All Hail Queen!
Freddie Mercury and Queen scored a huge upset at the 2019 Golden Globe Awards, winning best dramatic motion picture AND Best Actor for Rami Malek – bravo to them all for surprising the entertainment industry with their win!
The “Bohemian Rhapsody” Upset!
Yes, it was an upset, although reporting had suggested that the Hollywood Foreign Press REALLY loved the film, and Malek’s performance of the flamboyant singer…
Expectations were that “A Star Is Born” would win the top prizes, but it’s important to note two things: first of all, both films were huge hits, both with critics and audiences alike…
It’s also important to point out that the HFPA is less predictive of the Academy Awards than two other awards: the Screen Actors Guild and Producers Guild have been the most accurate in predicting Oscar winners, so stay tuned for who wins there in the next few weeks…
That said, it was a huge victory for a film that celebrates the music of Queen and the life of Freddie Mercury – and why not? They are Queen!
“Is This The Real Life? Is This Just Fantasy?”
The opening line from one of the greatest rock songs of all time…from a band who was once hugely under appreciated and now is known as one of the greatest of all time!
God Save The Queen!
Who’s kidding who? Queen is now one of music’s most wildly entertaining bands and they will live forever, thanks to great live performances like this – “We Are The Champions” from Live Aid in 1985 :
Freddie Mercury was one of the most unique – and beloved – singers in all rock history. Those of us who grew up in the US really don’t know the depth of this fanbase in the UK…here is another example – three different live versions of “Tie Your Mother Down” all tied together into one amazing video:
I have posted stories about Queen in the past, and wanted to look back at those musical moments that will last forever – beginning with perhaps their most famous work:
“Bohemian Rhapsody!”
Talk about a mini-opera! The brilliant song has been parodied – and honored – in many movies and TV shows. The album it came from was “A Night At The Opera”, a unique masterpiece that showed the amazing range of the band…
“Bohemian Rhapsody” was written by Freddie Mercury, written down “in blocks” (using note names instead of sheets) on a phone book. The other band members recorded their parts, with no idea how their tracks would be used. According to Wikipedia, the operatic section was originally intended to be only a short interlude of “Galileos” that connected the ballad and hard rock portions of the song!
In case you forget just how great the song – and the music video are – well, then feast your eyes on it again:
“A Night At The Opera” is a wildly entertaining album, and you can see my track-by-track breakdown here:
Of course, Queen had a long and successful career full of hits like “We Will Rock You/We Are The Champions”, “Somebody To Love” and “Radio Gaga”, but I love one song in particular:
“Flash!”
The cult film “Flash Gordon” will also be remembered for the terrific theme song that was a pure a “Queen sound” as you can get…and did you know that this guy was behind the creation of “Star Wars”?
Yes, if there hadn’t been a “Flash Gordon” serialized movie from the “good old days”, George Lucas wouldn’t have created this movie!
How is that possible! Well, it is! Read how “Flash Gordon” led to “Star Wars” by reading my story here:
And of course, one of Queen’s greatest songs was co-written with this guy!
“Under Pressure!”
David Bowie’s collaboration with Queen on the classic hit “Under Pressure” was a story of wine-quelled madness, which you can read about here:
Leave me a message and tell me what your favorite Queen song is!
Categories: 70's Music, Academy Awards, Art, Awards, British Cinema, Classic Rock, Cult Movies, Golden Globes, Great Films, Hollywood, London, Memoirs, Movies, Music, Pop Culture, Talent/Celebrities, TV Show
johnrieber 
I love We are the Champions, John. It is so inspiring and uplifting. I listen to it whenever I feel a bit needy [luckily that is not often]
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Yes, the song – and the band’s terrific performance of it – really can lift spirits! Thanks as always for your comment!
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Great to see this movie win! Favorite Queen song is Somebody to Love! Very happy to see Rami Malek win. He’s a terrific actor.
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I saw Malek speak after a screening in Hollywood and he was articulate, passionate and insightful – a terrific Actor!
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I’m not surprised to hear this 🙂
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Wow! What a post! Loved the Golden Globes this year!
Freddie Mercury and David Bowie gone too soon. Unique and talented people.
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They were indeed. “Bohemian” was a surprise, but the film is truly loved by audiences around the world, just as Freddie Mercury and Queen are…thanks for the comment!
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MY pleasure.
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Reblogged this on It Is What It Is and commented:
One of my favorites … ‘Freddie Mercury and Queen scored a huge upset at the 2019 Golden Globe Awards, winning best dramatic motion picture AND Best Actor for Rami Malek’
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thank you for sharing!
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You are most welcome!! Peace … 🙂
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Oh, “Under Pressure”. I never tire of listening to it. I remember buying the 45 for “Best Friend” and playing that until the ridges were blurred. 🙂
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Yes indeed – such classic music! Thanks for the comments!
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I thought he had a serious shot at winning Best Actor but was surprised BR won for Best Picture. I like upsets.
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Cindy, the Globes aren’t as accurate in picking the Oscar Best Picture as the Screen Actors Guild and the Producers Guild Awards are, so keep an eye on those in the next two weeks…it seems that “A Star Is Born” and “Green Book” are leading the way still…”Roma” may be too small for this year’s awards
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That’s the fun, isn’t it? I enjoyed Green Book. I hope The Wife gets some attention, specifically Glenn’s performance. I wanted to see it very much but it didn’t come to our area theater.
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It’s ondemand Jan. 29th which will help her Oscar campaign…she’s never won!
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Thanks for the tip. I would love to see her win. 🙂
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The actor seems like a nice genuine guy, and by all accounts gave an outstanding performance. But for me, I would sooner just watch actual footage of the group in concert, if I felt the need to see them perform.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Pete, the Globes don’t really predict the Oscars, so this will still be a long shot for Best Picture – and the film is an interesting look at the band forming and Freddie’s personal life, but you are correct – put on the music!
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