Freddie Mercury and Michael Jackson
Freddie Mercury would storm out of recording sessions with Michael Jackson because the King of Pop insisted on bringing his pet chimp into the studio.
The two late icons came together nearly three decades ago for a collaboration on 'There Must Be More To Life Than This' - an uncompleted track that was left to gather dust in the vault.
Hitting the airwaves this week, it was discovered by Brian May and Roger Taylor who decided to get the help of producer William Orbit, complete it and include it on new LP 'Queen Forever'.
In a new upcoming book by showbiz writer David Wigg, it is revealed: "Freddie got very angry because Michael made Bubbles sit between them and would turn to the chimp between takes and ask, 'Don't you think that was lovely?' Or, 'Do you think we should do that again?' After a few days of this, Freddie just exploded ... 'I'm not performing with a f***ing chimp sitting next to me each night.'
"He phoned his manager and told him to 'get me out of this zoo.' Freddie then flew back to London, leaving the track musically unfinished."
The song was first written by Freddie back in 1981, and it took until 1984 for Michael to join him to work on it.
A version of this song did appear on Freddie's solo album 'Mr. Bad Guy' in 1985, but it wasn't the one initially planned.
Orbit recently said of the now-completed duet: "Hearing Michael Jackson's vocals was stirring. So vivid, so cool, and poignant, it was like he was in the studio singing live. With Freddie's vocal solo on the mixing desk, my appreciation for his gift was taken to an even higher level."
Two other previously unheard tunes are Giorgio Moroder collaboration 'Love Kills' and Brian May-written tune 'Let Me In Your Heart Again'.
Tagged in Brian May Michael Jackson Roger Taylor