'EYEWITNESS GOLD' SUNDAY TIMESWHO - OR WHAT - WAS THE REAL LOVE OF FREDDIE MERCURY'S LIFE? THE SENSATIONAL NEW BIOGRPHAY OF QUEEN'S FRONTMAN Millions of Queen and screen fans who watched the Oscar-winning film Bohemian Rhapsody believe that Mary Austin, the woman he could never quite let go of, was the love of Freddie Mercury's life. But the truth is infinitely more complicated.Best-selling biographer and music writer Lesley-Ann Jones explores the charismatic frontman's romantic encounters, from his boarding school years in Panchgani, India to his tragic, final, bed-ridden days in his magnificent London mansion. She reveals why none of his love interests ever perfected the art of being Freddie's life partner.In Love of My Life, the author follows him through his obsessions with former shop girl Mary, German actress Barbara Valentin and Irish-born barber boyfriend Jim Hutton. She explores his adoration of globally f ted Spanish soprano Montserrat Caball . She delves into his intimate friendship with Elton John, and probes his imperishable bonds with his fellow band members. She deconstructs his complicated relationship with the 'food of love' - his music - and examines closely his voracious appetite for - what some would call his fatal addiction to - sex. Which of these was the real love of Freddie Mercury's life? Was any of them? Drawing on personal interviews and first-hand encounters, this moving book brings to the fore a host of Freddie's lesser-known loves, weaving them in and out of the passions that consumed him. The result, a mesmerising portrait of a legendary rock star, is unputdownable. Love of My Life, published during the year of the 30th anniversary of his death and that would have seen his 75th birthday, is Lesley-Ann's personal and compassionate tribute to an artist she has revered for as long as she has written about music and musicians.
If you are one of the many millions who watched the Oscar-winning film Bohemian Rhapsody you may suppose that Mary Austin was the love of Freddie Mercury's life, the woman who he could never quite let go of. The truth is more complicated.
Respected biographer and music journalist, Lesley-Ann Jones explores Freddie's romantic encounters - from his boarding school years in Panchgani, India to his final days spent bed-ridden at his sumptuous Kensington home. Here the author reveals why not a single one of his lovers ever really perfected the art of being his life partner.
Love of My Life charts Freddie's many obsessions from Mary Austin, Barbara Valentin and final live-in lover Jim Hutton. From a string of male love interests to his chaste passion for Spanish soprano Montserrat Caballé; from fellow rock stars Dave Clark, Elton John and his own co-band members in Queen, to 'cats and curios': his fascination for felines and his relentless extravagant shopping and collecting; from favourite cities around the world - New York, Montreux and Munich, in which he purchased lavish homes - to the 'food of love' - his music, and his voracious addiction to sex. Which of these was the real love of Freddie Mercury's life?
Based on personal interviews and encounters the author tells of Freddie Mercury's lesser known loves in order to paint a comprehensive picture of the legendary musician.
Published on the 30th anniversary of his death, and what would have been Freddie Mercury's 75th year.
