The grand piano on which musical mastermind, Freddie Mercury, composed some of Queen’s biggest hits is going up for auction at the beginning of next month. Before that, however, Londoners are being given the rare opportunity to get up close and personal with the rock-and-roll relic, as it has just gone on display inside a London hotel lobby. But you’ll need to be fairly speedy if you want to feast your eyes on it – because it’ll be gone in a flash.
The Hertfordshire-based auction house, Propstore, is preparing to sell off a whole host of bits and bobs, owned and used by Freddie Mercury – one of which is the Yamaha C3 grand piano on which the much-loved musician composed the legendary likes of Crazy Little Thing Called Love.
Originally housed inside Musicland Studios in Munich, the piano is being billed as ‘the most significant Freddie Mercury-related artefact’ to have become available since the rather hefty auction that was held by Sotheby’s back in 2023. And it’s not just the fingers of Freddie Mercury that have graced the keys of this piano. The iconic instrument has also been played by Leonard Cohen, Donna Summer, Black Sabbath, and Led Zeppelin. So it’s got some stories to tell, to say the least.
Before the grand piano goes up for live auction at the start of October, it’ll be on display in the lobby of the Cumberland Hotel. This Marble Arch establishment is a haven for music-lovers, and Freddie Mercury’s piano will be taking centre stage for the next 12 days.
From today (September 15) until September 27, the piano can be found in the foyer of the hotel, giving Londoners (and beyond) the chance to get up close and personal with this exciting piece of rock-and-roll history. From September 23-27, there will also be a free-to-visit exhibition taking place at the Cumberland, showcasing a number of nifty items from the soon-to-be auctioned-off collection.
