Days after a study explored the power and characteristics of his iconic voice, a notebook of lyrics penned by Queen frontman Freddie Mercury during the late stages of his career is now set to go auction this summer.
Used between 1988 and 1990, during which Queen recorded The Miracle and Innuendo, the notebook contains full and partial lyrics to 19 of the band's final songs, such as "Too Much Love Will Kill You" and "The Show Must Go On." The notebook has an estimate price of £50,000 to £70,000, or about $90,000 to $126,000 CDN.
"It is a poignant record of that period, but it also struck me that it is a testament to the creative energy in the band," Stephen Maycock of entertainment auctioneers Bonhams explained to The Guardian. "Despite his illness and increasing frailty the ideas were still there. His performance on that last album was remarkable considering how frail he was, his vocal powers on some of the tracks are just extraordinary… he did have this incredible drive."
He continued: "There are plenty of collectors out there who I'm sure would love to have this — it's because it is so personal. He had it there with him for nearly three years. It gives you a really close connection."
Mercury died six weeks after recording "The Show Must Go On" in November of 1991. Bonhams will send the notebook to auction on June 29.
Pre-order the 40th anniversary edition of Queen's News of the World via MusicVaultz.
Used between 1988 and 1990, during which Queen recorded The Miracle and Innuendo, the notebook contains full and partial lyrics to 19 of the band's final songs, such as "Too Much Love Will Kill You" and "The Show Must Go On." The notebook has an estimate price of £50,000 to £70,000, or about $90,000 to $126,000 CDN.
"It is a poignant record of that period, but it also struck me that it is a testament to the creative energy in the band," Stephen Maycock of entertainment auctioneers Bonhams explained to The Guardian. "Despite his illness and increasing frailty the ideas were still there. His performance on that last album was remarkable considering how frail he was, his vocal powers on some of the tracks are just extraordinary… he did have this incredible drive."
He continued: "There are plenty of collectors out there who I'm sure would love to have this — it's because it is so personal. He had it there with him for nearly three years. It gives you a really close connection."
Mercury died six weeks after recording "The Show Must Go On" in November of 1991. Bonhams will send the notebook to auction on June 29.
Pre-order the 40th anniversary edition of Queen's News of the World via MusicVaultz.