History Music / FreddieMercury

Born in Zanzibar (then a British protectorate) to Indian Parsi[[note]]a South Asian ethno-religious community, historically practicing Zoroastrianism, with roots in modern-day India and Iran[[/note]] parents from Gujarat, he spent much of his early life in India, before returning to Zanzibar in 1963. A year later, he and his family were forced to flee the island when the Zanzibar Revolution broke out, after which they settled in England.

* ButNotTooForeign: He was born on the island of Zanzibar to Parsi parents, before moving to the UK in his late teens.
* CampGay: Although there is debate on whether he was [[https://www.biography.com/news/freddy-mercury-sexuality gay or bisexual]], ''Film/BohemianRhapsody'' explicitly depicts him as the latter. In some performances, he came across as more of a ManlyGay.

[[caption-width-right:350:''"I won't be a rockstar, I will be a legend"''[[note]]Freddie Mercury's mid-80s look, which proved to be his most iconic.[[/note]]]]

[[caption-width-right:350:Freddie Mercury's mid-80s look, which proved to be his most iconic.]]

Freddie Mercury (born Farrokh Bulsara, 5 September 1946 -- 24 November 1991) was a British singer-songwriter and musician who was most famous as the lead vocalist of Music/{{Queen|Band}}. A flamboyant showman with incredible vocals, he is perhaps one of the most iconic examples of FaceOfTheBand, although he would be the first to tell you that Queen was a collaborative effort.

* CampGay: Although there is debate on whether he was [[https://www.biography.com/news/freddy-mercury-sexuality gay or bisexual]]; ''Film/BohemianRhapsody'' explicitly depicts him as the latter. In some performances, he came across as more of a ManlyGay.

Freddie Mercury (born Farrokh Bulsara, 5 September 1946 -- 24 November 1991) was a British singer-songwriter and musician who was most famous as the lead vocalist of Music/{{Queen|Band}}. A flamboyant show man with incredible vocals, he is perhaps one of the most iconic examples of FaceOfTheBand, although he would be the first to tell you that Queen was a collaborative effort.

After graduating from college in 1969, Mercury worked odd jobs and joined a couple short-lived bands, around this time meeting future Queen bandmate Roger Taylor. The two joined guitarist Music/BrianMay, founder of the rock band Smile, to be joined shortly by bassist John Deacon. And so, in 1970, Queen was born.

At the time, rumours went about that Music/{{Queen|Band}} had disbanded because it took so long before another album was released, but Mercury assured everyone that his solo albums were just a SoloSideProject. Other rumours claimed that Mercury was seriously ill, as he didn't appear as much in public or in music videos in the later half of TheEighties and at the turn of TheNineties, and when he did he looked gaunt and pale. He denied it to protect his family from being harassed by the tabloids, but in the end, on November 23, 1991, the singer finally made public that he had AIDS, having been diagnosed all the way back in 1987. Before the world could overcome the shock, he had already died, 24 hours after making the statement. He was 45 years old.

Freddie's death caused a huge renewed interest and appreciation of Music/{{Queen|Band}}, whose albums [[PosthumousPopularityPotential sold in spectacular numbers.]] In 1992, a tribute concert was held for Freddie to raise money for AIDS research. Several huge pop stars such as Music/GunsNRoses, Music/GeorgeMichael, [[Music/{{Eurythmics}} Annie Lennox]], Music/DavidBowie and Music/EltonJohn performed Queen songs that night. He remains well-beloved worldwide as a performer, and is widely considered one of the greatest vocalists and live performers of all time for his ability to unify and captivate stadium-sized audiences with his sheer charisma and showmanship.

* CampGay: Although there is debate on whether he was [[https://www.biography.com/news/freddy-mercury-sexuality gay or bisexual]]; ''Film/BohemianRhapsody'' explicitly depicts him as the latter. In some performances he came across as more of a ManlyGay.

** His first solo single was a cover of "I Can Hear Music", written by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich and Music/PhilSpector and originally performed by Spector protégés [[Music/RonnieSpector the Ronettes]]. The B-side was also a cover: "Goin' Back", written by Gerry Goffin and Music/CaroleKing and most famously performed by Music/DustySpringfield.

* GallowsHumor: More than likely unintentional, but the closing remarks in his public statement announcing his AIDS diagnosis reads, "My privacy has always been very special to me and I am famous for my lack of interviews. Please understand this policy will continue." Given that he would be dead 24 hours after said statement going public he wasn't kidding.

* KeepingTheHandicap: He elected to never get his distinctive overbite fixed, despite being self-conscious about it, for fear that the surgery would damage his voice.

* ShirtlessScene: Is well remembered for often appearing bare chested during concerts.

** He was born Farrokh Bulsara but gained the nickname Freddie during his school days. "Mercury" was inspired from a line in "My Fairy King" and thus, Freddie had his legal name changed.