Freddie Mercury: A World of His Own | The Evening Sale
Freddie Mercury: A World of His Own | The Evening Sale
Freddie Mercury’s worn Adidas high-top sneakers, 1980s
Auction Closed
September 6, 08:20 PM GMT
Estimate
3,000 - 5,000 GBP
Lot Details
Description
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 black on tongues, white laces, nylon lining ink-stamped ‘01 123 8 ½ ’, brown moulded rubber sole, size 8 ½
SPECIAL NOTICE
No right to reproduce or commercially exploit the copyright or other intellectual property
or image rights in any lot is included with the sale of the lot (including but not limited to
song lyrics, sketches, drawings and garment designs). Queen Productions Limited, Queen
Music Limited and other rights holders reserve all their rights.
No right to exhibit in public or reproduce this lot is included with the sale of this lot
without the prior written consent of Queen Productions Limited, who shall act in good faith
to consider any such requests.
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, Brazil, 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 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 promo video for 'The Miracle', 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', 1985. The video was shot at Henderson’s night club two days after the infamous party, and recreated raucous scenes from that night.