Brian May reminisced about the challenging beginnings of Queen, a time when Freddie Mercury faced skepticism and even hostility from some audiences, while he himself struggled to accept his distinctive vocal style. These early days were marked by uncertainty and self-doubt that shaped the band’s trajectory.

During a recent Q&A session (video below), the iconic guitarist openly reflected on their pivotal decision to partner with the future rock icon in 1970. “When we first worked with him, it was a little unnerving,” May recalled. “Because he did a lot of running around the place and screaming his head off. So we thought, ‘Is this going to work?’”

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May elaborated on the mixed reception Mercury initially received: “And not everybody liked him, I’ve got to say. A lot of people found him kind of abrasive – but they all thought he was interesting and entertaining. At that point, though, he wasn’t the singer that we all got to know as Freddie Mercury.” This perception shifted dramatically as their first demo sessions unfolded in 1971.

During these sessions, a transformative moment occurred. “We went into the studio, and… as soon as Freddie heard his voice coming back, he went, ‘Oh, I don’t like it. I’m gonna do that again.’” This initial dissatisfaction catalyzed a relentless pursuit of perfection. “He would go back and back and back, until he got it the way he wanted it. So he became, instantly, very aware of what he sounded like, and incredibly quickly fashioned himself into the singer he wanted to be,” May noted.

While he acknowledged the simplification of these pivotal events, he emphasized that this evolution unfolded over an extended period. “It probably went on forever. Every time we were going to make a new album, Freddie would push himself further,” he shared. “He would hear himself come back, and he would say, ‘No, I want to do better, longer, more passion, more –’ whatever it was… He was always looking for new textures, and looking to get more out of himself.”

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May highlighted the collaborative spirit among the band members that fueled Mercury’s growth as an artist. “We did help,” he confirmed. “Every time one of us [were] in the studio, the rest of us [were] in the control room. So a lot of the time, I’m sitting… and Freddie’s doing a vocal, and he goes, ‘How’s that?’” This interactive dynamic was vital for their creative process.

“And I go, ‘Well, we kinda like that bit but we didn’t like…’ So we helped him to build what works. And the same the other way round; I’d be doing a guitar solo and so often Freddie was there, going, ‘Well, that’s alright, but…’ We’d be pushing each other the whole time.” This constant feedback loop allowed Queen to create groundbreaking music that transcended their initial limitations, ultimately leading to their legendary status.

Brian May Q&A Session

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