| Freddie-B 26.03.2005 11:06 |
Elton John says on the Wembley DVD that he doesn't think that the four of them get on very well, and there have always been stories of them falling out with each other for a long time-I just wondered what anyone thought about the state of the friendships between the four of them at any given time? Obviously I don't think they hated each other, and I'm sure they all have a great friendship and sort of deep connection to one another, but do you think that the four of them fundamentally liked one another? |
| Drowse 1 26.03.2005 14:08 |
My take on it is like this. When they were starting out I feel they were all very supportive of each other because they were all going through the same experiences. They could rely on each other. As their stars started to rise and the continuous contact with each other due to touring and recording schedules probably added to any stress within the band. So infighting can occur. Taking a break in 83 was good for morale. They came back rested and anxious to work. Still seeing each other socially. But they came full circle it seems after they stopped touring and Freddie became ill. Once again they were supportive of each other and wanted to keep making music. I think they were more than friends. That was a brotherhood and a sense of family. |
| doremi 26.03.2005 14:43 |
Drowse 1 wrote: My take on it is like this. When they were starting out I feel they were all very supportive of each other because they were all going through the same experiences. They could rely on each other. As their stars started to rise and the continuous contact with each other due to touring and recording schedules probably added to any stress within the band. So infighting can occur. Taking a break in 83 was good for morale. They came back rested and anxious to work. Still seeing each other socially. But they came full circle it seems after they stopped touring and Freddie became ill. Once again they were supportive of each other and wanted to keep making music. I think they were more than friends. That was a brotherhood and a sense of family.Well said Drowse. They were all just young friends and musicians with the same goals and aspirations in the beginning. Fame & money hadn't yet come about or gotten in the way. They pretty much lived together and helped one another out, even financially. They even had odd jobs together, like Roger & Freddie running their stall at Kensington Market. They were buddies who were trying to make a go at music and with Queen. When fame, money, celebrity..as well as what you were saying...being cooped up together constantly on tour, on the road, and in the recording studio came about, so did unhealthy frictions and perhaps egos. Also, some friction was kind of healthy...in the 1983-1985 or so years, each member was evolving creatively and wanted to "spread their wings" so to speak, each by exploring solo projects that sometimes headed down different and refreshing musical directions or genres than Queen did. Plus each member realized that each had unique and integral contributions to the band, each was a songwriter, everyone but John could sing...so it was only a matter of time that Freddie, Roger, Brian, & John would want to at least explore the possibility of other projects or a solo career, or artistic collaborations and projects with other artists, etc. In this case, whatever creative and/or personal reasons that had Brian, Freddie, Roger & John all take a break from one another and from both some healthy friction, and some unhealthy friction, 2 things brought the band together and with a stronger dynamic than ever...their heralded performance at Live Aid... and yes...Freddie's illness which came about around the same time give or take either 1985, or 1986 (depending on what source you read), as Live Aid. With many people, illness drives them apart, the strain or inability to cope. In this case, it was the total opposite. Roger, Brian, John, all rallied around Freddie and were steadfast in supporting one another, and staying together, not only as 4 musicians in the same band, but as 4 friends who had literally grown up together, from their college days as kids really, all growing up together through some 3 decades, and growing older...wiser, experiencing life together...and appreciating life together. I think everyone really set all silly agendas or egos aside and it took what many would have viewed as a major tragic circumstance, and instead it turned into a life transforming realization and experience for all 4 members. They remembered what really is important...and the way things had been in the beginning, their mutual friendship, admiration for one another, affection for one another, how each member's creativity was an equal, essential, element that made Queen the GREAT band that it is...and they derived and showed strength in the face of adversity. I personally think "Innuendo" is one of Queen's greatest albums from their entire catalogue and the final songwriting and recorded tracks that were later used for "Made In Heaven" showed their stalwart hope and determination to keep on going on...together, even as Freddie's illness got worse, as ironically their worki |
| Q-Nick 26.03.2005 15:14 |
Roger and Brian have seemed to be very very close for the last few of years; in my opinion since around the start of the Millennium, and particuarly since the opening of the Musical (sorry!) and the subsequent live performances since that period. Obviously we only see whats happened in public, so the friendships might have been just as strong, but not as evidant to us. The strength pre-2000 makes me think back to things such as NOBY and Brian's appearance during Roger's gig in Wolverhampton in 1999. |
| Serry... 26.03.2005 18:17 |
"We were all four literally quite close to each other!" John Deacon, 1997 |
| ernie 26.03.2005 18:21 |
Serry Funster wrote: "We were all four literally quite close to each other!" John Deacon, 1997maybe he meant in physical space ;) |
| Scott_Mercury 26.03.2005 19:58 |
Hmmm... I think Roger and Freddie were always very, very close. I know that Roger was the first person in the band who knew Freddie had AIDS. Freddie always like John, and John always looked up to Freddie. John has said that in the early days, even though he was in the same band as Freddie, that he always felt "awestruck" when ever he was around Freddie. What stopped John and Freddie from being real close in the early days, is John and Freddie were living 2 completely different lives.....John and his wife were having a kid every 5 weeks, and Freddie was like a gay rooster calling out "Any cock 'll do"! Or something like that?? By the 1980's, I think Freddie stood up for John alot.... and Brian has admitted that alot of John's ideas never would have happened without the support of Freddie. John and Freddie also seemed to write together in the 1980's on several songs. Freddie and Brian were also close, but each could probably be viewed as the equivelent of Queen's "Lennon and McCartney".... Brian and Freddie really were the leaders. I will always maintain that if Brian or Freddie is not there, then its simply impossible to have any music resembling Queen.....as Brian and Freddie's parts in the band are not replaceable. |
| Lester Burnham 26.03.2005 23:25 |
For some reason, I got the impression that they were close, but not the greatest friends outside of the band. They all lead extremely different and varied lives, and I don't think they really hung out with each other apart from onstage or in the studio. Even when they had time to themselves, they all had their own circles of friends and preferred to give each other their space. I'm sure in the early days they were a lot closer (actually, I wonder who roomed with whom?), but as time dragged on, they sort of separated, just as any band is wont to do. And they did have their fights, but not on the grand scale of The Who or any of them - they never aired their dirty laundry in public, which sort of disappoints me. I'd've liked to see John or Brian get really really angry sometime between 1980 and 1984 and just really let it rip, get all their pent up frustrations out. |
| Scott_Mercury 27.03.2005 00:26 |
Lester- It has been said from several inside sources that, for example, on the first 2 world tours that Roger and Freddie will inseperable, and that John and Brian hung out together. John ad Brian would usually ride up front of the jet... demand it be quiet, and would rest or watch a movie. Meanwhile, Mercury and Taylor would be in the back of the jet, and thats where the PARTY would be. Roger and Freddie were seen together alot outside of music from 1973-1986.... after the 1986 tour, Freddie settled down with Jim... and Roger was kept busy by the ladies and his children. _________________________________________________ You must remember, these 4 guys all lived with each other at one time, and still.... for the most part, saw each other more from 1971-1991 then they did their own families. They were 4 different people....but get any 4 people together.... and you will find 4 TOTALLY DIFFERENT PEOPLE. |
| Lester Burnham 27.03.2005 03:04 |
Yes, but what I'm saying is that they didn't hang out as friends on their days off or anything. Whenever they had the chance, I'm sure they would try to stay as far away from each other as possible. Brian even said when they were in Munich, they would all hang out with their own friends and the only time they would see each other would be in the studio to record. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure they were great friends in the studio, but like with any band, they weren't all best friends or anything. Peter Freestone actually said so in his book about Freddie. |
| wstüssyb 27.03.2005 03:15 |
I think Roger and Freddie were always very, very close. I know that Roger was the first person in the band who knew Freddie had AIDS. LOL...I think every one knew that Freddie told the band he was sick, but never adimting what he had basically. You knew? how do you know? Really, Inquiering mind's wanna know. |
| Serry... 27.03.2005 08:44 |
ernie wrote:It was his answer to the question:Serry Funster wrote: "We were all four literally quite close to each other!" John Deacon, 1997maybe he meant in physical space ;) "Is it truth that you were more close to Freddie in the last years than Brian and Roger?" |
| April Lady 27.03.2005 17:41 |
Of course Brian and Roger had some pretty major rows in the early 80s. You should have heard them. |
| Lord Blackadder 28.03.2005 08:11 |
Freddie-B wrote: Elton John says on the Wembley DVD that he doesn't think that the four of them get on very well, and there have always been stories of them falling out with each other for a long time-I just wondered what anyone thought about the state of the friendships between the four of them at any given time? Obviously I don't think they hated each other, and I'm sure they all have a great friendship and sort of deep connection to one another, but do you think that the four of them fundamentally liked one another?What Elton actually said was 'I don't think the four of them get on very well together, from time to time'. Inter-band squabbling is common in the studio, I mean look at The Who for Gods sake. Freddie, John, Brian and Roger were all friends obviously, if they really couldn't get on at all they would never had stayed together for how long they did. |
| Josuè 28.03.2005 12:11 |
They hated each other. They just made it for the money. |
| doremi 28.03.2005 14:20 |
Here's some info and a quote from an article that raises some questions and sheds some light about John's relationship with his bandmates at least in the 1/30/2005 Sunday Mail newspaper written by Wendy Leigh & Adam Luck. Also, this same information is in the Biography, "Queen The Early Years" by Mark Hodkinson written in 1995. On the one hand...while Freddie attended John's wedding which was what either a friend or colleague would do...the article goes on to say..Privately though, even then Deacon felt detached from his colleagues. He once said quote ...John "We all have our own friends. I would never think of going round to Fred's house and he would never come to mine. We are just poles apart in that sense." I also think that Roger & Freddie were VERY tight and close though. Freddie must have felt he could truly trust Roger not just with news of his illness, but that Roger would not be "put off" by the fact that Freddie had a disease (AIDS) which alot of ignorant people who don't understand, still, get put off by, or think they will catch, or place a stigma on the person who has the disease. Freddie must have known what an understanding and openminded and supportive person Roger would be. Can someone tell me where they read ot heard that Freddie told Roger that he had AIDS first? |
| igormiskovic 28.03.2005 15:32 |
I think ALL OF YOU are missing the point. Maybe I can see it better because I am a musician, but I think when you dedicate your life to making music, and then as a vehicle choose 3 more people, all creating something magical and beautifull together it's more than friendship, it's something like a love. Don't forget that. What is more close relationship than the one with the person you merge your dreams and ideas with. There is no. igormiskovic |
| Fireplace 28.03.2005 16:50 |
igormiskovic wrote: I think ALL OF YOU are missing the point. Maybe I can see it better because I am a musician..Or maybe you are simply suffering from a superiority complex...... |
| Drowse 1 28.03.2005 19:16 |
Hey Igor, so what if you're a musician and can throw out such wisdom. Don't knock the other opinions of the people posting here just because you assume their not musicians and you are. You're only 19 and probably haven't experienced any success in music yet so don't come across as if you've got the answers here. |
| igormiskovic 29.03.2005 13:47 |
You miss the point again. I am sorry if my previus post looked like I wanted to talk about myself, I don't. I just say OF COURSE THEY WERE MORE THEN FRIENDS they created music together! |
| doremi 29.03.2005 14:30 |
Scott_Mercury wrote: Hmmm... I think Roger and Freddie were always very, very close. I know that Roger was the first person in the band who knew Freddie had AIDS.Scott, please tell me how you found out that Freddie told Roger 1st that he had AIDS? |
| ryancoke 29.03.2005 14:48 |
igormiskovic wrote: I think ALL OF YOU are missing the point. Maybe I can see it better because I am a musician...What do you play? If you lived in Canada, perhaps we can put a band together and play some Queen! |
| Scott_Mercury 29.03.2005 17:36 |
Hi guys... As far as Roger knowing first, here is what I have been told. Peter Freestone claims that Freddie told his sister, and Roger that he was HIV positive together, at his home, sometime in late August 1986. Peter says Freddie told the whole band in September 1986. _________________________________________________ Peter Freestone says that Freddie took his first HIV test in 1985, and it came back negative. Retested in early 1986 and it came back positive. Freestone says this why Fred was adimit about getting a new album out ASAP (A Kind of Magic) and putting a tour togther.... he assumed then it would be his last. _________________________________________________ Mary Austin says she KNOWS she was the first person that knew Freddie was HIV positive. She agree's that his first test came back negative, the second one positive.... However, she claims that all of this happened in 1984.... so this would mean that at Live Aid, Freddie knew he was positive, and at Wembley '86, obviously he knew then too. __________________________________________________ Jim Hutton claims "we knew months before the tour of "A Kind of Magic" that Fred was HIV positive, but at that time, he had no symptoms". Hutton, however disagree's with Mary Austin that Freddie knew he was HIV positive in 1984/1985. Hutton said "The day of Live Aid was the first time I ever saw Freddie perform, as that was just a few weeks into our relationship, I was watching my man off stage, he was amazing". Hutton says Freddie was the kind of person that would not have hid something as serious as HIV from him, and would have never purposely put him at risk..... Hutton says Freddie found out in 1986. Freestone says it was 1986. Austin says it was 1984. Freestone says that Freddie's sister and Roger were told together at his home. Freddie's sister agrees with this (this is on the FM documentry). |
| doremi 29.03.2005 20:04 |
I don't think it's possible to know for certain whether Freddie told Mary and 1st and in 1984, or Jim 1st in 1986. Freddie loved both Mary and Jim dearly. Mary was his lifelong best friend and he did leave his mansion and the bulk of his estate to her. Jim was Freddie's true love/"wife" soulmate that he finally found and looked at as his married partner. Either story and timeline could be correct. And as for Freddie telling his sister in 86, he may have tested positive in 1986. But IF Freddie did indeed already have HIV in 1984 and IF he did tell Mary earlier and waited to tell his sister in 1986 and had his sister believe she was 1st with Jim and Roger ...that would not be unnatural at all. Alot of people hold off telling family members when they have a terminal illness from cancer to AIDS. My old boss told everyone in the office he had prostate cancer but swore us to secrecy NOT to tell his wife because he thought he was, in his mind protecting her, when we all thought she would want to know so that she could live out his final days with the most quality and joy. Who knows what goes through people's minds. In any event, I'm glad that Roger was the 1st member in Queen Freddie told, if Freddie was not yet prepared to tell the entire band all at once. I think Roger has a BIG heart (though he intentionally puts up this macho wild side that hides the understanding gentle man he really is), and as for colleagues in Queen...I've said before in other topics, that I always thought that whoever was or wasn't close or how close as friends in Queen, one thing I feel certain of was Freddie's kinship with Roger. They were as I've said before personal and professional soulmates and got on from the very beginning running their stall in Kensington Market as kids in College. They grew up together, partied together, and very much enjoyed working and collaborating together on one another's solo projects (Freddie on Roger & The Cross' "Shove It" song "Heaven For Everyone", Roger on Freddie's "The Great Pretender" video. etc.) |
| XcessQueen 29.03.2005 21:40 |
Drowse 1 wrote: When they were starting out I feel they were all very supportive of each other because they were all going through the same experiences. They could rely on each other. As their stars started to rise and the continuous contact with each other due to touring and recording schedules probably added to any stress within the band. So infighting can occur. Taking a break in 83 was good for morale. They came back rested and anxious to work. Still seeing each other socially. But they came full circle it seems after they stopped touring and Freddie became ill. Once again they were supportive of each other and wanted to keep making music. I think they were more than friends. That was a brotherhood and a sense of family.This is beautifully written... and I believe THIS IS the true nature of their relationship. |
| XcessQueen 29.03.2005 21:47 |
Scott_Mercury wrote: John and his wife were having a kid every 5 weeks, and Freddie was like a gay rooster calling out "Any cock 'll do"!:)))))) |
| XcessQueen 29.03.2005 22:01 |
Lester Burnham wrote: they were close, but not the greatest friends outside of the band. They all lead extremely different and varied lives, and I don't think they really hung out with each other apart from onstage or in the studio.Yes. When Queen became big stars, after the show there were 4 limos waiting for them. Not 1 - but 4. And that limos would then went separate ways. I think that says a lot. |
| XcessQueen 29.03.2005 22:10 |
Fireplace wrote:Yeah... all Serbs do...igormiskovic wrote: I think ALL OF YOU are missing the point. Maybe I can see it better because I am a musician..Or maybe you are simply suffering from a superiority complex...... |
| Scott_Mercury 29.03.2005 23:24 |
Actually, thats not true... From 1979-1986, all concerts ended the same... 2 limo's.... Freddie and Roger in Limo 1 Brian and John in Limo 2 Back to the hotel... the band would usually clean up, then have a after show party. After the Saturday Wembley show, the party was at Freddie's. |
| Fireplace 30.03.2005 04:47 |
XcessQueen wrote:Let's PLEASE not get into that! I suppose there was some language trouble, but ethnicity certainly doens't have anything to do with it.Fireplace wrote:Yeah... all Serbs do...igormiskovic wrote: I think ALL OF YOU are missing the point. Maybe I can see it better because I am a musician..Or maybe you are simply suffering from a superiority complex...... Please keep this board clean of racial/ethnic remarks. Let's discuss Queen! |
| XcessQueen 30.03.2005 05:45 |
Scott_Mercury wrote: Actually, thats not true... From 1979-1986, all concerts ended the same... 2 limo's.... Freddie and Roger in Limo 1 Brian and John in Limo 2My post about 4 limos - I saw that in some interview, I didn't make it up. But, I wasn't in limos with them, so I can't really know the truth. |
| igormiskovic 30.03.2005 07:34 |
I never ment to disturb you XcessQueen, Drowse 1, Fireplace. I didn't expressed myself good. |
| Fireplace 30.03.2005 09:43 |
igormiskovic wrote: I never ment to disturb you XcessQueen, Drowse 1, Fireplace. I didn't expressed myself good.No problem, forget it. |
| Drowse 1 30.03.2005 17:39 |
I'm with Fireplace. No problem Dude! Just for the record, I am a musician at 39. Been doing this since I was 13 and believe me, keeping a band together can be one gigantic pain in the ass. But Queen were grwat role models for me because I take their approach in trying to keep a band together. After all these years we're still the best of friends but we all need our space. But when we get together we're explosive. And being a Queen fan since 77 has helped me see what it takes to keep it all together. It worked for them because they never had a line-up change in 20 years.Aerosmith, The Stones and other heavies like them had line-up changes due to drugs, money woes, some chick or whatever. Queen ended only when Freddie left us. Otherwise they would still be recording I think. Rock on Igor! |
| deleted user 01.04.2005 09:29 |
Scott_Mercury wrote: Hmmm... What stopped John and Freddie from being real close in the early days, is John and Freddie were living 2 completely different lives.....John and his wife were having a kid every 5 weeks, and Freddie was like a gay rooster calling out "Any cock 'll do"!haha well said.. so true, so true :) lol. |