Freddie Mercury book by Peter Freestone

Peter Freestone was Queen’s wardrobe assistant from 1979 to 1980, then Freddie Mercury’s personal assistant from 1980 to 1991, until the singer’s death. He accompanied Freddie in the early 80s, when Queen set out to conquer North and South America with immense stadium concerts. Queen was the undisputed master of this format.

The book naturally portrays the artist, but also the man. It reveals Freddie Mercury from another perspective, away from glitter, spotlights, roaring crowds and tours. We discover a man passionate about art, Japan and bars… Freddie Mercury was endearing, loving and eccentric. At times childlike and always funny, he surprises throughout the book with his escapades and observations. A man of extremes who kept his homosexuality private, he experienced turbulent relationships and disappointed loves. Peter Freestone writes about him with great tenderness, having shared his daily life around the clock—24 hours out of 24—for twelve years, from Stafford Terrace to New York, then Garden Lodge, via Montreux.

Published in 1998 by Omnibus Press in England and the United States, the book immediately won over the many fans of the star who died too soon. It became a reference work, THE book that reveals Freddie Mercury’s true personality, with a touch of British humour, great respect and discretion.

A bestseller in its category in the English-speaking world, this book is translated into French here for the very first time. In June 2010, Éditions Paulette published a 208-page French edition tracing part of the life of one of the most brilliant composers of the 20th century.

Exclusive to the French edition, the book also includes a passage about Freddie’s meeting with Michael Jackson and previously unpublished photographs by Richard Young.