A treasure chest brimming with Freddie Mercury’s hitherto unrevealed handwritten draft lyrics for several of Queen’s most celebrated anthems is set to grace New York today. This exclusive exhibition, offering a unique insight into the creative process of one of rock music’s true luminaries, precedes an eagerly anticipated auction slated to take place in London later this year.
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Unprecedented troves of handwritten drafts, including seminal works such as Bohemian Rhapsody, Don’t Stop Me Now, and Somebody to Love from the revered rock legend, Freddie Mercury, are soon to be auctioned by Sotheby’s. These prized possessions afford an extraordinary window into the creative psyche of one of the most influential songwriters of the 20th century.
More than 1,500 artifacts from Mercury’s private collection, encompassing costumes, unique memorabilia, and precious draft lyrics, will be spotlighted in the forthcoming auctions in London and online. These items, left undisturbed for three decades at Mercury’s former west London residence since his untimely demise, will be offered up for sale at live events in London from September 6–8 and online from August 4–September 11.
The impressive constellation of items, diligently cared for at Mercury’s former abode, Garden Lodge, by Mary Austin, a close confidante of the iconic singer, are estimated to rake in at least £6 million ($7.5 million).
A standout among the collection revealed on Thursday is a set of 15 pages containing lyrics and melodies that eventually shaped Bohemian Rhapsody. This timeless classic remains one of Queen’s most universally adored and streamed songs and stands as the third best-selling UK single of all time.
Mercury’s handwritten drafts, scrawled in black and blue ink and pencil on stationery from the now-dissolved British Midland Airways, indicate that the track was initially conceived as Mongolian Rhapsody. Mercury, who left the world in 1991, had at some juncture crossed out the word “Mongolian” and supplanted it with “Bohemian.” This fascinating document is projected to fetch up to £1.2 million at the auction.
Other manuscript lyrics that will be on display include a nine-page draft for Queen’s monumental anthem, We Are The Champions, 19 pages behind the 1976 sensation. Somebody to Love, and a seven-page script for the dynamic Don’t Stop Me Now. These remarkable pieces of memorabilia immortalize the creative genius of a true rock luminary.
In addition to the monumental trove, a crimson notebook from the dawn of the 1970s, believed to contain Mercury’s earliest known lyrics and dating back to a time before Queen had even inked a record deal, will also be exhibited in New York until June 8.
Gabriel Heaton, Sotheby’s books and manuscripts specialist, eloquently reflects on the far-reaching influence and lasting legacy of Freddie Mercury. “Mercury’s rousing performances and unforgettable anthems are fittingly memorialized and celebrated globally,” he said. However, he added, “The surfacing of this exceptional collection of early handwritten lyrics allows us to fully acknowledge his unrivaled talent as a wordsmith, which perfectly dovetailed his supreme showmanship.”
Heaton further elaborated that this discovery firmly entrenches “Mercury’s stature as one of the preeminent songwriters of his generation—and indeed, generations to come.”
The assemblage of draft lyrics and other precious memorabilia will embark on an international tour, stopping in Los Angeles from June 14–18 and Hong Kong from June 26–30. The tour culminates in London on August 4, where it will be showcased in a month-long exhibition before the eagerly anticipated auctions commence. This global journey offers fans and collectors alike an unparalleled opportunity to witness these cherished artifacts that immortalize the genius of a true music legend.
With AFP
