Regrets are a part of life, moments we wish we could revisit and decisions we might alter. For many, it might be a missed opportunity in love or career. For me, as a lifelong rock enthusiast, it’s the Queen concert I never attended, despite the unbelievable offer of a backstage pass. Growing up immersed in the sounds of A Night At The Opera and Sheer Heart Attack thanks to my older sister, Queen was more than just a band; they were musical royalty. This was long before News of the World and its stadium-shaking anthems truly conquered the world. My sister, with her enviable social connections, somehow procured backstage passes to a Queen concert in the 80s and invited me along. Why I declined remains a blur of youthful priorities – perhaps the looming pressure of midterm exams overshadowed the allure of witnessing rock legends. A decision that, in retrospect, stings with the force of a power chord.
My sister’s return was heralded by tales and photographs – snapshots of Freddie Mercury, Roger Taylor, and the rest of the band, relaxed and enjoying yakitori at a small Tokyo restaurant after the show. Unbeknownst to my younger self, that tour marked Queen’s final performances in Tokyo before the tragic loss of Freddie Mercury.
As an illustrator, there’s always a mental checklist of dream projects, those assignments that spark unparalleled excitement. Initially, each crossed-off item brings a rush, but eventually, the list fades into the background. Yet, sometimes, the universe surprises you. Freddie Mercury, unsurprisingly, resided at the very top of my dream collaboration list, a seemingly impossible aspiration given the passage of time.
Then came a call from Siung Tjia, Creative Director of ESPN The Magazine. Our conversations typically revolved around shared passions for Chinese cinema and Korean cuisine, never hinting at my artistic bucket list. His call was a delightful shock. The assignment? To illustrate an article about America’s undisputed No.1 Stadium Anthem. And that anthem, of course, was Queen’s iconic “We Will Rock You,” penned by the brilliant Brian May. Working alongside designer Lou Vega, I was tasked with visually capturing the raw energy and enduring legacy of this rock masterpiece for ESPN. The article, a celebration of “We Will Rock You”‘s impact, was featured in a recent issue of ESPN, a surreal and fulfilling moment in my career, all thanks to a song by Queen.
