Episode 80
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Hello, everybody! I am Georgiana, your English teacher and founder of SpeakEnglishPodcast.com. My mission is to help you speak English fluently. Speaking English is easier than it seems! You just have to use the right material and techniques.
"Don't stop me now. Bebebecause I'm having a good time. I don't want to stop at all!"
Today I'm going to talk about a band named Queen and the legendary Freddie Mercury.
And with a mini-story, you're going to practice your speaking in English while learning fascinating facts about Freddie.
Have you heard of a band named Queen?
Of course, you have. I'm just kidding. 🙂
And how much do you know about their singer and songwriter Freddie Mercury?
Some people believe that Mercury was British, but did you know that he was born in Zanzibar, September 1946?
You probably guessed by now that his real name wasn't Freddie Mercury. His birth name was Farrokh Bulsara. I was curious about how to pronounce his name, so I have done my research, though I'm still not sure I'm pronouncing it correctly.
Did you know that Freddie was born with four extra teeth in the back of his mouth? He never fixed his teeth because he feared it would ruin his voice.
In 1964 Freddie's family moved to England, and in 1966, he enrolled in Ealing College of Art to study graphic illustration. There he met Tim Staffell, who introduced him to his band Smile. Watching Smile made Freddie realize that he really wanted to be in a band himself. Therefore, after he finished his diploma in graphic art and design, he joined a band called Ibex, playing the lead guitarist.
Later on, he formed the band Queen in 1970 with guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor. He wrote numerous hits for Queen, including "Bohemian Rhapsody," "Somebody to Love," "Don't Stop Me Now," and "We Are the Champions." He also conducted a solo career and was a guest producer and musician for other artists.
He was known for his highly animated shows that normally involved public participation.
However, Mercury left us too soon, dying in 1991 at age 45 due to complications from AIDS. Although he will always remain in our hearts, and we will continue to listen to his music. Right?
If you enjoy his music and want to find out more about his life, I recommend the movie called "Bohemian Rhapsody" 2018 about Mercury and Queen. They say it's the most fascinating biographical musical film of all time.
It's been a real pleasure recording this episode about Freddie. I've been listening to Queen since I was a kid when I fell in love with his powerful voice. Since then, I became an absolute fan. I'm convinced that I'm never going to get tired of listening to the band. Although I enjoy listening to all Queen songs, these are my absolute favorite: "Under Pressure" and "Show must go on."
Make sure you listen to some of Queen's best songs while you follow the lyrics at the same time. I guarantee that you're going to love the band even more!
Before I continue with a mini-story, I would like to share with you my favorite Freddie Mercury quote:
"I won't be a rock star. I will be a legend."
Want more speaking practice? Continue with a complete audio course.
IMPROVE YOUR SPEAKING
Mini-Story: Speaking Practice
Answer the questions aloud with short and quick responses. Repeat the Mini-Story several times to improve your speaking and listening.
Although he was an extravagant artist on stage, Freddie was timid in his personal life and rarely gave interviews.
Where was he extravagant?
In his personal life?
No. He wasn't extravagant in his personal life. He was extravagant on stage.
Was Freddy Mercury timid?
Yes, he was timid in his personal life. He was very shy.
When did he give interviews?
Often or rarely?
Not often. He gave interviews rarely.
Before becoming a star, Mercury worked as a baggage handler at Heathrow Airport.
What did Mercury do before becoming a star?
Was he an architect?
No. No. Mercury was not an architect before becoming a star. He was a baggage handler.
When did he work as a baggage handler?
Before or after he became a star?
Before becoming a star, he worked as a baggage handler before becoming a star.
Where did he work as a baggage handler?
At a hotel?
No. No. He didn't work as a baggage handler at a hotel. He worked at Heathrow airport.
He loved cats and had ten at one point. He wrote a song about his favorite cat, Delilah.
What did Freddy love?
Fame?
No. He didn't love fame. He loved cats.
How many cats did he have at one point?
Ten cats. He had ten cats at one point.
Did he write a song about Delilah, his favorite book?
No. No. Delilah wasn't the name of a book. It was the name of his favorite cat.
Freddie designed the famous Queen Crest logo himself, thanks to his degree in art and graphic design.
What did Freddy design?
A house?
No. No. He didn't design a house. He designed the famous Queen Crest logo.
Did he design the famous Queen Crest alone?
Yes. He designed it alone. He didn't need anyone's help.
Thanks to what did he design Queen Crest?
Thanks to his degree in art and graphic design, he designed Queen Crest.
He had a long-term relationship with a girl named Mary Austin, who became his closest friend.
What did he have?
A short-term relationship?
No. He didn't have a short-term relationship. He had a long-term relationship.
With whom did he have a long-term relationship?
With his cats?
No. No. He didn't have a long-term relationship with his cats. He had a long term relationship with Mary Austin.
Was his closest friend Jimi Hendrix?
No. He was a fan of Jimmy Hendrix, but his closest friend was a girl named Mary Austin.
Freddie Mercury wrote the song "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" in the bath at a hotel.
What did Freddy write?
A poem?
No. No. He didn't write a poem. Freddy wrote a song.
Where did he write the song?
In a church?
Not in a church. He wrote the song in the bath at the hotel.
What was the name of the song?
Was it "Crazy little cats"?
No. No. The name of the song wasn't "Crazy little cats," but "Crazy Little Thing Called Love."
Thanks for listening, and I’ll see you in the next episode.
Review
Vocabulary
Review the most useful words and expressions before listening again.
legendary
extremely famous and admired over many years.
flamboyant
confident, colorful, and attention-grabbing.
lead singer
the main vocalist in a band.
iconic
widely recognized and highly influential.
songwriter
a person who writes songs.
band
a group of musicians who perform together.
stage name
a professional name used by a performer.
quote
the exact words someone has said or written.
Want more speaking practice? Continue with a complete audio course.
Great podcast Georgiana, thanks! I am an English teacher and I am using it with my students!