Farooq Bursala, aka Freddie Mercury, has undoubtedly worn many professional hats during his career. However, his most important and influential title is that of a singer-songwriter.
He gained worldwide recognition as the lead singer and co-chief songwriter for the renowned rock band Queen.
With his four-octave singing ability and bold stage presence, he became one of the most fascinating lead singers in rock history.
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- Full name: Farrokh Bulsara
- Stage name: Freddie Mercury
- Date of Birth: September 5, 1946
- Date of death: November 24, 1991 (age: 45)
- Birthplace: Stone Town, Tanzania
- Nationality: Tanzanian
- Occupation: Singer
- Height: 5’9
- Parents: Bomi Bulsara and Jer Bulsara
- Siblings: Kashmira Bulsara
- Spouse: Mary Austin, Jim Hutton
- Children: None
- Relationship: Single
- Net worth: $60 million
Early life and education
Freddie Mercury was born in Stone Town, Tanzania on September 5, 1946. He grew up under the care of his parents, Bomi and Jair Bursara, and his sister, Kashmira Bursara.
During his education, Freddie attended various schools such as St. Peter’s and St. Mary’s in Bombay and Panchgani, before pursuing his passion for art at Ealing College of Art and eventually obtaining a degree from the University of West London.
Profession
After Staffel left Smile in 1970, Mercury joined the band as lead singer and decided to change the band’s name to Queen.
Although their debut albums, Queen (1973) and Queen II (1974), received positive reviews from critics, they were not a huge hit with the general public. Nevertheless, the band’s flamboyant performances and Mercury’s impressive vocal abilities gradually attracted interest.
Queen shot to global superstardom in 1975 with the release of their fourth album, A Night at the Opera, which included the popular and influential song “Bohemian Rhapsody.” The six-minute epic, which blended operatic elements with the energy of rock and roll, mesmerized audiences and cemented Queen’s place in music history.
Queen maintained its success in the 1970s and 1980s, releasing several successful albums such as “News of the World” (1977), “The Game” (1980) and “Innuendo” (1991).
In addition, they have achieved enormous popularity as a live band, known for their lavish stage productions and thrilling performances by Freddie Mercury.
In addition to his successful career with Queen, Freddie Mercury devoted his time and talents to a thriving solo career, releasing two outstanding solo albums, Mr. Bad Guy in 1985 and Barcelona in 1988.
Both albums were huge commercial successes and were highly praised by critics around the world for their superior quality and artistic talent.
Awards and nominations
Awards:
- Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music (posthumously awarded)
- Brit Award for Best British Single (“These Are the Days of Our Lives”) (posthumously)
Nominations:
- Brit Award for Best British Single (“Bohemian Rhapsody”)
- Brit Award for Best British Band (Innuendo)
- BAFTA Anthony Asquith Award for Film Music (Flash Gordon)
- Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Original Song Score (Love Kills)
- Online Film and Television Association Award for Best New Title (Moulin Rouge!)
social media
- Instagram: @freddie_mercury_official
personal life
Freddie Mercury first met 19-year-old art student Mary Austin in a London clothing store in 1969. The two immediately hit it off and began a romantic relationship. As Queen rose to fame over the course of six years, Mary became Freddie’s closest confidant and constant source of inspiration.
Although he later admitted to being bisexual, Freddie still considered Mary his ultimate soul mate and even wrote a timeless ballad in her honor using her name. In the mid-1970s, Freddie began to openly explore his sexuality and entered into romantic relationships with a number of men, such as American record executive David Minns.
However, he still maintained a strong and close relationship with Mary. Although their romance ended, their love and respect for each other remained. Mary remained Freddie’s closest friend and confidant until his death, and even inherited his mansion in London, as stated in his will.
Freddie met Irish hairstylist Jim Hutton at a London nightclub in 1985. Their friendship was deep and genuine, and the two remained close until Freddie’s death in 1991.
Jim provided Freddie with unwavering support and comfort in his final years, especially during his battle with AIDS. Although same-sex marriage was not yet legal at the time, Freddie considered Jim his spouse and proudly wore the gold wedding ring that Jim had given him until his death.
Discography
Studio albums:
- Queen
- Queen II
- heart attack
- A Night at the Opera
- Race Day
- News of the World
- jazz
- game
- Flash Gordon
- Hot Space
- work
- A kind of magic
- Innuendo
Live album:
- Living Killer
- Queen Rock, Montreal
- Queen on Fire – Live Performance
- Live at Wembley in 1986
net worth
When Freddie Mercury died in 1991, his net worth was estimated at $60 million. This estimate takes into account his earnings throughout his career as well as his estate assets.
While the figures may vary slightly from source to source, it is generally accepted that the iconic musician amassed a considerable fortune during his lifetime.
