Queen Freddie Mercury Signed Stage tambourine. Rare Vintage Queen USA tour memorabilia Best Provenance Start Price USD 0.99 Current Price USD 5,600.00 Time Left - Bid Count 44 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Friday, October 03, 2008 End Time Monday, October 13, 2008 Location Van nuys, CA See more about 'Queen Freddie Mercury Signed Stage tambourine. ' Description This is a stage used tambourine that Freddie Mercury of Queen threw into the audience at the Sold-Out Los Angeles Forum on December 22 1977, where I was lucky enough to get two tickets in the 11th row. This was Queen’s News Of The World Tour. During the show Freddie Mercury was passed a tambourine from off-stage, which he thumped against his thigh enthusiastically and then, unbelievably, he threw this tambourine right into my hands! His sweat was still on it and I could not believe my good fortune - I was a big Queen fan and  saw them every time they played in Los Angeles, so to catch the tambourine was just an incredible moment in my life. I was only 14 years old at the time and an older friend who was with me, watched as another fan tried to snatch the prize from my hands, however, a diligent security guard came to my defense and I ended up taking the tambourine home. I have kept it safe and sound ever since. Peter (Ratty) Hince, who served as full time personal and stage assistant to Freddie Mercury and John Deacon from 1975 until 1986 has confirmed that this is definitely one of Freddie Mercury's tambourines that he would prepare and then pass to Freddie during the concerts. Peter is the man who taped the foam rubber with black gaffers tape to the tambourine so that Freddie would not bruise his thigh while he beat it. He says that very few of these tambourines would have survived intact and has supplied a letter of provenance. Additionally, in May, 2008, Queen guitarist Brian May autographed the tambourine at an event in Los Angeles for the release of his book "BANG!"  A variety of photos are shown to illustrate the provenance of the item and of Freddie Mercury playing similar tambourines from this era. If any further information is required please contact me. Place a Bid!