50 Year Anniversary Of Bohemian Rhapsody: 6 Little Known Facts About The Song That Turns Dad Into A Full Blown Performer

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Today, on the 31st of October, a beautiful Friday afternoon, dad is about to let the remaining follicles of hair on his head down.

While it is a relatively common occurrence for dad to have a couple, today is a special day.

Because today is the 50th anniversary of the song that changed the course of music history.

Yep, this week we celebrate half a century since Queen released one of the most groundbreaking anthems.

The momentous occasions sees Freddie Mercury’s 6 minute track crack half a ton.

And while it’s often referenced that the song was way too out there, the record label didn’t want it released, and many thought it would never be a hit – to celebrate the anniversary The Betoota Advocate would like to bring you 6 little known facts about the song that turns dad into an amateur theatre production lead.

1. Freddie Actually Decided To Write Bohemian Rhapsody After A Trip To Sydney Establishment Ivy’s Birdcage On Oxford Street In 1972

Yep, pretty crazy right.

Not many people realise that the genesis for the song about Freddie revealing to his mumma that he was bi-sexual, actually came from a massive night on Oxford Street. It’s believed a very very late night cigarette on the famous Sydney street which catalysed the je ne sais quoi of that special song.

For those not familiar, Ivy’s Birdcage was one of the first iconic queer venues on the strip, and paved the way for decades of good times.

2. Mercury’s Dad Actually Spent 18 Months Working On The Snowy Hydro And Living In Cooma

Much is made of Freddie’s relationship with his parents, particular his father.

Freddie’s father Bomi Bulsara was one of eight brothers, and he grew up in the small town of Bulsar, near today’s Mumbai, India.

Bomi and his brothers eventually settled in Zanzibar, and he found employment with the British Government as the high court cashier. He also often returned to India for business.

On top of that, he actually spent a year and a half living in Cooma and working on the Snowy Hydro. He was apparently a gun darts player and regular used to clean up at the Cooma Hotel.

3. On One Trip To Sydney Freddie Jumped Off A Ferry In Sydney Harbour And Swam To Camp Cope

Famous for his eccentricities, one of the more humorous moments during Freddie’s career was when the big fella decided to take a swim in Sydney Harbour.

Enjoying a ferry ride across to Manly, Mercury apparently decided to throw caution to the wind and jumped off into the harbour.

With a couple of bull sharks likely tracking his movements, the front man some how managed to make it across to Camp Cope where he was found smoking a ciggie he scabbed off some teenagers sneaking out of the house.

4. Rhapsody Resort On The Gold Coast Was Named After The Song

Not quite up there with the Mirage in terms of notoriety, but the Rhapsody resort on the glitter strip also has quite a famous past.

Now this one might have a little bit of mayo on it, and we weren’t able to completely verify it.

But, APPARENTLY, the developer, owner and the Queen group were out on the town when a high stakes bet took place.

The rumour is that after an escalating bender, over a game of cards, Freddie agreed to change the name of Queen to King and the owner agreed to call his resort Bohemian Rhapsody after the song.

Of course Freddie won the bet and the rest as they say is history. In testament to his character, he agreed to let the owner just call the resort Rhapsody.

5. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley Once Tried To Ban The Song

Long before SuSSan was accusing the PM of being a nahsee (changed for algo reasons) for wearing a Joy Division Shirt, she was going after popular music.

One of her first acts in parliament after being elected was to ban Year 10 students from studying the song in English and Music, because she said it ‘indoctrinated the minds of children.’

Of course, that motion failed and she moved onto bigger and better things.

6. It Still Sits In The Top 10 In New Zealand

Now this one flies under the radar. This song has actually been in the Top 10 in New Zealand for a grand total of 47 years.

Ever since it dropped it has been a mainstay of the Kiwi Pops.

It’s eclipsed only by Usher’s Yeah 3x for the longest period of time in the Top 10.

How does it not hold the title?

Well, it momentarily left the top 10 a couple of times, whereas Usher has stayed in for over 2 decades.