In a recent documentary, Brian May tells how difficult it was to record The Show Must Go On.
Freddie Mercury in July 1986 at Wembley. Alan Davidson / Shutterstock
In a recent BBC documentary, the final screening of Freddie Mercury: Queen Legend goes through Freddie Mercury recent years, and how AIDS was perceived in the 1980s and 1990s.
Mercury had been positively diagnosed with AIDS in 1987, but he didn’t even tell his bandmates about the disease. The diagnosis came as no surprise, and Mercury had long suspected of being infected, as many of his partners had died of the virus.
The Queen last performed in August 1986 in Knebworth in front of 120,000 spectators. Even though the performances ended, the Queen still made music, and even one of her biggest hits ever, The Show Must Go On -classic.
Queen at the 1990 Brit Awards Gala. From left are Freddie Mercury, John Deacon, Roger Taylor and Brian May. Alan Davidson / Shutterstock
Brian MayQueen ‘s guitarist and songwriter says she was already skeptical about the name in the documentary.
Brian asked Freddie if the song’s title, The Show Must Go On, was tasteless.
– Freddie replied that it’s great, let’s do it. Let’s write the words, Brian recalls.
The song tells the story of a sad fool who paints a smile on his face to look happy.
– At no point did I tell Freddie that the song was about him.
Freddie didn’t ask who that fool was either.
– We had wordlessly decided to remain silent on other levels.
The song was recorded in 1990, Freddie Mercury is doing really badly at the time. According to Brian May, Freddie Mercury was having difficulty walking or even sitting because of the pain.
However, Freddie wanted to sing a flamboyant song.
– He said “bring me vodka”. Freddie poured the glass, drank it, and twisted. He asked for another glass and then went to sing.
Freddie Mercury over to high notes that are hard to sing. Brian May recalls how Freddie’s voice had a bright edge as always.
– But there was a different shade under the surface. You can hear it.
At no point did Mercury complain about his pain to his bandmates.
Freddie Mercury fell asleep on November 24, 1991. He had said a day earlier that he was suffering from AIDS. Freddie Mercury was only 45 years old at the time of his death.
The Wembley concerts were one of Queen’s highlights. AOP