Julie Webb relentlessly probes the cut and contour
of QUEEN's Lead Trouser
IT SHOULD be noted that the BBC seem to have taken "Killer Queen" to their collective bosom, since they've been flogging it to death. I wonder if they would be so keen if they realized the true story behind the single.
Mercury elucidates�: " It's about a high class call girl. I'm trying to say that classy people can be whores as well. That's what the song is about, though I'd prefer people to put their interpretation upon it - to read into it what they like."
The British tour is their first live manifestation since their ill-fated American bonanza, when they played support to Mott The Hoople and returned early after guitarist Brian May contracted hepatitis.
As if that wasn't bad enough, May was later informed that he had an ulcer. Currently he still has a certain air of frailty surrounding him, but claims to be feeling "better than ever".
Mercury advises�: "Brian has got to look after himself in future. We all want to make sure something like that never happens again. So he'll have to eat the right things and steer clear of hamburgers."
Most inopportune, one would have thought, quitting their first US tour halfway through, Mercury however is confident as ever of the band's chances in America.
"We did what we had to do, anyway. Sure, a whole tour would have helped us a bit more, but there's no such thing as 'we lost our chance'. I still believe that the time is right for us there and we're going back pretty soon. We really did it - cause when we came back you should have seen the write-ups. They were beautiful and they just want us to come back as soon as we can. They are just waiting on new product."
One particular review from the US sticks out in Mercury's mind since it was, in a sense, on a personal level.
"We played a theatre in New York with Mott and this particular chick (well, they notice everything down to the pimple on your arse, dear) wrote that she noticed that when I did a costume change I changed even my shoes and socks. She also added she was so close she could tell what religion I was, and that I wasn't wearing any knickers. She also pointed out that Ian Hunter had knickers on. Ian's going to die..."
Indeed.
Since the American market is taking such an interest in Queen, it appears Japan is not very far behind. "Queen II" was recently voted album of the year and all members of the band came up highly in the musicians' awards.
"Quite a change for a country which has of late been apparently obsessed with the likes of ELP and Yes. We're planning to go to Japan in the New year," states Mercury "Can't wait, actually. All those geisha girls..." (he laughs) "and boys."
Seems the Japan market have twigged quite early - even now they send presents to the band. At EMI Mercury received a Japanese wooden comb "for your birthday, please, come over soon."
Before the British tour, the main priority has been rehearsing. This time round, the sound should substantially improve, since they will be playing larger venues than before, which are more suited to their vast sound system.
"We're just hoping to have a whale of time. We are going to have to put across all three albums. The repertoire will be built around them. But the main thing is to put across the energy of the band and hopefully the versatility. I'd hate to just do hard rock all the time, dear. It should be good because we've got better lights, better everything."
PART OF this interview was conducted in a local hostelry which sold liquor. Beforehand, Mercury seemed a bit nervous, about what kind of establishment it was.
"Is it working class�?" he asked, in what sounded like an elitist manner. No, it wasn't particularly rough. Even so, people did tend to stare when he entered.
"I love it, really." He commented, looking distinctly uncomfortable trying to avoid the stares of an old man nearby, whose eyes were attempting to leave their sockets.
"I just wanted to know what kind of place it was because I don't want a load of cut-throats around me. I just wonder what they think. I mean when we walked in that man's eyes did nearly pop out his head."
Does he ever get strange comments walking down the street�?
"No, not really. I've had people try to pick me up once or twice, but I'm not intending to change into jeans because of it. I tried that a few weeks ago and people I knew remarked on that far more than my satin or velvet."
Somehow I have enough confidence in Mercury to feel that he could carry off any occasion with typical aplomb. Just a short time ago he found himself in a somewhat embarrassing situation and miraculously escaped.
But let him explain that�:
"We'd had a hectic day at 'Top Of The Pops' and our promotion man Eric Hall invited us out for a meal. Unfortunately the others in the band couldn't come as they had to go back to the studio. Anyway, I had rather a lot to drink and I seem to remember at some point in the evening that someone removed my shoes and socks and hung them on a lampshade. Then I said something along the lines of�'well, if you're going to take everything off
I shall remove my trousers...'
Picture this. Our hero, half under his table at a rather trendy nitespot with trousers akimbo, when the big white chief of the establishment approaches.
"I thought he was going to throw me out, but instead he said 'I hear you've got a gold disc'.
He meant to say silver. And then he presented me with a bottle of champagne."
Now if Mercury can handle a situation like that with such style, think how easy it is for him to get everyone else convinced he is a star.
To Go Back
This page hosted by
Get your own Free Homepage