Queen guitarist Brian May recently took a shot at The Definitive Biography of Freddie Mercury: Bohemian Rhapsody in an Instagram comment.
Lesley-Ann Jones wrote the book. She is is a journalist, newspaper columnist and broadcaster. The author of eight published books, she has enjoyed more than twenty-five years in music and the media. She lives in South-East London with her young children, the eldest having grown up and gone into the music business.
A fan commented, “Agree with you Bri, the movie is too clean too family oriented!! That’s why I bought the book The Definitive Biography of Freddie Mercury Bohemian Rhapsody after I watched the movie.”
May responded, “Sorry! But you missed the point, pal. And I hate to disappoint you, but that biography was written by someone who hardly knew Freddie. There’s a lot more truth about Freddie’s spiritual journey in the film.”
The book delves into Mercury’s private life much more so than Bohemian Rhapsody the film. This decision has received both praise and condemnation in Amazon reviews. The book also describes wild parties.
One fan wrote on Amazon, “I found it bizarre and tasteless to speculate on who Freddie might have contacted AIDS from. I didn’t feel there was enough time spent looking at the musical genius of the band and Freddie’s genius in particular. There was a great deal of time going over tedious contracts and legal issues. Very dull stuff.
It was supposed to give a sense of how the band struggled in their rise to fame, but it felt very impersonal. This might have been a good time to include interviews with other band members about what was going on during that time. Even though this is a biography about Freddie Mercury, insights of surviving band members about what was going on during their rise to fame would have been more interesting than reading about endless contract negotiations.”
May recently wrote on Instagram, “Can hardly believe what an incredible endorsement of the movie this news represents. Thank you thank you thank you, dear folks, for taking it to your hearts.
This extraordinary figure is just for the UK ! But it’s mirrored all around the world. What a great way to set off on our next adventure. And we do it in the knowledge that we have paid homage to our dear bro Freddie in a style he would have loved. Somewhere out there, Freddie is smiling wickedly ! Bri”
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