Freddie Mercury — born Farrokh Bulsara on 5th September 1946 in Zanzibar to Indian Parsi parents — was one of the most extraordinary performers in the history of popular music. As the lead vocalist of Queen, he created some of the most enduring anthems ever recorded, including Bohemian Rhapsody, We Will Rock You and Don't Stop Me Now.
His four-octave vocal range, flamboyant showmanship and ability to command audiences of hundreds of thousands made him unique. Queen's performance at Live Aid in 1985 is widely regarded as the greatest live rock performance in history.
Freddie Mercury passed away on 24th November 1991 from bronchopneumonia brought on by AIDS, aged 45. His legacy endures through his extraordinary body of work and the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert, which raised over £20 million for AIDS awareness. He was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Queen in 2001.