Freddie Mercury Is Used To Make The Song Bohemian Rhapsody Sells IDR 33.7 Billion In Auctions

JAKARTA - A baby grand piano that used to be owned by Queen vocalist Freddie Mercury sold for more than 2.2 million US dollars (equivalent to 33.7 billion) in Sotheby's auction Wednesday, September 6.

Purchased in 1975 and imported to England from Japan, the Yamaha G2, which was used to write the iconic Queen song Bohemian Rhapsody, was among dozens of items to be auctioned in the first auction of six auctions dedicated to the private collection of the late legendary singer of about 1,400 of his belongings.

Meanwhile, a draft of Bohemian Rhapsody's handwriting revealed that Mercury initially titled the Mongolian Rhapsody song selling for US$1.7 million (Rp41.4 billion).

The items, sold by Mary Austin, Mercury's close friend and ex-partner, were worth a total of 15.4 million US dollars (Rp236.14 billion). That includes stage costumes, jewelry and paintings from a large collection of Mercury art.

In Sotheby's press release before the sale, Mary said of the piano: "Freddie treats this Yamaha with great respect. He considers it more than just an instrument, this is an extension of himself, his creative vehicle. He will never smoke in front of the piano or put a glass of wine on it and will make sure no one else does the same. This island is always pure."

Another Queen song that Mercury wrote with this piano included Don't Stop Me Now and banyak To Love, according to Sotheby's.