Freddie Mercury Lost Interview 1976

We once again rummaged through our dusty archives and found a real gem. This never before seen or heard interview with Freddie Mercury was found underneath a stack of old DeFranco Family trading cards and Tiger Beat magazines.

This Mercury interview, conducted by renowned rock journalist Claude Balzac, was recorded at the Carnegie Deli in NYC on July 4, 1976.

Madhouse Magazine: Hi Freddie, thanks for talking to us and congratulations on the success of your new album.

Freddie Mercury: Thank You Claude – Me and the lads love your magazine. We spend all our down time reading and laughing at the articles. We must have truly made it now that I am being interviewed for Madhouse. That is the pinnacle of success.

Madhouse: Are you having a good year? The album “A Night at the Opera” and the song “Bohemian Rhapsody” are everywhere. I heard it three times on the walk over here.

Mercury: Yes it’s been amazing. By the way, the city is crazy today. I understand you are celebrating a big birthday today. The birth of your country and when you kicked my country’s arse!

Bicentennial

Madhouse: Yes today is the bicentennial celebration. There will be lots of party’s, alcohol and fireworks.

Mercury: Oh my, that is always a good combination. Now back to your question about our album. Yes, I am having a good year, the song and album went to #1 in the UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia and all that but not in the US. The highest it got so far in the US is #9. However, I am looking at the charts and I see these songs got to number 1: Disco Duck, Afternoon Delight, Boogie Fever, Convoy and I Write The Songs by Barry Manilow. Do you know Barry didn’t even write that song!? How can he perform a song called I Write The Songs when you don’t actually write the songs and didnt fooking write that song! One of the bloody Beach Boys wrote the song.

Madhouse: That is a very good point.

Mercury: How you guys ever won the war is beside me, I do love America, but you do have a lot of dummies here.

Madhouse: I won’t argue that point.

Freddie Mercury Lost Interview 1976 — Freddie Mercury Illustration By Paul King Art

Mercury: Well we are sitting here in a deli, can we order?

Madhouse: Certainly, I would recommend the pastrami on rye with mustard and pickles and a Dr. Brown cream soda.

Mercury: Sounds yummy, I will also have one of those square potato thingies.

Madhouse: Ahhh Yes, a knish, that is an excellent choice.

*Note at this time our food is delivered and Freddie is ecstatic

Mercury: Oh my, this food is delightful. We have nothing like this in England. I have to say, I am officially a big fan Jewish food now. Shall we have some cheesecake?

Brian Wilson

Madhouse: Did you know Brian Wilson praised your song as “the most competitive thing that’s come along in ages” and “a fulfillment and an answer to a teenage prayer—of artistic music”?

Mercury: Wow that is impressive, he is pretty good himself. It’s a nice little song, I am happy with the way it turned out. I earned enough money to buy me mum a new television set, and a mink stole. That made my mum happy.

Madhouse: So let’s clear up some things about your teeth and your vocal range

52 Teeth

Mercury: [laughs] Well those two are related. I have 52 teeth, so that is 20 more than the average man. I also have a 16 octave range. And the two may be related so I am not going to touch my teeth. I don’t go to the dentist and I very carefully brush them each 100 times per night. I am deathly afraid if I mess with my teeth, it will impact my voice.

Madhouse: Did you hear that Elton John came out of the closet last week. He told Rolling Stone that he was gay.

Mercury: Rolling Stone is a rag and Elton is a poof. Not me, though, I am all man, I banged three groupies right before I came for this interview. Would you like to smell my fingers Claude?

Madhouse: [laughs] No Thank You. I expect some big things from Queen in the years to come. I see number one songs, accolades and a movie about your life and career.

Mercury: [laughs] All right Claude if you say so. I will be happy if I don’t have to go back to working at the airport.