Freddie
Mercury was a hugely charismatic and dynamic performer who cultivated a
flamboyant stage personality, and yet in private he was extremely shy and
retiring, and gave very few interviews. To mark the 20th anniversary of his
death, Midge Ure goes in search of the real Freddie Mercury.
Freddie
Mercury was born Farrokh Bulsara in 1946 to Indian parents in Zanzibar, when it
was still part of the British Empire. At the age of 17, he and his family moved
to Feltham, Middlesex, and he became a British citizen. After studying at art
college, his music career took off in 1970 when he joined up with guitarist
Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor. Together they became "Queen".
"Queen's"
unique brand of stadium rock appealed to audiences across the globe. The band
were the first to play in South American stadiums in the 1980s, they stole the
show at Live Aid in 1985 and three hundred thousand fans flocked to see Freddie
Mercury's final live performance at Knebworth Park in 1986.
Mercury's
sexual ambiguity was a particular source of intrigue. In 1969 he began a
long-term relationship with Mary Austin. Throughout his life he referred to her
as his 'common law wife' and his 'only friend'. Yet the wedding ring Mercury
was wearing on his death bed was given to him by his male partner, Jim Hutton.
In the years
following his triumph at Live Aid, Freddie Mercury was rarely seen in the
public eye. His health became a subject of speculation, even though his
colleagues and friends continually denied there was anything wrong with him.
Finally, on the day before he died, Freddie made a public statement confirming
that he was HIV positive and he had AIDS.
With
Freddie's ex-girlfriend Mary Austin, Queen guitarist Brian May, music producers
Mike Moran and Reinhold Mack, Queen roadie Peter Hince, and Freddie's personal
assistant Peter Freestone.
Producer:
Melissa FitzGerald
A Blakeway
production for BBC Radio 4.
Music played-
Queen-It’s a
kind of magic
Queen-Don’t
stop me now
Queen-Killer
Queen
Queen-Bohemian
rhapsody
Queen-We are
the champions
Queen-We will
rock you
Queen-Living
on my own
Freddie
Mercury & Montserrat Caballé-Barcelona
Freddie
Mercury-These are the days of our lives
Freddie
Mercury-The show must go on
Captured
Internet Stream mp3
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