Freddie Mercury

British rock legend, Freddie Mercury was summed up in a simple epitaph; “Lover of life, singer of songs”.

Early Accomplishments

He started taking piano lessons from age 7 which continued until he attended boarding school and by age 12, formed The Hectics in school.

After earning an art & graphic design diploma at Ealing College, Mercury survived by selling used clothing, airport baggage handling and several odd jobs while playing for various bands.

Best Known For

He is most famous for his exploits with Queen and the rock band is best known for hit songs like Bohemian Rhapsody in 1975, We are the Champions 1977 and Crazy Little Thing Called Love in 1980. 

One of the band’s most memorable performances was in 1985 at the Live Aid charity concert; Mercury sang with great energy and style as the crowd chanted along to the hit song We Will Rock You.  

Sexual Orientation

The talented singer and showman was open about his bisexuality off stage. For the most part of the 70s, he was cohabiting with Mary Austin but their relationship ended when he informed her of his sexuality. He began dating Jim Hutton soon after until his death. 

Family

He was the first child of Bomi and Jer Bulsara and he had a younger sister, Kashmira who now bears the surname Cooke.

Religion 

His parents were Parsis and practiced Zoroastrian, one of the world’s oldest monotheistic religions. Freddie was not particularly religious but his funeral was still performed by a Zoroastrian priest.

Worth To Know

He was born as Farrokh Bulsara but changed his name shortly before his music group was formed.

While he was alive, his four-octave voice raised the bar for what a rock singer could be and in death, he gave voice to the millions suffering from AIDS all over the world. 

The famed singer died from AIDS-related bronchopneumonia in 1991 at the age of 45.