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Freddie Mercury. I came late to Queen’s music.
I was watching a Queen concert on VH1 classic on Sunday afternoon. Well, I wasn’t “actively” watching it; it was on in the background as I was grading papers. I’ve seen it before plenty of times. But I’m still drawn in by Freddie Mercury and find myself almost mesmerized by him as a frontman.
To take the debate I wrote about last week (music vs. lyrics) one step further, Queen made me think of another thing that draws me into a musical act: the presence of the frontman (or woman).
In order of importance to me:
1. Lyrics
2. Showmanship
3. Music
The lyrics of Queen songs don’t stop my heart, and like with most rock music, the sound completely blends together. But I will watch a Queen performance solely because of the way Freddie Mercury struts around the stage and his powerful voice.
Probably the best performer ever.
A few years ago I was watching the Elvis 1968 Comeback special and was struck by how incredibly charismatic and magnetic he was. I had always heard this about the man, and knew it conceptually, but his presence nearly jumped out of the TV. I created a list of what makes a good front person:
- Charisma
- Humor
- Engage with audience
- Passion for the music
- Sexiness
- Energy
I’ve seen live bands that do not have these characteristics in their leaders. Boring! It makes me want to go to sleep. If I’m going to see you live, you better give me something more than I can get if I just listen to your music at home.
I will admit that my favorite singer, Morrissey, doesn’t have a great stage presence. He’s what I call “interior.” You can tell performing is more for him than it is about him giving to the audience. That’s just how some musicians are. The act of performing is what gives them personal satisfaction, not necessarily connecting with the audience. But I will still go see Morrissey because his lyrics make up for his stage presence.
Then there’s music I don’t care for, but I will admit the band has a great front person. David Lee Roth comes to mind, or Mick Jagger.
Who’s your favorite front person? What would you add to my list of what makes a great musical performer?
If You Have Five Seconds to Spare 
i’ve been told (several times) about and have overhead the story told to others (several times) about the lightning bolt that struck through the Tivoli Gardens concert hall in the late 1970s when Marlene Dietrich in her twilight years “performed” on her final tour. apparently there was charisma that only supernovas possess (and which cannot be transmitted through reproduction (digital nor analogue). rember that P. spent most of his professional life in the music industry and was surrounded by “stars” all the time, yet this vapid, ageing, frail woman on the stage still leaves an impression.
my personal experience of this “cannot budge my attention” has been each time i have seen Rosanne Cash in person, but that is most likely due to personal reasons. (and it’s also not relevant here, as she’s not really a front(wo)man, as she’s usually on stage either alone or just with her husband and an acoustic guitar. (Rosanne Cash followed by Chapin Carpenter)
what is the definition you are looking for here? performances, where my eyes and ears are glued to the television or computer screen?
…..Spice Girls…love them or hate them….there’s something about them that acts as super glue.
talent? that can be discussed.
humor? not really.
engagement with audience? not if everything is staged and rehearsed.
passion for music? what music?…
sexiness? i wouldn’t know….
energy? pass….
but still….Spice Girls – there’s some kind of charisma there. however, only when they are together. their solo “performances” leave nothing.
I think charisma and talent can be two very different things. A lot of the frontmen I admire as frontmen I do not like as musicians.
I personally like Freddie Mercury as an awesome frontman, he is powerful in his own way!! 🙂
Absolutely! He’s one of my favorite frontmen.