FREDDIE MERCURY

Date of Birth
5 September 1946, Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania

Date of Death
24 November 1991, Kensington, London, England, UK (AIDS)

Birth Name
Farrokh Bomi Bulsara

Height
5' 9½" (1.77 m)

Mini Biography
Freddie Mercury was born on the Tanzanian island of Zanzibar. His parents, Bomi and Jer Bulsara, sent him off to a private school in India, from 1955 til 1963. In 1964 Freddie and his family flew to England. Freddie was very delighted to come to England. In 1966 he started his education at the Ealing College of Art, where he graduated in 1969. He loved art, and because of that, he often went along with his friend Tim Staffell, who played in a band called Smile. Also in this band where Brian May and Roger Taylor. When Staffell left the band in 1970, Freddie became their new singer. He changed the band's name into Queen, and they took on a new bass-player in February 1971, called John Deacon. Their first album, "Queen", came out in 1973. But their real breakthrough was "Killer Queen", on the album "Sheer Heart Attack", which was released in 1974. They became immortal with the single "Bohemian Rhapsody", on the 1975 album "A Night At The Opera". After setting foot in the US in 1980, with "Another One Bites The Dust", they had a bad period. Their album "Flash Gordon" went down the drain, because the movie Flash Gordon (1980) flunked. Their next, "Hot Space", also wasn't a great success. Only the song "Under Pressure", which they sang together with David Bowie, made a difference. In 1983, they took a year off. But, in 1984 they were totally back with their new album, called "The Works". It contained great hits, such as "Radio Ga Ga" and "I Want To Break Free". In 1985 Freddie made his first big solo-album, "Mr. Bad Guy". He and the band had been in a bit of an argument, and he wanted to do something on his own. The album was loved by the fans, but didn't do to well. But the band got back together again, after their famous performance at Live Aid, in 1985. At the end of the year, they started working on their new album, "A Kind Of Magic". They also held their most famous tour ever, the "Magic Tour". They did Wembley Stadium twice, and held their very last concert in Knebworth, in front of 125.000 people. After 1986, it went silent around Queen. It was in 1987 or '88, when Freddie told the band he had AIDS, and only had a few years to live. After Freddie told the band, he refused to talk about it anymore. He was afraid that people would buy their records out of pity. He said he wanted to keep making music as long as possible. And he did. His second big solo-album, "The Great Pretender", got out in 1987. After that, he flew to Spain, where he made the magnificent album "Barcelone", together with Montserrat Caballé, whom he saw performing in 1983. Because Freddie loved opera, he became a huge fan of her. For him, this album was like a dream becoming reality. The single "Barcelona" went huge, and was also used as a theme song for the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. After Barcelona, he started working with the band again. They made "The Miracle", which was released in 1989. It was a success, with hits as "Breakthru", "I Want It All" and "The Invisible Man". After "The Miracle", Freddie's health got worse. They wanted to do one more album, called "Innuendo." They worked on it in 1990 and early 1991. Every time when Freddie would feel well, he came over to the studio and sang. After "Innuendo" was released in January 1991, they made two video clips. The first one was the video clip of "I'm Going Slightly Mad", shot in March 1991. Because Freddie was very thin, and had little wounds all over his body, they used a lot of make-up. He wore a wig, and the clip was shot in black and white. Freddie's final video clip was released in June 1991. The clip, "These Are The Days Of Our Lives", later turned out to be his goodbye song, the last time he appeared on film. You could clearly see he was ill, but he still hadn't told the world about his disease. Rumours went around that he some kind of terrible disease. This rumor was confirmed by Freddie himself, one day before he passed on. His death was seen as a great loss for the world of music.

Trade Mark
Sings with the top half of microphone stand

Loved to do a vocal duet with the crowd, especially before "Under Pressure"

Placing microphone under his belt

Wide ranged, powerful vocals

Mustache

Overbite and camp behaviour on and off stage


Trivia
He was a staunch supporter of the British monarchy.

His ancestors, the Parsees, originated in Persia and fled to India in the 7th century. The reason being they are Zoroastrians and did not want to get converted to Islam.

Lead singer and keyboard player of the rock group Queen.

Chose not to to get corrective oral surgery to fix his famous overbite (caused by the presence of four extra teeth which pushed his incisors out). He commented early in his career that he wished to have work done on his teeth, but regretted that he didn't have time to do it out of fear that it would damage his voice. Also, chose not to have surgery to remove polyps on his vocal cords for the same reason. Ironically, Freddie was a smoker.

Attended Ealing College of Art.

When the rock group Smile (formed by Brian May with Roger Taylor and Tim Stafell) split, Freddie joined Brian and Roger to form Queen.

Some of his estate was left to Mary Austin, a woman he had dated regularly.

Attended many operas and released a semi-classical album with Spanish opera diva Montserrat Caballé.

Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001 (as a member of Queen.

Sang a duet of "Tutti Frutti" with Marillion front man Fish at the Mungersdorfer Stadion, Cologne, West Germany. [19 July 1986]

Was an avid and fastidious philatelist (stamp collector). His extensive collection is still exhibited at stamp shows world-wide as being under the estate of his birth name.

Loved his cats, and dedicated his solo-album "Mr. Bad Guy" to them. When he was out touring, he used to phone his cats and talk to them for hours. On one of his waistcoats, he has painted portraits of all of his cats.

He was educated at St. Peter's boarding school near Bombay, India, where he had his first musical training (Grade V piano) and also his first experience of performing onstage, with his band, the Hectics. It was at St. Peter's where he picked up the name 'Freddie', soon even his parents addressed him by that name.

His song "Bohemian Rhapsody" (1975) was named Britain's favourite pop single of all time on 2002 in a poll by Guinness World Records (GWR). More than 31,000 people voted in the poll for GWR's "British Hit Singles" book.

After a revolution in Zanzibar, he and his family were forced to flee to England, where he pursued a Diploma in Art and Graphic Design. This knowledge was to come in useful when he designed Queen's famous crest.

Came in 58th place in the BBC's poll of the 100 Greatest Britons. [2002]

While buried in the Zoroastrian tradition, Freddie, himself, seldom practiced the family religion.

Was an ardent fan of Jimi Hendrix.

Designed Queen's famous crest using his and his fellow band mates' birth signs: Two lions for Roger and John (Leo), a crab for Brian (Cancer), and two fairies for himself (Virgo).

Had a vocal range of 4 octaves.

Achieved grade IV in practical piano and theory.

Was of Persian descent. His ancestors were Persians who fled to India.

Said that Aretha Franklin was one of his favorite singers.

There is a breed of yellow rose named after him.

Loved cats, and owned many of them. The song "Delilah" is written about his favorite.

His baby photo won photograph of the year in 1947 in his hometown.

He was diagnosed HIV positive in the spring of 1987.

Despite being a classically trained pianist, he admitted in an interview (Melody Maker, 2 May 1981) that he could read "very little" sheet music.

Queen won the Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution in 1990. All four members of the band came to the stage to accept the award. It was Mercury's last appearance in front of an audience.

Queen won the 1992 Brit Award for British Single for their song "These Are The Days of Our Lives" and Mercury was the posthumous winner of the Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution. Only John Lennon, Paul McCartney and Sting have also managed to win the Outstanding Contribution Award as both a member of a band and as an individual.

Queen were inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame for their outstanding contribution to British music and integral part of British music culture. [11 November 2004]

Was a huge fan of actress and Broadway star Liza Minnelli.

Wrote "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" in the bathtub.

Penned the hits "Killer Queen", "Bohemian Rhapsody", "Somebody To Love", and "Crazy Little Thing Called Love".

Survived by Jim Hutton, his partner since 1985.

Released his first solo album, "Mr. Bad Guy", in 1985.

While living in Asia,he listened to many Indian artists. Upon arriving in England, he was very influenced by British bands like The Beatles, John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix, and Led Zeppelin.

Used a piano as a headboard for his bed and taught himself to play the piano backwards so if a song idea popped into his head when lying in bed, he could reach backwards and play it or record it.

Queen was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 6356 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California.

Was bisexual.

He was voted the No.1 'Greatest Singer In Rock' by Classic Rock magazine (May 2009/Issue 131).

Queen's performance at Live Aid (1985) (TV) was voted the "World's Greatest Concert" in a 2005 poll for Channel 4 in the U.K. The historic gig fought off competition from Jimi Hendrix's 1969 Woodstock show in second place and The Sex Pistols' raucous show at the Manchester Free Trade Hall in 1976.

His favorite movies were Some Like It Hot (1959), George Cukor's The Women (1939) and Imitation of Life (1959) with Lana Turner.

In September 2010, he was named as "The Greatest Rock Legend Of All Time" in a poll for OnePoll.com, beating the King of Rock N'Roll, Elvis Presley, into second place.

Following the announcement of his death, tributes came from some of the biggest names in the British music industry. David Bowie said: "We'll all miss him a lot. Together with his band Queen he made a great contribution to popular music." George Michael said: "Freddie Mercury was a huge source of inspiration to me as a child. I religiously attended Queen's concerts year after year. This is a sad day." Phil Collins said: "This is a great tragedy. I had the greatest admiration and a lot of affection for him." Elton John said: "Freddie Mercury was an incredible, innovative singer and frontman for a band. He was a very dear friend of mine and it was a privilege to have known him for some of his life. He was very funny, he was extremely outrageous, he was very kind and he was a great musician and one of the great frontmen of rock and roll bands.".

Freddie and Eric Carr (second drummer for KISS) passed away within hours of each other on the very same day of November 24, 1991. Mercury died from AIDS. Eric died from cancer, which led to a brain hemorrhage.


Personal Quotes
If I didn't do this well, I just wouldn't have anything to do...I can't cook, and I'd be a terrible housewife.

I'm just a musical prostitute my dear

The bigger the better; in everything.

Years ago, I thought up the name Queen...It's just a name, but it's very regal obviously, and it sounds splendid...It's a strong name, very universal and immediate. It had a lot of visual potential and was open to all sorts of interpretations. I was certainly aware of the gay connotations, but that was just one facet of it.

"I am as gay as a daffodil." (Speaking in 1974)

"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, thats enough for me. I couldn't fall in love with a man the same way as I have with Mary." (On Mary Austin, late 70s interview)

"Following the enormous conjecture in the press over the last two weeks, I wish to confirm that I have tested HIV positive and have AIDS. I felt it correct to keep this information private in order to protect the privacy of those around me. However, the time has come for my friends and fans around the world to know the truth and I hope that everyone will join with me in the fight against this terrible disease." (Statement released on 23 November 1991)

Oh, I was not made for heaven. No, I don't want to go to heaven. Hell is much better. Think of all the interesting people you're going to meet down there!

Modern paintings are like women, you'll never enjoy them if you try to understand them.

I think I'm totally original. I'm sure there are many people who see themselves in me, but that's to them. I'm me, basically, and that's how I like to be.

My voice takes a beating. The more vocal gymnastics I do in the studio, the more I have to do on stage.

The Carmen Miranda of rock 'n' roll. But what can I say? I'm a flamboyant personality. I like going out and having a good time.

Oh God, I pray I'll never get AIDS. So many friends have it. Some have died, others won't last much longer. I'm terrified that I'll be next. Immediately after each time I have sex I think, 'Suppose that was the one? Suppose the virus is now in my body? I jump in the shower and scrub myself clean, although I know it's useless and anyway it's too late.

Fame and success have brought me everything, except a loving, on-going relationship. I seem to eat people up and destroy them no matter how hard I try to make things work. Sometimes I wake up in a cold sweat, screaming with fear because I'm so alone. That's why I go out looking for someone who will love me, even if it's just for a one-night stand. I fall in love far too quickly, and I end up getting hurt and scarred. It seems I just can't win.

I am a manipulator of life.

I have to go out every night. I hate staying in one room for too long anyway. I just like to keep moving.

[on his band Queen] We're in the music business. It's in my blood. The only thing I can do is to write music and perform. That's what I'm going to be doing and I think all of us are going to be doing until we die.

I'm not married to music, I'm married to love.

I always knew I was a star, and now the rest of the world seems to agree with me.

I'm a very tragic person, but there's always an element of humour at the end.

The most important thing, darling, is to live a fabulous life. As long as it's fabulous, I don't care how long it is.

I don't think I'll make old bones and I don't care. I've lived a full life. I really have done it all and if I'm dead tomorrow I don't care a damn

One of my early inspirations came from Cabaret (1972). I absolutely adore Liza Minnelli, she's a total wow. The way she delivers her songs, the sheer energy, the way the lights enhance every movement of the show. I think you can see similarities in the excitement and energy of a Queen show. It's not glam rock, you see; we're in the show-business tradition.

[on Queen] We're the bitchiest band on earth, darling. We're at each other's throats. One night Roger Taylor was in a foul mood and he threw his entire bloody drum set across the stage. The thing only just missed me - I might have been killed.

I don't like to explain what I was thinking when I wrote a song. I think that's awful, just awful. When I'm dead, I want to be remembered as a musician of some worth and substance.

I like to enjoy myself and what better way to do it than on stage in front of 300,000 people?

I'm just an old slag who gets up every morning, scratches his head and wonders what he wants to f**k.

I love George Michael because he moves so well and has a sense of dignity and fun.

Something like Bohemian Rhapsody didn't just come out of thin air. I did a bit of research, although it was tongue-in-cheek and it was mock-opera. Why not? I certainly wasn't saying I was an opera fanatic and I knew everything about it.

I don't want to keep playing the same formula over and over again, otherwise you just go insane. I don't want to become stale. I want to be creative.

I'm a flamboyant person. I like to live life. I certainly work hard for it, and I want to have a good time. Don't deny me that. It might not come again and I want to enjoy myself a little.

I liked to sing, I don't know, call it natural gift or whatever, you know, I'm not afraid to say it. It's just I like to sing and then I suddenly realized that I could actually write songs and then make my own music rather than before I would, you know, sort of copy Elvis Presley songs and things as I do, then I realized that I could actually write my own songs and do it my own way. Then suddenly, you know, there was a little taste of success.

In terms of press and things, I'm a very hated person, but I hate the press as well. So that goes both ways, but to me I think I've learned to live with it. I'd be a liar to say I'm not hurt by criticism because I mean everybody is, you know, of course I want everybody to say I'm wonderful and they like my songs, but I mean I don't mind actually a sort of genuine well thought out criticism, but I mean of course you're going to get... just... people review our albums without even listening to them and things like that, but I mean that's the way of the world and before I used to get really mad and start tearing my hair out but now I don't have anymore sleepless nights, so just I learned to live with it. Let them all come.

It's lovely to hear that We Are The Champions is a song that's been taken up by, you know, football fans 'cause that's a winners' song which keeps coming back, I can't believe that somebody else hasn't written a new song to take it over.

I relax in ways most people can't understand. I can relax by actually just sleeping on a plane when I'm flying for 20 minutes, that's my relaxation. That's all I need. I don't need too much sleep. I don't, you know, I don't need tons of sleep, I can go with 3 or 4 hours sleep every night. That's enough for me. I recharge my batteries in that short a time and I'm up again.

When I'm dead are they going to remember me ? I don't really think about it, it's up to them. When I'm dead, who cares ? I don't.

[on Jimi Hendrix] He really had everything a rock & roll star should have - style, presence; he didn't have to force anything. He'd just make an entrance and the whole place would be on fire. He was living out everything I wanted to be.

[speaking at his last concert with Queen at Knebworth Park, August 9th, 1986] Earlier on there were rumors of us splitting up, but I mean - fuck 'em - how can you split up when you have an audience like this?

[on rumors he had AIDS] AIDS changed my life. I was extremely promiscuous but I stopped that. Anyone who is promiscuous should have a test. I'm fine. I'm clear.

[on Manhattan in the 1980s] It's sin city, but you have to come away at the right time. Stay a day too long, and it grips you. Very hypnotic. It's all tripping in at 8 or 9 every morning, and taking throat injections so I can still sing. It's a real place. I love it.

[on what other people thought his songs were about] If you hear it, darling, then it's there.