Michael Jackson and Freddie Mercury weren’t just two of the biggest names in music. They were genuine fans of each other. Michael used to show up to Queen concerts at the Forum just to watch Freddie perform, and the two eventually became friends.

By 1983, they decided to do something fans had been dreaming about. They booked time at Michael’s home studio in Encino and planned to record three songs together for what could have been the greatest duet album ever made.

The Iconic Duet They Sang Together

They released one official song. Recording sessions happened. Real magic was already on tape. 

BUT THE PARTNERSHIP FELL APART BEFORE ANY OF IT SAW THE LIGHT OF DAY, AND THE REASON WHY IS STILL DEBATED DECADES LATER.

According to people who were there, Michael kept bringing his pet llama, Louie, into the studio every single day. Freddie reportedly couldn’t take it anymore and called Queen’s manager begging to be picked up, saying he was “recording with a llama.”

Other accounts say it wasn’t the llama at all, but Michael’s chimp Bubbles sitting between them during takes. EITHER WAY, ANIMALS WERE INVOLVED BECAUSE MICHAEL LOVED ANIMALS and was used to being around pets. But Freddie found this behavior strange and couldn’t work with it.

Freddy Mercury On Working With Michael

On top of that, Michael wasn’t comfortable with Freddie’s dr*g use in the studio, and the two completely different lifestyles made it harder to keep working together.

IN THE END, ONLY ONE OF THE THREE SONGS SURVIVED.

The second song eventually became a hit with a different voice replacing Freddie’s. Michael brought in Mick Jagger instead, and “State of Shock” became one of the Jacksons’ biggest songs.

A third song was never finished and still sits unreleased to this day. Two legends, one room, and an album the world never got to hear in full.