“When Legends Admire Legends: John Taylor Recalls Freddie Mercury’s Passionate Love for David Bowie’s ‘Absolute Beginners’ – A Beautiful Glimpse into the Heart of a Musical Icon”
There’s something deeply touching about witnessing a star in awe of another. In the world of music, where egos often run high and personas are meticulously crafted, the human moments—the unguarded passions and shared fandoms—shine brightest. One such moment was beautifully captured by Duran Duran’s John Taylor in a heartfelt recollection about the legendary Freddie Mercury.
John Taylor, the stylish bassist of the iconic ‘80s band Duran Duran, once found himself at Freddie Mercury’s home. Despite Mercury’s towering stage presence and global fame as Queen’s charismatic frontman, what struck Taylor wasn’t the grandeur of Freddie’s lifestyle, but the genuine fanboy energy he radiated when talking about David Bowie’s 1986 ballad “Absolute Beginners.”
Freddie, known for his exceptional musicality and dramatic flair, was completely enamored with the song’s lush arrangement. As Taylor remembers, “He kept playing it for me over and over, saying: ‘John, listen to the harmonization there, and that 3rd and 7th chord?! Pure genius, pure genius!’” The image of Freddie, giddy and obsessive over a chord progression, reminds us that behind the glam and spectacle was a man still madly in love with music.
It’s fitting that the song he adored was by David Bowie—a man he had shared the stage with in Queen’s unforgettable “Under Pressure.” Their mutual admiration was evident even then, but this moment revealed an even deeper bond: one artist reveling in the brilliance of another, not from a place of rivalry but reverence.
This story reminds us that the greats never stop being fans. Even after redefining rock and crafting anthems that would echo for generations, Freddie Mercury was still listening, still learning, still marveling. For those who love music, that’s the ultimate inspiration.
So as John Taylor sweetly shared this gem with the world, he gave us not just a memory, but a message: no matter how far you go, never lose your wonder.
Have a wonderful day, dear ones—and never stop listening like Freddie.