Freddie Mercury - The Most Fascinating Facts Anywhere
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1. He was born Farrokh Bulsara in Zanzibar
Mercury was born in Stone Town in 1946 to a Parsi family. The family practised Zoroastrianism.
2. He gained the name Freddie at school in India
At St Peter's boarding school in Panchgani he was nicknamed Freddie and formed a school band called The Hectics. He later made Freddie his name.
3. His family fled Zanzibar in 1964
They left after the revolution and settled in Feltham, west of London. He was 17 when he arrived.
4. He trained as a graphic designer
Mercury studied graphic art and design at Ealing Art College. He later designed Queen's crest, which includes symbols for the members' star signs.
5. He sold clothes with Roger Taylor
Before Queen's success the pair ran a stall at Kensington Market in London. It sold second-hand clothes and art.
6. He had extra teeth
Mercury had four additional incisors that gave him a pronounced overbite. He reportedly refused to correct it, fearing it would affect his voice.
7. Scientists have studied his voice
A 2016 study analysed recordings and found his vibrato was unusually fast. It suggested he sang largely as a baritone.
8. Love Kills was a solo single
He recorded it in 1984 for a reworked version of the film Metropolis, produced by Giorgio Moroder. It was his first solo hit.
9. Mr Bad Guy was a solo album
Released in 1985, it showed his love of pop and dance. He made it while Queen were active.
10. In My Defence came from a musical
Mercury recorded the song for the 1986 West End musical Time, which starred Cliff Richard. The single reached the UK charts.
11. Barcelona paired him with Montserrat Caballe
The 1988 album mixed rock and opera and led to the title track becoming an Olympic anthem for the 1992 Games. Mercury had died before the Games.
12. A statue stands at Montreux
The bronze statue on Lake Geneva was unveiled in 1996. Queen had a studio in the town.
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