Atlanta, Georgia – When the lead singer of the legendary British band Queen, Freddie Mercury died in November 1991 -for HIV- related complications who was his personal assistant and best friend, Peter Richard Leslie Freestone, thought that “his work with Mercury” was over at that time. However, he was wrong.
have passed 25 years since the sudden death of rock legend and Peter Freestone, as it is known- feel that could not get rid of “his work with Freddie,” according he said in an exclusive interview with the New Day from the “Breakthru” event, the official annual convention Queen in North America. This year, was held from 22 to 24 July in Atlanta, Georgia.
Freestone admits that, initially, when the singer Zanzibar (island of Tanzania) died, he was made extremely difficult to understand that the fans of Queen, which was not topped up their loss- need to talk and share with him the closeness he had with the artist. It took some time internalizing that “it was a necessary therapy,” not only for fans of Mercury, but for him too.
Peter was born in London, England. Went to school in India, and finished in the UK, like Mercury.
“That was my first similarity with him,” said the interviewee, who is currently engaged in offering talks on prevention HIV in schools in the Czech Republic, where he has lived since 2001.
Freestone, as narrated, met Mercury in 1979 while working at the Royal Opera House in London by the wardrobe department.
It is easy to see that Freestone has told his story countless times with Mercury, as their stories are given automatically. But why not lack excitement, admiration or nostalgia.
“On one occasion (Freddie) was invited by the Royal Opera House to become part of a charity gala. That night sang the then Queen single, Crazy Little Thing Called Love, and Bohemian Rhapsody. At the party there was after the show, told her how wonderful her voice was heard. He thanked me and asked me what was exactly what I did at the Royal Opera House, (because I had seen a couple of times working during rehearsals). I explained, and ten days later, someone from the management office of Queen called me and asked me if I was available to take care of the costumes the band during a tour of six weeks. So it all started, “said Freestone, who so far has written three books on Rock Star:” Freddie Mercury: An Intimate Memoir By The Man Who Knew Him Best “; “Freddie Mercury: The Afterlife”., And “Freddie Mercury’s Royal Recipes”
The huge desire he felt the writer that the world knew what was truly the defunct musical star, and what happened after his death, it was what inspired him to write.
Before Peter came to life Freddie, Queen singer had never had a personal assistant. So, it was something new for the composer of “We Are The Champions” and Freestone well.
Peter went from being the costume designer of Queen for 18 months, to be the right hand of Mercury until his death in Garden Lodge, (the mansion was the star in Kensington, west London). After the death of vocalist, Freestone worked in the department of neurology at Guy’s Hospital in London and bought a small hotel in the county of Devon, England.
“When I got the offer to work with Queen, never imagined that would be associated with a man whom I consider to be one of the best composers of the late 20th century,” said the interviewee, who now is 61 years old .
what were his duties as personal assistant to Freddie Mercury?
in twelve years with Freddie, I never signed a contract. I did not have a job description because he had never had a personal assistant, so it was a job that was evolving every day. Basically you charge me to make life as easy as possible. Answer your calls, open the door, coordinate your travels, make your purchase, cook. I was his secretary, his bodyguard (when necessary), and even his nurse in moments of agony … All that kind of thing was I did, so that he could concentrate on the music. My job was to make life easier for Freddie Mercury life.
The first time you saw Freddie was at the Royal Opera House in London?
No. He had seen it six years earlier, in The Rainbow Room in Big Biba store in London. I was with my girlfriend drinking tea, and Freddie came in with his former girlfriend at the time, Mary Austin. He did not go unnoticed with his long hair and leather jacket. Mercury did not need to make entries in striking places to get attention. He was not so tall, so it was more of his charisma and personality.
How has your experience with fans of the singer after his death?
When Freddie died, I escaped for a few years. I did not want to be related to anything that had to do with him. Normally, when people finish work, they close that chapter and start a new one. I have not been able to do that. I do not misunderstand, I’m not unhappy about that. I took a long, long time, understand that fans and followers Freddie, wanted to talk to me.
And how do you feel now?
I It’s me. Freddie has always been, and will be the star. That’s why, sometimes I find it uncomfortable to be in the public arena. When Freddie was alive, I always kept me back. Now, 25 years mástarde, that huge picture of Freddie Mercury is still alive, and I remain behind. Sometimes people extends his hand to me, just because I got to touch it. But I washed my hand since, you know? It took me long to figure out that people needed that.
How do you describe the spirit of Queen fans?
They are a family. Queen fans around the world make you feel like family, perhaps because of his great admiration and respect for the band. Anywhere in the world I travel, I can feel his love and dedication.
Do you think that fervor is due more to the figure of Mercury?
Well, I think the whole band. For some, Queen’s John Deacon (bass), and for others it is Brian May (guitar) and Robert Taylor (drums). Freddie hated that made reference to Queen ‘as his band,’ because it was not. Freddie was only 25 percent of Queen, no more, no less.
On one occasion, Mercury said that when he died he wanted to be remembered as “a musician of a certain substance and value.” How would you describe the legacy and contribution to popular music Mercury?
I think Freddie is his wish. He had two people on the pedestal: Elvis Presley and John Lennon. Those were the two people that he understood that meant something to the music and he never dreamed he would be placed on the same pedestal two of them. He knew it was good, but it was not the kind of person who kept saying, ‘I am the greatest’ and, ever thought it would be put to the level of those two figures.
So that, never flaunted his talent …
At the time of his death, Freddie knew he had written wonderful music. He also knew that he had written music, perhaps, not so wonderful. But always he did what he thought was best for him. Queen never followed a trend. Just they felt like creating music. All albums of the band are different and even the issues that were not so well known, are excellent numbers.
This year, Mercury would have turned 70 years of life (morning) on 5 September. What events are planned worldwide thereabouts? Twitter, even as singer designed a logo for this purpose.
Yes, it is. The official celebration of the birthday celebration Freddie will be at the Montreux Casino in Switzerland, and will be held (today) on Sunday, 4 September. This event is sponsored by The Mercury Phoenix Trust. It is an organization that was founded in his honor to raise funds to benefit HIV patients and to carry a message alert against the disease that was killing him. So, at midnight, guests can provide and say, ‘Happy Birthday!’.
This year also marks 25 years of his death, on November 24. Have done something special somewhere in the world?
On November 24 must be a date decelebración of his life and his legacy, and not a time to mourn because he is not among us. On November 24 I will be in the Netherlands because the Dutch fan club always makes a dinner in his honor. It is a celebration of his life, what he gave to others, because Freddie did not take anything from anybody when he died. Only cut the ties and left everything he had to others.
Speaking of Montreux, why Mercury wanted to live the last years of his life there before entering a terminal stage HIV causes?
the first time I went with Freddie to Switzerland was in 1980 and he detested because much there bored. There was absolutely nothing to do. In the last years of his life (when he was already very ill), it was precisely for that reason that so enamored of the place; because it was a peaceful environment, people kept quiet, and none was besieged by the press.
Is for this reason that the bronze statue designed the Czech sculptor Irena Sedlecká Mercury is in Montreux?
In part yes, but Indeed, England was not prepared to do that to Freddie.
What Mercury used to do before you go on stage? Did you have any particular routine?
Freddie did not request anything specific. All he asked for was a little peace and quiet. Of course, no one was allowed to be in the dressing room half an hour before a show. The only thing he asked was his hot with honey lemonade.
What was the relationship he had Mercury with the other members of Queen?
like everything in life, personal relationships change as time passes. Before I started working with Freddie, he used to be good guard John Deacon (bass), because it did not want the excesses of the industry affect him. So, it housed lowered their wings. But when John married Veronica, that changed, because Deacon had his own security team. Freddie was well attached to Roger Taylor (drums), because they spent much time together. However, with Brian May (guitarist) was with whom he created music in the studio.
From your perspective, what distinguishes Freddie Mercury and Queen of the rest of the singers and bands outstanding rock the 70s and 80s?
That’s a tough question. Perhaps that is kept constantly writing good music. Queen’s music always says something to everyone, even in these times. It is music that is relevant to the public now, in the same way that was relevant when it was written. One need only think of the number of times a song like “We Are The Champions” (written by Freddie), sounds a week at various sporting events worldwide. The song is 40 years old and still as valid.
Strikingly at concerts Queen, Mercury always had several plastic cups with Heineken beer over his piano. How many beers he drank during a show?
(laughs). Not many. What were due sips. It might seem that there were many, but no. The glasses were never filled. Freddie never drank alcohol excessively or use drugs before getting on stage. Think twice drank more of the account, and the public realized immediately. He thought that if you do not consumías alone, on your own (alcohol and drugs), do not have to do that on stage.
You were the head chef at Garden Lodge. What preferred Freddie lunchtime?
When he was healthy, before they became ill, he was fascinated spicy food, particularly an Indian dish containing chicken and vegetables seasoned with various spices. When ill, in his last two, three years of life, his sense of taste was affected and did not tolerate strong flavors. So, from that moment, the food I prepared for him was less seasoning and the texture was more squishy.
Mercury was always very jealous with his personal life. Do you think he would have agreed with the reproduction of all reports and books that have been published about him after his death?
He always said that if they were to write something about him, that if people wanted to know how he really was, they had to include the good and the bad of his life. While he was alive, he never used the press to their advantage. They (the press) respected, and basically leave him alone, but that changed in the last years of his life when he began to look very different, deteriorated (from AIDS). At that time, they began to follow him. When Freddie was alive, he saw himself as a musician creating music, and as far as he was concerned, his sexual life had nothing to do with creating music.
What were your favorite pasamientos?
Have sex, and go shopping, and when watching television, he liked to put a program called Countdown. He also fascinated play Scrabble
What movies he liked
Particularly Three:.? “Hot”, “Imitation of Life” and “The Women” . Although “Imitation of Life” was not a comedy, he loved comedies. He was fascinated laugh, he loved to laugh. He enjoyed it. Even during breaks in interviews, he was always laughing.
How was Freddie Mercury man, not the artist, when the microphone is turned off?
Sometimes could be laughing, and sometimes could be quiet long hours, thoughtful, in the garden of Garden Lodge. It was extremely shy offstage. Did not enter a crowded room who did not know, unless it was accompanied by his close friends, and then became inthe life of the party.
He developed a special connection with the audience. He was charismatic and commanding the stage and the public. It is difficult to imagine that he was shy …
In the scenario Freddie became an actor. He had this ability – not care how many people they had in the public- make you feel to everyone who was singing her especially to her. He felt that that was his job, keeping the captive audience because the rest of the members, however good they were on his own, had to be aware of what they were playing with their instruments.
You refer to Mercury as his best friend. How he was in that aspect?
The most kind, generous and loyal friend anyone wished to have.
He loved cats, while at the time of his death, had seven of them, and he even composed a song to her favorite cat, Delilah. Why was those creatures so fascinating?
Because cats are independent. Dogs depend much more on their guards.
Is it true that Delilah was with him at the time of his death?
She (Delilah) and the rest of their cats knew, sensed, and you could tell by their behavior. The day Freddie was dying, none of the cats wanted to enter his room. They remained standing at the door. The animals do not like death.
Why Delilah was your favorite?
Oh, because it was a ‘bitch’! (Laughs). She did what gave him the sovereign wins, and he was fascinated by that. Let’s put it this way: Garden Lodge was the home of Delilah, and not that of Freddie Mercury.
So, what the cat was the real Queen and Freddie not?
Yes. (Laughs again).
In addition to his artistic achievements, sexual orientation Mercury was always a topic that attracted much attention of the European press. Did he considered gay or bisexual? Because, I have understood, that related to both sexes.
Well, and also (had sex) with her cats, but what does that have to do with your music? … (pause and take a breath). Freddie had intimacy with his former girlfriend Mary Austin, and with men. But basically, after 1975, he really only slept with men. On two occasions, during some interviews he did in the 70s, they asked if he was gay, and he replied, ‘Yes, I’m as gay as a daffodil, my dear’. In another interview he said: ‘Yes. I’ve slept with men, with women and with my cats. But what has that to do with my music? ‘…. Because when he gave an interview, he did so to talk about his music, no private life.
The last lover Mercury was the Irish stylist Jim Hutton. Freddie he describes in his book “Mercury and I” as a jealous man. What was really?
Yes, but who has not jealous your partner?
From Mercury to be alive in these times, do you think he he would have felt completely free as a gay man?
Freddie destatado had typecast him in a box, that box typecast in gay. People are people. Each person is an individual apart. So why pigeonhole a person’s sexual orientation? Is that the most important thing?
Who currently lives in what was once the residence of Mercury in London, Garden Lodge?
His ex-girlfriend and biggest beneficiary of his estate, Mary Austin, as I have understood. I have not heard anything different.
Have you ever been considered transforming Garden Lodge in a museum that fans of Queen to visit, as in the case of Elvis Presley’s Graceland in Tennessee ?
No, because he left established in his will that when they met 50 years after his death, Garden Lodge and all his property should be put on sale and the profit was divided among two charities. of cancer patients and other children
a musical level, Freddie Mercury and Queen made a very risky move when they decided to promote on radio such a long song so complex as is “Bohemian Rhapsody,” which features elements of pop, opera and rock. However, it worked. Are you agree that that song is the anthem of Queen or theme that has immortalized Mercury through the years?
Of course, of course. It is the song that most adult generation that follows identifies Queen, but not necessarily the issue that most younger audiences that the group has identified. But, no doubt, when you talk or think about Queen, Bohemian Rhapsody you think. In addition, the song has been number one three times in history in 1975 when he left, in 1991, when Freddie died, and in 1992, when he left the movie “Wayne’s World”. I think “Another One Bites The Dust” was another very important in the catalog of Queen song. That was the issue that placed number one in America (United States).
There is a paragraph of “Bohemian Rhapsody” in which Mercury seemed to anticipate that he would die young. What do you think?
I would not put it that way. Yes I can assure you that Freddie did not want to become an old man, but do not think it anticipated that he would die so young. In fact, when he knew that he would die at an early stage of his life (from AIDS), that neither destroyed nor discouraged him, and neither depressed.
Why do you think that “Another One Bites The Dust” was the most important success of Queen in United States?
Because it was the sound of time, and it worked.
However, when Queen released the video for “I Want to Break Free”, where members come dressed woman the group’s popularity dwindled in America. Why?
There are two versions. Guitarist Brian May said in an interview that was because the group representative was not passing band interviews at that time. On the other hand, you have to remember that in America, the mentality was not as liberal, at that time. His perspective was much more conservative.
Queen always distinguished itself by offering a show varied by which combined his rock music with elements of opera, ballet and a very extravagant costumes, particularly through Freddie figure. Do you think this paid the success it achieved the band in the 70s and 80s?
Freddie always wanted to give the audience a great show. He did not want them to be only four musicians on stage. He always wanted to have more and better lights, better sound, extravagant and flashy costumes. Always I am looking to do a different show. It is for that reason never saw doing the same thing the night before.
Recently, the Queen guitarist Brian May and the rest of the group, expressed their protest against the use of “We Are The Champions” as the main theme for the Republican presidential campaign of Donald US Trump. Do you think that Mercury had agreed too?
That already has to do with politics and Freddie had never associated with anything that had to do with politics, because he felt that politics was for individuals not for people. He hated when, for example, Bono urged his fans to vote for whom he voted.
Most of the hits of Queen, were composed by Freddie. What was the favorite of him?
I remember in an interview, Freddie said Brian May had written most of the music of Queen, but he had written most successes of the group. His favorite song was “Somebody to Love”. But almost he never mentioned, because he did not want the press to say that he only liked he wrote.
Where Mercury got the idea of calling Queen the band?
He was looking for a short name that is easy to remember, and that while striking out.
Why it its name was changed to Freddie Mercury?
Because no one had paid attention to the name Farrokh Bulsara. Freddie’s name came about because her friends at school called him that. He got last name because Mercury in Roman mythology, Mercury was the messenger of the gods.
When Freddie decided to experiment as soloist in April 1985 with the release of the album “Mr. Bad Guy “, was he prepared to leave Queen if he was wrong?
No. Put it this way. With that record, Freddie had a chance to make another kind of music he wanted to do, Yque knew he could not do with Queen. So he did.
A musical level, Mercury feared never take risks and experiment with new mergers, styles and sounds. He demonstrated with Bohemian Rhapsdoy, and also when a disc recorded with opera diva Montserrat Caballe.
He loved his vocal ability and the techniques she used. greatly he admired that she had control of her voice, how sometimes could climb to the top, and then go down with subtlety. He adored her. Together they recorded “Barcelona” which was the official theme of the Olympics in 1992 and included precisely on that disc.
Freddie had a talent for design and drawing. In fact, he studied at university level in London. It was he who designed the logo and Queen came to make pieces of clothing. Did he ever considered open wider gap in this field?
No. He lived for music.
Several specialized publications have highlighted Freddie Mercury as one of the most important voices in rock history. Do you agree with that premise?
I would say that is one of the most outstanding voices, because there were others such as Elvis Presley, and others. I would say that among the top ten, Freddie is one of them.
The participation of Queen in the “Live Aid” event in 1985 at Wembley Stadium in London, is considered to be the rock presentation more memorable in the history of live international television. ¿Queen had no idea that the show would steal that day?
They had not planned to steal the show. Simply they tested for their participation as they had done for a two-hour concert. They tested, and so were the best that day.
Currently, Queen continues to tour with Adam Lambert as lead vocalist. Recently you wrote on social networks was sure they were going to mow down because he found that they broadly, are presenting a good show. Why did he say that?
Because only have to look at the number of comments from people who think that Queen does not exist or is nothing, if not Freddie Mercury, and honestly Adam Lambert, what you are doing right now, is giving life to Queen. To me personally, I do not like his style, but he’s making the music of Queen continue playing.
At one time, it was mentioned that the British actor Sacha Baron Cohen would play Freddie in a biopic, but it seems that this will not happen because of disagreements with Brian May and Roger Taylor. What happened? Who will portray Freddie finally in the film?
I do not know, I do not include in such talks. I do know that Sacha Baron Cohen will not do. If finally going to shoot the film? …. Who knows.
How was the notorious meeting between Freddie Mercury and Michael Jackson when they recorded together songs like “There Must Be More To Life Than This”?
It was a good experience. It was two talented musicians who came together to work. They recorded together for about nine hours straight in the study. Yes, I remember when we were coming back, Freddie said he had never met a person with such bad taste for decoration (laughs).
Many believe that Mercury was very brave when he decided to appear in the video of “These Are the Days of Our Lives” in 1991, when it already looked very worn down because of HIV. Do you think that was a good decision you think?
At first, no, but then he explained to me why he did it and I understood. In the video Queen filmed before “These Are The Days Of Our Lives”, the members of the band were featured in cartoons and he did not want the world to remember him as a cartoon. Also take part in that video, I was going to give a last chance to say ‘goodbye’.
Freddie was afraid of death?
No, because he does not found any sense to have him fear something that is inevitable, that is happen inevitably, and in that, I agree with him.
What did Mercury would experience after death?
he never talked about it.
When and where Mercury is thought to be contracted HIV?
Well, the only way to calculate it is counting the years back. He knew he was HIV positive in 1987. The virus can live in the body without one knowing it for six or seven years before it manifests. So understand that he could have contracted between 1979 and 1980. In those years, Freddie lived in New York and was highly promiscuous. So we presume that was sometime in New York during that time.
Why Mercury did not practice safe sex if they knew that HIV was mortal in the 80?
Well, he started to practice safe sex since 1987 but still, if he started doing say, since 1983, to say year early in the decade of 80- still existed the possibility that It had been infected couple of years earlier. Like everyone else, Freddie was a human being, and thought that (for HIV) would happen to others, but not him.
Why the singer asked Mary Austin to keep secret the place where rest the ashes?
Because he saw what happened to Charlie Chaplin, who was buried in the garden of his villa, and his body was stolen by thieves for ransom by it.
Do you have any idea where they might be preserved, buried or scattered the ashes of Freddie?
not at all.
How and when Freddie revealed he had HIV?
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