If You Want to Be Number One, Then Number Two Isn’t Enough’: Freddie Mercury’s Explosive Perfectionism Behind the Scenes – David Wigg Reflects on a Shattered Mirror, a Broken Mic, and the Uncompromising Drive of a Rock Legend

“He ran into his dressing room after a gig in Manchester, where i was waiting to interview him, picked up a clothes iron and threw it at a full-length mirror, shattering it.

Well, i thought, he’s not superstitious!
His outburst had been triggered by a faulty mic and, although the audience didn’t realise anything was wrong, Freddie lost it.

When he had calmed down, i asked him whether it was worth getting so worked up about a problem the audience knew nothing about.

‘Some people can settle for second place, but i can’t!’ he said.
‘If you want to be number one, then number two isn’t enough. I’m spoiled! If something goes wrong, there’s no point in holding it in till the next day. So we shout at each other and break a few chairs to let off steam.'”

David Wigg on his interview with Freddie Mercury for ‘Weekend’ Magazine, October 2018.