📸: REUTERS/Gareth Watkins/Belgaimage
"Drummer from the rock group QUEEN, Roger Taylor, and an unidentified woman [sic] arrive for the premier of U2's movie Rattle and Hum in London. October 31, 1988." (X)
Newly (12/2024) released photo of Roger Taylor and Debbie Leng (who was unidentified, unbelievably enough, in the original metadata from the Bettmann Archives).
Why Bowie had to say the Lord's Prayer for pal Craig
by LIZ MOORE
SUPERSTAR David Bowie yesterday told of the sadness which led him to sink to his knees and pray on the stage of the Freddie Mercury tribute concert.
Bowie recited the Lord's Prayer before an audience of millions in a very public show of compassion for the private plight of a close friend, Craig, who is dying from Aids.
“He was in my thoughts as I watched the concert and I knew that I wanted to send a message to him,” Bowie revealed.
“I had no idea of what I was going to say until just before I went on stage.
“Something made me think of the Lord’s Prayer and it seemed to me that it would be the most direct way of reaching him with integrity. It just felt like the right thing to do.”
Before he flew out of Heathrow for New York, the 46-year-old rock star said: “Craig is someone who my assistant Coco and I have known for many, many years and who has tragically been toppled by Aids.
“He does not have long to live, I'm afraid.”
It was largely because of Craig that Bowie took part in the star-studded Easter Monday tribute to Freddie Mercury.
Bowie stunned the audience when he interrupted the music to pray for the victims of Aids, mentioning Craig by name.
Before he flew out Bowie vowed to keep Craig's personal details secret.
“He's a private individual, nothing at all to do with the music business or entertainment.
“I think because of that, it would be totally unfair of me to reveal his identity or any more information about him. It's vital that his anonymity is preserved.”
Asked if he was involved in caring for Craig, he said: “Coco and I are constantly in touch with him.”
Before the show, Bowie revealed that his friend's plight had spurred him into taking part.
On stage Bowie said: “This tribute is for our very good friend Freddie and also to our friends, your friends and possibly members of your family who have been troubled by this relentless disease.
“To all the people watching and to my friend Craig, I would like to extend my best wishes to everyone.”
Yesterday, Bowie said he was satisfied the concert had succeeded in getting across the message of Aids awareness, as well as being a fitting tribute to Freddie Mercury.
“I think enough of the performers said enough about the issue to nail down the seriousness of this horrific disease.
“And it was an absolutely splendid show.”
Bowie's agent Alan Edwards added: “Craig is obviously someone he knows outside the music world. He won't divulge any more about him.”
Concert organisers and Aids workers yesterday began the task of deciding how to allocate the estimated £20 million raised by the show.
The money, which came mostly from film and television rights, merchandising profits and public donations, will go to Aids charities to boost the battle against the disease.
THE stars who rocked the fans at the Freddie Mercury tribute concert later danced until dawn at a party in his memory.
The flamboyant Queen singer's spirit lived on as band members Brian May and Roger Taylor joined Liza Minnelli, Cindy Crawford and George Michael.
Earlier, as the 72,000-strong crowd filed slowly from Wembley Stadium, a fleet of limousines whisked the stars to exclusive Browns club in London's Covent Garden.
The champagne flowed as the guests swapped stories about the Queen front man who died of Aids in November.
The celebrities toasted the success of the concert which looks set to raise £20 million for Aids charities worldwide.
George Michael, dressed from head to toe in black, stayed until the early hours of the morning at the club where he is a regular customer.
He spent a long time chatting to Cabaret star Liza Minnelli, who was still flushed from her emotional performance.
She led the finale with a version of Queen hit We Are The Champions.
Drummer Roger Taylor was escorted by stunning girlfriend Debbie Leng, who was dressed in figure-hugging black leather shorts and jacket.
And Queen guitarist Brian May took his girlfriend Anita Dobson, dressed in a black bolero hat and black lace dress.
Joining them were EastEnders actress Gillian Taylforth — enjoying her first big night out since the birth of her daughter Jessica three months ago — and her boyfriend Geoff Knights.
Paul Young and his wife Stacey left their daughter Levi with a babysitter.
Seal arrived with a new image. Gone were the trademark black leather trousers. Instead he wore a loose fitting white suit and glasses.
Wild Guns 'n' Roses frontman Axl Rose arrived without his usual posse of burly minders.
Still on a high from his concert success, he chatted to Def Leppard singer Joe Elliott.
“The atmosphere was fantastic because everyone was still buzzing from the concert,” said one guest.
“They played really up music all night long, and the dance floor was absolutely packed the whole time.
“They played a couple of Queen tracks and everyone went wild.
“The general feeling was that everyone should go wild and have a really good time because it's what Freddie would have wanted. He wouldn't want people sitting around moping about him."
However, one star was missing. “Everyone noticed that Elton John was particularly quiet backstage at the concert,” said an organiser.
“I think he found the whole thing rather upsetting because he loved Freddie very much.
“I don't think he could face going to a huge party.”
But for the party-goers the night was the ideal way to remember the life of the man who loved celebrations.
As he left, Roger Taylor summed up the mood: “Freddie would have loved it.”
[Photo caption: Roger Taylor escorts girlfriend Debbie Leng at the party]
[Photo caption: Wild singer Axl Rose relaxes in the luxury of a limousine]
[Photo caption: Part guest George Michael]
[Photo caption: Paul Young gives wife Stacey a hug]
