The popularity of Queen has resurged in recent years, particularly since the release of biopic Bohemian Rhapsody, which saw actor Rami Malek in the role of Freddie Mercury.
Now, American Idol winner Adam Lambert has joined the band – which still features guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor.
The group went on a number of sold out tours in America earlier this year and it was recently revealed the group will be bringing their best-selling show to the UK and Europe in 2020.
But regardless, the band will forever be known for Mercury’s exceptional vocals and unusual style and behaviour, and now it turns out the singer didn’t think he was as good as Beatles front man John Lennon.
Following the star’s tragic death in December, 1980, Queen sang Imagine in tribute to Lennon during their London show the next day.
In quotes taken from the book Freddie Mercury: A Life, In His Own Words, Mercury recalled his love for the singer.
“John Lennon was larger than life, and an absolute genius,” he said.
“Even at a very early stage when they were The Beatles, I always preferred John Lennon’s things.
“I don’t know why,” the star pondered. “He just had that magic… to be honest, I would never like to put myself on a par with John Lennon at all.
“Because he was the greatest, as far as I’m concerned.
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It’s not a matter of having less talent,” Mercury went on. “Just that some people are capable of doing certain things better than anybody else.
“And I feel that I’m not equipped to do the things that Lennon did.”
The singer went on to say he didn’t think “anybody” should, because Lennon was “unique”.
“He’s a one off, and that’s the way it is,” Mercury said firmly. “I admire him very much and that’s as far as I want to go.
“When I heard that Lennon was dead, I was shocked and dumbfounded.”
Mercury had a number of influences in music, and another important one was the late David Bowie.
Speaking about the comparisons between him and Elvis Presley, the singer shared: “The public want a showbiz type of feel. They get a buzz.
“Why do you think people like David Bowie and Elvis Presley have been so successful? Because they give their audiences champagne for breakfast?
“No, because they’re what the people want.”
Queen and Adam Lambert will bring their tour Rhapsody to the UK and Europe next year.
