Death on Two Legs

[egret]

Norman Sheffield had a book excerpt in the Daily Mail, still complaining that Freddie wasn't fair to him. I guess it is the power of Freddie that this guy is still holding a grudge after all this time. I think the article has an overall homophobic tone, though maybe I am overreacting to what is merely badly written caricature. 

For contemplation, "Death on Two Legs" at Earls Court in 1977:

"Death On Two Legs (Queen Live @ Earl's Court '77)" (Watch on YouTube)

Comments

[swordznsorcery]

How much of that is Sheffield's own attitude, and how much is the spin put on it by the Daily Fail, though? They've been gunning for Freddie for forty years; they're not likely to stop now. I haven't read the article, and I won't unless it becomes necessary for discussion purposes, but I suppose there has to be a reason why Freddie (and Roger) used to sing that song with such enthusiasm at concerts! Brian always said that he felt it too meanspirited, but then Brian's always been too nice for his own good. ;)

Bottom line, Sheffield wants to sell books, they want to sell newspapers. The result is anything that might make people sit up and take notice. Maybe we should be honoured that they still consider Freddie to be that kind of a draw.

[egret]

It is written in that offensive tabloid style, yes, though supposedly it's an excerpt. But it's also Sheffield's attitude; he named his book "Life on Two Legs: Set the Record Straight." Clearly he still has issues. No real need to read the article if you don't want to, we won't have a quiz or anything :)

And honestly, the depiction of the recording industry as honest hard-working capitalists being cheated out of their wages by nasty ungrateful client musicians is . . . pretty much the opposite of every other description I've ever read of the recording industry.

[swordznsorcery]

Sounds like he's trying to cash in, doesn't it. Nobody is likely to be interested in his book except for the Queen link, so he's going to play that up for all its worth. I suppose I can understand him being upset by "Death On Two Legs", but I agree with your second paragraph completely! Honestly, these musicians, thinking that they have some kind of right to the money made from selling their songs. Who do they think they are?!

[moonbathe_skin]

I vote for a quiz LOL

[kabal42]

It's a little pathetic, isn't it? I mean, if that's how the chapter on Queen looks, then it's boring writing and very, very sparse on information. I predict this won't be a bestseller ;)