From QueenWorld.com
FREDDIE MERCURY MEMORIAL WEEKEND.
By Jacky
Sep 4, 2006, 12:04
What a fabulous, moving and thoroughly enjoyable weekend it was! Fans gathered from all over the world in beautiful Montreux. Queen/Freddie music was played all day by the statue.
Friday night we were treated to the fabulous Dios Salve A La Reine (God Save The Queen) and special messages for Freddie from Brian and Roger. We were even treated to a rare on stage speech from Jim Beach himself. It was a great night!
Saturday we gathered next to the statue. Many of us all sat in the warm sun, talking, drinking beer and listening to Queen and Freddie, whilst gazing out over the lake at the distant mountains. Bliss? You bet! Freddies mum Jer, and his sister Kash and husband Roger joined us there, it was a very moving moment seeing tiny, frail Jer standing, smiling, next to the statue of her beloved son. A stunning artwork was on display on the pontoon by the statue, featuring a host of coloured ribbons depicting the sound form of Freddie's voice as he sang Don't Stop me Now. The members of the public were invited to tie matching colured ribbons on the opposite side, and gradually you could see the power and colour of the artwork taking shape. In a matter of a couple of hours thousands of ribbons were attached, and the finished piece will remain on display til the end of September. It's just breathtaking.
Saturday afternnoon Rudi Dolezal introduced his special cut of The Untold Story, and a never before seen "making of' DVD, as well as taking about the making of the film and his personal recollections.
That afternoon we had birthday cake and drinks in the Market Place and sang happy birthday to Freddie.
The evening commenced with a fabulous, moving piano recital from Thierry Lang - he played the music from the Untold Story. Quite quite beautiful.. Then it was a full orchestra and choir, under the direction of Tolga Kashif, for his powerful symphony. Superb.
The only thing left to do was retire to Harry's Bar, where many many of us chatted, drank and laughed and generally had a good time til the early hours...
It was a fabulous weekend, my thanks in HUGE porportion to Norbert and Rita, who did a great job as always. To Peter "Feebie" Freestone for all his hard work, to Jer, Kash and Roger for just being there. To DSR for their excellent live show, to the guys and girls on the beer and food stalls by the market, and to all my fellow fans for your company.... but also to Freddie, his spirit was there with us!
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