{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/65ca9bd9e89a1700160e4a83/67340b4665b2afe07a4e6694?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"37 - Freddie Mercury & Queen with Lesley-Ann Jones (Zanzibar)","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/65ca9bd9e89a1700160e4a83/1731463911612-430eb40c-6ce0-4bfc-95ad-9c5418d9c3e9.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p>Join us on a trip to Zanzibar by way of India &amp; Feltham as we trace the early years of Freddie Mercury. </p><p><br></p><p><strong>It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs &amp; time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link: </strong><a href=\"http://ko-fi.com/musicmaps\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>ko-fi.com/musicmaps</strong></a></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><strong>It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews &amp; star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps &amp; can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it.&nbsp;</strong></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>Freddie Mercury was born in Zanzibar in 1946 as Farrokh Bulsara but was later sent to school in India - attending a strict boarding school. </p><p><br></p><p>Freddie's first band was in India but when the Bulsara family relocated to Feltham in South East London he found himself in the midst of Swinging London. </p><p><br></p><p>He met future bandmate Tim Staffell at Isleworth College &amp; later met future Queen guitarist Brian May who was in a band called Smile. Roger Taylor also came in but Freddie didn't officially join until later. </p><p><br></p><p>After bouncing around various bands in the London area &amp; also a stint in Liverpool, Freddie eventually names the band Queen &amp; also designs their iconic logo. Their first gig takes place at Truro City Hall in the Summer of 1970 &amp; the rest is history. </p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><strong>You can see our upcoming live events here: </strong><a href=\"https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/live/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/live/</strong></a></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>Instagram: <a href=\"https://www.instagram.com/rocknrollbookclube17/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">@rocknrollbookclube17</a></p><p><br></p><p>X: <a href=\"https://x.com/simonmusicmaps\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">@simonmusicmaps</a></p><p><br></p><p>Facebook: <a href=\"https://www.facebook.com/E17rockbookclub/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">E17rockbookclub</a></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Hosted by Mark Hart &amp; Simon Cardwell</strong></p><p><strong>Written &amp; Produced by Simon Cardwell</strong></p><p><strong>Edited by Andy Maxwell&nbsp;</strong></p>","author_name":"Rock n Roll Book Club"}