Producer Reinhold Mack Recalls the Heartwarming Gesture That Proved Freddie Mercury Always Remembered His Family
By Website Content Manager
The legendary musician quickly formed a close friendship with Mack and his family.
Reinhold Mack fondly remembers how naturally Freddie Mercury became part of his family’s life.
The music producer recently spoke with PEOPLE ahead of Propstore’s $4 million Music Live Auction, scheduled for Oct. 1 and 2. More than 80 pieces Mack is contributing to the auction come from his years working with Queen and his close friendship with Mercury, the band’s iconic lead singer.
Mack’s youngest son, John Frederick, affectionately called “little Freddie” by the family, was born while Queen was recording its 1982 album Hot Space at Musicland Studios in Munich. During those sessions, Mack’s wife often joked with the band about how long the album was taking to complete.
At one point, she reportedly joked that having a baby might actually be easier than Queen finishing the record. As it turned out, she became pregnant and gave birth to John Frederick during that period. Mercury later became the child’s godfather.
The Queen frontman embraced the role and was particularly playful at the boy’s christening. Mack recalls Mercury as remarkably down-to-earth despite being one of the world’s biggest rock stars.
According to Mack, Mercury also made a point of remembering important family occasions. Even when he was traveling outside the country, the singer would send birthday, Valentine’s Day and Christmas cards to the family.
Mack says those unexpected cards were a source of excitement for his family. He believes Mercury’s affection for them was genuine, with the singer especially enjoying his wife’s home cooking.
One of the producer’s favorite memories involves a seemingly ordinary household appliance. During a visit to Mack’s home, Mercury noticed that the family’s toaster could only prepare four slices at once. With three children and two parents in the household, the limitation apparently caught his attention.
Mack recalls that Mercury arranged for someone to find a six-slice Dualit toaster and presented it to the family as a gift — a small but remarkably thoughtful gesture that showed how closely he paid attention to their everyday lives.
Mercury also gave his young godson some memorable presents. Among them was a rocking horse, although little Freddie apparently wasn’t immediately impressed by it. Mack remembers that the boy was frightened of the toy, while another gift — a teddy bear larger than the child himself — became a much-loved companion.
That teddy bear, Mack says, has traveled extensively with the family over the years, making countless journeys between Europe, England, Germany, America and Los Angeles. Its adventures have turned it into a lasting reminder of the friendship between Mack’s family and Mercury.