Freddie Mercury was a British singer, songwriter and the lead singer of the legendary band Queen, born as Farrokh Bulsara on September 5, 1946 in the Sultanate of Zanzibar (Tanzania), son of Bomi and Jer Bulsara. He was raised in India for much of his childhood, he began taking piano lessons at the age of seven and formed a rock band at the age of 12. He was regarded as one of the greatest singers in the history of rock music, he was known for his flamboyant stage persona and four-octave vocal range.
Freddie Mercury had a younger sister named Kashmira.
Freddie’s birth name was Farrokh Bulsara, he changed his name to Freddie Mercury in 1970.
Freddie Mercury’s early music interests were always Western pop music.
Freddie’s education and diploma from the Ealing Art College gave him skills that he eventually used to design the heraldic arms used by his band Queen.
Freddie Mercury collected stamps also known as a philatelist. His stamp collection proved to be so extensive it’s exhibited at stamp shows and Museum’s throughout the world to this day, under his birth name of Farrokh Bulsara.
The Queen logo is symbolic. It contains the zodiac signs for the band members. He used two Leo lions for Deacon and Taylor, two fairies Freddie, and a crab for May.
Freddie Mercury was born with four extra teeth in the back of his mouth, causing his now-famous bucktooth grin.
Freddie was known for his high theatrical style and live performances.
His nickname growing up was Bucky because of his teeth.
Freddie Mercury was involved with Mary Austin in the early 1970s. In the mid-1970s he had an affair with a male record executive and ultimately ended his relationship with Mary Austin. They remained friends. Freddie wrote many songs about her.
In 1983, Freddie recorded several tracks with Michael Jackson – ‘State of Shock’, ‘Victory’ and ‘There Must Be More To Life Than This’.
The song ‘Love of my Life’ was written by Freddie Mercury about Mary Austin.
Before landing on the stage name Freddie Mercury, the singer performed under the moniker Larry Lurex.
When Freddie Mercury died he left his London home to Mary Austin because he considered her to be his true love despite his sexual orientation.
Freedie Mercury and his family were Parsis and practiced Zoroastrian, one of the world’s oldest monotheistic religions. Even though he hadn’t practiced in years, his funeral was performed by a Zoroastrian priest.
In 1985 Freddie Mercury began a long term relationship with Jim Hutton, who would test positive in 1990 for HIV.
Long before he became one of the most celebrated singers in music history, Mercury was once a baggage handler at Heathrow Airport.
Freddie and Jim were together until Freddie’s death in 1991.
In late 1977, Mercury was the surprise guest of the Royal Ballet at a charity event that took place at the London Coliseum, where they sang and danced to “Bohemian Rhapsody.”
Freddie was responsible for writing 10 out 17 songs that are included on Queen’s Greatest Hits. Some of these include Bohemian Rhapsody, Somebody to Love, We Are the Champions, Bicycle Race, and Crazy Little Thing Called Love.
Freddie Mercury and Princess Diana once spent the night hanging out at Royal Vauxhall Tavern, a legendary gay bar in South London.
Freddie was said to have been diagnosed with HIV when he was 40 years old, in 1986. He denied it and his partner said that he was diagnosed in 1987.
Freddie’s last appearance in front of an audience was at the 1990 Brit Awards, where all four members of Queen came on to the stage to collect the award For Outstanding Contribution.
Freddie Mercury became known as one of the best rock performers in the world. His music is often considered to be masterpieces.
He was voted the 59th Greatest Briton of all time in a BBC poll, although he was born in Zanzibar.
Queen’s third album is the one that sent the band to the top of the charts, titled Sheer Heart Attack.
Freddie was known for his showmanship and often wore costumes on stage.
He wrote Crazy Little Thing Called Love whilst taking a bath in a hotel.
Freddie Mercury announced on November 23rd, 1991 that he had previously tested positive for HIV and was suffering from AIDS. He died the following day from complications due to AIDS. He was 45 years old.
Freddie’s trade mark bottomless mic stand, happened by accident early in his career, when the stand snapped in half mid concert. Freddie picked the mic up and continued singing, using the same mic setup for most of his career.
Freddie Mercury kept his HIV diagnosis private until the time of his death in order to avoid being looked at with pity.
