Freddie Mercury Born: 9-5-1946 Died: 11-24-1991 (complication)

 

Freddie Mercury was born Farrokh Bulsara in Zanzibar, to parents Bomi & Jer Bulsara. Freddie moved to India in 1947. He attended boarding school in Panchgani,
just outside Bombay. While there he began piano lessons, reaching Grade 4 in practical and theory. The family, with the addition now of younger sister Kashmira,
moved to England in 1963. Freddie left Isleworth school in 1964 with three "O" levels and one "A" level in Art. He went to Ealing College of Art to study Graphic
Illustration. He left college in 1969 with a Diploma in Graphic Art & Design (the equivalent of a Degree). Freddie joined his first serious band in 1969, the were called "Ibex."
    After "Ibex" decided to split up, Freddie became the lead singer of "Sour Milk Sea." After "Sour Milk Sea" came to an end, Freddie decided to start a band of his
own. The result was "Wreckage." In March 1970, Freddie realized that "Wreckage" seemed to be heading nowhere, so he decided to call it quits and leave.
    Tim Staffell, a fellow student at Ealing College of Art, had introduced Freddie to "Smile" in 1969. "Smile" a band which included Brian May, Tim Staffell, and Roger
Taylor. Freddie became a fan of the band. In 1970, "Smile" decided to call it a day because nothing seemed to be happening for them. Tim went his own way and
joined a band called "Humpy Bong," and Freddie remained friends with Brian and Roger. In April 1970, Freddie, Brian, and Roger decided to hook up and form a band.
Freddie changed his name by poll to Mercury and the band was christened "Queen." In February 1971, John Deacon was taken on as the fourth member of "Queen,"
after three temporary bassists had come and gone.
    Their first album, "Queen" was released in 1973. The hits started with 1974's "Killer Queen" (#-12) and continued with "Bohemian Rhapsody" (#-2), "You're My
Best Friend" (#-16), "Somebody To Love" (#-13), "We Are The Champions/We Will Rock You" (#-4), "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" (#-1), "Another One Bites
The Dust" (#-1), "Radio Ga Ga" (#-16) and "These Are The Days Of Our Lives" (#-2).
    Early in the 1980's Freddie decided to also pursue a solo career. Cashing in on the pop/dance sounds Freddie scored several club hits most notably "Love Kills" and "I Was Born To Love You" all while still performing with his band mates.
    In 1985 Freddie entered a relationship with Jim Hutton who remained with Mercury for the next six years. The two shared his large house and garden with several
cats, creatures he adored. Mercury loved opera and ballet, Marilyn Monroe and Aretha Franklin. He liked to drink Cristal champagne or iced vodka and loved Italian
food. On November 23, 1991, Freddie announced to the world that he had AIDS. He sadly passed away the next day at his London home peacefully surrounded by
close friends, family and his partner Jim.