Bohemian Rhapsodies: True And Authorized Tales By Queen Fans & Celebrities

By Robyn Dunford and Kelly Franko

Officially authorized by Queen's camp and will feature loads of exclusive commentary from those closest to FREDDIE MERCURY, including his longtime personal assistant, as well as rock and metal peers of Mercury's as well as the other members of Queen, Brian May, Paul Rodgers, and others recounting both funny, personalized stories they experienced first-hand playing alongside the legendary frontman and formidable musicians, and how, in many cases, the band influenced them in their own artistry. From the fan side, readers will be treated to many intimate stories from lifelong fans of Freddie's and Queen who were touched personally by the members of the band in one way or another, whether by their music or the fan's personal relationships with the singer.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rock N Roll Books
• Release date: Mar 4, 2015
• ISBN: 9780983471691

Book preview

CODA

 Chapter One

SON AND DAUGHTER

Tales from the Next Generation of Queenies

Amanda Fields

United States of America

At fifteen, I was at the height of Queen Fandom. I had finally collected every studio album, along with purchasing every t-shirt, hat, messenger bag, DVD, book, or poster that I could find. I was constantly looking to grow in Queen Knowledge. I had mastered Bohemian Rhapsody on the piano. To consider my interest in the band anything short of obsession would have been downright silly. My mother was very much aware of this obsession (as her wallet felt it stronger than anyone), which is why she couldn’t say no when I came to her with a request: tickets to see Queen + Paul Rodgers.

Tickets for the 2006 North American tour were going on sale and I was not about to miss out on the chance to see my idols. Needless to say, the tickets were purchased and all was bliss. We were set to attend the show in Cleveland Ohio, home of the Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame. So like any fan of music would, we made time on our trip to visit the Hall of Fame. Immediately after making our way through the entrance of the Hall of Fame, my two friends and I parted ways with my mother. Not because we were teenagers, but because my mother is an exceptionally slow observer in museums.

Passing through each display we were awestruck – from Elvis’ handwritten letters from his army days, to John Lennon’s school reports. We even saw Michael Jackson’s sequined glove. We went through eras of musical history, from the early days of Little Richard through the very costumes the members of NSYNC and Britney Spears sported on their first tours. Even with all of these things tickling my teenage fancy, I was keeping a good lookout for anything Queen related, as were my companions.

Nearing the end of the lower level, we came across decade themed displays that started with the 1960’s and going through the ‘80s. Somewhere between the late ‘60s and early ‘70s were displays of the Beach Boys, which brought me to a halt. Right there in front of me were some of the very outfits worn and instruments played by Brian, Carl, Dennis, Mike, and Al. I didn’t notice where my friends had gone off to until I heard from a little ways ahead of me, What the heck are you doing? COME HERE!

I look around and I see it. The bass drum head from the News of the World Tour. On any normal day, if I were to come across such a find I would react in one of two ways: I would both scream and leap onto it, to make sure it was real, or I would faint (more than likely the latter). However, due to the previous night’s concert, I had become somewhat accustomed to being in the presence of things I would have never imagined possible. Playing it cool, I brought my gaping mouth to a close and walked to the display.

Joining my two shocked friends, I tried to take in what was in front of me. The drum head, sporting the robot face from the album cover, along with a miniature Red Special, a bass guitar that was actually played by John Deacon, and two of Freddie’s costumes: a white jacket and jumpsuit with a black lightning bolt coming up one leg, and a pair of leather pants accompanied by a black t-shirt and brown vest. After a moment of paralysis, I pulled myself together and knew I had to get a picture. This would have been simple had security not taken my camera at the entrance. Luckily, I had my fancy camera phone. I went to pull it from my pocket and while doing so, I noticed a security guard watching us from afar. This was probably because both of my friends were now on the ground, bowing to the white jumpsuit.

Get up and block me! I whispered as I kicked one of them in the side. They both got up and stood very close to my side, blocking the view of my phone from the guard. I snapped one of the drum head and each guitar, but there was a problem with Freddie’s costumes: three Bee Gee’s costumes were right in front of them, blocking view of the bottom half of the mannequins.

In unison, the three of us moved closer to the displays. Phone in hand, I reached my arm over the fence that separated the walkway from the displays and ever so carefully stuck my hand between two of the Bee Gee’s outfits. It was the perfect spot. I snapped my picture. As I pulled my hand away, I accidentally brushed the sleeve of a Bee Gee’s jacket. The alarm sounded. Faster than we could think about it, we ran! All three of us ran in different directions. I flew back past the 1960’s displays and ended up coming to the entrance to a small theatre. I slowed my roll, walked inside, and sank down into a seat in the very middle and hoping my head wouldn’t be seen if I was being chased.

After about twenty minutes of the George Harrison and Friends concert, I began to worry about my two friends. Where had they run off? Had they been caught by security? Making sure the coast was clear, I rose from my seat and walked out of the theatre. I exited the lower level with no problems and found the two near the restrooms. We then decided to grab some lunch from the café and sat out on the balcony until things settled down. While eating outside, we jokingly plotted how we were going to steal the white jumpsuit and swim with it across Lake Erie to Canada, where we would then have to live and we could keep it forever. While laughing, I felt a strong tap on my shoulder. A large, stern looking security guard had come up behind me.

Are you Amanda Fields? he asked. I looked around at my two friends. I could see the fear in their eyes. I thought, My life is over. I’m getting arrested. I took a picture AND he heard us plotting to steal. After considering making up a new name for myself, I decided to just give in. If they were going to take me in, my mother could bail me out.

Yes, I finally answered. The look on his face changed from stern to indifferent. Oh. Well, your mother is looking for you. He walked back inside.

With a sigh and the realization of how stupid I was for thinking I was getting arrested, I finished up the last of my sandwich. We then went and found my mother (who had only made it through a quarter of the displays). It was time for us to leave, and so we did.

I still have my very first camera phone, and on it the pictures I risked my teenage freedom to take. They will be cherished along with the rest of my Queen collection and passed down, along with this story, through many generations to come.

Anonymous

I am seventeen years old and a huge Queen fan. Most of my friends don’t share my love for Queen and that’s their loss. Being a Queen fan has helped me stay positive because the music is so uplifting (except the sad songs). When I’m feeling sad, I listen to Queen, and when I’m feeling happy, I listen to Queen. Who am I kidding? I always listen to Queen.

I feel somehow, like I have missed out on the experience of Queen because I have never seen them live, but the music is still the best I have ever heard.

Amanda Fincutter

United States of America

Some may call it an obsession. Others see it as an addiction. Then, most people just call me insane, but they are all mistaken. I am simply devoted and infatuated with Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor, and John Deacon, who are also known as Queen. They have provided me with a better outlook on life, a feeling of love and security, and an escape from reality. They are a cure to any disease or ill thought. Getting lost in their music offers you a whole new healthier, more creative, and exciting world to discover.

It all started when I was 10 years old. I was staying at my grandma’s house for the weekend. My two aunts, who are nearly sisters to me, were still living there and they had wanted to make a mixed CD for me. There were supposed to be 20 songs on it and the first one was Bohemian Rhapsody. I went into town with my grandma and I was eager to listen to the CD. I pushed it into the CD player and I heard Bohemian Rhapsody for the first time in my life. I was blown away. I was literally speechless. I thought that if this was the quality of music on this CD, I couldn’t wait to hear the rest of it. However, there wasn’t a rest of it. That was the only song on the CD. I didn’t understand what had happened. As confused as I was, I didn’t complain and I could not stop listening to Bohemian Rhapsody. I asked my grandma what group sang this song and she said, Queen.

Amanda Fincutter dresses as Freddie Mercury for Halloween

As soon as I arrived home from my grandma’s house, I instantly started researching Queen. I realized that I had heard Queen before on the radio, but I never quite recognized it. I listened to the songs I hadn’t heard and they were all glorious. I became so curious about the voice behind Queen and I was brought to Freddie Mercury. Everyone warned me that he was ugly, but I was inconceivably intrigued with his face. I would stare at it for hours, analyzing his every characteristic and trait. I studied every little thing I could about him and have been doing so up until now. I find something new every day that makes me love him even more. I adore each member of Queen to the end of the world, but there is something about Freddie that I have always been drawn to.

When I first discovered Queen and Freddie, I wasn’t the happiest adolescent. My teacher made me cry every day simply because I wasn’t very competent in math and my mother was in a relationship with a man I was never fond of. It was a tough time in my life as a young child and I wasn’t in high spirits. But, then, I was quite literally rescued by Queen. I feel as though Freddie did that. It almost seems like Freddie erased those other 19 songs on that CD just so I would pay the most attention to him as I could, because he knew he could cure all of my tribulations. I know it sounds absolutely crazy, but I really feel a special connection with him that I cannot put into words nor explain.

It is not surprising to me that I have felt supported and assisted by Freddie. When I was 13, I found out that my father was not biologically related to me. It hit me pretty hard. I was diagnosed with clinical depression and I started skipping school because I just could not function normally. Things were going downhill so fast, but then I randomly found a Queen CD lying in my room that I got for Christmas from my mom when I was 10 years old. While I listened to it, I fell in love all over again. Queen helped me get through that unpleasant time. It’s like Queen made each song relate to my problems and they provided a solution.

I also went through some insane high school drama during my sophomore year that really wounded me. What was it that alleviated my pain? My grandpa bought me tickets to see Gary Mullen and The Works, probably the best tribute band ever, in April 2011. It made me so astoundingly happy. They sounded exactly like the real thing and it really felt like I was at a Queen concert, as I had been born long after Freddie had taken his last breath.

It isn’t just Freddie’s voice and ability to help anyone that I find irresistible. It’s his entire self. I did not know him personally, but I feel like after all of the investigating I have done, I know him more than I know myself. The fact that he truly never cared what people thought of him is so inspiring to me. Being a teenage girl, all that matters is what people think of you. I have realized that thinking this way just depresses me. Thinking more like Freddie has really helped me get by. I also love that he was such a shy person, but became a completely different person on stage. I, too, am very introverted, but acting is a passion of mine so I also become a different person on stage. The fact that he wanted to keep his life private is a breath of fresh air. Most celebrities seem to want everyone to know everything about them. They crave the attention and Freddie just wanted to do what he loved.

Freddie Mercury has helped me to deal with the little things that used to bother me and has helped me appreciate the small things that I never noticed before. He helped me become more of who I am and made me become proud of it.

I would love to become such a significant and magnificent person like Freddie was. I just want to live my life doing what I love and helping people that I don’t even know along the way. I want to be able to lend a hand to people like that. Freddie inspires me.

On August 28, 2011, Brian May performed at MTV’s Video Music Awards with Lady Gaga. When I saw him on that stage playing his Red Special guitar with Lady Gaga, tears ran down my cheeks as I got to see him live. I was so excited by the fact that my generation and many others got to see him and ask, Who is that man? Perhaps they will research him and find out he is part of one of the most legendary bands to ever exist. This made me realize that most people only know Queen by their most famous songs, Bohemian Rhapsody, We Will Rock You, We Are the Champions, Another One Bites the Dust, Under Pressure, and Somebody to Love. I want Queen to get the recognition they deserve. Nobody quite realizes how much they changed and improved the music industry. They merged rock and opera all in one song. They messed around with different genres and created their own. When Queen started to record Bohemian Rhapsody, only Freddie knew what the song was and what to do. It was all in his head and he directed the other three to do what he had already planned out. Beethoven and Mozart did the same thing. They kept whole symphonies in their heads. I really believe that Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor, and John Deacon should be considered musical geniuses just like Mozart and Beethoven are.

I have met a wonderful group of people on a blogging website recently who are also Queen Fans like me. They have helped me to realize that there is other people out there just like me. There are other people who cry over Brian May being on television! I am not alone! We have all gotten so undeniably close with each other through the internet because of our favorite band. I have created unimaginable friendships with these people and it is comforting to know that Queenies are located all over the world, but will always go one step further to help other Queenies. I do believe that Queen Fans are the most caring, kind, creative, loving, and accepting fans that have ever existed.

I don’t think I could ever fully express what Queen has done to help me become a better and happier person. My story may not be as magnificent as others, but my story is special to me. Thank you, Freddie, Brian, Roger, and John for improving the world and others’ lives. You inspire me and are forever my heroes.

Anonymous

United States of America

Many people have had Queen in their lives for many years. For me, that is not the case. About a year ago, my trusty iPod was on shuffle and the second song it played had a very catchy piano part and an extraordinary singer. As I listened deeper and deeper into the song, I realized that I had never heard anything like it and that I quite liked it. The song Don’t Stop Me Now and the artist was Queen. What I didn’t know then is that a certain band was about to take over my life completely and rapidly.

After hearing that single life changing song, I asked myself, Where did this come from? My memory skipped back to the day after Christmas in 2008. I had gift money that needed spending and I had just laid my eyes upon Queen’s Platinum Collection. As I scrolled through the song listings I thought, Well I know some of these songs, why not? I put all of the songs on said iPod and ended up forgetting about it completely. That is until I heard the song Don’t Stop Me Now, of course. Within minutes of hearing that song, I started listening to all the Queen music that I had. It was far better than any band or music that I had previously liked. Each time I heard a Queen Song, I would listen ever so closely to all the harmonies and the dynamics. It was something I thought would never happen to me regarding rock music. It was inevitable and within a few weeks, I was a Queen addict.

Each day that I listened to the music, I found a change in myself for the better. I became more comfortable with the person that I was and began to not care about when others called me a weirdo. I also feel more inspired by what is around me and appreciate it. Brian May is even responsible for turning me into a vegetarian! I am thankful every day that I have, and I live it the way I want to live it!

Many of my artsy school projects are very inspired or linked to a Queen reference (which I am overly proud of!). The change I’ve seen in myself I call, My inner Queen coming out, and since The Platinum Collection purchase, I’ve added another 120+ Queen songs to my iPod.

Elisha Weide

United States of America

No one shares my passion for Queen like my best friend does. I don’t feel silly obsessing about it with her because she’s normally right there next to me obsessing over them, too. I love my best friend and we’re both Queeniacs! This past Halloween, she dressed up as Brian May and I dressed up as Freddie Mercury. It was so much fun!

My friend has dreams of stardom and I always tell her, Don’t let anyone ever tell you that you can’t be anything you want to be. You’ll be a famous Broadway/film star/singer some day, and I’ll be in the front row watching you saying, that’s my friend!

Matt Dunford

United States of America

Hi. My name is Matthew. I’m six years old in first grade. I really love rock music because it is loud. I really like Queen. When I was three or four, my mom played Queen Songs for me in the car. My favorite song is We Will Rock You. Roger is the best drummer and does the best rhythm. Freddie does a really good job singing. I like Queen so much that Sometimes on the way to summer camp, some kids on the bus would sing a new version of We Will Rock You that they made up. I have saxophone, electronic drums, and bongos. Sometimes my brother Benjamin lets me play his real drums. I have fun putting on Queen Music and playing along with it. Mom likes to video tape us when we do that. This is my story from Matt Dunford to you!

Mattie Dunford rocks!

Ben Dunford

United States of America

Hello. My name is Ben Dunford. Well, I like playing basketball, helping animals, and being a superstar. I like doing music. I have an acoustic guitar, electric guitar, a piano, and drums. I am in third grade and I am playing the recorder in my school. I’ve already learned to play Hot Cross Buns. I learned about music when I was about four years old and my mom turned on her stereo in the car. On came We Will Rock You. I thought it was awesome!! That has been my favorite song ever since I heard it. I think the guys in Queen are, cool, awesome, and fun. The lead singer used to be Freddie, but he died. They had to get a new guy, but Freddie is still the best. I really like Brian’s long hair, but Roger is my favorite and that is why I want to play drums. I can already play We Will Rock You on the drums! I already have a band called The Robot Dudes! My brother Matthew is in the band with me, too. Someday we are going to be famous!

Ben Dunford is a superstar!

Matt and Ben Dunford are huge Queen Fans.

Freda Bohn Jespersen

Denmark

My name is Freja and I’m a 17-year-old girl from Denmark. I guess I’m living proof at how amazing Queen are. They have been able to cross not only the world, but generations as well. This is how I got to know them and why they mean so much to me.

I cannot remember the first time that I heard a Queen number. As a child I knew We Will Rock You, We Are the Champions, Another One Bites The Dust, and so on, but never in my wildest dreams had I imagined that such popular and well-known anthems were the work of one single band! It just seemed impossible that one band could have made so many huge songs that are played so much at sport events and so on.

I do however; remember how I become a Queenie. It happened three years ago and I owe it all to a girl I went to school with. We became friends and at some point she introduced me to her favorite music, Queen. I remember at the beginning that I did not really care and I was bored when she wanted me to hear songs. I always just wanted to do something else. I remember how she just talked and talked and gave me all sorts of facts about them and I didn’t understand why she was so crazy about it, and eager to tell me everything. At some point she wanted me to learn their names and I remember quite clearly how uninterested I was, but I wanted to make her happy. I gave it a shot and I almost got it right except that I said, Brian Maze. Ha! How unknowing I was.

At some point though, the music caught hold of me and one day when I got home from school, I started to listen to the music. Then I bought the and the train was rolling. Now I’m a Queenie in every way.

I was so amazed that one single band could create so many different styles of music. They also could bring out so many different and strong emotions in me. I’m having trouble putting into words how these guys make me feel. I have never experienced music giving me such a sheer and pure feeling of joy. I remember one time when I was listening to Greatest Hits 2 and I just became so happy that I almost felt like laughing. These four guys are capable of making me laugh; cry, and making me feel like I can fly. And live, they really take my breath away. It is unbelievable that four guys can give so much and to so many. Suddenly, I found myself crying over a man who passed away a year before I was even born!

All of these emotions became very clear to me on a trip to London. I went to see We Will Rock You and although I know that the show is not about Queen themselves, there are just so much of them in it. The show makes you feel blown away and like you want to dance and sing until you have no voice. I was truly overwhelmed with all of the different emotions and it was almost too much for me to handle. This is real music to me and is so far from all the mass-produced, heartless rubbish that is made today. That’s what I love about Queen. They work so hard and every single detail is thought over. They put every bit of themselves into what they do. There are no shortcuts. No easy way out. That’s what makes it so special and it’s wonderful. If I ever had the chance to say something to these wonderful guys, it would be just two words…Thank you.

Anonymous

I may just be just thirteen years old, but who can resist listening to this band? I have just about all of Queen’s songs on my MP3, and nothing else. I honestly don’t think Queen gets credit from today’s teenagers and young kids. I’m a lucky one to know their music. For me, I love Queen as much as someone who was first in line at Wembley. Queen forever! My favorite band, and always will be! I am your number one 13-year-old fan!

Rachel Franko

United States of America

I was seven years old and I was watching Ella Enchanted on the Disney Channel when I first heard Somebody to Love. I immediately adored the song. I couldn’t get enough of it. Every time Ella Enchanted would play, I would wait for that song to come on. I had absolutely no idea what the song was called or who it was by. However, I did know that the song was probably one of the best that I ha ever heard.

Rachel Franko became a Queen fan watching the Disney Channel.

A couple of months after hearing it for the first time, I was sitting and watching television, when suddenly I heard a familiar sound come from another room. I walked in to find my mother listening to the song I had heard on Ella Enchanted. I told my mom I knew that song, and she looked surprised that I did.

She asked me how I knew it, and I told her that I had heard it when I was watching the Disney Channel. I asked her what artist it was by and she told me that a band called Queen made it. From that point on, I became a Queenie.

Brian May is reading a book about Africa to Rachel Franko.

I listened to Queen probably 24/7. I would listen to them at home, going to school in the morning with my mom, etc. I watched videos on YouTube and concerts. My all-time favorite videos however, were the Muppets’ and the Lego’s versions of Bohemian Rhapsody. I would watch them over and over again. My love for Queen grew and grew. When I was nine years old, I got the chance to meet Brian May.

Gary Mullen and Rachel Franko resting during a karaoke session.

We traveled to Hollywood, California, on May 6, 2008 and went to the store Book Soup for Brian’s book signing. We were first in line to meet him, and he read a book with my little sister and me about African Safari animals. The most memorable moment was when he exclaimed, It’s the biggest book in the world!

Of course, now being fourteen, I wasn’t alive when Freddie was. I never got the chance to see Queen live. I’ve always wanted to be able to, and, when I was eleven, I got that chance…well, sort of. My mom took my sister and me to see Gary Mullen and the Works at Fort Worth Bass Hall on March 10, 2009. It felt like I was at a real Queen concert as the band and Gary were fantastic! The evening was great except for the fact that I fell through a chair. (What a nerd, right?) My mom is now the Fan Club president for Gary Mullen and the Works and they are all like family to me.

I’ve surprised many teenagers when they ask about the type of music I listen to. Usually, you would hear Ke$ha, Justin Bieber, or the Black Eyed Peas, etc. However, I always answer with bands like Journey, Aerosmith, and, of course, Queen. Queen is one of those bands that can affect and change you with their music. They are absolutely brilliant musicians and I’ve enjoyed growing up with their music.

When I heard my mother was asked to help with this book, I was thrilled. I was even more thrilled to have Robyn and my mom ask me to help them edit stories. The stories in this book have brought me laughter and tears. It is amazing to hear there are many Queenies out there like me. It has been an honor to read these stories and to help out with them.

I can only hope that Queen lives on forever. Their music has been passed down to me through my mom, and I know that I will be another to pass it down.

Rebecca Franko (left) and Rachel Franko (right) on Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Thank you, Queen, for your brilliant music and or affecting the lives of many in numerous ways.

Rebecca Franko

United States of America

The first time I heard Queen Music was when I was 6 years old. My mom played some videos for my sister and I on YouTube. I really loved the song Crazy Little Thing Called Love when I first became a Queenie. I am 11 years old now and I still love Queen. I also love The Beatles.

Brian May reading to Rebecca Franko. It’s the biggest book in the world!

I have seen the musical We Will Rock You three times in London. In 2007, my mom, sister, and I went on a Queen trip. We went to Toronto to