Brian May from Queen discusses Freddie Mercury’s reserved personality and hints at upcoming music.
Queen’s lead guitarist Brian May recently sat down for an interview with MOJO to discuss the potential for new Queen music. Despite the passing of iconic frontman Freddie Mercury, May, along with drummer Roger Taylor and bassist John Deacon, hasn’t ruled out the idea of creating new material. According to May, both he and Taylor are constantly brainstorming, writing, and experimenting in their respective studios, which could potentially lead to the birth of a new Queen song.
Reflecting on the band’s history, May shared insights into the songwriting process within Queen. Revealing that all four original band members contributed to songwriting, May admitted to feeling nervous each time he presented a new song to his bandmates, fearing their rejection. Despite having penned some of Queen’s biggest hits like “We Will Rock You,” May always found the act of sharing his songs an anxiety-inducing experience.
In the interview, May also fondly recalled his late bandmate Freddie Mercury, acknowledging Mercury’s remarkable talent and larger-than-life persona. Describing Mercury as innately shy, May emphasized how the frontman’s excitement and electric energy often overshadowed his underlying shyness. May noted, “Deep down, Freddie was one of the shyest people I’ve ever met, but he was so full of bluster you’d forget.”
Discussing one of Mercury’s final songs, “The Show Must Go On,” May reminisced about the tight time constraints they faced while working on it. Despite Mercury’s declining health due to complications from AIDS/HIV, the pair managed to write only one verse together in a single afternoon. May recalled being impressed by Mercury’s professional demeanor during the recording process, highlighting his dedication to the music.
May also shared a humorous anecdote about one of Mercury’s eccentric ideas, jokingly suggesting titling their next album “Good” as a counterpoint to Michael Jackson’s “Bad.” While this idea didn’t make the final cut, May acknowledged Mercury’s spontaneity and creativity, which often led to both brilliant and offbeat suggestions.
The interview offered fans a glimpse into the band’s dynamic and the unique personalities of its members. Despite Mercury’s tragic passing in 1991, his legacy continues to inspire May and Taylor to explore new musical possibilities and potentially create fresh Queen material. May’s reflections on the band’s history and songwriting process provide an intimate look at the creative forces behind some of Queen’s most iconic hits.