#joepie december 1985

[natromanxoff]

Joepie - December 15, 1985

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Translation by Louis Bernoski:

'PRIDE ALMOST KILLED ME'

Queen's Freddie Mercury personal.

'I admit I hardly thought about Queen during finalizing my solo album', says Freddie Mercury smiling. 'I wanted to make it on my own. That I didn't succeed in that is only a blessing fot Queen in the future.' It's impossible to upbraid Freddie Mercury any lack of honesty. That shows during this up-front interview. 

Remarkable hobby

Freddie, is it true that your real name isn't Freddie Mercury?

'Yes. I'm actually called Frederick Bulsara, but I thought that name wouldn't work in showbizz. (He laughs) I was born 39 years ago on the island of Zanzibar, but I lived till my 13th in the Indian harbour town Bombay. Then I moved to England with my parents.'

Were you a talented singer already then?

'I always liked to sing. At school I was in a choir. I didn't have any idea then I later would make a living with that.'

Do you remember your first band?

'Not really. I can remember at first I was attrackted by what they called during the sixties 'progressive music'. My first bands where called Wreckage and Sour Milk Sea, but don't ask me which one was first.'

Did you have a lot of boring jobs?

'Not as many as a lot of colleagues, I think. I can remember I once had a stand on the Kensington Antiquities Market in London. I sold various so called hippie stuff.'

You saved a remarkable hobby from those years.

'Absolutely. I am still a very enthousiastic collector of antiquities. I bring all my savings to the famous auctionhouse Sotheby's.'

TERRIBLY LONELY

How would you define yourself?

'That's a tough one. How do you like this? Workaholic, restless, honest, humourous an incorrigible romantic.'

Do you have a steady girlfriend?

'No. And I don't have to. The on-going quest for the big love is very inspiring for me as an artist. I think that if I ever will find one immediately my musical career will be over.'

Are you very wealthy?

'I think I don't have to work anymore during my entire life, but I can't stop.'

You are always very busy. Do you ever rest?

'I don't need a lot of sleep. Three or four hours a night will do for me I guess. Therefor air flights are very relaxing for me.'

What do you like less about the life of a star?

'A lot of times I can feel myself terribly lonely. It's no fun, living in hotelrooms. On tours very often roadies, bodyguards and managers are running behind me, but at the same time I am on my own.'

How do you look back at your recent solo trip?

'With mixed feelings. At one side it was a fantastic challenge to try it once without Brian, Roger and John. On the other hand it was very dangerous. I felt so strong that I suddenly thought I didn't need the other guys anymore. Fortunately the album wasn't that succesfull like a lot of people expected. Maybe the pride had killed me and I quit with Queen. But when I finished One Vision with the boys I realised that that would be the worst thing that could happen to me.'

[In the yellow:]

Win all QUEEN albums

At the editorial office we have a box-set with all albums of this superband. Alltogether thirteen albums with some never before released songs in special covers. We would very like to give this away to a loyal reader and Queenfan. If you want to be the lucky one, answer very fast the following questions:

1. In which ocean is the island of Zanzibar, where Freddie Mercury was born 39 years ago?

2. With which British superstar Queen recorded a duo-record?

3. Which member of Queen was the first one who dared to walk the solo path?

(Sorry, actualy this magazine is from Belgium where they use Flemish Dutch, which is a bit different in use of the language than Dutch of The Netherlands. (LB))

Send your answers on a postcard to our editorial adress quoting 'Queen-box'. As consolations price we have some Queen goodies in stock.

[With the pictures:

Picture above:

With very good girlfriend Barbara Valentin. 'I didn't find my big love yet', Freddie admits.

Picture underneath:

Freddie with the other Queen boys. 'The group is stronger than ever', the singer says.]

#queen #queen band #freddie mercury #queen scans #joepie december 1985