Rock Society

10/16/2025

16 October 1976, Queen held ‘A Day At The Races’ launch party at Kempton Park RaceCourse in Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey, England
Let’s quickly recap 1976 which started off a great year for Queen: In January, Freddie was presented with another Ivor Novello Award for Bohemian Rhapsody. (The first Ivor Novello was for ‘Killer Queen’)
The band also began their third North American tour which would go through March. Then they would go directly to Japan which of course, now, arriving to a riotous reception.
During this time, all four of their albums were in the UK charts top twenty, a feat unheard of. Congratulations to Queen, that’s amazing.
They completed their extensive tour of Japan and went to Australia for their Down Under Tour.
They would fly back to the UK to began their fifth album, ‘A Day At The Races.’ But first, Queen would do a short UK tour. This led to their triumphant appearance at London’s Hyde on 18th of September. The band decided they wanted to say ‘thank you’ to their dedicated fans, and so - in true extravagant style - they staged a huge FREE concert in London's Hyde Park. The crowds were estimated at between 150 and 200 thousand people - the largest audience Queen had played to up to that time, and to date still the highest-ever attendance record for a concert in Hyde Park.
On October 16, 1976, Queen trot down to Kempton Park to promote their forthcoming album ‘A Day At The Races' in style
This special race was called, “A Day At The Races Stakes,” and was sponsored by their label, EMI. Freddie accompanied by Mary Austin and John Reid. Brian May with his wife, Chrissy Mullen May. Roger Taylor is with his then girlfriend, Jo Morris. John was also in attendance.
Wouldn’t you know, they all placed bets on the same horse, of course, they never revealed this to each other. The name of the horse - Lanzarote, ridden by Champion Jockey John Francombe (he’s the third most successful National Hunt jump jockey of all time).
The fantastic news, Lanzarote won! Impressive!
Their big news would come five days before, ‘A Day At The Races’ was released (December 1976) when they discovered their album pre-sales were more than half a million, the highest orders EMI had ever received for any album.
Once again Queen’s operatic and torch flavoured elements rose to the fore. And if all that wasn’t enough, Groucho Marx sent the group a handwritten note to congratulate them on their excellent taste!
In return, the band sent him a 'Queen II' tour jacket, which arrived just before his death.
What a year 1976 turned out to be!

16 October 1976, Queen held ‘A Day At The Races’ launch party at Kempton Park RaceCourse in Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey, EnglandLet’s quickly recap 1976 which...

10/16/2025

19 November 1982, Freddie Mercury makes a guest appearance with Elton John, Manchester Apollo Theatre
After Queen wrapped their "Hot Space" Tour in 1982, Freddie Mercury enjoys a legendary evening with his dear friend Elton John as he makes a guest appearance in Manchester, England @ The “Apollo Theatre"
Among Freddie's closest friends was Elton John, or "Sharon" as Freddie affectionately referred to him . Conflicting touring schedules meant Freddie and Elton were seldom in the same place at the same time, but on one rare occasion they got to appear on stage together — at Manchester's Apollo Theater during Elton's UK tour in late 1982. Not wanting to be outshone on stage by Elton's baubled and braids, Freddie cunningly borrowed one of Elton's military styled outfits before joining him at the piano.
Freddie and Elton performed, ”Whole Lotta Shakin', Goin' On”, “I Saw Her Standing There” and “Twist & Shout”
Beautiful friends ♥️

10/16/2025

10 November 1991……Freddie returns to London from Montreux
The arrangements were made in Switzerland and England to allow Freddie to be sped through customs, he boarded a private jet, left his beloved Switzerland for the final time and flew back to London so he could spend the remainder of his life in the comfort of his beautiful home
A moving interview provided by Peter Freestone:
“I was Freddie's chief cook and bottle washer, waiter, butler, secretary, cleaner and agony aunt. I travelled the world with him, I was with him during the highs and came through the lows," Peter says of the twelve years he worked for Freddie.
I acted as his bodyguard when needed and in the end, of course, I was one of his nurses.
Freddie’s Garden Lodge generally had a quiet atmosphere," he recalls: "It was his home, so while he had quite a few wonderful parties for anything up to 200 people, it was a place he felt secure in and a place where he didn’t have to guard anything he said or did.
He could get up in the morning and put on a mismatching track suit, he could be silent if he wanted to, or come downstairs from his bedroom, full of life. Freddie loved laughing, so was almost always with people who could make him laugh.
While Freddie was alive, it was the warmest, most welcoming home that I could wish for. It was decorated most beautifully, it was filled with great furniture and as Freddie said, it wasn’t a museum; it was a house to be lived in and enjoyed.
After Freddie came back from Switzerland on the 10th November 1991 and made his decision to stop his medication, it obviously passed through his mind to make the statement.
I believe he was at peace with himself. Freddie decided to stop his medication on his own terms. He knew the consequences of his actions and had the time then to talk with friends and family and say his goodbyes.
No-one knew how much time he had left on the 10th November, but he must have understood his body and what it was feeling as the days passed.
In the days leading up to his death, Peter recalls Freddie's last days and the singer's request for once last look at his beloved Kensington home.
Freddie was downstairs in Garden Lodge on the 20th November, as he wanted to see some of his art works for one last time. Terry [Freddie's bodyguard and chauffeur] carried him down the stairs, but he walked around the sitting room and Japanese room, with one of us supporting him.
He commented on how and when he had acquired a few of the pieces [in his home]. Of course there was a quiet atmosphere in the house during those last days, but Freddie remained the Freddie we knew until the end.
Quite a number of people state that Freddie always guarded his privacy while he was alive, and now here I am giving away everything that Freddie never talked about," he acknowledges.
It is true, during his lifetime Freddie wanted his privacy and kept his private life to himself and a close group of friends. He also knew and spoke about that when he was gone, people would think and say many things that weren’t true. He said then that he wouldn’t care as he wouldn’t be here.
He isn’t here in person, but the person so many people loved and admired for his music and presence is still here," Peter states, adding: "Many ill-founded rumours appear all the time and I just feel it is better that the truth is there for everyone, so that they can then make up their own minds...and get to know the real Freddie Mercury."
Peter Freestone 2020

10/15/2025

On the 11th of November, 1978, The Official International Queen Fan Club held their first convention
While Queen are on the American tour, the very first Queen Fan Club Convention is held, at the Empire Ballroom in London’s Leicester Square.
A general invitation is issued in the Autumn fan club magazine and hundreds of eager fans from all around the UK assemble outside the Leicester Square venue.
Alan Freeman hosts the event, which unlike subsequent conventions, is only a half day affair, held on a Saturday afternoon. It kicks off with Freeman explaining the programme for the afternoon and continues with him playing various tracks from the albums. The music is accompanied by a slide show pictures of the band.
The promotional videos for ‘Rhapsody’, ‘Best Friend’, ‘Somebody To Love’, ‘Tie Your Mother Down’, ‘Rock You’, ‘Champions’ and ‘Spread Your Wings’ are also shown.
The afternoon concludes with a complete play-through of the brand new album ‘Jazz’, before a telegram sent by the band from America is read out.
By comparison, the UK convention now spans three days.
Queen Live by Greg Brooks
The pics are of the phenomenal ‘Magic Tour’

10/15/2025

A Garden Lodge Christmas ….🌟🎄⛄️
Freddie loved Christmas. He loved celebrating with his closest friends and went the extra mile to ensure everything was perfect. He wanted everything to look good and have an inviting warmth. The Garden Lodge tree was 14 Ft and was set up in the sitting room. It was decorated from top to bottom by Jim. He had to use a ladder to put on all the beautiful decorations. The tree and minstrel’s gallery were always beautifully decorated.
Freddie spent time with his family the week before Christmas. He invited his closest friends and everyone who would be alone at Christmas time, he never wanted anyone to be alone. Another wonderful thing Freddie did that was so Freddie, he gave each person a list of everyone invited so they could buy a little something for everyone. He didn’t want to be opening hundreds of gifts while everyone else opened the one he gave them. It was always a lovely gesture. There was always a massive amount of presents underneath the tree.
On Christmas Eve Freddie left usually with Joe so I could prepare the Christmas Vegetables for the following day. A huge table was set and decorated in the sitting room. Jim made the centerpiece.
Joe, always quite the professional, was up very early on Christmas Day so he could put the two turkeys in the ovens. We began preparing all the food so it was ready on time. We set the table and Freddie would come over to the table and move a knife, napkin or a glass here and there to make sure everything was perfect. It was important to him that everything was just right and he loved to be included with setting the table.
Our guests always arrived on time. Freddie said it was tradition to sing carols. Everyone gathered ‘round the piano and Garden Lodge was always full of singing, laughter and just a wonderful atmosphere.
Christmas lunch was served by 1:30pm sharp. Everything was served, the wines, waters and food. The feast included crackers, the main course (turkey) stuffings, vegetables and of course Christmas pudding (I began the puddings at the end of October and they had a sixpence or a type of coin inside. I also prepared the Christmas cakes in advance too). We had to be done eating by a quarter of three so we could watch the Queen’s speech on the telly which started at 3:00pm.
The leftovers were set out on the mobile kitchen work station so if anyone felt peckish, they could eat a bit here and there. We always opened the gifts right after the Queens speech ended. Let the fun began: more laugher and people ripping the paper - it was a beautiful sea of wrappings, glitter and bows all over the floor. I was always having to double check the papers to make sure we didn’t throw anyone’s gift away.
As the party would wind down and people were leaving, the atmosphere became very quiet. There were about 6, 7 maybe 8 of us left and we all engaged in quiet chatter. The lights were all dim, it was a warm and cozy feeling as we all laughed and continued our chatting. The TV was on but no one was watching. It was always an amazing, just a wonderful time.
Peter Freestone
Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas ♥️🎄
📸 Freddie during Christmas at his beloved Garden Lodge, 1986

10/15/2025

The show was over. "Thank you very much to everyone. Good night and sweet dreams. We love them.” Those were Freddie Mercury's final words on stage. God Save the Queen was playing in the background. People were cheering for the band. He, with his bare torso, a long royal layer of red velvet, a crown in one hand and the scepter and microphone in the other, withdrew from the stage. And there would be no more bices or new functions.
No one knew it would be the last time. Not the four of them nor the one hundred twenty thousand people in the audience. Impossible to plan an ending so close to apotheosis, that it gets confused with it. For everyone it was just a magnificent end to a triumphant tour. The Magic Tour featuring the A Kind of Magic album had dozens of dates, always sold out. Queen was a stadium band. Their habitat was the crowds.
A month before they had packed Wembley twice. Tickets for these concerts sold out in record time. The tour was supposed to end with all three shows in Spain. But manager Harvey Goldsmith upped the stakes and convinced musicians to add one more gig. Again in London but in a place so big it seemed impossible to fill.
On August 9, 1986, in Knebsworth Park and in front of at least 120,000 people (that was the sold-out tickets but it is estimated that there were several thousand more) Queen gave her last concert with Freddie Mercury.
There were three groups that offered curtain callers. Belouis Some, the first band to go up, went wrong. They booed them, threw everything they had. It was a defeat that perhaps, by the massive, definitely ruined his career. Then came the experienced Status Quo, who had been in Live Aid the previous year. They didn't convince the public either. It seemed that every band that introduced itself, instead of distracting people, instead of making the time pass more kindly, was just reminding them of the hours left before the group they had gone to see would appear. Lastly it was the turn of Big Country, who were having a good time with a theme in the charts.
The traffic jams on the driveways lasted for hours. Some, foreseeable or anxious, camped out in the entrance to get in as soon as the building opened. Others took up to 5 hours to make a path that, in normal circumstances, would only take them 30 minutes. The musicians couldn't reach by land. They were in a helicopter that landed on a field behind the stage.
There are footage of Freddie warming up in the dressing room. Prepares the voice, does push-ups with energy, elongate. After the triumphal walk to the stage. Freddie is wearing a yellow muscle, a jacket of the same color with applique and stripes and white trousers with gold shimmer. As the songs pass, the locker room will be modified several times.
The technical conditions were impeccable. An imposing stage. A clear and powerful sound, the best possible back in the day. And several giant screens, with the largest one behind the musicians, so that from anywhere in the building you could follow the performance without any inconveniences.
That day training was the usual. Freddie Mercury, Brian May, John Deacon and Roger Taylor. Like throughout the tour, Spike Edney joined in on keyboards and vocals. The lights went out, the crowd screamed nervous, anxious and began God Moves in a Mysterious Ways, an instrumental introduction that allowed to increase anticipation, the palms of the audience to enter and the musicians to settle in. Next up, the first track, One Vision: May's fast guitar and rhythm base, up to Freddie's vocal entrance.
It was so many people that for the vast majority (and musicians too) a tragic event went unnoticed. While the first song of the night played, in the middle of the field, a few runs ensued. It seemed to be something transient, that the pressure from those in the background in the excitement of the show's beginning, had pushed the crowd forward. The crowd was moving uniformly, it was like a group dance leaving a place open downtown. A murder had taken place there. A young man was stabbed after an argument. Police removed the body although few knew about the serious incident. Several weeks later three young men were charged with the murder.
A two-hour show in which Queen unfolded each of her faces. They played 5 tracks from their last album (which had been a best-selling success but to which criticism had received coldly, and in some cases even acid sarcasm; however A Kind of Magic contained the synonymous track, One Vision, Who Wants to Live Forever and Friends Will Be Friends, among others). And also every one of his hits. But the final series they chose was (and still is) invincible: Bohemian Rhapsody, Hammer to Fall, Crazy Little Thing Call Love, Radio Ga Ga, We Will Rock You, Friends Will Be Friends and We are the Champions. A perfect setlist.
The crowd was going wild. They’d gotten what they went for, and maybe some more.

The show was over. "Thank you very much to everyone. Good night and sweet dreams. We love them.” Those were Freddie Mercury's final words on stage. God Save ...

10/14/2025

Freddie Mercury's FINAL WORDS to Each Queen Member Roger Taylor Cried

Freddie Mercury's death didn't mean the end of Queen. The final goodbye came on November 6, 1995, when it saw the light Made in heaven. It was also the last album to feature bassist and co-founder John Deacon, who retired a few years later. Freddie's death affected him greatly. Maybe he thought ‘Freddie was the band, so what’s the point? '.
Made in heaven was Mercury's wish
Made in heaven was possible by the tenacity and tireless effort of Freddie Mercury. It was also a gesture of altruism by the artist who, knowing his near end, worked tirelessly during the months following the release of Innuendo in 1991. He wanted to make sure there was enough material for Queen to go on without him.
They moved to Montreux, Switzerland, where the group had their own studios, the Mountain, and stayed active until their final days. “We basically lived in the studio,” remembers Brian May. “He would call us and say ‘I can be there for a few hours.’ Our plan was to carry on until Freddie felt enough was enough. To do as many things with him as possible.”
To achieve his goal, Mercury counted on the unconditional support of his peers, who at all times stood by his side and paddled together to make his wish a reality. “Freddie said ‘I want to keep working, like always, until I fall. That's what I want. And I'd like you to help me, and I don't want any discussion about it," says May. Roger Taylor agrees in his memories: "The sicker he felt, the more it seemed like he needed to record. To give yourself something to do, some reason to keep going, came when I could. So it was a period of intense work.”
"In those days, Freddie would say 'write me things, I know I don't have much time' explains May in the documentary Days of Our Lives. “You keep writing me words, you keep giving me things. I'll sing them. And then you will do whatever you like with them and finish them.”
Couldn't finish her last song, Mother love
Even when his health had declined considerably, Mercury continued to record vocals, and he did so until September 1991, when he stopped shortly before completing a song called Mother Love. "The truth is, he never finished it," May tells on Guitar World. “He said ‘Oh Brian, I can’t do anything else. I'm diein' over here'. It's amazing, it never seemed to fade. He was always in a good mood and full of enthusiasm. He was joking about everything.”
The whole album is a fantasy, because it sounds like the four of us were in there together, having fun
The bravery and enthusiasm that his leader imparted was the drive that united the group to work like never before. “At that time, we had developed a great bond in the band. Last session was really fun There was that cloud flying over us, but the cloud was outside the studio. I wasn't in. I keep very good memories of those days."
I didn't mean to hurt
Those were days when no one knew for sure the severity of the artist's illness. “The last thing he wanted,” Taylor says, “was to draw attention to any kind of weakness or fragility. "I didn't mean to feel sorry." Since 1990, the British tabloids have been chasing Freddie. Day and night, reporters surrounded their London home in order to confirm what was a secret out loud: Mercury was HIV positive, had AIDS, and was dying.
The silence from the people surrounding Queen was absolute. Still, the band denied Mercury's health condition had worsened. “We were facing things that were really hard to talk about at the time,” May said on Guitar World.
They never got over their death
In early November 1991, Mercury stopped taking his AIDS medication; on the 23rd of the same month, he released a statement confirming his illness. One day later, while a media circus surrounded his Kensington home, he passed away. I was 45 years old
Last session was really fun There was that cloud flying over us, but the cloud was outside the studio
“I’ve never gotten over his death,” drummer Roger Taylor told Rolling Stone. “None of us have done it. I think we all thought we could take it on relatively quickly, but we underestimated the impact it had on our lives. Still hard for me to talk about it. For all of us, it’s like Queen started another life entirely.”
It took Queen four years to fulfill Mercury's last will
The Queen members were devastated. Even knowing Mercury's desire to continue without him, more than two years passed before they could even resume the project.
In the spring of 1994, the first hints of the project that would become Made in Heaven, one of Queen's most optimistic works, were known, despite its posthumous nature and the tragic environment surrounding her recording.
Brian May, John Deacon and Roger Taylor all engineered to build a new album with Freddie. And they did it with their last recordings from 1991, with discards from previous albums and solo re-recordings of Mercury songs. “The whole album is a fantasy, because it sounds like the four of us are in there together, having fun.”

Freddie Mercury's death didn't mean the end of Queen. The final goodbye came on November 6, 1995, when it saw the light Made in heaven. It was also the last ...

10/14/2025

Freddie Mercury once said about Mary Austin, “The only friend I’ve got is Mary, and I don’t want anybody else. We believe in each other, and that’s enough for me.”

Mary stood by Freddie’s side through everything—from their early romance in the 1970s to his very last days nearly two decades later. She was his confidante, his anchor, and ultimately inherited much of his estate after his passing in 1991.

Now, with the release of a new book claiming that Freddie secretly fathered a daughter, Mary has broken her silence—calling the idea “astonishing.”

“Freddie was such an open, expressive person,” she told The Sunday Times. “I just cannot imagine him keeping something so joyful hidden—not from me, and certainly not from those closest to him.”

The controversial book, Love, Freddie by Lesley-Ann Jones, alleges that Freddie had an affair in 1976 with a friend’s wife, which supposedly led to the birth of a child known only as “B.” The author claims Freddie began keeping diaries that same year—seventeen volumes in total—and that he later gave them to this alleged daughter before his death.

According to the book, “B,” now 48 and living in Europe, claims to be Freddie’s only child and says she was entrusted with his private journals.

Mary, however, completely dismisses these claims. “I have never known of any child or any diaries,” she said firmly. “If Freddie had fathered a daughter, it would have brought him immense happiness, and he would have shared that with us all—including his parents, who adored him and would have welcomed her with open arms.”

She also highlighted inconsistencies in the story. Mary explained that she and Freddie were living together on June 20, 1976—the exact date the supposed diaries were said to have begun—and remained together for two more years. “At no point did I ever see him writing in a diary,” she recalled. “I would be very surprised if he kept journals for fifteen years without me ever knowing.”

She went on to question the idea that Freddie, only months before his passing, handed over his diaries to a 15-year-old girl. “I was with him almost every day during that time,” Mary said. “There was never any mention or sign of this.”

Lesley-Ann Jones insists that she has read the diaries and spoken directly with “B,” but no tangible proof has ever been shared. Even Anita Dobson, Brian May’s wife, expressed her doubts, saying: “It seems impossible that Freddie would have a child none of us knew about. If she exists, where is she? Step forward.”

Mary echoed that same disbelief. “It just doesn’t make sense,” she said. “To suggest that Freddie was in this child’s life daily, had bedrooms in her homes, and still maintained his incredibly busy life—it doesn’t add up.”

Though Mary rarely speaks to the press, she felt compelled to respond this time. “I didn’t want my silence to be mistaken for agreement,” she explained. “This wasn’t an easy decision, but I had to speak—for Freddie’s sake, because he’s not here to defend himself.”

She ended with a clear message: “So many things have been said about Freddie over the years—many without any truth behind them. I find this story implausible and deeply sad. Freddie was a wonderful man, and I hate to think that the truth of who he really was might be buried under false claims like this.”

We believe these allegations to be false.
And here is a beautiful photo of Mary 💛

10/13/2025

Freddie Mercury's death didn't mean the end of Queen. The final goodbye came on November 6, 1995, when it saw the light Made in heaven. It was also the last album to feature bassist and co-founder John Deacon, who retired a few years later. Freddie's death affected him greatly. Maybe he thought ‘Freddie was the band, so what’s the point? '.
Made in heaven was Mercury's wish
Made in heaven was possible by the tenacity and tireless effort of Freddie Mercury. It was also a gesture of altruism by the artist who, knowing his near end, worked tirelessly during the months following the release of Innuendo in 1991. He wanted to make sure there was enough material for Queen to go on without him.
They moved to Montreux, Switzerland, where the group had their own studios, the Mountain, and stayed active until their final days. “We basically lived in the studio,” remembers Brian May. “He would call us and say ‘I can be there for a few hours.’ Our plan was to carry on until Freddie felt enough was enough. To do as many things with him as possible.”
To achieve his goal, Mercury counted on the unconditional support of his peers, who at all times stood by his side and paddled together to make his wish a reality. “Freddie said ‘I want to keep working, like always, until I fall. That's what I want. And I'd like you to help me, and I don't want any discussion about it," says May. Roger Taylor agrees in his memories: "The sicker he felt, the more it seemed like he needed to record. To give yourself something to do, some reason to keep going, came when I could. So it was a period of intense work.”
"In those days, Freddie would say 'write me things, I know I don't have much time' explains May in the documentary Days of Our Lives. “You keep writing me words, you keep giving me things. I'll sing them. And then you will do whatever you like with them and finish them.”
Couldn't finish her last song, Mother love
Even when his health had declined considerably, Mercury continued to record vocals, and he did so until September 1991, when he stopped shortly before completing a song called Mother Love. "The truth is, he never finished it," May tells on Guitar World. “He said ‘Oh Brian, I can’t do anything else. I'm diein' over here'. It's amazing, it never seemed to fade. He was always in a good mood and full of enthusiasm. He was joking about everything.”
The whole album is a fantasy, because it sounds like the four of us were in there together, having fun
The bravery and enthusiasm that his leader imparted was the drive that united the group to work like never before. “At that time, we had developed a great bond in the band. Last session was really fun There was that cloud flying over us, but the cloud was outside the studio. I wasn't in. I keep very good memories of those days."
I didn't mean to hurt
Those were days when no one knew for sure the severity of the artist's illness. “The last thing he wanted,” Taylor says, “was to draw attention to any kind of weakness or fragility. "I didn't mean to feel sorry." Since 1990, the British tabloids have been chasing Freddie. Day and night, reporters surrounded their London home in order to confirm what was a secret out loud: Mercury was HIV positive, had AIDS, and was dying.
The silence from the people surrounding Queen was absolute. Still, the band denied Mercury's health condition had worsened. “We were facing things that were really hard to talk about at the time,” May said on Guitar World.
They never got over their death
In early November 1991, Mercury stopped taking his AIDS medication; on the 23rd of the same month, he released a statement confirming his illness. One day later, while a media circus surrounded his Kensington home, he passed away. I was 45 years old
Last session was really fun There was that cloud flying over us, but the cloud was outside the studio
“I’ve never gotten over his death,” drummer Roger Taylor told Rolling Stone. “None of us have done it. I think we all thought we could take it on relatively quickly, but we underestimated the impact it had on our lives. Still hard for me to talk about it. For all of us, it’s like Queen started another life entirely.”
It took Queen four years to fulfill Mercury's last will
The Queen members were devastated. Even knowing Mercury's desire to continue without him, more than two years passed before they could even resume the project.
In the spring of 1994, the first hints of the project that would become Made in Heaven, one of Queen's most optimistic works, were known, despite its posthumous nature and the tragic environment surrounding her recording.
Brian May, John Deacon and Roger Taylor all engineered to build a new album with Freddie. And they did it with their last recordings from 1991, with discards from previous albums and solo re-recordings of Mercury songs. “The whole album is a fantasy, because it sounds like the four of us are in there together, having fun.” Of course, most of the time, when you hear it, it's not like that. It was built to sound like that. And there's a whole lot of love inside of her," says Brian May.

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"You could say we surrendered." Brian May (Queen)'s words during an interview with AXS TV are giving a lot to talk about as for the first time we get to know...