Maybe Queen Saved My Life
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Teetering on the Brink...Then Radio GaGa
In 1984 I was deep into a year long major depression. I wasn't really interacting with people around me, my internal landscape was a black desert with the leafless remains of dead trees. As part of the depression, I was concentrating on losing weight - so yes, I was heading into anorexia. Combined with not eating, I spent hours walking, just walking around London where I lived at the time.
Then it got serious. I was considering suicide. I spent much of my time looking for ways and means. Almost nobody in the UK owns a gun and certainly nobody I knew did so that was definitely out. I won't bore you with all the methods that went through my mind but it was getting more real to me and I felt it was just a matter of time.
This will sound really silly but one day I heard Radio GaGa by Queen played in a pub. It caught my attention, a very unusual occurrence at the time. I asked my friend who was singing - I didn't have a clue, Queen had never made much impression on me before. I started listening to the radio again, hoping to hear it played which it was because it was a big hit here in the UK. I was hooked and my downhill race to oblivion was at least slowed if not halted.
Queen Helps Me
I have a new obsession
After hearing Radio GaGa a number of times, I bought The Works album on which it featured. Then I bought a couple of their earlier albums, A Night at the Opera and A Day at the Races.
Now I had something else to think about, not just about how few calories I could eat in a day and how far and how long I could walk, nor ways and means for killing myself. It's not that I gave up thinking about these things, nor did I start eating or stop walking excessively. It's just that I'd found another obsession that didn't involve harming myself.
I spent time listening to the albums and the radio. I even appreciated music from other bands and singers of the time. I was starting to take an interest in the outside world, even if my interest had a narrow focus.
Listen to Radio GaGa
The Works Album by Queen
Works
Amazon Price: $9.52 (as of 02/15/2012)
This might not be Queen's best album but it did the trick for me. Even 25 years later I still love it and I never tire of hearing Radio GaGa either.
Queen Live on The Works Tour
I see the band at Wembley
Within a month of hearing Radio GaGa I was regularly buying the main two weekly music newspapers and one week I saw news of the forthcoming Queen Works Tour. Don't forget, there's was no internet in 1984 so information wasn't as quickly available.
They were playing at Wembley Arena on the edge of London for four nights. I phoned immediately and, when I eventually got through, they were sold out. I remembered the old saying, "It's not what you know, it's who you know that matters" and got on the phone to my stepfather. At that time he had been box office manager of a well known West End theatre for almost 40 years and he knew all the ticket agents. Within 24 hours he'd got me two good tickets for Queen's gig at Wembley. They were relatively expensive but they were worth every penny.
Neither my friend Barbara or I had ever been to Wembley to see such a big band before. We were amazed when we got off the train and saw the fans streaming down the road to the Arena. There were thousands, most wearing their Queen tee-shirts.
Determined to get our money's worth, we went into the Arena and found our seats. Half the place was empty and people were wandering around talking and laughing with friends. The support band came on and everybody studiously ignored them. People continued to talk and laugh and wander around. The band played on regardless. The lead singer finally said, "You'll all be pleased to know that we are just going to sing our final song." The audience cheered - it was embarrassing and unkind but at least the band were getting paid.
Eventually Queen came on and the cheers almost lifted the roof. When they sang the audience were rapt. Freddie Mercury really was the ultimate showman, someone born to be an entertainer.
A Night at the Opera
A Night at the Opera
Amazon Price: $10.82 (as of 02/15/2012)
This is the album featuring the revolutionary Bohemian Rhapsody which was partly sung live by Queen at Wembley. For the first part, the band left the stage but came on when the operatic section finished and sang the rest live. It was still a brilliant performance.
News of the World
News of the World
Amazon Price: $10.38 (as of 02/15/2012)
This was another album I bought in 1984. Queen performed We Are the Champions from it at Wembley. I don't need to tell you it was another outstanding performance, do I?
We Are the Champions Live
Do You Like Queen?
Do you think Queen are one of the greatest bands of the last part of the 20th century?
Maybe you think they suck and wouldn't listen to their music if you were paid to do so.
Perhaps you are totally indifferent.
Give your opinion by voting now.
After the Queen Gig, I Start to Recover
Perhaps it was a coincidence
I'd first heard Radio GaGa in June and saw them live at the beginning of September 1984. When I left Wembley Arena that night, my ears were literally ringing - I can understand why some rock musicians end up deaf. Back in June, something had been sparked in my mind hearing the song and this was more than reinforced by seeing and hearing the band performing live. It was as if my mind had been given a jolt to shake it back to its correct groove.
It wasn't a miracle cure. I was still depressed and fighting an eating disorder but at least I wasn't so keen on suicide. I also felt as if I was coming up the other side of my own personal Slough of Despond. Within six months, I was better. I've suffered other bouts of depression since but now I go to the doctor, something I neglected to do in 1984 - I was too depressed to do that!
When Freddie Mercury died I was devastated. He was one of the very few famous people whose death really affected me personally and for whom I cried. For me, he was Queen. The other members were great but it was Freddie's magic that made the band the sensation it was. I am still passionate about Queen but no longer obsessed. I really believe that I might have killed myself in 1984 but for hearing Radio GaGa as silly as it might sound to other people. I will always be grateful to Freddie Mercury and Queen.
Queen - The Albums
More Queen Albums
Bohemian Rhapsody Live
Vote for Your Favourite Queen Album
Do you have a favourite Queen album? If you do, list it here and vote for it and others.
A Kind of Magic
Import pressing includes additional tracks over th more...3 points
Classic Queen
This is an excellent collection of one of the most more...2 points
Queen: Greatest Hits III
Though at first glance a third Queen hits collecti more...2 points
Sheer Heart Attack
Japanese exclusive 2001 remastered reissue of 1974 more...1 point
The Game (+ Bonus Track)
Japanese exclusive 2001 remastered reissue of 1980 more...1 point
Made in Heaven
Japanese exclusive 2001 remaster of 1995 album. 11 more...1 point
Queen - On Fire at the Bowl
Studio: Uni Dist Corp (music) Release Date: 10/03/ more...1 point
Queen: DVD Collector's Box
The Queen DVD Collectors Box is a 2-DVD documentar more...1 point
Queen - Greatest Hits Vol.1/UK Version
Import only compilation on Parlophone, part of the more...1 point
Please Vote for This Page
More About Queen and Freddie Mercury
Please Give Generously
The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation seeks to prevent pediatric HIV infection and to eradicate pediatric AIDS through research, advocacy, and prevention and treatment programs.
Any Comments?
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Halloweenkitchenwitch
Sep 23, 2011 @ 12:39 pm | delete
- So glad to hear you came out of your depression and it couldn't have been to a more wonderful band. I adore Queen! The show you saw at Wembley Arena must have been the one where QUEEN Knocked Everybody's Socks OFF! Freddie Mercury was an amazing performer.
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AddaptAbilities
May 4, 2011 @ 4:30 pm | delete
- I'm so glad you found something to help you through your battle with depression. Blessed!
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Bookworm25
Apr 16, 2011 @ 10:48 am | delete
- This lens was recommended on the pay it forward thread and it is an inspirational story and brave to share it. I think you tell it with honesty and I am glad that you had something to anchor you to life, itis never silly what it is as long as something inspires you. Depression is a heartbreaking condition and one that can make you feel so alone and I hope that they days now seem brighter. Take care :)
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nickupton
Apr 15, 2011 @ 10:25 am | delete
- Great lens, great story, great music.
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Verecundus
Feb 23, 2011 @ 5:06 pm | delete
- On the brink meself. But I did just get Queen's Crown Jewels a couple of weeks ago. I don't know... perhaps I'll be around this summer.
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EuroSquid
Jan 20, 2011 @ 12:44 am | delete
- I love lenses where people share a part of themselves. I enjoyed reading how much Queen meant to you. Blessed
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Heather426
Oct 14, 2009 @ 6:21 pm | delete
- Blessed by a new Squid angel today. Fantastic lens so I had to come back.
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CherylK
Sep 20, 2009 @ 11:45 am | delete
- I'm so glad that you shared this story with us. I hope you continue to fell better every day. I have to admit that I wasn't familiar with Radio GaGA until now but I really enjoyed watching and listening to the video. Great music! And I'm a big fan of The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, too.
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sandyspider
Sep 10, 2009 @ 5:39 pm | delete
- I love Queen. Music can be a powerful tool. I'm glad they helped you through you depression.
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aj2008
Sep 4, 2009 @ 12:33 pm | delete
- Carol, what a story. Radio Ga Ga has to be one of my favourite Queen songs too - but I also love It's a kind of magic.
This is a brilliant lens and thank you for sharing your story. SquidAngel Blessings for you.
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About Me
by Stazjia
I am English and I've written freelance for UK magazines, a couple of books and online. My Google Profile more »
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Freddie Mercury on His Own
Solo
Amazon Price: $11.38 (as of 02/15/2012)
On this solo album, Freddie Mercury's unique voice is showcased.
S Mattos, in his Amazon.com five star review says, "Any fan of Freddie Mercury needs this collection in addition to everything he ever recorded. Perhaps the most gifted vocalist ever. What a loss."
Freddie Mercury in His Own Words
Freddie Mercury: His Life in His Own Words
Amazon Price: $15.26 (as of 02/15/2012)
Make no mistake - this is not an autobiography. It's a compilation of published and unpublished interviews with Freddie Mercury containing the story of Queen's formation and climb to the pinnacle of fame with some glimpses behind the public facade. His mother, Jer Bulsara, writes the foreword.
