Freddie Mercury

Freddie Mercury was born in 1946 in Stone Town, Zanzibar (now Tanzania). Freddie Mercury's background is described as Parsi (Zoroastrian) Indian; family fled Zanzibar to England in 1964. Growing up, the family was middle class — his father was a cashier for the British Colonial Office; the 1964 revolution cost the family its footing and sent them to Middlesex. Born Farrokh Bulsara in Zanzibar; his family fled a revolution to London, and he renamed himself and the band.

Born

1946 · Stone Town, Zanzibar (now Tanzania)

Roots

Parsi (Zoroastrian) Indian; family fled Zanzibar to England in 1964

Family

Middle class

His father was a cashier for the British Colonial Office; the 1964 revolution cost the family its footing and sent them to Middlesex.

Education

St. Peter's boarding school, Panchgani, India → Ealing Art College (graphic design)

Started with

A boarding-school band

Formed The Hectics at his Indian boarding school; in London he sold second-hand clothes at Kensington Market between gigs.

Affiliations & societies

Zoroastrianism (Parsi community)Documented

Raised in the faith; his funeral was conducted by Zoroastrian priests.

Information only — claims like these are often unverifiable and may be wrong.

The pathway

1. 1958 · age 12
   The Hectics

   A covers band at his Panchgani boarding school, where classmates shorten Farrokh to Freddie.

2. 1964 · age 17
   Flight from Zanzibar

   The revolution drives the family to England with what they can carry.

3. 1970 · age 24
   Queen

   Joins Smile, renames the band, takes the stage name Mercury, and draws the crest with his art-school training.

4. 1975 · age 29
   Bohemian Rhapsody

   Six minutes long against label objections; nine weeks at number one.

5. 1985 · age 38
   Live Aid

   The 21-minute Wembley set is regularly voted the greatest live performance in rock.

6. 1991 · age 45
   Dies of AIDS-related illness

   Announces his diagnosis one day before his death; the tribute concert the next year fills Wembley again.