FREDDIE

MERCURY

Born Farrokh Bulsara on September

5, 1946, in Zanzibar to Persian parents. Due

to political issues, Freddie and his familiy

fled to England. He adopted the name

Freddie by fellow English classmates.

While attending Ealing College of

Art, Mercury was introduced to Brian May

and Roger Taylor by Tim Staffel.

Inspired by the heavy rock

of Led Zeppelin/Hendrix as well as the vocal

harmonies of the Beatles and the over-the-top look

of the burgeoning glam rock movement, the new

group decided to mix up all these influences in one

big melting pot, resulting in the formation of

Queen.

During an early Queen show, Freddie's mic

stand accidentally snapped in half, and

instead of replacing it, Mercury carried on

with the damaged stand, which ultimately

became an on-stage trademark for the

singer.

By the late '80s, Mercury was diagnosed withAIDS, but decided to keep his condition underwraps as he focused on recording furtheralbums.

By 1991, Mercury's battle with AIDS had takena turn for the worse, and on November24, 1991 (just one day after deciding to gopublic with his disease), Mercury died at hishome in London at the age of 45.

CURIOUS FACTS• Mercury fulfilled a longtime dream by performing with the

Royal Ballet in October of 1979 (Bohemian Rhapsody).

• Mercury was a cat man, he would periodically call home to

talk to them.

• Freddie had a recorded range of three (almost four) octaves.

• He designed the Queen emblem himself, thanks to a degree

in art and graphic design from Ealing Art College.