Queen is one of those "polarizing" bands--you either really like them or you can't stand them. In the '70s, they became global superstars behind a 6-minute song that radio had to play because kids were calling so much to request it. "Bohemian Rhapsody" was so different than anything anybody was putting out there, and in particular it showcased the distinctive voice of one Freddie Mercury.
Mercury's voice was so unique, and the overdubbed harmonies made Queen sound like they had an entire chorus on their team. Later, I learned that Mercury sang with a vibrato that was incredibly rare and that created the difference in how he sounded versus most other singers. It hasn't been repeated.
Mercury contracted AIDS sometime in the late '80s. I was living in China in fall 1991 when the news of his death came--it was top of the front page in Hong Kong's newspaper. He was far too young to be leaving us, and a few years later the band decided to take work that had been shelved and release it.
The album was called Made in Heaven, and while certainly not their best, it was underrated. I had trouble listening to it at first, as the truth about what happened colored the work. But if there is ever a Queen-only themed musical, the end of Act 1 will be the song we're featuring today. It's a ballad where Mercury cautions against the effects to too much love (a sly nod to his bisexuality). But it's a great ballad with a great Brian May solo. Enjoy--just not too much...
By the way--that's DOCTOR Brian May to you--PhD in Astrophysics. See you tomorrow....
Pete
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