Book review: Somebody to Love: The Life, Death & Legacy of Freddie Mercury

Matt Richards & Mark Langthorne

Blink Publishing

There have been many books published on both Queen and Freddie Mercury, so why another one and what is its hook? Well the two authors here have included the usual Queen story of the band’s history and also looked at how Freddie Mercury’s personal life affected the band. Plus they provide a timeline, which is at times graphic, on the discovery and spread of AIDS and how Freddie Mercury’s life ultimately was tragically affected by this.

The book draws heavily on previously published books and interviews for the most part, although the authors did conduct new interviews for this book with Peter Straker, a long time freind of Freddie’s, Marc Almond and Annie Lennox. Like previous books the band members have not taken part in the book and maybe for the real story of the band we will have to wait for either Brian May or Roger Taylor publish their memoirs (I don’t think John Deacon would write his memoirs as he has withdrawn from public life).

Freddie Mercury certainly did live the sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle to the full, and although he was always evasive over his sexuality in public, certainly in the 1970′s, however in private he was living life to the full. This would ultimately lead him to contracting the AIDS virus and his death on November 24 1991. The book title, as well as being the title of one of Queen’s most famous songs, sums up Freddie Mercury’s seemingly lifelong quest to find love and happiness.

The book switches from the band’s history to the events that were happening at the same time in the world regarding AIDS. It was very much an unknown quantity in the early 80′s and the most famous early causality was the actor Rock Hudson. The opening chapter is quite harrowing setting the scene of the final days of Freddie Mercury’s life.

Of course the Queen story is all here, from their beginnings as Smile, through to the final album recordwe whilst Freddie was still alive, ‘Innuendo’. The band’s triumphant Live Aid appearance is covered in some depth and each album’s recording is covered, although the authors steer clear of adding their opinions of the music.

As a lifelong Queen fan I have personally steered clear of the kiss and tell memoirs surrounding Freddie Mercury’s life, however this book strikes a good balance and should be on any fellow Queen fan’s book shelf. One note of caution though, those readers after a straight forward history of Queen may want to try Mark Blake’s or Laura Jackson’s books on Queen first.

Review by Jason Ritchie

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

Next session: Sunday 19 January

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 1 December 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 3 December 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)