No idea how many Queen or Freddie fans there might be here, but I'm a pretty huge fan of both, and today would be Freddie's 65th birthday.
Queen's official Facebook page has been promoting what they call "Freddie for a Day", which encourages people to dress up in one of Freddie's many extravagant and dramatic costumes in honour of him. They've also uploaded a couple of tribute videos on their Youtube channel from current artists talking about how they were influenced both by Freddie and Queen. They are also streaming the entire Wembley Concert from 1986 on Youtube all day.
As I mentioned above, I am an enormous Queen fan, and am always looking to introduce people to their music and the enthusiasm and charisma Freddie had. I never had the chance to see them live, but if a time machine is ever invented within my lifetime, you can be sure that's one of the first things I'll do.
So, I guess this thread is a place where you can post your favorite videos or songs, or if you had the pleasure of seeing Queen live, feel free to share some of your reminiscences.
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I loved the line in that Live Aid video. "It became clear to everybody that this was a band playing the world's greatest set at the world's greatest gig."
I wasn't a huge Queen fan in their early era until a friend dragged me to one of their shows. After that, I vowed to never miss another and unfortunately it ended at three.
Happy Birthday Freddie. Thanks for some great memories.
Time and alcohol have, admittedly, dulled my memory. But my recollection is that he was the first artist I followed and really liked who acknowledged having, and died of, AIDS.
Freddie was truly one of the grand rock stars. One of the best stagemen and, in my opinion, the best pure vocalist in rock and roll history.
sorry if a re-post... not all the posted videos are loading for me.
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Last edited by fatso; 09-05-2011 at 09:48 PM.
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Although Mercury's speaking voice naturally fell in the baritone range, he delivered most songs in the tenor range.[23] His vocal range extended from bass low F (F2) to soprano high F (F6).[24] He could belt up to tenor high F (F5).[24] Biographer David Bret described his voice as "escalating within a few bars from a deep, throaty rock-growl to tender, vibrant tenor, then on to a high-pitched, perfect coloratura, pure and crystalline in the upper reaches".[25] Spanish sopranoMontserrat Caballé, with whom Mercury recorded an album, expressed her opinion that "the difference between Freddie and almost all the other rock stars was that he was selling the voice".[26] She adds, "His technique was astonishing. No problem of tempo, he sung with an incisive sense of rhythm, his vocal placement was very good and he was able to glide effortlessly from a register to another. He also had a great musicality. His phrasing was subtle, delicate and sweet or energetic and slamming. He was able to find the right colouring or expressive nuance for each word."[24] As Queen's career progressed, he would increasingly alter the highest notes of their songs when live, often harmonising with seconds, thirds or fifths instead. Mercury was said to have "the rawest vocal fold nodules" and claimed never to have had any formal vocal training.[27]
How has no one posted this song yet? The best Queen Song, and Top Gear's best driving song ever:
I have a good friend in a Queen cover-band who are pretty much the best Queen cover band in all of Australia. Here's them in action.. the closest I'll ever get to seeing Queen (inc Freddie) Live is seeing these guys:
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Last edited by SoulOfTheFlame; 09-06-2011 at 09:49 AM.
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How has no one posted this song yet? The best Queen Song, and Top Gear's best driving song ever:
I have a good friend in a Queen cover-band who are pretty much the best Queen cover band in all of Australia. Here's them in action.. the closest I'll ever get to seeing Queen (inc Freddie) Live is seeing these guys:
Good call on Don't Stop Me Now; not so well known. My favorite might be '39, and I can play and sing Spread Your Wings.
I think I saw that Aussie band at the Jubilee - are they called A Kind Of Magic, or something like that? The singer even nailed Freddie's profane, macho banter, between songs.
Freddie's the man (no punt intended). My fondest memory of him was during an interview he was asked how he liked to being a singer in a rock band. His answer was yes for what else could he do otherwise, becoming a janitor?
He was already a megastar then but his answer was so true and real.
Happy Birthday Freddie Mercury
