There are lots of biographies about Freddie, but which one is the most
accurate? Can anyone here recommend one? I bought one in the 90s by
Rick Sky but it was pretty poor and didn't really have much insight
other than the usual by-the-numbers bio.

There are lots of biographies about Freddie, but which one is the most
accurate? Can anyone here recommend one? I bought one in the 90s by
Rick Sky but it was pretty poor and didn't really have much insight
other than the usual by-the-numbers bio.

Well, the two you probably ought to read are "Mercury and Me" by Jim
Hutton and "Freddie Mercury: An Intimate Memoir by the Man who knew him
best" by Peter Freestone. Both very good reads. The veracity of both
have been questioned, but these are probably as accurate as you'll get.
After all, if these two can't write an accurate portrayal of the great
man, who can?

I also liked "Queen: The Early Years" which seems to cast a good bit of
light on Freddie's persona, although - obviously - it's not all about him..


Agreed, Jim and Peter's books are considered actual portrayals from a

Chris B wrote:
There are lots of biographies about Freddie, but which one is the most
accurate? Can anyone here recommend one? I bought one in the 90s by
Rick Sky but it was pretty poor and didn't really have much insight
other than the usual by-the-numbers bio.

Well, the two you probably ought to read are "Mercury and Me" by Jim
Hutton and "Freddie Mercury: An Intimate Memoir by the Man who knew
him best" by Peter Freestone. Both very good reads. The veracity of
both have been questioned, but these are probably as accurate as
you'll get. After all, if these two can't write an accurate portrayal
of the great man, who can?

I also liked "Queen: The Early Years" which seems to cast a good bit
of light on Freddie's persona, although - obviously - it's not all
about him..


Agreed, Jim and Peter's books are considered actual portrayals from a
personal vantage, but by the same token they don't say anything negative
and Freddie was no saint.

It depends what information a reader wants as all books about him offer
something - factual, speculation and downright lies. Take your pick.

Queen: The Early Years (Hodkinson) is a good insight into the band as a
whole an a favourite of mine, as is Jackie and Jim's official Queen bio
- As It Began.

Zulu Dawn wrote:
Chris B wrote:
There are lots of biographies about Freddie, but which one is the most
accurate? Can anyone here recommend one? I bought one in the 90s by
Rick Sky but it was pretty poor and didn't really have much insight
other than the usual by-the-numbers bio.

Well, the two you probably ought to read are "Mercury and Me" by Jim
Hutton and "Freddie Mercury: An Intimate Memoir by the Man who knew
him best" by Peter Freestone.  Both very good reads.  The veracity of
both have been questioned, but these are probably as accurate as
you'll get.  After all, if these two can't write an accurate portrayal
of the great man, who can?

I also liked "Queen: The Early Years" which seems to cast a good bit
of light on Freddie's persona, although - obviously - it's not all
about him..

Agreed, Jim and Peter's books are considered actual portrayals from a
personal vantage, but by the same token they don't say anything negative
and Freddie was no saint.

It depends what information a reader wants as all books about him offer
something - factual, speculation and downright lies. Take your pick.

Queen: The Early Years (Hodkinson) is a good insight into the band as a
whole an a favourite of mine, as is Jackie and Jim's official Queen bio
- As It Began.

There's also one from Lesley-Ann Jones: Freddie Mercury, the definitive
biography. I haven't read it in a while, but if memory serves I think I
  liked it.

--
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JeePee

And HEY!!
Let's be careful out there.
        - Sgt. Phil Esterhaus -

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