What do the rock band Queen’s Freddie Mercury and the reggae great Bob Marley have in common? Both had come from the bosom of British protectorates and contributed to the seeds of emerging musical genre of the psychedelic 70s which paved way to mind-altering riffs, thunderous percussions, the ska guitar strumming – songs of freedom, of love lost, of people who bit the dust.
As if a coincidence, the music of Queen and Marley, will be played out in the big screen, to relive the musical greatness of the artists. Freddie Mercury’s India and Bob Marley’s Jamaica would had been so proud with both films – “Queen Rock Montreal” and the Bob Marley Story “One Love” – having encapsulated the musical artistry of both men, whose compatriots fought for independence with their blood. Both India and Jamaica are now independent countries.
On Sunday evening, I had the chance to view “Queen Rock Montreal,” a 1981 Queen concert that is part of their “The Game” album tour at the SM Clark IMAX. And as expected, the master showman Freddie Mercury, “Farrokh Bulsara” in real life – did not fail everyone.
43 years after that Montreal, Quebec concert, Queen came alive via the larger-than-life cinematic experience at IMAX, a cutting-edge technology and immersive sound systems that really transported me into the heart of the concert.
Mercury with his signature Adidas shoes was a master showman, something that Adam Lambert has failed to do. This is the definitive Queen which belted out “Dragon Attack” like a sneaky fiery dragon livening up the stage; “Love of My Life” a song for Mary Austin, his flame and true friend until the end; “Somebody To Love” which sought the elusive love one.
Mercury is the soul of Queen. His demise inadvertently ended the musical genius of John Deacon, who created the popular riffs for “Under Pressure” and “Another One Bites the Dust.” Deacon had refused to play with Queen even with Adam Lambert at the vocals. It was akin to Robert Plant, Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones, who all decided to end Led Zeppelin with the death of John Bonham.
With barely less than ten of us watching “Queen Rock Montreal” at the IMAX, it was like we were in the comforts of our homes reliving the greatness of this master showman. Up next: “One Love” featuring the life and struggle of the legendary Bob Marley. Once I set foot in Jamaica, as I crisscrossed the azure sea of the Caribbean. Can’t wait to see the film.