Exhibition : Freddie Mercury, never say goodbye

After David Bowie and Mr Jones' Long Hair, David Lawrence returns to the Espace Hôtel de Lagoy with an exhibition that is as powerful as it is moving. Through 170 photographs, accompanied by commentary from the writer, this new exhibition pays tribute to a timeless icon: Freddie Mercury. Rare images, moments on stage, in life, in freedom, which tell the story of the artist, the man, the legend. More than an exhibition, it is an immersion into the world of a flamboyant genius, an invitation to rediscover his energy, his sensitivity and his artistic legacy. An exceptional exclusive for the preview of the exhibition ‘Freddie Mercury: Never Say Goodbye’: the famous fedora hat worn by Michael Jackson during his first performance of ‘Billie Jean’, when he performed his legendary moonwalk on 25 March 1983. Designed by the French hatmaker Jean Barthet, this black felt hat is one of the iconic items belonging to one of pop’s greatest legends. The original, worn by Michael Jackson for five years, will be on display in the chapel of the Hôtel de Lagoy from 11 April to 11 October 2026. Michael Jackson admired the performances of the band Queen and, above all, Freddie Mercury’s voice. Impressed by the power of the album The Game, he attended one of their concerts in Los Angeles. He admitted to having been inspired by Queen’s sound for his own album Thriller, the world’s best-selling record. The tracks ‘Dancer’ and ‘Black Chat’ are proof of this. The two artists attempted to collaborate on three songs: ‘There Must Be More to Life Than This’, ‘State of Shock’ and ‘Victory’. But their strong personalities were undoubtedly the reason why these recordings were abandoned. However, in 1985, ‘There Must Be More to Life Than This’ was released on Freddie Mercury’s solo album. In 1988, Michael Jackson gave his famous black felt hat to an employee at the Hôtel Crillon in Paris… On 11 April 2026, it will reappear at the Hôtel de Lagoy for Freddie Mercury, Never Say Goodbye… which brings together over a hundred photographs, with commentary by the writer David Lawrence, some of which come from the collection of the photographer Denis O’Regan. Accessible to people with reduced mobility