In Memoriam – Freddie Mercury
Farrokh “Freddie” Mercury
Born September 5, 1946 – Died November 24, 1991
British singer, songwriter, record producer, lead vocalist of the rock band Queen.
In Memoriam – Freddie Mercury – Note
Mercury 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”.
Mercury was born of Parsi descent in the Sultanate of Zanzibar, and 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 died in 1991 at age 45 due to complications from AIDS, having confirmed the day before his death that he had contracted the disease.
In Memoriam – Freddie Mercury – News
On November 22, 1991, Mercury called Queen’s manager Jim Beach over to his Kensington home to discuss a public statement. The next day, November 23, 1991, the following announcement was made to the international press on behalf of Mercury”
Following the enormous conjecture in the press over the last two weeks, I wish to confirm that I have been tested HIV positive and have AIDS. I felt it correct to keep this information private to date to protect the privacy of those around me. However, the time has come now for my friends and fans around the world to know the truth and I hope that everyone will join with me, my doctors and all those worldwide in the fight against this terrible disease. My privacy has always been very special to me and I am famous for my lack of interviews. Please understand this policy will continue.
On the evening of 24 November 1991, just over 24 hours after issuing that statement, Mercury died at the age of 45 at his home in Kensington
Freddie Mercury death – ITV Evening News report 25/11/1991
also including BBC1 Six O’Clock News report.
