Freddy Mercury was born Farrokh Bulsara in Zanzibar (East Africa) and moved to India with his parents as a baby. At a young age he discovered his interest in the arts, and in music in particular. He started playing piano at age 7, and by age 12 he had formed his own band. At age 17 the entire family moved to England, where Farrokh was able to further develop his interests in music and joined different bands. A few years after he received his degree in art, he met Brian May and Roger Taylor. Together they founded Queen. At about the same time Farrokh Bulsara changed his name to Freddy Mercury.
In 1975 Queen released Bohemian Rapsody, which earned them their first number one hit in several countries. It's about "a young man who has accidentally killed someone and, like Faust, sold his soul to the devil. On the night before his execution, he calls for God in Arabic, "Bismillah", and with the help of angels, regains his soul from Shaitan".
Queen was very popular in Europe, but somehow never were really able to make it in America. While they had one album (The Game) in 1980 that made it to the number one position on the American Billboard Chart, their popularity in the US soon dwindled. The band, however, soon conquered several other continents. They got very big in Africa, Asia and in Latin America. While Mercury was a shy and reserved man in his private live, many fans admired him because of his flamboyant behavior on stage.
Even though Freddy Mercury didn't like to openly talk about his sexual preferences, it was widely known that he was interested in women and in men. Like a lot of other gay and bisexual men in the 1980's, Mercury was infected with the HIV-virus. Once diagnosed he continued to make music and recorded an entire album with his favorite female vocalist - Montserrat Cabballe. Their most popular song was "Barcelona", which later became the anthem of the 1992 summer olympics in Spain.
While Mercury released several albums once diagnosed, no one was told that he had AIDS. He died at age 45 on november 24, 1991, the very next day after he publicly announced he had AIDS.
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In 1975 Queen released Bohemian Rapsody, which earned them their first number one hit in several countries. It's about "a young man who has accidentally killed someone and, like Faust, sold his soul to the devil. On the night before his execution, he calls for God in Arabic, "Bismillah", and with the help of angels, regains his soul from Shaitan".
Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody
Queen was very popular in Europe, but somehow never were really able to make it in America. While they had one album (The Game) in 1980 that made it to the number one position on the American Billboard Chart, their popularity in the US soon dwindled. The band, however, soon conquered several other continents. They got very big in Africa, Asia and in Latin America. While Mercury was a shy and reserved man in his private live, many fans admired him because of his flamboyant behavior on stage.
Queen - Don't Stop Me Now
Even though Freddy Mercury didn't like to openly talk about his sexual preferences, it was widely known that he was interested in women and in men. Like a lot of other gay and bisexual men in the 1980's, Mercury was infected with the HIV-virus. Once diagnosed he continued to make music and recorded an entire album with his favorite female vocalist - Montserrat Cabballe. Their most popular song was "Barcelona", which later became the anthem of the 1992 summer olympics in Spain.
Freddy Mercury & Montserrat Cabballe - Barcelona
While Mercury released several albums once diagnosed, no one was told that he had AIDS. He died at age 45 on november 24, 1991, the very next day after he publicly announced he had AIDS.
You may also like:
The Evolution of Rock Music
Where Did You Sleep Last Night
A Few Very Surprising Duets
