Given their status in the music industry, one would assume that Freddie Mercury and Michael Jackson would eventually come into contact. And they will introduce the world to one of the most influential partnerships in history. Although their paths did indeed intersect, their collaboration didn’t turn out to be as expected.
Jackson was a huge fan of Queen, especially Freddie Mercury’s well-known vocals. Jackson’s attendance at Queen‘s shows in the early 1980s naturally led to the friendship between the two. “In the early days, three, four years ago, he used to come and see our shows at The Forum in LA,”. Freddie Mercury remarked in an interview in 1983. And I suppose he thought well of us because I got to meet him.
“He kept coming to see us. Then we started talking. I think he would actually go out those days,” the speaker continued. He used to go out to eat. I recall having dinner with him.
When they began recording in Jackson’s home studio in 1983, their mutual admiration was further verified. It ended with many beliefs about whether or not the two were collaborating. Together, they created three demo tracks. “Victory,” “State Of Shock,” and “There Must Be More To Life Than This.” But even now, after much hope and some remaining disappointment, the songs never really took off. Mercury subsequently remarked, “They were great songs. But the problem was time, as we were both very busy at that period.”
Although there was an initial feeling of productivity, Mercury became a little impatient with Jackson’s decisions as the novelty wore off. When asked about any obstacles that kept them from finishing the songs, Jim “Miami” Beach, the manager of Queen, claims that one day Mercury called him in a panic and said, “You have to get me out of the studio.”
Freddie Mercury responded, “Because I’m recording with a llama,” when asked why. I’m really not used to Michael bringing his pet llama into the studio every day. I want to leave because I’ve had enough.
As everyone knows, Jackson loved animals. His most well-known pet was Bubbles the chimpanzee, whom he frequently brought to meetings and press conferences. In the 1980s, the llama named Louie joined the ranks of his furry companions, along with an alpaca, a snake, and numerous other exotic creatures.
The three songs that Jackson recorded with Mercury were never released as planned, however, because the llama interfered with their creative visions. However, in 1984, Jackson rerecorded “State Of Shock” with The Rolling Stones, and it was made available as a single. Queen finally released the Mercury and Jackson delivery of ‘There Must Be More To Life Than This,’ featured on the band’s album Queen Forever, in 2014.
Following their collaboration in the studio, Mercury and Jackson eventually parted ways, with Mercury coming to the realization that the two were essentially different. “I believe that Jackson now merely remains indoors. “He has no interest in coming out,” Mercury said in 1983. “He claims he can have anything he wants at home. All he needs to do is purchase it.
“That’s his bag, not mine,” he continued. That’s not what I would do. I would find it extremely boring. Every night, I go out. In any case, I detest spending too much time in one room.”
The singer went on to collaborate with many big names in the business, like David Bowie, but unfortunately for Jackson, it just wasn’t meant to be.
