FREDDIE MERCURY

As Pianist


Freddie at Hammersmith Odeon, 24th December 1975. Note his left-hand position.

In spite of having been formally trained, he played more instinctively, breaking a couple of rules (especially regarding his left-hand position). Freddie's piano performances were impressive, more or less in the same vein as the other band members with their respective instruments: not overtly technical, yet absolutely dynamic and precise.

Some great piano moments by Mercury are:

- My Fairy King: Marvellous piano-solo done with incredible rhythm.

- The Fairy Feller's Master Stroke: Elegant and maniac at the same time.

- Bring Back That Leroy Brown: Strong and flexible, with a brilliant interaction between both hands (he did a wonderful job live on it as well).

- Death On Two Legs: The intro is ace!

- You And I: Not a complicated piano-part, but very well-played, with some Elton-esque attack.

- My Melancholy Blues: Loose and easy, but sometimes it's more difficult to play like that.

- Don't Stop Me Now: Great use of both "piano" and "forte". Perfect textbook example.

- Don't Try Suicide: Very nice changes of mood, reflecting a deep understanding of the instrument in question.

- It's A Hard Life: In one word, royal.