Historical Figure
Freddie Mercury
1946–1991
British rock musician (1946–1991)
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Biography
Freddie Mercury was a British singer and songwriter who achieved global fame as the lead vocalist and pianist of the rock band Queen. Regarded as one of the greatest singers in the history of rock music, he is known for his flamboyant stage persona and four-octave vocal range. Mercury defied the conventions of a rock frontman with his theatrical style, influencing the artistic direction of Queen.
In Their Own Words (5)
All my lovers asked me why they couldn't replace Mary, but it's simply impossible. The only friend I've got is Mary and I don't want anybody else. To me, she was my common-law wife. To me, it was a marriage. We believe in each other, that's enough for me.
On Mary Austin, a long time companion, and the inheritor of most of his estate, as quoted in "For A Song : The Mercury that's rising in rock is Freddie the satiny seductor of Queen" by Fred Hauptfuhrer, in People magazine (5 December 1977) , 1977
Liza, in terms of sheer talent, just oozes with it. She has sheer energy and stamina, which she gets across the stage, and the way she delivers herself to the public is a good influence. There is a lot to learn from her
As quoted in "Queen's Freddie Mercury Shopping For An Image In London" by Scott Cohen in Circus Magazine (April 1975). , 1975
You can have everything in the world and still be the loneliest man. And that is the most bitter type of loneliness, success has brought me world idolisation and millions of pounds. But it's prevented me from having the one thing we all need: A loving, ongoing relationship.
As quoted in "Rock On Freddie" (1985). , 1985
Gay as a daffodil.
On himself, as quoted in Interview by Julie Webb for New Musical Express (12 March 1974); he is often reported to have said "I'm as gay as a daffodil, my dear!" but it does not appear in that form in the article. , 1974
This next song is only dedicated to beautiful people here tonight. That means all of you. Thank you for coming along... and making this a great occasion.
Source: Live Aid, 1985/07/13 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A22oy8dFjqc?t=12m5s , 1985
Timeline
The story of Freddie Mercury, told in moments.
Born Farrokh Bulsara in Stone Town, Zanzibar, to Parsi parents from western India. He has four extra incisors, which he'll later credit for his vocal range. He never gets them fixed. He says they'd ruin his voice.
Sent to St. Peter's boarding school in Panchgani, India, at eight years old. Forms his first band, the Hectics. His classmates start calling him Freddie. He starts calling himself Freddie. He doesn't go home for years at a time.
The Zanzibar Revolution. Thousands are killed. The Bulsara family flees to England with two suitcases. Freddie is 17. They settle in Feltham, Middlesex, near Heathrow. He enrolls in art school.
Forms Queen with Brian May and Roger Taylor. He changes his surname to Mercury. He designs the band's logo himself: two lions for Leo (Taylor and Deacon), a crab for Cancer (May), and two fairies for Virgo (himself). A phoenix rises from the top.
Writes "Bohemian Rhapsody." The song is nearly six minutes long with an operatic midsection, a hard rock interlude, and no chorus. The label doesn't want to release it as a single. DJ Kenny Everett plays it fourteen times in two days. It reaches number one and stays there for nine weeks in the UK.
Live Aid, Wembley Stadium. 72,000 in the stadium, 1.9 billion watching worldwide. Queen has twenty minutes. Mercury walks out in a white tank top, grabs a half mic stand, and owns every second. He starts with a vocal improvisation, and the entire stadium sings it back. Polls regularly call it the greatest live performance in rock history.
Diagnosed with AIDS. He tells almost no one. He keeps recording. His voice doesn't thin. If anything, it deepens. He records "The Show Must Go On" in one take, so ill that May doubts he can do it. Mercury downs a measure of vodka and says, "I'll bloody do it, darling."
Dies at his home in Kensington, London, at 45. He'd released a public statement confirming his AIDS diagnosis just the day before. One day. He gave the world one day to process it, then he was gone. His longtime partner Jim Hutton is with him. His cats are on the bed.
Show full timeline (11 entries)
Records 'Living on My Own' and throws a party at a Munich nightclub for 300 guests. Everyone in drag. Freddie dressed as a king. The party costs a fortune. He doesn't care. It's his 39th birthday.
Records Barcelona with Montserrat Caballe, a Spanish opera soprano. A rock singer and an opera legend. The song becomes the anthem of the 1992 Olympics. Freddie never gets to perform it at the ceremony.
The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert at Wembley Stadium. 72,000 attend. David Bowie drops to his knees onstage and recites the Lord's Prayer. Liza Minnelli closes with "We Are the Champions." The concert raises millions for AIDS research and is broadcast to over a billion viewers.
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