I like Montreux, I really do. In my civil servant days, I frequently attended committee meetings in Geneva, and would sometimes stay here, not minding the twice daily one-hour train journey.
Wandering along Lake Geneva’s waterfront, you won’t be lost for stunning scenery to rest your weary eyes on. There are towering mountains, clusters of vibrant flowers, the lake itself… and then there’s Freddie.
High on a pedestal, a bronze Farrokh Bulsara, better known as Freddie Mercury, is larger than life. The three-metre tall statue of Queen’s deliciously flamboyant frontman is striking a classic Freddie pose, while overlooking one of Mother Nature’s true beauty spots.
Unlike Frank Zappa and Vilnius, Freddie Mercury actually had a relationship with Montreux. His last album Made in Heaven was recorded at Queen’s Mountain Studios here. The track A Winter’s Tale was inspired by his stay in Montreux. Freddie loved the peaceful little Swiss lakeside town and famously said
If you want peace of soul, come to Montreux.
The Freddie Mercury statue was unveiled in 1996 by his father and his dear friend, Montserrat Caballé. 23 years after his death, devoted fans still leave flowers daily, especially on the annual Freddie Mercury Montreux Memorial Day in September.
World at a Glance is a series of short articles here on Sophie’s World, with a single photo, portraying curious, evocative, happy, sad or wondrous, unexpected little encounters.
Great photo Sophie. We were driving by the Freddie Mercury statue a couple of months ago and my husband and his friend regaled us with tales of Freddie in Switzerland. I’m not a music buff, but it was pretty interesting stuff.
I’m sure it must have been.Would have loved to meet Freddie…
Love the photo, and also love Montreux, although the person I think of there is Vladimer Nabokov.
Must admit I had to google Nabokov’s Montreux connection. How interesting, Vera… something to check out next time.
What a beautiful photo! I never would have expected to find a Freddie Mercury statue on a lakeside in Switzerland. He sure was an interesting man.
He certainly was.
Love the photo and the history. Don’t really picture you as a civil servant.
Haha, I was one for years and years.
Lovely photo 🙂
Thanks
I would not have been able to spot the link between Montreux and Freddie Mercury, but now it makes sense. Even flamboyant rock stars need a sanctum.
I didn’t see the link either, when I first saw the statue.
I had no idea that there was a connection between Freddy Mercury and Montreux, Switzerland. Would love to see this in person.
Switzerland next for you then, Lisa 🙂