A Decade Later: Brian May’s Emotional Encounter with Freddie Mercury Hologram
A poignant moment unfolded as Brian May interacted with the “hologram” of the late Queen frontman, a decade after their initial encounter. The appearance of Mercury during the Covid-postponed worldwide Rhapsody tour, particularly in the rendition of “Love of My Life,” holds a newfound depth in the wake of the Bohemian Rhapsody biopic’s success and the pandemic’s impact. This serves as a powerful reminder that grief knows no expiration date. The song’s origin, featured on Queen’s fourth album, “A Night at the Opera” (1975), adds an extra layer of emotional resonance.
While it’s commonly believed that the ballad was inspired by Freddy Mercury’s fiancée, Mary Austin, a lesser-known truth, according to Queen manager John Reid, is that “Love of My Life” was dedicated to Mercury’s secret lover and first boyfriend, David Minns. Initially underestimated by Queen themselves, the track’s popularity became evident in Buenos Aires in 1981, when a massive audience of 300,000 passionately joined in a heartfelt chorus during the performance.