When Mary Austin first met Freddie Mercury in 1970, it marked the beginning of an enduring friendship that would shape the rest of each of their lives. Mary, aged 19, worked at the Biba store in Kensington, while Freddie, aged 24, ran a stall selling his artworks in Kensington Market. They would become engaged four years later, on Christmas Day 1973, the same year that Queen released their debut album.
After Mary and Freddie’s relationship came to an end in the mid 1970s they would remain a central presence in each other’s worlds for the next two decades. When Freddie passed away in 1991, he left his home, Garden Lodge, and his possessions to Mary, who has treasured and celebrated the memory of her beloved friend ever since.
About
Freddie Mercury
A Life in Lyrics
A Life in Lyrics celebrates Freddie Mercury's remarkable creativity, music and legacy through the extensive creative archive he assembled over more than two decades. From Freddie’s earliest works before Queen was formed, right through to the end of his solo career, his personal archive of manuscripts, notebooks and drawings contains previously unpublished material including alternate lyrics and abandoned verses for ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ and multiple drafts of ‘Don’t Stop Me Now’, as well as entire songs that were never recorded.
Accompanied by stories, memories, and anecdotes from Mary, and illustrated with photographs from Freddie’s personal collection, many of which have never been published before, A Life in Lyrics is the definitive creative record of one of the greatest songwriters of all time.
“I want to know that Freddie is remembered properly, appreciated and loved, because he earned that simply by being who he was.”
- Mary Austin
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