Freddie is a great admirer of modern band and current music in spite of his years in the business.

He says: "I like Tears For Fears, Wham!, and Culture Club-- they're all very good. But Tears For Fears are among my favourites because they're writing music I cam really relate to."

_Dream_

"They've got a lot of rhythm and at the same time they've got a lot of aggression. They also have very good songs. But I love the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, above all other singers. She must have one of the best voices ever. She sings like a dream. I wish I could sing half as well as she does. It's so natural.

"She puts her whole emotion into it. Each word she sings is full of meaning and expression. I could listen to it forever."

Freddie also reveals his deep love of opera. He says: "Montserrat Cabelle is sensational. She has that same kind of emotion as Aretha Franklin. The way she delivers a song is so very natural. It's a very different gift."

But Freddie's favourite band remains Queen who have been together now for 13 years.

And he strongly denies making a solo album has threatened the future of one of the world's greatest rock bands. Freddie says: "It's probably brought us closer together and will enhance our careers."

_Closer_

"It's like painting a picture. You have to step away from it to see what it's like. I'm stepping away from Queen and I think it's going to give everybody a shot in the arm.

"But I'll be working with Queen again. No doubt about that. Queen are gonna come back even bigger."

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