This summer has been an enjoyable revival of an old love affair with the outstanding band Queen. The film, “Bohemian Rhapsody” shook loose the fondest memories. “Killer Queen” came on the radio just when I entered the teen years. Every year, they had a new single. Every song carried their sound, their grit and their soul. The “Bicycle Race” was fun. I loved the ching-ching of a European bell. Not many bands had the gravitas to put out something so not a pop song. The imagery was priggish. As a young feminista, it was actually quite appalling .
Freddie has been gone for years now. Truly, he was a calico cat in another life. He doesn’t look like the cuddly type and neither are they. A man with energy that sparked outward. Calicos tolerate us, appreciate us but in the end, don’t give a flip. Freddie talked like that quite a lot. He loved what he was doing but never suffered fools. “Death on Two Legs” comes to mind whenever I tangle with an asshat boss on some nonsense tension involving power plays. Freddie was very sharp as are calico’s. They sit back and consider. They observe and pass judgement with an ear twitch.
If there is a most perfect song of their repertoire, it must be, “Somebody to Love.” It’s brilliant. The ebb and flow, pacing and emotional power is perfect. But, then there is “Seaside”, “Crazy Little Thing Called Love, “and “39”. I miss Freddie. I miss a flamboyant, fan it in front of everyone kind of personality. Such an old friend Ω
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