Brian May, the legendary guitarist of Queen, has received an outpouring of support after sharing a heartfelt tribute to the late Freddie Mercury on Instagram. The post featured fan artwork showcasing Mercury’s life journey, from his infancy to his iconic status as a musician. Accompanying the artwork, May shared his 1992 track ‘Just One Life,’ originally written for actor Philip Sayer, and wrote, ‘The most beautiful memories are the saddest. Remembering the one and only Freddie M.’
May addressed accusations of using artificial intelligence, stating, ‘I’m going to say this only once, to you people who think you’re so clever. This has nothing to do with AI.’ He emphasized that the artwork was created by an artist he credited and encouraged a positive comment culture, suggesting that negative comments should be kept to a minimum.
The post resonated with fans, who praised May’s tribute and shared their own memories of Mercury, who passed away in 1991 at the age of 45. One fan expressed gratitude for May’s kindness and support, while another celebrated Mercury’s legacy as the best singer in the world, praising Queen’s enduring impact.
May has also revealed ambitious plans for a potential hologram show, reminiscent of ABBA Voyage, which would reunite Queen’s original lineup, including Mercury and retired bassist John Deacon. He expressed enthusiasm for immersive technology, suggesting that it could bring Mercury back to life through music and create new experiences for fans.
However, May’s stance on holograms has evolved. Initially, he preferred waiting until the current members were no longer active before pursuing such performances. The article also delves into the band’s financial struggles during the creation of ‘Bohemian Rhapsody,’ which celebrated its 50th anniversary this year. May and drummer Roger Taylor revealed that the band was in severe debt and management turmoil during the recording of their 1975 masterpiece.
Despite the challenges, ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ dominated the charts for nine weeks, transforming the band’s fortunes during a period of economic hardship and soaring inflation. May believes the song’s connection with audiences during Britain’s economic turmoil of the 1970s is a testament to the power of music in challenging times, as evidenced by the numerous letters he has received from people whose lives were positively impacted by Queen’s music.