QueenZone discussion #412300
Would Freddie have been fit enough to tour in 1989 ?
| Biggest Band On The Planet 28.10.2004 20:35 |
Would Freddie have been fit enough to tour in 1989 ? seeing him in the breakthrough video he looked like he was full of energy. |
| LiveAidQueen 28.10.2004 21:18 |
I don't think he would have been. |
| FriedChicken 28.10.2004 21:22 |
Nope. Since the doctors said he probably wouldn't even make it to see the release of The Miracle |
| Whisperer 28.10.2004 23:46 |
Release of Innuendo that was. |
| Regor 29.10.2004 04:33 |
For years I also thought "why didn't they go on a last tour in '89, he looked so good". He even gained some weight as it seemed from '87 to '89. But in the years after his death all the details of the lesions and the kaposi sarcoma which had already afflicted his body during that period were published. Also, in the video of "Scandal", especially in the behind-the-scenes footage he looks already really sick. So absolutely no possibility for a Tour. |
| brENsKi 29.10.2004 05:07 |
the breakthru video also gives a very deceptive view of how he was. that "short trainride" took nearly a whole day to film. in the documentary it's even commented on how they were losing the light so i think Freddie was possibly (due to his health) able to work for short bursts of time - which is even how much of the later music was made - they would all be available at short notice if he felt well enough. let's face it you can't have a gig where the lead singer leaves the stage every 10mins for a 15min rest....unless we're talking Br****y Sp***s |
| Sonja 29.10.2004 05:36 |
He looked good in the Breakthru video and also others from that time but I also think he looked terrible in the Scandal video. I think he had his ups and downs...there were times when he was feeling and looking pretty well but due the constant change of health status it would've been too risky to start a tour, never knowing how Freddie would feel the next day or week and if he'd be able to do a 2 hours show. |
| Nuno 29.10.2004 06:36 |
They wouldn't have got the Insurance for him either |
| Martin Packer 29.10.2004 08:44 |
I think the difference between "Breakthru" and "Scandal" videos is that in the former he looked like he was having fun. And in the latter he didn't, but then the subject matter was more serious. I think one can go overboard analysing the videos. Personally I'm fascinated at how they all worked to "news manage" the situation. Hats off to them for doing it, of course. But I also agree with people who've said we were in denial. An interesting one is the case of "Headlong". In that video Freddie looked much better than in "Slightly Mad". Headlong video was released after it. But my guess is it was made before Slightly Mad. As I've said before I think the signs were there from '86 onwards. In '86 it would just have been his more serious demeanour - he had something on his mind. And in case anyone finds this morbid - consider the fact that we emotionally invested very heavilty in Freddie (and probably the others too). Now consider anyone you personally invest in that you only see once in a while. You notice how they've changed, don't you? You care. Now why we should invest emotionally in people like Freddie, that's a whole 'nother debate. |
| Rien 29.10.2004 09:34 |
Headlong was indeed shot before These Are The Days. It was then mentioned in the fan magazine I think. And touring in 1989? The 1986 tour was their biggest ever, as I recall. Another tour in 1989 would be smaller and Freddie couldn't make it to the full - he knew that. It wasn't Queen's style to go on a "farewell tour" that couldn't be as good or better than the last one. No, it was the right decision to not tour again. Now we can recall to Queen's last tour as a huge and very successful one. |
| Martin Packer 29.10.2004 10:09 |
There is a shot in Headlong of some brick and stone arches - probably windows. Those same arches appear in the Innuendo video. So I think those two were shot together and could actually have been done as soon as the tracks were decided for release as singles. And there are no useful time clues in the Innuendo videos that I'm aware of. All one can say is "definitely after the Miracle videos were made". |
| Lester Burnham 29.10.2004 10:20 |
Whisperer wrote: Release of Innuendo that was.No, his doctors said he wouldn't finish it to the release of The Miracle. |
| deleted user 29.10.2004 12:34 |
Both Headlong and Innuendo were shot in November/December 1990. (though according to various sources some sequences of the Headlong-video were shot later on...). |
| gabriel79 29.10.2004 12:35 |
i don't think freddie was in "shape"in the hadlong video.he seems so fragile... |
| crowley 29.10.2004 13:46 |
Here are the exact dates of every video from "Innuendo" album: "Innuendo" December 1990 "I'm Going Slightly Mad" 15-02-1991 "Headlong" 23-11-1990 (Freddie in yellow blouse) April 1991 (Freddie in blue shirt) "These Are The Days Of Our Lives" 30-05-1991 (footgae of Brian was filmed later) "Show Must Go On" it was a compilation - 1991 |
| OrAnGe SoDa 29.10.2004 13:57 |
sure!from watching "the invisible man"video, he was hopping around the kid, sure he would have been fit enough! |
| deleted user 29.10.2004 15:17 |
The hopping and the prancing and the whatnot is very inconclusive in regards to Freddie's health. Be aware that shooting a video can take anywhere from 1 hour to 1 year, so your deductions are a bit skewed, say-o. |
| Mr Fred 29.10.2004 16:00 |
I don't think so, not for a real concert. But he looks very fit in the "the incisible Man" Video. so |
| deleted user 29.10.2004 16:28 |
'The Incisible Man' Poor fellow. Aren't we all? |
| Serry... 29.10.2004 18:47 |
I'm not sure about 'Headlong' filming dates (some of footages are dates to April 1991) - single was released in USA at the same time with UK's release of Innuendo, and I guess that two promo videos had to be showed at the same time... |
| Zander05 29.10.2004 19:18 |
With the amazing advances in medical science today - maybe he could have done another tour. But in '89, definately not. Because there wasn't as much known then, Freddie's health often got the best of him. One day, he'd be just fine, but maybe hours later, feel like sh*t. And also, with his health at the time, I don't think he'd be able to work with all the traveling and climate changes and all that stuff that can really mess with you. |
| iGSM 30.10.2004 00:29 |
No. Not at all. I think I'd rather remember The Magic Tour with it's gains rather than 'The Miracle' tour with it's losses. |
| SilverShoes 30.10.2004 03:31 |
Biggest Band On The Planet wrote: Would Freddie have been fit enough to tour in 1989 ? seeing him in the breakthrough video he looked like he was full of energy.I think Brian or Roger says when they were making The Miracle videos that Freddie was already very sick, and could only work for short periods of time before he had to rest. It's really easy to spend an entire day filming a video for a four minute song, then cut all the footage together to make it look "perfect". As others have said, it's pretty clear there's no way Freddie could have toured in 89. |
| Mr Coolest Cat 30.10.2004 10:11 |
NO |
| crowley 30.10.2004 16:15 |
It was a miracle that he was able to work so long to make a video. I guess if he tour that would ruin hi shealth entirely and it's possible that we wouldn't hear "Innuendo" album. And that would be a great loss. Yeah - I'm listening "Innuendo" album just right now, "I Can't Live With You" to be precise. |
| Roger_in_Tigerskin_Trousers 31.10.2004 04:20 |
remember a tour is not just 1 two hour concert, it's weeks of em. How would a dying man do them all? |
| deleted user 31.10.2004 09:04 |
He most probably definatly wouldn't be well enough. You can also tell just how ill he was because in the breakthru video he looked pretty fit and well but by the miracle he looked liked he had lossed alot of weight and looked fragile. I think he might just of been able to in early to mid 1988 though. |
| Brian_Mays_Wig 31.10.2004 11:16 |
lossed??? Anyway, Freddie looked better in that blue shirt than he did in the yellow jumper, im not too sure about it being filmed in april 91! Headlong was released in the uk on may 13th 91. TATDOOL was filmed in may 91 and Fred looked a hell of a lot worse than the HL vid, I dont think there was a 4 month gap in filming. Im glad they stopped in 86. Although I never saw them live, Id go with Rien, they would have had to go bigger than the Magic tour and Fred wouldnt have been upto it. If theyed have toured then Fred probably wouldnt have lasted as long as he did. And we might not have even seem MIH! |
| Serry... 31.10.2004 16:57 |
Actually Fred looks okay in all 'The Miracle' videos ('Scandal' has some unusual things with the lights and colors, maybe that's why he looks not good, but watch to 'A Kind Of Magic' - in the begining his face is about white, but it's just make-up and lights). We know he was sick and now we say 'he looks bad', but if'd back to 1989 we wouldn't say this. The same goes with 'Innuendo' video - I don't like when someone says that he wasn't filmed there because of his health. He filmed at Headlong, Slightly Mad, Days of our lives, but couldn't be in 'Innuendo'? It is a great and very art video and there is nothing connects with Freddie's health, otherwise what we could say about 'Under Pressure' and 'Bicycle Race'? Different kind of video and that's all. I don't think he could make a tour. Even his public appearances were so rare and short. Besides, even if he could, I'm not sure that he wanted... |
| Scirocco1977 31.10.2004 17:06 |
Actually, it seems pretty obvious that Freddie lost a lot of weight... and I still think that he looks 'odd' in the Scandal video... the Make-up looks so pale. Just strange. Breakthru however shows him in great spirit. Dunno why, but Freddie seemed to have changed much more than the other members, though I cannot tell you why. Nobody can tell you for sure whether he was in good enough shape. Only he himself. And we need fatty to communicate with him... |
| deleted user 31.10.2004 22:42 |
That'd be fun, Freddie dropping dead in the middle of the tour. Now that would be a good way to go... |
| Sicmot 01.11.2004 09:53 |
How exatcly can you deter when the surfacial changes started to show on Freddie's face/ appearance caused by Hiv..? I mean.. there was a photo taken late 86/early 87 where there's very clearly detectable changes around his eyes and cheeks.. lost of fat and something else.. |
| Pim Derks 01.11.2004 10:50 |
Ofcourse he was able to tour, the whole AIDS thing was just bogus. He was just too lazy to get his ass out of the chair! |
| FriedChicken 01.11.2004 10:53 |
You mean too lazy to get his ass off of that big negro cock |
| deleted user 01.11.2004 10:53 |
In GH2 dvd Brian satates that in the 1989 videos Freddie put his all into it but was very weak already, There is no way he would of had enough energy for 2 hours of concert ! also i believe that if He did feel able to do a concert he would of wanted to fit one more in ! im sure. |
| Pim Derks 01.11.2004 10:55 |
"You mean too lazy to get his ass off of that big negro cock" d'oh - chair is slang for BIG NEGRO COCK. |
| FriedChicken 01.11.2004 10:56 |
Oh, i'm not very into the whole gay slang world. But i'm glad you are! |
| Pim Derks 01.11.2004 10:57 |
Ofcourse - I'm a REAL Queen fan, darling! |
| Plengel 01.11.2004 17:54 |
So that means you'rew also a bi-sexual and have AIDS just like me? Yeah! We're real Queen fans! |
| Pim Derks 01.11.2004 18:54 |
I also have a moustache. |
| Regor 02.11.2004 04:10 |
There's an interview with Rudi and Hannes from DoRo in german magazine "musikexpress" from 1989, and they say something like: "Freddie is just tired of hopping around on stages around the world like a teenager. But that has nothing to do with the AIDS-thing, as the tabloids are currently rumouring. In fact, he is planning a sort of satellite-live-concert like Elvis' 'Aloha from Hawaii'-Broadcast." I do think that if that was actually really planned, he could have done that, like ONE show in Knebworth or Hyde Park broadcastet all over the world. What a pity it didnt happen... |
| Scirocco1977 02.11.2004 06:43 |
Were DoRo aware of Freddie's health? Just wondering... He never spelled it out to anybody. He just said he was ill; never mentioning HIV. As far as I know, the band knew, Montserrat Caballé knew (after their album, however)... who else did know? According to the quoted article, there were rumours about his health. I would not have imagined that they connected the not-touring situation with AIDS. |
| Regor 02.11.2004 07:04 |
There were rumours right after the Magic Tour, just because the tabloids connected HIV with everyone who was rumoured to be gay or bisexual. No, DoRo didnt know about his illness, as Rudi and Hannes stated in another article (in fact: an obituary) right after Freddies death in the same magazine. With the Quote mentioned above I think they were just reacting to the tabloid-rumours, as they were working with him and everythimg seemed to be alright. |
| goldenglobe 02.11.2004 14:29 |
i just want to agree that a tour was impossible in 1989. But i also want to mention Freddies last live concert: April 1988, Dominion Theatre. If I listen to the clear recording of "It's in everyone of us", -it seems that it must have been a great and powerful performance of Freddie. and that was infact, the last real concert of F:M. Take care. |
| NOTWMEDDLE 17.11.2004 02:41 |
<marquee><font color = green>Brenski wrote: the breakthru video also gives a very deceptive view of how he was. that "short trainride" took nearly a whole day to film. in the documentary it's even commented on how they were losing the light so i think Freddie was possibly (due to his health) able to work for short bursts of time - which is even how much of the later music was made - they would all be available at short notice if he felt well enough. let's face it you can't have a gig where the lead singer leaves the stage every 10mins for a 15min rest....unless we're talking Br****y Sp***sBratney Smears goes off to change clothes and chain smoke during her breaks. No wonder her voice goes south! |
| PainPleasure 10.09.2005 17:00 |
Serry... wrote: I'm not sure about 'Headlong' filming dates (some of footages are dates to April 1991) - single was released in USA at the same time with UK's release of Innuendo, and I guess that two promo videos had to be showed at the same time...This is it, Headlong was the first single for North America and Innuendo the one for UK. Actually Innuendo was never released as a single in the US like Slightly Mad... |
| NOTWMEDDLE 10.09.2005 19:15 |
crowley wrote: Here are the exact dates of every video from "Innuendo" album: "Innuendo" December 1990 "I'm Going Slightly Mad" 15-02-1991 "Headlong" 23-11-1990 (Freddie in yellow blouse) April 1991 (Freddie in blue shirt) "These Are The Days Of Our Lives" 30-05-1991 (footgae of Brian was filmed later) "Show Must Go On" it was a compilation - 1991Headlong was the first single from Innuendo released in January, 1991 here in America whilst it was released as single #3 in the UK. The title cut was first UK single and second US rock radio single in March here in the US. |
| Winter Land Man 10.09.2005 19:17 |
If you didn't understand this before, here is what I mean. John Deacon gave an interview in 1985. He told some rumours that he heard about Queen recently, and the press were calling him asking him if Freddie has AIDS. link link Bored? Depressed? Lonely? Cheer Up, So is John Deacon of Queen and he’s a millionaire. "Bored and depressed" by Queen’s recent inactivity, John Deacon faces flak from the HiT over Live Aid ad South Africa and talks about the brand new Queen single "One Vision". Well you know us anything to cheer him up……. The HiT has it on best authority that Stevie Wonder actually knows most of the Stevie Wonder jokes. Even laughs at some of them. Likewise John Deacon, bass player with Queen. He’s heard most of the Queen rumours – including the latest, and scuzziest, from Fleet Street… that Freddie Mercury has AIDS. "Well I heard someone asked – I think it was The Sun or something – because AIDS so much in the press at the moment." John explains. " So they ring up and want to know is it true? And if you say no, then it becomes ‘So and So denies etc, etc’ – I mean they can twist it anyway they want…." The AIDS rumour is the latest in a long line of scandals and stories that have dogged Queen – and particularly the controversial Freddie – since the band’s formation in 1973. In the last three years the gossip has become steadily more frequent, increasingly more vicious coinciding with Fleet Street’s pop-gossip circulation war and Queen’s rise from pomp-rock stars who have hits to a state of near pop perfection… It’s ironic then with Queen riding on the crest of a triumphant Live Aid appearance – and gossip plumbing new depths – that John Deacon, the quietest and most anonymous member of the group has pushed himself forward to speak… " I mainly did it because Pete Brown (a PR currently working for Deacon) asked me to do it. I mean we’ve ended up with a lot of time on our hands now 'cos we don’t work as hard as we used to so now I need something to fill up my time" The phrase has a hollow ring coming from a member of one of the world’s richest (the richest?) rock groups. Crushed He’s here ostensibly to talk about a new studio that he’s opened in London with partner Henry Crallen – formally a member of Queen’s road crew. And about a new single he’s working on with Hot Chocolate singer Errol Brown called ‘This is your time’ but he has little to say about either. He seems crushed down by the inactivity during Freddie’s album, then Roger’s – "I can’t make a solo album because I can’t sing" "We’re not so much a group anymore," he explains. "We’re four individuals that work together as Queen but our working together as Queen is now actually taking up les and less of our time. I mean I basically went spare, really, because we were doing so little. I got really bored and I actually got quite depressed because we had so much time on our hands." That slow drag for Deacon started around three years ago after the groups disappointing ‘Hot Space’ album. "We were disappointed with it too I think, so we really did talk about how we were going to attack the next album. With ‘The Works’ we decide to go more towards the things people associate with Queen." Live Aid The result was an album so successful that it raised Queen into a yet higher bracket of superstardom. A glorious run of hit singles – Radio Ga Ga, I Want To Break Free, Hammer To Fall, It’s A Hard Life – accompanied by deliciously camp videos, left Queen with more time than ever to slow up and bask in the glory. The brilliantly theatrical and exuberant appearance at Live Aid raised their status higher but it also gave them the impetus to record a brand new single ‘One Vision’. Since ‘Queen Greatest Hits’ climbed back up the charts as a resu |
| john bodega 11.09.2005 09:26 |
""Headlong" 23-11-1990 (Freddie in yellow blouse) April 1991 (Freddie in blue shirt)" I'm assuming you heard that on this site. It's wrong. He didn't do the blue shirt thing in April 1991. The Innuendo EPK is dated 1990, and it has that footage on it. As for his fitness to tour in 1989? No. I think maybe he might have been able to do a one-off show, at his absolute best health - but no tour. It is a shame - and when you see the Miracle videos you think 'he coulda done it!'. But it is all a clever ruse, as any video shoot can go on for days and days... in Brian's words, Freddie was 'already very ill'. Bummer that. Someone mentioned his last performance, in April 1988? I've heard one good quality mp3 out of that, and two bad ones (one of the bad ones was lip synched). Why did no one film it??? What a historic occasion! It's a pity it's got Cliff Richard singing over him, Freddie sounded pretty good. |
| maxpower 11.09.2005 12:53 |
I cant honestly believe people even think like this, the disproportionate ageing of Freddie from 1986 to the brit awards in 1990, is clear enough proof that he was on borrowed time. Queen used to knock albums out in a few months, but their final two albums were pretty much recorded back to back Jan 1988 - Nov 1990 (& those few tracks post Innuendo)& if you add the Barcelona project into that from 1987-88, he crammed more into those final 4 years that can be expected. Maybe Queen could have took the success of 86 magic tour into 1987, maybe gone to Japan, back to Europe or even to the States in those early months say March thru to May 1987... but rest assured Freddie probably would have collaped on stage & later die in hospital, I personally prefer the way he did it. He bowed out at the vey top at Knebworth & continuted to work until he couldnt anymore |
| kdj2hot 11.09.2005 14:20 |
First of all I dont see John suspecting that Freddie has HIV or AIDS in that interview you posted. That's how misinformation get started because you make a false statement and then back it up by posting proof that dispute your statement or doesnt mention what you said at all and if someone doesnt take the time to read the link you posted, they would go around spreading your false comment...a pet peeve of mine, dear. A Queen special would've been nice, like a heavily edited "Christmas with Queen" special with fan club members in the audience in decemeber 90 would've been a nice way to promote the reissue of their catalogue from Hollywood records. A few classic songs mixed in with a few songs from Innuendo and the Miracle. But obviously that sounds like it would've been impossible based on what you peeps are saying about his health from even 89... Maybe a rough show, maybe 2 or 3 songs...too tacky, the beatles did it... Was Freddie singing about a personal expeience during the jam session that spawned Khashoggi's ship, the "who said that my party was all over, uh huh I'm in pretty good shape, the best years of my life was like a supernova, perpetual craze" I ask because the song kinda takes a turn, kinda like the latter verses of "Was it all worth it" |
| Winter Land Man 11.09.2005 17:01 |
Sorry, but I'm not meaning John Deacon said he is HIV, I mean the press. The press already said Freddie might be HIV positive right after HIV, and John Deacon was discussing it in an interview. The reason I posted the interview thingy is because someone said the rumors began after Wembly, when it started in '85 |
| john bodega 11.09.2005 23:02 |
Ah. As for Kashoggi's Ship, don't be surprised if their is anything autobiographical in any of the songs. There is no lost tape of Freddie crying at the camera in an interview talking about AIDS, but the songs are full of what the band think about it. |
| Asterik 27.10.2005 06:49 |
Freddie probably wouldn't have been able to tour by then though he does look well on Breakthru and seems in high spirits during the making of on GVH2. However, you see a marked contrast on Scandal, where he looks very gaunt. It seems that his health must have gone down hill very quickly because he looks fine at the Barecelona concert in October '88 (in fact, if anything he looks a little overweight). I think I recall an interview with Q magazine shortly afterwards where he said that he was looking forward to doing live work again with Queen (they were recording The miracle at the time), so it was either Freddie pretending or a serious decline from early '89 onwards that stopped any live activity. The Q article is called Opera Ahoy; has anyone read it? |
| Fairy 27.10.2005 07:48 |
I believe he was not fit to tour for a simple reason: I think that if he had been fit enough he would have toured. |
| abe 27.10.2005 09:14 |
firstly, I have a question. Is there any footage or pics of Mercury's last performsance in October 88?? Now to my point on Mercury being able to perform in 1989, Asterik is spot on. Mercury's health had significantly declined throughout the year of 1989, as stated before Mercury's appearances in each of the video shoots for 'The Miracle' album showed him to becoming increasingly frail and gaunt. It appears from late 1988 to mid 1989, it is where the horrible AIDS disease started to really hit Mercury and eat him alive. I dont mean by any means to be smart when I say that, but the evidence is clearly there by looking at press photos and the videos, no matter how much effort the make up crew tried to cover his appearances. Ive seen pics of the band for the "I want it All" video, and despite the new look beard, Mercury does look well, Breakthru he looks ok, lost a bit of weight though, have a look at the making of videos in the GH2 DVD, Mercury keeps having to pull up his pants, and he is looking more like a matchstick!and the marks and blemishes on his face do protrude. By 'Scandal' and "The Miracle" clips, we know something isn't quite right with Mercury, the clothes are beginning to really hang from him. So I really don't think a tour would of been possible for him, and besides with the lesions on his body, Mercury would be mindful that given he would get hot and sweaty during a concert, if he were to remove any clothing i.e shirt/ tops, we would be exposed to the more physical implacations of his condition. Yes, I think a one off tv performance would of been nice, however Mercury most likely would not want to run the risk of his illness being exposed or even impacting on him. Even his last ever live performance in October 88 was mimed, as he had health issues around his voice. A result of the progession of AIDS?? Most Likely. I think more likely a tour or series of shows in 1987/88 would of been more realistic. |
| Asterik 27.10.2005 10:17 |
firstly, I have a question. Is there any footage or pics of Mercury's last performsance in October 88?? Abe- you can see the '88 concert on the Freddie Mercury solo DVD which features The great pretender, living On my Own etc. as well. They "perform" 3 songs, Baecelona, How Can I Go on and The Golden Boy. Freddie looks pretty well here. He is wearing heavy make-up and looks slightly flabby in the face but the difference between him there and on the later Miracle videos is extraordinary. Put a moustache on him on the concert and he wouldn't look significantly different to how he did on the Who Wants To Live Forever video. Something must have gone wrong very quickly... |
| john bodega 27.10.2005 10:41 |
"Something must have gone wrong very quickly..." Yeah well, AIDS can do that. There are two foties of his last non-mimed performance at this very site. It's April '88, he looks a bit fat in the face. I can't remember where they are... just look through the Freddie section you'll see 'em. :D |
| abe 28.10.2005 04:17 |
Asterik, thankyou for that, a good mate of mine has that collection, I will check it out. |
| John.Simon 07.02.2012 02:54 |
Some scenes were filmed clip Headlong in November and December 1990. Freddie was wearing a yellow sweater, March / April 1991 it is all |
| Hangman_96 07.02.2012 07:40 |
John.Simon wrote: Some scenes were filmed clip Headlong in November and December 1990. Freddie was wearing a yellow sweater, March / April 1991 it is all Where is your info from? I've heard the yellow sweater scenes were filmed in January 1991. The video had been finished by that time. It couldn't be filmed March/April 1991. |
| Micrówave 07.02.2012 15:00 |
John Simon wrote: Freddie was wearing a yellow sweater, March / April 1991 it is all What, no pants? |
| matt z 07.02.2012 18:01 |
Micrówave wrote:ZING!! ;)John Simon wrote: Freddie was wearing a yellow sweater, March / April 1991 it is allWhat, no pants? |
| Dane 08.02.2012 06:48 |
These days a lot of big bands do shows in theaters in a sort of unplugged way. If only this concept would have been around back then I think probably they could have done a small European tour.. Like the VH1 Storytellers series.. Would have been awesome |
| matt z 02.03.2012 14:42 |
one word: No. |
| brENsKi 03.03.2012 10:01 |
Fairy wrote: I believe he was not fit to tour for a simple reason: I think that if he had been fit enough he would have toured.no. no. no. and NO again "fit" to tour doesn't come into consideration. think it through....even if and it's a huge "IF", he'd taken medication and it had kept HIV in check and Freddie had felt fit enough to work properly there is still a huge difference between being fit and undertaking a world tour no matter how fit he may have been - a world tour would've killed him. the very nature of HIV is that many uncomplicated viruses and diseases that healthy people contract everyday without serious effect, would likely have a major impact on someone with HIV...Freddie would NEVER have taken that risk - had he managed to take medicine that controlled his health better |
| Voice of Reason 2018 05.03.2012 08:00 |
I think that he might have been up to it but decided that he had better preserve his health. After he died someone suggested that his weight gain for The Miracle could have been down to medication. That made sense to me in hindsight. |
| vell001 17.07.2012 05:58 |
Could someone very kindly point me to where I can download or watch the Innuendo EPK |
| Vocal harmony 17.07.2012 13:31 |
A show was planned, not a tour, as such. They were going to play a small number of key cites, similar to what Pink Floyd did with the Wall. The venues were going to be called The Miracle Pavillion, for the night. I believe venues were discussed but it never got beyond the planning stage. A reflection of Freddie's condition maybe. . . . |
| Queenman!! 18.07.2012 13:48 |
Regor wrote: For years I also thought "why didn't they go on a last tour in '89, he looked so good". He even gained some weight as it seemed from '87 to '89. But in the years after his death all the details of the lesions and the kaposi sarcoma which had already afflicted his body during that period were published. Also, in the video of "Scandal", especially in the behind-the-scenes footage he looks already really sick. So absolutely no possibility for a Tour.That was no weight. Those were the side-effect of the medicines he took. |
| jazzrazzmatazz 18.07.2012 21:10 |
well I think he was already pretty tired of touring after The Magic Tour! but no, he wouldn't have been fit for '89 tour. once you have a full-blown AIDS, it automatically attacks your immune system and there's no way you can help it or feel better, your body is only getting worse each day. and that "chubby" period that Freddie had circa 1987 was no weight. those were corticosteroids he took which make you put on a lot of weight in no time. |
| Kahle33 19.07.2012 07:53 |
A healthy 43 year old man would have trouble doing what Freddie did let alone someone with AIDS. He might have been able to do one show with limited movement and sitting at a piano most of the time. But that wasn't Freddie. If he couldn't dance around the stage like crazy I couldn't see him doing a show. Even in "Those are the days of our lives" you can tell he wants to dance. The guy can barely stand and he is trying to move to the music. |
| Sicmot 22.07.2012 05:42 |
So with corticosteroids he tried to boost his immune response and absolute cd4 (white cell) number.. which unfortunately works the opposite way. It only gives hiv more food to consume and stressing immune system on the verge of breakdown. I wonder why he gave up the blood transfusions. It would make sence you can cope a long time by replacing your circulating blood. replacing the lost white cells and flushing out the hiv particles. |
| Snackpot 22.07.2012 16:04 |
In hindsight we're quite fortunate that we even got the Magic tour. Reading about it, it seems as if Freddie put off getting tested for a long, long time. If he had got tested earlier than he did there may not have been a Magic tour even. If he had got tested in 1986 he would have almost certainly have tested positive. From that stand point, even if he wasn't to become sick for another year or two, embarking in a gruelling tour would have been just out of the question. |
| Holly2003 22.07.2012 16:26 |
Lot of Aids junkies on Queenzone. |
| beautifulsoup 26.07.2012 16:03 |
To answer the original question: Absolutely not. |
| BradMay 29.04.2014 17:39 |
Freddie wasn't able to do a world tour. I think that after the first 2 songs he would've gone of stage to vomit or something like that, for a middle aged man it's a killer workout to do, so a man with full blown aids would've collapsed at the end of the show and possibly never wake up again. Freddie could've done a one off show at the end of '88 or beginning of '89 to promote The MIracle (And i dont mean a real big show in a stadium, but something like a small theatre show with 5-6 songs being played) But i highly doubt that he wanted to do that because he couldn't deliver the songs anymore, or atleast.. He still could, but not with the energy he had... And besides that... All the problems that HIV brings, i highly doubt that he would've survived for 2-3 songs under those bright hot lights, even when he was sitting on a stool, i think he would've fainted.. So, no ... He never could've pull it off. We should be proud of Freddie that he did the 2 mimed performances in '87 and '88 and that he performed a few songs during "Time" in '88 |
| Apocalipsis_Darko 29.04.2014 19:43 |
I think a short acoustic unique concert perhaps....tour? Impossible.... |
| matt z 29.04.2014 20:06 |
Still answering NO. Even though those alleged miracle pavilion gigs were probably planned (to relieve speculation, possibly avoid rigorous touring liability health insurance? ) I could only see them doing an awards show. But, (forgive me if I'm wrong) but those BMI shows didn't usually feature music acts did they? (*special performance by Queen! ) |
| musicland munich 29.04.2014 20:19 |
^Queen were also announced in 1989 to do a performance in german TV show "Wetten Dass" This was already printed in the TV-Mags and was announced by the show host - of course they didn't appear. |
| The Real Wizard 30.04.2014 00:04 |
musicland munich wrote: ^Queen were also announced in 1989 to do a performance in german TV show "Wetten Dass" This was already printed in the TV-Mags and was announced by the show host - of course they didn't appear.Do you know precisely what date that was supposed to be on? If it was in a TV guide, it shouldn't be hard to track down.. |
| musicland munich 30.04.2014 01:15 |
Actually. Not right now - but I will look out for that. This story is backed up by a lot of german fans and I personally saw one TV guide back in the days. I will have look at the shows history and contact the former host via facebook ( he is a Queen/ classic rock fan himself) So maybe he could be interested... In 89'there were only eight "Wetten Dass" Shows. So if they wanted to support "The Miracle" (German release Date May 22 1989) the suspected shows 8 April 89' Saarbrücken ( far fetched) in that show The Munich Symphonic Sound Orchestra performed " We are the champions" 13 May 89' (Innsbruck/Austria) 10 June 89' Dortmund.....Summer break...next show in September |
| matt z 30.04.2014 03:16 |
/queenzone/416223.html A quick Google search returned this informative post from QZ 04' .... it also mentions an alternate promo performance of the great pretender on a German show "4 gegen willi" .... go figure. |
| brENsKi 01.05.2014 10:54 |
Apocalipsis_Darko wrote: I think a short acoustic unique concert perhaps....tour? Impossible....Freddie Mercury Un(butt)plugged ? :-) |
| Apocalipsis_Darko 01.05.2014 18:12 |
Yes ;) |
| Zamidoo 12.06.2014 06:24 |
It was a miracle that he was even alive in 1989, given the prognosis of his illness at that time. It is incredible that he was able to go on singing and recording, and appearing in videos. That is one of the many reasons people still love and admire him. But there is no way he would have been able to tour. |
| Costa86 12.06.2014 08:39 |
Hmm a ten year old thread. Damn, how I miss 2004, it was one of the best years... I noticed Zebonka was a lot less cynical in his 2004 posts. Getting older does that to you, I know. Anyhow, Freddie touring in 1989? Not unless the tour took place in his bed. The poor man was as fragile as a one-winged butterfly by then. I'm surprise he even finished so majestically the massive 1986 Magic Tour - he was already on the brink of full blow AIDS by then. It's a testimony to his strength, in a way. |
| luthorn 19.06.2014 17:18 |
i find this topic pointless given there was no tour in 1989 and we cannot turn the clock back to get a tour in 1989. Heck, maybe there was a tour, but some timetraveller went back and changed things so Fred lives to 1991 and makes Innuendo. Have you guys thought of that? Freddie dropped dead on a live tour in 1989, but thanks to special warping of space time continuum Freddie squeezed one more album out of him. The bad news, the cure for AIDS has not been invented in the future. |
| RafaelS 19.06.2014 17:23 |
Freddie didn't have the energy to give interviews at that time. Do you really think he would find the energy to give a show? Pointless topic. |
| Marcos Napier 23.06.2014 00:00 |
I think he also looks very frail in the IWIA video already. I remember reading about the release of Miracle in some local paper, about a month before or so (remember, no internet then...) and there was a picture of them from probably 88, and also some mention of troubles during the recording due to "an undisclosed illness" of Freddie. And looking at the pic, you could really tell what it was. Only terminal cancer would make him look like that, and if it was cancer, he probably would have told about it. When I saw them in Rock In Rio, my first impression was that Freddie was "fat" (he had a noticeable belly), but then the belly went away for Live Aid. That could have been a very early sign, I guess. I had one neighbour that lived in my building that died of AIDS in the mid-90's, his health went downhill in like 6 months the most. I didn't meet him that often but once I saw him coming back at lunch time, and he was carrying a suitcase that seemed to weigh a ton. He was already looking pale and thinner, and half of his hair had gone, and I had seen him the last time about 2 months earlier at some concert. A month later, he was dead. Imagine having this horrible disease and having to physically work for 2 hours, plus travelling day in day out... impossible. Even if he did occasional concerts, it would be too much of a risk. |
| ploughman 23.06.2014 00:46 |
Freddie atleast looked quite well and ok through the whole 1987-88 period. And he was actually, since he was doing Barcelona and Miracle albums then, where he is on wonderful voice, maybe the best in his career. He had energy to give interviews but he just didnt, because they wanted to avaid some questions. There is a great 1 hour radio interview from May 1989 where the whole band is. During 1989 his condition seemed to detoriate. Just compare his outlooks from I Want it All video until Scandal video. They were done in 6month interval and on "Scandal" he is starting to look a bir frail already. During that time they were already recording song for Innuendo. |
| Vocal harmony 23.06.2014 11:30 |
Yes he could have done all the shows lounging on a sofa! |
| kdj2hot 25.06.2014 21:23 |
Marcos Napier wrote: I think he also looks very frail in the IWIA video already. I remember reading about the release of Miracle in some local paper, about a month before or so (remember, no internet then...) and there was a picture of them from probably 88, and also some mention of troubles during the recording due to "an undisclosed illness" of Freddie. And looking at the pic, you could really tell what it was. Only terminal cancer would make him look like that, and if it was cancer, he probably would have told about it. When I saw them in Rock In Rio, my first impression was that Freddie was "fat" (he had a noticeable belly), but then the belly went away for Live Aid. That could have been a very early sign, I guess. I had one neighbour that lived in my building that died of AIDS in the mid-90's, his health went downhill in like 6 months the most. I didn't meet him that often but once I saw him coming back at lunch time, and he was carrying a suitcase that seemed to weigh a ton. He was already looking pale and thinner, and half of his hair had gone, and I had seen him the last time about 2 months earlier at some concert. A month later, he was dead. Imagine having this horrible disease and having to physically work for 2 hours, plus travelling day in day out... impossible. Even if he did occasional concerts, it would be too much of a risk.A Queen sppecial prerecorded concert with a small intimate audience wouldve been nice to celebrate innuendo. It being taped wouldve been a good way to hide the illness too. I dont know why Disney didnt put that together for the rereleases and innuendo to promote |
| kdj2hot 25.06.2014 21:23 |
Marcos Napier wrote: I think he also looks very frail in the IWIA video already. I remember reading about the release of Miracle in some local paper, about a month before or so (remember, no internet then...) and there was a picture of them from probably 88, and also some mention of troubles during the recording due to "an undisclosed illness" of Freddie. And looking at the pic, you could really tell what it was. Only terminal cancer would make him look like that, and if it was cancer, he probably would have told about it. When I saw them in Rock In Rio, my first impression was that Freddie was "fat" (he had a noticeable belly), but then the belly went away for Live Aid. That could have been a very early sign, I guess. I had one neighbour that lived in my building that died of AIDS in the mid-90's, his health went downhill in like 6 months the most. I didn't meet him that often but once I saw him coming back at lunch time, and he was carrying a suitcase that seemed to weigh a ton. He was already looking pale and thinner, and half of his hair had gone, and I had seen him the last time about 2 months earlier at some concert. A month later, he was dead. Imagine having this horrible disease and having to physically work for 2 hours, plus travelling day in day out... impossible. Even if he did occasional concerts, it would be too much of a risk.A Queen sppecial prerecorded concert with a small intimate audience wouldve been nice to celebrate innuendo. It being taped wouldve been a good way to hide the illness too. I dont know why Disney didnt put that together for the rereleases and innuendo to promote |
| kdj2hot 25.06.2014 21:27 |
i just had a thought pop in. when brian says freddie downed vodka did he really mean snorted cocaine to get those bursts of energy....things that make you go hmmmmmm? Did Brian get Hep from shooting up drugs with a needle? |
| Day dop 26.06.2014 10:43 |
There's a huge difference between darting around for a minute in front of the camera then having a break until the next shot - and going on a tour where you have to keep it up for a couple of hours. I don't think Freddie would've been well enough at all. |
| Day dop 26.06.2014 10:43 |
I saw a comment on this thread saying Freddie looked better in the Headlong video than in Slightly Mad. I can't agree with that. Seeing Headlong was the first real shocker for me - far more than Scandal and The Miracle - Freddie had got incredibly skinny, fragile and weak looking by Headlong, and the camera never stayed on him long before changing shots (obviously very short bursts of energy) - whereas in Slightly Mad he's covered in make up with a wig, and bright lightning, so it's harder to tell. I thought it was a good look he pulled off in that video too. It's a good Queen vid. |