Brian May Remembers Freddie Mercury’s Last Days: A Heartfelt Reflection
In a rare and deeply emotional interview, Brian May, the legendary guitarist of Queen, opened up about his final conversation with Freddie Mercury, recalling the profound and beautiful moments they shared during Freddie’s last days. The conversation took place at Freddie’s beloved home, Garden Lodge, in Kensington, as the iconic Queen frontman was battling the ravages of AIDS. For Brian, these memories remain among the most poignant of his life.
The band’s close-knit bond with Freddie during his final months was underscored by the immense pressure of living under the public’s watchful eye. As rumors about Freddie’s health swirled, the media surrounded his home, trying to capture every moment of the suffering rock star’s life. Despite the overwhelming media presence, Brian May and fellow band member Roger Taylor remained steadfast in their commitment to support Freddie. They gave him the privacy and peace he needed, even moving their recording sessions to Switzerland to help Freddie focus on his music away from the prying eyes of the press.
The Last Conversation
Brian May recalls the difficult moment when Freddie, having already been diagnosed with AIDS, sat down with the band to reveal the truth about his illness. At the time, AIDS was a terrifying and fatal diagnosis, but Freddie’s desire to continue making music remained strong. According to Brian, Freddie told them, “Look, you probably know what I’m going to say. You know what I’m suffering from, you know what the problem is, but I don’t want to talk about it anymore. I just want to make music to the day I f**ing die and let’s get on with it.”*
Despite the severity of his illness, Freddie’s desire to live in the moment and create art until his last breath stood out. It was this determination that carried him through his final days, refusing to let the disease define him or rob him of his love for music.
The Press and the Privacy Struggles
The emotional toll of being under constant public scrutiny was not lost on the band. Roger Taylor recalled the “vultures” of the media, who surrounded Freddie’s home with hundreds of photographers and journalists, documenting even the smallest details of his life. “It was utterly shocking,” Roger said. “They were filming the groceries in the back of the car boot: ‘Any medicine in there’? It’s absolutely shocking.” For the band, it was a reminder of just how invasive the press had become, capturing Freddie’s every move, even in the most personal and vulnerable of moments.
Recording in Montreux
As the band moved to their favorite studio in Montreux, Switzerland, they created some of their final works together, including songs for Innuendo. Despite his deteriorating health, Freddie’s mental state remained sharp, and he continued to record as much as he could, driven by his love for music. Brian May recalled how Freddie, despite his illness, was always strong and calm. “I never heard him go, ‘This is really awful. My life is sht. I’m going to die,’* Brian remembered. “He was an amazingly strong person.”
The band spent their final moments working together in the studio, with Freddie showing up whenever he could, even when he was too weak to stand. Brian noted that Freddie would sometimes take a couple of vodkas to prop himself up and continue recording. For Brian and Roger, it was a bittersweet experience, knowing that these were some of their last moments working with Freddie.
Freddie’s Last Days
Brian May and his wife Anita visited Freddie in his final days at Garden Lodge. The last time they saw him, Freddie was lying in bed with the curtains open so he could look out into his garden. Brian fondly remembers their time together. “I was talking about things in his garden, saying, ‘That’s really interesting,’” Brian recalled. But Freddie, ever the realist, told him, “You don’t need to feel like you need to make conversation. I’m just so happy that you’re here. So even if we say nothing, it’s just having these moments.”
It was clear from their final interaction that Freddie found peace in these quiet moments, away from the chaos of his illness. Even in his final days, he valued the presence of his friends, and Brian’s recounting of that final meeting speaks volumes about Freddie’s ability to find tranquility amidst his suffering.
The Last Goodbye
As Freddie’s condition worsened, his bandmates continued to support him until the very end. Tragically, Roger Taylor was unable to say goodbye in person. “The worst thing was I was actually on my way to see him, and I was about 300 yards away when Peter Freestone rang me to tell me, ‘Don’t bother coming because he’s gone,’” Roger shared, his voice filled with emotion.
Freddie Mercury passed away on November 24, 1991, at the age of 45, due to complications from AIDS. He died at his home, Garden Lodge, surrounded by his loved ones, including his partner Jim Hutton and friend Peter Freestone.
Freddie’s Legacy
Even in death, Freddie’s wishes about his legacy remain clear. In one of their last conversations, Freddie told his longtime manager, Jim Beach, “I haven’t given you anything in my will. You’re my executor, you can do anything with my legacy… but never make me boring.” It was a fitting statement for a man who defied convention, a man whose life and career were anything but boring.
Freddie’s legacy continues to live on through his music, his artistry, and the profound impact he had on his friends and fans. Brian May and the rest of Queen have kept Freddie’s spirit alive, ensuring that his contribution to music remains ever-present. As Brian May reflects on his last moments with Freddie, it’s clear that the bond between the two was one of deep respect, love, and understanding—something that continues to inspire and move all who remember the legendary Freddie Mercury.
