Peter Hince (2)

I've learned from collecting biographies about John and Jackie Kennedy that the safest approach is usually to stick with accounts written by people who actually knew the subject - (true) friends and associates are less likely to bad-mouth for a quick buck. So applying that rule to Freddie Mercury, after picking a dodgy 'definitive' biography or two, we have Peter Freestone, Freddie's PA, Jim Hutton, his last and longest-lasting partner, and Peter 'Ratty' Hince, his and John Deacon's roadie with Queen. I went with Hince, after reading more positive reviews, and because I wanted to learn more about Freddie with Queen, and overall, I made a good choice.

Firstly, I should re-emphasise that Peter Hince was a roadie with Queen in the 1970s and 1980s - he's far from stupid, and some of his thoughts and memories about Freddie are beautifully written, but he is definitely a man of his time. His comments on countries visited and women encountered are less than PC, and I started skimming through the paragraphs not directly linked to Freddie or Queen. What Hince's biography does get right is the wealth of behind the scenes details - the band on stage and in the studio, even how they took their tea! - and his enduring affection, even reverence, for Freddie and Queen. No dirt dished, no speaking ill of the dead.

In Ratty's words, Freddie Mercury comes across as the complex person that I'm sure he was - talented, perfectionist, mercurial and charismatic, but also shy and gentle, kind to his friends and generous with everyone. He could be demanding and petulant, as Hince reveals in practically the only negative anecdote in the book, but he was also a master showman, involved in every aspect of live shows from the lights and costumes to making sure that his microphone wire didn't get tangled with the lead from Brian's Red Special. Ratty recalls how 'an unscripted nod, wink or smile' from Fred while on stage would fill him with pride, and also how Fred's response to a request from the audience became a catchphrase: "Yoooou'll be lucky!"

Hince doesn't waste time on salacious gossip - 'It was quite remarkable how many people never knew Fred was gay. And of course what did it matter if he was?' - but does share the little personal quirks that really build a true picture of the real man behind the rock star persona. Freddie liked to 'trounce all-comers' at table tennis, couldn't resist a game of Scrabble (although I would like to know who actually got the highest score for 'lacquers', Brian or Ratty, as he claims!), never travelled alone, sent personalised Christmas cards ('from the Preening, Pouting, Posing, Posturing Old Tart'), and despite claiming to know only three chords, could break guitar strings with the force of his playing. There are some good stories too, including Freddie borrowing Ratty's gloves for the 'Spread Your Wings' video filmed in Roger's garden in the middle of winter, and a moth 'the size of a fucking pterodactyl' found floating in Freddie's drink while performing on stage. Hince is blatantly biased in his love for Fred, which is fine by me, waxing lyrical about the late singer's 'aura' and 'magical way of summoning creativity', but fans of Brian and Roger might be disappointed.

As with every biography of Freddie and Queen, the final chapter is heartbreaking. Hince admits that he had no clue, at his last meeting with the singer, that Freddie was so ill. His love for Freddie shines through, however, and reading about such a unique personality from one of the people who was truly close to him for a time is an honour.… (meer)