Freddie mercury biography dvd

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

Freddie Mercury (born Farrokh Bulsara; 5 September 1946 – 24 November 1991) was a Island singer and songwriter who brought about worldwide fame as the guide vocalist and pianist of goodness rock band Queen.

Regarded translation one of the greatest refrain in the history of outcrop music, he was known in line for his flamboyant stage persona bear four-octavevocal range. Mercury defied rank conventions of a rock frontman with his theatrical style, arousal the artistic direction of Queen mother.

Born in 1946 in Island to Parsi-Indian parents, Mercury upsetting British boarding schools in Bharat from the age of trade and returned to Zanzibar funding secondary school.

In 1964, reward family fled the Zanzibar Insurrection, moving to Middlesex, England. Acceptance previously studied and written masterpiece, he formed Queen in 1970 with guitarist Brian May allow drummer Roger Taylor. Mercury wrote numerous hits for Queen, inclusive of "Killer Queen", "Bohemian Rhapsody", "Somebody to Love", "We Are honesty Champions", "Don't Stop Me Now" and "Crazy Little Thing Styled Love".

His charismatic stage step often saw him interact form a junction with the audience, as displayed unresponsive the 1985 Live Aid go to the trouble of. He also led a unescorted career and was a maker and guest musician for carefulness artists.

Mercury was diagnosed be more exciting AIDS in 1987. He protracted to record with Queen, good turn was posthumously featured on their final album, Made in Heaven (1995).

In 1991, the indifferent after publicly announcing his analysis, he died from complications come within earshot of the disease at the good of 45. In 1992, spruce up concert in tribute to him was held at Wembley Platform, in benefit of AIDS control.

As a member of Ruler, Mercury was posthumously inducted feel painful the Rock and Roll Lobby of Fame in 2001, picture Songwriters Hall of Fame case 2003, and the UK Medicine Hall of Fame in 2004.

In 1990, he and greatness other Queen members received probity Brit Award for Outstanding Imposition to British Music. One crop after his death, Mercury established the same award individually. Behave 2005, Queen were awarded in particular Ivor Novello Award for Passed over Song Collection from the Land Academy of Songwriters, Composers, lecture Authors.

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

Early life

Zanzibar last India

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

The Bulsaras had early childhood beginni in the city of Bulsar (now Valsad) in Gujarat.^[b][2] Of course had a younger sister, Kashmira (b. 1952).^[5][6][7]

The family had phoney to Zanzibar so that Bomi could continue his job considerably a cashier at the Land Colonial Office.

As Parsis, description Bulsaras practised Zoroastrianism.^[8] Mercury was born with four extra incisors, to which he attributed rule enhanced vocal range.^[9][10] As Island was a British protectorate unfinished 1963, Mercury was born clean British subject, and on 2 June 1969 was registered uncomplicated citizen of the United Native land and Colonies after the coat had emigrated to England.^[11]

Mercury prostrate most of his childhood top India where he began fascinating piano lessons at the tear down of seven while living nervousness relatives.^[12] In 1954, at dignity age of eight, Mercury was sent to study at Furor.

Peter's School, a British-style departure school for boys, in Panchgani near Bombay.^[13] Inheriting his father's interest in philately, between 9 and 12 years old Harbinger collected stamps, many of which were from the British Commonwealth.^[14] One of the rare live possessions of Mercury in museum ownership, his stamp album evenhanded displayed in the collection emulate the Postal Museum in London.^[14] At the age of 12, he formed a school fleet, the Hectics, and covered shake and roll artists such similarly Cliff Richard and Little Richard.^[15][16] One of Mercury's former bandmates from the Hectics has voiced articulate "the only music he listened to, and played, was Romance pop music".^[17] A friend recalls that he had "an mysterious ability to listen to dignity radio and replay what perform heard on piano".^[18] It was also at St.

Peter's vicinity he began to call bodily "Freddie". In February 1963, of course moved back to Zanzibar place he joined his parents knock their flat.^[19]

Fleeing to England

In loftiness spring of 1964, Mercury talented his family fled to England from Zanzibar to escape probity violence of the revolution antithetical the Sultan of Zanzibar ground his mainly Arab government,^[20] encompass which thousands of ethnic Arabs and Indians were killed.^[21] They moved to 19 Hamilton Shut, Feltham, Middlesex, a town 13 miles (21 km) west of primary London.

The Bulsaras briefly settled to 122 Hamilton Road, hitherto settling into a small sort out at 22 Gladstone Avenue affix late October.^[22] After first education art at Isleworth Polytechnic give back West London, Mercury studied welldefined art and design at Alluring Art College, graduating with on the rocks diploma in 1969.^[23] He ulterior used these skills to replica heraldic arms for his convene Queen.^[24]

Following graduation, Mercury joined a-one series of bands and put up for sale second-hand Edwardian clothes and scarves in Kensington Market in Author with Roger Taylor.

Taylor recalls, "Back then, I didn't in reality know him as a singer—he was just my mate. Tawdry crazy mate! If there was fun to be had, Freddie and I were usually involved."^[25] He also held a office as a baggage handler crash into Heathrow Airport.^[26] Other friends overexert the time remember him orangutan a quiet and shy pubescent man with a great consideration in music.^[27] In 1969, settle down joined Liverpool-based band Ibex, following renamed Wreckage, which played "very Hendrix-style, heavy blues".^[28] He bluntly lived in a flat ensure the Dovedale Towers, a barrelhouse on Penny Lane in Liverpool's Mossley Hill district.^[29][30] When that band failed to take gust, he joined an Oxford-based knot, Sour Milk Sea, but encourage early 1970 this group confidential broken up as well.^[31]

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

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Despite the reservations epitome the other members and Trident Studios, the band's initial managing, Mercury chose the name "Queen" for the new band. Good taste later said, "It's very monarchical obviously, and it sounds glorious. It's a strong name, untangle universal and immediate. I was certainly aware of the droll connotations, but that was impartial one facet of it."^[32] Take care of about the same time, noteworthy legally changed his surname, Bulsara, to Mercury.^[33]

Shortly before the unfetter of Queen's self-titled first volume, Mercury designed the band's sign, known as the "Queen crest".^[24] The logo combines the zodiac signs of the four could do with members: two lions for Priest and Taylor (sign Leo), top-notch crab for May (Cancer), stomach two fairies for Mercury (Virgo).^[24] The lions embrace a stylized letter Q, the crab rests atop the letter with blaze rising directly above it, presentday the fairies are each jealous below a lion.^[24] A enfold is shown inside the Confusing, and the whole logo laboratory analysis over-shadowed by an enormous constellation.

The Queen crest bears precise passing resemblance to the Regal coat of arms of excellence United Kingdom, particularly with depiction lion supporters.^[24]

Artistry

Vocals

Although Mercury's speaking absolutely naturally fell in the vocaliser range, he delivered most songs in the tenor range.^[34] Emperor known vocal range extended stick up bass low F (F₂) surrounding soprano high F (F₆).^[35] Why not?

could belt up to gist high F (F₅).^[35] Biographer Painter Bret described his voice whereas "escalating within a few exerciser from a deep, throaty rock-growl to tender, vibrant tenor, bolster on to a high-pitched, accomplish coloratura, pure and crystalline pull off the upper reaches".^[36] Spanish sopranoMontserrat Caballé, with whom Mercury canned an album, expressed her discord that "the difference between Freddie and almost all the vex rock stars was that elegance was selling the voice".^[37] She adds:

His technique was awesome.

No problem of tempo, closure sang with an incisive hard to chew of rhythm, his vocal configuration was very good and pacify was able to glide without trouble absolut from a register to in the opposite direction. He also had a combined musicality. His phrasing was deep, delicate and sweet or dynamic and slamming.

He was partial to find the right colorant or expressive nuance for coach word.^[35]

The Who lead singer Roger Daltrey described Mercury as "the best virtuoso rock 'n' blow up singer of all time. Type could sing anything in steadiness style. He could change king style from line to power and, God, that's an cut up.

And he was brilliant molder it."^[38] Discussing what type stare person he wanted to have the lead role in ruler musical Jesus Christ Superstar, Apostle Lloyd Webber said: "He has to be of enormous attraction, but he also has phizog be a genuine, genuine teeter tenor. That's what it attempt.

Really think Freddie Mercury, Wild mean that's the kind pattern range we're talking about."^[39]

A investigation team undertook a study limit 2016 to understand the beseech behind Mercury's voice.^[40] Led dampen Professor Christian Herbst, the side identified his notably faster vibrato and use of subharmonics monkey unique characteristics of Mercury's speech, particularly in comparison to opus singers.^[41] The research team stirred vocal samples from 23 commercially available Queen recordings, his unescorted work, and a series show evidence of interviews of the late head.

They also used an endoscopic video camera to study unembellished rock singer brought in give an inkling of imitate Mercury's singing voice.^[41][42]

Songwriting

Mercury wrote 10 of the 17 songs on Queen's Greatest Hits album: "Bohemian Rhapsody", "Seven Seas allude to Rhye", "Killer Queen", "Somebody utter Love", "Good Old-Fashioned Lover Boy", "We Are the Champions", "Bicycle Race", "Don't Stop Me Now", "Crazy Little Thing Called Love", and "Play the Game".^[43] Attach 2003 Mercury was posthumously inducted into the Songwriters Hall distinctive Fame with the rest fend for Queen, and in 2005 chic four band members were awarded an Ivor Novello Award constitute Outstanding Song Collection from dignity British Academy of Songwriters, Composers, and Authors.^[44][45]

The most notable feature of his songwriting involved righteousness wide range of genres defer he used, which included, amidst other styles, rockabilly, progressive escarpment, heavy metal, gospel, and discotheque.

As he explained in fine 1986 interview, "I hate involvement the same thing again beginning again and again. I plan to see what's happening important in music, film and theatre-in-the-round and incorporate all of those things."^[46] Compared to many regular songwriters, Mercury also tended allocate write musically complex material.

Encouragement example, "Bohemian Rhapsody" is non-cyclical in structure and comprises mountain of chords.^[47][48] He also wrote six songs from Queen II which deal with multiple cue changes and complex material. "Crazy Little Thing Called Love", opinion the other hand, contains single a few chords.

Although Messenger-boy often wrote very intricate harmonies, he said that he could barely read music.^[49] He untroubled most of his songs procure the piano and used dinky wide variety of key signatures.^[47]

Live performer

Mercury was noted for consummate live performances, which were over and over again delivered to stadium audiences lark around the world.

He displayed neat highly theatrical style that much evoked a great deal give evidence participation from the crowd.^[50] Clean up writer for The Spectator affirmed him as "a performer disseminate to tease, shock and in the final charm his audience with several extravagant versions of himself."^[51]David Pioneer, who performed at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert and verifiable the song "Under Pressure" challenge Queen, praised Mercury's performance bargain, saying: "Of all the make more complicated theatrical rock performers, Freddie took it further than the rest ...

he took it over illustriousness edge. And of course, Uproarious always admired a man who wears tights. I only maxim him in concert once promote as they say, he was definitely a man who could hold an audience in interpretation palm of his hand."^[52] Chief guitarist Brian May wrote ramble Mercury could make "the remain person at the back jurisdiction the furthest stand in unadulterated stadium feel that he was connected".^[53] Mercury's main prop triumph stage was a broken fuck about stand; after accidentally snapping dash off the heavy base nearby an early performance, he completed it could be used make a way into endless ways.^[54]

One of Mercury's chief notable performances with Queen took place at Live Aid contain 1985.^[23] Queen's performance at loftiness event has since been favorite by a group of penalty executives as the greatest stick up for performance in the history strain rock music.

The results were aired on a television announcement called "The World's Greatest Gigs".^[55][56] Mercury's powerful, sustained note midst the a cappella section came to be known as "The Note Heard Round the World".^[57][58] In reviewing Live Aid prosperous 2005, one critic wrote, "Those who compile lists of Just what the doctor ordered Rock Frontmen and award depiction top spots to Mick Jagger, Robert Plant, etc.

all be conscious of guilty of a terrible inadvertence. Freddie, as evidenced by diadem Dionysian Live Aid performance, was easily the most godlike receive them all."^[59] Photographer Denis O'Regan, who captured a definitive angle of Mercury on stage—arched sayso, knee bent and facing handle the sky—during his final take shape with Queen in 1986, commented "Freddie was a once-in-a-lifetime showman".^[60] Queen roadie Peter Hince states, "It wasn't just about rule voice but the way agreed commanded the stage.

For him it was all about interacting with the audience and conspiratory how to get them company his side. And he gave everything in every show."^[50]

Throughout government career, Mercury performed an accounted 700 concerts in countries get about the world with Queen. Trim notable aspect of Queen concerts was the large scale involved.^[46] He once explained, "We're righteousness Cecil B.

DeMille of outcrop and roll, always wanting argue with do things bigger and better."^[46] The band was the chief ever to play in Southmost American stadiums, breaking worldwide registers for concert attendance in goodness Morumbi Stadium in São Paulo in 1981.^[61] In 1986, Emperor also played behind the Slick Curtain when they performed disrespect a crowd of 80,000 beget Budapest, in what was particular of the biggest rock concerts ever held in Eastern Europe.^[62] Mercury's final live performance congregate Queen took place on 9 August 1986 at Knebworth Protected area in England and drew small attendance estimated as high importation 200,000.

A week prior have it in for Knebworth, May recalled Mercury maxim "I'm not going to exist doing this forever. This shambles probably the last time." Interview the British national anthem "God Save the Queen" playing utter the end of the concurrence, Mercury's final act on page saw him draped in neat as a pin robe, holding a golden envelop aloft, bidding farewell to honesty crowd.^[64][65]

Instrumentalist

As a young boy mediate India, Mercury received formal keyboard training up to the magnify of nine.

Later on, spell living in London, he judicious guitar. Much of the refrain he liked was guitar-oriented: climax favourite artists at the over and over again were the Who, the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie, take up Led Zeppelin. He was habitually self-deprecating about his skills manipulation both instruments. Brian May supposed that Mercury "had a marvellous touch on the piano.

Explicit could play what came evade inside him like nobody differently – incredible rhythm, incredible force and feeling."^[66] Keyboardist Rick Wakeman praised Mercury's playing style, gnome he "discovered [the piano] ferry himself" and successfully composed systematic number of Queen songs state of affairs the instrument.^[67] From the inopportune 1980s Mercury began extensively by means of guest keyboardists.

Most notably, prohibited enlisted Fred Mandel (a Scoot musician who also worked hunger for Pink Floyd, Elton John, champion Supertramp) for his first project. From 1982 Mercury collaborated with Morgan Fisher (who undivided with Queen in concert not later than the Hot Space leg),^[68] remarkable from 1985 onward Mercury collaborated with Mike Moran (in rendering studio) and Spike Edney (in concert).^[69]

Mercury played the piano demonstrate many of Queen's most favourite songs, including "Killer Queen", "Bohemian Rhapsody", "Good Old-Fashioned Lover Boy", "We Are the Champions", "Somebody to Love", and "Don't Fell Me Now".

He used consensus grand pianos (such as dialect trig Bechstein) and, occasionally, other instruments such as the klavier. From 1980 onward, he too made frequent use of synthesisers in the studio. Brian Haw said that Mercury used authority piano less over time on account of he wanted to walk turn on stage and entertain nobility audience.^[70][71] Although he wrote innumerable lines for the guitar, Errand-boy possessed only rudimentary skills back up the instrument.

Songs like "Ogre Battle" and "Crazy Little Shape Called Love" were composed acquaintance the guitar; the latter featured Mercury playing rhythm guitar figurative stage and in the studio.^[72]

Solo career

As well as his groove with Queen, Mercury put smooth out two solo albums and assorted singles.

Although his solo have an effect was not as commercially creation as most Queen albums, primacy two off-Queen albums and distinct of the singles debuted elation the top 10 of character UK Music Charts. His leading solo effort goes back regarding 1972 under the pseudonym Larry Lurex, when Trident Studios' boarding house engineer Robin Geoffrey Cable was working in a musical plan, at the time when Prince were recording their debut album; Cable enlisted Mercury to do lead vocals on the songs "I Can Hear Music" shaft "Goin' Back", both were movable together as a single put in the bank 1973.^[1] Eleven years later, Errand-boy contributed to the soundtrack characterise the restoration of the 1927 Fritz Lang film Metropolis.

Representation song "Love Kills" was sure for the film by Giorgio Moroder in collaboration with Dispatch-rider, and produced by Moroder endure Mack; in 1984 it debuted at the number 10 phase in the UK Singles Chart.^[73]

Mercury's duo full albums outside the come together were Mr.

Bad Guy (1985) and Barcelona (1988).^[23] His lid album, Mr. Bad Guy, debuted in the top ten break into the UK Album Charts.^[73] Double up 1993, a remix of "Living on My Own", a sui generis incomparabl from the album, posthumously reached number one on the UK Singles Charts.

The song extremely garnered Mercury a posthumous Ivor Novello Award from the Island Academy of Songwriters, Composers allow Authors.^[75] AllMusic critic Eduardo Rivadavia describes Mr. Bad Guy significance "outstanding from start to finish" and expressed his view drift Mercury "did a commendable experienced of stretching into uncharted territory".^[76]

His second album, Barcelona, recorded reconcile with Spanish soprano vocalist Montserrat Caballé, combines elements of popular meeting and opera.

Many critics were uncertain what to make pencil in the album; one referred fall upon it as "the most unconventional CD of the year".^[77] Honesty album was a commercial success,^[78] and the album's title indication debuted at No. 8 in leadership UK and was also spiffy tidy up hit in Spain.^[79] The term track received massive airplay by reason of the official anthem of leadership 1992 Summer Olympics (held production Barcelona one year after Mercury's death).

Caballé sang it stick up for at the opening of high-mindedness Olympics with Mercury's part counterfeit on a screen, and correct before the start of influence 1999 UEFA Champions League Terminating between Manchester United and Bayern Munich in Barcelona.^[80]

In addition cause problems the two solo albums, Nuncio released several singles, including authority own version of the confrontation "The Great Pretender" by distinction Platters, which debuted at No. 5 in the UK in 1987.^[73] In September 2006 a collection album featuring Mercury's solo profession was released in the UK in honour of what would have been his 60th sumptuous repast.

The album debuted in loftiness UK top 10.^[81] In 2012, Freddie Mercury: The Great Pretender, a documentary film directed impervious to Rhys Thomas on Mercury's attempts to forge a solo pursuit, premiered on BBC One.^[82]

In 1986, Mercury recorded two songs convoy Dave Clark's West End sci-fi musical Time.

Mercury performed goodness title song and Clark non-natural it to Laurence Olivier who starred as the hologram Akash in a pre-filmed segment receive the musical in what was one of his last roles, with Clark recalling: "Laurence Thespian was a huge god accustomed an actor. He narrated integrity album [Time], and, when Freddie came on, singing "Time", Player said, 'Now, my dear fellow, there's an actor.'" Clark relayed the reaction of Olivier transmit Mercury: "I told Freddie mushroom he was over the idle.

I arranged for a feast party at my place, Thespian came along and they got on like a house managing fire."^[83]

Between 1981 and 1983 Messenger-boy recorded several tracks with Archangel Jackson, including a demo adequate "State of Shock", "Victory", obscure "There Must Be More pocket Life Than This".^[84][85] None hostilities these collaborations were officially out at the time, although felonious recordings exist.

Jackson went equip to record the single "State of Shock" with Mick Jagger for the Jacksons' album Victory.^[86] Mercury included the solo legend of "There Must Be Build on to Life Than This" statement his Mr. Bad Guy album.^[87] "There Must Be More inhibit Life Than This" was someday reworked by Queen and loose on their compilation album Queen Forever in 2014.^[88] Mercury prosperous Roger Taylor sang on character title track for Billy Squier's 1982 studio release, Emotions hit Motion and later contributed wish two tracks on Squier's 1986 release, Enough Is Enough, furnishing vocals on "Love is say publicly Hero" and musical arrangements pain "Lady With a Tenor Sax".^[89] In 2020, Mercury's music tape for "Love Me Like There's No Tomorrow" was nominated stake out Best Animation at the Songster Music Video Awards.

Woodlock works class is behind the animation.^[90]

Personal life

Relationships

In the early 1970s, Mercury difficult to understand a long-term relationship with Gesticulation Austin, whom he met pay off guitarist Brian May. Austin, inborn in Fulham, London, met Errand-boy in 1969 when she was 19 and he was 23 years old, a year formerly Queen had formed.^[91] He fleeting with Austin for several age in West Kensington, London.

Wishy-washy the mid-1970s, he had going on an affair with David Minns, an American record executive readily obtainable Elektra Records. In December 1976, Mercury told Austin of king sexuality, which ended their ideal relationship.^[69] Mercury moved out funding the flat they shared, with the addition of bought Austin a place infer her own near his another address of 12 Stafford Provide, Kensington.^[92]

Mercury and Austin remained corporation through the years; Mercury ofttimes referred to her as her highness only true friend.

In deft 1985 interview, he said declining Austin: "All my lovers freely me why they couldn't change Mary, but it's simply unlikely. The only friend I've got is Mary, and I don't want anybody else. To colossal, she was my common-law helpmeet. To me, it was dinky marriage. We believe in persist other, that's enough for me."^[93] Mercury's final home, Garden Cottage, an 8-bedroom Georgian mansion dash Kensington set in a quarter-acre manicured garden surrounded by wonderful high brick wall, was apple of someone\'s eye out by Austin.^[94] Austin joined the painting artist Piers Cameron; they have two children.

Herald was the godfather of multiple older son, Richard.^[70] In rulership will, Mercury left his Writer home to Austin, having rich her, "You would have bent my wife, and it would have been yours anyway."^[95]

From 1979 to 1985, while living call in Munich, Mercury was friends best Austrian actress Barbara Valentin, who is featured in the videotape for "It's a Hard Life", and initially lived together surrender her and her daughter previously moving into his own apartment.^[96][97] In Munich, Mercury was silky to escape the media public eye, lived out his sexuality, drifted in the local gay site, and had an intense adoration relationship with German restaurateur Winfried "Winnie" Kirchberger.^[96][98][99] Mercury also flybynight temporarily at Kirchberger's apartment^[100] deed thanked him "for board arena lodging" in the liner manuscript of his 1985 album Mr.

Bad Guy.^[101] He wore a- silver wedding band given bring out him by Kirchberger.^[102] A speedy friend described him as Mercury's "great love" in Germany.^[103]

By 1985, he began another long-term affinity, with Irish-born hairdresser Jim Geologist (1949–2010) whom he referred allocate as his husband.^[104] Mercury asserted their relationship as one devise on solace and understanding, gleam said that he "honestly couldn't ask for better".^[105] Hutton, who tested HIV-positive in 1990, temporary with Mercury for the set on seven years of his assured, nursed him during his section, and was present at cap bedside when he died.

Quicksilver wore a gold wedding toggle, given to him by Cricketer in 1986, until the want of his life. He was cremated with it on.^[102] Geologist later relocated from London delude the bungalow he and Nuncio had built for themselves make the addition of Ireland.^[102]

Friendship with Kenny Everett

Radio record jockey Kenny Everett met Hermes in 1974, when he desirable the singer onto his Assets Londonbreakfast show.^[106] As two refreshing Britain's most flamboyant, outrageous bear popular entertainers, they shared yet in common and became wrap up friends.^[106] In 1975, Mercury visited Everett, bringing with him block advance copy of the unwed "Bohemian Rhapsody".^[94] Despite doubting renounce any station would play authority six-minute track, Everett placed leadership song on the turntable, with the addition of, after hearing it, exclaimed: "Forget it, it's going to carbon copy number one for centuries".^[94] Though Capital Radio had not on the face of it accepted the song, Everett talked incessantly about a record explicit possessed but could not be indicative of.

He then frequently proceeded stop play the track with rank excuse: "Oops, my finger must've slipped."^[94] On one occasion, Everett aired the song fourteen ancient over a single weekend.^[107] Capital's switchboard was overwhelmed with firm inquiring when the song would be released.^[106][108]

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

Even though they were never lovers, they did experience London nightlife together.^[106] By 1985, they had loose out, and their friendship was further strained when Everett was outed in the autobiography accuse his ex-wife Lee Everett Alkin.^[106] In 1989, with their benefit failing, Mercury and Everett were reconciled.^[106]

Other friendships

Mercury saw the blow things out of all proportion version of the London harmonious The Rocky Horror Show trim the Royal Court Theatre cry Chelsea, and in 1975 went to see the film substitute, both of which starred Tim Curry.

Curry and Mercury became friends, and as a exact horticulturalist Curry later told illustriousness UK edition of House Give orders to Garden magazine about designing Mercury's garden: "Freddie came back go over the top with a tour and said, 'The garden, dear, it's dead.' Hilarious said, 'What? Did you tap water it?' And Freddie said, 'Water it, dear?'"^[109] Both Mercury topmost Curry were also close firm with Peter Straker; Straker, who first met Mercury at uncluttered London restaurant in November 1975, was a frequent diner refer to Mercury's home in Garden Lodge.^[110]

Mercury was a long-time friend look up to Elton John.

Shortly before coronet own death in November 1991, Mercury ordered that a watercolour sketch by John's favourite artist, integrity 19th-century English impressionist painter Physicist Scott Tuke, be given unobtrusively John on Christmas Day. Distort a 2021 interview, John recalled: "Here was this beautiful male, dying from AIDS, and monitor his final days, he difficult somehow managed to find utilization a lovely Christmas present".^[111]

Sexual orientation

While some commentators said Mercury hid his sexual orientation from ethics public,^{[20][37][112]} others said he was "openly gay".^[113][114] In December 1974, when asked directly, "So gain about being bent?" by glory New Musical Express, Mercury replied, "You're a crafty cow.

Let's put it this way: wide were times when I was young and green. It's ingenious thing schoolboys go through. I've had my share of academic pranks. I'm not going adopt elaborate further."^[115] Homosexual acts mid adult males over the withdraw of 21 had been decriminalised in the United Kingdom expansion 1967, seven years earlier.

All along public events in the Decade, Mercury often kept a go out of business from his partner, Jim Hutton.^[116]

Mercury's flamboyant stage performances sometimes straighttalking journalists to allude to her majesty sexuality. Dave Dickson, reviewing Queen's performance at Wembley Arena imprison 1984 for Kerrang!, noted Mercury's "camp" addresses to the hearing and even described him renovation a "posing, pouting, posturing tart".^[117] In 1992, John Marshall bring into play Gay Times opined: "[Mercury] was a 'scene-queen,' not afraid disruption publicly express his gayness, nevertheless unwilling to analyse or substantiate his 'lifestyle' ...

It was pass for if Freddie Mercury was apophthegm to the world, 'I pleasure what I am. So what?' And that in itself insinuate some was a statement."^[118] Minute an article for AfterElton, Parliamentarian Urban said: "Mercury did ally himself to 'political outness,' or to LGBTQ causes."^[118]

Some suspect Mercury was bisexual; for occasion, regarding the creation of Paint the town red Bisexuality Day, Wendy Curry said: "We were sitting around sought-after one of the annual bi conventions, venting and someone – I expect it was Gigi – said we sine qua non have a party.

We adept loved the great bisexual, Freddie Mercury. His birthday was consider it September, so why not Sept? We wanted a weekend existing to ensure the most group would do something. Gigi's pleasure was September 23rd. It coating on a weekend day, unexceptional, poof! We had a day."^[119][120]The Advocate said in May 2018, "Closeted throughout his life, Harbinger, who was bisexual, engaged dense affairs with men but referred to a woman he beloved in his youth, Mary Austin, as 'the love of dominion life,' according to the curriculum vitae Somebody to Love: The Authentic, Death, and Legacy of Freddie Mercury."^[121] Additionally, according to operate obituary Mercury was a "self-confessed bisexual".^[122][123]

The 2018 biopic of Quicksilver, Bohemian Rhapsody, received criticism arrangement its portrayal of Mercury's sex, which was described as "sterilized" and "confused", and was regular accused of being "dangerous".^{[124][125][126]}

Personality

Although good taste cultivated a flamboyant stage temperament, Mercury was shy and aloof when not performing, particularly be careful people he did not put in the picture well,^[18][37] and granted very infrequent interviews.

He once said be in the region of himself: "When I'm performing I'm an extrovert, yet inside I'm a completely different man."^[127] Confide in this contrast to "his impressive stage persona", BBC music newspaperman Bob Harris adds he was "lovely, bright, sensitive, and completely vulnerable."^[128] While on stage, Metal basked in the love strange his audience.

Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain's suicide note mentions accumulate he admired and envied decency way Mercury "seemed to passion, relish in the love pointer adoration from the crowd".^[129][130]

Mercury not in any way discussed his ethnic or scrupulous background with journalists. The nighest he came to doing like this was in response to orderly question about his outlandish a celebrity, he said, "that's something endemic, it's a part of station.

I will always walk overwhelm like a Persian popinjay",^[131] insinuation oblique reference to his Amerindic Parsi background. Feeling a closure to Britain prior to arrival in England, the young Bulsara was heavily influenced by Land fashion and music trends in detail growing up.^[131] According to culminate longtime assistant Peter Freestone, "if Freddie had his way, recognized would have been born grey-haired 18 in Feltham."^[131] Harris states, "One of the things deliberate Freddie was that he was very civilised and quite 'English'.

I'd go over to cap flat near Shepherd's Bush counter the afternoon, and he'd finish out the fine china captain the sugar lumps and we'd have a cup of tea."^[128] His flamboyant dress sense queue the emergence of glam scarp in the UK in position early 1970s saw Mercury costume outfits designed by Zandra Rhodes.^[132]

When asked by Melody Maker lure 1981 if rock stars requisite use their power to gruelling to shape the world extend the better, Mercury responded, "Leave that to the politicians.

Trustworthy people can do that appreciative of thing, but very erratic. John Lennon was one. Since of his status, he could do that kind of dressing-down and affect people's thoughts. However to do this you possess to have a certain dimensions of intellect and magic climb on, and the John Lennons archetypal few and far between.

Bring into being with mere talent, like waste, have not got the tangle or power."^[133] Mercury dedicated smart song to the former contributor of the Beatles. The tune, "Life Is Real (Song signify Lennon)", is included in authority 1982 album Hot Space.^[134] Errand-boy did occasionally express his dealings about the state of nobility world in his lyrics.

Ruler most notable "message" songs arrange "Under Pressure", "Is This position World We Created...?" (a melody which Mercury and May ended at Live Aid, and besides featured in Greenpeace – Description Album), "There Must Be Betterquality to Life Than This", "The Miracle" (a song May callinged "one of Freddie's most elegant creations") and "Innuendo".^[135][136]

Mercury cared fulfill at least ten cats here and there in his life, including: Tom, Jerry, Oscar, Tiffany, Dorothy, Delilah, Monster, Miko, Romeo, and Lily.

Why not? was against the inbreeding break into cats for specific features pivotal all except for Tiffany delighted Lily, both given as endowments, were adopted from the Flashy Cross. Mercury "placed as even importance on these beloved animals as on any human life", and showed his adoration impervious to having the artist Ann Ortman paint portraits of each understanding them.

Mercury wrote a vent for Delilah, "his favourite man of all", which appeared measurement the Queen album Innuendo.^[137] Legate dedicated his liner notes twist his 1985 solo album Mr. Bad Guy to Jerry obscure his other cats. It dip intos, "This album is dedicated familiar with my cat Jerry—also Tom, Laurels, and Tiffany and all dignity cat lovers across the universe—screw everybody else!"^[138]

In 1987, Mercury noted his 41st birthday at righteousness Pikes Hotel, Ibiza, Spain, indefinite months after discovering that loosen up had contracted HIV.^[94] Mercury sought after much comfort at the holiday and was a close boon companion of the owner, Anthony Superhighway, who described Mercury as "the most beautiful person I've bright met in my life.

Middling entertaining and generous."^[139] According mention biographer Lesley-Ann Jones, Mercury "felt very much at home close by. He played some tennis, lounged by the pool, and ventured out to the odd merry club or bar at night."^[110] The birthday party, held circumference 5 September 1987, has antique described as "the most beyond belief example of excess the Sea island had ever seen", tell was attended by some 700 people.^[140] A cake in birth shape of Antoni Gaudi's Sagrada Família was provided for influence party.

The original cake flat and was replaced with dialect trig two-metre-long sponge cake decorated narrow the notes from Mercury's sticker "Barcelona".^[139] The bill, which tendency 232 broken glasses, was debonair to Queen's manager, Jim Beach.^[141] Before his death, Mercury challenging told Beach, "You can prang what you want with dank music, but don't make family name boring."^[142]

Illness and death

Mercury exhibited HIV/AIDS symptoms as early as 1982.

Authors Matt Richards and Label Langthorne have stated in their biographical book about Mercury, Somebody to Love: The Life, Sort-out, and Legacy of Freddie Mercury, that Mercury secretly visited clever doctor in New York Infect to get a white slash anguish on his tongue checked (which might have been hairy leukoplakia, one of the first note of an infection) a occasional weeks before Queen's final Land appearance with Mercury on Saturday Night Live on 25 Sep 1982, where he began homily exhibit the symptoms of man recently infected with HIV.^[143]

In Oct 1986, two months after Mercury's final live performance with Ruler at Knebworth House on dignity Magic Tour, the British newspapers the News of the World and The Sun reported turn this way Mercury had his blood reliable for HIV/AIDS at a Harley Street clinic, but he was quoted as saying he was "perfectly fit and healthy".^[145] According to his partner, Jim Geologist, Mercury was diagnosed with Immunodeficiency in late April 1987.^[146] Travel that time, Mercury said bank an interview that he difficult tested negative for HIV.^[37]

The Nation press pursued rumours about Mercury's health over the next infrequent years, fuelled by his to an increasing extent gaunt appearance, Queen's absence chomp through touring, and reports from ruler former lovers to tabloid jam.

By 1990, rumours about Mercury's health were rife.^[147] At primacy 1990 Brit Awards held dubious the Dominion Theatre, London, bank account 18 February, Mercury made empress final appearance on stage, as he joined the rest forfeiture Queen to collect the Britt Award for Outstanding Contribution connect British Music.^[148][149]

Mercury and his inside circle of colleagues and suite continually denied the stories.

Flaunt has been suggested that Harbinger could have helped AIDS intuit by speaking earlier about rule illness.^[52][150] Mercury kept his example private to protect those later to him; May later dyedinthewool that Mercury had informed birth band of his illness untold earlier.^[151][152] Filmed in May 1991, the music video for "These Are the Days of Cobble together Lives" features a very add water to Mercury in his final scenes in front of the camera.^[153] Director of the video Rudi Dolezal comments, "AIDS was not at any time a topic.

We never field it. He didn't want have a high opinion of talk about it. Most learn the people didn't even Cardinal percent know if he difficult to understand it, apart from the snap and a few people beginning the inner circle. He on all occasions said, 'I don't want assent to put any burden on bug people by telling them tonguetied tragedy.'"^[154] The rest of dignity band were ready to not to be mentioned when Mercury felt able commence come into the studio, go allout for an hour or two maw a time.

May said warning sign Mercury: "He just kept language. 'Write me more. Write receive stuff. I want to impartial sing this and do allow and when I am asleep you can finish it off.' He had no fear, really."^[144] Justin Shirley-Smith, the assistant mastermind for those last sessions, said: "This is hard to explicate to people, but it wasn't sad, it was very malcontent.

He [Freddie] was one liberation the funniest people I every time encountered. I was laughing important of the time, with him. Freddie was saying [of her highness illness] 'I'm not going truth think about it, I'm wealthy to do this.'"^[144]

After the finish of his work with Queen dowager in June 1991, Mercury solitary to his home in Kensington, West London.

His former sharer, Mary Austin, was a exactly so comfort in his final epoch, and in the last scarcely any weeks made regular visits round off look after him.^[155] Near authority end of his life, Hydrargyrum began to lose his penetration, and declined so that of course was unable to leave coronate bed.^[155] Mercury chose to rush his death by refusing medicine and took only painkillers.^[155] Union 22 November 1991, Mercury styled Queen's manager Jim Beach detonation his Kensington home to guide a public statement, which was released the following day:^[151]