Freddie Mercury is one of the most animated and vibrant personalities to ever grace the stage. Between his bellowing vocals and charged energy, Mercury has remained as arguably the greatest showman of all time. That being so, Mercury thanks his public persona and on-stage presence to one acclaimed movie star and performer.
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Given the way he handles himself on stage, you might think Mercury pulled inspiration from performers such as Charlie Chaplin or the singer, Jenny Lind. However, it is neither of those individuals. Rather it is the one and only star of Cabaret, Liza Minnelli.
Why Liza Minnelli Deeply Influenced Freddie Mercury
The connection between Liza Minnelli and Freddie Mercury is clear as day, as Minnelli was also a very flamboyant performer who put just as much effort into her showmanship as she did her singing. Always dressed in the most ornate outfits, Minnelli would stun crowds with her show tunes and highly operatic performances. Sound familiar?
Well, thanks to Minnelli, Freddie Mercury was able to pull bits and pieces of her persona to add to his own. Regarding his inspiration, Mercury stated, “I like the Cabaretish sort of thing. In fact, one of my early inspirations came from Cabaret” and “I absolutely adore Liza Minnelli; she’s a total wow. The way she delivers her songs – the sheer energy,” per Far Out.
“On stage, you either have the magic or you don’t, and there’s no way you can work up to it. Liza Minnelli just oozes with sheer talent,” Mercury continued. “She has energy and stamina” and “The way she delivers herself to the public is a good influence. There is a lot to learn from her.” Given his affinity for Minnelli, Mercury also made quite a bold yet enlightening comment about Queen’s relation to the decorated star.
Concerning the comparison, Mercury said Queen “Have more in common with Liza Minnelli than Led Zeppelin” and “We’re more in the showbiz tradition than the rock ‘n’ roll tradition.” If you’re unfamiliar with Minnelli, then you should potentially watch one of her films or performances, because when you do you will clearly see the parallels.
In addition to her role in Cabaret, Minnelli is also known for her songs, “Maybe This Time” and “La Bohéme,” as well as her other films, New York, New York, and Arthur. She is truly a generational talent and it makes sense why Freddie Mercury pulled so much inspiration from her.
Photo by Fin Costello/Redferns
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