QUEEN FOR THE DAY: Don’t believe all...

QUEEN FOR THE DAY: Don’t believe all those rumors flashing around the British music press saying that Queen’s flamboyant lead singer Freddie Mercury plans to begin a “trial separation” from the rest of the band. On the other hand, don’t necessarily believe Mercury’s denials either. When asked by an English journalist recently if the group was breaking up, Mercury explained, “No. As a matter of fact, we’re going in to record a double-album for Christmas.” The reporter replied, “Really?” To which Mercury said, “No. But none of the rest of it (the rumors of a temporary split) is true either. So print what you like. When you’re this big, you’d be mad to give it up.” Chart watchers will find Mercury’s inflated opinion of Queen’s commercial standing rather humorous, especially since the group’s last album was a major sales disappointment and the band members’ solo projects have been huge flops. However, English fans are still Queen-crazy. The band, whose new album, “A Kind of Magic,” is due out this week, just sold out two nights (July 11 and 12) at London’s 72,000-seat Wembley Stadium.