The llama that ended a legend: Why Freddie Mercury and Michael Jackson's duet dreams died
The bizarre moment became the last straw for Mercury, who was working with Jackson on a series of potential duets in 1983, bassist Jo Burt told the New York Post.
'I think the last straw was when Michael brought his pet llama into the studio,' said Burt, who worked on Mercury's solo debut Mr. Bad Guy.
Mercury immediately called Queen's manager Jim 'Miami' Beach for help, saying, 'Miami, dear, can you get over here? You've got to get me out of here, I'm recording with a llama,' as Beach recalled in the 2012 documentary Freddie Mercury: The Great Pretender.
The unlikely collaboration had brought two musical legends together, as Mercury took a break from Queen and Jackson was fresh off the success of Thriller.
They recorded three songs — 'Victory,' 'State of Shock,' and 'There Must Be More to Life Than This' — at Jackson's home studio in Encino, California.
Despite early excitement, none of the tracks were completed in time for Mercury's solo album Mr. Bad Guy, released 40 years ago on April 29, 1985.
Mercury would later release a solo version of 'There Must Be More to Life Than This,' while Jackson recorded 'State of Shock' with Mick Jagger for Victory by The Jacksons.
According to producer Reinhold Mack, Mr. Bad Guy gave Mercury the rare freedom to create without compromise, away from the usual pressures of Queen's group dynamic.
'He just did something he liked from the bottom of his heart ... what he wanted it to be,' Mack said, praising Mercury's unfiltered creative control.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
3 hours ago
- The Star
K-pop superstar G-Dragon declares Malaysia 'mantap (superb)' at his two-day sold-out concerts in Bukit Jalil
For G-Dragon fans at Bukit Jalil last weekend, the party started even before the concerts at Axiata Arena. Almost 50,000 loyal fans of the superstar singer flooded the area during the weekend, and it was party from the word go. In fact, fans were already at the stadium from as early as 1pm and many even came to the venue wearing fashion ware that G-Dragon is famous for. Fans were not disappointed as G-Dragon made a triumphant return to Kuala Lumpur with a two-day performance that bedazzled his fans and many were left chanting for more. There were more cheers as G-Dragon even tried to speak Malay with the fans and even said " Saya gembira jumpa korang (I'm delighted to meet you guys)" and then of course Malaysia " mantap (superb)". He also added that he is " Syok gila (immensely happy)" and " you all enjoy tak (everyone enjoying yourself right)". It was an F1 speed show with a lot of thrills and spills as fans were immensely enjoying themselves during the two-plus-hour show. In short, the show presented by Hong Leong, the 2025 World Tour [Übermensch] simply dazzled Malaysian fans with a visually stunning and incredibly powerful vocal performance that proved the K-pop icon's continued global influence. Promoted by AEG Presents, TME Live, Star Planet, and Top Top Production, the tour attracted fans from across Malaysia and neighbouring countries. Over 20,000 attendees packed the arena across the two days, thoroughly enjoying themselves. Among the songs that were performed at the shows were fan favourites "POWER, HOME SWEET HOME, BONAMANA, TAKE ME, DRAMA, GYRO-DROP" which had almost all the attendees singing along to his tunes. Fans even turned up with the singer's most popular items at his concert - the Day-G (GD official daisy-shaped light stick), waving it away for almost all his songs. On top of that, fans were also roaring in approval as even former Olympic and Malaysian badminton star Lee Chong Wei and his family were in attendance for the concert. During the concert, fans even went wilder when G-Dragon made a special announcement when he said his super group Big Bang is also getting back together next year. "You know what, guys, next year, is Big Bang's 20th anniversary celebration. And we will be back together," said G-Dragon as the fans were celebrating wildly at the venue. Like G-Dragon, the group Big Bang is also among the super icons in the K-pop industry and has many international super hits during their long music career. "It has been an incredible journey, thus far. And I hope it keeps getting better in the time to come. It is a very special year for Big Bang next year and it is going to be even a bigger party the coming year," said G-Dragon. Fans at the concert were just immensely happy with the concert experience. One fan, Ameera Filzah, said: "He's called the King of K-pop for a reason. The stage design was mind-blowing, with insane visuals, special effects that felt like something out of a dream. It wasn't just a concert; it was a journey through every chapter of his solo career. From the iconic hits to the deeper, emotional tracks. It was nostalgic, electric, and honestly, one of the most fun and unforgettable nights of my life.' Another fan, Sindhu Vijayan, said the whole concert was a special moment as many fans managed to witness his comeback live. "You could see how happy and full of energy he was. His stage presence had us all under a spell. You could feel how much he truly appreciates his fans. I still can't get over it," said Sindhu. I loved the visual and emotional journey he took us on. "He even opened up about his past struggles, and you could sense how deeply personal this return is for him, like he's finally reconnecting with his purpose and passion as an artist. It felt like he was free to be his most authentic self, and the fans are so ready to stand by him every step of the way. The entire show was stunning from start to finish — powerful, emotional, inspiring.' In short, G-Dragon had promised nothing but the best for his fans, but he also delivered a spectacular show that his immensely happy fans will not forget for a very long time. About G-Dragon G-Dragon is a global cultural icon. As a member of the popular K-pop male group Bigbang, he helped redefine the Asian music scene with his innovative music, bold fashion choices, and charismatic stage presence. Known for his genre-blending sound and experimental approach to music, G-Dragon has released several successful solo albums, earning critical acclaim and commercial success. His influence extends beyond music, with a lasting impact on fashion and culture, often regarded as a trendsetter in both South Korea and internationally.
![G-DRAGON Lights Up Kuala Lumpur with [Übermensch] Spectacle](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.businesstoday.com.my%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F07%2F20250719-GD_00332-e1753071752981.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
![G-DRAGON Lights Up Kuala Lumpur with [Übermensch] Spectacle](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fall-logos-bucket.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fbusinesstoday.com.my.png&w=48&q=75){kind=small}
BusinessToday
3 hours ago
- BusinessToday
G-DRAGON Lights Up Kuala Lumpur with [Übermensch] Spectacle
Evoto G-DRAGON made a triumphant return to Kuala Lumpur with a sold-out two-night stand at the Axiata Arena Bukit Jalil on July 19 and 20. Presented by Hong Leong Bank, the 2025 WORLD TOUR [Übermensch] dazzled Malaysian fans with a visually stunning and sonically powerful performance that confirmed the K-pop icon's continued global influence. Promoted by AEG Presents, TME Live, Star Planet, and Top Top Production, the tour attracted fans from across Malaysia and neighbouring countries. Over 20,000 attendees packed the arena across the two days, bearing witness to a visual and sonic performance. The atmosphere turned electric the moment the lights dimmed. G-DRAGON took the stage with 'POWER,' instantly energising the crowd and setting a high-octane tone that carried through the entire performance. With cinematic visuals, dynamic choreography, and intimate storytelling, he led the audience through a deeply immersive experience that was both personal and larger-than-life. His setlist was a powerful blend of past and present, featuring iconic anthems such as 'Crooked,' 'Crayon,' 'Heartbreaker,' and 'One of a Kind,' alongside brand-new tracks including 'TOO BAD' and 'DRAMA.' Together, these songs formed the core of Übermensch, a conceptually rich project exploring themes of self-transcendence, reinvention, and artistic liberation. Every element of the show was executed to perfection. From futuristic stage design and immersive lighting to jaw-dropping visual effects, the production was a multi-sensory spectacle. G-DRAGON's renowned fashion commanded attention throughout the night with multiple outfit changes, each reflecting his bold, ever-evolving style and perfectly complementing the mood and message of each segment. His ability to fuse high fashion with an unparalleled stage presence further cemented his reputation as a true global fashion icon. Fans were not just spectators—they were part of the show. Thousands waved their light sticks in perfect unison, their chants ringing out between songs. The emotional crescendo came during 'Untitled, 2014,' when the entire arena glowed with soft light. Fans sang along in unison, their voices trembling with emotion, with many visibly moved to tears. From start to finish, the Kuala Lumpur shows were nothing short of extraordinary. G-DRAGON's Kuala Lumpur shows offered more than entertainment—they were a celebration of connection, artistry, and identity. Related
Hype Malaysia
5 hours ago
- Hype Malaysia
2NE1's Sandara Park, Lee Chong Wei & More: Local & International Stars Who Attended G-Dragon's KL Concert
A lot unfolded during G-Dragon (권지용)'s 2-day concert in Kuala Lumpur over the weekend. While some fans had the time of their lives, many were left disappointed by the circumstances leading up to the concert and the events on the days of the shows themselves. Regardless, those who attended the concert spotted a few familiar faces in the audience, including both local and international celebrities. So, without further ado, let's take a look at who was in attendance at the icon's concert at Axiata Arena, Kuala Lumpur: 1. 2NE1's Sandara Park Who would have thought that a member of 2NE1 would be spotted among the Malaysian crowd during G-Dragon's Kuala Lumpur concert? A video has been circulating online showing Sandara Park enjoying the show while waving her lightstick. For those who may not know, both BIGBANG and 2NE1 debuted under YG Entertainment, so it's not entirely surprising to see the idol showing support for her ex-labelmate. 2. Datuk Lee Chong Wei One of the perks of retirement is getting to enjoy concerts by your favourite artists. Former national shuttler Datuk Wira Lee Chong Wei (李宗伟) was spotted making his way to his seat at the concert, where he was also seen greeting fans who recognised him. He later reposted an Instagram Story featuring one of the BIGBANG members' performances during the show. 3. Ms Kuan, Alex HKF, Danny Koo Local influencers Ms Kuan and Alex HKF shared posts about their experience at the concert, with the latter offering some insights into what went down during the show on his Twitter page. Singer Danny Koo also attended the concert while testing out the new Samsung Galaxy Fold 7. 4. Hani Fadzil & Muna Bella If it's anything K-pop related, there's a high chance these two will be there. Known for their love of all things K-pop and K-culture, local radio announcers Hani Fadzil (MIX) and Muna Bella (Era) were both spotted at G-Dragon's weekend concert, with the former even dressing up as the idol himself. Not only did they attend the show, but they also had the opportunity to interview him and film exclusive content for their respective radio stations, something fans can certainly look forward to once it's released. 5. Bosco Wong Hong Kong actor Bosco Wong was reportedly spotted at G-Dragon's concert in KL as well. Fans recognised the star in what appeared to be the VIP section, despite him wearing a hat and face mask to keep a low profile. It was also rumoured that other Hong Kong artists, including Michael Tao, Joel Chan and Kelly Fu, were present at the Kuala Lumpur concert, although this has yet to be confirmed. 6. Jeannie Hsieh Taiwanese singer-songwriter Jeannie Hsieh posted a video on Instagram that she indeed attended the G-Dragon concert in KL over the weekend. The 50-year-old filmed herself outside the venue before the doors opened while wearing the 'Übermensch' cap. Did you spot any familiar faces at the concert? Let us know!
