Interview from radio.cz
For 12 years Peter Freestone was a personal assistant and close friend to Freddie Mercury, the singer who reached superstardom with the rock group Queen. He was with also there during the singer’s last days in 1991. Since the start of the Noughties, Freestone has lived in the Czech Republic. I contacted him this week after it was confirmed that Queen will release three tracks that time forgot which Mercury recorded with Michael Jackson, a recording at which Freestone was present.
But before we get to that, I also asked him about his former job.
“Basically it was 24 hours a day, seven days a week. My job was just to be there for Freddie, to take care of him really.”
Was it enjoyable work to be so close to someone who was publically such a huge star?
“I think the easiest way to say it is yes, it was work (I know this because there was money going into the bank every month) but really I was basically living Freddie’s life. It was amazing. I had the easy part: I could spend what he really worked hard to earn. I did the shopping and I went to auctions for him, you know, that was the easy part of the job.”
I’ve read that Freddie Mercury, like many stars, was a different person behind closed doors, that he was someone who intensely valued his privacy. Is that true?
“Yes, very much. Even when he invited friends to Garden Lodge, his home, people he knew… he would still play the part of the entertainer. He could only really be himself when there were just the four or five of the closest people he knew at Garden Lodge. Then he could be himself. Of course, when he walked out the door he became public property. And he realised that. So he became what the public expected. He would have on the t-shirt, leather jacket, jeans, trainers, the sunglasses… and he would become what was expected of him.”
The Times and Rolling Stone both caught fans’ attention this week by confirming that three lost songs Freddie recorded 30 years ago with Michael Jackson will be released later this year. At least one version of one of the songs is already well-known; another, called Victory, is not, and if I am not mistaken has never been heard. Did you ever wonder to yourself, since you were there at the time, whether these songs would ever be released?
“Because they were Michael’s property – they were recorded in his own studio in his home – I never expected them to see the light of day. But I am very happy they will. Two of the tracks have had various treatment by fans over the years – State of Shock and There Must Be More to Life Than This, both of which were released in different forms. One on the Jacksons’ album and one on Queen’s; but the third one, Victory, is something that has never been heard before.
“I still have some memories of it because I was there when it was recorded in the studio. In fact, on the original tape – and I don’t know if this will still exist – I played what you hear as the bass drum on the track. Only it isn’t a bass drum: what you hear is a toilet door! I had to stand there for five minutes banging a toilet door! So, you know, I think it is going to be something for people to enjoy, it should be very interesting.”
Hopefully that stays on the track!
“I hope so!” (laughs)
Do you think the release of the third song could cause a sensation?
“I really hope so. Of course even the other two tracks will receive different treatment now that Queen are involved in the production. I am sure that they will be paying attention to Freddie’s voice and the production of the whole track. They are perfectionists and everything has to be just right. But I believe that it will be worth the wait.”
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Source: radio.cz / MJ-Upbeat.com
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