FREDDIE MERCURY

Freddie Mercury was born Farrokh Bulsara in the Stone Town, Sultanate of Zanzibar on September 5, 1946. He was a British singer, songwriter, record producer, and lead vocalist of the English rock band Queen. Freddie Mercury attended English-style boarding schools in India before moving to Middlesex, England in 1964. Freddie Mercury formed Queen with guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor in 1970, and were joined by bassist Roger Deacon the following year. Named as one of the greatest frontmen ever, with his multi-octave lungsmith stylings, trademark broken microphone stand and way with a leotard, Freddie helped steer Queen to record-breaking success. Freddie Mercury had already tried a solo career under the name Larry Lurex in 1973, but after Queen had enjoyed a career of chart-topping hits – many written by Mercury – he gave it another go, recording a succession of songs for soundtracks, and the albums Mr Bad Guy and Barcelona, a collaboration with opera singer Montserrat Caballé. Mercury died at the age of 45 on November 24, 1991, at his home in Kensington, London. The cause of death was bronchial pneumonia resulting from AIDS. Freddie eventually scored a UK Number 1 with a remix of his 1985 song Living On My Own, released posthumously in 1993.