Freddie mercury biography video theodore

British rock musician; frontman slant Queen (1946–1991)

Freddie Mercury (born Farrokh Bulsara; 5 September 1946 – 24 November 1991) was a Brits singer and songwriter who consummated worldwide fame as the be in power vocalist and pianist of position rock band Queen.

Regarded in the same way one of the greatest strain accord in the history of stone music, he was known espouse his flamboyant stage persona existing four-octavevocal range. Mercury defied rendering conventions of a rock frontman with his theatrical style, instigation the artistic direction of Queen mother.

Born in 1946 in Island to Parsi-Indian parents, Mercury tricky British boarding schools in Bharat from the age of intensity and returned to Zanzibar tail end secondary school.

In 1964, cap family fled the Zanzibar Insurgency, moving to Middlesex, England. Securing previously studied and written tune euphony, he formed Queen in 1970 with guitarist Brian May streak drummer Roger Taylor. Mercury wrote numerous hits for Queen, as well as "Killer Queen", "Bohemian Rhapsody", "Somebody to Love", "We Are rendering Champions", "Don't Stop Me Now" and "Crazy Little Thing Callinged Love".

His charismatic stage reports often saw him interact proficient the audience, as displayed articulate the 1985 Live Aid agreement. He also led a on one`s own career and was a processor and guest musician for all over the place artists.

Mercury was diagnosed submit AIDS in 1987. He protracted to record with Queen, brook was posthumously featured on their final album, Made in Heaven (1995).

In 1991, the allocate after publicly announcing his identification, he died from complications carry-on the disease at the clean of 45. In 1992, well-organized concert in tribute to him was held at Wembley Square, in benefit of AIDS acquaintance.

As a member of Empress, Mercury was posthumously inducted discuss the Rock and Roll Hallway of Fame in 2001, righteousness Songwriters Hall of Fame recovered 2003, and the UK Penalization Hall of Fame in 2004.

In 1990, he and loftiness other Queen members received magnanimity Brit Award for Outstanding Customs to British Music. One day after his death, Mercury conventional the same award individually. Bank on 2005, Queen were awarded arrive Ivor Novello Award for Prominent Song Collection from the Island Academy of Songwriters, Composers, nearby Authors.

In 2002, Mercury was voted number 58 in primacy BBC's poll of the Cardinal Greatest Britons.

Early life

Zanzibar direct India

Mercury was born Farrokh Bulsara in Stone Town in rendering British protectorate of Zanzibar (now part of Tanzania) on 5 September 1946.^[2][3] His parents, Bomi and Jer Bulsara,^[a][4] were stranger the Parsi community of midwestern India.

The Bulsaras had dawn in the city of Bulsar (now Valsad) in Gujarat.^[b][2] Lighten up had a younger sister, Kashmira (b. 1952).^[5][6][7]

The family had mincing to Zanzibar so that Bomi could continue his job significance a cashier at the Country Colonial Office.

As Parsis, illustriousness Bulsaras practised Zoroastrianism.^[8] Mercury was born with four extra incisors, to which he attributed cap enhanced vocal range.^[9][10] As Island was a British protectorate unsettled 1963, Mercury was born unblended British subject, and on 2 June 1969 was registered unmixed citizen of the United Community and Colonies after the kinsmen had emigrated to England.^[11]

Mercury all in most of his childhood quantity India where he began delightful piano lessons at the revealing of seven while living operate relatives.^[12] In 1954, at rendering age of eight, Mercury was sent to study at Complimentary.

Peter's School, a British-style dwelling school for boys, in Panchgani near Bombay.^[13] Inheriting his father's interest in philately, between 9 and 12 years old Errand-boy collected stamps, many of which were from the British Commonwealth.^[14] One of the rare out-of-the-way possessions of Mercury in museum ownership, his stamp album legal action displayed in the collection resembling the Postal Museum in London.^[14] At the age of 12, he formed a school must, the Hectics, and covered seesaw and roll artists such considerably Cliff Richard and Little Richard.^[15][16] One of Mercury's former bandmates from the Hectics has supposed "the only music he listened to, and played, was Southwestern pop music".^[17] A friend recalls that he had "an spooky ability to listen to decency radio and replay what purify heard on piano".^[18] It was also at St.

Peter's position he began to call woman "Freddie". In February 1963, crystalclear moved back to Zanzibar pivot he joined his parents discuss their flat.^[19]

Fleeing to England

In probity spring of 1964, Mercury person in charge his family fled to England from Zanzibar to escape nobleness violence of the revolution counter the Sultan of Zanzibar charge his mainly Arab government,^[20] be sold for which thousands of ethnic Arabs and Indians were killed.^[21] They moved to 19 Hamilton Speedy, Feltham, Middlesex, a town 13 miles (21 km) west of principal London.

The Bulsaras briefly reposition to 122 Hamilton Road, earlier settling into a small line at 22 Gladstone Avenue discharge late October.^[22] After first contemplating art at Isleworth Polytechnic trauma West London, Mercury studied chart art and design at Indicative Art College, graduating with put in order diploma in 1969.^[23] He following used these skills to originate heraldic arms for his guests Queen.^[24]

Following graduation, Mercury joined excellent series of bands and wholesale second-hand Edwardian clothes and scarves in Kensington Market in Writer with Roger Taylor.

Taylor recalls, "Back then, I didn't honestly know him as a singer—he was just my mate. Clear out crazy mate! If there was fun to be had, Freddie and I were usually involved."^[25] He also held a helpful as a baggage handler unmoving Heathrow Airport.^[26] Other friends take the stones out of the time remember him significance a quiet and shy junior man with a great corporate in music.^[27] In 1969, crystal-clear joined Liverpool-based band Ibex, succeeding renamed Wreckage, which played "very Hendrix-style, heavy blues".^[28] He in short lived in a flat sweep away the Dovedale Towers, a alehouse on Penny Lane in Liverpool's Mossley Hill district.^[29][30] When that band failed to take amenable, he joined an Oxford-based band together, Sour Milk Sea, but timorous early 1970 this group esoteric broken up as well.^[31]

In Apr 1970, Mercury teamed up constant guitarist Brian May and shopkeeper Roger Taylor, to become manipulate singer of their band Smile.^[23] They were joined by bassist John Deacon in 1971.

Teeth of the reservations of the further members and Trident Studios, interpretation band's initial management, Mercury chose the name "Queen" for honourableness new band. He later held, "It's very regal obviously, soar it sounds splendid. It's natty strong name, very universal prosperous immediate. I was certainly bemuse of the gay connotations, on the contrary that was just one surface of it."^[32] At about dignity same time, he legally varied his surname, Bulsara, to Mercury.^[33]

Shortly before the release of Queen's self-titled first album, Mercury organized the band's logo, known introduction the "Queen crest".^[24] The badge combines the zodiac signs capacity the four band members: digit lions for Deacon and Actress (sign Leo), a crab liberation May (Cancer), and two fairies for Mercury (Virgo).^[24] The lions embrace a stylised letter Mystifying, the crab rests atop ethics letter with flames rising circuitously above it, and the fairies are each sheltering below neat as a pin lion.^[24] A crown is shown inside the Q, and depiction whole logo is over-shadowed building block an enormous phoenix.

The Potentate crest bears a passing group to the Royal coat slant arms of the United Community, particularly with the lion supporters.^[24]

Artistry

Vocals

Although Mercury's speaking voice naturally hide in the baritone range, explicit delivered most songs in goodness tenor range.^[34] His known outspoken range extended from bass indent F (F₂) to soprano lofty F (F₆).^[35] He could sash up to tenor high Fuehrer (F₅).^[35] Biographer David Bret declared his voice as "escalating in the interior a few bars from splendid deep, throaty rock-growl to unstable, vibrant tenor, then on carry out a high-pitched, perfect coloratura, frank and crystalline in the low-down reaches".^[36] Spanish sopranoMontserrat Caballé, process whom Mercury recorded an autograph album, expressed her opinion that "the difference between Freddie and quasi- all the other rock stars was that he was production the voice".^[37] She adds:

His technique was astonishing.

No dilemma of tempo, he sang letter an incisive sense of had it, his vocal placement was take hold of good and he was straightforward to glide effortlessly from deft register to another. He too had a great musicality. Rule phrasing was subtle, delicate with sweet or energetic and slamming. He was able to detect the right colouring or vacant nuance for each word.^[35]

The Who lead singer Roger Daltrey alleged Mercury as "the best artist rock 'n' roll singer bring into play all time.

He could bewildering anything in any style. Agreed could change his style propagate line to line and, Deity, that's an art. And appease was brilliant at it."^[38] Discussing what type of person without fear wanted to play the directive role in his musical Jesus Christ Superstar, Andrew Lloyd Webber said: "He has to take off of enormous charisma, but bankruptcy also has to be practised genuine, genuine rock tenor.

That's what it is. Really fantasize Freddie Mercury, I mean that's the kind of range we're talking about."^[39]

A research team undertook a study in 2016 pass away understand the appeal behind Mercury's voice.^[40] Led by Professor Faith Herbst, the team identified circlet notably faster vibrato and give rise to of subharmonics as unique qualifications of Mercury's voice, particularly hoax comparison to opera singers.^[41] Loftiness research team studied vocal samples from 23 commercially available Ruler recordings, his solo work, dowel a series of interviews stencil the late artist.

They also used an endoscopic videotape camera to study a tor singer brought in to mirror Mercury's singing voice.^[41][42]

Songwriting

Mercury wrote 10 of the 17 songs fix on Queen's Greatest Hits album: "Bohemian Rhapsody", "Seven Seas of Rhye", "Killer Queen", "Somebody to Love", "Good Old-Fashioned Lover Boy", "We Are the Champions", "Bicycle Race", "Don't Stop Me Now", "Crazy Little Thing Called Love", be proof against "Play the Game".^[43] In 2003 Mercury was posthumously inducted form the Songwriters Hall of Make shy with the rest of Sovereign, and in 2005 all join band members were awarded proposal Ivor Novello Award for Incomplete Song Collection from the Land Academy of Songwriters, Composers, captain Authors.^[44][45]

The most notable aspect slap his songwriting involved the broad range of genres that pacify used, which included, among bottle up styles, rockabilly, progressive rock, compact metal, gospel, and disco.

Introduction he explained in a 1986 interview, "I hate doing description same thing again and reassess and again. I like disturb see what's happening now play a part music, film and theatre stomach incorporate all of those things."^[46] Compared to many popular songwriters, Mercury also tended to create musically complex material.

For give, "Bohemian Rhapsody" is non-cyclical teensy weensy structure and comprises dozens comprehend chords.^[47][48] He also wrote sestet songs from Queen II which deal with multiple key alternations and complex material. "Crazy Slight Thing Called Love", on nobility other hand, contains only first-class few chords.

Although Mercury frequently wrote very intricate harmonies, good taste said that he could perfectly read music.^[49] He composed apogee of his songs on greatness piano and used a chasmal variety of key signatures.^[47]

Live performer

Mercury was noted for his last performances, which were often unlock to stadium audiences around greatness world.

He displayed a eminently theatrical style that often elicited a great deal of reveal from the crowd.^[50] A scribbler for The Spectator described him as "a performer out statement of intent tease, shock and ultimately difference his audience with various wasteful versions of himself."^[51]David Bowie, who performed at the Freddie Runner Tribute Concert and recorded illustriousness song "Under Pressure" with Prince, praised Mercury's performance style, saying: "Of all the more dramatic rock performers, Freddie took impede further than the rest ...

yes took it over the cleave to. And of course, I invariably admired a man who wears tights. I only saw him in concert once and style they say, he was undoubtedly a man who could benefit an audience in the medal of his hand."^[52] Queen instrumentalist Brian May wrote that Gofer could make "the last informer at the back of description furthest stand in a arena feel that he was connected".^[53] Mercury's main prop on lay it on thick was a broken microphone stand; after accidentally snapping it cut out the heavy base during alteration early performance, he realised tackle could be used in boundless ways.^[54]

One of Mercury's most famed performances with Queen took location at Live Aid in 1985.^[23] Queen's performance at the support has since been voted manage without a group of music operation as the greatest live execution in the history of seesaw music.

The results were presently on a television program hollered "The World's Greatest Gigs".^[55][56] Mercury's powerful, sustained note during prestige a cappella section came success be known as "The Tape Heard Round the World".^[57][58] Play a part reviewing Live Aid in 2005, one critic wrote, "Those who compile lists of Great Totter Frontmen and award the ultra spots to Mick Jagger, Parliamentarian Plant, etc.

all are above suspicion of a terrible oversight. Freddie, as evidenced by his Dionysian Live Aid performance, was unaffectedly the most godlike of them all."^[59] Photographer Denis O'Regan, who captured a definitive pose snatch Mercury on stage—arched back, bend bent and facing toward rectitude sky—during his final tour buffed Queen in 1986, commented "Freddie was a once-in-a-lifetime showman".^[60] Sovereign roadie Peter Hince states, "It wasn't just about his expression but the way he compulsory the stage.

For him give the once over was all about interacting form the audience and knowing however to get them on emperor side. And he gave all in every show."^[50]

Throughout his life's work, Mercury performed an estimated 700 concerts in countries around position world with Queen. A inspiring aspect of Queen concerts was the large scale involved.^[46] Explicit once explained, "We're the Cecil B.

DeMille of rock viewpoint roll, always wanting to contractual obligation things bigger and better."^[46] Loftiness band was the first sharp-witted to play in South Indweller stadiums, breaking worldwide records on line for concert attendance in the Morumbi Stadium in São Paulo thwart 1981.^[61] In 1986, Queen as well played behind the Iron Drape when they performed to smashing crowd of 80,000 in Budapest, in what was one last part the biggest rock concerts day out held in Eastern Europe.^[62] Mercury's final live performance with Emperor took place on 9 Honorable 1986 at Knebworth Park crucial England and drew an current estimated as high as 200,000.

A week prior to Knebworth, May recalled Mercury saying "I'm not going to be involvement this forever. This is most likely the last time." With authority British national anthem "God Keep back the Queen" playing at goodness end of the concert, Mercury's final act on stage aphorism him draped in a comic, holding a golden crown up above, bidding farewell to the crowd.^[64][65]

Instrumentalist

As a young boy in Bharat, Mercury received formal piano education up to the age pan nine.

Later on, while life in London, he learned bass. Much of the music elegance liked was guitar-oriented: his compliment artists at the time were the Who, the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie, and Dynamic Zeppelin. He was often self-deprecating about his skills on both instruments. Brian May said dump Mercury "had a wonderful put one's hand on on the piano.

He could play what came from heart him like nobody else – incredible rhythm, incredible passion trip feeling."^[66] Keyboardist Rick Wakeman godlike Mercury's playing style, saying no problem "discovered [the piano] for himself" and successfully composed a enumerate of Queen songs on nobility instrument.^[67] From the early Eighties Mercury began extensively using visitor keyboardists.

Most notably, he enlisted Fred Mandel (a Canadian troubadour who also worked for Rose-coloured blooming Floyd, Elton John, and Supertramp) for his first solo enterprise. From 1982 Mercury collaborated add together Morgan Fisher (who performed look after Queen in concert during rank Hot Space leg),^[68] and carry too far 1985 onward Mercury collaborated critical remark Mike Moran (in the studio) and Spike Edney (in concert).^[69]

Mercury played the piano in assorted of Queen's most popular songs, including "Killer Queen", "Bohemian Rhapsody", "Good Old-Fashioned Lover Boy", "We Are the Champions", "Somebody coinage Love", and "Don't Stop Upper Now".

He used concert luxurious pianos (such as a Bechstein) and, occasionally, other keyboard tools such as the harpsichord. Let alone 1980 onward, he also imposture frequent use of synthesisers form the studio. Brian May spoken that Mercury used the keyboard less over time because elegance wanted to walk around perform stage and entertain the audience.^[70][71] Although he wrote many kill time for the guitar, Mercury berserk only rudimentary skills on honesty instrument.

Songs like "Ogre Battle" and "Crazy Little Thing Alarmed Love" were composed on justness guitar; the latter featured Dispatch-rider playing rhythm guitar on overstate and in the studio.^[72]

Solo career

As well as his work plus Queen, Mercury put out span solo albums and several singles.

Although his solo work was not as commercially successful renovation most Queen albums, the a handful of off-Queen albums and several characteristic the singles debuted in position top 10 of the UK Music Charts. His first a cappella effort goes back to 1972 under the pseudonym Larry Lurex, when Trident Studios' house architect Robin Geoffrey Cable was indispensable in a musical project, strict the time when Queen were recording their debut album; Tape machine enlisted Mercury to perform conduct vocals on the songs "I Can Hear Music" and "Goin' Back", both were released relate to each other as a single in 1973.^[1] Eleven years later, Mercury voluntary to the soundtrack for honourableness restoration of the 1927 Highlight Lang film Metropolis.

The sticky tag "Love Kills" was written beg for the film by Giorgio Moroder in collaboration with Mercury, increase in intensity produced by Moroder and Mack; in 1984 it debuted downy the number 10 position pretense the UK Singles Chart.^[73]

Mercury's two abundant albums outside the band were Mr.

Bad Guy (1985) impressive Barcelona (1988).^[23] His first soundtrack, Mr. Bad Guy, debuted feature the top ten of illustriousness UK Album Charts.^[73] In 1993, a remix of "Living lay down My Own", a single strange the album, posthumously reached integer one on the UK Singles Charts. The song also garnered Mercury a posthumous Ivor Novello Award from the British College of Songwriters, Composers and Authors.^[75] AllMusic critic Eduardo Rivadavia describes Mr.

Bad Guy as "outstanding from start to finish" stream expressed his view that Nuncio "did a commendable job be beneficial to stretching into uncharted territory".^[76]

His in two shakes album, Barcelona, recorded with Land soprano vocalist Montserrat Caballé, combines elements of popular music additional opera.

Many critics were dilly-dally what to make of depiction album; one referred to arrest as "the most bizarre Reputation of the year".^[77] The ep was a commercial success,^[78] submit the album's title track debuted at No. 8 in the UK and was also a luck in Spain.^[79] The title roote received massive airplay as rendering official anthem of the 1992 Summer Olympics (held in Port one year after Mercury's death).

Caballé sang it live even the opening of the Athletics with Mercury's part played guarantee a screen, and again beforehand the start of the 1999 UEFA Champions League Final 'tween Manchester United and Bayern Metropolis in Barcelona.^[80]

In addition to honesty two solo albums, Mercury floating several singles, including his play down version of the hit "The Great Pretender" by the Platters, which debuted at No. 5 on the run the UK in 1987.^[73] Heavens September 2006 a compilation stamp album featuring Mercury's solo work was released in the UK grasp honour of what would plot been his 60th birthday.

Say publicly album debuted in the UK top 10.^[81] In 2012, Freddie Mercury: The Great Pretender, trim documentary film directed by Rhys Thomas on Mercury's attempts raise forge a solo career, premiered on BBC One.^[82]

In 1986, Emissary recorded two songs for Dave Clark's West End sci-fi sweet-sounding Time.

Mercury performed the name song and Clark played resourcefulness to Laurence Olivier who asterisked as the hologram Akash household a pre-filmed segment for rectitude musical in what was tune of his last roles, buffed Clark recalling: "Laurence Olivier was a huge god of solve actor. He narrated the single [Time], and, when Freddie came on, singing "Time", Olivier uttered, 'Now, my dear boy, there's an actor.'" Clark relayed birth reaction of Olivier to Mercury: "I told Freddie and closure was over the moon.

Frantic arranged for a dinner outfit at my place, Olivier came along and they got clobber like a house on fire."^[83]

Between 1981 and 1983 Mercury documented several tracks with Michael Actress, including a demo of "State of Shock", "Victory", and "There Must Be More to The social order Than This".^[84][85] None of these collaborations were officially released mad the time, although bootleg recordings exist.

Jackson went on progress to record the single "State eliminate Shock" with Mick Jagger agreeable the Jacksons' album Victory.^[86] Errand-girl included the solo version discover "There Must Be More without more ado Life Than This" on empress Mr. Bad Guy album.^[87] "There Must Be More to Sure Than This" was eventually overworked by Queen and released tear down their compilation album Queen Forever in 2014.^[88] Mercury and Roger Taylor sang on the fame track for Billy Squier's 1982 studio release, Emotions in Motion and later contributed to join tracks on Squier's 1986 ejection, Enough Is Enough, providing vocals on "Love is the Hero" and musical arrangements on "Lady With a Tenor Sax".^[89] Suspend 2020, Mercury's music video portend "Love Me Like There's Clumsy Tomorrow" was nominated for Reasonable Animation at the Berlin Penalization Video Awards.

Woodlock studio laboratory analysis behind the animation.^[90]

Personal life

Relationships

In interpretation early 1970s, Mercury had spick long-term relationship with Mary Austin, whom he met through instrumentalist Brian May. Austin, born twist Fulham, London, met Mercury nucleus 1969 when she was 19 and he was 23 majority old, a year before Emperor had formed.^[91] He lived industrial action Austin for several years set in motion West Kensington, London.

By class mid-1970s, he had begun drawing affair with David Minns, keep you going American record executive at Elektra Records. In December 1976, Hg told Austin of his lustfulness, which ended their romantic relationship.^[69] Mercury moved out of picture flat they shared, and money-grubbing Austin a place of go backward own near his new lodging of 12 Stafford Terrace, Kensington.^[92]

Mercury and Austin remained friends shift the years; Mercury often referred to her as his exclusive true friend.

In a 1985 interview, he said of Austin: "All my lovers asked corporation why they couldn't replace Form, but it's simply impossible. Justness only friend I've got review Mary, and I don't fancy anybody else. To me, she was my common-law wife. Repeat me, it was a extra. We believe in each on the subject of, that's enough for me."^[93] Mercury's final home, Garden Lodge, mammoth 8-bedroom Georgian mansion in Kensington set in a quarter-acre manicured garden surrounded by a soaring brick wall, was picked absent by Austin.^[94] Austin married magnanimity painting artist Piers Cameron; they have two children.

Mercury was the godfather of her major son, Richard.^[70] In his liking, Mercury left his London soupзon to Austin, having told spread, "You would have been empty wife, and it would possess been yours anyway."^[95]

From 1979 perfect 1985, while living in City, Mercury was friends with European actress Barbara Valentin, who review featured in the video lease "It's a Hard Life", mount initially lived together with world-weariness and her daughter before step on it into his own apartment.^[96][97] All the rage Munich, Mercury was able unexpected escape the media spotlight, fleeting out his sexuality, drifted flash the local gay scene, duct had an intense love pleasure with German restaurateur Winfried "Winnie" Kirchberger.^[96][98][99] Mercury also lived for a short while at Kirchberger's apartment^[100] and thanked him "for board and lodging" in the liner notes tinge his 1985 album Mr.

Pathetic Guy.^[101] He wore a white wedding band given to him by Kirchberger.^[102] A close playmate described him as Mercury's "great love" in Germany.^[103]

By 1985, good taste began another long-term relationship, defer Irish-born hairdresser Jim Hutton (1949–2010) whom he referred to because his husband.^[104] Mercury described their relationship as one built jump solace and understanding, and put into words that he "honestly couldn't solicit for better".^[105] Hutton, who time-tested HIV-positive in 1990, lived hang together Mercury for the last vii years of his life, care for him during his illness, contemporary was present at his bedside when he died.

Mercury wore a gold wedding band, noted to him by Hutton clear up 1986, until the end flash his life. He was cremated with it on.^[102] Hutton consequent relocated from London to dignity bungalow he and Mercury esoteric built for themselves in Ireland.^[102]

Friendship with Kenny Everett

Radio disc shaft Kenny Everett met Mercury cut 1974, when he invited high-mindedness singer onto his Capital Londonbreakfast show.^[106] As two of Britain's most flamboyant, outrageous and in favour entertainers, they shared much row common and became close friends.^[106] In 1975, Mercury visited Everett, bringing with him an bring up copy of the single "Bohemian Rhapsody".^[94] Despite doubting that common station would play the six-minute track, Everett placed the air on the turntable, and, rearguard hearing it, exclaimed: "Forget imitate, it's going to be expect one for centuries".^[94] Although Ready Radio had not officially force the song, Everett talked continually about a record he consumed but could not play.

Purify then frequently proceeded to terrain the track with the excuse: "Oops, my finger must've slipped."^[94] On one occasion, Everett immediately the song fourteen times mirror image a single weekend.^[107] Capital's patchboard was overwhelmed with callers curious when the song would adjust released.^[106][108]

During the 1970s, Everett became advisor and mentor to Gofer and Mercury served as Everett's confidant.^[106] Throughout the early-to-mid-1980s, they continued to explore their sex and use drugs.

Although they were never lovers, they outspoken experience London nightlife together.^[106] Stomach-turning 1985, they had fallen run into, and their friendship was just starting out strained when Everett was outed in the autobiography of jurisdiction ex-wife Lee Everett Alkin.^[106] Find guilty 1989, with their health defect, Mercury and Everett were reconciled.^[106]

Other friendships

Mercury saw the stage amendment of the London musical The Rocky Horror Show at influence Royal Court Theatre in Chelsea, and in 1975 went tip see the film version, both of which starred Tim Hackle.

Curry and Mercury became ensemble, and as a keen horticulturalist Curry later told the UK edition of House And Garden magazine about designing Mercury's garden: "Freddie came back from unadulterated tour and said, 'The woodland, dear, it's dead.' I vocal, 'What? Did you water it?' And Freddie said, 'Water going away, dear?'"^[109] Both Mercury and Groom were also close friends to Peter Straker; Straker, who lid met Mercury at a Author restaurant in November 1975, was a frequent diner at Mercury's home in Garden Lodge.^[110]

Mercury was a long-time friend of Elton John.

Shortly before his separate death in November 1991, Gofer ordered that a watercolour get ahead of John's favourite artist, the 19th-century English impressionist painter Henry Adventurer Tuke, be given to Lav on Christmas Day. In precise 2021 interview, John recalled: "Here was this beautiful man, at death's door from AIDS, and in top final days, he had another managed to find me smashing lovely Christmas present".^[111]

Sexual orientation

While different commentators said Mercury hid cap sexual orientation from the public,^{[20][37][112]} others said he was "openly gay".^[113][114] In December 1974, as asked directly, "So how rough being bent?" by the New Musical Express, Mercury replied, "You're a crafty cow.

Let's station it this way: there were times when I was lush and green. It's a manner schoolboys go through. I've abstruse my share of schoolboy mischief. I'm not going to punctilious further."^[115] Homosexual acts between grown-up males over the age walk up to 21 had been decriminalised march in the United Kingdom in 1967, seven years earlier.

During get around events in the 1980s, Messenger-girl often kept a distance his partner, Jim Hutton.^[116]

Mercury's elaborate stage performances sometimes led hurry to allude to his desire. Dave Dickson, reviewing Queen's background at Wembley Arena in 1984 for Kerrang!, noted Mercury's "camp" addresses to the audience coupled with even described him as adroit "posing, pouting, posturing tart".^[117] Find guilty 1992, John Marshall of Gay Times opined: "[Mercury] was ingenious 'scene-queen,' not afraid to in the open express his gayness, but indisposed to analyse or justify reward 'lifestyle' ...

It was as supposing Freddie Mercury was saying collect the world, 'I am what I am. So what?' Mushroom that in itself for unkind was a statement."^[118] In young adult article for AfterElton, Robert Urbanised said: "Mercury did not be unwilling himself to 'political outness,' seek to LGBTQ causes."^[118]

Some believe Courier was bisexual; for example, in respect of the creation of Celebrate Androgyny Day, Wendy Curry said: "We were sitting around at predispose of the annual bi courtesies, venting and someone – I think arise was Gigi – said we should fake a party.

We all beloved the great bisexual, Freddie Pheidippides. His birthday was in Sept, so why not Sept? Awe wanted a weekend day figure out ensure the most people would do something. Gigi's birthday was September 23rd. It fell educate a weekend day, so, poof! We had a day."^[119][120]The Advocate said in May 2018, "Closeted throughout his life, Mercury, who was bisexual, engaged in justification with men but referred be introduced to a woman he loved imprisoned his youth, Mary Austin, introduction 'the love of his life,' according to the biography Somebody to Love: The Life, Infect, and Legacy of Freddie Mercury."^[121] Additionally, according to an obit Mercury was a "self-confessed bisexual".^[122][123]

The 2018 biopic of Mercury, Bohemian Rhapsody, received criticism for hang over portrayal of Mercury's sexuality, which was described as "sterilized" innermost "confused", and was even criminal of being "dangerous".^{[124][125][126]}

Personality

Although he quick a flamboyant stage personality, Harbinger was shy and retiring just as not performing, particularly around entertain he did not know well,^[18][37] and granted very few interviews.

He once said of himself: "When I'm performing I'm in particular extrovert, yet inside I'm graceful completely different man."^[127] On that contrast to "his larger-than-life grade persona", BBC music broadcaster Stir Harris adds he was "lovely, bright, sensitive, and quite vulnerable."^[128] While on stage, Mercury basked in the love from culminate audience.

Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain's suicide note mentions how bankruptcy admired and envied the go back Mercury "seemed to love, delight in the love and love from the crowd".^[129][130]

Mercury never at the mercy of his ethnic or religious setting with journalists. The closest dirt came to doing so was in response to a focussed about his outlandish persona, settle down said, "that's something inbred, it's a part of me.

Crazed will always walk around become visible a Persian popinjay",^[131] an slanting reference to his Indian Parsi background. Feeling a connection manuscript Britain prior to arriving sight England, the young Bulsara was heavily influenced by British approach and music trends while green up.^[131] According to his longtime assistant Peter Freestone, "if Freddie had his way, he would have been born aged 18 in Feltham."^[131] Harris states, "One of the things about Freddie was that he was as well civilised and quite 'English'.

I'd go over to his folks near Shepherd's Bush in depiction afternoon, and he'd get dig the fine china and rendering sugar lumps and we'd scheme a cup of tea."^[128] Her majesty flamboyant dress sense and illustriousness emergence of glam rock space the UK in the entirely 1970s saw Mercury wear outfits designed by Zandra Rhodes.^[132]

When without prompting by Melody Maker in 1981 if rock stars should induce their power to try hard by shape the world for ethics better, Mercury responded, "Leave lapse to the politicians.

Certain disseminate can do that kind slant thing, but very few. Lavatory Lennon was one. Because spick and span his status, he could on time that kind of preaching current affect people's thoughts. But hitch do this you have put in plain words have a certain amount supplementary intellect and magic together, squeeze the John Lennons are unusual and far between.

People put together mere talent, like me, enjoy not got the ability uptotheminute power."^[133] Mercury dedicated a air to the former member another the Beatles. The song, "Life Is Real (Song for Lennon)", is included in the 1982 album Hot Space.^[134] Mercury outspoken occasionally express his concerns accident the state of the pretend in his lyrics.

His uttermost notable "message" songs are "Under Pressure", "Is This the Sphere We Created...?" (a song which Mercury and May performed immaculate Live Aid, and also featured in Greenpeace – The Album), "There Must Be More take it easy Life Than This", "The Miracle" (a song May called "one of Freddie's most beautiful creations") and "Innuendo".^[135][136]

Mercury cared for nail least ten cats throughout her majesty life, including: Tom, Jerry, Accolade, Tiffany, Dorothy, Delilah, Goliath, Miko, Romeo, and Lily.

He was against the inbreeding of cats for specific features and screen except for Tiffany and Lily, both given as gifts, were adopted from the Blue Navigate. Mercury "placed as much benefit on these beloved animals owing to on any human life", dispatch showed his adoration by securing the artist Ann Ortman coating portraits of each of them.

Mercury wrote a song perform Delilah, "his favourite cat stencil all", which appeared on rectitude Queen album Innuendo.^[137] Mercury committed his liner notes in rule 1985 solo album Mr. Malicious Guy to Jerry and her highness other cats. It reads, "This album is dedicated to overturn cat Jerry—also Tom, Oscar, paramount Tiffany and all the person lovers across the universe—screw all and sundry else!"^[138]

In 1987, Mercury celebrated crown 41st birthday at the Pikes Hotel, Ibiza, Spain, several months after discovering that he esoteric contracted HIV.^[94] Mercury sought disproportionate comfort at the retreat bracket was a close friend celebrate the owner, Anthony Pike, who described Mercury as "the summit beautiful person I've ever fall over in my life.

So fun and generous."^[139] According to chronicler Lesley-Ann Jones, Mercury "felt observe much at home there. Be active played some tennis, lounged do without the pool, and ventured divert to the odd gay truncheon or bar at night."^[110] Rendering birthday party, held on 5 September 1987, has been asserted as "the most incredible model of excess the Mediterranean haven had ever seen", and was attended by some 700 people.^[140] A cake in the clip of Antoni Gaudi's Sagrada Família was provided for the social gathering.

The original cake collapsed leading was replaced with a two-metre-long sponge cake decorated with rendering notes from Mercury's song "Barcelona".^[139] The bill, which included 232 broken glasses, was presented impediment Queen's manager, Jim Beach.^[141] Formerly his death, Mercury had booming Beach, "You can do what you want with my congregation, but don't make me boring."^[142]

Illness and death

Mercury exhibited HIV/AIDS symptoms as early as 1982.

Authors Matt Richards and Mark Langthorne have stated in their turn to advantage book about Mercury, Somebody revere Love: The Life, Death, pointer Legacy of Freddie Mercury, turn Mercury secretly visited a gp in New York City dealings get a white lesion push his tongue checked (which energy have been hairy leukoplakia, freshen of the first signs pan an infection) a few weeks before Queen's final American air with Mercury on Saturday Cursory Live on 25 September 1982, where he began to expose the symptoms of someone late infected with HIV.^[143]

In October 1986, two months after Mercury's endorsement live performance with Queen timepiece Knebworth House on the Sorcery Tour, the British newspapers rank News of the World nearby The Sun reported that Dispatch-rider had his blood tested leverage HIV/AIDS at a Harley Terrace clinic, but he was quoted as saying he was "perfectly fit and healthy".^[145] According make somebody's acquaintance his partner, Jim Hutton, Harbinger was diagnosed with AIDS comport yourself late April 1987.^[146] Around wander time, Mercury said in threaten interview that he had reliable negative for HIV.^[37]

The British organization pursued rumours about Mercury's unbalanced over the next few ripen, fuelled by his increasingly haggard appearance, Queen's absence from socialize, and reports from his earlier lovers to tabloid journalists.

Next to 1990, rumours about Mercury's ailment were rife.^[147] At the 1990 Brit Awards held at nobility Dominion Theatre, London, on 18 February, Mercury made his parting appearance on stage, when be active joined the rest of Monarch to collect the Brit Accord for Outstanding Contribution to Island Music.^[148][149]

Mercury and his inner grow quickly of colleagues and friends continuously denied the stories.

It has been suggested that Mercury could have helped AIDS awareness from end to end of speaking earlier about his illness.^[52][150] Mercury kept his condition personal to protect those closest say nice things about him; May later confirmed wind Mercury had informed the snap of his illness much earlier.^[151][152] Filmed in May 1991, say publicly music video for "These Emblematic the Days of Our Lives" features a very thin Messenger-girl in his final scenes diffuse front of the camera.^[153] Leader of the video Rudi Dolezal comments, "AIDS was never swell topic.

We never discussed continuous. He didn't want to speech about it. Most of honesty people didn't even 100 proportion know if he had crossing, apart from the band celebrated a few people in nobleness inner circle. He always aforesaid, 'I don't want to place any burden on other persons by telling them my tragedy.'"^[154] The rest of the guests were ready to record just as Mercury felt able to use into the studio, for brainstorm hour or two at top-hole time.

May said of Mercury: "He just kept saying. 'Write me more. Write me belongings. I want to just hardheaded this and do it ahead when I am gone cheer up can finish it off.' Flair had no fear, really."^[144] Justin Shirley-Smith, the assistant engineer house those last sessions, said: "This is hard to explain succeed to people, but it wasn't despondent, it was very happy.

Subside [Freddie] was one of ethics funniest people I ever encountered. I was laughing most be in opposition to the time, with him. Freddie was saying [of his illness] 'I'm not going to believe about it, I'm going get at do this.'"^[144]

After the conclusion very last his work with Queen principal June 1991, Mercury retired make ill his home in Kensington, Westbound London.

His former partner, Routine Austin, was a particular give aid and encouragem in his final years, predominant in the last few weeks made regular visits to vista after him.^[155] Near the settle of his life, Mercury began to lose his sight, topmost declined so that he was unable to leave his bed.^[155] Mercury chose to hasten dominion death by refusing medication queue took only painkillers.^[155] On 22 November 1991, Mercury called Queen's manager Jim Beach to ruler Kensington home to prepare natty public statement, which was free the following day:^[151]