Musical Cheers

14/02/2025

Susan Sarandon and David Bowie’s paths crossed in the early 1980s while working on "The Hunger" (1983), a visually arresting horror film directed by Tony Scott. The movie featured Sarandon as a scientist and Bowie as a centuries-old vampire caught in a desperate struggle against time. Their characters shared an intimate connection, and behind the scenes, the two stars found themselves irresistibly drawn to each other. Bowie’s enigmatic aura and profound intellect fascinated Sarandon, while she captivated him with her fierce independence and quick wit. Their secret romance, unknown to the public for decades, was an intense but fleeting chapter in both their lives.

At the time, Sarandon had recently ended a long-term relationship with filmmaker Louis Malle, and she was not looking for anything serious. Bowie, on the other hand, was already a global icon, known for his ever-evolving artistry and magnetic presence. What made their connection remarkable was not just their physical attraction but their shared curiosity about life. They bonded over existential conversations, literature, music, and philosophy. Bowie, with his insatiable intellect, introduced Sarandon to new ideas and perspectives, while she admired his ability to reinvent himself constantly. Their time together was marked by deep conversations and a mutual appreciation for artistic expression.

Though their affair remained private for years, Sarandon later acknowledged how extraordinary Bowie was, describing him as “a really interesting person” with a brilliant mind. She recalled how he encouraged her to explore new creative avenues and challenged her in ways few others had. Their relationship, however, was destined to be short-lived. Sarandon was clear about her decision not to have more children at that stage in her life. Bowie, who had a son from his first marriage and would later have a daughter with his second wife, Iman, respected her stance. This difference in life goals ultimately led to their amicable separation.

Despite their romance ending, the two remained close friends. Bowie’s ability to remain connected with past lovers and maintain friendships was well-known, and Sarandon was no exception. They continued to admire each other from afar, occasionally crossing paths over the years. Sarandon later revealed that Bowie had a lasting impact on her, calling him "extraordinary" not just as an artist but as a human being. His influence lingered long after their relationship ended.

In the final days of Bowie’s life, Sarandon had the opportunity to reconnect with him. She was one of the few who knew about his illness before the public did. When he passed away in 2016, she expressed her grief, speaking of how unique and irreplaceable he was. For Sarandon, their time together was brief but transformative, leaving her with memories of a man whose mind, charm, and spirit remained unmatched.

15/01/2025

Rising Aotearoa star Reiki Ruawai is bringing his dynamic fusion of R&B, hip-hop and soul across New Zealand this summer.

🎫 Limited early bird tickets at $20.00 are available now - link in bio.

29/12/2024

Starring an Oscar-tipped Timothée Chalamet, James Mangold’s biopic retells Dylan’s electric early career, but it resonates with today’s toxic fame and politics. The creative team explain their process – and what Dylan makes of it

21/12/2024

"Mary, I think I'm bisexual." "No Freddie, you're gay." With these two sentences ended one of the most endearing romances in pop history, the love story of two young people— Freddie Mercury and Mary Austin — who shared it all until one of them stopped fooling himself.
The scene, one of the peak moments of the movie "Bohemian Rhapsody" was produced in 1976 at his home in the London neighborhood of Kensington, when they had already been in a relationship for six years. They had met very closely, at the neighborhood street market, where Freddie and drummer Roger Taylor sold second-hand clothing. Although there was no instant flush, his destiny was written. "It took me about three years to really fall in love with him." “But I’ve never felt that before about anyone,” Austin confessed in an emotional interview with the “Daily Mail” in 1999.
They initially lived together in a room rented for £10 a week on Victoria Road. "We had so little money then that we could only afford a couple of curtains, so we hung them in the bedroom." "We had to share the bathroom and kitchen with another couple," Austin reported, who shortly later would become a direct witness to Queen's meteoric rise.
Get out of your way
In fact, some of the photographs illustrating the band’s first album were taken in the floor they moved into when Queen signed a record deal, on Holland Drive. Everything seemed to go smooth for the couple, but Austin began to feel alienated. "Things changed for him and the group." Freddie was so good on stage I felt “here’s a future star”. He's on his way, and I don't think he needs me anymore. "I pulled myself away to let him go."
But Mercury must have felt the love of his life slipping away, and tried to tie her up by proposing on Christmas Day in 1973. "He gave me a gift in a box." Inside was another box, and so on until I found that tiny box. When I opened it there was that beautiful Egyptian beetle ring». However, they never talked about a date and the wedding plans were slowly diluted into the sea of excess that overcame success.
When Queen was already at the peak, after the release of her first three albums, Austin began to feel that her fiancé wasn’t entirely happy with her. I loved him like no other, but something was wrong. It was like I needed something else. "I told him I felt like I had tied him with a strap, that it was time for me to leave." But he insisted: "It's okay, really." "I love you."
In 1976, Austin no longer had any doubt that Freddie had been in numerous homosexual relationships, and decided to open the closet doors for him. The next day she left the house ending her relationship as a partner, but in no way the friendship. Freddie ordered his record label to buy him a £300,000 apartment, and she kept in touch with the group by becoming their secretary.
After years of excess—the 1978 Halloween party Freddie threw was one of the wildest in history, legend says—when the singer contracted HIV, she was the first to know. And she was with him until the last moment: "One day he decided that enough was enough and abandoned all the medical aid that kept him alive. He looked death in the face and said "okay, I'll take it, I'll leave now." It was somewhat quiet, he died with a smile on his face».
Austin had a hard time making his life over ("everyone felt overshadowed by Freddie"). The pop hero left her half of his fortune - more than €13 million - part of his royalties and a mansion. And only she knows where his ashes are.

18/12/2024

About a month after John and Cynthia separated in May ‘68, Paul drove his ‘66 Aston Martin (shown below) out to the Lennon home in Weybridge to visit five-year-old Julian and Cynthia.

"I was touched by his obvious concern for our welfare,” said Cynthia.

“I will never forget Paul's gesture of care and concern in coming to see us."

Paul said Cynthia had been part of the Beatles social circle and he found it "a bit much for them suddenly to be personae non gratae and out of my life".

On the drive down, Paul composed “Hey Jules” to comfort Julian and encourage him to pursue his opportunities to find love. He took Julian on a drive through the country that day and sang the new song to him.

“I knew it was not going to be easy for him", said Paul. He changed the name to "Jude" "because I thought that sounded a bit better".

“Paul and I used to hang about quite a bit – more than Dad and I did,” said Julian.

“We had a great friendship going and there seems to be far more pictures of me and Paul playing together at that age than there are pictures of me and my dad."

Julian learned that the song had been written about him 20 years later. In 1996, he paid £25,000 for the recording notes to "Hey Jude" at an auction.

Below is Paul with his ‘67 Martin D-28 guitar and his ‘66 Aston Martin sports car (with Martha in the back seat!) that he drove to see Cynthia and Julian that day.

We appreciate Boris’ efforts in locating the perfect image to accompany this post.

10/12/2024

In 1996, the three remaining Beatles reunited. They were feeling empty during the photoshoot without John Lennon being there. A white peacock then mysteriously appeared behind George for one of the photos. When they saw it, they all felt John’s presence and the mood was lifted.

10/12/2024

Thanks to all who came along to the concert on Saturday night! I thoroughly enjoyed the evening I hope you did too!

10/12/2024