Michael Jackson and Freddy Mercury: A Collaboration Meant To Be

Michael attended Queen concerts in the late 70’s and early 80’s. One can easily understand why Michael appreciated Freddie Mercury’s stunning stage presence and the extraordinary musicianship of all Queen members; Brian May, Roger Taylor, John Deacon and Freddie. As we know, Michael observed and learned from the masters. The funk-rock, fusion style of Queen was brilliant, explosive and innovative for its time. To this day, Queen is considered one of the greatest rock bands of all time and has stayed in the limelight for over 40 years, even since Freddie Mercury’s dispiriting death in 1991.

Though distinctly individualistic, Michael and Freddie share much in common. Both expressed a natural gift for moving as they sang; always in sync, at one with the music, and both with an uncanny sense of rhythm and phrasing. The depth of their voices both ranged 3.5 – 3.6 octaves. Famously, they were compelling performers with the ability to display unforgettable, fiery performances. They both also showed to be modest when in other venues such as interviews. Though flamboyant in appearance, both Michael and Freddie have been regarded as caring people by insightful fans and those who knew them personally. Striking is how they both combined meaningful musical performance with theatrics.

Vitality is also apparent by their flairs for fashion seen with no qualms for appearing showy. I’m reminded of St. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band by their military jackets and the art of dance by their leotards. Not to mention their affinity for a variety of fabrics. They both complimented elaborate capes, snazzy hats, aviator-shaped sunglasses and jeweled crowns from taking bold stances to distinct expressions with their hands quite charismatically. Note that Freddie’s birthday is September 5; seven days following Michael’s.

Both Michael and Queen broke concert audience attendance records and are on the top of lists for best live performances ever such as the Queen concert at Wembley Stadium in 1986 and MJ’s Bucharest concert of 1992 just to name two. Yet, despite their fame and taste for extravagance at times, they didn’t ever lose reverence for Nature, their humanitarian spirits and love for animals and flowers. There is a very special sensitivity unto each of them because they sang from a place of pure honesty which in turn exposed their vulnerability. And despite pain they each endured physically, mentally & emotionally, I believe they were able to carry on due to a deep love for life itself while never yielding their creative expression. They also both found it necessary to use their artistry to compose and share what they found meaningful such as a hope for a better tomorrow, brotherhood, faith and love. Certainly neither one of them ever lacked dramatics, both literally and musically, as they prevailed in expressing themselves with passion and conviction.

What’s more, their creativeness extended beyond theatrical, musical performances. They both took true pride in engaging in all aspects of a project from song arrangements to stage lighting. Michael and Freddie considered the big picture of a production with attentiveness to detail from the lacing of their footwear to the view of a stage from afar. Both are referred to as perfectionists as they are commended as brilliant designers in accompaniment to being gifted artists. Their successes also have much to do with their song-writing and they both liked to draw as well.

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Michael and Freddie both designed their own logos:

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Michael shared common values with Freddie by which they never wavered and can be heard in One Vision(words & music written by all four Queen members) and Is This the World We Created ? written by Freddie along with Brian May. I’m sure Michael could also relate to Livin’ on My Own in his own way, The Miracle,Under Pressure and other songs Freddie made shine.

As both continued to perform, travel throughout the world, invent and challenge themselves, it is truly wonderful that the two of them made time to collaborate. As they shared common ideals, accompanied by their wit and yen for humor, it’s easy to imagine that they must have enjoyed working together immensely.

The song, There Must be More to Life Than This has recently been re-mastered and released as Michael Jackson with Queen rather than the original rehearsal recording of Michael with Freddie. As you can hear more clearly in the original, the contrasting tone qualities of their voices work very well together; one not ever overpowering the other.

It’s worth one’s while to contemplate the lyrics of this song, written by Freddie.

There must be more to life than this
There must be more to life than this
How do we cope in a world without love
Mending all those broken hearts
And tending to those crying faces
There must be more to life than living
There must be more than meets the eye
Why should it be just a case of black or white
There must be more to life than this

Why is this world so full of hate
People dying everywhere
And we destroy what we create
People fighting for their human rights
But we just go on saying see’est la vie
So this is life

There must be more to life than killing
A better way for us to survive
What good is life, in the end we all must die
There must be more to life than this

There must be more to life than this
There must be more to life than this
I live and hope for a world filled with love
Then we can all just live in peace
There must be more to life, much more to life
There must be more to life, more to life than this.

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NOTE : SOME OF THESE VIDEOS MIGHT NOT BE AVAILABLE IN YOUR COUNTRY

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Freddie Mercury at Wembley Stadium (1986)

Thank you Freddie for enriching Michael’s life and the world of music for all of us.

Elizabeth Olney

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Michael and Freddie engaged in other recordings together. State of Shock, written by Michael and guitarist Randy Hansen was originally sung by Michael with Freddie. Soon after it was Mick Jagger that Michael finished it with. Apparently it now belongs to the Michael Jackson Estate, who says “…it will not release it officially.” I am unclear if this still stands true.

It is rumored that the MJ Estate would/will only allow for one Michael/Freddie release according to Showbiz411.

State of Shock:
youtube.com/watch?v=ZbLguuNWd84

Brief interviews of Freddie about Michael:
youtube.com/watch?v=stuTk2vTobc
youtube.com/watch?v=Vm2gu79sWM8

For more about the one & only, late great Freddie Mercury see this National Geographic special:
youtube.com/watch?v=mEHTw1sH3eo

Be sure to see the recent LMJ article about the upcoming release of Michael and Freddie recordings:
Former Freddy Mercury P.A. talks about forgotten tracks of Mercury and Michael Jackson