100 Heroes: Freddie Mercury
The gay man who became an iconic singer.
Freddie Mercury was a major music star, best known as the front man of the group, Queen.
Early Life
Born in 1946 as Farrokh Bulsara, the man that became Freddie Mercury was raised by his Parsi family in Zanzibar and sent to school in India.
In 1964, Mercury’s family were forced to leave Zanzibar during the revolution at that time. They relocated to England where Mercury studied music.
Queen
In 1970, Mercury formed Queen with guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor.
A gifted singer, Mercury also excelled at songwriting. His stage presence and live performances demanded attention – he had everything required to fill stadiums around the world.
The music of Freddie Mercury and Queen has become the soundtrack of generations, defining British music for the world.
Mercury’s performance at the Live Aid concert in 1985 is seen as one of the most iconic in music history.
Personal Life
Mercury avoided discussing his sexuality publicly, but his onstage persona embraced camp, and he was quite visible as a gay man in London’s nightlife.
Significant relationships included Winfried Kirchberger and Jim Hutton.
His death in 1991 was a milestone in the AIDS pandemic – Mercury was one of the first major entertainment stars to die of AIDS-related complications.
Major Freddie Mercury exhibition coming to London
Born on 5 September 1946, this year would have been Freddie Mercury's 80th birthday.
To mark the milestone, London's V&A museum is presenting Splendid Things - an exhibition of eight of Mercury's iconic costumes.
Among the costumes featured is a monochrome ensemble worn for an early Queen gig at Imperial College and pictured on the cover of the band’s eponymous debut album. Also on display will be the “Mercury Wing” catsuit, designed by Wendy de Smet and worn during the A Night at the Opera tour in 1975-76, as well as in the Bohemian Rhapsody video.
Mercury’s crown and cloak, designed by Diana Moseley and worn during Queen’s 1986 Magic Tour, will also feature. He wore the outfit for the band’s final live performance at Knebworth that year. The display will also include a costume from the Made in Heaven music video, as well as accessories and items from his personal wardrobe.
The title of the exhibition takes its name from Mercury's passion for being surrounded by "splendid things" and will explore his interest in art, design and fashion.
The exhibition is on at the V&A in London from 24 October until 17 January.
