We faced your death with a grin, Freddie. You are still missed.

Author: José A. Rodriguez
Image: Paula Anderanin

 

When I found out that Tuesday, 9/6/11, would have been Queen frontman, Freddie Mercury’s 65^th birthday, I couldn’t help but be struck by the thought, “What would he be doing now?” What makes this all even more poignant is that November will mark the 20^th anniversary of his death from AIDS.

It’s easy to forget how great of a frontman he was because each of the characteristics that made him great are so strong. The public might remember his operatic tenor or his flamboyant unitards. They might remember that he was a musician: played guitar and piano. While Queen contributed to the songwriting, it’s easy to remember the songs that he wrote that read like their greatest hits. However, the one thing I feel made him one of the best of all time was his command of the audience.

If you haven’t yet seen any of Queen’s 1985 performance at Live Aid, then do yourself a favor and jump on Youtube. It was at this performance that Queen found their second wind and did they ever. While their overall performance has been regarded as one of the event’s best, check out “Radio Ga Ga.” It was incredible to see how the audience followed each and every one of Mercury’s movements. He was one with the audience and they were one with him―the mark of a master performer.

While I regard him as one of the best frontmen, I can’t forget his strength as a songwriter―something that is much too overlooked. Now, each of the Queen members contributed to their broad catalog. When the original songwriter would submit a song to the band, it would, eventually, receive the “Queen” treatment. John Deacon wrote “Under Pressure.” Roger Taylor wrote “Sheer Heart Attack” and “Stone Cold Crazy” among others. However, Mercury wrote a virtual whos-who that resembles their greatest hits: “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “Somebody To Love,” “We Will Rock You” and “We Are The Champions.” He didn’t just write a lot of songs. He wrote them in various musical styles. Prolific is an understatement for Mercury.

I am a huge Queen fan―something that has happened over the last few years. My generation was undoubtedly introduced to them through the “Bohemian Rhapsody” scene in Wayne’s World. This was my entry point. Through the years, I grew to love many more of their songs.

One in particular sticks with me: “Show Must Go On.” This song was off of Innuendo, the last album released during Mercury’s lifetime. The line that stays with me says, “My makeup might still be flaking, but my smile still stays on.” I can almost visualize the tremendous difficulty that Mercury experienced, as he fought back the effects of his disease to pull off on of his best Queen vocal performances.

I can’t help but wonder what he’d be doing right now. Would he be collaborating with Lady Gaga (took her name off “Radio Ga Ga”)? Maybe jamming with Muse? Another duet with David Bowie? We will never know. Indeed, this is one of those cosmic rock n’ roll what-ifs.

As I wrap up this tribute, my teary smile grows wider. We faced your death with a grin, Freddie. You are still missed.