May 03, 2006

Satisfaction Guaranteed!

Hell! That sounded like a bad advertisement. (No, no, no... don't guess the advertisement... not loudly).

Remember Freddie Mercury, the lead singer of Queen? There's something he said in one of his interviews that's an absolute wake-up pinch. This interview was recorded thirteen years after they were formed and were still one of the most happening rock bands in the world.

Question: How did they stay together for years, belting out number one hit after number one hit, when other bands like them were falling apart?

Answer: Freedom of individual expression.

There wasn't just one song writer. There wasn't just one ideator. All four band members wrote songs. They worked together like a well-oiled machine. It wasn't as if one person dominated over the others and suppressed individual expression. Everyone's individuality was nourished and that's why Queen stayed tops.

Imagine! Four talented people. Four song writers. Four musicians. All passionately immersed in individual projects, close to their hearts. And then bringing it all together as an album under the umbrella 'Queen'!

Is there a lesson there for us? While you are thinking about that one, you can download their songs here.

PS: Freddie Mercury was born Farrokh Bulsara to Indian Parsi parents. He was educated at St. Peter's boarding school in Panchgani near Mumbai, where he gave his first onstage performances in a five-member school band called 'The Hectics'. It was here that he was given the name Freddie.

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