Queen guitarist Brian May has expressed melancholy over the piano Freddie Mercury famously used to write the classic Queen hit ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ sold at auction for $US2.2 million – almost $AU3.5 million.
It’s understood the sale of Mercury’s 1973 Yamaha Grand broke the record George Michael set when he bought John Lennon’s Steinway, which was used to write ‘Imagine,’ for $2.1m ($AU3.3m) in 2000.
The prized piano was part of a 1,500-piece estate auction hosted by Sotheby’s.
While collectors were eager to get their hands on what the late Queen singer once referred to as “exquisite clutter,” May couldn’t bare to see his friend’s treasured possessions get sold off.
“Inescapably thinking so much about Freddie in these strange days,” the guitarist lamented on Instagram, sharing an old photo of Mercury.
“At the time this photo was taken, I’m sure it didn’t seem very important to see Freddie’s fingers dancing on my own home-made guitar. Now it summons up waves of affection and great memories. He is so missed.
“Tomorrow, while I’m speaking passionately to Welsh farmers about cows and badgers and bovine TB, Freddie’s most intimate personal effects, and writings that were part of what we shared for so many years, will go under the hammer, to be knocked down to the highest bidder and dispersed forever.
“I can’t look. To us, his closest friends and family, it’s too sad.”
View this post on Instagram
