Correio da Manhã (Portugal´s biggest selling Newspaper), Revista Domingo (September 3, 2006)
At the age of 7, Sérgio Marques was touched by the death of Freddie Mercury. Since then he worships Queen and runs a project that involves over 500 people.
On November 24th, 1991 Sérgio Marques was 7 years old, attended Elementary School and enjoyed playing like every other child. He lived with his parents and his brother, who is 5 years older than him. But that morning was different from any other morning. The channel RTP1 broadcasted a documentary about Freddie Mercury – the charismatic leader of Queen – who had just died due to AIDS. “I saw the whole programme, felt sorry and became interested in the band and in his life.”, he recalls.
The 7 year old boy grew up and followed the path of this band step by step. A few years ago he created a forum on the internet for fans of the band who wanted to share their opinions. Laughing, Sérgio Marques admits: “I always ended up boring my friends talking about the band and about Freddie. So I created a forum for people like me, eager to know the news.” Two years ago, and after the experience of the forum, he decided to create a Fan Club in Portugal. “Curiously, it was born on September, 5th – Freddie’s birthday – and after a few talks at Hard Rock Cafe in Lisbon.”, he says.
Named “Keep Queen Alive”, the club has got nearly 500 members, most of them males, with ages between 13 and 60 and from all over the World. “We have got 60 Brazilian members and many emigrants and emigrants’ children all over Europe”, says the founder of the only Queen Fan Club in our country. “Besides the official club in England, that I know of, in Europe, there are fan clubs only in Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Austria and Switzerland, and they all work through the internet, which is a very important mean of communication.”, he adds.
Although it is a virtual organization, during these 2 years of existence Keep Queen Alive has promoted several activities and meetings among its members. “There have been lunches in several places, a football match between Northern and Southern fans and last year, when Queen came to Portugal, many fans got together in Setubal. The have also been specific events like this tribute to Freddie next Tuesday.”
In spite of this fascination for Queen, Sérgio Marques feels some frustration: “In a way I feel frustrated because, in fact, I have only been touched by the band and Freddie after he had died. I know I was only 7 years old, but I wish I had found him earlier…”
Nowadays, the founder of the fan club is 22 years old and attends the 4th and final year of a course in Geography (specialized in Cartography) at the University of Lisbon. He confesses to be an unconditional fan of the band, but he is involved in many other activities. He lives with his parents and his brother in Queluz and enjoys doing many other things: “Besides music, I practise sports (football and tennis), I like travelling, going to the cinema, reading and, of course, meeting my friends. I also love my two turtles very much.”, he says.
Sérgio Marques dreams about meeting leaders from other Queen fan clubs: “Last year I met some European fans who came to our country in order to see the band, but I would like to share ideas with fans form other countries.” Considering the number of members all over Europe and the rest of the World, one of these days a Queen Fans World Meeting might take place… “It would be nice, very nice.”, says the hopeful Portuguese young man. However, his immediate priorities include finishing his course and enrol in an Arts Scholl, because that’s what he really likes. “I can enrol in another course or do several things at the same time, but the club will remain… for life.”, says Sérgio.
“Members from all over the world – many more men than women”
The Fan Club Keep Queen Alive, the only one in Portugal and with only 2 years of existence, has got about 500 members. Curiously, almost all of them are males. “If I had to tell you percentages, I would say that between 70 and 75% are men and the rest are women.”, reveals Sérgio Marques, founder and mentor of this project. He adds: “There are lots of women who like music, but, honestly, I found more fans among men. I do not know why... maybe men are more fanatic or have got more free time… I do not know…”
Part of the members are scattered all over Portugal and Brazil. “We have got about 60 Brazilian members. Besides being fans, they like the project.” The European members are mainly emigrants’ children who live in Germany, France or Switzerland… but who have contacted the Portuguese organization. Sérgio Marques reveals yet another interesting fact: “The members’ ages vary between 13 and 60, but most of them are between 20 and 30 years old. This means that many of these people got to know Queen after Freddie’s death…”
“The fans and the media – «Freddy» or «Freddie»”
The members of “Keep Queen Alive” get easily angry at the press and what they read on websites. Sérgio Marques explains why: “Unfortunately, reporters write «Freddy» (which is wrong) instead of «Freddie». It makes us really angry. Why don’t people do some research?” On the other hand, the founder of the fan club also regrets the lack of articles dedicated to the band: “I often go to Embroteca searching for old articles about Queen. The only time they were on the cover of a magazine in Portugal was in 1986, on “Blitz”. It was 20 years ago!”
“Tribute to Queen at Hard Rock Cafe – Fans from all over the country meet in Lisbon”
If Freddie Mercury was alive, he would be 60 years old next Tuesday, September 5th. The Portuguese fan club, “Keep Queen Alive”, has organized a tribute to the artist and to the band, which will take place at 8 p.m. at Hard Rock Cafe in Lisbon, “The band One Vision will play songs from Queen; there will be flags, posters and an exhibition of relics.”, says Sérgio Marques. That exhibition will include old pictures (of Queen in Argentina in 1981, for example), flags and objects. ”Unfortunately, we were not able to have any costumes of the band because all the material in the exhibition will be lent by Portuguese members on the day of the event, a few hours before the tribute.”, he adds. But in his opinion, the relics he keeps are precious: “I am lucky to have a logo of the club signed by Queen in 2005 and also a picture of me with Roger Taylor.” At the tribute there will also be a contest. The winner will receive a doll representing Freddie Mercury, an offer of EMI-Portugal and several invitations for show at Casino Lisboa, given by the Casino itself. Fans from all over the country are expected… “Last year over 100 fans gathered; now, since it is a more special event, I think many more members will celebrate Freddie’s birthday together.”, adds Sérgio Marques.
In Domingo, September 3th, 2006
Text: Sofia Rato
Translation: Maria Inês Silva
original article:
Interview with Sérgio Marques - Correio da Manhã, Revista Domingo (September 3, 2006)
