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THE SOUNDTRACK TO YOUR CHILDHOOD
What music did were you exposed to when you were growing up? Did your parents have a favourite album that sticks in your mind? How much has the type of music you heard growing up have an influence upon the kind of music you prefer now?
Our Late Show host, Deborah Smart
can answer that question very easily. Find out more about the band she loves and why she loves them below.
My Dad and his two obsessions
Thanks to my Dad, I cannot a remember my life before Queen. The music of Queen has always been in my life and for as long as I can remember Freddie Mercury has always been the pinnacle against which all other frontmen would be measured.
My Dad worked a lot when I was a kid, so whenever we were together, I wanted to do whatever he was doing. Invariably that meant either watching motor racing (and yes, this has resulted in me also being a massive Formula 1 fan) or listening to Queen. Sometimes both at the same time. I’m so incredibly grateful to my Dad for introducing me to both.
Why Queen do it for me
Well firstly, there’s the music itself. So much of what Queen did was absolutely groundbreaking at the time it was released. They didn’t stick to a formula either. They were forever pushing themselves to try new things, not just by experimenting in the studio but even mixing musical genres that have never been mixed before … and frankly shouldn’t have worked. Let’s face it, an operatic section in a rock song really doesn’t work on paper. But it’s because they took these chances that their music is so great.
Obviously, I love Queen because their songs will always instantly evoke memories of my childhood. I particularly remember when the Innuendo album was released in 1991. My Dad had bought the CD to play at home, but his car only had a cassette player. So, I bought him an extra copy on cassette so we could listen to it as he drove us to France on our annual family holiday. I hear those songs now and I remember that car, the journey and the campsite we stayed in. Headlong remains my absolute favourite track from that album (if you don’t know it please check it out – it’s awesome).
Freddie's passing
Freddie Mercury’s death in late 1991 may have cut short the lifespan Queen had as a ground breaking, recording band. Knowing that songs like ‘The Show Must Go On’ were recorded while Freddie was very unwell make an already poignant message even more pertinent. It’s such a powerful track with a truly outstanding vocal performance from Freddie. Have you ever tried singing along to it – or any other Queen track for that matter? My advice is only do it in the car or shower because it’s not easy.
I can remember sitting with my Dad and watching the Freddie Mercury tribute concert on TV as it was broadcast live from Wembley Stadium on 20th April 1992. So many of the artists who came to sing those Queen classics had to have the arrangements changed so they could sing them in a different key. Very few of them could even come close to singing those songs the way Freddie did. For me (and my Dad) that has to be the ultimate compliment to the ultimate frontman.
So, despite the fact that this band hasn’t released any new music in 30 years, my love affair Queen them continues. Whenever I’m celebrating, on goes ‘We are the Champions’, whenever I need motivation I play, ‘The Show Must Go On’, and when I want a smile I play ‘Bicycle Race’. Whatever my mood there is always a Queen song to fit it. Oh and whenever Dad and I are on holiday together on goes a massive Queen playlist on shuffle, and we enjoy every single track.
Which band did you grow up with? We’d love to hear your stories of the music you grew up with so please let us know by commenting below or clicking here
to get in touch. You never know, we may even feature your story on air.
About Deborah
Deborah plays more than just Queen songs on her Late Show (Monday to Thursday 9 till midnight) but amongst all the other great oldies from the 60’s to the 90’s she makes sure one or two make their way on air somewhere.
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