think Michelangelo would be jealous that now he would not have to hide his homosexuality. Many creative and talented men are gay. Perhaps the more talented of us practiced the piano and listened to opera incessantly rather than playing or watching football incessantly. Lee and I mostly hope to reveal Freddie the man with his kindness, generosity, keen sense of humor and loyalty to his close friends. The fact that some people try to insult and degregate this thread is just part of having an open forum. I can hear Freddie say "oh Kathleen, oh Thor, thank you darlings for telling the story that could not have been said before. And darlings thank you for treating my fans so nicely and keeping them happy." |
| thundergod 21.12.2017 21:12 |
Hey captainjory, I actually can't remember who was said to have thrown the champagne.They were both capable of it. I guess that it must have been Bill Reid, in Phoebe's book he describes the night that Bill appeared at his apartment in New York unexpected and banged on the door, breaking the view hole glass and shouting, "You won't get rid of ME, you won't get rid of me" |
| Mr.Michael 21.12.2017 21:15 |
Thor, do you still remember how my question about Freddie's armpits was considered as disrespectful, really douchey and it was more or less the biggest disgrace of the first thread? To be brutally honest, I'd say it's not even top 50 material anymore. I have also a question. Do you have an estimate how many of the people you knew pretty well during '80-'83 later succumbed to aids? Freestone's book gave me the impression the number was pretty bad. Over 50%? Or even worse? |
| thundergod 21.12.2017 21:17 |
Hi miraclesteinway, Nice to hear from you again. Yes, you are correct. Freddie left most of the business stuff to a few trusted friends like Mary and the other band members. BUT would always have the final say in any business transactions. |
| thundergod 21.12.2017 21:26 |
Hey Mr. Michael, Yes, I certainly do remember you. As one of the first to make that kind of personal question about Freddie was NOT what I wanted to encourage. I apologize if maybe I came down too hard on you and that probably kept you away for continued participation. You are right, much worse has been since printed here. I still try to discourage it. Well, as all is forgiven, I sincerely hope that you give us another chance. Welcome back! |
| thundergod 21.12.2017 21:32 |
Mr. Michael, As I worked in the gay bars and lived in New York's West Village, many, many of my more casual friends passed and three of my best friends also passed namely John Murphy, Joe Scardilli and Freddy Mercury. I would have to give you a high percentage rate of about 85%. By the time I left New York with Lee, there were few people to say goodbye to. Heartbreaking but true. |
| thundergod 21.12.2017 21:35 |
LEE....WHERE ARE YOU? "You are conspicuous by your absence, darling" |
| Sheldon 21.12.2017 21:44 |
captainjory wrote: Sheldon, have you ever listened to the David Wigg tapes? Freddie was really open and frank in those, talking about how he was shit at relationships and admitting he was a big ho. Sometimes I wonder about the privacy too because sometimes he'd be open. Maybe he wanted the best of both worlds, to keep himself to himself yet also 'real' enough to make himself relatable to fans. It must have been a difficult balance. It's weird for, as cagey as he was over being in male relationships, he was always blurting out how promiscuous he was. E.g. Leiden 1984, he said sex was his hobby. 1982, he replied 'having a lot of sex' when asked what he'll be doing in 20 years time. And back to the Wigg tapes, he admitted he was 'very promiscuous', had slept with a lot of people around the world and had tired of it. So that part of him was definitely not hidden from fans. Just their gender really, but most people guessed anyway. Also Thor, I know you say you only saw the aftermath, but was Freddie retaliating with Bill? I can't imagine him not hitting him back. I mean, you would stick up for yourself and return blows wouldn't you? Well I would...I think I've listened to some parts at least (Solo Collection, right?). Everything you say is true, but on the other hand, he gave much less interviews than other celebrities and if I have understood correctly, almost all of the information we have about his private life has been reported only after his death. |
| thundergod 21.12.2017 21:49 |
I need to leave the thread from Dec. 22 until Dec. 28 or 29.to celebrate Christmas with Lee, Brandon and Chuck. Tonight I will be unavailable as I will be attending the San Diego Premier of "Call Me by Your Name" a highly acclaimed romance and love story of a younger boy (17) by his older male mentor (26) in 1980's Italy. I'll let you all know my opinion either after the movie or when I return at the end of December. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone. Enjoy yourselves! |
| SmokyQuartz 21.12.2017 21:50 |
captainjory wrote: There are only a few times I've heard about him getting physical with other people, and it was mostly mutual. e.g Freddie and David Minns came to blows multiple times but frankly, they sound as bad as each other (Freddie socked him in the mouth after David smashed a clog over his head, which I shouldn't laugh about, but I do)captainjory, I read that David bashed Freddie's hand with the clog? Though my memory might not be correct. I laughed too because David wrote about it in a way that Freddie was so terrible, and yet he went first! And I can only imagine the pain from being hit on the hand by a clog, which could have ruined his piano playing as well. I think that David Minns was essentially a nice guy though, from the interviews and his writing. I got the impression it was two, young men, in a difficult situation with Freddie's career taking off and fame, etc. Not that it excuses either of them but it was not an ordinary situation. It made me laugh that the driver said he was always having to separate them, lol |
| Sheldon 21.12.2017 21:55 |
thundergod wrote: Hello Sheldon, I think Freddie would be VERY happy that this tribute forum, dedicated mostly to him, would be fine with him as long as he knew it was run by Kathleen and myself. We try to ignore and isolate certain haters and troublemakers and we try to keep it clean. Being gay should no longer be considered a flaw in one's personality profile. I think Michelangelo would be jealous that now he would not have to hide his homosexuality. Many creative and talented men are gay. Perhaps the more talented of us practiced the piano and listened to opera incessantly rather than playing or watching football incessantly. Lee and I mostly hope to reveal Freddie the man with his kindness, generosity, keen sense of humor and loyalty to his close friends. The fact that some people try to insult and degregate this thread is just part of having an open forum. I can hear Freddie say "oh Kathleen, oh Thor, thank you darlings for telling the story that could not have been said before. And darlings thank you for treating my fans so nicely and keeping them happy."Thor, thank you for replying. I'm not really addressing the gay issue here, but the aspects of the man's private life in general. I remember reading somewhere here that Freddie was insecure when he had a crush on someone, for example, which was really cute and I loved reading this. I totally understand your point about him being thrilled that his story is told and I'm really happy that he is not forgotten in many ways and still in 2017 as relevant as ever. One topic that I have always thought should not be discussed in public is Freddie's last days/weeks and the health issues he was facing (or anyone's for that matter). This is the biggest reason why I think Jim's book is disgusting (same with some of Brian's comments). I have never read it, but it has been discussed and quoted here on QZ for years.We really should not know the embarrassing things that happened to the great man during his last days and we should certainly not be watching any private video tapes of him, even though he is in pretty good shape in the Garden Lodge tapes. However, if I see a link titled "Last Photo of Freddie Taken a Day Before He Died", I will click, because that's how most humans are, but nevertheless, that picture should not be made public. It is simply wrong. Same with some stories about whether he liked to be the mailman or the mailbox :D |
| c.jory 21.12.2017 22:06 |
@SmokyQuartz In David Minns' book he just said he hit him with the shoe without specifying where, but Paul Prenter (in his Freddie betrayal expose) said he was hitting his head in a frenzy. (I no longer have the clipping that mentions it. Grrr.) I don't know which one to believe! It's hard to tell because so many tabloid stories twist words. But yeah there was another scene where Minns admitted launching an ashtray in Freddie's direction, that hit a window. But makes a big deal about Freddie hitting him with a candlestick! I agree, it was probably the wrong time for them to be together. What a situation though, with Freddie coming out at the same time he got really famous! A hot mess. It's kind of sad. You can see why they ended up that way. |
| Ouzy 21.12.2017 22:24 |
Having been sitting back in the background reading this and the previous posts you have written. I'd like to thank you for your inside information into Freddie and your own life. I've found it all very interesting indeed. So thank you to you and to Lee for coming here and bringing a little Freddie facts in to all of our lives. I wish you a fantastic Christmas and New Year and I am so glad to read what a great friend Freddie had in you. :-) take care and see you here in 2018 |
| noorie 21.12.2017 22:27 |
Thor and Lee, thank you so much for sharing your amazing time with Freddie with all of us. That is so very kind of you, and a pleasure for us. I wish both of you and all the wonderful QZers here a very happy Christmas and holiday season! |
| SmokyQuartz 21.12.2017 22:56 |
captainjory.....Paul said David was hitting Freddie in a frenzy? Or the other way around? I don't think, from David's description it would have been Freddie, but just thought I'd check |
| SmokyQuartz 21.12.2017 23:03 |
Thor, have a great Christmas! :-) |
| YAWN 21.12.2017 23:05 |
About David Minns...to be fair, Freddie did put him through plenty of unnecessary crap to make him jealous and feel left out. Let's not forget how unpleasant Freddie could be. David shouldn't have hit Freddie, though. I just understand why he was upset and I do have a soft spot for the guy seeing as he was one of the only people with the guts to talk about Freddie from a realistic (and not always flattering) angle. Peters book was excellent and honest, but Minnsy's extra information really helped me to get a clearer picture of the man. Neither of them were free of sin but if I were in David's shoes, I think I'd feel the same way he did. I did feel that although he was angry with Freddie at the end of their relationship (what, with Freddie cheating and all lol), he still cared about him. Another thing I relate to. My ex husband and I can't stand each other but I still worry about him and I still love him. Minnsy and Freddie were able to become friends again toward the end of Freddie's life. I hope I can do the same with my ex someday. |
| YAWN 21.12.2017 23:13 |
I know which Prenter thing CJ is referring to and it did say Minnsy had hit him multiple times. Minnsy did admit to hitting him, but as far as David going full ham sandwich on him with a shoe (lol), I wouldn't take Paul Prenters word for it. Paul had a way of exaggerating the truth and not being entirely honest (the time he came to Freddie claiming to have been mugged in NY and needed a few thousand bucks comes to mind). I figure Minnsy already admitted to hitting Freddie. He was already in the wrong for it, I don't see why he'd bother to lie about the number of times he hit him lol. But we'll never know! |
| c.jory 21.12.2017 23:13 |
SmokyQuartz wrote: captainjory.....Paul said David was hitting Freddie in a frenzy? Or the other way around? I don't think, from David's description it would have been Freddie, but just thought I'd checkDavid hitting Freddie. Still laughing at the image |
| YAWN 21.12.2017 23:13 |
And have a great holiday, Thor and Lee! |
| YAWN 21.12.2017 23:16 |
CJ me too low-key lol |
| SmokyQuartz 21.12.2017 23:23 |
Agree on all points Villiers. I like David, from what I've seen and read. Clearly Freddie did too when he called him up for, I think it was his 40th birthday party. I'm glad they were able to have peaceful times at the end of Freddie's life. Thanks CJ for reply, I had no idea of Paul's description of events. |
| Catus 22.12.2017 03:57 |
Hi Thor and Lee, Merry Christmas! I hope you guys have a great holiday. Thank you so much for sharing all these amazing stories with us! And Merry Christmas everyone! |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 22.12.2017 04:11 |
Hiiiiiiiiiii Where the HELL have I been? Couple of things.... I'm im full holiday work mode.....extra hours, extra shifts, extra crazy. I'll be catching up over the next couple of days, but the last few pages have been much more fun than the beginning of the week. I will ALWAYS be M I A when that arguing is going on, and it's time consuming reading through that babble. I read through it to convince myself I am right about those people, and to make sure I don't miss anything from good people. I agree with everything Thor said on that subject, and I wish they would go away. Thor has been handling the heavy lifting for the last couple of days, and I promise I will catch up. I'm going to reread the last few pages and take notes tomorrow, to make sure I cover all of the questions. Thor I apologize.......I have been meaning to text you to tell you my whereabouts, but time has gotten away from me. Til tomorrow night.........Happy Everything |
| SinkingIsland 22.12.2017 05:41 |
I'm glad to see you have returned, Lee. You and Thor have been so amazing to all of us. Happy Everything to you, too! |
| Rainbow61 22.12.2017 06:25 |
Thor and Lee, A blessed and very Merry Christmas to you both and to all other Queenzone folk. For those who don't celebrate Christmas, a peaceful and joy-filled December to you! |
| Blenkolove 22.12.2017 22:53 |
Thor, Lee, and ALL QZ Friends, May everyone have a Safe, Happy and Healthy Christmas/Holiday ....w/Loads of Peace, Love and the warm company of family, friends n beloved furbabies!!! May there be Peace on Earth and Goodwill to mankind!! ......time to go catch up on all those Christmas movies I've been longing to watch!! |
| Katydyd5 23.12.2017 01:09 |
Thor, I will be most interested to hear from you about Call Me By Your Name. I've read great reviews and have it on my Netflix list though I will have to wait for a while for it to be released through that medium. I'd like to see it in the theater, but my only hope in my area is that it might appear in the art theater downtown in the university district. Lee, I was glad to see you make an appearance again. You were missed! Wishing everyone a great Christmas and New Years. My family can't all be together for Christmas until the 31st, so it keeps catching me by surprise that it is this week for everyone else! |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 23.12.2017 03:52 |
Hi All Gonna try and catch up here.... Gonna just ramble and see what comes up. If I miss someone's question, please ask again. I'm sorta brain dead from the holidays..HA! Thor's explanation to dating girls and being gay in the sixties is great. You were considered a nice guy if you didn't push the girls into something. WHEW....we had an out. MY problem is that I had a girl friend through Freshman year in college, and then another one my junior and senior year......where I remained a gentleman and didn't push. AHEM I was president of the Music Fraternity on campus, and they were SO concerned about bringing considered wimps, that they over compensated, and tried to act like a bunch of jocks.........try being president of THAT when you're in the closet. The hazing was right up there with the hardest on campus, and BOY did that suck trying to get into that group, but I managed. I came out just before graduation, to my first lover Alan, and spent Graduate school telling everyone I knew that I was gay. Everyone was kinda "tell us something we DON'T know"........duh. NO FRATERNITY BROTHERS WERE TOLD. HA! Sheldon........I think its thoughtful of you to wonder what Freddie's feelings would be about our story telling. I agree with Thor. One thing comes to mind. I don't remember the exact conversation, but once when I was taking pictures of an outing or an evening we we having, Freddie turned to me and said something along the lines of sharing the photos I was taken, but don't give them away. LOL NOW what do I do........ I have only seen one of the Garden Lodge You tube Videos........I guys I have some homework to do. I mean I was THERE, but I don't remember there being anything to personal being shown. Maybe Freddie smoking and relaxed? Works for me. I'll check them out. Freddie being violent?.......hhhhmmm......he certainly would not have been at a loss for words when confronted, and he sure could get mad when Bill was acting up, but that Vancouver hotel thing was a doozy. I told this story in the last thread, I think. We arrived at Freddie's hotel suite in the morning, not knowing what had happened, and Phoebe opened the door a crack. We heard Freddie say "let them in...they're family". THEN we saw what had happened to the room. Someone here mentioned a $900 bill for plastering.........I'm sure that was a fraction of the cost for repairs. Freddie told us what happened and then posed for some photos amidst the mess. Bill had already been sent on his way, and Mother and Daughters went off to continue the fun on our "West for A Birthday" visit. We had joined the group, and toured for a week with the band on the Lisa Marie. L.A., San Francisco, Vancouver, and Phoenix, and I think its fun that we have a story for each city..........LOL.......lots of stories.........many that you "had to be there", and many that I think would translate to clearly a good time being had by all. Though we were formally introduced to the band, and they were TOTALLY gracious any time they saw us, we never met Freddie's parents. That would have been a treat. I believe we met the significant others of the band members as they were on the Lisa Marie with us. The front section of the Lisa Marie was left in tact as First Class, and that's where Brian, Roger, and John put themselves, with their other halves while the six of us were in the back with Freddie and Phoebe. We had most of the plane......the middle section being a long and conference area, an the back of the plane was a bedroom with a QUEEN sized bed. I have given this description before, but I'm repeating myself for the sake of newcomers, and to give kudos to the band for letting us have the run of the plane. Those guys were amazing to be so giving to Freddie's buds. We were treated like KINGS by Queen. Freddie's Co-op was on the 43rd Floor of the Sovereign......a luxury high rise on 58th St......... 425, East 58th Street........not sure there was an apartment number as I think there were only two units on each floor.....A and B maybe? I remember arriving home one morning round 5:00 A.M., and entering the building going past the front desk, security, and the door man. They had huge grins on their face, totally appreciated our party stamina, and gave us a warm welcome. Several of us were in Black leather jackets, and we had had a GREAT evening....... You can see the blueprint of the Co-Op easily by googling it. I think I'm repeating myself again here, but someone asked about it. The photos you might see of the apartment are from after the makeover after Freddie sold the place. I have photos of the main room which gives you an idea of the feel of the place. GORGEOUS !!!!!! |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 23.12.2017 04:14 |
I'm back.....needed a breather...........and a scotch....LOL Was Freddie easily bored? I don't think bored is the right word, but he DID like to have things going on. He would be very excited when he talked about a plan he had for an adventure, and the adventures were always fun. When we visited in June of 91, he had quieted down a bit for obvious reasons. One afternoon, Thor and Brandon went out on the town to spend some time together and "sort themselves out" which Freddie had sent them off to do. They were at that point, it turned out, transitioning form a boy friend relationship to a life partner relationship, which they continue to this day, and it is VERY enviable. Bravo guys!!!! Freddie and I relaxed in the TV/lounge area and just chatted.......a serious, fun, funny, psychological, examining, exchange of thoughts, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Delilah was with us, but chose to not interrupt as the adults were in heavy conversation. BUT......the early 80"s as Thor pointed out, was a different story. Chat was always energetic and fun and filled with laughs. Not that Freddie wouldn't take seriously, any issue we might be having with work or family.....he was always very kind that way. He was always a friend when called upon. In closing tonight, as my eyes are bleary, I wanna say one thing. I appreciate the gay or not gay subject is part of knowing Freddie, and I think that the consensus here is that people on this thread get it. Thor's analogy was GREAT. If someone said that Freddie hated cats, but those closest to him said he adored them........to whom would you listen.? We knew Freddie for the last 11 years of his life. We went out with him a LOT. We saw who he was interested in a LOT. Perhaps threads like this will help the haters of gay people realize what his story was. I met Freddie in the fall of 80.........I was away with a performing job during the summer of 80 when the Anvil encounter, and Thor's trip to Philadelphia took place, but I was brought into the fold in the fall when I returned, and it was a ride of a life time that I will never forget. Our last night together, in 84? as I recall, was a dinner at a place called Joanne's in.........Chelsea?.....Murray Hill? It was a difficult evening, as we didn't know when our paths would cross again. Wembley Concert was the next stop!!!!!! Stay tuned. Happy Holidays All, and God Bless. Talk to you next week. God Bless and Happy EVERYTHING, and every day. |
| SinkingIsland 23.12.2017 05:01 |
Wow! This is amazing. I can't get over it. Thanks, Lee! Thank you both for gifting the fans with your memories. Happy Holidays to all on QZ! |
| Katydyd5 23.12.2017 13:40 |
Thanks Lee for so many details. This thread is such a gift. |
| Catus 23.12.2017 15:27 |
Lee, these stories are so precious and wonderful. Thank you so much for sharing them! |
| SmokyQuartz 24.12.2017 00:41 |
Lee, love these stories too! Thanks for sharing and I will stay tuned. Wishing you and all Queenzone members a happy holiday period and for those celebrating Christmas, a very merry one. :-) |
| smilefairyqueen 24.12.2017 08:17 |
What other funny moments/quotes can you remember from Freddie? Or memories you have of hanging out with him backstage, at Garden Lodge, or in New York City? I love hearing personal anecdotes from people that knew him. What was backstage like? Were you introduced to the roadies? Did Freddie ever mention his childhood to you? Sorry for all of the questions. |
| pittrek 24.12.2017 09:36 |
Am I the only one who is absolutely DISGUSTED by this type of threads? |
| Saint Jiub 24.12.2017 19:00 |
What is disgusting? Phoebe's books? There is no disrespect from the Thor and Lee, and certainly nothing disgusting from them. It is certainly better than gossip from any British tabloid. Except for a few interlopers, gay bashing is not the intent of this thread. Do we really need to be politically correct for Freddie? Is Freddie's family offended?. Jeez .. its been 25 years since he died. |
| SmokyQuartz 24.12.2017 19:54 |
I suggest Ignore and Isolate anyone who throws inflammatory statements into this thread without concrete examples of what their gripe is. Lee has said he'll stay away every time there is arguing. Personally I think adults should be able to have a debate without it turning into a meaningless fight. |
| Saint Jiub 24.12.2017 22:24 |
pittrek is predominantly a good poster on Queenzone. I suspect he equates this thread to a British tabloid, and sees this thread as nothing more than.gossip. I disagree, but everyone is entitled to an opinion. |
| SmokyQuartz 24.12.2017 23:55 |
I agree everyone is entitled to an opinion, but to carry any weight, surely it needs to be backed up with a reason / example.. Pittrek, sorry if I jumped the gun, but you might see that earlier it was felt the best thing to do for negative posts was to ignore and isolate. That's obviously not the case with genuine discussion, but there were some bizarre posts earlier. |
| Saint Jiub 25.12.2017 00:53 |
Happy Holidays ... from Calling All Girls (Hoffman Estates IL 1982) Peace on earth goodwill to the real girls |
| matt z 25.12.2017 04:29 |
pittrek wrote: Am I the only one who is absolutely DISGUSTED by this type of threads?Not really. The thread is very well intentioned but tends to get side tracked by cattiness and derision and occasional butt kissing. I'm thankful these two fellas have volunteered their time to express responses and opinions on matters. I understand the music fan would see a lot of this as inconsequential, there have been many positive revelations from Thor and Kathleen....I'm thankful for the posts, haven't gathered my thoughts well enough to posit useful questions right now. Feel free to contribute pittrek. Maybe there are instances about the creationif certain works that could have some light shed upon Once again. Thanks, Thor and Kathleen! |
| raucousmonster 26.12.2017 00:31 |
Hi guys, still lurking away in the background and wanted to send out some love and thanks for the continued stories. Despite some of the less welcome exchanges that have been clogging things up here from time to time. Don't be discouraged by the rants and ravings of the few - keep up the great work! And happy Christmas! |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 26.12.2017 01:54 |
Thank you Matt and Raucous. Very thoughtful of you. Thor’s picking me up in 10. We’re on our way out for some holiday cheer. Been working all day. I’m fried. LOL |
| Sheldon 26.12.2017 11:44 |
Thank you for taking your time to respond to all questions, guys! Here's something that I think has not been asked in either of the threads: link This is the Live Aid finale with everyone singing Do They Know It's Christmas (I wonder why I stumbled upon this song today...:D). I've always felt that Freddie looked like an almost total outsider in this performance. Especially towards the end he tries to interact with McCartney, but time after time there is no reaction from Paul. This has been discussed before on this forum and the reasons to Paul's cold behavior might be the following: 1) Queen performed in Sun City in 1984 and other musicians were very very angry with this. 2) Queen just stole the show at Live Aid and the big stars were not happy. 3) Paul simply doesn't notice Freddie. Also, during the whole performance Freddie looked really out-of-place. Perhaps he was shy and did not feel comfortable in such a large group of people? Did Freddie ever talk about Live Aid or the other artists involved or how he felt in situations similar to this? |
| YAWN 26.12.2017 19:42 |
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| c.jory 26.12.2017 20:53 |
Lol Villiers, you selling any? ;-) All I got Queen-wise was a calendar. Pffft. Everyone's sick of my obsession, they won't get me anything... |
| YAWN 26.12.2017 21:04 |
CJ you know I got you! And I'll toss some 'strange American snacks' in there too lol |
| Blenkolove 26.12.2017 22:43 |
Nice Christmas haul!!! I ordered myself Messengers of the Gods!!! Does anybody know what Peter Freestone's Second book is called???? I can't seem to find it on amazon?! ....or Phoebe's website. 'Hope all had Amazing n Restful holiday!! |
| YAWN 26.12.2017 23:28 |
Blenk Here: link |
| Blenkolove 26.12.2017 23:48 |
Oh Snap!! Thank you Villiers!! ;) |
| Rainbow61 26.12.2017 23:50 |
Sheldon, I have watched that finale performance many times and I am always left with the same thought while viewing..."Could someone PLEASE hand Freddie the microphone?" I'm frustrated every time I watch it! |
| c.jory 27.12.2017 00:10 |
Villiers wrote: This year's Christmas haul brought in 3 extra copies of Queen Unseen, 2 copies of Peter Freestone's 'Freddie Mercury', 2 more copies of Freddie Mercury: A Life In Pictures (bringing me to 4 now lol), 3 more copies of News of the world and an Innuendo, original first pressing I think my family knows I'm a Queen fan lol Hope everyone had a great Christmas! Lee, Thor mentioned a leather jacket you guys bought Freddie one Christmas. Do you have pics of him opening it? From the way Thor described it, it could have been one of the jackets he wore on stage over the years after that*holds hands out for a copy of NOTW* PS Hope everyone on the thread had a good Xmas! |
| c.jory 27.12.2017 00:14 |
RE: Freddie at Live Aid singing the Xmas song. Lol at him clapping out of time and when he finally gets to the mic, he's louder than the others! Always somehow standing out. |
| Catus 27.12.2017 03:15 |
Wow, Villiers, that's quite a load of Queen presents! But I've got Brian's "Queen in 3D". and I'm happy as a child! |
| SinkingIsland 27.12.2017 06:22 |
Villiers... The book is link. FREDDIE MERCURY - What He Left Behind: The Story of What Happened after the death of Freddie Mercury Kindle Edition by David Evans (Author),? Peter Freestone (Author). Happy Holidays! |
| Dustin Zimmerman 27.12.2017 13:25 |
Sinkingisland that's what villers posted lol. When I click on their link it brings me to a page that lets me download a sample or buy it |
| Dustin Zimmerman 27.12.2017 13:31 |
Actually I think the link sinkingisland posted was for something else...I tried it and it just says sorry the page can't be completed. Maybe the link doesn't work for the US? The book is out of print so I would just use the link villers posted if you want to find Peters second book. You can get it through there for less than 3 dollars. |
| SinkingIsland 27.12.2017 22:33 |
So sorry! It looks like I may have been Xanax posting after bedtime. The e-book was all I could find. It's available on iBooks and Kindle (United States). It was originally called, Freddie Mercury - The Afterlife. No offense to anyone else (or embarrassment to myself) intended. I messed up. |
| Rainbow61 29.12.2017 01:11 |
Hi Thor and Lee, I hope you both had a wonderful Christmas! As New Year's Eve is coming up, I was wondering if you have any memories of celebrating with Freddie...like going to Times Square? |
| thundergod 29.12.2017 20:23 |
Hello all, I am back from an outstanding, bright, warm and sunny Christmas in Palm Springs. I got to spend time with all of my three long-term friends. As a matter of fact, I enjoyed it so much that I've cancelled my New Years plans in San Diego and am returning to Palm Springs tomorrow afternoon. I spent a lot of time with Lee going through his photos and slides and I could not believe how many wonderful shots that I had completely forgotten about. A whole bunch of never seen before pictures of Freddie, the friend, as opposed to Freddie, the Rockstar. He looks like he is really enjoying himself in every shot! It's truly a treasure. Thank you Lee for meticulously preserving these gems. So, that brings me to the good news and the bad news- We have decided to go ahead with the book, overloaded with photos and written content!!!!!! Lee has so little time available and we have made a deadline for ourselves of coordinating it's release with the upcoming Bohemian Rhapsody movie. Therefore, due to the work involved in this project by two non-novelists, we feel we should end this thread. I attracted Lee to this thread based on my description of how much fun and informative my old thread was. In these 37 pages, the trolls and those that make "free speech" arguments in their defense is NOT FUN for him as I had promised. What we would like to do, as an option, is accept PMs by our friends ..and YOU know who you are. No NEW PMs will be considered, and any changed user names will not be considered. I know that Shivili, Stop the Madness and pittrek will probably want to congratulate us on the upcoming book, but OH WELL. Someone should make them look at ALL the photos of the book when it is available!!...LOL So, thanks to the 94% of good minded people here and on the old thread. expressing their ideas civilly and thoughtfully. To the haters and the nasty Freddie revisers., sorry, you will have to BUY the book to complain and bitch about it |
| thundergod 29.12.2017 20:47 |
P.S. The new book will have many of the photos from the original slide show that Freddie requested us to bring to our farewell in London, in June of 1981. It is no wonder that he loved this show so much that he requested it for our good-bye to him. No sadness, no regrets, just great memories of fun as just one of the normal boys in our group of friends. AND, laughter, and more laughter so close to the end. God bless Lee's lighted fruit hat. There is a GREAT picture of it coming soon to a bookstore near you...LOL |
| Rainbow61 29.12.2017 21:50 |
Hi Thor and Lee, Well this has been an amazing ride....so grateful for all your time and energy over these months. I will enjoy rereading many of these posts and I am beyond EXCITED about your forthcoming book. I was keeping my fingers crossed you guys would attempt this project...So glad it is happening! There is nothing I would enjoy more than getting in line at a bookstore someday, walking up to the table where you guys are sitting, and handing you your book that I just purchased saying "Hi, It's Rainbow 61... would you please sign this for me?" Okay...I most definitely would want to sneak in a big hug as well. :) Best wishes to you both and a fond farewell! |
| SmokyQuartz 29.12.2017 21:58 |
Wonderful news about the book, Thor and Lee! I would like to pre-order now, lol. Seriously, I will be looking out for it and will be buying it. I will be sad to see this thread close, but understand that change happens. It's crossed my mind that there may be some other medium online for talking as a group that will exclude trolls and haters....and where you can pop in when you feel like it, without any pressure to answer every question...but I personally don't know of what that could be. Just a thought though. For now, so long...I may send a pm in the New Year to wish you both well and cheer you along with the book! Best wishes for a great New Year celebration! |
| thundergod 29.12.2017 22:07 |
Rainbow61, SmokyQuartz, You are definitely TWO of the friends for PMs that I mentioned, both for myself and Lee. HaHa...is there such a thing as a NO HATER forum...I think not...LOL |
| Katydyd5 29.12.2017 22:09 |
Thor and Lee, thanks so much for the time and openness you shared here. It has been so much fun and I am grateful I found this thread when I did. I'm so excited about the book and I will definitely be buying a copy. It sounds like it is exactly the format I hoped it would be. SmokyQuartz, as far as another medium online that could be exclusive, I know you can form invite only groups on FaceBook. I am in two, both political. I don't know how to create a closed group, and I don't know how many people here are on FB, but it might be worth thinking about. Hmmmmm though..........I don't know how we'd even locate each other because I use my real name on FB and only created Katydyd for QZ. I'd be open to any thoughts. While I am disappointed to see this group end, I do understand. It has become my first stop when I am online, and I'm grateful for the friends I"ve made here. Thor and Lee, you will be missed. |
| c.jory 29.12.2017 22:10 |
Good luck with the book guys! Like others, I'm sad that you're going, but as a writer myself, I know you have to kind of isolate yourself from social media a bit to get things done. It takes dedication and willpower to complete something like that. I hope my stuff is written by the time of the biopic too (it's kind of Freddie related as well!) Don't be surprised if I message you sometimes though! I'm a really nosy person so I'd want to know how everything's going! |
| c.jory 29.12.2017 22:13 |
I was gonna say a private Facebook group would be a good idea too. I run a few, so if anyone needs advice making one... Also you'd have full control to boot haters out |
| thundergod 29.12.2017 22:21 |
captainjory and Katydyd, You both are another two I'd love to hear from every once in a while via PM for now, in order to stay in touch! Thanks for all of your well wishes and kindness. Kindness is something Freddie really appreciated! I only wish I could introduce you to him today. |
| YAWN 29.12.2017 22:25 |
So sad to see you guys go! I hope I'm on the list for PMs because I've still got questions and you know I love your answers! All the very best, Thor and Lee. We love ya! |
| Katydyd5 29.12.2017 22:28 |
LOL, I have a list of questions I was keeping so that I didn't overwhelm all at once. I got most of them in, but was working up to one in particular. I will miss these guys, but I know a book must take an enormous amount of time, so go for it. I hope you are feeling excitement over this new project and getting a small taste of how well it will be received. |
| Blenkolove 29.12.2017 22:34 |
Thank You Both for Every Detail and Every Story!! This Has Been Amazing!! And I'm so thankful I accidentally found it!!! BEST OF LUCK W/THE BOOK!! I'M CERTAIN IT WILL BE AN IMMEDIATE HIT!!! AND I CAN'T WAIT TO OWN IT!!! HAPPIEST OF NEW YEAR'S TO YOU BOTH!... Thor I sent u a pm |
| Blenkolove 29.12.2017 22:37 |
A HUGE SHOUT-OUT TO ALL THE FABULOUS CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS THREAD!!! MOST OF YOU ALL MADE THIS REALLY FUN AND EXCITING HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL XO |
| SmokyQuartz 29.12.2017 22:43 |
Thanks Thor! I appreciate being able to pm you guys, that's an honour! Once in a while, if I have something useful to say, or ask, lol. Katydyd5, yes closed groups are possible, I run one atm, like Captainjory, there are for's and against's....and I'm no expert, but might be worth a discussion if Thor or Lee ever wanted to look into it in the future. (something I am wondering is whether we can just send a group pm to each other, if we want to include others in questions, etc, but I'll shut up now) Captainjory, you too?! I'm not a writer, but have a first draft of a book I'm working on....maybe I'll use the same deadline for mine, I like knowing others are working at the same time. (I should be writing now, lol) |
| c.jory 29.12.2017 22:47 |
There are some Facebook groups where people wanting to join must answer a security question...so if it ever came to it, there could be a way we could identify ourselves to the admin. Lol jumping way ahead here, when they haven't even made it! But yeah I'm a writer too and I'm meant to be editing the final draft...but...here I am... |
| thundergod 29.12.2017 22:48 |
Blenkolove, Villiers Two more PM guests and you are totally invited. For those with more questions...I'd love to hear them but please, only one question at a time...I have to write a book. LOL |
| thundergod 29.12.2017 22:51 |
captainjory...if you would bless us with editing, that would be GREAT! Villier's, if you can represent us in court, just in case, that would be GREAT too...LOL |
| thundergod 29.12.2017 22:58 |
For anyone who was interested in the movie "Call Me by Your Name," RUN do not walk to see this movie. Oh my God, it is so well acted and directed. It has some 'Brokeback Mountain' bisexual kind of stuff, which was not in my life experience, but that might interest some of the people that wish Freddie was bi and think it is SO easy to go back and forth. |
| thundergod 29.12.2017 23:01 |
The only difference - Freddie was real life and this was a fictional movie. |
| YAWN 29.12.2017 23:02 |
Lol I got your back, Thor |
| noorie 29.12.2017 23:04 |
Thor and Lee, I guess all good things must come to an end, but there is a lovely book for us to look forward to. Thank you for your time, patience, kindness and inclusion on the 2 threads. It is incredible that you have made time in your busy lives to answer our incessant questions. It's been a privilege! |
| thundergod 29.12.2017 23:14 |
noorie...you must use the PM list too. You have been consistently one of the most caring, smart and kind people along with the page 37 and 38 members who have special places in my heart. KINDNESS RULES! It makes life so much more wonderful! |
| stevendabudgie 29.12.2017 23:15 |
Dear Thor and Lee, thanks for sharing your experiences with Freddie. Please put me on your PM list. Maybe I will cover something from Queen one day and i want to share it with you ;) |
| thundergod 29.12.2017 23:16 |
Am I turning Parsi? I could only hope so! |
| thundergod 29.12.2017 23:17 |
ABSOLUTELY stevenabudgie, my favorite German little bird...LOL |
| c.jory 29.12.2017 23:30 |
thundergod wrote: captainjory...if you would bless us with editing, that would be GREAT! Villier's, if you can represent us in court, just in case, that would be GREAT too...LOLI SO would help...I'm not bad at structuring... ;-) |
| Catus 29.12.2017 23:33 |
Dear Thor and Lee, I feel so privileged to having been able to chat with you in this as well as the previous thread. It has been an amazing experience. If someone would have told me many years ago (when I fell in love with Queen music) that in future I would be chatting with Freddie's friends I would have never believed that! I am so grateful that you guys spent some time here with us. Thank you so much for being so patient and generous, and best of luck with your new book! Please let us know when it comes out. And Happy New Year! |
| thundergod 29.12.2017 23:35 |
Thank you captainjory on both Lee's and my behalf. What an asset that would be to our efforts. Anybody here in publishing?...lol |
| thundergod 29.12.2017 23:38 |
Catus, you're so invited to PM us of course. YOU are one of the good ones too! |
| Catus 29.12.2017 23:41 |
Thank you so much Thor! |
| noorie 30.12.2017 00:02 |
thundergod wrote: Am I turning Parsi? I could only hope so!Thor, Parsis would be thrilled and honoured if that happened!!! :) |
| thundergod 30.12.2017 00:13 |
Thanks noorie, Maybe at least just an honorary Parsi. I certainly believe wholeheartedly in your outlook on life! |
| stevendabudgie 30.12.2017 00:40 |
Dankeschön, Thor! Ich wünsche dir ein gutes neues Jahr! |
| SmokyQuartz 30.12.2017 00:45 |
Have sent you a pm Thor. Captainjory, I'll be interested to read your writing too, if ever it's available :-) |
| Blenkolove 30.12.2017 01:00 |
A HUGE Thank YOU Thor for this thread introducing me to Noorie(blue flower!).....we have become 'penpals' and she is Truly a Beautiful Spirit!!! I'm so thrilled to be able to correspond w/her and look forward to all her emails!!! Noorie's stories and teachings of Parsi ways...not only helped us ALL understand Freddie better....but made us all see a spirituality So Kind And So Beautiful...i think we have All adopted a little Parsi to call our own ! I KNOW I have!!! (unfortunately not the haters....but one can always hope!!) A BIG Thanks to Noorie's uncle for sharing his personal Freddie Story w/us!!....and to Noorie herself....I'M SO GLAD TO HAVE THE PLEASURE OF GETTING TO KNOW YOU.....YOU MAKE MY WORLD A LOT BRIGHTERXXXXOOOO WITH GOOD THOUGHTS, GOOD DEEDS AND GOOD WORDS....THE WHOLE WORLD IS A BETTER PLACE!! |
| Tonya 30.12.2017 01:01 |
Thor and Lee - Thanks for sharing your wonderful memories with us. I’m ready to buy your book now,! Although I only asked one question, I still enjoyed these two threads immensely and enjoyed other posters’ contributions (especially Rainbow61 and Villiers). Thor, bet you didn’t think you’d be writing a book in retirement! Good luck with the book! |
| thundergod 30.12.2017 01:08 |
Leiber Stevenabdugie, Danke für deine Neujahrswünsche. Das gleiche gilt für dich. PM mich jederzeit. |
| Blenkolove 30.12.2017 01:10 |
Captainjory, SmokyQuartz, Villiers, Rainbow....and all other writers of the thread....include me in your writing review list!!! I've always been a voracious reader and am possibly a frustrated writer in my own mind!!!! I'D love to read whatever you write...or any recommended reading!! I get my booklists updated almost daily...by my fellow reading enthusiasts patients!!! HAPPY 2018 to all.....i'll miss u all!!:( |
| noorie 30.12.2017 01:16 |
Blenkolove, wow!!! Thanks sooo much! I too thoroughly enjoy every single mail from you (each one puts a huge smile on my face!!) and the other charming QZers I have made friends with! Thor has really brought me some fantastic new friends!!! Love you all! Thor, look at the sunshine you have spread!!! Amazing! |
| YAWN 30.12.2017 01:25 |
I'm no writer, blenk. That's all Captianjory! I've seen some of CJs work and it's great. I'd personally be really excited to know a huge queen fan and Freddie enthusiast like that is around to help thor and Lee with it if they wish. Kind of makes the book stand out imo. Made by those who loved Freddie with a little help from someone who genuinely admired him? Ideal! Happy New Year to all, and thanks for a great run. It's been fun! |
| thundergod 30.12.2017 01:32 |
HaHa Tonya, You are completely right. This sort of happened RIGHT HERE on these two threads. They made us realize how many, intelligent and kind people and fans that there really are. They might appreciate and enjoy our unique friendship with Freddie through our personal photos that help tell part of the REAL Freddie story, along with commentary. But it is the photos of Freddie enjoying his life with some true friends that will please most people. Haters, bigots and Freddie sexual revisionists are welcome to read the Sun (UK) or the National Enquirer (US) instead of our book. I'll bet they'll take a look though to revive their negative spirits and then blast and deny that the pictures are even Freddie. |
| Katydyd5 30.12.2017 01:36 |
Thor, thanks for the quick review of Call Me By Your Name. I've had my eye on it for a while, but as I said earlier, it's not likely to be in general release in my area. It might show up in the art theater in the university district downtown. Brokeback Mountain did play in general release here, but very limited. |
| thundergod 30.12.2017 01:43 |
Katydyd, Whenever you get to see it, even in pay-per-view style, it will be worth it. I am expecting two Oscar wins for director and lead actor. Not sure if supporting actor will win. It will probably depend on the rest of the nominees in that category. |
| SinkingIsland 30.12.2017 01:53 |
I am terribly sad to see this group disband, but I hope we could come back together after the book. I’m sure we would absolutely love discussing it. I do hope PMs from me would be accepted by all the kind people here. I will have to get my son to show me how to find PMs to me. :) I would like to hear from you. If there is a Facebook group, or some alternative, created, I would feel most grateful and honored to be included. I am elated to know a book is on the way soon. It’s going to be fantastic and I wish you great success. If called upon, I could help with editing. I hope you will allow us to order autographed copies! Thor and Lee... Thank you for the time you’ve spent here. I treasure the experience. I am Robin Robinson on Facebook and this is my FB photo. Please friend me if you’d like, QZ friends. I have separation anxiety and don’t want to say goodbye. Peace, love and happiness to all! R |
| thundergod 30.12.2017 02:29 |
Hey SinkingIsland, I really do not participate on facebook unfortunately or any other sites. I got stuck on email years ago, it suits my purposes and I have no use for social media, except, of course, this site I like to text short messages or just pick up the phone. When your son shows you how to Private Message me, do so. I could give you my e-mail address if that works better for you but I don't want to give it here for obvious reasons. You look great in your picture by the way! |
| thundergod 30.12.2017 02:50 |
OH-OH, Just got a text from Lee...For the second time I wrote 1981 instead of the correct 1991 for our last visit to London. Sorry about that Freddie.,. I'm getting old I guess. |
| SinkingIsland 30.12.2017 03:21 |
I noticed the “1981”, but I knew what you meant. :) |
| SinkingIsland 30.12.2017 03:28 |
Thanks, Thor! I will PM my e-mail address to you. I am like you about social media. I had been on Facebook several years ago and didn’t quite like it. I tried it again almost 2 years ago to fit in with the youngsters at my job. That didn’t work either, but I have a lot of family as friends, so that’s worth keeping. |
| Blenkolove 30.12.2017 03:32 |
Hey Sinkingisland!!! I FEEL the same way too!! Real separation anxiety....i wanted to yell...'HEY THOR.....COME BACK!! I MISS U ALREADY!!!" LOL. If I can figure out pm....you can too!! I'll pm you.... But 1st....i was thinking the same...about a follow up thread after book.....fun!! But Thor n Lee will have All those morning talk shows n world travel promoting it.....they most likely won't have time for us ;(......JK |
| SinkingIsland 30.12.2017 03:41 |
I can PM, but didn’t know how to find anything sent to me. I think I just learned when I PMed Thor. I saw an inbox. I look forward to hearing from you, Blenkolove! |
| Tonya 30.12.2017 03:49 |
How do you even PM? I can’t find anything on here. |
| Tonya 30.12.2017 04:20 |
Oh now I see it! Good grief... |
| Tonya 30.12.2017 04:22 |
Oh now I see it! Good grief... |
| Tonya 30.12.2017 04:22 |
Oh now I see it! Good grief... |
| Tonya 30.12.2017 04:22 |
Oh now I see it! Good grief... |
| Tonya 30.12.2017 04:22 |
Oh now I see it! Good grief... |
| thundergod 30.12.2017 04:35 |
On my QZ site, I see a small "buddy" button and then a small "pm" button below each name just below where they record how many replies you have made and give you a little title like "newbie" or "bohemian" for example. |
| thundergod 30.12.2017 04:36 |
LOL...I guess you see it..hehehe. |
| Tonya 30.12.2017 04:38 |
Guess you can see how impatient I was when the darn thing “wasn’t posting”! Definitely wasn’t the operator. |
| thundergod 30.12.2017 04:49 |
Tonya, if you press "post reply" only once, you won't get all those blanks. Just sayin on the last day...lol |
| thundergod 30.12.2017 04:51 |
Everyone has had this happen when they were newbies...you are NOT alone.. |
| SinkingIsland 30.12.2017 04:55 |
Noooo! (“Last day”) |
| thundergod 30.12.2017 05:05 |
As I said SinkingIsland, I've got a BOOK to write!...LOL |
| Tonya 30.12.2017 05:06 |
Think I’ve got the hang of it now! This ought to be extremely useful on the last day. Have fun in the warm weather- much better than these cold temps I’m in right now. |
| thundergod 30.12.2017 05:14 |
Hey Tonya, feel free to catch up with the progress of the book by PM, or if you prefer, I'll give you my email address after you PM me. Sorry, you were late to the banquet but you can read both threads to catch up at your own pace. Thanks for your support. All the best in the New Year Tonya! |
| thundergod 30.12.2017 05:15 |
Geez, did we just create 5 new pages today. Amazing. Thank you all. |
| thundergod 30.12.2017 05:18 |
Lee said he would bid you all a proper goodbye I am driving tomorrow, so if you don't hear from him tonight, you will in the morning |
| SinkingIsland 30.12.2017 05:28 |
It’s probably about time for you to get some rest if you’re getting up early to drive. (I am 2 hours ahead of you and 6 behind England.) I look forward to hearing from Lee. Be safe in your travels, Thor. |
| Rainbow61 30.12.2017 05:35 |
A very Happy New Year to everyone! I hope 2018 brings you great joy. Thank you for your spirited conversation and thoughtful questions. I've enjoyed this time with you immensely and love the idea of regrouping after the book for further discussion and sharing. Until the next time.... Peace! |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 30.12.2017 05:41 |
OMG. What a wonderful collection of well wishes and salutations. Thor and I are blessed to have your support. If we are half as successful with our book as the threads have been, I will be thrilled. Happy New Year to all, and I will look forward to the PM’s. I agree with all of Thor’s thoughts, compliments, and ideas as presented. I’m so glad we had this time together, just to have a laugh or ........wait.......sorry......I have this thing for Carol Burnett......oops.....sorry.......just watched her Special. God Bless and be in touch. Hugs!!!!! |
| Catus 30.12.2017 05:46 |
Happy New Year everyone! Peace, love, and happiness to all of you! I hope we'll stay in touch. Safe travels, Thor, have a great time with Lee and others. |
| thundergod 30.12.2017 05:49 |
To ALL a Happy New Year and to all a Goodnight! This is not goodbye, it's an evolution and we are so lucky to have the 94% along for the ride. Bless You All! You've made this thread WORK! |
| thundergod 30.12.2017 05:50 |
As Freddie would say, "Well darling...there you have it!" |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 30.12.2017 05:55 |
LOL |
| Invisible Woman 30.12.2017 08:05 |
I just want to say that it was interesting to read these two threads. I wish you a lot of success with the book. Listen as much of Queen music while you write a book.:) I wish a Happy New Year for all Queenzone members.:) |
| c.jory 30.12.2017 13:10 |
thundergod wrote: Thank you captainjory on both Lee's and my behalf. What an asset that would be to our efforts. Anybody here in publishing?...lolWell, I've only tried self-publishing myself, because I like full control. It does work, you can make money from it, which surprised me. I have a few friends who went to "real" publishers. Not only did they have to do all their own painstaking editing over and over, AND their own publicity, they were badly ripped off. All they earned from it was a publisher's advance, around £200 and the rest of the earnings went straight into the pocket of the publisher, despite them reaching the top of the Amazon charts. So you have to watch out for that. Maybe contact others who have written Queen books and probe them to see what they earned from theirs. I've only used Amazon KDP for Kindle and Createspace for paperbacks. It's a faff lining up the margins etc but the product is good enough quality. |
| c.jory 30.12.2017 13:12 |
SmokyQuartz wrote: Have sent you a pm Thor. Captainjory, I'll be interested to read your writing too, if ever it's available :-)I'll message you about it. I would post the links publicly but some freaky homophobic 'fans' got wind of it recently and tried to badmouth it...without ever reading it. Pfft. This fandom! |
| SmokyQuartz 30.12.2017 13:54 |
Sorry to hear that CJ. People always bad mouth what they find a threat. I'll check my pm's later as I am just dashing out. Thanks for sharing with me :-) |
| Katydyd5 30.12.2017 14:03 |
Happy New Year to all!! May 2018 hold blessings for all of you. I'm so glad Thor said this is not a goodbye but rather an evolution. What a perfect thing to say...........obviously from the mind of a writer. ; ) Who could have imagined this when the thread first began? I'm so glad I stopped lurking and started to participate. Thanks for the many great questions and discussions. It's been a pleasure to find people who will let me talk Freddie and Queen as much as I want to. Thanks especially to those who have become email friends. If you are in the US, stay warm!! |
| Blenkolove 30.12.2017 17:01 |
Why can't we all just start our own thread....and keep hanging out......it could be like..."For the Love of Freddie"???.......it was just so Wonderful talking about Freddie w/other Freddie Lovers n Admirers!!! My husband and family are sick of me talking about Freddie.....and once the movie and book hit....there will be SO MUCH MORE TO DISCUSS N REMINESCE ABOUT!!! .....We are like a virtual Freddie Family!!! I don't want to loose you guys!! |
| SinkingIsland 30.12.2017 17:07 |
Hey! That’s a good idea about speaking to someone about publishing. You two should talk to Phoebe!! |
| c.jory 30.12.2017 18:46 |
Or Ratty the Roadie, he has a website and as a photographer, he might know about photo books and how to get them out there. This is his contact page: link |
| Fireplace 30.12.2017 21:02 |
Thor and Lee, thanks for freely sharing your memories here and good luck with book. It'll be a hell of a read! |
| matt z 31.12.2017 05:24 |
Ooh wow. I'm a little late to the goodbye party! Thor, Lee.... it's been much appreciated to have heard you two relate stories and info about your exceptionally famous friend. I'm glad you've kept the chats respectful. I'm certain you two can make a very pleasing and enjoyable book of remembrances. (*I DO hope it is available as a physical book. ..i do know that publishing can get costly) Considering the wealth of info and particularly EXCLUSIVE photos....i have no doubt you'd be able to secure credible backing if necessary. Might wanna peruse a book store and guesstimate what publisher you'd like to go with. Though I'm not a huge fan of hers. .. I'd recently purchased a book on Ava Gardner that wasn't very verbose, but focused on her glamour, appearance, with quotes and a general bit of references. The reason i mention it is because the photography and reproduction is very stunning. (*Although these are the work of mgm photographers for most) Also. It seemed to have been published by some young collegiate "kids" so i can imagine it's possible in every way. I hope you two know of someone in publishing that could assist you without trying to fleece you. May all the good graces be with you guys. It's understandable that you'd have to "save something for the book" AND to concentrate thoroughly and Thorly on the book itself. Thank you for your generous gift of these tidbits and witticisms. I hope the project is a success. You two have a perspective that could not only shed light on his personality, but also clear up those dodgy myths ahs creations of less respectable writers. Not certain what i could offer to the project. I've done artwork before. ..however in the general conversations and such...i hope I'm welcome in the loop. Do keep us posted if you ever do an in-store etc. Friends will be friends. Peace! |
| SmokyQuartz 31.12.2017 22:22 |
Some beautifully written thoughts here. Just dropped in to say Happy New Year to everyone who was a part of this thread. A few of you I want to private message for one reason or another and will do when the celebrations are out of the way. :-) |
| beemack74 01.01.2018 02:25 |
Happy new year Thor, Lee and all members of Queenzone. I'm really looking forward to the book! |
| Blenkolove 01.01.2018 04:32 |
HAPPY NEW YEAR'S EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!!! |
| flo90 01.01.2018 05:10 |
Dear Thor and Lee: I read every page of both threads. Thank you very much for all your contributions to this forum and for sharing so much with us. You have been so generous with your time. I look forward to reading your book, can't wait. How wonderful of you both to do this! Thank you! |
| Gingermourinho 01.01.2018 17:53 |
Hey All, Long time reader, first time poster :) A big thank you to Thor and Lee for an amazing insight, it’s been an amazing read over the last few months along with the input of others. Look forward to the book and a Happy New Year to All! |
| Rainbow61 02.01.2018 01:41 |
To the Newbies, I often thought that you, the quiet readers, must represent the silent majority on this thread. Glad you jumped in to say thanks to Thor and Lee. Maybe if this thread picks up at a later date with a discussion about the upcoming Freddie book, you will actively join in at that point. Just wanted to say welcome! Happy New Year! |
| Blenkolove 02.01.2018 02:03 |
Rainbow.....YOU'RE SO AWESOME!!! I Was always a silent one.........no Facebook, no tweet, absolutely No interest in social media whatsoever!!!!! Still don't really.....but once I stumbled on this site...You and Thor and so many others made it seem so safe, and SOOO comfortable I HAD TO LET MY GUARD DOWN N JUMP IN!!! ESPECIALLY TO TALK ABOUT FREDDIE MERCURY!!!!!!!!! That's why I hate to let this group go......it was my first, it was so much fun, and I grew to feel like we were a little family of Freddie admirers!! Keep in touch Rainbow!!! And Thank YOU and ALL the others(you all know who u are) for making this an AMAZING place to discover and participte in!!!! Mmmmmwah |
| Saint Jiub 02.01.2018 02:04 |
This thread and the previous thread are only a few days short of 1/2 of year (July 7th 2017) ... time flies when you are having fun. Lee & Thor - Good luck with your upcoming book. |
| Rainbow61 02.01.2018 03:06 |
Blenkolove, Thanks so much.... I was very hesitant to jump into this thread as well. Am not on Facebook, Instagram,Twitter or any other social media. The thought of posting a question or statement was honestly quite intimidating, so I was content to just follow along "in the shadows". Eventually, it was just too hard to stay on the sidelines....so I took the plunge when I was comfortable enough to do so...and I am so happy I did. |
| FlashElephant 02.01.2018 10:08 |
A book about Freddie's life? Wow, what "a huge surprise". Joining the Freestone bandwagon. And this thing about haters and negativity. Oh for Christ's sake, there's been very, very little of that. Maybe some comments here and there and maybe some posters have been arguing about stuff but what do you expect? That will always happen everywhere. "The daughters" get upset very easily and it's very surprising coming from people who have lived through some serious times back in the day. One could imagine this stuff here is nothing. The original thread was good in the beginning. After that it was just one big butt kissing contest. |
| SmokyQuartz 02.01.2018 20:23 |
Going through REAL serious stuff makes most people intolerant to trivial bullshit. As well as making them nicer people. |
| Gingermourinho 02.01.2018 22:12 |
Hey Rainbow, Thanks for your welcome, I have read this forum over the last few months along side reading Ratty’s book which has been a good mix. It’s been good fun sitting back and reading some of the great and random comments. Hope you all had a good New Year! |
| SinkingIsland 02.01.2018 23:45 |
I imagine the book will not be about Freddie's life, but rather the few years he lived in New York and the subsequent visits to England by the daughters. I also suspect and hope there will be a great amount of photographic content. I am really looking forward to it. If people such as Peter Freestone, Thor and Lee did not share their stories, those of us who love Freddie so dearly would never have the valuable insight only they can provide. Surprised? No. Happy? Hell yes! |
| SinkingIsland 03.01.2018 02:06 |
Disclaimer: Confrontation and / or insult NOT intended. The views expressed are solely those of the writer. I didn't think the guys became easily upset. I think Thor did his best to moderate some really stupid stuff. I realize there are some passionate people here (and others who show up, drop a turd for kicks and move on), but adults should be equipped to "agree to disagree", although sometimes that doesn't happen soon enough. I did see what I considered butt kissing, but (myself included on all counts)... A) Most people are excited by "celebrity", so no harm done. B) People should look within themselves to realize the difference between perceived butt kissing and their own envy or insecurities. C) One can try desperately NOT to come off as a butt kisser and still be viewed as such by someone else (including the owner of the butt, although I saw no such evidence here). I get (sort of) what was said about the book being a "huge surprise". I'm not the brightest character, but I could see that coming a long way back, before it was even a notion to them. I hardly think this was all by design. We merely saw it before they did. Obviously, they just considered themselves Freddie's friends, not even realizing the potential for a book until it was pointed out to them. They didn't exactly have to share anything at all with us, but they did. I am grateful for it. I was, quite frankly, amazed. Why give it away when you can get paid for it, darling? (That's a joke, PC folks.) Besides, they deserve it and it appears the majority of us agree and wish them the best! Peace! |
| LOTV 03.01.2018 12:44 |
miraclesteinway wrote: Hi guys, I've been admiring this thread from afar, because I've been backed up with the lurgy and sleeping a lot this week, and because I was in London last week to see the Q+AL show at the O2 (which I unashamedly LOVED). Thor - that thing about Freddie not wanting to be called Fred is interesting. I'd read it before that he hated being called Fred, but Brian May frequently refers to him as Fred. Perhaps this is because before he was famous he was known as Fred Bulsara, and I'm almost certain that I saw on "The Untold Story" a painting or something signed "Fred Bulsara". I guess if you meet someone who refers to themselves as one name for a few years and then changes their name, sometimes it's difficult not to revert back to the name you originally knew them as. I must confess I've had to apologise to a couple of transgender friends of mine for using the pronouns I formerly knew them by, automatically (I know Freddie wasn't trans, but there was the transition if you like between Farokh, Fred, and Freddie. Perhaps there was even Frederick in there somewhere - I wonder if Mrs Bulsara called him Farokh until the end?). The other interesting and lovely thing in this thread is that it's clear now to everyone reading that Freddie was unashamedly gay, and out of the closet, in his personal life. Disregarding the fact that the public weren't told (and it's none of their business), it's great to know that Freddie lived knowing there was nothing to be ashamed of and that it's completely natural. To be fair that was one thing that Brian May said on TV the week after Freddie died - the question was something like, "what do you hope people learn from his death, Brian?" and Brian said something like "that there's nothing wrong with being gay". So obviously in his professional circle it was something that he didn't hide either. Elton John said he came out as bisexual because it was simply easier than saying he was gay, somehow it would be more acceptable if people thought he was just kind of experimenting. At the time he made that remark he was free to say what he wanted of course. We live in very different times now here in the west where largely we are able to come out without too many repercussions. Of course there are still problems in families which is always a very sad situation, and the political climate has lurched quite far to the right in recent years even in what we thought was liberal Britain (In 1997 Britain was portrayed as the coolest, most liberal place on earth. In 2017 it's.... a bit different, sort of like 1977 with the racism but not so homophobic). Freddie Mercury was never going to be revealed as an uncomplicated character, but the fact that he was Indian, gay, born an immigrant in Zanzibar, died an immigrant in London, and somehow in between those two points became the most revered rock musician of the late 20th Century is still pretty unfathomable. There are people who are born into the industry who can't do what he did. I do have one question. The others in the band seem to be more inside the industry - more in touch with what others are doing in the rock and pop scene, they have friends who are also rock musicians etc, but Freddie seemed to be an outsider. Have I got that right?Roger Taylor pretty much exclusively refers to Freddie as 'Fred'. As do a lot of his old mates, peers and colleagues in the music industry. |
| LOTV 03.01.2018 13:15 |
Rainbow61 wrote: Sheldon, I have watched that finale performance many times and I am always left with the same thought while viewing..."Could someone PLEASE hand Freddie the microphone?" I'm frustrated every time I watch it!You might be over thinking this a little. He wasn't on the original because nobody could find him remember. Think the chronology would have him lost in Munchen or even still hanging out with Thor and Lee? It was later something he and Queen openly regretted. In fact it was Freddie they had in mind for the line Bono eventually sang. So perhaps he didn't know the words hence no mike and a little sense of awkwardness? Not everything is a big deal or deep. Just my twopenneth. |
| LOTV 03.01.2018 13:33 |
Thanks for sharing your memories chaps, most appreciated and interesting. Don't blame you for making a few quid either for yourselves or charity. Can't for a second believe the notion only just occurred, I imagine this thread has merely provided and indicator of appetite. On a general note just because some may not tow every party line and accept unchallenged all agreed narrative does not necessarily make them haters or bigots. There has certainly been an element of hypocrisy to this thread and not a small amount of arse kissing. King Mercury, long may she reign. |
| The Squirrelly One 03.01.2018 18:59 |
VERY well said, SinkingIsland. |
| LGBT Heroes 03.01.2018 19:41 |
Hello Mr.Nolan and Mr.Arnold. Please check your private messages. Logo TV is knocking! |
| matt z 04.01.2018 02:04 |
^ and so it looks like this thread has got some exposure. ^ interesting. |
| bucsateflon 06.01.2018 11:30 |
a summary is needed |
| Saint Jiub 07.01.2018 00:33 |
Six months prior to today ... fresh air arrived at QZ ... link |
| Arnaldo "Ogre-" Silveira 09.01.2018 13:55 |
Dears Thor and Lee, I hope you are still reading. I arrived late for this thread, but, just like I did in the other one, I would like to thank you for all of the information that you made available to us about our dear Freddie. I read all of your posts. I wish you both all the best. Thank you once again. Cheers, Ogre- |
| freddies bell end 11.01.2018 07:22 |
What did I miss? Can anyone summarize the 43 pages to help me know what was revealed? |
| matt z 13.01.2018 03:57 |
^ to be honest; not much different was shared in this thread. It started and DID have its share of pandering. No strange disclosures. Though Thor did share some insight into knowing his sexuality atan early age. (*same here: knew i was hetero since being a child. Women are just amazingly beautiful. ) I don't think it ever kicked off, though some interesting insights were shared about everybody's lives. No "nuggets" of info on Fred if you're looking for it. Either way, it's only 43 pages. Read. READ! |
| FlashElephant 01.02.2018 22:52 |
Okay, time to start up this classic again. Thor, I have some questions. 1. Do you know what Freddie drank during August 1982? 2. Did Freddie ever tell you what the second verse in Ogre Battle meant? 3. Was Freddie really gay? 4. Do you already have a publisher for your "book"? Is Freestone going to be one of the contributors? 5. Do you think Mary should get out of Garden Lodge and all of Freddie's 80's "daughters" should live there instead? 6. Did Freddie ever watch commercials during the evenings? 7. Did Freddie ever tell you where he bought his Live Aid-jeans? 8. Do you know where the Live Aid-jeans are now? 9. Are you still whining how the producers from "Freddie's loves" sucker punched you and made you tell some intimate details about Freddie? |
| Dustin Zimmerman 06.02.2018 20:00 |
Hey FlashElephant how's that trolling YouTube account of yours going? Got a huge following yet? What about your Tumblr page? Looks like you're on there jacking off to Mercs. How many accounts do you have now? 3? YouTube has to be at least 4 by now. And your Facebook page is great reading too. You've really got this troll shit on lock. |
| FlashElephant 07.02.2018 02:31 |
I have to quote the late Michael Jackson with his high voice "oh please", "oh please", "oh please". Yes, if I'm all those clowns you advertise then I guess your Dustin Hoffman? I haven't got a clue what your talking about, I only know that one 567199 or whatever his clever user name was. Weren't you the one who was spending hours and hours looking at some idiotic Facebook-arguments where some old ladies were fighting if Bulsara was gay or some kind of a womanizer? And then you were arguing about it here like it was World War III? Deep down you know I'm more or less spot on with my brilliant and ironic observations about Thor and his "buddy" and how they are already counting the money they will be making with poor Freddie's legacy. But well, what can you do? |
| Dustin Zimmerman 07.02.2018 03:28 |
Yeah, and aren't you the one that rants on YouTube and pretends it isn't you when confronted here? You know you make it really obvious right? Funny how you're worried about how many "hours" i spent looking at idiotic Facebook rants (wasn't even an hour, btw) but you're the one starting bullshit here WEEKS after this thread ended. By the way it's spelled "you're". Who the fuck said they weren't in it for the money? Does that change the fact that mercury was gay as fuck? No. Does it change anything that happened in August 1982? No. Why bother trolling the page now? Why didn't you troll it when they were here? Go ahead and run to your Tumblr page and slander me. I'm looking forward to reading it. That, and your YouTube rants. |
| The Squirrelly One 07.02.2018 03:31 |
Dustin don't give that idiot attention. It's what they want. Pathetic little loser. Such a shame their parents didn't give them enough attention as a child. |
| FlashElephant 07.02.2018 10:58 |
Very kind of you to spare me so much of your time. We all can't be geniuses, now can we? Still haven't got a clue what you're ranting about Hoffman. But to be brutally honest it doesn't really matter. You don't even get my witty posts. Squirrely, don't you have some butt kissing to do instead of acting like some goody goody? |
| Invisible Woman 07.02.2018 12:06 |
I think that would be nice from Thor and Lee to sometimes come to Queenzone, at least to say "hello" or to say how their book progresses. And I also think that this argument between members doesn't make any sense. |
| LOTV 07.02.2018 16:26 |
Invisible Woman wrote: I think that would be nice from Thor and Lee to sometimes come to Queenzone, at least to say "hello" or to say how their book progresses. And I also think that this argument between members doesn't make any sense.Hi TIW, They can't make money by coming on here. You do realise it was market research don't you? I'm sure you do, you are a bright person. I wish them well with their endeavours. Be interesting to see whether it's for charity of personal gain. |
| Dustin Zimmerman 07.02.2018 18:31 |
I doubt it'll be for charity. They haven't mentioned anything about it. I don't think any of the Freddie books out there go to charity either. I'd like to see at least some profit go to the MPT. If you're gonna write about Fred, it's only fair to give a piece to his AIDS charity. |
| Saint Jiub 08.02.2018 01:18 |
Yawn. Please let Flash have the last word, and let this topic be retired as intended. |
| LOTV 08.02.2018 11:04 |
Dustin Zimmerman wrote: I doubt it'll be for charity. They haven't mentioned anything about it. I don't think any of the Freddie books out there go to charity either. I'd like to see at least some profit go to the MPT. If you're gonna write about Fred, it's only fair to give a piece to his AIDS charity.I agree. I do hope that nobody is naive enough to think that the idea of a book is new to them. Where better to do market research and assess demand? A book, shit yeah, we could couldn't we? |
| Dustin Zimmerman 08.02.2018 14:38 |
I have no doubt that what they'll print is the truth. However I do think it's shitty how they ended this. They couldn't have made it more clear that their focus was cash. Keep in mind Freestone has plenty of books out on his own. But even he still answers questions through his blog. They cut off all communication and the few people i do speak to who have gotten private responses from them have all said they keep responses short. I'm disappointed but at least there will be a fact checked book out there. Those are rare. |
| Mr.Michael 08.02.2018 20:43 |
Very well said Dustin and I also agree with the other posters. I can't quite understand why are you arguing because you seem to have the same opinion? It feels like something happened during this thread? Like someone suddenly said "why are you telling those stories over there when you could make some money with it"? Everything happened so quickly. Many of Thor's anecdotes were nice and interesting but I kinda felt that the well was pretty dry at the end. At times it really felt more like fans educating them about Freddie. They are not obligated to post here or to tell us what's going on, but I honestly feel like this didn't end right. If that's true what Dustin is telling us, that they only give quick and short answers to their biggest admirers, then that also sounds pretty sad. |
| noorie 08.02.2018 22:19 |
Honestly, why should we feel entitled to anything from anybody? Thor and Lee gave us so many amazing anecdotes about Freddie and freely shared their memories of him. They took a lot of time to patiently respond to each of our questions - even the silly ones. So, I am very grateful for whatever time they shared with us. And that is not called 'kissing butt' - that is called 'being appreciative'. Thor and Lee both send very lovely messages to most of us. But naturally they are busy with their lives, as are we. Here is something Thor wrote to me after seeing the negativity here these past few days. So, to set the record straight, here are Thor's own words (with his permission). "I arrived on QZ purely by accident after Googling my own name. I wanted to set the record straight that I was not Freddie's lover but close friend. To think that I was doing market research is absurd. Lee has preserved his pictures for over 30 years and we did not ever speak of making money off of them. We did the "Freddie's Loves" documentary because we thought it would shed light on the real Freddie namely the person and the friend who we wanted to share with the world. We did not make any money for our appearance, but we got one night stay at the Beverly Hilton and a lunch. We were disappointed in the finished product. After encouragement from some wonderful people, and the fact that I was spending many hours a day answering questions, Lee and I decided to give it a go and again attempt to shed light on the side of Freddie that most people probably don't know. The haters need conspiracy theories to spread their negativity and share their misery. We are considering a return to the thread in the future but as for now the LAST thing we need is discouragement about our project." |
| Dustin Zimmerman 08.02.2018 22:46 |
Lee doesn't message anyone. You have to know how silly you sound when you talk about not kissing butt...you Noorie were the Queen of butt kissing here. With that fake uncle story, it did get old pretty quick. |
| YAWN 08.02.2018 22:51 |
I'm amazed to see that this thread is still gaining comments. What's left to talk about? I'm excited for the book. Let's just look forward. Regardless of what you think the thread was, it's over now and there's a book coming out of it. Someone else said it best when they said at the very least we can all get pumped about there being another book that comes from a direct source to Freddie. Those are indeed very rare. Peace, all. |
| noorie 08.02.2018 23:06 |
Dustin Zimmerman wrote: Lee doesn't message anyone. You have to know how silly you sound when you talk about not kissing butt...you Noorie were the Queen of butt kissing here. With that fake uncle story, it did get old pretty quick.Hahaha!! Glad to hear I am 'Queen' of something on QueenZone. Btw, I have received 6 messages from Lee. Not that that makes any difference to anything. |
| noorie 08.02.2018 23:15 |
Villiers is absolutely right. There is nothing left to talk about on this thread. So, peace to everybody. Enjoy your lives!! :) |
| Dustin Zimmerman 08.02.2018 23:18 |
Lol so you count the messages from Lee like that makes you the special one? My friend villers here is on his personal Facebook page and he doesn't add strangers apparently. If you're playing a lame tit for tat game, I think you just lost with that fact. He messaged everyone a few times before he left the thread. You messaging him on your own to ask questions doesnt count as him reaching out to you to be his friend or confidant. You're not special Noorie. Your uncle never knew Freddie and you don't have any unique insight on Freddie because you claim to be Persian too. Nobody cares. |
| YAWN 08.02.2018 23:23 |
Lol I've never bothered to count how many messages I got from Lee...not sure why anyone would care. Both of them have messaged nearly all of us. These are regular people, guys- not Christ almighty. Its not that crucial lol. I wish them both the best and good luck on the book. Now, it's 5pm here. Time for a cold beer and a spin of a good record. Thinking Bowie, tonight. See y'all |
| The Squirrelly One 08.02.2018 23:47 |
Counting how many messages you got from Thor and Lee? That's a bit sad. Thor trusted me enough to send photos of me through his personal phone number and send me a photo of him in 2017. Yes I actually have Thors phone number. Does that win this pissing contest Norrie? Good thing this thread ended. Heres hoping the fans have a better reaction to their book than they had to his thread. Childish. |
| Saint Jiub 09.02.2018 03:36 |
Does Dustin count cards? This pissing and moaning about noorie is worse than Flash Elephant. If Thor and Lee are smart, we've likely seen the last of them on QZ until they have a book deal. This drama is extaordinarily tedious. By the way, I have you all beat ... Thor and Lee have issued 17 restraining orders against me ... LOL |
| The Squirrelly One 09.02.2018 04:13 |
Does he count cards? That makes no sense. Im afraid noorie brought it on herself this time. I think you're right. They likely won't be back until the book is a done deal. Last I heard from Thor he said they'd like to keep their stories and pics close to the vest until the book comes out. Understandable but I'm curious as to what else they can tell us that they havent already. Or will it be a collection of the stories they've already posted here? I guess we'll just wait and see. Either way, I'll be buying a copy. |
| Saint Jiub 09.02.2018 04:47 |
I think you are assuming Noorie is bragging about six messages ... it is not hard to count to six. Dustin Hoffman of the movie "Rainman" counts cards playing blackjack with Tom Cruise |
| The Squirrelly One 09.02.2018 05:04 |
Yes but the fact that she felt the need to give everyone the number of messages she received from Lee at all comes off as a desperate attempt at bragging. Which is likely what annoyed everyone. Myself included. Seemed childish. I think Dustin was just saying what we all felt. In a more blunt way than i ever would lol. |
| St Pepper 09.02.2018 05:06 |
It did come off that way, squirrelly. I was going to say something as well and decided against it. I'll just say.... I too rolled my eyes. |
| RadioDaDa 12.02.2018 05:21 |
Just read it all. Fascinating stuff. Thank you Thor and Lee |
| SmokyQuartz 15.02.2018 01:00 |
Personally I think Thor got a lot out of this forum. He chatted about all sorts of things, not just Freddie and took the time to get to 'know' us a bit (as much as you can online). This thread started to feel quite cohesive. At the moment it's going the other way. I noticed someone mentioned that Thor might consider a return to the thread if / when he's up for it. I just think we should make it worth returning to. If he doesn't, the glass is still half full, he interacted with us and he gave more than would be given for marketing purposes alone. |
| Freddielove4ever 27.02.2018 23:12 |
It's a very long and interesting thread! Wow!! Hey Thor, your insights are really fascinating... however I was wondering about something ... Peter Freestone - Freddie Mercury - An Intimate Memoir by the Man Who Knew Him Best (Chapter one): "On July 11 and 12, 1986, the band returned to Wembley with A Kind Of Magic under their belts. Freddie had flown the New York Daughters specifically to see one of these shows. He knew it was going to be something to be proud of. He hired a coach for the show which left Garden Lodge with all his guests including Straker, Mary Austin, Wayne Eagling, Gordon Atkinson, Gordon Dalziel and Graham Hamilton, Barbara Valentin and Trevor Clarke. It was my job to ensure that the coach was laden with goodies for the trip out for the guests and on the trip back when Freddie himself joined in. This was to be the start of one very long party. I don’t think there are many stars who would indulge in this kind of behaviour. I don’t know that there are that many of his equivalent status who would have that many friends who would come together at one time to celebrate their friend’s success. And they certainly wouldn’t have travelled on a bus!" All his close friends together!!! Wonderful!! Weren't you smitten to be sitting next to a Fassbinder Muse? You knew a lot of famous people!! You are a very lucky man!! Did you go to the party at the Roof Garden? |
| Sponge Caves 28.02.2018 21:42 |
I'm thinking perhaps Peter Freestone was mistaken in his account of who was there, as much as I respect his p.o.v and believe most of what he says to be accurate... Thor and Lee closed this thread, so I'm taking it upon myself to answer. Thor and Lee both knew nothing about Barbara until they read it in a biography and Freddie didn't introduce them. She was supposedly quite a loud, larger-than-life person so I'm sure they would remember her if she was there. They've mentioned Mick Jagger though! Further to this, she does not appear in any backstage Wembley footage, nor is she in any of the Kensington Roof Gardens party photos on Getty Images. She doesn't appear in the Summer 86 Garden Lodge footage either. Surely if she was there, she would be staying in his house and hanging out with his New York Daughters. In fact there are no photos of them together throughout the whole of 1986, as far as I know, which supports what she said about them not speaking for just over a year. |
| RadioDaDa 02.03.2018 17:14 |
Sponge.. Is it a possibility they were at different shows? Peter said July 11 and July 12. Its a good possibility the daughters went to one show and Barbera at the next show.. |
| RadioDaDa 02.03.2018 17:15 |
Sponge.. Is it a possibility they were at different shows? Peter said July 11 and July 12. Its a good possibility the daughters went to one show and Barbera at the next show.. |
| Sponge Caves 02.03.2018 23:53 |
Because the Daughters and Barbara were from different countries, it would seem weird if they just turned up on different nights then went away. They would all have been staying with Freddie and would have met. It makes more sense for Peter to be wrong. Especially if you add in the fact she doesn't appear in any photos or backstage video footage, and she said they fell out temporarily at this time. |
| Freddielove4ever 11.03.2018 23:51 |
Maybe they slept in different places because Freddie bought the mews years later so he only had one room for the guests. Thor went to the party at the Roof Garden...Do you see him in videos or pics? No, we can't see him there...so? There were a lot of guests that day - he also invited a Japanese woman there (we have a video about that moment: link minute 4:33) - Do you see her in videos and pics during the party? No, we can't see her there (and if we didn't have this video we would never have known that she was there too!). So the fact that Barbara doesn't appear in any photos or backstage video footage is a proof? My answer is: absolutely not! |
| Stop The Madness 12.03.2018 00:44 |
Freddielove4ever why are you so desperate to believe he fucked her? The guy was a fag. I can't even show my friends this thread as a joke anymore without seeing another desperate female trying to keep their image of a straight Mercury alive. The man only wanted cock. Accept it. I have. |
| stevendabudgie 12.03.2018 17:36 |
"The man only wanted cock. Accept it. I have." link |
| FlashElephant 24.07.2018 12:06 |
How is the book coming along? Will the "Daughters" make it in time for the Christmas season? Who was that guy who's uncle played badminton with Freddie in India, or something along those lines? |
| thundergod 29.07.2018 04:53 |
FreddieMercury Bk w/ 50 unseen pics Share Tweet Be the first to share I am trying to publish a book with over fifty never-before-seen photos of Freddie Mercury's time in New York City (1981 to 1983) and in London visits(1986-1991). Also, I have written chapters that recount Freddie, the down-to-earth, generous and caring man enjoying himself with his close American friends (of eleven years) right up to his unfortunate death. In his real life, Freddie enjoyed fitting in and just being "one of the boys" Early 1980's New York provided this for him. The book is finished and being reviewed by a literary agent. Publishing this book as a "coffee table book" will cost a good amount of money. This book is timed with the opening of the new docu-drama "Bohemian Rhapsody" which is sure to reignite interest in everything Queen and everything Freddie. A free, autographed copy by the authors (I have a co-author who was also part of our group of close friends in New York and beyond) will be provided for any donation over $50.00. This book will definitely sell, but a refundable donation (once the book is published, available and selling) can be provided. The title of the book will be "Freddie Mercury in New York - Don't Stop Us Now!" I thank any donators in advance who might help us to make this project become a reality. YOU are the Champions! |
| Dustin Zimmerman 29.07.2018 22:38 |
So....what happens if we make the donations and you still don't get enough to get it published? Have you considered Amazon? They print by demand. I saw a petition to get your book started online and it was posted to huge groups and pages. Think it only got like 200 signatures. I dont think it's likely that this go fund me route is going to work out. I know the girl who did the petition and she did it to get a rough number of how many people would be interested in the book and to prove you guys have support. Very nice gesture but I'm sorry to say I think it proves a go fund me would not be successful. Signing a free petition vs donating cash are two different things and the free petition didnt do too well. Sorry but the few people I've discussed this with have all agreed this is a bad route to take. If you want it out alongside the movie you guys are going to need to do it on your own. I don't think a go fund me is going to provide you with enough cash quick enough. |
| The Squirrelly One 29.07.2018 23:17 |
My cousin also suggested Amazon. That might be something to think about.. |
| The Squirrelly One 29.07.2018 23:46 |
@Thor I sent you 2 messages regarding this. Please check when you have the time sweetheart. Take care. |
| thundergod 30.07.2018 01:10 |
Ouch...sorry guys, but a free book for a $50.00 donation did not seem to me too outrageous a proposal. |
| Saint Jiub 30.07.2018 01:16 |
thundergod wrote: FreddieMercury Bk w/ 50 unseen pics Share Tweet Be the first to share I am trying to publish a book with over fifty never-before-seen photos of Freddie Mercury's time in New York City (1981 to 1983) and in London visits(1986-1991). Also, I have written chapters that recount Freddie, the down-to-earth, generous and caring man enjoying himself with his close American friends (of eleven years) right up to his unfortunate death. In his real life, Freddie enjoyed fitting in and just being "one of the boys" Early 1980's New York provided this for him. The book is finished and being reviewed by a literary agent. Publishing this book as a "coffee table book" will cost a good amount of money. This book is timed with the opening of the new docu-drama "Bohemian Rhapsody" which is sure to reignite interest in everything Queen and everything Freddie. A free, autographed copy by the authors (I have a co-author who was also part of our group of close friends in New York and beyond) will be provided for any donation over $50.00. This book will definitely sell, but a refundable donation (once the book is published, available and selling) can be provided. The title of the book will be "Freddie Mercury in New York - Don't Stop Us Now!" I thank any donators in advance who might help us to make this project become a reality. YOU are the Champions!Thor ... I am considering "wasting" $50 dollars on your book that might never be published. However, I need to talk to my wife at some point. I am a manic-depressive, and I am hypo-manic right now, and my judgement might be clouded. Thanks. |
| thundergod 30.07.2018 01:22 |
That's ok...you don't need to your $50.00. |
| thundergod 30.07.2018 01:24 |
Change that to "you don't need to send your $50.00" |
| Dustin Zimmerman 30.07.2018 01:39 |
You didnt answer the question. What happens if we pay for the money you guys still don't have enough to publish the book? Do we get a refund or a rough draft or what? |
| Dustin Zimmerman 30.07.2018 01:41 |
Sorry should read "what happens if we pay the money and you still dint gave enough to publish." |
| Dustin Zimmerman 30.07.2018 01:43 |
Wow even my correction have hella typos. Well shit. |
| thundergod 30.07.2018 02:03 |
Dustin....this is just a way of raising funds. I believe the book will be picked up and I already promised signed books for $50.00 donations as well as refunds once the book gets off the ground. But you know, this may NOT be something for you. If I believed these last eight months that the book would not get published, I would not have wasted my hours and hours of writing. Best advice for you...wait till it is out then decide whether or not to buy it. Trust me, not a problem. |
| Dustin Zimmerman 30.07.2018 02:07 |
M'k. I'll definitely buy once it's out. Are you guys going to stop answering questions here for now |
| thundergod 30.07.2018 02:15 |
We will start a new thread on Queenzone when we have finished our Publisher search but only when it has been approved by our literary agent. The hundreds of Vanity Presses out there is frightening and made us employ a literary agent. Not inexpensive, by the way! |
| Catus 30.07.2018 02:16 |
Hi Thor, It's so great to see you back here - I was thinking about you and Lee not long ago. Congrats on the completion of your project! I will be happy to share this info - did you consider link website? It would be easier to share over the social media, and also people would know how to donate without pm'ing you every time. As for me, I'm definitely in! |
| thundergod 30.07.2018 02:23 |
Hi Catus Ha Ha, GoFundMe is already out there. It may not be too popular with some here. But tthat is more than ok. It was just an idea. |
| Catus 30.07.2018 02:30 |
Oh, that's great, but could you post a link here? I did not find your project on gofundme website. Good luck, hope you'll get more support! |
| thundergod 30.07.2018 02:31 |
Please check pg 45 Catus. |
| Catus 30.07.2018 02:48 |
Thor, I can only see your announcement, but there is no link there. Could you please post it here? |
| Saint Jiub 30.07.2018 04:37 |
Thor - If you choose a public corporation to publish your book, you will likely need to quit posting on Queenzone until the book is officially announced. You don't want to get me arrested for for inside information to buy stock? Do You? LOL |
| Saint Jiub 30.07.2018 04:38 |
Catus wrote: Thor, I can only see your announcement, but there is no link there. Could you please post it here?Yes a GoFundMe link might be nice. LOL |
| Saint Jiub 30.07.2018 04:47 |
Thor - Congrats on finishing writing your book. So many projects never get finished. Brian May's doctorate did not get finished until a few years ago. Good luck. I am sure you will be successful and get your money back if your book is published. I am sure I can convince my wife to "allow" me to "waste" $50. I am the major "breadwinner" in this household. By donating, it will make me feel like I am donating to something bigger than myself. |
| thundergod 30.07.2018 22:03 |
link |
| thundergod 30.07.2018 22:07 |
I submitted a photo with Freddie to GoFundMe, but I don't know how to bring it up. I do not have a Facebook account. |
| The Squirrelly One 31.07.2018 00:33 |
Hi sweetheart. I followed the link you left for the GoFundMe to donate and it brought me to a blank page saying 404 error. Pic attached. |
| The Squirrelly One 31.07.2018 00:37 |
I tried it a few more times and it brings you to this sign in page that wont let me sign in via facebook or google. I also dont see an option to sign up for an account for GoFundMe. What the h*ll.. I'm guessing it wont let us donate unless we create an account with them first but I don't see an option to. Pic attached. |
| St Pepper 31.07.2018 00:45 |
I have a GoFundMe account. The campaign is not set up correctly. The link brings you to a sign in page. When you sign in and follow the link Thor provided it takes you nowhere. That means the campaign has not completed set up. I've used it a few times for our local church. One of two things happened here. Either the campaign has not been approved by the site yet or somehow the campaign setup steps were just not completed. GoFundMe isnt the easiest thing to use anymore. PayPal would be easier but that would probably rub people the wrong way. Sorry Thor. As of now nobody can donate to it. The site wont allow it. |
| Catus 31.07.2018 01:09 |
Hi Thor, the link did not work but I figured out that I have to remove "manage." This is the working link: link |
| Catus 31.07.2018 01:16 |
link Here it is, it worked for me. Good luck Thor and Lee |
| matt z 31.07.2018 01:48 |
I'll definitely sign up for the $50 fund, i had just mentioned you guys and the book proposal on another page. I'm glad it's nearly reached the finish line. Looking forward to it, Thor |
| Saint Jiub 31.07.2018 01:59 |
I posted the gofundme info to my timeline of my Facebook account. I have not donated yet but there have been two donations in the last half hour for a total of $150. |
| thundergod 31.07.2018 02:16 |
I used my e-mail address thundergod2015@gmail.com, Maybe knowing this will help. Two people managed to get through. I am SO new to this, and probably made some mistakes. Hope you can get through with my e-mail account. Thank you all so much. Thor and Lee |
| thundergod 31.07.2018 02:33 |
Thank you my first responder in July 2017, MattZ...I certainly appreciate you, although I did not always understand your highly complex way of writing. lol... You are the best! |
| thundergod 31.07.2018 02:36 |
Thank you St. Juib...I don't really recall your participation in the two threads from last year, but I do appreciate your support for sure. |
| thundergod 31.07.2018 02:37 |
Make that "Jiub" |
| Saint Jiub 31.07.2018 03:01 |
Catus wrote: link Here it is, it worked for me. Good luck Thor and LeeThe above is the link that I used to visit the gofundme webpage. |
| Saint Jiub 31.07.2018 03:04 |
thundergod wrote: Thank you St. Juib...I don't really recall your participation in the two threads from last year, but I do appreciate your support for sure.I was formally known as Panchgani until i changed my user name a few days ago. I only posted a few times. I think my most notable post was when I found and posted an audio of Freddie's dedication to the "Real Girls" in a concert in Chicago 1982. |
| thundergod 31.07.2018 03:05 |
St. Jiub, did you still not get access for the site??? |
| thundergod 31.07.2018 03:08 |
I certainly remember Panchgani..thanks for the clarification my friend. |
| Saint Jiub 31.07.2018 03:13 |
This is approximately where I posted In november last year: link |
| thundergod 31.07.2018 03:15 |
Thanks my prayer worthy Saint! |
| Saint Jiub 31.07.2018 03:21 |
Here is Play the Game weblink from Chicago 1982. The "Real Girls" quote is at the tail end of Play the Game (before Calling All Girls). link |
| Saint Jiub 31.07.2018 03:23 |
thundergod wrote: St. Jiub, did you still not get access for the site???Yes - I got access to the site (thanks to Catus). I will donate soon I hope. link |
| Richard Orchard 31.07.2018 08:23 |
Good luck on the book - i just donated. Richard |
| Hutchence 31.07.2018 08:59 |
I'm spreading the word (well, link to gofundme to be precise) via social networks. I wish you all the best with yor book- can't wait to buy it ! |
| thundergod 31.07.2018 16:48 |
Hey Richard, Hope you received my thank you note on the GoFundMe site |
| thundergod 31.07.2018 16:50 |
Thank you Hutchence. I am not very social media adept and appreciate your help. Wonderful |
| matt z 31.07.2018 20:30 |
Well, thanks Thor. Owing to some purchases I've made and a book signing this week I'm goin to, I'll probably make payment next Friday. How long will the GoFundMe Be Up? |
| thundergod 31.07.2018 20:43 |
MattZ I guess until we reach our goal. If for some reason the book does not get picked up (God forbid) by a reliable and honest publisher (no vanity presses please) all donations will be refunded. Also, none of the money will be touched until we sign on with a Publisher. We will cover the costs of our literary agent on our own, as well as legal fees to protect our pictures. Well, all except one, which I understand is circulating around after only a day. Thank for your support MattZ . And I will just mention it one more time...You were the first to enquire about my QZ thread way back last summer. Cheers to you my friend! Thor and Lee |
| matt z 31.07.2018 20:49 |
Damn Straight! NUMBER ONE! NUMBER ONE! NUMBER ONE! ;-) I'll pass the word to another board in which the film and band are currently being discussed |
| SmokyQuartz 31.07.2018 23:39 |
I'm in! With you guys all the way until the book is on my coffee table, lol. :-) |
| Villiers2 31.07.2018 23:54 |
Hey guys, its Villiers from the old threads (had to make a new account since I had trouble logging back in today) but I'd like everyone who stops by here to know I also run a page on Instagram (still small but growing at 2.3K) and I am letting my followers and everyone here know that those of you who donate to the GoFundMe account for Thor and KathLEEN, are invited to join in on the giveaway I'm offering. If you've made a donation and would like a chance to win this LED Freddie Lamp, please send me a photo of your name on the GoFundMe page either here or on my Instagram Instagram.com/Queen_Memes.KL and you're entered for a chance to win! Freddie changes to 15 different colors and makes a great decoration (as you can see in the pics below). I will ship world wide. Thanks and good luck! Best of luck, Thor and Lee- "dahlings!" *Photo shows 2 of the 15 colors in both light and in total darkness* link |
| Katydyd5 01.08.2018 01:09 |
Oh wow would I like a chance at that lamp Villiers, but I have no idea how to send you a photo of my name. I just donated. Would it require me to learn how to do a screen shot??? Thor, good luck with this. I'm excited the book has come so far! Thanks for keeping us updated. |
| Villiers2 01.08.2018 01:31 |
Hey! I think you and I spoke thru Facebook not too long ago. I'll message you there! If you're who I think you are, I see your name on the GoFundMe page so you're all good and in the running :) |
| The Squirrelly One 01.08.2018 02:00 |
@villiers2 I saw it on your facebook meme page. The photo for it on there was beautiful!! The lamp would look great on my desk. If I can figure out how to do the donation and get a photo can I just message it to your facebook page or is there an email you want us to send it to? |
| thundergod 01.08.2018 02:04 |
I can't believe you guys. Thanks everyone for such great support. I can't wait to get books on your coffee tables. As I said a few times in the old thread, if the trolls and the neigh-sayers inevitably need to bark their comments again, we can choose to ignore them. They can flip through the pages in a bookstore and of course, not buy it. |
| Villiers2 01.08.2018 02:08 |
Hi! Yes, you can just message the screenshot to me via facebook. Our page has a message option at the top. I'm surprised you managed to catch it on facebook. The algorithms or whatever the hell don't allow our posts to reach all our followers there anymore. It's really annoying, actually! Nearly 4K followers and the stats say only 50-100 people see each post. I've basically given up on Facebook these days lol. Instagram is more active, but I'll be checking both sites for any messages about the giveaway. Thanks. Heres Freddie up close in 3 different colors. He shines bright like diamond lol (corny, I know) |
| Katydyd5 01.08.2018 02:23 |
I am who you think I am Villiers! Thanks so much! |
| thundergod 01.08.2018 02:24 |
WOW! The Montreux statue image reproduced in such a clever way. Lee and I want one each too. How brilliant of you to create this great memento Luv ya. Thor and Lee |
| Villiers2 01.08.2018 02:36 |
I got you, katydyd5 :) Oh I wish I could take credit for the lamp piece but its not my handiwork. Very cool little item, tho! |
| The Squirrelly One 01.08.2018 02:48 |
Thanks for offering to give that Freddie away villers! You see how much love you guys have here Thor? Fantastic! I'll let my Facebook friends know. I would love a chance to win it Even if I don't win the little Freddie I will have a spot on the shelf for the book to take its place lol |
| thundergod 01.08.2018 02:49 |
Could it be that this thread has come alive again?...please don't tell the trolls.....shhhhh. |
| thundergod 01.08.2018 02:51 |
Thanks Squirrelly and Katy |
| Catus 01.08.2018 03:19 |
Hey guys, it's so great to see y'all here, I missed this thread so much. And hurray, I see that some of my fb friends came to donate too! |
| Catus 01.08.2018 03:23 |
Thor, can I ask you, who is sitting next to you and Peter on that photo? Is Lee there? |
| thundergod 01.08.2018 03:43 |
From left to right, it is Freddie (of course), me, Phoebe, my date, Lee's date and Lee. This pic was taken on our Houston get-away. It was such fun! |
| Catus 01.08.2018 03:48 |
Thanks a lot Thor! |
| Villiers2 01.08.2018 03:57 |
Ooooo, I know you answered this before in one of the threads but it's long gone by now. Where in Houston would yall go? I live in Houston! Was Montrose still the gay center for Houston back then? You know how conservative Texas can be. You wouldnt happen to remember which hotel yall stayed at in Houston? |
| Rainbow61 01.08.2018 04:41 |
Greetings Thor and Lee, What a wonderful development! Glad to make a donation. I loved the “teaser” picture you posted….can’t wait to see the others when the book comes out. Seems like the finish line is coming into view and we are happy to cheer you guys on to the end. A book and a movie all around the same time...a plethora of Freddie riches! The book signing party should be great! :) |
| Rainbow61 01.08.2018 05:04 |
Villiers2, Lovely lamp...that is very generous of you. Like everyone else, I know exactly where I'd put it! Would love to read Thor and Lee's book by the soft glow of the Freddie lamp. Now, if I can only figure out how to do a screen shot. Am not on Facebook or Instagram. Thanks... |
| thundergod 01.08.2018 05:40 |
How exciting is this? All of us celebrating Freddie. I only wish he knew all of you wonderful people as well as I have grown to love you all. I'm sure Freddie would approve. He always identified true kindness in people and was attracted to that - well, perhaps not in boyfriends. |
| matt z 02.08.2018 00:10 |
Wow.... nearly half way there!.... One request, Thor. Keep the offer open (to myself- haha) so I can buy into this. Just happened to be around rent/cc payment/phone dates....so the funds r low until the 10th. I think you'll be at or surpass the goal this weekend when people get word of it and have spare time |
| thundergod 02.08.2018 01:46 |
Don't worry MattZ, a special copy will be available to you! |
| Saint Jiub 02.08.2018 04:25 |
thundergod wrote: Could it be that this thread has come alive again?...please don't tell the trolls.....shhhhh.Ha Ha ... too late ... Let the abusive trolls fuck off and eat cake. |
| Saint Jiub 02.08.2018 04:39 |
Thor - I just donated $51 anonymously a few minutes ago (because my wife dislikes YouFundMe and wanted me to contribute anonymously). Hopefully, a special copy will be available for me as well as MattZ ... LOL |
| thundergod 02.08.2018 05:16 |
Of course, thank you for letting me know your mystery identity. The goal is moving forward, Hopefully your book will be on the way soon. All my best, Thor |
| Villiers2 02.08.2018 12:17 |
I got you, Rainbow. Sorry, it's refusing to let me message you back for some reason. The page wont load. But you're in the running |
| Rainbow61 02.08.2018 20:35 |
Villiers2, YEAH! Thank you so much. |
| RobbyBloodshed 05.08.2018 19:39 |
Long time lurker, first time poster, absolutely love the questions and stories being asked/told here! I have a question @Thor When you guys were hanging at a club/what have you in NYC, did Queen get played at the places you were hanging? That had to have been funny for Freddie to hear himself sing while you guys were partying away.. |
| Katydyd5 06.08.2018 02:19 |
Welcome to the group Robby. I'm not sure Thor is back full time and answering questions yet, though I know he hopes to be soon. Your question is good and I'm hoping he'll share the story about Philadelphia and AOBTD. It's a gem. |
| thundergod 07.08.2018 19:31 |
I'm back from scorching Palm Springs (118 degrees Fahrenheit). Here, back in San Diego, it is 78! Thank you Katydyd for addressing Robby's question in my absence. Robby, basically Katydyd is referring to the concert in Philadelphia (the day after I met Freddie in New York.) After his concert, Freddie wanted to check out the night-life in Philadelphia. The doorman at the big club of that time. was checking ID and at first, since Freddy doesn't carry ID with him, was not allowed in. In the background "Another One Bites the Dust" was pulsing from the dance floor up the staircase. Freddie, after about 5 seconds told me and Phoebe, "Darling it's time to pull rank!" He went up to the doorman and shouted, "That's my FUCKING song you're playing." We were then whisked in, to which Freddie said, "Fucking right!" |
| Katydyd5 08.08.2018 01:10 |
I love that story. It's so Freddie. Your weather in San Diego sounds lovely. We are hot and humid here. I'm barely human in the summer. |
| Katydyd5 08.08.2018 02:22 |
Thor, when you are answering questions again, I would like to hear more on Robby's question. Did you guys ever hear Freddie's songs while you were in clubs? If you did and Freddie was just "one of the guys", did he react? |
| thundergod 08.08.2018 02:57 |
Other than that night of August 1980 in Philadelphia, we never encountered Queen songs in any of the clubs we went to while Freddie was in New York. My X and I freaked out when we heard "Born to Love You" blasting at a popular disco in Palm Springs called CC Construction Co. We had no idea about this song as this came out during his absence in Germany. To this day, It is still our favorite dance song, especially when they dropped a screen over the dance floor and played the video. We were in heaven. |
| Rainbow61 08.08.2018 03:26 |
Thor, Every time you share one of those wonderful stories, it makes me even more excited for the book! "I Was Born to Love You" is also one of my favorites...both the song and the video. Okay...if Freddie had ever offered you the opportunity to have a small bit part in a video as an extra, would that have been something you would have considered doing? Just curious! |
| thundergod 08.08.2018 03:29 |
YES...YES...and YES! but it never came up...oh well. |
| matt z 10.08.2018 21:29 |
well... made my contribution as I'd said I would. Thanks, Thor |
| SmokyQuartz 10.08.2018 22:37 |
Thanks for your lovely message Thor, but you and Lee are the generous ones for giving of your time to all of us. :-) (I donated anonymously as I was at work and couldn't decide what to do, lol, but happy to share my identity with those I 'know' here. :-) ) |
| matt z 05.09.2018 15:42 |
Hey Thor! Happy Birthday to Freddie today! I hope I didn't accidentally SPAM your GOFUNDME page... if I have, could you please delete my comments? The site mapping kept saying "AN ERROR HAS OCCURRED WITH YOUR MESSAGE, PLEASE TRY AGAIN LATER" ....So I did... and the error persisted later as well... Until I got a comment stating "You have reached the maximum amount of comments for this time" Yikes! Wouldn't wanna look like an @$$#ole there! Anyways, Wish you success on this endeavor... I hope the project gains some steam at this time! |
| thundergod 06.09.2018 23:11 |
Hey MattZ #1 Not a problem as far as I know. Nothing strange discovered when I just reviewed the site. Yes, wish I could have attended the big birthday celebration in Montreau, Switzerland. By the way, I am waiting for several publishers to review our material. Got a big turn-down from someone I really thought would like the book. She stated that although she sees a lot of good material, she only accepts projects that she is PASSIONATE about. Who is not passionate about Queen and Freddie Mercury? Anyway, we move on. Chances of getting published before November 2nd for the premier of "Bohemian Rhapsody" seems unlikely. We will persevere! All my best to you, Thor (and on behalf of Lee) |
| Katydyd5 06.09.2018 23:47 |
That's disappointing Thor, but I'm glad to hear that you will continue to persevere. These publishers just don't know what they are missing. Matt, I see only one post from you on the GFM site. |
| The Squirrelly One 07.09.2018 00:22 |
Thor I'm sure you've talked about this before but why not simply use Amazon? My daughter published her book there (now removed while she edits and attempts new add ons) and she said it's very easy to publish through and it costs nearly nothing for the authors to go through. If you're worried about promotion (or lack there of) without a big publisher, dont. You guys have thousands of people online who are already waiting for this book on different forms of social media. It only takes one to post it to a big group and the word travels fast. Amazon prints by demand. Seems like the route to take, no? |
| thundergod 07.09.2018 01:32 |
Hi Squirrelly One, You may have a very good point there. I will contact Lee this week (I just left Palm Springs again yesterday). That may be a way we could go. I do have another good prospect who literally works for a company that is 1/8 of a mile from my house - walking distance. Thanks for your idea. . |
| SmokyQuartz 07.09.2018 22:17 |
Oh dear......someone is going to find their passion alright.....but they'll find it too late! lol. Ah well, Thor and Lee....at least with her firm 'no' she's freed you up to find the right person who will say Yes. |
| thundergod 07.09.2018 22:37 |
Hey Smoky, Thanks for the encouraging words of optimism...I think you are exactly right! |
| Villiers2 08.09.2018 20:13 |
Hey Thor. A few of us found this never before seen pic of freddie with a lover he apparently dated for some time. My creepy overly obsessed fan knowledge tells me that background looks like his place in England before garden lodge so idk if you guys knew this fella or not. Does anyone know his name? Some folks tried asking the guy who posted it for more info and hes not responding. Probaboy creeped out by us lmao |
| thundergod 08.09.2018 21:26 |
Wow Villiers I never heard of this man nor do I recognize him. It seems that he may have met Freddie during the Munich, Germany days where Freddie called us maybe only two or three times...and as it looks, was very busy! This could possibly be before he met that crazy Barbara woman. I'm sorry that I don't have more information about this. |
| Katydyd5 08.09.2018 23:10 |
He's new to me too Villiers. And I have way too much creepy overly obsessed fan knowledge too. I always study the background in pictures because you can learn so much. |
| Katydyd5 09.09.2018 02:10 |
I feel the need to explain my last post because I sound like a bleeping stalker. Not at all. I just like to learn about people and I do that with all pictures, not just Freddie. Shoot, I'm one of those people who will let you drag out your high school yearbook and I'll be fascinated by it. Family home movies??? I'm there. Maybe I'm just visual. |
| MisterCosmicc 27.09.2018 19:40 |
Which dance moves were best in the clubs? |
| runner_70 27.09.2018 22:40 |
who is that dumb to spend money on someone wanting to cash in on a short affair and publishing pix that were meant to stay private. Kudos to those that dont want to publish that kind of apalling books cashing in on someone who cannot defend himself anymore. During his lifetime Freddie would have sued the crap out of them. Too bad that Freddie's so called friends are that disrespectful. Hutton's book was annoying and shameful as well |
| matt z 28.09.2018 07:22 |
^ trying to get an angry response, eh? I believe they have good intentions and will await the outcome. I hope the book comes out. There WERE some great insights into the man. I can understand another's opinion that things ought to remain private. I just don't believe this is as trashy as you're treating it. |
| runner_70 28.09.2018 13:49 |
It is just treating your deceased friend (if he ever was one) like shit. Maybe it's just me ok.....No wonder Freddie kicked em out one by one in his last years..... If I have a friend I surely don't air intimate details and go on the internet and share them. Disgusting behaviour.... I read a few lines - maybe it is just a guy who wants to earn a quick buck (which he did by now). If this was a real "friend" then I pity him |
| Iron Butterfly 28.09.2018 17:48 |
matt z wrote: ^ trying to get an angry response, eh? I believe they have good intentions and will await the outcome. I hope the book comes out. There WERE some great insights into the man. I can understand another's opinion that things ought to remain private. I just don't believe this is as trashy as you're treating it.I don't get a trashy vibe at all. More of a friend sharing me ories of a friend. |
| runner_70 28.09.2018 18:43 |
Well I might be oldschool - if I wanna remember my deceased old friend I don't go to a messageboard and talk about private details in front of strangers. Seems like attenttion seeking and a moneygrab for this supposed book, which came only later on in the thread. I also find Phoebe and Hutton a disgrace. If I was Freddie and was still alive I'd surely be not amused if they made money from my private life noone is supposed to know..... |
| RobbyBloodshed 28.09.2018 21:29 |
runner_70 wrote: Seems your money is gone. But who is that dumb to spend money on someone wanting to cash in on a short affair and publishing pix that were meant to stay privateYou have NO clue what you're talking about. I've had the pleasure of meeting Thor, he is beyond the nicest guy. He has no ill intentions with this book, it is to purely keep the Freddie Mercury legend alive and to keep adding great stories of Freddie alive/flowing. If you don't want to grab the book, good riddance, everyone else will enjoy. |
| runner_70 28.09.2018 21:36 |
Yeah no ill intention but opening a pledge account to gather money to air his dirty laundry. I wish I never have such kinda friends. Sad and disgusting. And the majority ist lusting for more. Like watching a car crash.....sad |
| RobbyBloodshed 28.09.2018 21:55 |
runner_70 wrote: Yeah no ill intention but opening a pledge account to gather money to air his dirty laundry. I wish I never have such kinda friends. Sad and disgusting. And the majority ist lusting for more. Like watching a car crash.....sadWhat dirty laundry though? You keep trying to make it out as if he's writing a gross tabloid. Which isn't the case at all. He's helping keep the memory of a kind and genuine person alive. Telling fun and great stories about the guy we all idolize. |
| runner_70 29.09.2018 06:19 |
Surely you dont need a self called friend to keep his Memory alive by selling Photos which were supposed to be private |
| runner_70 29.09.2018 08:22 |
pittrek wrote: Am I the only one who is absolutely DISGUSTED by this type of threads?No you are not...... |
| runner_70 29.09.2018 08:27 |
Dustin Zimmerman wrote: You didnt answer the question. What happens if we pay for the money you guys still don't have enough to publish the book? Do we get a refund or a rough draft or what?your money was gone right from the start...spending cash in disgusting books like this is a shame... |
| runner_70 29.09.2018 08:27 |
Dustin Zimmerman wrote: You didnt answer the question. What happens if we pay for the money you guys still don't have enough to publish the book? Do we get a refund or a rough draft or what?your money was gone right from the start...... |
| Dustin Zimmerman 29.09.2018 16:58 |
Lol runner stop trying to twist my words. He answered my question. My money is fine. So is everyone else's. If you're going to troll, do a better job. You're a pretty shitty one so far. |
| Dustin Zimmerman 29.09.2018 17:02 |
If you're so butt hurt about this thread and hate these guys so much then fuck off. You're talking out of your ass and have been since you've started here. If the book doesn't get going they already said they're refunding everyone. What's the difference between what they're doing and what Peter Freestone did? And shut the fuck up about Jim. I knew the guy for years and his book was not bad in any way. Trying to claim these guys weren't really friends to freddie LOL can you be any more jealous? And who told you they were cut out of his life at the end? Maybe before anymore retarded assumptions, read the thread. They were at Freddie's place visiting him at the end BY FREDDIE'S OWN REQUEST. Shut. The fuck. Up |
| Villiers2 29.09.2018 17:07 |
LMAO Jesus Christ, this guy even spent the engery on creating an account to leave a nasty message on their GoFundMe page. How pathetic can you be, boo? Seek help and maybe...a blow up doll to occupy your time? |
| runner_70 29.09.2018 21:52 |
Dustin Zimmerman wrote: If you're so butt hurt about this thread and hate these guys so much then fuck off. You're talking out of your ass and have been since you've started here. If the book doesn't get going they already said they're refunding everyone. What's the difference between what they're doing and what Peter Freestone did? And shut the fuck up about Jim. I knew the guy for years and his book was not bad in any way. Trying to claim these guys weren't really friends to freddie LOL can you be any more jealous? And who told you they were cut out of his life at the end? Maybe before anymore retarded assumptions, read the thread. They were at Freddie's place visiting him at the end BY FREDDIE'S OWN REQUEST. Shut. The fuck. UpHuttons book was not bad???? Talking about Freddie s pain and illness in every detail even how he peed himself? Is that really what you want to read???????? Well to each his own. Freestone is the same - making a living with intimate details from his employer. Sad. And these two guys seem to run out of money as well and now try to make a quick buck with some photos of their circle in the 80's. Sad as well. |
| runner_70 29.09.2018 21:54 |
Villiers2 wrote: LMAO Jesus Christ, this guy even spent the engery on creating an account to leave a nasty message on their GoFundMe page. How pathetic can you be, boo? Seek help and maybe...a blow up doll to occupy your time?Not pathetic just the simple truth |
| Dustin Zimmerman 30.09.2018 00:05 |
Jim and Peter didn't "run out of money" . Lol you sound so desperate to paint them as jerks you're grabbing at straws! How would you know Jim mentioned Freddie wet himself? You read that "horrible" book? You contributed to that "awful" thing by readin it? Lol shut up. Yeah, Freddie peed himself at the end. Like my dad did when he passed. They couldn't control that function anymore. Does it make me a money hungry sack of shit to talk about that? Should I lie about the way my dad died and claim his white washed "soulmate" best girl pal held his hand at the end of his life instead? Yeah you're right. Jim totally should have just lied and said freddie closed his eyes and fairy dust fell from the sky and he was lifted up by rainbows instead. Telling the truth is such a shitty thing to do. Telling people what AIDS does to someone is just awful and we should just lie about it. As a matter of fact let's just tell everyone AIDS is a fun time. You dude, are a massive jackass. And just in case you want to come back with "well Mary didn't sell a book" no she didnt. She just sat for multiple paid interviews and shat on his parents and the band after he died. Whatta saint. |
| thundergod 30.09.2018 01:44 |
Dustin, Just wrote you a pm. |
| RobbyBloodshed 30.09.2018 02:53 |
I had the pleasure of meeting and hanging out in Manhattan with Thor on Thursday night. I am very excited for this book. Thor is such a great dude, a very sincere person, and had some great things to say about his friend Freddie. link ... Runner70 movealong with the nonsense, you do not know what you’re talking about. Thor has nothing but positive intentions. |
| runner_70 30.09.2018 10:30 |
Dustin Zimmerman wrote: Jim and Peter didn't "run out of money" . Lol you sound so desperate to paint them as jerks you're grabbing at straws! How would you know Jim mentioned Freddie wet himself? You read that "horrible" book? You contributed to that "awful" thing by readin it? Lol shut up. Yeah, Freddie peed himself at the end. Like my dad did when he passed. They couldn't control that function anymore. Does it make me a money hungry sack of shit to talk about that? Should I lie about the way my dad died and claim his white washed "soulmate" best girl pal held his hand at the end of his life instead? Yeah you're right. Jim totally should have just lied and said freddie closed his eyes and fairy dust fell from the sky and he was lifted up by rainbows instead. Telling the truth is such a shitty thing to do. Telling people what AIDS does to someone is just awful and we should just lie about it. As a matter of fact let's just tell everyone AIDS is a fun time. You dude, are a massive jackass. And just in case you want to come back with "well Mary didn't sell a book" no she didnt. She just sat for multiple paid interviews and shat on his parents and the band after he died. Whatta saint.You're a fucking fan of tabloid headlines and dirty laundry. Going public with intimate details about your supposed friend/lover is the lowest of the low and so are you. And talking about those details for money in a book is something different. PS Mary never aired dirty laundry in public. And she surely was not a fan of his "circle" in his last years. Obviously well deserved. |
| runner_70 30.09.2018 10:32 |
RobbyBloodshed wrote: I had the pleasure of meeting and hanging out in Manhattan with Thor on Thursday night. I am very excited for this book. Thor is such a great dude, a very sincere person, and had some great things to say about his friend Freddie. link ... Runner70 movealong with the nonsense, you do not know what you’re talking about. Thor has nothing but positive intentions.Yeah the main positive intention is to make some quick buck with his deceased friend. ASk yourself one thing: Would Freddie like these pix being open to the public? There you have the answer.... |
| Dustin Zimmerman 30.09.2018 13:04 |
Message from Thor: Thanks for the info Dustin! We are near to our goal. Everyone who has donated gets updates on how it's going. They know that none of their funds are going to be touched until we get a publisher. All funds are in a separate account and all money will be returned if we don't get picked up by a publisher. That will probably be in April 2019. As a positive well-wisher told me, J.K.Rawlings was turned down by 50 publishing companies before she landed one. Who would care about a wizard boy's adventures? I'll bet they are regretting their decisions now! This last part of the book's realization is the hardest. We've gotten some good responses and praise for the writing and the pictures, but then we've heard too many times (just,SO FAR) that their company does not publish our type of book. I would rather not read the negativism but you have my permission to copy and past this message on QueenZone. Thor Arnold and Lee Nolan |
| Dustin Zimmerman 30.09.2018 13:06 |
@Robby very cool thanks for sharing! Thor's still looking great. Did you get a chance to discuss Freddie with him or was that just a quick meet up? |
| Katydyd5 30.09.2018 13:20 |
Thanks for sharing Thor's message Dustin. He is such a gentleman! Lucky you Robby!! I hope he's at a book signing some day and I can meet him then. |
| RobbyBloodshed 30.09.2018 13:53 |
We did talk about Freddie for a bit, we hung out had dinner/drinks so we were able to hang for a while.
We’re all going to be in for a treat with his book, he’s a great guy, very positive so I’m sure that’ll reflect in the book!
Dustin Zimmerman wrote: @Robby very cool thanks for sharing! Thor's still looking great. Did you get a chance to discuss Freddie with him or was that just a quick meet up? |
| SmokyQuartz 30.09.2018 17:17 |
My oh my.....just catching up. Robbybloodshed, great post on facebook! Thor, you look great in that pic! Personally I think it's Thor's (and Lee's) modesty that is the reason this thing hasn't gone viral......yet. They have always talked respectfully about Freddie and only engaged with those who did the same. They have every right to share some happy photos of a unique time in history with their famous friend. I can't wait for the book. |
| SmokyQuartz 30.09.2018 17:49 |
Thanks Dustin for sharing Thor's message! |
| thundergod 01.10.2018 01:26 |
Hey Smoky, Thanks for your never ending support of our project. AND...thank you for mentioning Robby! We had a few great hours together this past Thursday while I was once again visiting New York for my niece's 30th birthday. This dude at 21 has started his own band and tours the entire US. He laid-out his plans for the future and I definitely see a rising star in the making. He respects all styles of music (and even, as I learned, Broadway show tunes). We went to the first bar in New York that I worked for at 17 years old. It's a piano/sing- along bar in an historic building where Thomas Paine wrote the "Crisis Papers" called Marie's Crisis on Grove St. in the West Village. It still looked the same as it did 45 years ago. Robby and I had a blast! He struck me as a serious, yet humorous young man with maturity way beyond his years. Freddie would have loved him. |
| runner_70 01.10.2018 12:48 |
"Freddie would have love...." seems to have become the synonym for shameful actions it seems....no Freddie would NOT have loved a book with private pix.... |
| Dustin Zimmerman 01.10.2018 13:07 |
Yeah, because you knew Freddie personally and knew what he would and wouldn't have wanted. Lol you're getting so upset that you're not able to ruin this for them. You're not changing anyone's mind, troll. A great way to spend your time. At the end of your life, when you look back, you can now proudly say "I tried and failed to make Freddie Mercury's gay friends look bad and stop a photo book from happening. What an honor." Then when you get up to the pearly gates, Freddie himself can tell you to fuck off. Well done. |
| runner_70 01.10.2018 15:16 |
Dustin Zimmermann you are the most pathetic person on queenzone ever. And thats including the Glamberts. Now keep on asskissing your "friends". Everyone knows that most of Freddies so called friends were illoyal, dishonest and living on Freddies money. And now 27 years later they snub him again. You can twist and turn it as you want: Selling private pix of a man that cannot defend himself anymore is the lowest of the low. Maybe someone should inform Jim Beach |
| Dustin Zimmerman 01.10.2018 16:44 |
Jim Beach already knows. He gave the thumbs up alongside Peter Freestone and Brian May. You failed, bud. Nobody is going to change their mind here. The ironic part of your post is you calling anyone else but yourself pathetic. Which one of us is trying desperately to stop a Freddie Mercury book from happening? And failing miserably? That's you, friend. Notice how nobody here stood up and said "HEEEEEY! This guy hassa poooooint! I hate gays tooooooo! I'm not gonna buy this garbage!" Weird. Since you're so sure you're right. You'd think being right would mean someone here would support you, no? Hmmm It's almost as if you've come on here and made a complete ass of yourself. Funny, that. |
| The Squirrelly One 01.10.2018 16:52 |
Dustin, believe me we all agree with you but the best thing to do with kids like runner is to ignore them. Let him throw his little temper tantrum and don't respond. It's how toddlers learn. Seeing as he seems to have the intelligence of one, it's probably the best route to take. Do as his parents did and just pretend he doesn't even exist. Very cool pic with Thor! Thor the pic you sent me last year of you looked great but this ones even better. Time has been kind to you! |
| runner_70 01.10.2018 18:38 |
Dustin Zimmerman wrote: Jim Beach already knows. He gave the thumbs up alongside Peter Freestone and Brian May. You failed, bud. Nobody is going to change their mind here. The ironic part of your post is you calling anyone else but yourself pathetic. Which one of us is trying desperately to stop a Freddie Mercury book from happening? And failing miserably? That's you, friend. Notice how nobody here stood up and said "HEEEEEY! This guy hassa poooooint! I hate gays tooooooo! I'm not gonna buy this garbage!" Weird. Since you're so sure you're right. You'd think being right would mean someone here would support you, no? Hmmm It's almost as if you've come on here and made a complete ass of yourself. Funny, that.Still trying to be even more pathetic. YOu and your so called friends can do whatever you like. Those that hate tabloids dirty laundry and disrespectfulness have left already. Just read the threads. Can you show me the link where Jim Beach and Brian May (who HATED Freddie's circle of friends and tabloid stories) have sanctioned this book. Thank you! And I believe that Freestone gave his thumbs up as he belongs to those guys making a living out of Freddie's death. WTF needs to ask Freestone??? You are a total shipwreck with your non existant logic. And where did I say I hate gays you fuckwhit? I hate people calling themselves "friends" and instead of keeping their mouths shut they do a kiss-and tell book and make money of their so called friend. Still don't know what's so great about a book that is including PRIVATE pictures and the guy who is shown there is dead. Enlighten us plz |
| The Squirrelly One 01.10.2018 18:43 |
@Dustin were you the one I was messaging about knowing Brian a while back? My messages are not loading anynore |
| Stop The Madness 01.10.2018 18:44 |
Jim Beach approved it via Freeatone. Peter talked about it at the convention in America. |
| Stop The Madness 01.10.2018 18:49 |
Nobody said they had to ask Freestone. He just listed the people who all approved of the book. You mentioned Beach and he listed him as one of the guys supporting it. Brian and Freestone too because they are behind it as well. There's no point in being nasty. Trust me it gets you nowhere. I was once like you. You don't need to be disrespectful to the guys if you disagree with them Runner. You can state your difference of opinion and walk away. I'm not sure why you're still here stirring the pot if you've already made your point. Seems pretty childish. |
| Dustin Zimmerman 01.10.2018 18:52 |
Squirrelly no but you and I have spoken before privately. I know you knew Brian tho if I'm remembering correctly. |
| runner_70 01.10.2018 19:01 |
Stop The Madness wrote: Jim Beach approved it via Freeatone. Peter talked about it at the convention in America.Sure JB is using Freestone as his spokesperson. How pathetic can you get guys? After reading you guys only in this section I have to assume that you are on this guy's payroll and do some promotion. Kudos to you but you fail miserably. Call me back when you sue em for the lost money. Freddie would have sued the shit out of anyone who tried to publish a book like that ....... |
| Stop The Madness 01.10.2018 19:12 |
M'k. "Vis Freestone" means Freestone was the one to report back about Beach's response not that he was the one to bring it to Beach. Brian May told Beach. I'm sure you know since you read this thread that 2 of the members here know Brian personally. I know you're upset but it's plain not as bad as you're really trying to make it out to be. Not every person in his life was out to do the worst. I can tell you that you sounded a lot like me when I first started on this thread. You have a real problem with the gay people in his life and really love Mary Austin when if we're being honest she did the same thing. That's probably what they're talking about when they assume you hate gays. Mary didn't write a book but she got paid to do tons of interviews where she discussed the change in their sex life and so on. She is not without sin either. If she was a clean as all that she wouldn't have done any interviews and wouldn't have said anything about their life together. You can't claim the gays are wrong for their books whole Mary was right for doing paid interviews and magazine spreads about the man. I can't speak for anyone else here but I won't be responding to you anymore. It's just time to move on Runner. I've been in your shoes man it's not going to get you anywhere attacking this thread. You're just going to be shut out by everyone. |
| runner_70 01.10.2018 19:18 |
TOns of interviews?????? I remember Mry doing 3 (!!!) lil interviews in 27 years. And there must be a reason why she threw Phobe and the rest out of the house soon after Freddie passed away.....She was nothing but respectful. She could have EASILY written a book about her Freddie story. She wasnt even involved in the movie. So stop you mad arguments that lead to nowhere |
| Villiers2 01.10.2018 19:22 |
"Freddie would have loved to sued the shit out of anyone who published a book like that" How long did you know Freddie personally, runner? I guess I'm just wondering why (if Freddie would have been so pro-lawsuit over this book) he didn't sue anyone else who made books about him while he was alive? Plenty were out there. I've seen a few Queen books signed by him and the boys sold through Julien's auction house a few years back. He knew they existed. If he was so quick to sue, hell....why didn't he sue the one guy we all know for a fact screwed him over- Paul Prenter? Are you SURE he "would have sued" these guys for making a book with photos he himself loved showing people? A book that will not include dirty secrets or rude remarks? Seems highly unlikely to me. But since you're so sure of Freddie's wishes, I'd be really interested to know how long you knew Freddie personally and how you met him. It's one thing to have an opposing opinion but it's another to speak for someone else as a fact. |
| The Squirrelly One 01.10.2018 19:30 |
Well said Villers2. Anyone seen all the movie trailers so far? I'd be interested to know what Thor thinks about them. I think there's 2 or 3 out now? I didn't think Rami could pull it off but I have to admit I do get Freddie vibes off of him in some scenes. The young man playing Brian is the most shocking. He could be Brian's flesh and blood they're so similar! |
| runner_70 01.10.2018 19:30 |
Villiers2 wrote: "Freddie would have loved to sued the shit out of anyone who published a book like that" How long did you know Freddie personally, runner? I guess I'm just wondering why (if Freddie would have been so pro-lawsuit over this book) he didn't sue anyone else who made books about him while he was alive? Plenty were out there. I've seen a few Queen books signed by him and the boys sold through Julien's auction house a few years back. He knew they existed. If he was so quick to sue, hell....why didn't he sue the one guy we all know for a fact screwed him over- Paul Prenter? Are you SURE he "would have sued" these guys for making a book with photos he himself loved showing people? A book that will not include dirty secrets or rude remarks? Seems highly unlikely to me. But since you're so sure of Freddie's wishes, I'd be really interested to know how long you knew Freddie personally and how you met him. It's one thing to have an opposing opinion but it's another to speak for someone else as a fact.You missed the irony then. Those guys claim "Freddie would have loved it...." as Brian said Freddie would have loved AL. Bullcrap. And show me the biographies about Freddie in his lifetime???99% of the Queen/Freddie books were released after his death. I know my Queen history my friend. As far as Prenter goes: He went to the tabloids and did a kiss and tell all story. Too late to sue as it is already out. Before you embarrass yourself even more just stay silent TY: Still waiting for the reason that a book of PRIVATE photos has any other reason than making a quick buck out of a dead guy.... |
| Villiers2 01.10.2018 19:45 |
You smugly say you know your Queen history but dont know about the list of Queen books out well before Freddie died? Here's a list: An Official Biography plus Their Recent U.S Royal Tour Larry Pryce, 1976. Queen George Tremlett, 1976. An Illustrated Biography Judith Davis, 1981. Queen 'Greatest Pix' Jacques Lowe, 1981. Photo collection Guttons for Punishment - The South America Tours Photo Book 1981 Queen 'The First 12 Years' The First Ten Years Mike West, 1982. Revised and republished as 'The First Twelve Years' in 1984. Queen 'The New Visual Documentary' A Visual Documentary Ken Dean, 1986. I dont think I will take your advice to sit down and stay quiet because it seems you're the one embarrassing yourself here. As a lawyer I can tell you without a shadow of a doubt that he had every right to sue after Paul sold the story. How does one sue BEFORE the defamation of character ever takes place? That....makes....no sense whatsoever. I'm still waiting to hear how you met freddie and how long you knew him for. See, when Brian or Thor or....idk even....Tim Curry say "Freddie would _____" it carries weight because...um...they KNEW him in real life. So again.....when did you met him and how long did you know him? You're slipping fast. |
| Dustin Zimmerman 01.10.2018 19:49 |
LMAO WAIT did you just claim it was "too late" for Freddie to sue Paul after the story was sold? You don't even have a BASIC understanding of lawsuits do you? You're going on and on about people making themselves look bad and you're sitting here eating paste! LOL this is all gold! The fucking irony of this guy! There were books on top of books about Queen before he died! Maybe you were too busy playing your ABBA record for the umpteenth to notice. Put your Glambert cds away and pick up a Queen book. Educate yourself. |
| The Squirrelly One 01.10.2018 19:53 |
Hahaha! I know I was all a bout ignoring him this is too much! You know all about queen but dont know books were out on them when Freddie was alive?! You think it was too late for him to sue Prenter once he sold the story? Honey how do you think people sue other people? You sue someone WHEN THEY DO SOMETHING WRONG. Meaning: you sue them AFTER the bad thing occurs. You're really painting yourself into a corner here and it's got the be the funniest stuff I've seen online in a while! Take a page form your own book and sit down hahaha |
| The Real Wizard 01.10.2018 19:56 |
thundergod wrote: Hey Smoky, Thanks for your never ending support of our project. AND...thank you for mentioning Robby! We had a few great hours together this past Thursday while I was once again visiting New York for my niece's 30th birthday. This dude at 21 has started his own band and tours the entire US. He laid-out his plans for the future and I definitely see a rising star in the making. He respects all styles of music (and even, as I learned, Broadway show tunes). We went to the first bar in New York that I worked for at 17 years old. It's a piano/sing- along bar in an historic building where Thomas Paine wrote the "Crisis Papers" called Marie's Crisis on Grove St. in the West Village. It still looked the same as it did 45 years ago. Robby and I had a blast! He struck me as a serious, yet humorous young man with maturity way beyond his years. Freddie would have loved him.Right on - loved reading this. Stick to the good, and toss the bad. This forum has virtually no moderation, so the trolls are rampant. Do not take them seriously or let any of their meaningless drivel live rent-free in your head. |
| runner_70 01.10.2018 20:50 |
Villiers2 wrote: You smugly say you know your Queen history but dont know about the list of Queen books out well before Freddie died? Here's a list: An Official Biography plus Their Recent U.S Royal Tour Larry Pryce, 1976. Queen George Tremlett, 1976. An Illustrated Biography Judith Davis, 1981. Queen 'Greatest Pix' Jacques Lowe, 1981. Photo collection Guttons for Punishment - The South America Tours Photo Book 1981 Queen 'The First 12 Years' The First Ten Years Mike West, 1982. Revised and republished as 'The First Twelve Years' in 1984. Queen 'The New Visual Documentary' A Visual Documentary Ken Dean, 1986. I dont think I will take your advice to sit down and stay quiet because it seems you're the one embarrassing yourself here. As a lawyer I can tell you without a shadow of a doubt that he had every right to sue after Paul sold the story. How does one sue BEFORE the defamation of character ever takes place? That....makes....no sense whatsoever. I'm still waiting to hear how you met freddie and how long you knew him for. See, when Brian or Thor or....idk even....Tim Curry say "Freddie would _____" it carries weight because...um...they KNEW him in real life. So again.....when did you met him and how long did you know him? You're slipping fast.How embarrassing can you get? Almost all those books were official QPL Products. After Freddies Death the Market was flooded with Biographies of socalled "inner circle" people. Then came Hutton and Freestones books. |
| The Squirrelly One 01.10.2018 20:53 |
She shut you down bad runner. How embarrassing can YOU get? She said queen books existed before he died. Tou said they didnt. She gave you a list of them and they years they were realised. All before freddie died. She proved you wrong. which wasnt hard to do. You still havent answered her question! When did you meet Freddie and for how long?? She just made a you into boo boo the fool hahaha |
| runner_70 01.10.2018 20:57 |
So much for Prenter: He surely must have been an ass but most of his story was true (Freddie's friends dying from AIDS etc). It was just being illoyal. Same with this book advertised by you. Still waiting for an explanation why a book with private pix is worth a release. Especially when there are tons of books around. And why you lot never post in other qz sections???i mean it is clear you have no clue about Queen and Freddie but nonetheless |
| runner_70 01.10.2018 21:04 |
The Squirrelly One wrote: She shut you down bad runner. How embarrassing can YOU get? She said queen books existed before he died. Tou said they didnt. She gave you a list of them and they years they were realised. All before freddie died. She proved you wrong. which wasnt hard to do. You still havent answered her question! When did you meet Freddie and for how long?? She just made a you into boo boo the fool hahahaI said 99%of Queen and FREDDIE Books were released after his Death. Which is true. Most of the books you mentioned are tourbooks (Gluttons/Magic etc) which document a tour. A FREDDIE ONLY book was not available. Especially no kiss and tell book. The books released on Queen and especially Freddie after 1991 are in the hundreds. Stop embarrassing yourself with your non existant Queen knowledge |
| Villiers2 01.10.2018 21:07 |
Hmmm...it would seem as though Mr.Runner has no answer for my question and doesn't like the fact that he was wrong about yet another topic. This was fun. Thanks! Lol So let's summarize. Runner got upset and got rude about this book being made then tried to claim this whole thing is a money scam based on nothing but his own assumptions. In reality, both Thor and the site GoFundMe itself have a legal guarantee to return all donations to those who made them if the book does not come to be. With all of Runner's knowledge of the legal system I wonder if he knows what legal action can be taken against him for making the claim that this whole thing is a money based scam? I bet he didn't think about that before 'running' off the mouth. Maybe don't attempt to make false legal claims against a protected party who have done nothing wrong. But back to the summary- our friend Runner then claims to know for a fact that Freddie would have sued Thor and Lee for this book of photos that Freddie himself loved to show people. Hmm. Odd, seeing as he didn't sue any of the other books with info and previously unseen photos that were realised before he died. He didnt even sue Paul Prenter when he genuinely sold him out. According to Runner's vast legal know-how, you can't sue someone once they've done something illegal or wrong. As a lawyer and a woman with common sense, I can assure you...that's not the case. But anyway, once shown that books did exist while Freddie was still alive, poor Runner dodged my question for the 3rd time (How long did you know Freddie peronally since you're able to speak for him?) and has now resorted to...well, I'm not sure what this is. All he's doing now is repeating things other people have told him and acting as if he came up with the zingers himself. So Runner, I'll just be sitting back watching your responses from now on and not engaging. Screenshots of your claims about this whole thing being a money scam have been taken and I'd like to see what can be done about them legally if Thor or Lee so choose. Best |
| The Squirrelly One 01.10.2018 21:09 |
Tty again runner. SHE told you that freddie knew about queen books being released and signed. YOU claimed they didn't exist. Now you're claiming theu dont count because they werent made about just freddie alone. You really did fail majorly here. Do your ankles hurt from all that backpedaling? |
| Villiers2 01.10.2018 21:18 |
From here on out, I would advise those of you thinking of engaging with Runner to avoid it. I've sent Thor a message and will contact Lee to let them know they have a right to take legal action if they want to. This isn't my field (family law) but I'd be happy to recommend them to someone who is looking to do a pro bono case before the end of the year. Take care all. |
| runner_70 01.10.2018 21:22 |
The gofund me page was already almost taken down for legal reasons. It is well documented in the gfm page as well. Just plain facts that makes you wonder about the Motivation of this book. The genuine question is: Why release a book with PRIVATE pictures that never should be made public. The fact that Freddie showed those pix to friends doesnt mean that he wants the whole world to see it. Big difference. I also said it us completely shameful to issue a book about a dead guy which shows him in private. Not too much difference to Prenter. I also said that it is no coincidence that those posters in this thread advertising the book are nowhere to be seen elsewhere on qz. Says it all .... I stand by my Word that this book is just about making a quick buck on a so called friend who just happens to be a wellknown celebrity while movie is coming out about him and his band at the same time. And I certainly dont need no self proclaimed lawyers threatening me for my opinion about this.i would hsvethe right to sue those guys as well as rhey insulted me in the gfm page. But as i am not in kindergarden anymore i leave it as ut is as i have more important things to do |
| Dustin Zimmerman 01.10.2018 21:26 |
Villiers2 I got the screen shots of him saying the money was already gone if you need any more I can email them to you if you PM me your address. I have a feeling he might try to edit it remove comments. GoFundMe shows all the money there and what he tried to claim they did was pull the money out already. GoFundMe responded last night saying they have not touched the money if you need that screen shot of that email too. |
| The Squirrelly One 01.10.2018 21:32 |
I'm not responding to him but just saying to the general public that Villier's first account had been on the thread since it began and for over a year everyone here knew she was a lawyer. It's in the threads as far back as 2017. Some of us also had her facebook page. I'm happy to say I support her action here. And just to the general public....an opinion and "your money was gone right from the start....." are two very different things and boy am I sure glad I wasn't the one that made that statement. Back to the movie now! |
| The Squirrelly One 01.10.2018 21:36 |
Oh and again to general public (since some people like to edit comments after they've posted them) a question to Villiers2: can someone sue for harassing Thor and Lee on their GoFundMe page and then claiming harassment himself when Thor responded with a calm none threatening reply? |
| Villiers2 01.10.2018 21:38 |
Dustin yes please check your PM, thanks. |
| Saint Jiub 01.10.2018 21:39 |
Why waste time and taxpayer money to sue a lone idiot with absolutely no credibility or common sense? |
| runner_70 01.10.2018 21:40 |
Spending money on this kinda crap is like flushing it right into the toilet. So the money is gone right from the Start is a fitting statement. There you have it again. Like spending 50p on the sun reading Prenters dirty laundry. Good luck sueing me. Gonna inform QPL as well. Maybe those pix are under Copyright Control and QPL might be interested.......if there are pix from Freddies own private collection they sure will...... |
| Villiers2 01.10.2018 21:44 |
TSO please direct all further thoughts or comments on this to my PM. But to answer your question hypothetically, no. They could try to but would only end up losing and paying court and legal costs. The act of harassment and false claims came from the other party on two different websites. Thor and Lee's responses have been non threatening and within the legal space. Making false statements of where our money has gone is a very different matter all together. As I said, all original comments have already been captured. Please do not engage with him any further. |
| Dustin Zimmerman 01.10.2018 21:45 |
Pretty sure she said pro bono. I don't think the guy will ever make it to court. He knows he wouldn't win. |
| Villiers2 01.10.2018 21:56 |
Dustin pro bono means the lawyer is free, not the time of the judge and court costs for time, which would still be paid. That's what they mean. However, as Dustin said- it probably wouldn't even get to a judge (-would almost certainly be settled out of court). As someone in the legal field I can tell you having a party claim you're running a money based scam is no joke. It's not about wasting time or money. It's very much illegal to do and believe it or not can be punishable by heavy fees or time away. It wouldn't cost Thor or Lee anything to press charges should they choose to. Ultimately, doing anything would be up to them, but defamation of character and these claims is not something to take lightly. Not when money is involved. It's way more than a trolling situation, legally. |
| Stop The Madness 01.10.2018 22:00 |
Inform QPL of a book they already know about? Yeah I'm sure that'll get you far. And they aren't copyrighted by anyone but Lee. Lee took them. Lee owns them. Freddie never owned them and they are under no legal umbrella of Freddie's estate or QPL. You really screwed the pooch here, run. Hate to be you right now. |
| Stop The Madness 01.10.2018 22:05 |
Funny. He threatened to sue Thor and Lee and second ago and now hes claiming them suing him is a giant waste of money and would be stupid. Well it won't cost Thor or Lee a dime to sue you, friend. That's pro-bono for ya. You also wont waste a judges time either. The guy we sued 2 years ago for DC against my dad settled out of court within days and didn't cost us a penny. Not a pretty place to be, where you're standing. |
| Stop The Madness 01.10.2018 22:08 |
@squirrelly I agree I think Rami is coming around. The photos that came out before the official stuff was released didn't impress me at all but it's tightening up. The guy that plays Brian is Gwilym Lee. He has the right build for it alright. |
| The Squirrelly One 01.10.2018 22:12 |
Ben ain't too bad either! My daughter has a real crush on him....and Roger! She's like me 30 years ago! |
| c.jory 01.10.2018 22:24 |
LEE owns the photos and can do what he wants with HIS property. Why should Lee never release his photos because they include a person who has passed away? Yes he was private when he was alive, but he is not and therefore cannot be upset at them being revealed. They're just photos of him having fun with friends, it's nothing controversial. Why should these living men not share their past and photos with us just because Freddie was a part of it? It's their story too and they're fully entitled to do so. Not sure what the problem is. |
| runner_70 01.10.2018 22:53 |
The Problem is they are selling their old deceased friend to rhe public. Illoyal and shameful for a quick buck |
| runner_70 01.10.2018 23:01 |
At least i am not the onky one who finds it shameful to cash in on your dead friend. The GFM auction stopped at 1700 Dollars. Surely they expected more thats why they changed their sound from being humble to openly insult critics. This book will never find a Publisher believe me.....some firms still have dignity left |
| Dustin Zimmerman 01.10.2018 23:01 |
According to your opinion. And thank God your opinion doesn't change or effect anything. The rest of us will be very excited to read the book. |
| runner_70 01.10.2018 23:02 |
Stop The Madness wrote: @squirrelly I agree I think Rami is coming around. The photos that came out before the official stuff was released didn't impress me at all but it's tightening up. The guy that plays Brian is Gwilym Lee. He has the right build for it alright.Wrong thread???? |
| runner_70 01.10.2018 23:04 |
Dustin Zimmerman wrote: According to your opinion. And thank God your opinion doesn't change or effect anything. The rest of us will be very excited to read the book.What exactly gets you exited??? |
| Dustin Zimmerman 01.10.2018 23:06 |
Openly insult critics? They they should have thanked you for calling them money hungry shits? You do realize you started this whole thing off insulting them and claiming this thing is a scam right? And now you not only speak for Freddie Mercury (a man you never knew) but you also represent all publishing companies across the world? Impressive, considering you manage to screw up every comment and "fact" you tried to make. You're digging yourself into a deep hole here. I sure hope you have enough money to pay your legal costs. I'm sure it'll all be worth it because you got to be nasty online to a few friends of a legend one time. Neato. |
| musicland munich 01.10.2018 23:08 |
Just calm down people :) |
| Dustin Zimmerman 01.10.2018 23:08 |
Seeing new pics of Freddie and friends enjoying themselves and reading new stories I havent heard yet about a man i admire. That's what we're all excited about. Doesn't it just burn you up inside that nobody agrees with you and you can't stop this train no matter how hard you cry online? You're a barrel of entertainment lol. |
| Stop The Madness 01.10.2018 23:11 |
Right thread, genius. I was responding to TSO who asked about the movie and Rami while you were still bitching about stuff you won't ever be able to change :) |
| runner_70 01.10.2018 23:14 |
I could sue you as well for threatening me my son. I never said it is a scam but it is wasted money thrown out if the window. Which it is. So i wonder what you wanna sue me for. Funny u will never reach me cause i am using an ip blocker.. but you can send me a pm any time . just because your common advertisement campaign does not work at all you dont have to threaten and insult critics who care a lot more for Freddie than their self proclaimed friends.. |
| Stop The Madness 01.10.2018 23:14 |
Oh he's panicking now! Deep in legal dog shit and still trying his darnedest to keep fighting. I'm watching with great interest. What will he say next? Another NY Daughters slag (number 300 for him now)? Perhaps another insult to everyone who supports them? That one never gets old. Oh! Maybe he'll tell us again how lawsuits don't work. I'm thrilled. Keep it up! I love clowns! |
| Dustin Zimmerman 01.10.2018 23:16 |
Ooooh no hes claiming I threatened him? Where? Where did I "threaten" you, "son"? Oh this is gonna be fun! Now you're claiming you use an IP blocker so nobody can find you? Lmao you didn't use one earlier buddy! |
| runner_70 01.10.2018 23:17 |
Lol you guys are Entertainment. Are you all Jobless? |
| Stop The Madness 01.10.2018 23:19 |
Actually you made the statement "your money is gone right from the start" and claimed as a fact that they removed the money when GoFundMe said themselves they havent touched. You, buddy, made the mistake of stepping in legal shit. You made a statement trying to paint them as scam artists. We all saw you do it. You're in it deep now. |
| Stop The Madness 01.10.2018 23:20 |
Oh Dustin look! He avoided your question AND copied your response about being entertaining. This guy is a real sharp one! |
| runner_70 01.10.2018 23:22 |
Lol. I said the gfm was almost taken down for that reason. It is documented on the auction. In the end it wasnt. I also said that. And.. ? Their insult is documented as well |
| Dustin Zimmerman 01.10.2018 23:22 |
Lmao he stays failing, poor guy. I hope Thor and Lee do press charges. Won't cost anyone a drop of cash but this dude. Hope it was all worth it! |
| runner_70 01.10.2018 23:25 |
Too bad the auction stopped about 3 months ago at 1759 Dollar so you need someone to make responsible for your failed Campaign. I started Posting my opinion this week Sherlock I will always voice my opinion when it comes to disrespectfulness |
| Stop The Madness 01.10.2018 23:28 |
"I will always voice my opinion when it comes to disrespectfulness" As you sit there disrespecting people Freddie Mercury (someone you never knew and who didn't know you existed) cared about. Hypocrisy is strong in this one! People are still donating. The last donation was just a few days ago by Hunter. It's not closed. It hasn't failed. And it's not an auction. Try again. |
| Dustin Zimmerman 01.10.2018 23:31 |
I've never seen anything like this guy before. He literally makes stuff up out of the blue. Clear out of the blue and thinks nobody will go and check the facts. The campaign is still going. It was never "almost closed", it was misinterpretation of the site rules. And has not "failed". Man it must SUCK to want to ruin something that bad and not be able to. |
| runner_70 01.10.2018 23:37 |
It stopped 3 months ago and there were hardly any new donations after the Statement that a big Publisher rejected it. Guess there are a LOT more serious topics to Sponsor on gfm than a kiss and tell book sold on the back of a dead Legend. |
| Dustin Zimmerman 01.10.2018 23:39 |
Hey so what's "kiss and tell" about it, champ? Wheres your proof of that? You're upset over a book that isnt even what they're trying to print. Where did they say they were going to discuss Freddie's cock size or what he liked in bed? I must have missed that part! What page is it on? Hurry up! |
| Stop The Madness 01.10.2018 23:43 |
Lol people are still donating. Does that just boil your blood, friend? Does it eat you up inside that people support this? As a matter of fact, I think I'll make a donation myself in the next few weeks after I sell my Harley. Hell, I might even close the gap for old thor and lee. And I'll dedicate it to you runner. "This donation is for my pal Runner so just couldn't stop talking about this project!" |
| runner_70 01.10.2018 23:45 |
You must think it will be up for an award right? Pullitzer maybe? The title alone is tabloid like. When i want ro read and hear about Freddie i wanna learn about his Art not about his intimate private Life. Thats why its called PRIVATE... Considering that it Is VERY likely that he contracted hIs illness during his NYC days makes it even sadder..... |
| runner_70 01.10.2018 23:47 |
Stop The Madness wrote: And I'll dedicate it to you runner. "This donation is for my pal Runner so just couldn't stop talking about this project!"Lol i admit that was a good one. Kudos to you |
| Stop The Madness 01.10.2018 23:50 |
Then why not just simply say "I dont agree with the book because i dont like Freddie's friends talking about their friendhip with him"? Why claim (without reason) that they are stealing money and insult their character? One does not equal the other. It's a massive and ridiculous jump to make. What's so private about a friendship? What's wrong with 2 dudes talking about the fun times they shared with their friend? It's not wrong, plain and simple. They arent talking about private affairs or sex. They're talking about JOKES and adventures they SHARED. That's not illegal or in poor taste. What is, is claiming they're up to scamming people out of money and have ill intentions against a man you dont know and never will. |
| Stop The Madness 01.10.2018 23:54 |
So how about this- we agree to disagree and you move on. You are never going to like what they're doing and they're never going to stop doing it. You dont have to like all things freddie related. You've made your point (the way you see it) literally over 50 times here already. Can you agree that there is now no longer a reason for you to continue on instigating and replying to people who simply choose to like something different than yourself? |
| The Real Wizard 02.10.2018 01:01 |
Stop The Madness wrote: So how about this- we agree to disagree and you move on.Because forum trolls don't do that. It's not in the job description. |
| SmokyQuartz 02.10.2018 01:07 |
This book is already happening...that process has already been set in motion and there's no stopping it now. The book is written, the word is out.....it's only a matter of time. That Thor and Lee have not actively focussed on it's promotion says a lot about their intention, which is first and foremost to honor their friend and share that happy time with us. They could step up this campaign any time but I'm guessing they know that it will naturally promote itself. The public at large have not got wind of this yet.... runner_70 your frequent posting here is keeping the thread alive and bringing more publicity to this book, so you are helping to manifest something you say you don't agree with and are not excited about. Keep up the good work. Thor, you are welcome, it's a project worth supporting. I will check out Robby's pages too. |
| Stop The Madness 02.10.2018 01:12 |
TRW what can I say lol I tried. But hey they're right. The more he comments here the more focus it brings to this thread so hey Thor and Lee still come out on top on the end either way. |
| runner_70 02.10.2018 05:14 |
Yup coming out on top by selling pix from their dead friend who cannot defend himself anymore. Really classy. Ask yourself one question: would Freddie have published These PRIVATE PIX of his PRIVATE INTIMATE Life commercially? And there you have the answer. Disrespectful illoyal and rude to cash in on your deceased friend. I hope the money they make with this will be donated to Charity. But I havent heard that so far. So it is a quick cash grab. Sad again. A real Queenfan stays away from those shameful products. I will leave it with that now and hope that the Publishers out there have more respect for Freddie then his self proclaimed friends and will reject this Project . Thanks for listening. |
| thundergod 02.10.2018 05:56 |
OK....as Freddie used to say "It's time to pull rank.... runner_07 : You are completely wrong about everything. Thanks for your nasty comment on GoFundMe. It was removed immediately and GoFundMe is waiting for you to show your ugly head again. They would just love to ban you completely should you write a second time. They said they do not take lightly your kind of behavior on ANY of their accounts.. You FOOL. I received a message from GFM that since they are "not a bank" they cannot hold on to the money over 30 days or you lose any contact with future donors. It was removed in whole and placed in a separate account I started that has NONE of my money, but all of the GoFundMe donations to the penny - the fee they charge. They have my credit card number and could sue me if the book falls through and I don't immediately return each donor's exact money (which means I must pay the percentage that THEY take for handling the site. I think it is about 10% . If donations reach $2000.00, that means I must be prepared to add $200.00 to pay everyone back in full. Would you STOP saying illoyal - .it is not a word. Disloyal is the correct one! Lastly, and then I'll be glad to forget you, Freddie loved all of our adventures and encouraged Lee to take pictures (in those days- slides). Lee had prepared a slide show set to music. Freddie loved it and requested it three times in New York.('82 and '83) It made Freddie as happy as a lark. As a matter of fact, Freddie asked Lee to please bring it to London for our last visit at the Garden Lodge in June of 1991, five months before his death. Lee and I were the only friends invited at that late stage of his life. So, fool, if you want to see sex pictures with Freddie and deathbed photographs, you WON'T see it in this book. Freddie never had YOU as a friend...But he had us and he loved our friendship, very much. |
| runner_70 02.10.2018 06:27 |
I have no doubt that he liked those pix. I STRONGLY doubt he would have liked them to be seen by Joe Public let alone released commercially. He was very protective of his private life and he would surely be disgusted that his so called friends exploit their friendship to make pix meant to be private commercially available. That is the definition of being disloyal. Thanx for teaching me the right word. And calling the book "Dont stop us now" is the icing on the cake. A tabloid Headline of bad taste regarding the high possibility that without the NYC years he might still be alive.... |
| Katydyd5 02.10.2018 11:49 |
Thor, I'm sorry you had to jump in on this, but in a way, grateful that you did. Your explanation is clear and shows you to be the gentleman we all know you are. I am happy Freddie had you as friends because he could be himself with you. I am eager to read the book and continue my strong support. |
| runner_70 02.10.2018 12:29 |
I did not want to comment here anymore. But to say that noone was invited over to Freddie in his last months is a blatant lie. Diana Mosely came over so did Elton John and his best friend Dave Clark. His sister as well. And especially his bandmates. All those never felt the need to publish unseen Photos of their friend. So stop playing the Saints card. Those NYC times might have been fun but it was the beginning of the end for Freddie sadly....so you better stop acting as if you were Mother Theresa or Freddies only friend. There were far more important pple than the NYC guys in his life i assume |
| kokax 02.10.2018 13:14 |
@runner_70 , each to their own ! There's are people in the post- Queen ( without FM & JD) generation who seem to be "creepily obsessed" ( I quote the "lawyer" from some pages ago) with a cartoonish FM and hence they will forgive any privacy concerns as they need to sniff around everywhere to satisfy their fantasies. He's dead, so what ? These over obsessed guys weren't alive and/or not interested during Queen's prime time , so anything is fine to them . Distort stuff, manipulate, insult, shout at people , everything is fine in the quest for more private info on FM. Best of lunatic obsessions are seen below and keep in mind these are the kind of people some of whom you deal with in this thread : "I attended law school and was late to the same class. Every. Day. But ya girl passed, and is now closing in on my first full year as a lawyer. QM Fact #3: Nobody at my firm knows I run a meme page for a band I'm obsessed with, nor do they know I was forever late for classes and I sincerely hope they never fucking find this page. k bye. link " Cracking up because while I was cleaning out the kitty litter, I realized Brian and Roger were there for some filming and what if they all just casually sat around sipping tea while Freddie got it on with a man 20 feet in front of them I'm crying" link [.. this is from a lawyer ??? :):) :)LOL ] " Freddie and Jim: a love story. I'm reading Mercury and Me again and it seriously cracks me up that freddie would get into a mood and snap at Jim and tell him to leave and the second Jim would leave the room freddie would be like: ???????????? "come back zaddy, I love you" Something tells me he really enjoys being ridden. DID I JUST SAY THAT link I fucking fell asleep at 430 in the afternoon when I got home and knocked out until 11 and the dreams I had, my guy? The dreams were SO fucked up, I'm concerned about my subconscious fr fr ?? and yo i checked my phone and I realized I text people in my sleep. The texts dont make any sense. One letter responses or like a ?? and I have zero memory of sending them jesus link Yes, I did take the time to Photoshop the actors into the band and yes I do hate myself and yes, I will get a life soon, I promise. link I know not all of you can make a donation, but for those of you who can, keep in mind that this book is being made to share 50 never before seen photos of Freddie and stories we truly have never heard before and it's being made by people who Freddie loved and trusted. It's worth considering and any donation amount is appreciated. Thor has promised all donations over $50 will receive a SIGNED copy of the book when it is released and if the book does not get printed for whatever reason, all donations will be refunded. So it's a win-win! link --------------------------------------------- -Even the Queen Fan Club's administration came in on Facebook when the "family lawyers"' buddy posted the link to this weird petition ( a petition for a book about the private life of a dead rock star next to human rights , environmental petitions ?????????) and explained among others, that certainly many fans would have privacy concerns. " I know fans want to know the ins and outs of their lives , but there's never a right ...to profess to know how they lived, loved or laughed. How would any of you feel if your whole life was discussed on social media ..by people who never even met you ?" Hey Villiers : do you usually make deals with the photographers' agencies or the photographers' directly when you use their work on your instagram page ? As a lawyer you certainly are aware of copyright infringement, right ? It's quite funny btw how little knowledge you have about privacy concerns as you stated you are a family lawyer. |
| Stop The Madness 02.10.2018 13:20 |
You assume (again) that they weren't that important to Freddie (a man you refuse to admit you NEVER KNEW yet still feel the need to SPEAK FOR) but your fool ass hasn't put together that FREDDIE MERCURY wanted them out there in 1991 so badly that he asked them to be there. From America to England. I'm sorry DID HE ASK YOU TO COME VISIT HIM FROM DIPSHIT CITY? no? I'm SHOCKED! You two seemed so close, runner!! You have made a complete dipshit out of yourself over and over on this thread and the absolute beauty of it is that every time you comment back, you push this thread RIGHT back up to the top and give it even MORE attention! Thanks for helping to book out so much, runni. |
| Villiers2 02.10.2018 13:29 |
Oh Kokax, I'm flattered that you're so intrested in my life that you spent all that time drooling over my meme page and my previous threads but you seem to have missed one major thing: the meme page is and always has been run by more than one person. All the quotes you seem to think were all me are in fact, multiple people. Still, I'm totally flattered you're that into my page that you'd go back months behind and copy all our descriptions. That's not lame at all. And to answer your burning question about the memes and what, copyright? Lol no, it's not illegal. Sorry to disappoint youn I know you really wanted to hang me for that one. I'm not sure what your problem is with me but don't start. You're not going to get any further responses, cowboy. |
| runner_70 02.10.2018 13:54 |
Kokax thanks for the info. I knew sth was wrong with her but i surely did not expect that. Some disgusting pix and Comments on instagram from her. You are spot on with those obsessed Freaks not caring about privacy at all. Very weird and disturbing people it seems |
| Stop The Madness 02.10.2018 13:58 |
Photos in me-mes fall under fair use unless they are being used to profit financially or to sell a brand. I don't know her page but unless she's using them to sell shirts or paintings or goods some kind then she's home free. You making a big profit off of those me-mes villers? So anyone who wants to see previously unsee photos of the Merc having a good time is creepily obsessed? Well blow me I'm a straight man in my 30s and I guess I've gone full obsessed with the man. I'll inform my wife. |
| runner_70 02.10.2018 14:03 |
Who is the merc? Holy Batman what is wrong with you guys |
| runner_70 02.10.2018 14:08 |
Kokax thought the same. Being a Family lawyer and having no problems with any privacy concerns is pretty strange. I wonder what she tells her clients? Maybe publish a book about your ex wife lol. Strange obsessed folks indeed |
| Dustin Zimmerman 02.10.2018 14:08 |
Oh shit the thread is poppin again lol. I wonder if that'll get the guys closer to their goal any faster. To whoever was asking about the movie yesterday apparently in some theaters they are now playing a full 6 minute trailer with supposedly never before seen parts. If it's true then I'd be shocked. I worked at a theater in my teens and unless things have changed they usually play the trailers for a few weeks and then stop playing trailers all together for each film a couple of weeks before the movie comes out. I had a feeling it was too late for a whole new trailer to be playing in the theater but who knows. If they give any more clips away we're not going to have anything new to watch during the movie itself. |
| Stop The Madness 02.10.2018 14:09 |
Keep it coming runner! Any attention is good attention when trying to get the word out about the project. Thanks for helping the fight every time you comment. We appreciate you. |
| Villiers2 02.10.2018 14:13 |
Stop The Madness, nope. Never made a cent but hey, if painting me out to be negative gets people commenting and gets this thread up and gets it attention again, let em talk! |
| Dustin Zimmerman 02.10.2018 14:15 |
Oh yeah Villiers you're just the worst lol. The absolute woy-st! Ain't she just a right stinker |
| Villiers2 02.10.2018 14:20 |
Yes indeed. I, Villiers, must agree that Villiers is just awful. Also, she's tacky. Can't stand tacky people who dare to joke online. Let me just say, I hope Villiers gets her act together because I, Villiers, am so over her. |
| Stop The Madness 02.10.2018 14:23 |
Dustin I went to see The Nun at an AMC about two weeks ago and they didn't play any trailer for Bo Rhap. I was under the impression that they play the trailers up until the day before it gets released. I've certainly never seen a 6 minute clip anywhere. |
| Stop The Madness 02.10.2018 14:27 |
Oh yeah I agree villers is terrible. The baddest of the bad. The naughtiest of the naughty. How do you sleep at night villers you animal? |
| Dustin Zimmerman 02.10.2018 14:34 |
I haven't worked in a theater since around 05 but typically at least for the company I worked for they were given 1 to 3 different trailers and given dates to play each one and a date to stop playing all of them all together. They usually stopped playing them about 6 weeks before the movie came out. We were either told to pack up and ship the film for the trailers back to the studios or toss them out. Some guys clipped off frames of the film and kept them. I never saw much point in it. Now I think it's all digital. Flash drives instead of actual film. |
| The Squirrelly One 02.10.2018 14:42 |
They are releasing new mini clips of it on the movie's official social media pages so if someone really did see a 6 minute trailer with new scenes it might it have just been that? I saw that there was an exhibition for the movie in Spain I think last week. Plenty of photos from the filming and their costumes all up on display. Although I think it was only for the press. |
| Villiers2 02.10.2018 14:48 |
That could be it. The exhibit ran for a full weekend, I think. I saw someone mention they cast a 'little Freddie' as a young boy of 9 to 12 so some people think we're getting a flashback or something back to St. Peter's boarding school as well. |
| Dustin Zimmerman 02.10.2018 14:52 |
My friend told me theres going to be a red carpet event in New York too. I know the cast and the band minus John of course is going to the London premiere idk about NY. I'm wondering of John's kids will be attending. One of his kids has a YouTube channel and someone posted his trailer reaction videos a while back. He seemed really excited to see it |
| The Squirrelly One 02.10.2018 15:05 |
He's a YouTube personality? |
| Dustin Zimmerman 02.10.2018 15:11 |
I haven't looked at his YouTube very closely but I did see the video of him reviewing one of the trailers. I'm not sure what his YouTube is all about though. He might be an artist or something. |
| thundergod 02.10.2018 15:45 |
BTW, Elton John, Dave Clark did not NEED invitations. I said we were the only friends INVITED. It is well documented that Peter Straker and his crowd, as well as others were not allowed in to the Garden Lodge in the last months. Freddie trusted my medical/nursing knowledge and asked me to help him with certain physical procedures that June. It was my pleasure to help make him more comfortable at this time. |
| runner_70 02.10.2018 15:53 |
thundergod wrote: BTW, Elton John, Dave Clark did not NEED invitations. I said we were the only friends INVITED. It is well documented that Peter Straker and his crowd, as well as others were not allowed in to the Garden Lodge in the last months. Freddie trusted my medical/nursing knowledge and asked me to help him with certain physical procedures that June. It was my pleasure to help make him more comfortable at this time.You forgot the "I can Walk on water too" Part...... |
| Dustin Zimmerman 02.10.2018 15:54 |
Thor, dont feed them. It's what they're hoping for. The same guy who was asking you questions about Freddie's personal life last year is now calling other people obsessed and is stalking their social media pages. Ironic. The other guy is just after your reaction. Drown them out. Don't give them any attention. They'll be buying the book along with everyone else. Regardless of what they say. |
| Katydyd5 02.10.2018 15:55 |
John Deacon's son, Cam, does have a YouTube channel and has reviewed the trailers. He's cute because he gets so excited! |
| The Squirrelly One 02.10.2018 15:58 |
Thor you're better than they are. Brush it off. As you said the real fans know the truth. Nobody is stressing over these guys. @Dustin I watched the review by John's son. He seems charming! He looked thrilled to see his dad on screen. I wonder if the kids of the band members watch old clips of the live shows and think the same as we do: damn that's cool lol |
| The Squirrelly One 02.10.2018 16:00 |
Katydyd5 yes I just saw the clip of him reviewing it. He's got John's lovely smile. He seems young, too. I didn't realize how many kids John had until recently. I believe his last one was born sometime in the mid 90's. |
| Dustin Zimmerman 02.10.2018 16:05 |
5 or 6 kids, I think. John was *ahem* busy over the years lol. |
| runner_70 02.10.2018 16:30 |
Oh those Queen Experts again. Why dont you contribute in other threads and share yiur wisdom. I guess the only Queen record you own is Greatest Hits |
| Stop The Madness 02.10.2018 16:49 |
Ah! Some people have gotten to view a 30 minute screening of the film last month supposedly. I have to assume that's a sort of giant trailer then. All positive reviews from what I've seen. I hear the London premiere is sold out. Something about a Wembley show? Are they wheeling out a giant IMAX screen to put in the area or what? |
| Dustin Zimmerman 02.10.2018 17:03 |
Yeah screenings are usually rough cuts of scenes that they piece together to give people an idea of what the feel of the movie is. They usually still have time to edit or remove scenes if the screening review points to it. As for Wembley, I don't know. I did hear about the premier having something to do with Wembley but I have no idea how that would work screen wise. I can guess that it's like any other giant arena used for concerts and sports events. Thise places can change pretty drastically if needed for whatever. Unless it's not in wembley itself but something adjacent to it. I didn't listen that closely when it was mentioned on the radio. This isn't the same building that was there during Live Aid, right? |
| c.jory 02.10.2018 17:16 |
There's Wembley Stadium (where Live Aid was) and yes, not the original. But next door is Wembley Arena where they'll presumably use the same big screen they use for concerts. |
| The Squirrelly One 02.10.2018 17:39 |
It seems to be promoted all over the place. I'm sure they will have a good turn out. I've got an older neighbor of about 70 who said she is going to see it and she isn't even a huge fan of classic rock. Her husband was a jazz musician (not big time but hobbyist) and it's about all she plays when I visit. Even she's intrested! |
| Delilah546 02.10.2018 20:52 |
It's interesting how these sites are full of fake accounts, trolls and fanatics. I agree with you kokax and Runner70, It's a very strange page for a lawyer...she is a lawyer and doesn't know about copyrights - yes, sure and I'm Queen Elizabeth II LOL. I read a lot of comments written by the "lawyer" and her friends and I think that they want to get the attention and the women are very jealous about Freddie. And I agree with you again kokax - they manipulate a lot of things. It's very sad...we should listen to the words of Thor & Lee (they knew Freddie) and not to read fantasies...It isn't Harry Potter's site ahahah |
| The Squirrelly One 02.10.2018 21:08 |
Thor check your pm when you get the chance please |
| Villiers2 02.10.2018 21:53 |
Good luck, Thor! You've always got my support, and I'm sure everyone elses here who matter. I've got Lee's contact info but I'll pm you my email to discuss further promotion if you guys want to down the road or would like the contact info of my friend who is open to pro bono cases. It's pretty obvious that continuing to view or respond to anything on this thread will lead to nothing so I'm off for good. Have at it, fellas <3 |
| Dustin Zimmerman 03.10.2018 03:02 |
aaaaaannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnndddddd the guys keep carrying on with the book. I think it'll be my personal favorite just because it was such troll bait to those 2. Keep on keeping on, Thor! |
| runner_70 03.10.2018 07:21 |
Dustin Zimmerman wrote: aaaaaannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnndddddd the guys keep carrying on with the book. I think it'll be my personal favorite just because it was such troll bait to those 2. Keep on keeping on, Thor!Keep on advertising yup. And maybe learn what Queen is all about. So far you have no clue. Maybe you should start to buy something else like Greatest Hits or a book wih indiscreet kiss and tell |
| Dustin Zimmerman 03.10.2018 14:19 |
And EVEN STILL the book will still be made! Every time he comments I look forward to it even more lol |
| runner_70 03.10.2018 14:42 |
It won't - mark my words ;) |
| Dustin Zimmerman 03.10.2018 15:23 |
It's getting more and more exciting by the minute! I think I'll order multiple copies. One for the house one for the shop and one for my brother. Its gonna be a great read! |
| LOTV 03.10.2018 16:05 |
Seems to me that anyone who challenges the status quo of ass kissing, for whatever reason, gets shouted down. It was very clear that Thor came on here to do some market research and when he achieved what he needed he buggered off. Remember who it was who talked about the siZe of Freddie's dick on Freddie's Loves ( conned my arse). If the pictures are theirs then they can what they want with them, but what's the motivation? It's a form of exploitation, unless of course the money would go to the Terrance Higgins Trust. If it does, fair play otherwise open your eyes people. If there's evidence of the band endorsing this potential project please share. And Christ knows the boys like a few quid. |
| runner_70 03.10.2018 17:00 |
LOTV wrote: Seems to me that anyone who challenges the status quo of ass kissing, for whatever reason, gets shouted down. It was very clear that Thor came on here to do some market research and when he achieved what he needed he buggered off. Remember who it was who talked about the siZe of Freddie's dick on Freddie's Loves ( conned my arse). If the pictures are theirs then they can what they want with them, but what's the motivation? It's a form of exploitation, unless of course the money would go to the Terrance Higgins Trust. If it does, fair play otherwise open your eyes people. If there's evidence of the band endorsing this potential project please share. And Christ knows the boys like a few quid.LOTV you are spot on. I wonder who paid the cost for the flights when they visited him. It is no secret Freddie had a lot of so-called "friends" that exploitet him. YOu hit the nail on the head with the "market research". Kudos to you. "Freddie's Loves" was a disgusting film. Watched it once on youtube. Did not know that he was the guy with this comment...... Says it all.... |
| Dustin Zimmerman 03.10.2018 17:03 |
Yep it's all a giant scam. A huge rip off. Freddie had no real friends at all and every photo of him that anyone aside from Mary has should never be seen or released. Damn. What a shame. Too bad nothing we say here is going to change a thing. Too bad we cant just wave a magic wand and make it all disappear. Dang it. Dand it. Dang it. Dang it. DANG IT. |
| runner_70 03.10.2018 17:23 |
Dustin Zimmerman wrote: Yep it's all a giant scam. A huge rip off. Freddie had no real friends at all and every photo of him that anyone aside from Mary has should never be seen or released. Damn. What a shame. Too bad nothing we say here is going to change a thing. Too bad we cant just wave a magic wand and make it all disappear. Dang it. Dand it. Dang it. Dang it. DANG IT.You clearly have issues. YOu should seek help. Seriously.... |
| Dustin Zimmerman 03.10.2018 17:27 |
Because I agree with your thoughts i need help? Well...i guess you're right. |
| Dustin Zimmerman 03.10.2018 17:27 |
DANG IT. |
| runner_70 03.10.2018 17:44 |
Your attempts at being witty and funny are embarrassing. |
| Dustin Zimmerman 03.10.2018 18:08 |
WELL, DANG IT! |
| Dustin Zimmerman 03.10.2018 18:09 |
DANG IT. DANG IT. |
| runner_70 03.10.2018 18:23 |
Dustin Zimmerman wrote: DANG IT. DANG IT.You are just sad. How old are you? 5? |
| runner_70 03.10.2018 18:26 |
LOTV wrote: Remember who it was who talked about the siZe of Freddie's dick on Freddie's Loves ( conned my arse).Not only the size of his dick but that he did not get it up the first night they met. What a f****n low life loser. And this guy is calling himself Freddie's friend? Really sad |
| Dustin Zimmerman 03.10.2018 18:32 |
4 actually...oh DANG IT! |
| Dustin Zimmerman 03.10.2018 18:33 |
Yeah really sad, dang it all. |
| SmokyQuartz 03.10.2018 21:31 |
The reason for people being challenged when they are rude is just that, they are rude. Anything can be challenged respectfully, but no one here who's challenged stuff has done it respectfully. They've just attacked other people. If anyone had questions about Thor or Lee's motives it could have been respectfully asked, instead of the rubbish that has been posted which has led to him pretty much staying away. He didn't leave. I remember he was chatting on here once on some pretty informal stuff, and about what he'd been watching on tv. He was happy to be friendly, but there are always trolls to come along and try to spoil it. They are not skilled or sophisticated enough to ask a challenging question in a respectful way and allow Thor to answer, they just get a kick out of trying to tear people down. It makes them feel better about themselves. |
| SmokyQuartz 03.10.2018 21:54 |
Trying to feel better about themselves is SO important to them that they continue commenting on a forum that is ultimately going to promote the book that they claim to disagree with. But that's not the primary motivation is it? It's not all altruism and morals. All I see are one or two people who just want to argue and try to tear people down because they get off on it. |
| Saint Jiub 03.10.2018 22:31 |
... and they get off on the UNWARRANTED attention from the the sorry last 8 pages of this topic (including a pointless threatened lawsuit). |
| Dustin Zimmerman 03.10.2018 23:46 |
Yeah they totally should've just been ignored when they illegally claimed old dude was scamming cash. Why bother pressing charges when you could just ignore them and let them tear apart someone's reputation and let them tell everyone their money was stolen. Makes seeeeeense. Too bad I didn't see that sooner....DANG IIIIT. |
| Dustin Zimmerman 03.10.2018 23:48 |
They're going to make the book or they won't. Whatever happens happens. Who. Cares. ? In the meantime I think I'll just hang back and enjoy the breeze. Dang-gone it. |
| runner_70 04.10.2018 04:13 |
Dustin Zimmerman wrote: They're going to make the book or they won't. Whatever happens happens. Who. Cares. ? In the meantime I think I'll just hang back and enjoy the breeze. Dang-gone it.Obviously you care dang-it-boy |
| Saint Jiub 04.10.2018 06:34 |
Dustin Zimmerman wrote: Yeah they totally should've just been ignored when they illegally claimed old dude was scamming cash. Why bother pressing charges when you could just ignore them and let them tear apart someone's reputation and let them tell everyone their money was stolen. Makes seeeeeense. Too bad I didn't see that sooner....DANG IIIIT.runner has a negative reputation and zero credibility. Who would take runner seriously? runner is incapable of destroying anyone's reputation. |
| Saint Jiub 04.10.2018 06:36 |
|
| runner_70 04.10.2018 09:36 |
Saint Jiub wrote:Which reputation do you have loser? Never read any Postings with Substance from you so stfu.Dustin Zimmerman wrote: Yeah they totally should've just been ignored when they illegally claimed old dude was scamming cash. Why bother pressing charges when you could just ignore them and let them tear apart someone's reputation and let them tell everyone their money was stolen. Makes seeeeeense. Too bad I didn't see that sooner....DANG IIIIT.runner has a negative reputation and zero credibility. Who would take runner seriously? runner is incapable of destroying anyone's reputation. |
| Dustin Zimmerman 04.10.2018 12:41 |
OH DANG IT! DANG. IT. |
| FreddieDarling 05.10.2018 09:35 |
Hi I just discovered this wonderful thread yesterday. I'm so grateful to Thor and Lee for sharing their wonderful memories of this magnificent man. I'm so enjoying it (ignoring the ignorant, rude idiotic "troll" element!) Thank you both. I went to GoFundMe and donated to the book fund. I really hope it happens! ? How is it coming along ? Where will we be able to buy it? Amazon ? Kindest Regards and thanks to you. You were clearly great buddies of Freddie.?? |
| FreddieDarling 05.10.2018 09:37 |
Don't know where those final question marks came from! Your friendship was certainly not in question !!!!! |
| FreddieDarling 05.10.2018 09:37 |
Don't know where those final question marks came from! Your friendship was certainly not in question !!!!! |
| FreddieDarling 05.10.2018 09:37 |
Don't know where those final question marks came from! Your friendship was certainly not in question !!!!! |
| FreddieDarling 05.10.2018 09:37 |
Don't know where those final question marks came from! Your friendship was certainly not in question !!!!! |
| FreddieDarling 05.10.2018 09:37 |
Don't know where those final question marks came from! Your friendship was certainly not in question !!!!! |
| FreddieDarling 05.10.2018 09:37 |
Don't know where those final question marks came from! Your friendship was certainly not in question !!!!! |
| FreddieDarling 05.10.2018 09:38 |
Don't know where those final question marks came from! Your friendship was certainly not in question !!!!! |
| FreddieDarling 05.10.2018 09:38 |
Don't know where those final question marks came from! Your friendship was certainly not in question !!!!! |
| FreddieDarling 05.10.2018 09:38 |
Don't know where those final question marks came from! Your friendship was certainly not in question !!!!! |
| FreddieDarling 05.10.2018 09:38 |
Don't know where those final question marks came from! Your friendship was certainly not in question !!!!! |
| FreddieDarling 05.10.2018 09:38 |
Don't know where those final question marks came from! Your friendship was certainly not in question !!!!! |
| FreddieDarling 05.10.2018 09:42 |
Oh dear! I do seem to be repeating myself! Sorry I'm a novice at this! ?? |
| FreddieDarling 05.10.2018 11:14 |
Checking to see if my new avatar is displaying.?? |
| FreddieDarling 05.10.2018 11:33 |
Avatar ? |
| FreddieDarling 05.10.2018 12:25 |
|
| FreddieDarling 05.10.2018 12:29 |
it seems I'm not to be allowed an Avatar. :O( I uploaded one but it won't display for me. BTW did you all see last weeks Sun (news?)paper with the Mary Austin article ? Hey Thor or Lee! :O) Did Freddie have more of a sweet or a savoury tooth ? Thanks |
| FreddieDarling 05.10.2018 22:59 |
Can anyone link me to the previous thread Thor did on Queenzone, please ? I'd love to read it.?? Thanks |
| Saint Jiub 06.10.2018 02:47 |
google thor queenzone ... top of the list ... link |
| MisterCosmicc 06.10.2018 07:44 |
Saint Jiub, I never understood why you side with the Republicans. |
| FreddieDarling 06.10.2018 21:17 |
Thank you very much! I appreciate your response! ?? |
| thundergod 11.10.2018 00:53 |
Hello to all the good and positive folks on QZ. We got our first, fully positive response from one of our desired sources to whom we offered our query, summary and proposal for the book last August. More work is required, of course, for any final approval. I will keep you informed as the process progresses. |
| FreddieDarling 11.10.2018 07:42 |
Hi Thor and Lee, I am very excited at the prospect of this book! How lovely to see photos and read anecdotes about the fun times our Freddie spent with his good pals! Thank you both! I'm also looking forward to the biography that will HOPEFULLY materialize about Peter "Phoebe's Freestone! Two books I will definitely buy! Reading back over the old thread! Couldn't believe the underarm hair question! Dear me! Nothing wrong with a bit of hair! Freddie always seemed supremely clean and hygienic to me! To be it seems odd for men to shave anything other than their face. All this man-scaping nowadays! I don't know! Anyway, it seemed a rather crass question and not worthy of your time! Loving this threads thanks to you both for your insights! Hope to donate again soon! ? Kindest Regards Nicola |
| Catus 11.10.2018 07:45 |
Hi Thor, Wow, these are exciting news! Can't wait to see your book! Please let us know if we could be of any other help. |
| FreddieDarling 11.10.2018 08:06 |
BTW where will we be able to buy your book? Direct from you? Or another selling platform like Amazon ? I don't know what print run you are intending to have, but it I definitely want to make sure I get a copy!? Thanks |
| FreddieDarling 11.10.2018 08:18 |
Does anybody know why Queenzone won't let me have an Avatar ? I uploaded it and it said uploaded and showed a little thumbnail piccy of it! Yet all that shows is the generic one! ???? Mystery to me! ?? |
| Katydyd5 11.10.2018 13:04 |
Thor, I'm so pleased to see your positive post about the book. The film and publicity for it is going to generate a huge surge of interest for Freddie and Queen and it will be lovely to have new material like your book. I have so many friends who are planning to see the film just based on the trailers, not because they were huge Queen fans before. Sales of everything Freddie are going to explode. You know we are all eager to hear any news that you have my friend. |
| thundergod 11.10.2018 20:56 |
Hello again most of all of you, Lee and I have plans for a Facebook page where trolls can't bother us anymore. This was an idea passed on to me by a very supportive QZ fan of Queen and Freddie. Another supportive QZ fan has volunteered to build and coordinate this Facebook site for Lee and myself. We are not yet sure when it will be up and running yet. Right now, we both have a lot of polishing-up to do of our entire manuscript to present to our source.They are pretty strict in what they require. Until we have a signed contract to publish our book, the GoFundMe goal of $2000.00 will remain the same. With the impact of "Bohemian Rhapsody", there may be increased interest in donating - and we want to stay positive - but should anything go wrong (God forbid), we want to stay within our means required to refund donors in full and pay-back the 10% already removed by GoFundMe for the use of their site. As always, thank you mostly all, for your continued support and well wishes about this project. It was started by your kind and thoughtful responses when I entered QZ in the early summer of 2017 by accident, to answer a wrongly informed QZ thread which claimed that I was Freddie's lover and not just a good friend after I googled my name. MattZ was the first to offer a response and wanted to know more. He wanted proof that I was who I claimed to be, which I provided. That started the ball rolling and soon the first thread became very popular and eventually led to the creation of the book with it's sole purpose to show Freddie as more than a Superstar and Rock Legend, but a caring, thoughtful, sincere, generous and fun-loving very close friend that he was to Lee, sadly departed John, Joe S.and myself. He really still is. He shines a brightly burning light on our thoughts, gratitude, and tributes from Lee, me and ALL of his loyal, loving fans and connoisseurs of musical genius and showmanship! Freddie has created his own immortality by remaining well-placed in the hearts of all fans, well-wishers and close friends. With grateful thanks and love to all, Thor and Lee |
| thundergod 11.10.2018 20:59 |
Does anyone who keeps in touch with our Noorie have any information about her? Please PM me if you do.. |
| Katydyd5 11.10.2018 23:31 |
Thor, check your email.... I think a private FB page is an excellent idea. The only issue is that several of the very supportive people here are not on FB. I am and would love to participate. I'm part of two other private pages (political) and it's wonderful to be able to talk and share without trolls. If and when this page is up and running, perhaps those who aren't on FB will reconsider, if only for your page. |
| Rainbow61 11.10.2018 23:56 |
Hi Thor, This is such a positive development...nice momentum building for this highly anticipated book. We are rooting for you guys! Touching words about how "Freddie has created his own immortality by remaining in the hearts of all fans..." You really captured the feeling of those of us who who have been captivated and awed by this amazing man. Thank you! |
| thundergod 12.10.2018 20:12 |
On the advice of a very special QZ friend, Lee and I have decided to keep the QZ site open and also go ahead with the more selective FB site. It makes sense to continue to communicate with those Freddie fans who like to read our thread but prefer not to make comments...and who can blame them, considering the last 9 pages prior to this current page. But our main goal of presenting very special moments with our dear friend is more important, and we will just deal with any troll invasions by keeping cool, calm and ignoring them right from the start if needed. I was guilty of engaging him and I am sorry I did. I understand Dustin's passion to protect his opinions and punch back, but the best trollicide proven time and time again is to ignore them. It seems they will tend to go away without the attention. Dustin, I love ya dude, but the back and forth with the last major troll wasted 8 pages and I have a feeling that the majority does not like to see that. Even that old nasty troll, kokax weighed in after a long absence hoping to stir the pot once again. Peace to all. Let's make this the positive, fun thread this and the previous thread used to be. By the way, I always consult Lee about what's happening here but with his full time job, it is easier for me, the retiree, to handle most of it. He's way involved, don't worry. |
| Katydyd5 13.10.2018 00:59 |
I'm happy you are going to go with the FB site and continue to communicate here on QZ. I read this thread for quite a while before I actually jumped in and started posting. I suspect there are many who are like I was and prefer to read without posting. I always hope they will become comfortable enough to join in, and I think that's more likely if we can keep it positive. |
| Rainbow61 13.10.2018 10:33 |
Hi Thor and Lee, Thank you for deciding to keep this QZ thread running! I suspect I am part of a rather small number of people who actually does not have a Facebook page, so I am grateful for your continued participation here! Now that you are done the book, can you share anything about the writing process? For instance, were you most inspired to do your writing in the morning, afternoon, evening, or at night? Did your writing time vary depending on the photo you were describing or did you try to work for a consistent number of hours each day? Having Freddie as your "muse" must have been truly inspiring. Best of luck to you both during this next important phase of the process! |
| SmokyQuartz 13.10.2018 16:30 |
Lovely words Thor! Rainbow, great idea to ask about the process of creating the book, I too am interested in that! What an inspiring project is! I do hope others who have been reading but don't usually post on a forum will come and join in. I'll be back later and catch up properly on this thread. :-) |
| SmokyQuartz 13.10.2018 16:31 |
What an inspiring project THIS is, it should say, lol. I can't see how to edit. :-) |
| thundergod 13.10.2018 17:57 |
Well, I'll keep the development of the book simple. We started by organizing Lee's carefully preserved slides and snapshots into categories. As this book is about Freddie and our friendship, we relegated pics without Freddie in them to a category we have named, "The Cast of Characters" at the end of the book. Based on themes/adventures/get-togethers, etc., we divided the pictures into about 15 or so categories. These categories allowed me to come up with a table of contents of our chapters (which we are calling Vignettes to capture a sense of musicality). Then we shared writing these vignettes according to which subject we thought we could recall the best. With enough of these vignettes written, I created a query letter which I later found out must be re-written and tailored to fit each potential publisher's specifications. I was amazed at the differences in what they wanted. Some wanted very short descriptions and examples of writing and pictures while others wanted more writing, larger chapters and more pictures. They all wanted biographies of the author's, a current list of already published books that we might compete with our book, and a marketing strategy. Additionally, they all required writing and book writing experience information. It is exhausting work but with Freddie in our hearts, we did it. Our most positive (and coincidently, most desired) source now wants ALL of the chapters, a more formal and complete proposal, a formal table of contents, etc., etc. This is what I am spending hours on currently. This is a labor of love and dedication to the kindness, sincerity and fun-loving character of the real Freddie Mercury outside or along-side of his Superstardom. |
| FreddieDarling 13.10.2018 18:17 |
Hi Folks, Thank Goodness! I thought the thread was winding up but It's not.??I always seem to climb aboard boats just as they are about to dock! The thread has been great, just wish the Trolls would return under their bridges and stay there (reference 3 Billy goats gruff!) I definitely think the best course of action is to ignore their posts entirely. They get bored very easily when not stimulated and move on! And good riddance! Fortunately there are far, far more genuine, intelligent, respectful Freddie fans out there than this other sort! I cannot wait for your book and as I say, will be contributing again (as soon at it's been pay day again!) I hope Villiers2 can be tempted back when the daft element have shuffled back under their rock! Noorie, to! Liked her!?? I'll keep checking in and hope more news and views are posted. Hope I can learn if and when you do get a Facebook page and hope I can use it too. I'm a bit flummoxed by Face Book.?? Thanks again Thor and Lee, and to all the GOOD people on QZ! You've brought a bit of brightness and interest into my life.?? |
| FreddieDarling 13.10.2018 18:19 |
Just figured out why I get a lot of "?" ! QZ doesn't like emojis! |
| thundergod 13.10.2018 18:20 |
By the way, Lee reminded me just yesterday that Freddie had told him more than once, "Kathleen, make these photos WORK for you!" This was said for one last time when he escorted Lee around his beloved garden in June of 1991. So it seems clear that Lee had/has his permission. Lee hated and was so let down by recently reading the eight page trollathon. Now, however, he agrees with our renewed "ignore" policy when dealing with trolls on both QZ and FB. As my beloved mother used to always say, despite of her worsening Parkinson's Disease over 10 years, "Better Days are Coming." |
| Rainbow61 13.10.2018 18:24 |
Thank you Thor for the great description. I don't know any authors, so this background info on the writing process was quite fascinating. I was exhausted just reading about it! LOL. I like they way you are setting up the book, the use of vignettes. I didn't think I could be any more excited about this project than I already was, but WOW...this will be amazing. What a beautiful and lasting tribute this will be to your beloved friend! |
| FreddieDarling 13.10.2018 19:11 |
Re formatting the book! Tell the publishers WE want loads of photos AND loads of stories (text) In other words! We want it all and we want it NOW! ?? |
| FreddieDarling 13.10.2018 19:12 |
"??" Did it again ! Aarrgghh ! |
| thundergod 13.10.2018 19:52 |
No worries FreddieD, Your enthusiasm is welcome and appreciated! |
| Katydyd5 13.10.2018 22:05 |
Thor, I'm so glad you posted what Lee said about Freddie and the pictures. I remembered that statement from somewhere in the thread, but never could find it again. It sounds exactly like the Freddie I imagine! Lee, I understand how you might be discouraged by what's gone on here, but please hang in there. So many people support you, you have to know we are behind you to the end. Freddie loved you guys and we do too. |
| Katydyd5 13.10.2018 22:15 |
Thanks Rainbow for asking about the writing process. I knew very little, so I'm being educated as this project goes along. I think it's probably a very good thing you are retired!! Did you ever reach a point where you wanted to forget the whole thing? There was a time when I wanted to write a childrens' book and I even had an artist friend who wanted to illustrate the book. But then an author came to my school, explained the publishing process to the children and I knew I didn't have the patience. I'm so glad you do. |
| thundergod 13.10.2018 22:33 |
Give up the project?...no Wish that the publishing pursuit would progress more quickly?...yes Discouraged when only the vanity presses hounded me and the serious presses did not. Those that even bothered to reply however, still needed to be handled with kid gloves?...yes Lose our drive?...no Lose our eternal love and affection for Freddie?...NEVER |
| thundergod 13.10.2018 22:38 |
Oops, I meant "those that DID NOT even bother to reply" Sorry about that. |
| Katydyd5 13.10.2018 23:07 |
Oh, I NEVER doubted your love for Freddie. But this writing process has been so huge. I'm glad you are not ever discouraged. I can tell you that there were times when I thought we might lose you to the rough times. I couldn't be happier that I was wrong. |
| thundergod 14.10.2018 00:06 |
Thank you Katydyd5 |
| Lee Kathleen Nolan 17.10.2018 01:23 |
Hey Ladies and Gentlemen. I’ve been kinda busy. What have I missed! |
| Catus 17.10.2018 03:16 |
I am so happy to see this thread up and running, and to see you both here! Fingers crossed that you find your publisher! (I've been listening to Made in Heaven album a lot, always remembering your story, Thor, about I Was Born To Love You, and how you heard it for the first time. Love this song very much) |
| The Squirrelly One 17.10.2018 03:17 |
Hey Lee! It's good to see you boys back online.You didn't miss much but a bunch of tired slandering attempts by 2 guys out to tear the book down and your reputations. Unfortunately we seemed to have lost our friend villers due to the drama kicked up by trolls. They zeroed in on her for standing up for you guys. Maybe Dustin as well? That or he stopped commenting but still reads. I hear you guys are very close to completing the book! This must be exhausting for you two. I didn't realize how much work it takes to get a book published. Gives you a new found respect for authors doesn't it! |
| thundergod 17.10.2018 03:38 |
You said it Squirelly, But the book is finished and I sent it out today. The lady said she was "intrigued" by the samples I sent her.Now she has the full manuscript and formal proposal, both perfected over the last week. Our fingers are crossed. |
| The Squirrelly One 17.10.2018 03:50 |
We know it will be picked up sooner or later. If this publisher is smart she'll lock you guys in! Just be sure to remember your number one fans when you get on the best sellers list! Best of luck boys |
| thundergod 17.10.2018 03:56 |
No one will be forgotten, least of all YOU my friend! |
| Dustin Zimmerman 17.10.2018 05:24 |
I'm still here. Villiers will come around i'm sure. Thor will you and Lee go see the movie when it comes out in a few days? I'd like to hear your thoughts on it. |
| thundergod 17.10.2018 05:39 |
Yay...Dustin is back. I thought you quit the thread. Welcome my friend. |
| thundergod 17.10.2018 05:40 |
Yes, we are going to the preview in Palm Springs on Nov. 1st. |
| Katydyd5 17.10.2018 23:05 |
Good to see Lee make an appearance!! I'll be anxious to hear what this publisher thinks now that you have sent the book out. I'll also be eager to hear your opinion of the film. I'm afraid I'm not going to get to go until it's been out for a few days. I won't mind spoilers though so I hope you'll all comment! |
| thundergod 18.10.2018 00:20 |
Oh, don't worry, I will tell you guys everything without giving away anything that is surprising. I certainly won't be able to critique the portrayal of Freddie prior to 1980, but I will be able to see if post-1980 up until 1991 is truthfully accounted for. It will be interesting to say the least! I suspect there will be a lot of Mary in the movie and rightfully so. When Freddie was in London, Mary either lived next to him or actually with him. He valued and trusted her completely. What will be interesting is if they portray Mary as a very special friend (who knew Freddie was gay) or if they try to stir up straight or bisexual longings of Freddie which some fans still believe, even post their break-up.as a couple. Hey, I had girlfriends from 7th until 11th grade, but I knew who I really was behind this "attempt" at covering-up.for convenience of going to school hassle-free. |
| Katydyd5 18.10.2018 01:37 |
I don't want to stir any pots here, but how many have heard Peter Freestone speak on about the movie? He makes such an important distinction and I wish everyone could hear and understand what he is saying. There will be inconsistencies, questionable timelines, etc, but he says it is so important to remember that this is a film meant for entertainment, it is not a documentary. I'm delighted that so many new people will be introduced to Freddie and Queen. They won't notice problems that die hard fans will see, but they will enjoy the movie and I'm happy for anything that keeps Freddie's legacy alive. I hope desperately that people will just enjoy this film and avoid nitpicking it to pieces. I think I was moved to write this post because I've just come from FB where people are arguing bitterly over timeline. Going back to my quiet corner now...…………. |
| Saint Jiub 18.10.2018 03:42 |
My biggest hope for the movie is that neither John and Roger are portrayed as bit players, while Brian is portrayed as the other genius of Queen. |
| runner_70 19.10.2018 19:30 |
thundergod wrote: By the way, Lee reminded me just yesterday that Freddie had told him more than once, "Kathleen, make these photos WORK for you!" This was said for one last time when he escorted Lee around his beloved garden in June of 1991. So it seems clear that Lee had/has his permission. Lee hated and was so let down by recently reading the eight page trollathon. Now, however, he agrees with our renewed "ignore" policy when dealing with trolls on both QZ and FB. As my beloved mother used to always say, despite of her worsening Parkinson's Disease over 10 years, "Better Days are Coming."Yeah right and Freddie had nothing better to do in June 1991 than telling you to publish a book with private pictures. How dumb do you chaps think we are??? And for "Not being Freddie's lover" you had a lot of indiscreet things about him to say in "Freddie's Loves" right? Remember that "he could not get it up" statement ? Give it up man.......it is getting far beyond embarrasing.... Same stupid statements like "Paul Rodgers was Freddie's fave singer" and "Freddie would have Loved Lambert": Pathetic. And why are all critics "trolls"? Because they refuse asskissing someone making money with private stuff from a so-called "dear friend"??? |
| runner_70 19.10.2018 19:31 |
Saint Jiub wrote: My biggest hope for the movie is that neither John and Roger are portrayed as bit players, while Brian is portrayed as the other genius of Queen.YOu will get exactly that |
| Rainbow61 19.10.2018 20:56 |
Hi Thor and Lee, You mentioned last year that you had Queen merchandise that Freddie had given you back in the early 80's. I am assuming you meant tour t-shirts. Did you keep any of those shirts? If so, are you wearing one to movie premiere or is that too "uncool" to do? I have a few Queen and Freddie shirts...and I am definitely NOT very cool...so I will proudly wear one when I see the film. :) |
| Rainbow61 19.10.2018 21:01 |
Oops....left out a word....."to the movie premiere." |
| thundergod 19.10.2018 21:39 |
Well sure I'll wear one of the teeshirts that Freddie gave me in the early eighties...it might still fit... ON ONE ARM!....LOL |
| The Squirrelly One 19.10.2018 21:58 |
Oh Thor hush! You look great. You can probably still slide it on no problem. Your name is unique enough it would be interesting to see if they tossed a background character in there named Thor. Maybe at the party scene? |
| Rainbow61 19.10.2018 22:27 |
Thor, So funny...that was my chuckle for the night! :) |
| Katydyd5 20.10.2018 04:27 |
Snort, Thor, that was funny. Does anyone know if tickets for the movie are available for pre-sale in the US? I thought I saw a site where I could order some, but I wasn't able to find the link to do it. I know I can't go the weekend it opens because I have other stuff going on, but I want to see it as soon as I can and I think it is going to be hard to get tickets. Maybe we can go in the middle of the afternoon. Surely tickets would be available then. |
| thundergod 20.10.2018 04:38 |
Katydyd5, Try googling FANDANGO. All you do is put in your zip code and they tell you the nearest theaters and the times it is playing. You buy your ticket right online. Lee and I are going to see the premiere in Palm Springs, on Nov. 1st. This won't be anywhere near festivities of the premiere in Los Angeles, but I am happy to see it with the two living other people who knew Freddie - Lee and my x, Brandon. It should be fun with all three of us there. |
| thundergod 20.10.2018 04:43 |
Oops....it should read, "This won't be anywhere near THE festivities going on in Los Angeles OR NEW YORK,". |
| Katydyd5 20.10.2018 04:48 |
Did you buy your tickets already Thor? I"m smack in the middle of the Mid-West, so no festivities here. But there is a lot of talk among my friends and my kids' friends, so I expect it to be very popular. Maybe I will try Fandango because I'm not going to be able to wait long. |
| thundergod 20.10.2018 05:01 |
I did buy my tickets yesterday and they were not sold out yet, and believe me, if there is a city where there will be an immense interest in this film, it is definitely the residents of Palm Springs, California. |
| thundergod 20.10.2018 05:03 |
sorry, again... a correction is needed. "definitely BY he residents of Palm Springs, California" |
| thundergod 20.10.2018 05:04 |
Ay yay yay.. "By THE" |
| Rainbow61 20.10.2018 05:18 |
No festivities where I live either! Very small city....only 2 theaters in town. One is Regal Cinemas...I looked at the site and it looks quite simple to order tickets ahead of time. Have never done that before. I am trying to decide if I want to see the movie during an off time...in the middle of the day when there will be fewer people in the audience and fewer distractions, or if it would be better to watch during a busy time to feel the energy of the crowd. |
| thundergod 20.10.2018 05:24 |
I think feeling the energy of the crowd is worth it, but just make sure you don't wind up in the first row...total neck pain! |
| The Squirrelly One 30.10.2018 15:24 |
Saw the movie last night and I must say I was not really impressed. I won't give any spoilers but to me it read like all things gay depressed him and he had no fun or enjoyment out of it unless he was high on drugs. He seemed a bit miserable in my opinion. I never got the notion that Freddie was a depressed and miserable being run by nothing but drugs and booze...I certainly didn't get the feeling that the real Freddie hated the gay lifestyle. For someone who hated it so much he sure did dove into it pretty hard.. Maybe that was just what I took away from it. Maybe others saw it and didn't get that feeling. |
| c.jory 30.10.2018 19:22 |
I had the same impression, no gay positivity, other gay men felt like they were just background objects to represent the mindless debauchery. He might have felt like depressed in Munich, but the whole band did, while there. It felt homo-shaming. |
| Katydyd5 30.10.2018 23:17 |
I'm sorry to read those two reviews. I will see it on Monday the 5th and I"m very excited. The reviews on all of the Freddie pages I follow on FB are overwhelmingly positive. |
| FreddieDarling 01.11.2018 16:07 |
Hi Thor, I just made another donation via GoFundMe. ?? Hope the book is coming along well. I saw the film last Saturday. Entertaining , but I was a bit miffed at how Freddie was portrayed in certain aspects. Especially being a total sh*t to the rest of the band and them virtually breaking up in 1975 when in fact they'd been touring, and then him acting hostile (albeit only initially) toward the news of Mary's pregnancy (which in real life happened 3-4 years later!) When, in fact, from allI"be heard from Phoebe Freestone, he was nothing but delighted and supportive of Mary's relationships and her pregnancies. It's not a particularly nice way to paint the may they are meant to be memorialising! Just MHO ! Kind Regards to you and Lee, Thor, and to all the GOOD Queenzoners ! ? |
| FreddieDarling 01.11.2018 16:11 |
Typos : allI'be = all I've may they are= man they are! Flipping predictive text! |
| FreddieDarling 01.11.2018 16:11 |
Typos : allI'be = all I've may they are= man they are! Flipping predictive text! |
| MisterCosmicc 01.11.2018 23:25 |
Have some respect, a little hard work will do it |
| hotel_houman 04.11.2018 22:45 |
hi ! is the fb site on now? |
| Saint Jiub 05.11.2018 02:23 |
link |
| thundergod 05.11.2018 03:23 |
Just wrote a very long personal review of my two viewings of "Bohemian Rhapsody". Before I could save or send it, it was consumed by QZ purgatory. I will attempt to recreate it tomorrow, I am exhausted from the past week. |
| MisterCosmicc 05.11.2018 04:20 |
Thor, did you ever listen to 'Let Me In Your Heart Again'? What did you think of that? |
| Saint Jiub 05.11.2018 05:24 |
Thor - I am sure your review will be better than this review from a distinguished journalist and university professor: "He falls in love with a young woman and marries her. He is then attracted to men, lots of them. It breaks up the marriage. He can’t let his wife go, though, and has her move into a mansion next door to his mansion. One of his male lovers moves in with him and ruins his career by keeping him way from his friends and getting him to leave the band." "The movie is a primer in music history of the ‘70s and ‘80s. You learn a great deal about how the music business worked then. I loved the story of the secret deal in which an American music company stole Freddie away from the band." link "Bruce Chadwick lectures on history and film at Rutgers University in New Jersey. He also teaches writing at New Jersey City University. He holds his PhD from Rutgers and was a former editor for the New York Daily News." |
| oligneisti 05.11.2018 09:02 |
I'd be interested in your opinion since I really missed all of Freddie's friends from the gay scene. Of course he had a lot of hangers on like any rock star but there were also some great personalities and loyal people around. |
| Katydyd5 05.11.2018 12:58 |
Looking forward to your thoughts Thor. I'm finally going today and am so excited. |
| matt z 05.11.2018 17:31 |
Yeowch.. yeah. QZ makes it impossible to write a long post without it disappearing. Maybe write it up separately and paste it in here... I too, am curious as to your take on the film. The audience I saw it with seemed to eat it up and enjoy it. I thought it was kinda bizarre and a misstep. Full of potential but kinda weak for sucha tremendously bombastic band. |
| Rainbow61 05.11.2018 22:43 |
I am thinking about Freddie’s supposed words to Jim Beach....“You can do whatever you want with my music, but don’t make me boring” (or some variation of that). No matter if you loved or hated the Bo-Rhap film or you fall somewhere in between, Freddie, without a doubt, is the most talked about musician in the entire world right now! For that I am glad. Dear Freddie...you were many things...but boring...IMPOSSIBLE!!! |
| Blenkolove 06.11.2018 01:02 |
HELLO DARLINGS!!! WHAT THE HECK HAVE I MISSED?????? I WAS TRYING TO PM THOR RE; BOOK PROGRESS WHEN I DISCOVERED THE TROLL ATTACK!!!! Then again.....i guess I didn't really miss that much! Lol I have kept in touch with Noorie's Aunt....apparantly Noorie is still offline but her Aunt will be visiting Noorie shortly...so I asked her to tell Noorie that I miss her terribly and to please make contact as soon as possible!! I will send a quick note to her Aunt telling her how much Noorie is missed on this forum, and from Thor!! Hopefully she will reemerge soon!!!!!! Sooo good to see you all again!! I saw the movie friday...3pm showing and there was maybe ten of us viewing....i swear I was the only one miming, stomping, clapping, crying!!!! I left determined to go back with a FULL HOUSE so that we can partake in the energy and emotions together!!! Plus my beloved little Queenie granddaughter wants to see it with me!! There are a million innacuracies in the story....but it's a movie, not a documentary....so I get it!!! All the actors were brilliant!! Rami, most brilliant of all. I stayed until the lights came on.....but only wanted more!!! I'm positive I will see it many more times....and CANNOT WAIT TO BUY THE DVD!!!!! ....And also can NOT wait til Thor and Lee's book arrives!!!!!!...... I also don't do facebook.....but I will to stay in touch with you all!!....Again....so Good to see you are all here!!!! |
| thundergod 06.11.2018 03:25 |
Hello All, I am going to give you my thoughts about “Bohemian Rhapsody” Anyone who disagrees with my review should feel free to comment as well and to present their differing views for all to read. My review is based on experiences with Freddie which were frequent from 1981 through 1983, very infrequent in 1984 through early 1985 and then again somewhat frequent from late 1985 through half of 1991. I did not know anything about Freddie prior to August 1980. I, therefore cannot make any first-hand comments on early Queen nor early Freddie. I can discuss much of Freddie’s long-lasting impressions on me, post-1980. Overall, for those who did not know him other than what has been shown and read in the many books about him, “Bohemian Rhapsody” it is Spectacular! I saw a somewhat fair basic portrayal of Freddie (Originally I was afraid that Freddie's gay side would be seriously downplayed) but as I will explain it was his good nature that was mostly downplayed. The music as one would expect is glorious. The gay internal part of Freddie is mentioned, but the viewer was not let-in on the wonderful side of Freddie off of the stage and outside of the band. Not too long ago a friend of QZ gave some of us vital information on the Zoroastrian people and religion as well as many of their traits. As this was shared with me, I could finally pinpoint where many of these basic, good, loving and, wholesome character traits I admired in Freddie, came from. This is where the movie goes wrong for me, Lee and even Brandon, who had only visited Freddie twice in 1986 and again in 1991. There is an obvious and sad lack of the consistent and deeply rooted, Freddie goodness, care, and happiness in this portrayal that Lee and I witnessed at every turn from 1980 until 1991 On the other hand, there was a bit too much portrayal of Freddie as the confused bi-sexual, being tempted and influenced by devious gays and who just could not, and never did, get over Mary. Believe me, in the eleven years that Lee and I knew him, he never once pined for Mary or any ladies at all. He actually LOVED being gay. He treated Mary very much like the ex-boyfriends, lovers, and very close friends (minus the hangers-on) that he loved and desired to keep in his life. He admired, quite lovingly, but perhaps with a dose of guilt, her long-term loyalty, her trustworthiness, her friendship, and then her first child. Yes, Richard was her over one-year-old baby boy when Freddie passed. Freddie was in fact, named the godfather by Mary, despite Freddie’s rapidly declining health. None the less, I know Freddie was very pleased with this and we watched him lovingly gaze at his godson playing on the swing Freddie had placed in a prominent place in the perfectly manicured greens, very near to the front door, at his beloved Garden Lodge. This was observed on the morning of our last day at Freddie’s house that June of 1991. Freddie was really too happy and too busy making music, making new friends and lovers to be lingering in the dark, desperately flipping that damn lamp on and off. I’m very sure this happened but probably did not last beyond the time of their fateful and absolute break-up. Due to the movie’s portrayal of Freddie in this manner, it is not surprising at all that the New York Chapter of his life was entirely left out. Even Phoebe, his constant companion was not mentioned in the movie but was given a consultant listing in the credits. It would have been entirely inconsistent with the rather melancholy, lonely, lost without Mary, poor soul idea. He was NONE of these! Certainly, it would have shown up during his time from 1981 through 1983, when we were nearly in communication, if not face to face, four to five times per week. Post-1985 (with Munich the exception) the communication via telephone from London and trips to the Garden Lodge. Now comes the interesting part of my review. On the first viewing with Lee and Brandon, we all felt similar but since we knew the real persona of Freddie we ignored the deviations and really enjoyed the movie. The next day I went with my young friend Andrew who barely knew of Freddie Mercury and only a small amount of familiarity with three hit Queen songs, including of course, “Bohemian Rhapsody.” During the movie, Andrew whispered to me, “God he is so bitchy” then later on, “He seems sooo unhappy.” Finally, he said, “wow he really loved Mary, and she really loved him. Why didn’t he go back to her even if he was gay? They could have made each other much happier. The gay guys in his life were all mean to him.” Enough said. Andrew really turned on to the music, but not very much to the personality of Freddie Mercury. This is all the more reason that OUR book needs to be read by the world. Love to you all QZoners from me and Lee. P.S. sorry this is so long. |
| Saint Jiub 06.11.2018 04:04 |
thundergod wrote: Freddie as the confused bi-sexual, being tempted and influenced by devious gaysI was afraid that might be the portrayal ... One more reason not to see the movie ... Did Paul Prenter have a curly handlebar mustache with a constant malicious sneer and an evil laugh? |
| thundergod 06.11.2018 05:14 |
Ha,ha St. Jiub...yes and everything wrong was blamed on him and once rejected, all could be happy again! The End. Go for the music that is REAL. |
| oligneisti 06.11.2018 07:59 |
Thanks Thor, I am very happy to get a little insight from your side of Freddie's life. As always, very valuable for those of us who a like to get a deeper look at how Freddie really was. I almost want to reply with a thank you each time you post here. One thing I liked in the movie is Freddie always hinting that Roger sleeps around much more than he does. It points to the annoying double standard for gay vs. hetero rock star. It is perfectly fine for them to sleep with a lot of girls while sleeping with guys is somehow much worse. |
| thundergod 06.11.2018 08:03 |
I agree with you completely oligneisti...and Thank YOU too. |
| thundergod 06.11.2018 08:32 |
This is the short summary of the movie I sent to a QZ friend: In short, I think the theme of the movie was "Redemption." Freddie does Mary wrong, does his band wrong, apologizes to both of them, throws off the evil gays, and has the greatest concert ever! Only then, does Mary, the Band, and Freddie himself become extremely happy like never before..,. I think this theme is better used in fictional books and movies. |
| Villiers2 06.11.2018 09:54 |
Thor, I asked Lee yesterday what he thought about it and he gave me quick rundown but this was so much more detailed and I have to say I am absolutely relieved to see that I wasn't the only one that viewed it that way. I only trust firsthand accounts of the man (Peter Freestone, Crystal Taylor, Jim Hutton) people who were there and have proof of being there- and from everything I've read about him via those trusted sources, that movie just wasn't Freddie. It was 'Disney Freddie'. The web is blowing up with joy over him being shown as a bisexual when the man was actually just gay and I do believe the movie attempted to show that, but screwed it up by making him seem jealous of Mary's boyfriend and leading the audience to believe their sex life before the breakup was great. (According to Mary and using common sense- it wasn't). The movie was a swing and a miss, imo. As always, your words are appreciated. More so than most as you were close to the man and your opinion holds real weight. You knew him. I really wish the world got to see a glimpse of the real Freddie in that film. They missed a great opportunity there. PS friends Mike Moran and Crystal Taylor gave the same review you did. Everyone who knew Freddie agreed. That's not the friend they knew and loved. Just had to pop back in to thank you for the review <3 |
| runner_70 06.11.2018 12:35 |
Are the opinions of Moran and Crystal available online? I found tje film dreadful. Revisionist history and Maylor bigging themselves up while backstabbing Freddie. Most of the movie shows a sad drugged up unreliable Freddie who breaks up Queen. And I agree also that his lifestyle was sugarcoated and stigmatized. Hard to believe that everybody seems to rave about the Film |
| Fmakne 06.11.2018 13:23 |
I'm so, so happy and relieved to see that a lot of you seem to share my exact same opinion about the movie. I think the world lost a great opportunity to celebrate Freddie's life, work and genius. Thank you, Thor, for your honest and candid review. |
| Katydyd5 06.11.2018 13:58 |
Well, I'm going to stand alone. I loved it and am going again next week. I had read all the negatives before I went, but was able to leave all of that behind and just enjoy the music. I don't think the movie portrayed him as bi...……………...no, I'm going to stop myself right here. I don't want to get into some heated, ugly debate with anyone. There is so much political ugliness in my country right now that I have no desire to visit it in the escape I find with Freddie and Queen. Before anyone decides to jump on me for this, save your typing fingers. I'm going to step out for a while. |
| Darren_1977 07.11.2018 07:24 |
After reading a lot of reviews of the film and Thor’s just now , I really think Sacha Baron Cohen would have done a fantastic job had he been allowed to do his interpretation, the real version of how Freddie was . Maylor and Beach didn’t want this as they wouldn’t have been the main focus of attention , after all the tag line in the trailers was “His Story” , something along the lines of it anyway . Really hope he goes ahead and does his own version of the film |
| oligneisti 07.11.2018 07:55 |
Sacha Baron Cohen was too old, too pale and too tall to play Freddie. Just because this movie is deeply flawed doesn't mean he would have done it better. |
| thundergod 07.11.2018 08:15 |
I almost agree, Darren_1977 but any actor, in this case, would be obligated to present this movie according to the producers, Brian May and Roger Taylor and their vision of it. I thought Rami did an excellent job. I did, however, wish they had erased the natural bags under Rami's eyes throughout the movie and not just during Live Aide portion. For me, that was the only segment where I thought Rami looked and moved almost exactly like Freddie. The body type was perfect. I think Sasha Baron Cohen might have been too tall and lanky to make a convincing Freddie. However, he did not want to work on a supposed DOCU-drama where there was not an accurate story behind the man who made the group what it was. True, the others are great musicians, but without Freddie's drive, exuberance, quirkiness, and flamboyance, Queen might have been the Supergroup that they were. Lee e-mailed me a long clip of Peter (Phoebe) Freestone being interviewed. He states clearly that this is not a documentary but a movie based on a rock band. He states that a lot of the detail was real with props, outfits and the personality portrayal of Brian, Roger and John. With Freddie, although he only started working with Freddie one year before I met them both in New York. Therefore he also excused himself from touching on the early years. It was great to see Phoebe again, if only on tape. He had his characteristic smile and soft voice with a feeling of confidence. Here it is: link Just copy and paste it onto your browser. |
| thundergod 07.11.2018 08:18 |
Correction: "Queen might NOT have been the Supergroup that they were" |
| thundergod 07.11.2018 08:21 |
Agreed Oligneisty, thanks for that comment. |
| Katydyd5 07.11.2018 13:37 |
All right, I can't resist. If I am correct Roger and Brian are credited as music producers. Period. Phoebe was on the set every day and was so positive about what he was seeing, and he says that in Thor's link. The link is terrific. I heard it early on and agreed with him totally. He made the point several times that this was not a documentary and should be viewed only as entertainment. Of course I saw the errors and misrepresentations. I simply didn't dwell on them and allowed myself to be immersed in the entertainment. Many of my non-Queen friends have gone and loved the movie. They are now searching YouTube, etc to find out more about Freddie. They are asking me questions and I'm too happy to answer and share the whole Freddie with them. I haven't shut up since I saw the film on Monday and I'm going again next week. If this helps keep Queen and Freddie alive I'm happy. |
| Catus 07.11.2018 14:55 |
Hi Thor, Thank you so much for your review! I was really looking forward to reading it, and I am happy that it resonates with my own thoughts about Freddie's character. Since I have watched a number of his interviews, and thanks to the fact that you and Lee have given us an insight into his life and character, I have always pictured him as a happy and easygoing person, loving his friends, and always surrounded by people who genuinely loved him. And because of that, I completely disagreed with the vision we were given in the movie, I thought it was too one-sided, too simple, if I may say so. Having said that, for me it was still a great experience. I loved Rami's acting, I thought he really did his best, and personally, I would rather have his vulnerable and gentle representation of Freddie than the way Baron Cohen wanted to depict him. I liked some mini-sequences (like the scene on a radio), and LOVED the Live Aid scene. It brought me to tears to realize that I could have never been there but yet in a way I was able to experience it. |
| thundergod 07.11.2018 17:35 |
Hello Katydyd, Actually, I loved the movie too. My review may sound somewhat negative, but here is why: For over two years, I was preparing myself for a documentary/drama as it had been advertised. In my mind, a drama does not have to be fictitious and a documentary should never be. If I did not know Freddie, I would not have questioned anything about the movie and had accepted Freddie as overwhelmingly talented, but like many superstars, moody and basically unhappy. With Phoebe stating that the movie was never meant to be a documentary, I realized then, that I should be able to ease up on those expectations. Personally, I wanted to see the happy, caring, loving side of Freddie that Lee and I had experienced clearly in the early '80s and found steady and consistent later- on, even in the face of his AIDS diagnosis and failing body. |
| Catus 07.11.2018 18:51 |
By the way, Thor, have you seen a recent mini-documentary posted on YT? There is a moment when Peter shows a picture of you, Freddie and other guys link I love that fact that the movie has attracted so much attention to Freddie and Queen |
| thundergod 07.11.2018 20:27 |
Hi Catus, Thank you so much, I'd never seen that clip before. That picture Phoebe shows is me, John Murphy and Freddie (plus someone I do not remember) in the jacuzzi at the Hollywood mansion, he rented during the Michael Jackson collaboration. Unfortunately, as Phoebe points out, John was indeed, the first friend (non-sexual) of his to succumb to AIDS after John left New York to live with his boyfriend. |
| stevendabudgie 07.11.2018 20:36 |
@thundergod a TV report on Freddie's time Munich link |
| stevendabudgie 07.11.2018 20:36 |
@thundergod a TV report on Freddie's time Munich link |
| stevendabudgie 07.11.2018 20:37 |
@thundergod a TV report on Freddie's time Munich link |
| stevendabudgie 07.11.2018 20:37 |
@thundergod a TV report on Freddie's time Munich link |
| thundergod 07.11.2018 21:06 |
Did somebody say a TV report?...LOL Don't worry stevendabudgie (aus Deutschland), I've made the same mistake a few times. I learned that you must only click "reply" once and wait. Sometimes it seems like your message did not go through, but be patient before you click reply again. |
| Blenkolove 08.11.2018 01:53 |
Thor and Lee, It's so special to be able to learn your perspective, critiques and feelings regarding THE movie about your Friend!!! Very few people will have that special insight. I can't even IMAGINE what it must be like to be in your n Lee"s shoes!!!! You sharing private thoughts with all of us=PRICELESS!!!!! Here"s some thoughts I have had.....some have been ruminating around my crazy brain for a while; some are triggered by the movie.... What viscerally bothered me about Rami playing Freddie (beside the bug-eyes,not his fault of course) was that they didn't give him warm brown eyes!! I read on the net that actors sometimes have a difficult time wearing contacts....but what about CGI????? Idk....but of all the truths I could temporarily suspend.....this one stuck with me.(considering I'm in dental....one might think it would be the horrfic prosthetic teeth.......go figure!!) Since you and Lee were actually at Garden Lodge. How do you think it was represented visually/framed art, furnishings, etc??????? According to all written/oral accounts, Freddie was extremely proud of his art treasures!!!! Jim Hutton reported that one of the last things Freddie wanted to do was go downstairs to view his beloved collection. Do you have Any gut feeling that Freddie may have suspected he MAY be ill around the time of Live-Aid......I know what Phoebe states about the spring of 1987......i'm inquiring about your intuition????? I can't help but wonder How many who have seen the movie...did the first thing I did when I returned home...and that was to YouTube the actual Live-Aid Queen portion, and see it thru a new lense....even though I have previously watched it on my DVD and YT DOZENS if not Hundreds of times??!! The Best 20 minutes of Queen and Freddie......EVER!!!! Do you think Mary will give an opinion of the film??? And lastly, how do you think/feel it would have gone with Jim Hutton IF Freddie hadn't of been ill?????? Do you think Freddie might have married and had children, like Elton has done????????? Sorry this is so long......thanking you in advance for your and Lee's response!!! |
| Blenkolove 08.11.2018 01:55 |
Oh yeah.....i watched Munich T V special....but all I understood was FM, America and Chicago!!! Lol....maybe I can get one of my German patients to translate for me!!!!!! |
| Blenkolove 08.11.2018 02:08 |
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| Blenkolove 08.11.2018 02:08 |
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| Blenkolove 08.11.2018 02:08 |
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| Blenkolove 08.11.2018 02:13 |
OMG...THAT MUST BE INTERNAL ERROR...CUZ I DID NOT HIT REPLY 3 TIMES!!!! SORRY! |
| Catus 08.11.2018 02:30 |
Thanks Thor! It is a nice clip, and I was so glad to see you all there, Loved the picture, you all look so happy and relaxed. |
| Katydyd5 08.11.2018 02:30 |
Thor, thanks for your reply to me. It made me feel a lot better. I would like to have seen the same things you were looking for about Freddie, but I went into it knowing I would not. I also struggled for a while before the movie with Rami's appearance. Frankly, I think Freddie was one of the most beautiful men I've seen, so I knew no one would be able to approach that ideal I have in my mind. Once I got used to seeing Rami's pictures all over social media, I was able to accept him as Freddie. I've also watched several interviews where he shows enormous respect for Freddie. I thought the music was incredible. I saw it in an IMAX theater and it was as if I was experiencing the music live as it pounded through my whole body. I wanted Freddie's sexuality to be treated honestly, and I felt they did the best they could with the rating they had. I respect your views on that issue. I am going again next week, with another friend who likes the music, but really doesn't know much beyond that so I'm excited to share my obsession. I really don't mind being in the minority here with my views, I simply didn't want to start a war of some kind, nor to be treated like the village simpleton. I've told you before that I'm fairly involved politically and it has been very stressful for two years now. I want my Freddie obsession to be my escape into joy. I don't mind sharing varying opinions at all, and I'm open to seeing something from a fresh standpoint. I just crave civility. |
| thundergod 08.11.2018 02:39 |
Hey Katydyd, That's why you are so wonderful. Thank you for that. Go enjoy, enjoy, enjoy! I'd be interested in what your friend thinks about the Freddie persona that is displayed. I know they will love the music, you'd have to be from Outer Space not to. |
| QueenFan76 08.11.2018 10:31 |
I know what Phoebe said but it is being called a biopic and many still act as if it's a documentary. Personally, I loved it. Thought all but Roger were balls to the walls accurate. I was bothered that his look never changes much throughout the movie. And aside from historical inaccuracies, it's amazing. I get the need to Hollywood up things but also puzzled that "right out of Hollywood" things like bad lovers like Bill Reid, the Death On Two Legs/Sheffield saga and Brian falling ill during the first US tour we're oddly left out. I'm just thrilled Queen is getting all this attention and finally have a movie on them. And I hope it leads to many more live releases and archival ones too. There's still a lot in those vaults! |
| MisterCosmicc 08.11.2018 10:49 |
New Queen fans don't care about live releases or demos or extended versions or any of that... look at 'Let Me In Your Heart Again'... woah, so bad. Queen are totally controlled by their record labels and Jim Beach talks them into this crap. I wish Brian and Roger would honor the Queen fans that actually enjoy hearing their stuff aside from Greatest Hits tracks! Queen do nothing to promote their 82-91 stuff. Brian Wilson promotes Pet Sounds all the time. It reminds me of Queen promoting their 70's stuff. They surround themselves in an old era and are glad to be remembered by it. |
| oligneisti 08.11.2018 11:48 |
I am trying to think of the chronology and path of real Freddie vs. movie Freddie. Movie Freddie: Confused about his sexuality, splits up with Mary, gets sucked into the gay party and drug scene, regrets his partying ways, gets diagnosed and decides to settle down. The problem with the movie version is that aids works as a catalyst for him settling down but real life Freddie had been searching for a meaningful lasting relationship longer. The fact that he was simply getting older and, as most people, got tired of the party life. Aids is of course significant in many ways, I would think, both the fear and also losing friends, but not the sole motivation for changing his lifestyle which was a part of a much longer process. The movie is so easily viewed as a morality tale about the promiscuous gay lifestyle. I would dare any heterosexual man (of which I am one) to say that he wouldn't have lots of sex if it was easy, free from the fear of pregnancy and you didn't know about any serious STDs while at the same time society didn't accept you committing to a long term relationship. If you were a rock star in that kind of situation of course you would have sex all the time, hetero rock stars have sex with a lot of a girls even though they know about STDs, the risk of pregnancy and live in a society that not only accepts long term hetero relationships but also celebrates and even reward you for them. The historical coincidence of aids, which could have started earlier or later, gives bigots such fuel for their condemnation that it is sickening to see how they use it. The movie, accidentally I hope, plays into the hands of these people. I would rather have liked to see a commentary about how the establishment, especially the Reagan government, tried to ignore aids instead of researching it and fighting it. It really took hemophiliac kids to get them to react since they were seen as "innocent" victims while gay people were "guilty" of having forbidden sex. So, yeah, missed opportunity. |
| oligneisti 08.11.2018 11:59 |
And yes, I've seen people who've seen the movie wondering about who infected Freddie or if he infected Jim. As is if being the one who infects someone is guilty while the one who is infected is innocent instead of realizing that both people are victims of the disease. Reminds me of "And the band played on..." a well meaning movie which seemed to blame "Patient Zero" for the crisis. |
| Queenfanrach 08.11.2018 18:46 |
Thank you to Thor and Lee for your fascinating memories of your time with Freddie I understand that you are or have written a book about it, do you have more details on that? |
| thundergod 08.11.2018 19:35 |
Hmmm Queenfan1976, I originally heard this movie effort in the earlier days to be called a "Docu-drama" but the term "Bio-pic" is not much better as it suggests a biography which is also supposed to be factual and accurate. Perhaps the best term would be a " Movie- based on a true story." I love the music and the man and the music was real. I loved the credits with the real Freddie too! |
| thundergod 08.11.2018 19:36 |
Sorry...QueenFan76 |
| thundergod 08.11.2018 19:41 |
Hi MisterCosmicc, Thanks for making your comment. I agree with your "Pet Sounds" bit about Brian Wilson...what a fantastic album! |
| thundergod 08.11.2018 19:51 |
Hey oligneisti, Wow..what a well-written response. You have great insight into that tragic period of time. Better insight than many gays now have. SO many have not learned the lessons from that awful time period. They may be healthy now with the medications Freddie never had access to, but with age comes a natural wearing down of the immune system. I worry about them carrying HIV for all those years despite it being kept in check. |
| thundergod 08.11.2018 20:11 |
Yes Queenfanrach, We have written a "coffee table" style book with about 50 never before seen pics of Freddie enjoying himself with his friends when he lived in New York City in his own hi-rise condominium. Also, later, of our visits to Freddie and the Garden Lodge. The wonderful New York days '81 thru '83 are skipped over completely. They went right to the darker days of Munich in '84. The happiness with his group of American friends would not have fit in the plot of the movie. Our new book showcases this chapter of Freddie's life ...no brooding...no wild party-going. Yes there was cocaine and alcohol but not to any miserable, out-of-control and relentlessly addictive extent. |
| thundergod 08.11.2018 20:26 |
Oh, almost forgot. We have a GoFundMe site at link. We are as of today, only $143.00 away from our goal of $2000.00 to help with publishing costs. None of the money will be used until we have signed a publishing contract. The publishing process has been long and tedious. We are still awaiting a final word, post submission of our entire manuscript, by an excellent publishing prospect. |
| oligneisti 08.11.2018 23:35 |
thundergod wrote: Hey oligneisti, Wow..what a well-written response. You have great insight into that tragic period of time.Thank you. I was hesitant about posting this because I wasn't there but you saw it unfold. A positive note: The interest from the movie should help you with the book and you could even sneak in some fact-checking about the movie there. |
| stevendabudgie 08.11.2018 23:51 |
@Blenkolove: About the "Chicago"-bit: (gay) leather clubs in Chicago raffled weekend tickets for "Deutsche Eiche", the restaurant that is being shown. It also mentioned that Rainer Werner Fassbender, a famous German director, frequented "Eiche" and fell in love with a waiter. Back then there were casements, but even when opened, you could not look inside inside, the window panes were plastered with pictures. The reason was homosexuality was illegal back then ("paragraph 175, or "gay paragraph")). The old guy guiding us through Munich is Peter Ambacher a performance artist and drag queen. He started playing "Miss Piggy" (on the photos) in t he bar that is being shown. That's where he met Freddie, a regular guest. Freddie seemed to feel quite cofortable there. The first seconds of the report Peter is showing the bar where Freddie met Winnie Kirchberger, "Freddie's big love", who was living on the seond floor of the same building. Somewhere in the middle of the report Peter states there were only 2, 3 of Freddie's Munich circle alive- all the others died. He remembers that they had this quirk they all together should travel to New York for one week- which "proved fatal": Peter's lover also died of AIDS, they were speculating that they contracted the virus in New York. |
| thundergod 09.11.2018 01:15 |
I don't believe Freddie contracted AIDS in New York, but perhaps rather in Munich. Of course, I don't know this for certain but Freddie did not go to the sex bars such as "The Mine Shaft" or downstairs at The Anvil in New York and I knew or met everyone that Freddie dated. I think Phoebe would know better than me as he was with him every day in New York and Munich. By the way, didn't Winnie show signs of AIDS a while before Freddie? Stevedabudgie, I am not knocking Munich, I have been there three times (without Freddie) and I loved it. Nobody really knows how it was spread to him. |
| Blenkolove 09.11.2018 01:30 |
Stevenbudgie, Thank You so much for taking the time to explain the clip to me!! How interesting!! I will now rewatch and understand it better!! I REALLY do have quite a few German patients (it's Florida....a true melting pot) who I am comfortable enough with to ask for a translation!!! Also, i appreciate your response.....as i haven't received ANY responses so I was starting to think my post weren't 'posting'!!! Side note....my mom had a blue parakeet (named Budgie) as a kid that she swears learned to talk by sitting on the handle of her toothbrush while she was brushing her teeth!!! Take care!!! |
| Dustin Zimmerman 09.11.2018 02:05 |
@Thor Freddie did go to the mineshaft and the anvil according to freestone. Everything points to freddie getting it in late 79 or early 80. His boyfriend tony bastin he was with in 79 died of aids just a few years later around 85. Winnie died of it in 90 or close to freddie. Joe also had it and died after freddie. That's 3 he had sex with that had it but my money is on tony based on the dates. A sad story any way you slice it. |
| thundergod 09.11.2018 02:36 |
Thanks Dustin for the info. So it possibly happened before he moved to New York. To tell you the truth, I really don't know any follow-up with Freddie's old boyfriends in New York since I moved to San Diego in December of 1984. Loved the budgie story Blenkolove! Stevedabudgie explained his connection with budgies in Germany a while back. |
| Blenkolove 09.11.2018 03:23 |
Dustin, thanks for confiming what I had thought I read in one of the many books on Freddie going to those clubs. Plus he wore the Mineshaft t-shirt on one of his concerts....and I may have spotted an Anvil t-shirt also. I have so many books on him....i just couldn't recall which one off the top of my head. Phoebe's book sounds about right!! |
| thundergod 09.11.2018 03:31 |
Don't forget, I met Freddie at the Anvil- but it was the clean, light, upper floor, not the dark, crazy lower level. |
| Dustin Zimmerman 09.11.2018 03:59 |
I hope I'm not being too dark and feel free to tell me if I am Thor but I couldn't help but feel a flash of nerves piecing that timeline together and speaking with you. Tony was with freddie in 79 and died in the early to mid 80s. He's likely at least one of the people who gave him the virus. You met freddie in 80 or 81 (sorry I forget) and spent a night with them that happened to not pan out the way you expected. Again you can tell me if I'm being too crass but do you ever think about how close you were to a very different life had you and freddie not used protection and had a successful night? Now looking back and seeing it's very possible and most likely that he did have it by the time he met you..Jim said the only difference between him and Freddie was the date they were infected. Freddie found out he had AIDS in the late 80s and Jim got tested and found he had HIV. Because he was likely infected by freddie in 85 he never developed AIDS. So many people didn't make it just because they got it too early. And to think in 1980 you were right there. Sir I hope you dont mind me saying you're a very lucky man. |
| thundergod 09.11.2018 04:17 |
You are correct Dustin, I am very lucky. But I think I can attribute my luck to wearing condoms with everyone including my 7-year relationship. Also, I've mentioned this somewhere I think - I've always been a pitcher and not a catcher if you get my drift. |
| stevendabudgie 09.11.2018 04:27 |
@Blenkolove You're welcome. There are other aspects in the clip: The man in "Deutsche Eiche" gives some personal insight. He grew up with a strict father who beat him. He could not talk to anybody about his homosexuality and was very miserable and desperate, even suicidal. But when he moved to Munich for his studies he finally felt good because of many gay institutions in the quarter. The AIDS crisis is also adressed. In 1987 the Bavarian government had plans for compulsory HIV-test for "risk groups". Although "homosexual" was not explicitly mentioned the Munich gay community felt stigmatized. As a result many gays left Munich for Berlin or withdrew into a much more closeted life style. In 1994 the "gay paragraph" was repealed. The report ends with the statment that gays had arrived in mainstream, Peter mentions that today gay couples can walk the streets holding hands, back then they only could live everything out inside the bars. But still, in Freddie's times, it was also much more exciting. Many Gay bars have given way to shops or opened up to heterosexuals, only few bars from that time remained, "and the memories." By the way, happy belated Halloween! link |
| Blenkolove 09.11.2018 05:31 |
TOO Funny!! Killer parakeets!! Birds only Hitchcock would adore!!! Ps....The Birds has left me freaked out by them my ENTIRE LIFE!!! GOOD BELLY LAUGH....THANKS FOR THAT!! |
| Queenfanrach 09.11.2018 06:43 |
Thor I will be happy to pledge some money towards publishing the book :) Do you guys have a Facebook group as well? |
| Charlies boy 09.11.2018 07:35 |
Hi Thor when you get a chance could you check your messages please. Just had a couple questions I would like to ask privately if I can. Have a great evening. |
| Katydyd5 09.11.2018 14:04 |
Wow Thor, you guys reached your Go Fund Me goal! Congratulations! Is there any way you can restore the comments from donors? That disappeared at an earlier point. I always enjoyed seeing the words of encouragement being sent your way. |
| thundergod 09.11.2018 15:54 |
Hey Stevendabudgie, Thank you for your translation of the salient points of the Munich video... AND of course, the killer budgies...hilarious! |
| thundergod 09.11.2018 15:56 |
Will do Charlies boy. Thank you for your FIRST post! ...Welcome friend. |
| thundergod 09.11.2018 15:58 |
Hello Queenfanrach, Thank you for your donation. Much appreciated. |
| thundergod 09.11.2018 16:01 |
Hey Katydyd, I have no idea what happened to all the donation messages - there were many. I will ask GoFundMe for help on this matter. |
| thundergod 09.11.2018 16:08 |
As Katydyd pointed out, WE HAVE REACHED OUR GOFUNDME GOAL! [Your support]..."and everything that goes with it...I thank you all" |
| Katydyd5 09.11.2018 16:13 |
Thor, I don't know how GFM works. Can people continue to donate or does the door shut when the goal is reached? |
| Catus 09.11.2018 16:30 |
Yay, you did it!! Congratulations, Thor and Lee!! |
| thundergod 09.11.2018 16:31 |
Glad you asked Katydyd... DONATIONS ARE STILL ACCEPTED, even beyond the goal. I am going to increase it when we sign a publishing contract. I've set April 30th, 2019 as the last date for finding a trustworthy publisher. After that, we will look into self-publishing. We will NOT use one of the hundreds of Vanity Presses, some that hound me nearly every week. |
| thundergod 09.11.2018 16:33 |
Thanks, Catus...we couldn't have done it without you and so many wonderful QZ people! |
| Katydyd5 09.11.2018 20:09 |
"and everything that goes with it...……..I thank you all" Thor, that was absolutely perfect. |
| thundergod 09.11.2018 20:27 |
Getting published is no "bed of roses" and "no pleasure cruise" dear Katydyd. |
| thundergod 09.11.2018 20:31 |
"We are the unpublished writers of the world. And we'll go on fighting to the end!" |
| thundergod 09.11.2018 20:33 |
Sorry Freddie..we'll "KEEP on fighting to the end" |
| stevendabudgie 09.11.2018 21:05 |
Thor, your thunderbolt and lightening can very very frighten publishers. They need your hammer to fall ;) |
| thundergod 09.11.2018 21:11 |
HaHa Stevendabudgie...isn't it funny that one can find a Queen song lyric for every need and occasion! |
| Blenkolove 10.11.2018 02:47 |
You can save it for another day.....Don't Try So Hard!!!!! (My New All Time FAVE) |
| queenbuzz 10.11.2018 02:58 |
I am new and just spend the afternoon and evening your two threads. All I have to say is WOW ! Thanks for taking the time Thor to answer the questions. I have a few but will save them for another day. Thank you for your contribution! |
| Katydyd5 10.11.2018 03:05 |
Welcome Queenbuzz. This is a nice group of people and Thor is great about answering questions. Sometimes Lee pops in too. |
| thundergod 10.11.2018 03:16 |
I second the welcome Queenbuzz. Lee has picked up extra shifts for Christmas money. I usually just speak for him. I have known him for 42 years and we usually agree on stuff. |
| Blenkolove 10.11.2018 05:28 |
Welcome Queenbuzz! This site is AMAZING, Thor (and Lee) is a generous 'host'. I have learned so much about Freddie here. And since he is my main obsession, it's wonderful to have so many others to 'share the Freddie Love 'with!!!...... Looking forward to your views, comments, movie thoughts, Freddie questions...etc. Also...if you haven't checked out 'Ask Phoebe' yet...i recommend you do so. He has a wealth of information on Freddie also. |
| queenbuzz 11.11.2018 04:40 |
Thank you all soo much for the most kind welcome I have ever received from joining a forum group. Thor..I was just so impressed with what a class act you are in telling your story! Your kindness to others with answering question after question. I am 49 years old and my memories of queen were sneaking it from my conservative parents. Had nothing to do with Freddie or Queen, just the type music but I listened to it whenever I could.Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Ozzy Osbourn ect had all of those backmasking hidden "Satanic" messages that my parents would have kicked me out of the house for. I read Jim Huttons book and the one questions I kept thinking of was was this a monogamous relationship on both sides? There were always other men in the house and Jim liked to go out and have a good time himself. Was everyone in that house platonic or did "things happen"? That might be a question for Phoebe. I also am curious of Freddies thoughts on America. Not politics, but way of life, the country itself. We know he enjoyed NYC but what about the other parts of the country? He probably never stayed long enough in one city to really "look around". Was America the ultimate for him for success or he really didn't loose sleep over it if he wasn't number one.? What was it like when the rest of the band traveled with their families? They all had children except for Freddie? Was the arrangements after the concerts much for subdued since there were kids running around? Thank you again for welcoming me to the forum! I have not seen the movie yet, I had to take my son to see Venon tonight and I could hear the music in the theater next door. Wish I was there instead. |
| queenbuzz 11.11.2018 04:59 |
Oh and one more for Thor. What a truly giving and compassionate life to choose to work for Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in NYC. I often think of those who work with pediatric oncology and hospice nurses. How much of that heartache stays with you? What is the hardest think for you personally to have to go through with that kind of profession?. I hope that the families were touched by your kindness as you seem to be so compassionate. I know you are retired now but really wanted to ask you that personal questions. |
| thundergod 11.11.2018 05:29 |
Hi queenbuzz, , I'll answer your last question first. Pediatric Oncology was definitely very challenging. In those days, patients and their mother and/or father would room-in with their child which could last sometimes up to a month or more. With this long and unheard of today, length of stay, I was able to make friends with the kids and their parent(s). One of my first patients was a little boy from Venezuela and his mother. They did not speak English but I could get by with my Spanish I had a simple marionette who we called Pepe. Through Pepe, I was able to teach him things about his current care and his future care in a fun way which he really enjoyed. He had liver cancer and there were no liver transplants back then. I.treated him for a month, and then came to work one day and he wasn't there. Pepe was put in a bag at the nurses station. I was a wreck and cried for about a half hour. As months went by, I never got used to children dying but immersed myself in my work and developed ways to cope. Very few survived in that time period and with every death, I felt a loss and gave a long hug to the family member, if it happened on my shift. . I burned out after 3 1/2 years and got into Acute Physical Rehabilitation when I arrived in San Diego. where I was eventually referred to as the Spinal Cord Expert although sometimes I was assigned to the Brain Injury or Stroke units. |
| thundergod 11.11.2018 05:47 |
Well, I know Freddie enjoyed traveling through America from 1980 - 1983. However he loved New York City the most. At that time, not everyone could connect Queen with the actual Freddie Mercury, just like me at first. We could walk down the streets of New York without most people not recognizing him. In West Greenwich Village where we spent a lot of time together (I lived there). We all looked alike at that time in the early '80s with the way we dressed and, of course, the ubiquitous mustaches. He could not do this in London. He longed to just fit in. So, with my group of four pack-rats as friends and chaperones, he absolutely loved New York and was truly happy in the mansion in the sky that he bought. Although avoided in "Bohemian Rhapsody," those were a wonderful 24 months for ALL of us. |
| thundergod 11.11.2018 05:53 |
Ha Ha, other than a quick hello, how are you, to the bandmates. Freddie always wanted to leave the venue as fast as possible and start our evening out together. Occasionally there were some children about, but we sailed right past them. Now, I wish we hadn't. Brian, Roger, and John were great people and I would have liked to have known them better AND their wives and children. |
| Rainbow61 11.11.2018 07:17 |
Hi Thor, I am so glad Freddie enjoyed anonymity while living in NYC. That must have been a welcome break from the rock star attention he often received. On those few occasions when he was recognized, do you recall any particularly interesting run-in with a fan? Would Freddie sign autographs if asked? In regards to post-show activities, did Freddie ever need to talk about the concert with you, Lee and the guys, or was that all behind him once he left the venue? Just out of curiosity, did you ever meet Jim Beach? (I hope I'm not asking questions I already asked last year) |
| Rainbow61 11.11.2018 07:35 |
A few job related questions... What do you miss the most about nursing? Now that you are retired, is your nursing license still valid? When you moved to California, did you need to take additional courses or other exams to be licensed there? I am always so grateful for people who choose career paths that I could never do...nursing is one of those occupations, especially in oncology...working for Child Protective Services is another just to name a couple. |
| NickGreen 11.11.2018 12:33 |
Hi Thor Glad you reached the book goal, i just made a donation (or three..i decided to up the amount i hope this is acceptable to you :) . and to thank you for your insights here. |
| Rainbow61 11.11.2018 14:40 |
To the Queen Zone men and women spread far and wide who served their country…a very happy Veterans Day to you all. I thank you for your service and for your sacrifice. To the many Queen Zone fans who are spread around the globe and also celebrate November 11…Happy Remembrance Day! |
| Rainbow61 11.11.2018 15:12 |
Oops...I know Remembrance Day is a solemn day... |
| thundergod 11.11.2018 20:40 |
Hey there Rainbow ("feel the rainbow") For those who do not know, that quote is from an American candy company with a product called "Skittles", little fruit flavored bites. So, last March I let my RN license go from "active" to "inactive". It could be changed back to active if I complete the required Continuing Education credits and a give up a bunch of money. (Just to keep it inactive, cost me $350.00). I have no current plans to work again. Keeping my yearly income smaller, I am able to pay less in taxes and get more of a discount on my health insurance premiums. I am |
| thundergod 11.11.2018 20:41 |
delete the last "I am" please. |
| thundergod 11.11.2018 21:12 |
Continuing Rainbow, There was a reciprocal license agreement between New York State and California. So, after another large fee (in 1984 terms), the change itself was easy. I miss helping patients. I always thanked my lucky stars to not be in their situation, but my entire heart was geared toward them. This was so rewarding, even if the complete recovery from their injuries was only about 25-40% of the patient population. The last few years, however, became more concerned with documenting EVERYTHING in our Nursing Notes so as to prevent any lawsuits against the corporation. This, of course, allowed for much less time with the patients. Nursing Assistant numbers were decreased to less than the bare minimum, which added even more work for the RN's. At every meeting, they were adding more and more work and more and more, pressure not to go into overtime. Even if you stayed after your shift, but punched out at the "required" time" just to finish up what you were responsible for, they started to tell you, "You know you cannot keep working after you punched out." Easy for them to say, as they did not have patient assignments. With all of this going on, our CEO was the second highest paid healthcare CEO in all of California, North and South. And they called themselves a "Not for Profit" institution. Times have certainly changed. As with everything else in our current American society, Greed rules! So disappointing compared to the earlier days! |
| thundergod 11.11.2018 21:40 |
Welcome, welcome NickGreen, Thanks so much for your generosity and support of our book. Like all of us who care, we have to be very patient with the pursuit of a reputable publisher. They really take their sweet time, which is understood but still tiring to the soul. After the "Bohemian Rhapsody" portrayal of Freddie, our book became so much more necessary by encapsulating much of the away time from music which Freddie enjoyed equally as well as his creative and performance time. We show his real personality through our photos and narratives. What was obviously Freddie, the generous, loving, humorous, fun loving, (not so drugged-out) and the caring, true friend, who as I keep saying, just wanted to be one of the boys while in New York and then again after Munich, although so much more difficult for him in London. |
| thundergod 11.11.2018 22:28 |
Hey everyone, I just discovered this, which shows some of the, ah, deviations from the truth in Bohemian Rhapsody. For what it's worth, it is still an exciting, great musical feast! link |
| thundergod 11.11.2018 23:53 |
As I've said before, this movie should really have been called," A dramatization based on a true story." |
| Katydyd5 12.11.2018 01:45 |
Thor, thanks for the link you shared. I've sent it on to several friends who have been asking me about the movie. As you know, I thoroughly enjoyed the movie as entertainment, but I've been happy to share a more realistic story with friends who had only surface knowledge before. Thanks also for sharing about your career. I've always admired nurses, but knew it was not a job for me. My DIL is a nurse in a nursing home/rehab center and some of her stories are heartbreaking. I can understand burning out in children's oncology. As a teacher, I lost three students in the course of a very long career, and they haunt me to this day. How you could deal with it on a daily basis is something I can't fathom. I think the rehab unit would also bring it's share of heartbreak, but also much joy in the successes. I think you are a most compassionate man, and I'm sure your patients were blessed to have you as their nurse. I think you were one of the lucky ones who found your niche in life. I also understand the way corporations can break your spirit. The same thing happened with teaching when everything became test and data driven, with documentation required for everything. I felt like I had no time left to enjoy the kids. While I miss the kids, I'm glad I'm out. |
| Rainbow61 12.11.2018 06:44 |
Thor, Unfortunately your story is not uncommon in today’s work world…being asked to do more with fewer resources and less help. I think it is disheartening to many people, especially for those in the “helping professions” such as nursing. Thank you for sharing that important time in your life…what an amazing career! Since you were a nurse during the onset of the AIDS crisis, did you ever witness patients being treated with less care or compassion then they deserved? Did you receive any special training on how to work with patients who were HIV+ or had AIDS? |
| stevendabudgie 12.11.2018 07:34 |
@Thor @Blenkolove The actor playin John Deacon is known as the Kid from the first "Jurassic Park". What is less is known is he almost played the lead role in planned Stanley Kubrick project. Watch second half link |
| Blenkolove 13.11.2018 03:20 |
Stevendabudgie (Ha! Got it right this time!! .....), that was an interesting YouTube on Kubrick. ....honeststly, he was an intense director and I'm still not certain if I am a die-hard fan.....let's say I found Most of his movies 'interesting'.....but too bad he didn't choose to do his version of the WWII drama with Little Joe Mazzello!!! I actually never recognized him, not thru the trailers, YouTube interviews, and not even during the movie!! I discovered it after the fact....somewhere on YT!!! ....Then it clicked...ohhhh yeeeah....that WAS the little boy from Jurassic Park!!!!!! PROPS TO JOE.....He was PERFECT as Deaky!!! Side note; My young little family piled into our Isuzu Rodeo and watched JP at the local Drive-in movie theater!!!! Thank goodness the kids still remember this event....as the drive-in was leveled shortly after our viewing.....and became a Home Depot!!!!!! Gosh I miss Drive-ins!!!!!! Thanks 'Budgie'...... |
| queenbuzz 13.11.2018 22:16 |
link Interview with Peter Freestone. Early in the interview is such an interesting take on Freddies home life and the fact that he didn't talk much about his time previous to Queen. Mr. Freestone spent time in a boarding school in India as well so he understood this. He was saying that Freddie compartmentalized his family life and didn't need to call his mom (family) every day possibly as a result of being separated in childhood. His friends were more like family and that the work and social life were separate entities from family and that he saw his family when his mother contacted him. Just thought I would share this if anyone is interested. |
| thundergod 13.11.2018 22:27 |
Thank you queenbuzz...keep buzzing! |
| queenbuzz 13.11.2018 23:11 |
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| queenbuzz 13.11.2018 23:29 |
Thanks Thor! I will do my best :) |
| thundergod 13.11.2018 23:29 |
Oops...queenbuzz' Your message did not come through...try again, please. |
| thundergod 13.11.2018 23:30 |
Never mind, now it is showing! |
| queenslegacy 13.11.2018 23:32 |
aahhhhh. i finally finished reading this thread. interesting stuff. im excited for your book, Thor and Lee!!! thank you for spending your time to share your experiences with Mr. Mercury. I’ve enjoyed reading them. |
| thundergod 14.11.2018 00:12 |
Thank you queenslegacy, Welcome to our friendly blog that celebrates Freddie. Occasionally we get trolls, but our policy now is to ignore and isolate. They tend to leave if we do that. Great to hear from you. |
| queenslegacy 14.11.2018 00:22 |
Exactly how I handle them! I pretty much skipped over the parts with everyone interacting with trolls. Seems pointless to engage with them. Glad to be here though. :-) |
| A05 14.11.2018 07:56 |
Hi Thor, Lee, I don't know if you are answering questions about Freddie any more, but I'll give it a try. I am newbie on this forum and actually I came here after watching Bohemian Rhapsody movie. To leave a bad review. I think this movie humiliates Freddie (although he is certainly the one who just wouldn't be humiliated by anything this or that person did or said). But that's not the point of my question. I've read the previous thread and this one in an attempt to "get to know Freddie". By the way, thanks to everybody who recommended the books on Queen and Freddie. I've read Peter Hince's opus and David Evans/David Minns' book and it really explains a lot. I've watched numerous interviews I've never seen before (my favourite so far is the "Time" interview with Dave Clark). I have the following questions to Thor and Lee. If they interefere with anybody's privacy, please feel free to skip them. 1) I get it from your recollections that Freddie didn't have any of "stardom" habits. He was quite down to earth and generous and easy in his ways. Still I have the idea that he has this "out of the earth" quality. Sometimes a person is really sincere, kind, loving, but somehow alienated from others. Like he has trouble explaining himself and even when he acts like all others do (going to clubs, having a drink, chatting, taking meals), he stands out. Have you ever had a feeling when talking with Freddie that even with you, close friends, he is not on this Earth completely? Like he participates in conversations, but his mind goes places you do not understand. 2) Second question I guess follows the first one. You wrote before that Freddie was eagerly discussing his love life with you, and giving you a helping hand or cheerung you up when things were tough for you. Freddie seems to be this kind of person who is always getting into trouble himself, but at the same time gives really sound advice on relationship of others. Was it ever an occassion, when you acted on his advice towards your lover/friend/boss without actually understanding why, but trusting Freddie's wisdom, and then it turned out really the way you wished? Without going into details, of course. Thank you for sharing your precious friendship with us. This makes a difference! |
| thundergod 14.11.2018 20:41 |
Welcome to our family AO5, My answers to your questions might be a bit underwhelming, but I will try to answer them. Question 1: Alienation was not observed in New York when we were the closest. (1981 through1983). He blended into my group of four close friends very easily. He liked meeting people who did not recognize him, or even those few that did but treated him with respect and kindness. Few to none hounded him for autographs or pictures, and of course, the press, the major ordeal that he did not care for in the UK. New York City was a well-needed respite for him - and he loved it! He became the sort of friend that one could only wish for to my whole group of 4 friends, who became HIS group of 6 friends - Freddie, Phoebe, Thor, Lee, Joe, and John. He was never sad and lonely like the movie portrays him to be when we were around Question 2: We did discuss relationships but other than the time in the winter of 1982-83 when he noticed I was a bit down and proceeded to fly my recently met friend from Houston to New York to cheer me up. That was during the famous New York City blizzard which Freddie turned into a white party at his skyrise apartment. From so high, New York looked very much like a winter wonderland! I would give Freddie relationship advice when he showed a great interest in my co-bartender, Ray, who was pretty muscular and gorgeous and even a bit intimidating to our Freddie who, as you said, does not intimidate easily. With boyfriends, however, he did get somewhat intimidated. Unknown to Freddie, I prepped Ray on Freddie's admirations. The outcome was a success, and they went out on several dates. Freddie liked my style of introducing him to people in the clubs, befriending them first and then introducing them to him. As he would say, "Fabulous, it worked darling!" |
| thundergod 14.11.2018 20:56 |
Hi Rainbow, I just realized that I missed your last question. Remember, I was working in pediatrics and it was not until I moved to San Diego (1984) that I saw my first HIV+ 16 years old hemophiliac patient. Before it was understood that casual contact with these victims was not at all dangerous, anyone HIV+ was put on strict isolation. What a relief for all when just "universal precautions" became the standard which is used with any patient. No gowns, no masks, just gloves, and handwashing when handling any body fluids. Also, they developed safer methods to cap and dispose of needles to avoid needle sticks to the caregiver. |
| Charlies boy 15.11.2018 01:25 |
I can't believe what I'm seeing after the movie and I have no idea how you or Peter Frestone can handle it. Thousands [actually thousands] of people on all sites of social media, articles, YouTube videos and comments saying Freddie was into women and was shown as a proud bisexual in the movie. An article I saw yesterday shunned Mary for "leaving him because she didn't understand his bisexuality". You've got to be joking. Everyone who knew him and Freddie Mercury himself said he was gay. They act like closted people didn't exist. How many men marry women and have kids before realizing they are gay and not bisexual? Freddie didn't marry her [because he knew he was gay] never slept with another woman after her, called himself gay, all friends say he was gay, but he's deemed a "bisexual icon who absolutely was not gay"? How do people not understand he said he thought he was bisexual to her and she said he was gay because she knew he couldn't have sex with her anymore. A bisexual can and wants to have sex with women too. Freddie didn't. The movie made him look terribly jealous and hurt by Mary's pregnancy and dying other men when that shit never happened at all. It only served to hide the gay in him. Absolutely disgusting. I actually wanted my money back for my ticket. I should have asked for a refund. |
| Charlies boy 15.11.2018 01:28 |
Sorry that should have said "dating other men" |
| Charlies boy 15.11.2018 01:35 |
Peter said Freddie told him that if a book or movie was to be made about him after death he would want it to be TRUTHFUL. I know Freddie didn't want the public to know he was gay but knowing Freddie wanted an accurate representation of himself after he was gone, do you think he would be annoyed that so many people are still desperately trying to make him into something he wasn't? I would assume he would have wanted the world to know he was gay and not into women in the one movie that was officially produced and made about him after his death. A movie that claims to be a biopic. |
| thundergod 15.11.2018 01:47 |
Hey Charlies boy, Check out link if you missed it a couple of days ago. If you've already watched it, no problem. |
| thundergod 15.11.2018 01:54 |
Also, Charlies boy, This is why our book is so important. It tells the truth about Freddie being very confident and comfortable with his sexual orientation. He never once eyed a female as a possible sexual relationship or was heartsick about Mary...she was a friend, albeit, a very close friend. He certainly did not want her back as a love interest. |
| A05 15.11.2018 02:32 |
Charlies boy wrote: Peter said Freddie told him that if a book or movie was to be made about him after death he would want it to be TRUTHFUL. I know Freddie didn't want the public to know he was gay but knowing Freddie wanted an accurate representation of himself after he was gone, do you think he would be annoyed that so many people are still desperately trying to make him into something he wasn't? I would assume he would have wanted the world to know he was gay and not into women in the one movie that was officially produced and made about him after his death. A movie that claims to be a biopic. |
| A05 15.11.2018 02:33 |
Charlies boy wrote: Peter said Freddie told him that if a book or movie was to be made about him after death he would want it to be TRUTHFUL. I know Freddie didn't want the public to know he was gay but knowing Freddie wanted an accurate representation of himself after he was gone, do you think he would be annoyed that so many people are still desperately trying to make him into something he wasn't? I would assume he would have wanted the world to know he was gay and not into women in the one movie that was officially produced and made about him after his death. A movie that claims to be a biopic. |
| A05 15.11.2018 02:35 |
I apologize for double posting. The quoting tool seems to do tricks with messages. >Charlies boy wrote: >Peter said Freddie told him that if a book or movie was to be >made about him after death he would want it to be TRUTHFUL. Well, actually Peter Freestone was consulting the screenwriters. He was one of the consultants along with Brian and Roger. Thor, thank you so much for the answers. So Freddie's help was mainly doing things for his friends. By alienated I was not meaning in a bad way. Geniuses are in many ways alienated from people surrounding them, even close friends. Sometimes people mistake it for arrogance. But in fact they live in their own world, and when it shows (like in Freddie's case through his music and voice), this world is beautiful and powerful. But at the same time in everyday life they may be at a loss for words . I am glad that Freddie could genuinely relax and chat and laugh with his friends. |
| Charlies boy 15.11.2018 02:45 |
Ao5 yeah I heard one of his interviews and I know he liked it as a not biopic. He talks to my friend on facebook and the convention and he told him it wasn't accurate but he didn't have total control and neither did the band. He said he was happy with it as a movie but not as a biopic for Freddie in the means of accuracy. If that makes sense. |
| Charlies boy 15.11.2018 02:47 |
Thank you Thor I will watch it when I get home tonight. The comments from idiots thinking they knew better than his friends and Freddie himself was enough to turn me off all Freddie and Queen related videos on YouTube for a week. I do take some comfort in knowing Peter said it wasn't accurate and not to expect accuracy. |
| thundergod 15.11.2018 02:49 |
My long response was once again eaten by the QZ monster. My fault because I did not save the message which I certainly should know by now. I will try to repeat it tomorrow. |
| thundergod 15.11.2018 03:00 |
I love all the new people that are coming to this blog / thread. YOU are so welcome and vital for the continued success of this pro-Freddie site. We loved him then and so much more even now ! |
| A05 15.11.2018 03:46 |
Charlies boy wrote: Ao5 yeah I heard one of his interviews and I know he liked it as a not biopic. He talks to my friend on facebook and the convention and he told him it wasn't accurate but he didn't have total control and neither did the band. He said he was happy with it as a movie but not as a biopic for Freddie in the means of accuracy. If that makes sense. |
| A05 15.11.2018 03:47 |
>Charlies boy wrote: >He said he was happy with it as a movie but not as a biopic for Freddie in the means of accuracy. If that makes sense. I believe Phoebe was trying to be pollite. But what else is required from a biopic, if not accuracy? I think morals in the movie are even worse than what was actually happening in the 80ies with Freddie's need not to voice openly that he is gay. Freddie was delivering his message in his interviews and shows without actually proclaiming "I am gay and proud", and did it gracefully and cool. In the movie his "gay side" is shown as dark force leading him to the worst in his life, to betrayal of his colleagues, to disappointment of his family members. I am terrified that it is possible in 2018. No need to actually PRAISE it, but I believe things were far more complicated for Freddie. I am a heterosexual woman, but even I was offended as Freddie gave me inspiration, freedom, humour, the ability to stand in tough times with a wink or a smile. And part of it came from his accepting his sexuality and being happy with it. |
| Charlies boy 15.11.2018 03:56 |
A05 I couldn't agree with you more. I just felt real disappointment in the movie's portrayal of his life and the negative connotations to his homosexuality. My friend John saw it the day after I did and not knowing anything about Freddie he said 'He looked like he wanted that Mary girl back pretty bad. And I don't blame him seeing as all the gays in his life looked like they used and abused him and kept him drugged up." I had to try to explain to him how far from the truth that all was. He also said he didn't know Freddie Mercury was that terribly sad and upset his whole life. 'Didn't he ever have a happy day after Mary?' That movie fell short for me. |
| thundergod 15.11.2018 05:12 |
Wow Charlies boy and AO5, I certainly agree with your last thoughts. Our book will set things right! |
| thundergod 15.11.2018 05:57 |
A good QZ friend sent me this privately, but I think it needs to be shared with everyone. It gives the feeling of being at a live concert! Visuals are not very interesting but the music is fantastic! link |
| Blackvy 15.11.2018 07:43 |
That's great, Thor! It really sounds like a real live concert (by the way, Hi to everyone in this blog/thread!) I've been following this thread since the very beginning and I'm fascinated about all your Freddie's anecdotes, I would like to ask you some questions about him, but maybe another time :) . Also, I agree with Charlies boy and A05 (and with many more!) about the inaccuracies of the movie, I know it's not a biopic, but since it was officially produced and made I expected a reliable and true story. |
| Sheldon 15.11.2018 09:10 |
"Also, Charlies boy, This is why our book is so important. It tells the truth about Freddie being very confident and comfortable with his sexual orientation. He never once eyed a female as a possible sexual relationship or was heartsick about Mary...she was a friend, albeit, a very close friend. He certainly did not want her back as a love interest." Could you please clarify his relation with Barbara Valentin? If I remember correctly, she did claim at various occasions that they had a physical relationship, but it has always seemed questionable to me. |
| Villiers2 15.11.2018 10:53 |
Barbara's sex claim is absolutely Lesley Ann Jones' most annoying lie. Freddie said it never happened, Peter, Crystal, and Jim. Most importantly, her timeline proves it false. Freddie dated: Joe Fanelli- 1978-1980 Winniefred Kirchenberger (I know I butchered that spelling lol) -1983-1985 Jim Hutton- 1985-1991 Barbara claimed they had sex in 1984 and 85. Freddie was officially diagnosed with AIDS in 1987. He notified Joe, Winnie, and Jim immediately so that they could get tested. He told lovers from as far back as the late 70's, but Barbara herself admitted he hid the diagnosis from her. He didn't tell her he had it and never told her to get tested as he did with the people he did sleep with. "He cut his finger once and screamed at me to stay away from him. He did not tell me he had it." Barbara found out in 1989 that Freddie had it. To believe she and Freddie had a sexual relationship is to believe he willingly hid his diagnosis from a lover and friend, keeping her from finding out about her HIV status. Not only that, but you'd have to believe that from 1975 to 1984, a man who never enjoyed sex with women and never touched one or showed any interest in one those years, suddenly jumps into bed with a heavyset woman with a large chest. With his gay boyfriend. Who was horribly jealous but was somehow ok with sharing Freddie. Doesn't add up. Lesley Ann Jones printed that Barbara sex lie back in the 1990's. She calls herself Freddie's "official biographer" but she's been called out on lies by tons of people close to Freddie over the years, Peter Freestone will no longer work with her and Chris Taylor has gotten blocked by her for asking her why she printed this lie in particular. He asked Freddie himself if they had sex, and Freddie said no. Peter said no. But she printed it anyway. Barbara was also seen on The Untold Story on camera and never once claimed to have been more than a friend. Either Lesley made it up entirety (since now she's claiming to have lived with Barbara- something she never mentioned in her other books in the Barbara chapters), or Barbara knew better than to make those claims on fact checked documentaries. She did act as a beard for the press in the 80s just as Mary did. However, if you've read Peter's book, he talks about Barbara getting caught calling the press and telling them where she and Freddie's group would be each night so that she could get her photo taken holding his hand and make the front page. She was also telling the German press that they were getting married. Which freaked Freddie out and upset him pretty badly. He felt she was taking her beard duties a little too far and trying to gain fame through him, as her fame had long since faded. They remained friends until his death but he stopped asking her to come over at the end, according to Peter. She was never a lover and Lesley is tired as hell for trying that mess. |
| Villiers2 15.11.2018 11:04 |
PS I see that Thor and KathLEEN have reached their goal on GoFundMe. I will have to look thru the page and see who qualifies to be in the Freddie LED lamp giveaway for it. Gimme a couple days and I'll update everyone! Best <3 |
| MisterCosmicc 15.11.2018 12:09 |
Villiers2 wrote: Barbara's sex claim is absolutely Lesley Ann Jones' most annoying lie. Freddie said it never happened, Peter, Crystal, and Jim. Most importantly, her timeline proves it false. Freddie dated: Joe Fanelli- 1978-1980 Winniefred Kirchenberger (I know I butchered that spelling lol) -1983-1985 Jim Hutton- 1985-1991 Barbara claimed they had sex in 1984 and 85. Freddie was officially diagnosed with AIDS in 1987. He notified Joe, Winnie, and Jim immediately so that they could get tested. He told lovers from as far back as the late 70's, but Barbara herself admitted he hid the diagnosis from her. He didn't tell her he had it and never told her to get tested as he did with the people he did sleep with. "He cut his finger once and screamed at me to stay away from him. He did not tell me he had it." Barbara found out in 1989 that Freddie had it. To believe she and Freddie had a sexual relationship is to believe he willingly hid his diagnosis from a lover and friend, keeping her from finding out about her HIV status. Not only that, but you'd have to believe that from 1975 to 1984, a man who never enjoyed sex with women and never touched one or showed any interest in one those years, suddenly jumps into bed with a heavyset woman with a large chest. With his gay boyfriend. Who was horribly jealous but was somehow ok with sharing Freddie. Doesn't add up. Lesley Ann Jones printed that Barbara sex lie back in the 1990's. She calls herself Freddie's "official biographer" but she's been called out on lies by tons of people close to Freddie over the years, Peter Freestone will no longer work with her and Chris Taylor has gotten blocked by her for asking her why she printed this lie in particular. He asked Freddie himself if they had sex, and Freddie said no. Peter said no. But she printed it anyway. Barbara was also seen on The Untold Story on camera and never once claimed to have been more than a friend. Either Lesley made it up entirety (since now she's claiming to have lived with Barbara- something she never mentioned in her other books in the Barbara chapters), or Barbara knew better than to make those claims on fact checked documentaries. She did act as a beard for the press in the 80s just as Mary did. However, if you've read Peter's book, he talks about Barbara getting caught calling the press and telling them where she and Freddie's group would be each night so that she could get her photo taken holding his hand and make the front page. She was also telling the German press that they were getting married. Which freaked Freddie out and upset him pretty badly. He felt she was taking her beard duties a little too far and trying to gain fame through him, as her fame had long since faded. They remained friends until his death but he stopped asking her to come over at the end, according to Peter. She was never a lover and Lesley is tired as hell for trying that mess.Lesley is a well-known liar, but it's true that Barbara was very much head over heels in love with Freddie! |
| Villiers2 15.11.2018 12:24 |
And she may have been in love with him. Mary was in love with him and didn't have sex with him after he came out. Love doesn't equal sex. Especially when that love is between a gay man a straight woman. For Freddie, it was a friendship love. A platonic love. Like he loved Thor and Lee. For Barbara? Well, she wouldn't be the first woman to fall in love with a gay man. Sorry to say but my sympathy doesn't extend very far with her. Let's not forget the sex story wasn't her only lie. She also claimed Freddie strangled her and slammed her skull into a sink "out of jealously". Both things never happened, according to Peter and the stories she told to Lesley just never add up. Idk how much of that was Lesley herself, but Barbara did tell her friends he tried to harm her. And calling the press to show up at clubs so that she could act as his beard for her own benefit? Not the greatest of friends he ever picked. |
| MisterCosmicc 15.11.2018 12:27 |
Villiers2 wrote: And she may have been in love with him. Mary was in love with him and didn't have sex with him after he came out. Love doesn't equal sex. Especially when that love is between a gay man a straight woman. For Freddie, it was a friendship love. A platonic love. Like he loved Thor and Lee. For Barbara? Well, she wouldn't be the first woman to fall in love with a gay man. Sorry to say but my sympathy doesn't extend very far with her. Let's not forget the sex story wasn't her only lie. She also claimed Freddie strangled her and slammed her skull into a sink "out of jealously". Both things never happened, according to Peter and the stories she told to Lesley just never add up. Idk how much of that was Lesley herself, but Barbara did tell her friends he tried to harm her. And calling the press to show up at clubs so that she could act as his beard for her own benefit? Not the greatest of friends he ever picked.I wouldn't believe everything you've read on paper or in books in terms of what Barbara said. Nor would I say it was Barbara in those things doing the storytelling. |
| Villiers2 15.11.2018 12:34 |
Actually, the sink meets skull story came from her friend. And the press story came from Peter. Barbara was far from saintly, sorry. Her own son wrote a book and made it clear they were friends but his mom had a fascination with him, apparently. Again, no idea how much was Lesley but she couldn't deny the press or making up the sink thing. Definitely not without sin. |
| c.jory 15.11.2018 12:35 |
But still, it's a common myth being spread around by Lesley Ann Jones with no basis in reality and she needs to stop. As soon as the film came out, she did her rounds in the press with the "Freddie's secret women" stories and you've got to wonder what her agenda is there. It's as bad as the "Freddie went clubbing with Diana" thing. There's no point to these stories, he's interesting enough without lies. |
| c.jory 15.11.2018 12:37 |
These Barbara things may have been via tabloids, but they were "exclusives" in which she contacted them. Furthermore, Freddie himself temporarily fell out with her for this very reason: she went to the press and lied and he knew it. If the man himself thought she pulled those stunts, then we're probably correct. |
| MisterCosmicc 15.11.2018 12:40 |
c.jory wrote: But still, it's a common myth being spread around by Lesley Ann Jones with no basis in reality and she needs to stop. As soon as the film came out, she did her rounds in the press with the "Freddie's secret women" stories and you've got to wonder what her agenda is there. It's as bad as the "Freddie went clubbing with Diana" thing. There's no point to these stories, he's interesting enough without lies.Yeah, Lesley has told the press that the film overlooks Barbara, that she was the love of his life, etc... crazy. |
| c.jory 15.11.2018 12:42 |
Exactly, their initial friendship only lasted from 83 to 85, not in the same league as his friendship with Mary. In before someone says "but there are photos of them post 87!" they made up. But they weren't as close as before and their friendship is insignificant compared to most others he had. |
| Villiers2 15.11.2018 12:42 |
"There's no point to these stories, he's interesting enough without lies." This! LAJ rode the movie wave and came in with yet another article Crystal tore apart. She now claims not only was Freddie into women (yeah right) but he "sniffed the bicycle seats the naked females riders sat on for the 'Fat Bottomed Girls' video. Amazing, as Fred and the boys weren't even in the same country while the video was being recorded. I assume he had to have the seats wrapped in plastic and sent to him in France to hold in the scent then, Les. Lmao so tell us Thor, how often did ol' Fred get the craving to sniff a lady's undercarriage? Lol omg. |
| Katydyd5 15.11.2018 13:10 |
You are right Thor, we are seeing a lot of new people these days and I like that. I may not agree with them all, but the increased interest in all things Freddie and Queen is wonderful to see. I've been to the movie twice now, both times with friend familiar with the music and little else. They both came out with lots of questions that I was happy to answer. Both have also spent a lot of time on Google and YouTube finding out as much as they can. Villiers, I agree with you concerning both Barbara and Lesley Ann Jones. Poor Rainbow had to endure a recent rant from me in email about LAJ. I'm not going to get started here, but I would never read one single word she's written. |
| Katydyd5 15.11.2018 13:23 |
A few minutes later and while I wouldn't read a book by Jones, apparently I will look at her FB page. Sickening. Worse yet, all of the people following her and eating up every bit she posts. |
| A05 16.11.2018 02:27 |
>Yeah, Lesley has told the press that the film overlooks Barbara, >that she was the love of his life, etc... crazy. I prefer to see it that way - from what I've read in numerous books about Queen and Freddie, and a number of documentaries, EVERY person Freddie EVER was with, deems he or she was the love of his life. And tells that "ok there was Jim,Mary, David, Winnie, but I was the real love of his life" (Barbara's version). Then "There were male lovers, but I, Mary, am the most important person, he trusted me with his house and ashes and legacy..." "Ok, Mary was a long-time girlfriend, but I, Jim, was the one who cared about him till the end. He called himself a hubby." "Ok, I was the first ever his man love, he lusted for me, and here is a telegram from "hubby" to David Minns." May be he just had too much love for this world...the love (whether with sex or without) he shared with each of those people was more than anything they ever experienced. |
| thundergod 16.11.2018 03:46 |
Ahhh...Villiers2 How about NEVER, not even once! |
| thundergod 16.11.2018 03:50 |
Hey Sheldon, I wish I could tell you, but the Germany days were marked only by a few phone calls. He never mentioned Barbara, but I can imagine he had the need for another beard.to ward off the press. |
| Villiers2 16.11.2018 03:56 |
I actually always found Jim to be really humble. I don't recall anything he said that claimed he was the one and only for Freddie. Although I did see a letter from Freddie to him saying he made him the happiest he'd ever been, and he did say on record Jim was the niche he'd been looking for all his life. If anyone put the "great love" title on Jim, it was Freddie imo. And as much as I don't dig Mary, I don't think she ever made that claim either. The Mary thing has been pushed in docs for years now but admittedly, I don't remember Mary ever actually saying she was the love of his life and knew him better than anyone etc. That usually comes from Brian May, strangely enough. He seems a bit hooked on Mary. Mary actually said she had no idea how Freddie felt about her over the years because he never told her. She said she found his feelings out through interviews when he mentioned her. I get the feeling it was a friendship but not as soul-binding as the media and Brian wants people to believe. No doubt they were close, but he hid alot of himself from her even after he came out. Barbara is really the only one (and again, idk how much of this was LAJ) that I can remember ever claiming was the love of his life or he was hers. And from all accounts, Freddie saw her as a friend and nothing more. 99% of her stories in print are false. I have to wonder how much of it was made up in her own head. She didn't seem very stable. David I found to be refreshingly honest. He didn't sugar coat Freddie's nasty side, and yes Freddie did send them those letters and call him hubby too. Freddie did proclaim himself that David was a major love for him. So I can't really blame Minns for giving off that vibe. Jim and David, yeah, genuinely lovers and romantically loved by Freddie. Mary, very much a motherly, sisterly, close friendship. And Barbara seemed to be a friendship that he had outgrown well before his passing. At least, that's the feeling I got from Peter Freestone. There I go on another rant after I told myself I wouldn't anymore (nobody caaaaares) lmao sorry! |
| thundergod 16.11.2018 03:57 |
Hi C.Jory, You mean that woman is still around spreading her lies about Freddie\? Bless her nasty heart! She feels that she was an important part of Freddie's life. Dementia tends to do that. |
| thundergod 16.11.2018 04:01 |
Mister Cosmic...So BARBARA was the true love of his life. I wonder if she started a lawsuit |
| thundergod 16.11.2018 04:04 |
against Mary.when we all know, Barbara certainly deserved the inheritance. |
| thundergod 16.11.2018 04:21 |
Viliiers2, I love when you participate here. You have great knowledge about most of the stories fact and fiction! Please keep it up. You are very valuable to this site! Your friends, Thor and Lee |
| Villiers2 16.11.2018 04:22 |
Lmao there's this girl who obsesses over a relationship Freddie and Barbara never had. She's spent thousands of dollars buying unreleased photos (at public events where they had to kiss for the cameras or hold hands) and she claims it's "solid proof they were lovers. Freddie's friends just wanted him to be as gay as they were. He had to hide his women." When you explain the timeline to her and prove they never had a sexual relationship, she blocks you and rants about how nasty his gay friends were. Shame on you Thor, nasty boy lmao. She's even gone after Peter claiming he didn't live with Freddie and didn't know Freddie's love for the female body. His intense desire for Barbara's tonka truck bod must be why he left her entirely out of the will and denied having sex with her. He was mad with lust. Dense! |
| Villiers2 16.11.2018 04:23 |
Aw, thanks Thor. |
| thundergod 16.11.2018 04:31 |
Well, Viliers2, I must say that in keeping with our renewed policy to keep this a fun and truthful site. We should not body-shame, or we're no better than Donald Trump. But, I get what you were saying, I just don't want any of the good people here, even if they are heavy-set, not to shy away. I just lost 7 lbs, to my doctor's delight, but that was over a year,' and in my mind, that is not good enough. I need to lose about 40 more. Hey Villiers2, I did not mean to scold you...just keep you out of trouble, just as any friend would. |
| thundergod 16.11.2018 04:32 |
sorry.."to shy away" |
| Villiers2 16.11.2018 04:33 |
No no, you're right lol. I knew it was naughty when I typed it out! Whoops |
| thundergod 16.11.2018 04:36 |
You are forgiven, my friend. :) |
| Villiers2 16.11.2018 04:44 |
;) |
| thundergod 16.11.2018 04:50 |
Hello AO5, I liked your reply. I think you hit the nail on the head. |
| Charlies boy 16.11.2018 05:04 |
Did I see you mention Freddie flying out a friend of yours from Arizona or Texas? Did Freddie spend much time in the south then? I'm picturing BBQs for some reason. Forgive me but I was also shocked to read earlier in your thread that Freddie went out on a date with a man before anything happened between them. I haven't read as much as some others obviously have but I had the feeling most of his nights involved finding a man and rarely getting to know them if you know what I mean. It's nice to hear he did give some guys a chance to get to know him. |
| Charlies boy 16.11.2018 05:14 |
Sorry if you have answered this already but when you stayed over at Freddie's where did you stay? Did he put you guys up at a hotel or invite you to stay at the house? I understand there is an adjoining property next to his main house but I'm not sure if he owned it back then? |
| thundergod 16.11.2018 06:00 |
Hey Charlies boy, In New York, we didn't stay overnight at Freddie's. We all lived in Manhattan and even that snowstorm I mentioned stopped and then, Lee and I had a fun time playing in the snow close to my apartment on Christopher St., the Mecca of the gay world in the 70's and the 80's. In the book, you will see the snow-bench carved out that Lee and I posed for a picture. In London, Freddie had built a guest quarter that was called "The Mews" based on an old British notion of turning previously built horse stables into rooms. Of course, Freddie built them into luxurious suites with a giant Jacuzzi smack in the middle. You will also see a picture of that. |
| A05 16.11.2018 09:19 |
>>There I go on another rant after I told myself I wouldn't anymore (nobody caaaaares) lmao sorry! Villiers2, it is not a rant, it is a piece of valuable observation going into detail. Thank you. I was trying to say that of course, while Mary is a bit puzzled about "why am I given this large role now" and Jim is humble and Barbara obnoxious and David Miins extremely honest in a manly way, can we actually say that ANY of these people áre Freddie's "Love of his life"? I think this is to remain mystery... And thank you for mentioning about Brian's wanting Mary to be "Love of Freddie's Life". I haven't noticed it before. In Freddie's "Time" interview with Dave Clark in the beginning they exchange niceties and Dave Clark says something like "A girlfriend of mine in Germany..." and then Freddie goes "She is a girlfriend of mine too. We share". There will always be people who do not get the humour of it and will go "Freddie loves his threesome with Dave Clark ". Thor, thank you, this is really appreciated. |
| thundergod 16.11.2018 17:10 |
Hi Charlies boy- I realized that I missed your other question, so here it goes. Freddy flew my date from Houston in order to cheer me up one weekend when I was feeling a bit down. That happened the day before the snow party at Freddie's house. The second time was a date I found, in Phoenix, working as a bartender in a gay bar, However, this arrangement was for Freddie. As it turned out, Freddie's date from San Francisco turned up after a spat with Freddie. Therefore, I was left with the job of entertaining this hot guy - a very easy task. I took him off his job as a bartender (with the manager's permission). This was the end of our day trip to Phoenix and then back to Los Angeles. Freddie allowed him to come on board the Lisa Marie private jet (leased for the American portion of the Queen '82 tour) and reimbursed me for his return home ticket the next day which I did not even ask for. Generosity and fun - that was so Freddie... |
| thundergod 16.11.2018 17:11 |
Thank YOU AO5 for joining our discussion. |
| Blackvy 16.11.2018 19:15 |
thundergod wrote: Hey Charlies boy, In New York, we didn't stay overnight at Freddie's. We all lived in Manhattan and even that snowstorm I mentioned stopped and then, Lee and I had a fun time playing in the snow close to my apartment on Christopher St., the Mecca of the gay world in the 70's and the 80's. In the book, you will see the snow-bench carved out that Lee and I posed for a picture. In London, Freddie had built a guest quarter that was called "The Mews" based on an old British notion of turning previously built horse stables into rooms. Of course, Freddie built them into luxurious suites with a giant Jacuzzi smack in the middle. You will also see a picture of that.I can't wait to see those pictures Thor!. Any idea when will the book be released? |
| c.jory 16.11.2018 20:42 |
A05 wrote: In Freddie's "Time" interview with Dave Clark in the beginning they exchange niceties and Dave Clark says something like "A girlfriend of mine in Germany..." and then Freddie goes "She is a girlfriend of mine too. We share". There will always be people who do not get the humour of it and will go "Freddie loves his threesome with Dave Clark ".^ the above! I saw that video and as a logical person, I know Freddie's just mucking around but out there, you know there are people screaming with joy at that about "bisexual proof" and waving bi flags around hehe |
| c.jory 16.11.2018 20:46 |
Oh and to Thor...yes LAJ is still around lying. In the week the film was released in the UK, she did the rounds in the press, claiming he was addicted to women. Addicted. TO WOMEN. Alrighty then Lesley. If ya say so. It wouldn't be so bad if people didn't believe it. Some areas of social media are once again at war over Freddie's sexuality so I've chosen to stay away. I know I've said it before, but can't wait for the book. It will be nice to see him having the good times that weren't portrayed in BR. Gay men in that were just draped about like furniture with no dialogue. |
| Rainbow61 16.11.2018 21:35 |
Hi Thor, Did you, Lee, Freddie, and the guys ever talk about vacationing together? Maybe jetting down to the Caribbean or going to Rome or Paris or some other fabulous spot? I imagine schedule-wise, that would have been quite a challenge. On a completely unrelated note, did Freddie ever send you a card or call on your birthday once he left NYC? Did you guys contact him on his birthday after he moved away? Just out of curiosity, how do you usually celebrate your birthday, or Lee's, these days? I love birthdays....do not get why people don't want to have them...the alternative is not good! |
| thundergod 16.11.2018 21:47 |
Wow blackvy, I only wish I knew the answer as to when the book will be available. Yesterday I sent a few "update" messages to remind these publishers that we are still here. They take so long. They claim that they are swamped with material and answer them in order of when it was received. Please be patient with the final date. Lee and I have had to be. |
| thundergod 16.11.2018 22:07 |
Hey C.Jory, thank you, my thoughts exactly. |
| thundergod 16.11.2018 22:11 |
Hi Rainbow, Freddie loved birthdays as well. Lee and I (and previously Joe and John) got birthday cards for EVERY birthday. Many of the messages will appear on the book's inside cover. |
| thundergod 16.11.2018 22:24 |
Also Rainbow, As you guessed, blending of our time schedules was quite difficult We settled for 2-3 day trips like Montreal, Chicago, Houston and all over California during his 1982 American Tour. Anything longer depended on our vacation time available, which, again did not always work out. But the 3-day outings were absolutely memorable and joy-filled. I did a lot of foreign travel after 1985, but unfortunately, not with Freddie. All over Europe, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and the Amazon River in Equador, among other locations. |
| Rainbow61 16.11.2018 23:21 |
Thor, All that traveling sounds grand! I love to travel...but haven't done much outside the continental US. I went to Ireland for the first time this past September. It was my first trip to Europe. Admittedly, I don't have a lot of travel experience, but the Irish folk I met while on vacation were among the friendliest and nicest people I have EVER met...not to mention that Ireland is stunningly beautiful. I hope to return to that lovely island one day. So how did those 2-3 day trips get arranged...did Freddie unexpectedly call you up and ask you to join him, making it a spontaneous adventure...or did you know in advance you would be seeing him in these various cities throughout the 1982 tour? |
| Blackvy 16.11.2018 23:27 |
Thank you for your response, Thor! I'm very excited for the book. I hope the publishers wouldn't take that long, but I'll be patient :) |
| thundergod 17.11.2018 00:28 |
Hello again Rainbow, Except for the '82 American portion of the Queen tour, you guessed it, spontaneous decisions by Freddie to include us. Most trips, of course, were geared toward concerts outside of the normal tour schedule. Montreal, Russian River (1 hour outside of San Francisco) and Chicago were like that...last minute. Houston was a quick decision when Freddie said, "Girls, we need a holiday! That trip was not coordinated with a concert. Dear Phoebe took care of all the reservations and limousines. |
| Rainbow61 17.11.2018 01:04 |
Thor, This is the Freddie that was missing from the movie. Thank you for showing us his happier side. |
| Katydyd5 17.11.2018 02:14 |
In Phoebe's book he mentions that Freddie loved sending cards for birthdays. Then in his discussion about the movie he says that Freddie always carried his birthday book with him in his leather shoulder bag. I find that really endearing. Since you are including some of the messages as part of your book Thor, I guess you kept the cards. Every once in a while a card will show up on social media and it makes me wonder how many of them are floating around out there and how many were thrown out at some point. Peter Hince shared a Christmas card from Freddie in a recent televised interview, and I suppose some of those are out there too. I had also read that he enjoyed writing letters or post cards when he was on tour in the early years. My guess is a lot of people out there are kicking themselves now for discarding cards or letters that would have great sentimental value now, or perhaps even monetary value. I can tell you that if I had ever had any written communication from Freddie, it would be framed and hanging on the wall! |