Queen's Square

2 Pages 446 Words

Real name: Farookh Bulsara
Born: September 5th 1946
Died: November 24th 1991
Brothers/Sisters: 1 Sister, Kashmira (1952)
Parents: Bomi & Jer Bulsara
Further bands: The Hectics (1954)
Ibex (1969)
Sour Milk Sea (1969)
Wreckage (1970)


In Zanzibar on the 5th September 1946, Farookh Bulsara was born. While he was in school in Saint Peter's boarding school in Bombay, the headteacher realised his talent for music and suggested piano lessons to his parents, as well as theatre and choir activities. It was here where the young Farookh formed his first band, the Hectics.

In 1964 his family moved to Britain due to political unrest in their country, which is often said to be to do with their Zoroastrian faith. Two years later, he enrolled in Ealing College of Art to study graphic illustration. Here he met Tim Staffell who introduced him to Smile, his band, with Brian May on the guitar and Roger Taylor on the drums. Watching Smile made Freddie realise that he really wanted to be in a band himself, so after he finished his diploma in graphic art and design, he joined a band called Ibex, taking over lead vocals from their guitarist, and soon after, Larry Lurex. Eventually, he joined up with Brian and Roger to form Queen, and changed his name to Freddie Mercury. Freddie was a nickname he earned while in school, and Mercury was the messenger to the Gods.

Freddie has always been considered the frontman of the band; indeed, with his flamboyant style and his unmistakable voice, he was a natural choice. He had a diverse style in the writing of his music, from the famous operatic Bohemian Rhapsody, to the rock-style sound of Princes Of The Universe. He released a solo album in 1985 called Mr Bad Guy, which got to number six in the UK, and three years later Barcelona was released, a duet with Freddie and Montserrat Caballe.

Freddie led a secretive life, and never officially told the public that he was bisexual. He had a re...