Lead singer of Queen: Freddie Mercury’s biography
Today we’re going to talk about an icon who turned the music world upside down. He is one of the most talked about and written about musicians of the last century. Although 38 years have passed since his last concert, Live Aid, he has never been forgotten. Books have been written about him, and biographies have been published. Let’s go back in time and look at the colorful and at the same time tragic life story of the lead singer of Queen, Freddie Mercury and watch how a butterfly emerges from its chrysalis.
A short biography of Freddie Mercury
Freddie Mercury opened his eyes for the first time in Stone Town, Tanzania on September 5, 1946. His parents named him Farrokh Bulsara.
Although he was born in Tanzania, his childhood was spent in India. He was attending an internship there and during this time, he became interested in music. It was also in India that he was given the name Freddie. At the age of 17, he returned to Sansibar with his family, but they had to leave and flee to London due to the revolutionary movements going on there at the time.
After arriving in the UK, Freddy sought ways to develop himself in music and art and decided to go to Ealing College of Art to study Graphic Design.
Although he left school with good grades, his love and desire for music never changed. Graphic design was not Freddie’s destiny. That was for sure. Day by day, he began to make contacts in London’s music and nightlife scene, and he got his first professional music experience working as a roadie for bands he knew.
Click the play button and listen to Queen while reading the rest of the article!
Freddie Mercury emerges from his chrysalis
Mercury primarily had to stay backstage, where he impatiently dreamed of the day when he himself would be on stage, singing his songs with his fans. He knew he had to be patient.
One band that Freddie worked with as a roadie was Smile. Smile was a band that wasn’t very famous yet. He got to know this band through Timm Staffell, a member of this band. In 1970 the band members parted ways, and Tim left to go his own way. Only Mercury, Taylor, and May remained. None of them were willing to give up, and Queen was born. Queen was named after the Queen of England.
The band needed a bassist to complete the group, and that bassist was John Deacon, who joined the band in 1971. Now there were no more obstacles. Freddie Mercury had come out of the chrysalis and started to fly.
In the decades to come, the band created such classics of music history as “The Show Must Go On” “Bohemian Rhapsody,” and “We Are The Champions“.
Freddie Mercury: Solo career
The lead singer of Queen was not only a singer but also a successful songwriter. In 1973, Freddie recorded his cover versions of I Can Hear Music by The Beach Boys and Goin’ Back by Phil Collins as Larry Lurex.
On April 19, 1985, Freddie’s first solo album Mr Bad Guy was released. all the songs on this album were written by Freddie Mercury himself.
Mercury’s second and last solo album Barcelona was released on October 10, 1988. On this album, Freddie worked with the Spanish opera singer Montserrat Caballé together.
Freddie Mercury’s private life
In the mid-80s, Mercury’s life took a decisive turn. In 1985 he met Jim Hutton, who was to be his partner until his death in 1991. The two led a harmonious relationship and Hutton died on New Year’s Day 2010.
Freddie dated Mary Austin for years in the 1970s. But there was one thing Mary didn’t know about. But the truth had to come out. Apparently, Freddie didn’t want to live with a lie anymore and informed his girlfriend about his sexual preferences.
After Mary Austin learned that Freddie was homosexual, they broke up. However, the friendship did not end. Mary Austin was the main heir to Mercury’s fortune.
In the 80s, Freddie lived in different cities such as Munich, London, and New York. Since Mercury loved wild party nights, he wanted to live in big cities where he could fulfill his desires more easily.
In 1985 he met Jim Hutton, who would remain his partner until his death in 1991. They had a harmonious relationship and Hutton died on New Year’s Day 2010.
The beginning of the end
In 1987, everything in his life changed. Because the terrible diagnosis came: AIDS.
In 1989, the lead singer of Queen told the members that he had AIDS. But the show had to go on. The band was not discouraged and continued to produce music. It was not easy for Freddie. He tried to hide his poor health from the group.
The fans had to be informed about the icon’s condition. On November 23, Mercury gave another speech to the press, in which he announced that he was seriously ill. One day later: Freddie Mercury died at the age of 45 as a result of pneumonia.
What did Freddie leave Mary in his will?
Mary Austin was not Freddie Mercury’s wife. They were not married. but they had a very close friendship. In some interviews with Freddy Mercury, he said:
“All my lovers asked me why they couldn’t replace Mary, but it’s simply impossible. The only friend I’ve got is Mary, and I don’t want anybody else. To me, she was my common-law wife. To me, it was a marriage. We believe in each other, that’s enough for me.”
“We’re the closest of friends, and that’s why we can say we love each other. It’s not in that physical sense anymore, but we still totally rely on each other. We both see each other every day, if not in person, then on the phone.”
“I couldn’t fall in love with a man the same way as I have with Mary. She’s my best friend, and she’ll be my friend forever… I’ll love her until I draw my last breath.”
According to smoothradio.com, Mercury left Mary Austin half of his £75 million estate, including the £25 million Georgian mansion in Kensington.
Do not forget to check out the other biographies of the most well-known lead singers.
Image credit: (Steve Jennings/WireImage)
