Queen have shared another episode of their YouTube series, ‘The Greatest,’ which explores the history and legacy of the legendary rock band. The latest episode features part two of an interview with Freddie Mercury, in which he reveals more about his stage persona and his ambitions as a performer.
In the interview, Mercury talks about how he sees his role on stage as a way of connecting with the audience and making them feel entertained. He says, “I have to win them over or it's not a successful gig. It's my job to make sure I win them over and make them feel they've had a good time. That’s part of my role, part of the duty that I have to do."
He also explains how he likes to be in control of the crowd and manipulate them with his charisma and energy. He says, “This cliché of saying, ‘Oh, you have them eating from the palm of your hand’ – I just feel that the quicker I do that, the better, because then I feel I can manipulate them or whatever. But it's all to do with me feeling in control as so that I know that it’s all going well..."
Mercury admits that he is very frivolous and enjoys himself on stage. He says, “I’m very volatile and I like to actually put a song across. It's all part of showbiz and theatre, and that's another side of me..."
He also expresses his desire to be successful and reach a global audience. He says, “I think everybody wants to be successful. I don't care what they say. I know there was a fashion with the punk movement or whatever. They said, ‘Oh, we want to play to the small audiences because we’re being intimate’ and all that. Load of rubbish!...
“And that's the way it is. So as far as I'm concerned, I like the whole world to listen to my music. And I want anybody and everybody to come and listen to me and look at me when I'm playing.”
The episode also shows clips of Queen performing in front of massive crowds in stadiums and arenas around the world, demonstrating their popularity and influence.
[Source: Classic Hits Today]