Monday, August 8, 2011
THE EX-LOVER OF FREDDIE MERCURY MARY AUSTIN SHARES HER MEMORIES OF THE LATE QUEEN SINGER INSIDE HIS HOME
Freddie Mercury would dominate a stage with all the force of a hurricane. But offstage an entirely different kind of man existed. All the flamboyance was replaced by someone who was very shy, suspicious of people, and guarded his privacy almost as much as the late Howard Hughes. He had a demonic sense of humour and would explode and scream when he didn't get his own way. In fact, woe betide anyone if they dared to upset the Queen singer. Towards the end of his life, however, he surrounded himself with a small close-knit group of friends he felt he could trust. After a run of disastrous, tempestuous relationships around the world, he confided how he had felt betrayed by many of his male relationships, but had never lost his admiration for the loyalty of one woman.
That woman was Mary Austin, whom he had described in the past as the 'love of his life'. Mary had been the rock star's lover for six years before he decided he preferred male partners. Shortly before his death, he became anxious to provide her and her two children with some security. For this reason, he decided to leave her his most prized possession - his 'dream home'.
Having agreed to be godfather to her eldest son Richard, now aged nine, he liked the idea of his house one day becoming a family home. Much of Freddie's personal life was as dramatic as his stage performances. His wealth and stardom did not help with matters of the heart.
'Love is the hardest thing to achieve and the one thing in this business that can let you down the most,' he said. 'I have built up an immense bond with Mary. She has gone through just about everything and always been there for me.'
Not only did Freddie leave his magnificent Georgian mansion, in London's
Kensington, to Mary, but also the bulk of his multi-million pound fortune, with an income for life from his vast record sales and publishing. The house stands behind an expansive walled Japanese garden. Freddie was particularly fond of Japanese art and had encouraged his last boyfriend Jim Hutton to create the garden, which is still filled with flowering trees and multi-coloured roses. Freddie always had a flair for style and spent a fortune transforming the house into a splendid palatial home. Even his adored five cats were of the exotic variety!
That woman was Mary Austin, whom he had described in the past as the 'love of his life'. Mary had been the rock star's lover for six years before he decided he preferred male partners. Shortly before his death, he became anxious to provide her and her two children with some security. For this reason, he decided to leave her his most prized possession - his 'dream home'.
Having agreed to be godfather to her eldest son Richard, now aged nine, he liked the idea of his house one day becoming a family home. Much of Freddie's personal life was as dramatic as his stage performances. His wealth and stardom did not help with matters of the heart.'Love is the hardest thing to achieve and the one thing in this business that can let you down the most,' he said. 'I have built up an immense bond with Mary. She has gone through just about everything and always been there for me.'
Not only did Freddie leave his magnificent Georgian mansion, in London's Kensington, to Mary, but also the bulk of his multi-million pound fortune, with an income for life from his vast record sales and publishing. The house stands behind an expansive walled Japanese garden. Freddie was particularly fond of Japanese art and had encouraged his last boyfriend Jim Hutton to create the garden, which is still filled with flowering trees and multi-coloured roses. Freddie always had a flair for style and spent a fortune transforming the house into a splendid palatial home. Even his adored five cats were of the exotic variety!
Classic Interview With Freddie Mercury From Rock's Backpages
The Quietus has unequivocal love for Queen, but it's an affection which hasn't always been shared by the rock press. Just witness this spat between the NME and Freddie Mercury from 1977
Interview by Tony Stewart, NME, June 1977
FREDDIE MERCURY has always liked to dance the Millionaire's Waltz. There's a story about him, dating back to his days as an impoverished student, which illustrates that even at that time he had grand aspirations for a luxurious existence. It was before Queen were formed and he was running a stall in Kensington Market with the delicately pretty drummer, Roger Taylor.
Queen
Biography
Queen were an English rock band originally consisting of four members: vocalist Freddie Mercury, guitarist Brian May, bass guitarist John Deacon, and drummer Roger Taylor.
The band formed in London in 1970 after May and Taylor’s former band Smile split after having released an album and single. Freddie replaced lead vocalist Tim Staffell, after the latter’s departure from the original trio.
There was much deliberation as to what the band’s name would be. May and Taylor had settled upon the Grand Dance, derived from a C.S. Lewis Trilogy of books Out Of The Silent Planet.
The band formed in London in 1970 after May and Taylor’s former band Smile split after having released an album and single. Freddie replaced lead vocalist Tim Staffell, after the latter’s departure from the original trio.
There was much deliberation as to what the band’s name would be. May and Taylor had settled upon the Grand Dance, derived from a C.S. Lewis Trilogy of books Out Of The Silent Planet.
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