Freddie Mercury would have turned 78 today. Scroll down to learn more about one of the greatest frontmen in rock history.
Born Farrokh Bulsara on this day in 1946 in the Sultinate of Zanzibar, Freddie grew up there and in India before moving with his family to Middlesex, England, in his teens. He formed Queen in 1970 with guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor. Mercury was known for his flamboyant stage persona and four-octave vocal range. He wrote numerous hits for Queen, including "Bohemian Rhapsody", "Killer Queen", "Somebody to Love", "Don't Stop Me Now", "Crazy Little Thing Called Love", and "We Are the Champions".
Queen's performance at Live Aid in 1985 is widely regarded as their finest moment.
Sadly, we lost Freddie Mercury in November 1991, he died of complications from HIV/Aids at the age of 45.
In 1992, Mercury was posthumously awarded the Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to British Music, and a tribute concert was held at Wembley Stadium, London. As a member of Queen, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001, the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2003, and the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2004. He is consistently voted one of the greatest singers in the history of popular music.
Today, on the 77th anniversary of his birth, we salute and remember Freddie Mercury!