Queen Roadie Peter Hince Shares Tour Memories Ahead of Auctioning Freddie Mercury's Gold Microphone (Exclusive)

Angela AndaloroFri, April 3, 2026 at 7:48 PM UTC

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Freddie Mercury on stageCredit: PA Images/Getty -

Peter Hince is allowing items from his personal collection of Queen memorabilia to go to auction for the first time

Hince served as the band's head roadie from 1975 through their final concert in August 1986

Hince tells PEOPLE about the decision to part with some of the memories and the ones he'll keep forever

Queen's head roadie has incredible memories of his time with the band.

Peter Hince first met Queen in late 1973, when the band was a support act for Mott the Hoople's U.K. tour. While he was first offered a job as part of their team in early 1975, it wasn't until later that year that Hince accepted, at just 20 years old.

“I was by far the youngest and was brought in to look after Freddie Mercury and John Deacon onstage and manage their equipment. I later became head of the road crew and worked full time until their final concert with Freddie at Knebworth in August 1986," he tells PEOPLE.

Hince came in at a special time, when the band was working on A Night at the Opera.

"I had no idea whether ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ would be a hit, it didn’t really matter — I was earning £40 a week, every week. It was a job; that’s what I did for a living. I was a roadie for rock bands. The band always put on a great live show, which grew bigger with each tour," he shares.

Peter HinceCredit: Sergione Infuso/Corbis via Getty

“From 1980 onward, Queen became the biggest band in the world and broke into new territories, such as South America. Shows in those vast outdoor stadiums were electric, but we all had a job to do," Hince recalls. "The band was highly professional and demanding, and they expected the best from the crew. Freddie was particularly focused and driven, and I had to keep up with him. He was unpredictable, and I had to watch him like a hawk onstage — always prepared for his theatrics and ready to improvise."

Hince remembers the band's onstage energy as "palpable," noting that “there were so many great shows around the world, but despite the spectacle and magic of playing Madison Square Garden in New York and other huge arenas, the noise and audience faded into the background as I stayed focused on my job. In hindsight, watching videos of those shows now, it feels special to have been a part of them — the energy and unity the band created with their audiences.”

It was in 1980 that Queen started seeing success in the U.S., with their first No. 1 singles, "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" and "Another One Bites the Dust." As the hits started to mount, so too did the accolades.

"The gold microphone was from Shure/Circus magazine for ‘Band of the Year’ — a gold-finished edition of the Shure microphone Freddie used on stage. Fred gave it to me and said, ‘You look after my microphones and things — you should have the award!’ He was playful and generous. I was thankful, but it didn’t mean that much at the time," Hince says.

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Shure 565 SD award gold microphoneCredit: Propstore

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Today, the microphone — a Shure 565 SD award gold microphone, which Mercury "later used on Top of the Pops in 1982" — is being made available for auction for the first time, as part of Propstore's Music Live Auction taking place on April 30, 2026. It carries a pre-sale estimate of $39,600 - $79,200.

Hince says he knew he was ready to part with the special gift, explaining, “It’s been in a cupboard since then, doing nothing. I’m not a collector, so it feels like the right time to pass it on to one of the many Queen fans who will truly appreciate and enjoy it."

“I was lucky enough to be there with Queen and experience it all firsthand — those memories mean far more to me," he continues. "Now in my seventies, I’m looking forward to the next chapter, and it’s nice to think this piece will find a new home where it can be celebrated.”

The auction also includes other items Hince amassed during his time with Queen, including a stage-used tambourine that was the lead singer's, as well as his backstage dressing gown.

While he's letting go of a lot, Hince notes he's "Keeping the most personal items." He says, "[I'm keeping] my Live Aid and other awards, gold discs, and pieces dedicated to me, along with my personal tour itineraries and laminated backstage passes. There’s also a very personal Christmas card from Fred and a few other special items. These will likely remain with my family.”

Freddie Mercury's Shure 565 SD award gold microphoneCredit: Propstore

Hince is relishing the chance to share his memories of Queen with the world.

“The music business was very different then — it was creative, energetic, and a lot of fun. It was a freer era, where we worked hard, played hard, and did whatever it took to get the show on. Those experiences and the spirit of that time are what stay with me most," he says.

There are some memories that Hince will always keep close, such as "Beating Fred at Scrabble was a highlight; he loved the game and was very good at it. Live Aid, of course, and simply being part of such an incredible adventure."

Auction registration is now open, and the full catalog is available online.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”