Planet Mercury. 

 

2 KINGS. Michael Jackson And Freddie Mercury. Interesting Comparisons Revealed.

Kings.

Both Freddie Mercury and Michael Jackson have posed for photos wearing a crown and the traditional clothes associated with a King. 

NEW PHOTOS

Working Together.

Michael Jackson released a single called 'State Of Shock' with Mick Jagger. Before this was released Michael Jackson worked on this single with Freddie Mercury but never got time to finish it. The two artists also worked on two more songs 'There Must Be More To Life Than This' and 'Victory' but again never finished them.

Statues.

Both performers have had a statue created in their likeness. Michael Jackson used a statue of himself to advertise his History album while Freddie Mercury has a statue of himself in Switzerland as a tribute to his life.

Friends.

At one time Michael Jackson and Freddie Mercury became friends. Freddie Mercury went to Michael Jackson's house to discuss recording together. Furthermore Michael Jackson went to see a Queen concert in LA, America.

Showmen/Entertainers.

Both performers have immense energy when on stage and use the best lights and props to give the best show possible.

Vests.

Both Freddie Mercury and Michael Jackson have worn a white vest at some point in their career.

Orchestras.

Freddie Mercury used an orchestra in the song 'Mr.Bad Guy' while Michael Jackson has orchestral sections in the songs 'Will You Be There' and 'Little Susie.'

Rings.

Both Michael Jackson and Freddie Mercury have been known to wear a ring on their right hand.

Dionne Warwick.

Jim Hutton's book 'Mercury and Me' states that Freddie once met this famous singer who had been one of his  idols since childhood p.118. Dionne Warwick also sang with Michael Jackson on the charity single 'We Are The World.' 

The Press.

Both artists have sang songs which have described their distrust of the press. Michael Jackson sang the song 'Tabloid Junkie' while Freddie Mercury sang the song 'Scandal.'

Drugs.

Both artists have took some form of drugs during their career. Michael Jackson became addicted to painkillers during a low point in his career while Freddie Mercury was known to take cocaine at his lavish private parties. 

Motorbikes.

Michael Jackson rode a motorbike during the song 'Speed Demon' from his film 'Moonwalker', while Freddie Mercury sat on a motorbike during the Queen music video 'Crazy Little Thing Called Love.'

Films.

Both Freddie Mercury and Michael Jackson have been associated with films. Freddie Mercury and Queen wrote and performed songs for 'Highlander' and 'Flash Gordon' which were their most famous soundtracks. Michael Jackson on the other hand, has acted and also sang in his films 'Moonwalker' and 'Ghosts.'

Backgrounds.

Both artists have African origins and so-called 'non-Western' backgrounds. Michael Jackson's ancestors came from Africa while Freddie Mercury was born in Zanzibar (Tanzania) in Africa.

Slash.

The former guitarist from 'Guns n' Roses' has often performed with Michael Jackson and has also performed at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert.

Charity.

Michael Jackson often donates money to charity and released the song 'Heal The World.' Freddie Mercury has also supported good causes. He has appeared at Live Aid in 1985 to raise money for African Famine and also donated to the Terrence Higgins Trust.

Perfectionists.

Both are known as perfectionists.

Sunglasses.

Both Michael Jackson and Freddie Mercury have worn shiny mirror sunglasses.

Bad.

Both Michael Jackson and Freddie Mercury have called themselves 'bad.' Michael Jackson called his album and single 'Bad' in 1987 and Freddie Mercury called his first solo album 'Mr.Bad Guy' in 1985.

Videos.

Michael Jackson secretly recorded a celebrity gathering for his video ‘Liberian Girl’ while Freddie Mercury recorded one of his parties secretly for his video ‘Living On My Own.’

Jackets.

Both wear military style clothing such as military jackets and sometimes have a stripe running down their trousers.

LA Gear Shoes.

According to the book 'The Ultimate Queen' p.187 the Queen song 'We Will Rock You' was used by LA Gear Shoes in a US advert. Michael Jackson also advertised this company in the late 1980's.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Michael Jackson has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in America and so has Freddie Mercury as a member of Queen.

Elizabeth Taylor.

Elizabeth Taylor is one of Michael Jackson's closest friends, she also appeared at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert in 1992.

African Famine.

Both artists helped raise money to feed those suffering in the Ethiopian famine in the 1980's. Michael Jackson helped organize the song 'We Are The World' which he also added his vocals to along with other artists. Freddie Mercury on the other hand appeared at Live Aid, the concert designed to raise money for the same cause.

Releases.

Both artists have released songs as part of a group and as solo performers. Michael Jackson performed with the Jackson 5 while Freddie Mercury performed with Queen.

Long Hair.

Both Michael Jackson and Freddie Mercury have had long hair at some time during their careers.

Christmas Number One.

Along with Queen, Freddie Mercury had a Christmas number one with the single 'Bohemian Rhapsody', Michael Jackson also hit the number one spot at Christmas with the single 'Earth Song.'

Music Videos As An Art Form.

Both performers have pioneered the use of the music video as an art form. 'Bohemian Rhapsody' (1975) by Queen uses special effects like a film and as a result some consider it to be the first music video. 'Thriller' (1983) by Michael Jackson took music videos a step further and incorporated the music with a fourteen minute horror film.

Madame Tussaud's.

Both performers have been immortalized in wax by Madame Tussaud's, the British wax work model creators.

Policemen.

Both performers have worn policeman's hats while performing in concert. Michael Jackson wore one of these hats while performing with the Jacksons at the Rainbow Theatre, London, UK 1979. Freddie Mercury also wore a policeman's hat while performing with Queen at Wembley Stadium, London, UK 1986. 

'Another One Bites The Dust.'

In the second of the Magic Years videos about Queen, Roger Taylor from the band said Michael Jackson recommended that they release this single.

>>>Listen to ‘There Must Be More To Life Than This’ by Freddie Mercury and Michael Jackson, this song is accompanied by a slideshow video, click on the picture below to watch it now:

Michael and Freddie together - thanks to Céline Hamm for emailing me the photo.

>>>Listen to ‘State Of Shock’ by Freddie Mercury and Michael Jackson, this song is accompanied by a slideshow video, click on the picture below to watch it now:

Success.

Both have been hugely successful and have undertaken world tours filling stadiums around the world which have made millions of pounds/dollars. They have also been the first Western artists to appear in parts of Central Europe.

Jimi Hendrix.

Both performers have stated Jimi Hendrix as one of their idols.

Walk Of Fame.

Both Freddie Mercury and Michael Jackson have a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame.

Children.

Both Michael and Freddie have used children to imitate themselves in their music videos. The music videos are Michael Jackson's 'Baby Bad' video and Queen's 'The Miracle' video.

Androgyny.

Both artists have had an androgynous image which means their appearance has blurred the conventional/traditional barriers surrounding gender, race and age in society.

Leather.

Both performers have worn leather while performing. Michael Jackson wore leather for the filming of his 'Bad' music video while Freddie Mercury wore leather offstage and also onstage especially in the late 1970's.

Torches.

Both artists have had the emblem of the torch at their concerts. An Olympic style torch was seen in the Jacksons Victory Tour and was also seen during Queen's Magic Tour.

Stubble.

Both Michael Jackson and Freddie Mercury have appeared with stubble at some period in their careers.

Guinness Book Of World Records.

Both have appeared in the Guinness Book Of World Records, Freddie Mercury for the single 'Bohemian Rhapsody' 1975 (Queen) and Michael Jackson for his album 'Thriller' (1982).

Lisa Marie.

In the early Eighties, Queen hired Elvis Presley's last private jet named 'Lisa Marie'. Freddie Mercury was also given a scarf by Lisa Marie which belonged to her father Elvis. Later Michael Jackson married and soon divorced the daughter of Elvis.

Hands.

While performing both artists have decorated one of their hands, Michael Jackson has worn one glove while Freddie Mercury has decorated one hand with nail varnish.

Jennifer Holliday.

Freddie Mercury went to see this singer perform live and met her, while Michael Jackson lent his vocals to her song 'You're The One.'

Body Language.

Freddie Mercury sang a song called Body Language on the Queen album Hot Space while Michael Jackson sang a song called Body Language (Do The Love Dance) on the Jackson 5 album Moving Violation.

Elton John.

Elton John was a friend of Freddie Mercury and sang at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert in 1992. Michael Jackson is also a friend of Elton John's and Michael dedicated the song 'Blood On The Dance Floor' to him.

Banned Music Videos.

Queen's music video 'Body Language' was banned by MTV for being too raunchy. Michael Jackson's 'Black or White' video was also very controversial as towards the end it featured vandalism and sexual gestures, this part was later edited out. Furthermore Michael Jackson's 'In The Closet' video was banned in South Africa.

Logos.

Both performers have been represented by a logo. Michael Jackson has used the initials 'MJ' to represent himself while Freddie Mercury along with Queen used their star signs to represent their identities.

Watches.

Both Michael Jackson and Freddie Mercury prefer not to wear a watch.

Star Sign.

Both Michael Jackson and Freddie Mercury are the same star sign, Virgo.

Magic.

Michael Jackson often uses magic to disappear during his concerts while Freddie Mercury appeared to have magical powers when he made chairs float in the air for his video 'A Kind Of Magic' (1986).

Trip Khalaf.

This sound engineer worked with Queen on their Magic Tour in 1986, he also worked with Michael Jackson during his Dangerous tour in 1992/3.

Animation.

In Michael Jackson's 'Moonwalker' film animation is used to bring to life clay models, in the Queen video 'A Kind Of Magic' animation is also used to move cartoon dancers.

Hats.

Both performers have been known to wear hats.

Spain.

A very rare record features Michael Jackson singing the song ‘I Just Can’t Stop Loving You’ in Spanish. Freddie Mercury also partly sang in Spanish in the Queen song ‘Las Palabras De Amor.’

David Bowie.

Along with Queen Freddie Mercury recorded the song 'Under Pressure' with David Bowie, while Michael Jackson's music video 'Remember The Time' featured David Bowie's wife Iman.

Brit Awards.

In 1992 Queen received a Brit Award for the Best Single of 1991, 'These Are The Days Of Our Lives.' In 1996 Michael Jackson also received The Artist Of A Generation Award. Funnily enough it was presented to him by Bob Geldof who also organized Live Aid which Queen appeared in.

Admiration.

At the start of Queen's first 'Greatest Hits' VHS video, it states that Freddie Mercury's favourite group was the Jacksons. Michael Jackson was the lead singer of this group while his brothers provided backing vocals and instrumental accompaniment.

Nicholas Danton 2006: