He is one of the greatest singers in the history of music, but he passed away too early and he is only 45 years old.
(Photo: Popperfoto)
Here are some facts about the legendary singer Freddie Mercury:
1. He was born on September 5, 1946, as Farrokh Bulsara in Stone Town on the island of Zanzibar (part of Tanzania).
2. His parents were of Persian-Indian descent and members of the Zoroastrian religion - an ancient religion that has existed since the days of the kingdom of Persia.
3. He grew up in Zanzibar and India before fleeing with his parents to England as a teenager, due to the revolution that claimed the lives of thousands of Indians.
4. Mercury was born with 4 excess teeth in the jaw, which helped, with over-resonance in the mouth, to add to his mighty voice that spans no less than four octaves.
5. At the age of 7 he began to learn to play the piano.
6. He studied art and received a diploma in art and graphic design.
7. After graduating, he sold old clothes at the Kensington Market and even worked at Heathrow Airport in London as a cargo worker.
8. At the same time, he fulfills his love of music in bands such as "Ibex" from Liverpool and "Sour Milk Sea" from Oxford.
9. His favorite artists were Jimi Hendrix and Aretha Franklin.
10. In April 1970, Mercury joined Brian May and Roger Taylor as lead singers in "Smile". In 1971, bassist John Deacon joined them.
11. Freddie was the one who chose the name "Queen" for the band.
12. Freddie also designed the band's famous logo.
13. When "Queen" was founded he changed his name to Freddie Mercury.
14. Freddie announced that he had AIDS just one day before his death.
15. His funeral was conducted by the rules of the Zoroastrian religion. When his coffin was carried the song "You've Got A Friend" performed by Aretha Franklin was played in the background.
16. He recorded the song "The Show Must Go On" when he was almost unable to walk due to his illness. He sipped vodka and assured the worried Brian May that he would be able to finish the song and he did perform it in one take!
17. His last video appearance was in the clip for the song "These Are The Days Of Our Lives", taken from the album "Innuendo" from 1991, in which he already looks skinny, weak, and sick.
18. In his Will he ordered Marie Austin, his close friend, most of his money, his house, and all his income from music. He also realized his love for Austin by writing several songs about her, the most famous of which is "Love Of My Life".
19. The last song Freddie recorded as part of "Queen" in 1991, was "Mother Love". After recording the first two verses he did not feel well and asked Brian to go home to rest and come back to complete the recording another day. This day has not come. The song was included on the album "Made in Heaven" which was released in 1995, after his death.
20. The last song Freddie wrote, two weeks before his death, was "A Winter's Tale". He recorded himself with keyboards in one take. Later, the members of "Queen" added their vocals, instruments, and arrangements and released the song as part of the album "Made in Heaven". Brian May said he wanted to record the guitar solo alone at home with Freddie in his thoughts.
21. Freddie was an avid stamp collector. His stamp collection has been featured in several exhibitions around the world.
22. He wrote the song "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" taken from the album "The Game" in the bathroom. He even asked a guitar in there to compose the song.
23. In 2009 "Rolling Stone" magazine published a list of the 100 greatest singers of all time. Freddie came on the 19th. That year the "damage" was corrected when he was chosen by the readers of "Classic Rock" magazine as the best singer of all time.
24. He was a die-hard cat lover. He dedicated his first solo album, "Mr. Bad" Guy from 1985, to his cats. He also dedicated the song "Delilah" from the album "Innuendo" to his favorite cat.
25. He was a good friend of Princess Diana and used to dress her as a man so that no one would recognize her when they went out.
26. When asked what the famous song "Bohemian Rhapsody" from the album "A Night At The Opera" means, he replied that it has no meaning and everything is nonsense in rhymes.
27. Roger Daltrey, the lead singer of "The Who", claimed that Freddie is the best rock 'n' roll singer of all time, who could sing anything in every genre.
28. Freddie tried several times to collaborate with Michael Jackson but did not succeed, partly because Jackson used to bring his amusement animal (Llama) to the studio.
29. Kurt Cobain mentioned Freddie Mercury in his suicide note. He noted how much he admires him and is jealous of his ability to perform and capture the hearts of the audience.
30. He was awarded the Blue Circle, indicating English heritage sites, which were placed at his home - Gladstone Avenue, Feltham, London 22.
31. He passed away on November 24, 1991, the exact same day that Eric Carr, drummer of "KISS".
32. After his death on April 20, 1992, a tribute concert was held in his memory - Freddie Mercury Tribute Show. The show was broadcast live to 76 countries, including Israel and estimates say that more than a billion viewers watched the concert live !!! About one-fifth of the world's population as it was in those years!