Queen’s Freddie Mercury once asked a “darling” six-word question to a fellow music icon before making a sweet gesture at a party in Japan. Gary Numan, the electro legend behind hit tracks such as Are ‘Friends’ Electric? and Cars, recounted a heartwarming tale about Freddie’s kindness when they encountered each other in Tokyo.
The Tubeway Army frontman, 67, detailed how the legendary rockers held a “big party” at a sushi restaurant after the gig. However, Gary had one problem: he wasn’t a fan of the Japanese delicacy. However, this didn’t escape the attention of kind-hearted Freddie, who approached Gary to check on him. It would lead to a short exchange between the musicians and the Bohemian Rhapsody hitmaker making a culinary gesture. Speaking to Tom Parker-Bowles for the Mail’s You Magazine, Gary said: “I once went to see Queen play in Tokyo, and afterwards they had a big party at a sushi restaurant. Everyone’s sitting down and eating, save me. I don’t like sushi.
He continued: “Freddie Mercury comes over and says, ‘Darling, why are you not eating?’ I say I’m perfectly all right, and just so happy to be here at this cool evening. Freddie then organised his security man to go out and pick up a McDonald’s.”
Summing up his story, Gary added that he proceeded to eat his McDonald’s in the Tokyo sushi restaurant, “ordered by Freddie Mercury”, and it would be the last thing he “ever ate in Japan”.
Freddie, who sadly died on November 24, 1991, aged 45, was reportedly a fan of good food, although it’s said that he didn’t particularly enjoy indulging in it.
He was born Farrokh Bulsara in Zanzibar (which now forms part of Tanzania) to Parsi-Indian parents. One aspect of his heritage, according to Far Out Magazine, that endured throughout his life was Parsi cuisine.
It included a specific go-to dish, a traditional Parsi meal known as chicken dhansak. This dish features lentils and vegetables with either goat or chicken meat.
In 2019, reports emerged that the Queen frontman, who was well-known for his generosity, had continued to brighten up Christmas for his close friends and godchildren from beyond the grave.
It turns out that he requested in his will that the London department store Fortnum and Mason send a hamper to them every year, with the costs billed to the singer’s estate.
“We do think it’s a lovely gesture,” said a spokesperson for the store to MailOnline, “Which has been known to happen on occasion.”
Elton John also previously described the rocker’s generous nature, detailing how he received a watercolour painting inside a “beautiful pillowcase” from Freddie.
He added:”It was really moving. He was dying and he still thought of his friends. I still have it on its easel and I still have the pillowcase next to my bed.
“That is the type of person he was. He was so so full of love and life.”