Freddie Mercury's worn Adidas high-top sneakers, 1980s

Freddie Mercury's worn Adidas high-top sneakers, 1980s

White cotton with black felt stripes and cream suede toes and heels, Adidas brand logo printed in gold on uppers and printed in black on tongues, white laces, nylon lining ink-stamped '01 410 259 9’, brown moulded rubber sole, size 9

Freddie Mercury is first photographed wearing lightweight white and black striped Adidas high top sneakers during 'The Works' tour of 1984. Freddie loved the freedom of movement and comfort these boots brought him during performances. They became his principal stage footwear from then on throughout the momentous year of 1985, embracing historic performances in Rio de Janeiro, 11 and 18 January 1985, and Live Aid on 13 July 1985, the pinnacle of Freddie and Queen’s musical career. He continued to wear this model of Adidas sneaker throughout the 'Magic' tour of 1986, which climaxed with two sell out nights at Wembley Arena on 11 and 12 July and ended with Freddie’s final live performance with Queen at Knebworth Park on 9 August 1986. Freddie is last seen wearing a pair of his favoured white and black striped Adidas high tops during his performance with Queen in 'The Miracle' video, November, 1989. 

Mary Austin recalls Freddie only ever wearing this style of Adidas high-tops for performances, never for casual wear. They were kept with his other stage costumes.

Freddie is photographed wearing Adidas high-top sneakers with his 39th Birthday Party Drag Ball Outfit (lot 240) during filming for his promo video for his solo single 'Living On My Own'. The video was shot at Henderson’s nightclub two days after the infamous party of September 1985 and recreated scenes from that night.

See also lots 59 and 249.

LITERATURE

It’s A Kind of Magic, tour brochure, 1986, illus, p.30.

‘Greatest Pix I’ DVD booklet, November 2003, illus. p.85

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