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Queen Guitarist Didn't Know Freddie Mercury Was Gay

Posted on Dec 22nd 2008 10:30AM by John D. Luerssen

Brian May has claimed that for years he was unaware that Freddie Mercury was gay. The Queen guitarist says that he and the band's frontman were very close -- especially in the early days of the band -- yet he was virtually clueless about the flamboyant singer's homosexuality because he had a number of girlfriends.

"No, I didn't know. I don't think even he was fully cognizant in the beginning," May told British newspaper The Daily Express. "You're talking to someone who shared rooms with Fred on the first couple of tours, so I knew him pretty well.

"I knew a lot of his girlfriends and he certainly didn't have boyfriends, that's for sure," added May, who recently earned a Ph.D. in physics. "I think there was a slight suspicion, but it never occurred to me that he was gay."

May also recalled that Mercury -- who died of complications from AIDS in 1991 -- had a tendency to avoid the issue of his sexuality when asked directly. He said, "I remember Freddie being asked if he was gay in one of his early interviews and he said, 'Yes, darling, of course. I'm as gay as a daffodil.' It was a neat way of sidestepping the issue because, actually, Freddie was no fool.

"I know that all through his life Fred didn't think that whether he was gay or not was important," May concluded. "He loved music, he love his work, and he didn't want anything to get in the way. Anyone who portrays Fred as purely a gay story is missing a lot of the point."

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LindaRuth

I am not aware of which songs Freddie Mercury wrote, but I must say, I have enjoyed Queen's music for years! He had an outstanding voice, and put on a great show, along with the other guys in the band. I have Queen CD's, and I play them all the time. I had heard that Freddie was gay, but that didn't matter to me. It was his life, and how he conducted himself in private, was certainly his business! It is sad that he is dead, as I feel he would still be singing beautifully. I just finished watching a 3 hour concert of Queen in Montreal, which led me to do a search on Freddie Mercury; and what did I find? All the questions of was he, or was he not gay! How repulsive!! Which one of you that is "WITHOUT SIN" should throw the first stone. Also, we are NOT to judge anyone, because we WILL be judged as we have judged others. I suggest being careful before slandering a dead man's name with degrading remarks regarding his sexuality! As for me...I will continue to enjoy his musical talents and his voice. That is just my opinion.

January 04 2012 at 4:04 AM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down Reply

Grace

Freddie Mercury was the best rock singer who wrote classics and he was also the best frontman. There will never be another Freddie Mercury. Even today, 18 years later, Freddie is still better than any top performer today.

February 03 2010 at 12:51 AM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down Reply

Deesarg

I agree with all of you, why should it matter if someone is gay, it's what's inside that's important. I wasn't lucky enough to have seen queen in concert, but I thihk from what I could see, Freddie was a wonderful guy. I think he just wanted to be loved. He has the most beautiful voice I've ever heard.

June 29 2009 at 10:08 PM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down Reply

Ken

Ha! Like how many of you eat your bugars when nobody is looking!

February 13 2009 at 2:38 PM Report abuse Permalink -1 rate up rate down Reply

Rhonda

he was a great singer. very talented. a great loss to all. who cares if he was gay ? that was his bizz.

January 01 2009 at 6:24 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

christopher

He passed away 18 years ago, and this is news? What's next? Are there people who didn't know the president is black, or john goodman is fat? I even heard homer simpson is a drunk....

January 01 2009 at 1:24 PM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down Reply

HelyHull

Too bad all the best ones die first. John Lennon, Geroge Harrison, Freddie Mercury. We are left with the suckage of McCartney, May and Taylor. And who the hell is Paul Rodgers to front a Queen album? His voice is like fingernails scraping a chalkboard.

December 28 2008 at 12:02 PM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down Reply

Judie

His music and his genius will speak for decades to come. RIP Freddie! There will never be another you.

December 28 2008 at 12:48 AM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down Reply

rtbone46

How long ago was this and why does it matter now?

December 27 2008 at 9:02 PM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down Reply

1 reply to rtbone46's comment

Tammy Mac

The only reason it matters is that Brian May and Roger Taylor have released a "new Queen album" (which sucks), and Brian is trying to get himself some attention to sell CD's. Anything for a buck. These guys have lived off Freddie's name and talent for 30 years - why should they stop now? Must be that the old royalty checks are running out, so crank out some crap, call it Queen, do an interview about Freddie's sexuality and let the money roll in.

December 28 2008 at 11:33 AM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down Reply

mmihok7

greatest musician that ever lived

December 27 2008 at 4:07 PM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down Reply

2 replies to mmihok7's comment

ezdoesit2003

Duh ? ... not even close to good.

December 27 2008 at 5:55 PM Report abuse Permalink -1 rate up rate down Reply

billin19

Greatest vocalist in any genre and one of the greatest pop songwriters and pianists besides. Queen is proving with their latest album that they are/were nothing without him.

December 28 2008 at 11:23 AM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down Reply