Peter Freestone

Finally got around to reading 'Phoebe's memoir of Freddie - not disinterested, just apprehensive! Peter Freestone - Freddie gave all his friends female nicknames, and Peter's was Phoebe - was a close friend and employee ('chief cook and bottle washer', or personal assistant) of the singer's for twelve years, sharing his house and looking after him right up until Freddie's death in 1991. I wasn't afraid that Peter would say anything negative, although he is honest, but I wondered how much Freddie would really have wanted him to reveal, and that's what took me so long to actually download a copy of his book. I wasn't disappointed, and I don't think Freddie would have been either.

There is a ton of trivia here for fans of Freddie, from the food he liked to eat and the cologne he wore, to the antiques and art he collected and the singers and actresses he admired. Everything down to the 'ordinary' daily routine of this extraordinary man while living at Garden Lodge. Phoebe even tries to psychoanalyse his 'complex' friend, but is only really giving his opinion, however well he knew Freddie and no matter how beautifully he expresses himself in some cases ('He loved people, sure, but each person received a different facet of the total love he bore. No one person exclusively received that total love. Ever.')

The narrative jumps back and forth a bit, covering the same memories in different chapters, but ultimately giving a sense of what Freddie was lke - generous, lively, funny, if a little spoiled and strong-willed on occasion! Freddie didn't spend much time with his bandmates away from the studio or when not touring, so Brian, Roger and John don't feature over much, and Peter is also fair to those who were part of Freddie's inner circle - Mary Austin and even Paul Prenter - which I actually respect him for.

A heartwarming memoir with a final heartwrenching goodbye: “Everything’s fine,” I said. “Just as you’d like it, like always. And we’re fine too. We’re coping. Don’t worry about us. If you feel it’s time to go, we’re behind you all the way. Don’t worry about us. Don’t feel you’re leaving us. Everything’s fine.”… (more)