Freddie Mercury Tribute thread

[Katinka]

Freddie Mercury (September 5, 1946 – November 24, 1991) was a rock musician, best known as the frontman and lead singer for the English rock band Queen. He is remembered for his powerful vocal abilities and charisma as a live performer. As a songwriter, he composed many international hits, including "Seven Seas of Rhye", "Killer Queen", "Bohemian Rhapsody", "Somebody to Love", "We Are the Champions", "Bicycle Race", "Don't Stop Me Now", and "Crazy Little Thing Called Love." Mercury died from complications of AIDS, greatly increasing public awareness of the disease.

Mercury was born Farrokh Bulsara in the city of Stone Town on the African island of Zanzibar (at the time a British colony, now part of Tanzania). His parents, Bomi and Jer Bulsara, were Parsi-Zoroastrians of Persian decent. The family had emigrated to Zanzibar in order for Bomi to continue his job as a middle-ranking cashier at the British Colonial Office. Mercury had one younger sister, Kashmira.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freddie_Mercury

Today is World Aids Day 2006. Around forty million people are living with HIV throughout the world - and that number increases in every region every day. In Germany alone, more than 49,000 people are living with HIV and more than 2,700 more are diagnosed every year. Ignorance and prejudice are fuelling the spread of a preventable disease.

I was 7 3/4 years old when Freddie Mercury passed away 15 years and one week ago. My parents have been Queen fans and I have grown up with this kind of music.

[KhonD]

Freddie Mercury was an incredible human being

[Blackwolf]

just a note: IF Indians are regarded as "Asians", then Freddie Mercury is an AM then ??

[Katinka]

Live Aid 1985

[Katinka]

Originally Posted by Blackwolf

just a note: IF Indians are regarded as "Asians", then Freddie Mercury is an AM then ??

Freddie Mercury was of full Parsi descent. Parsis are descended from Persian Zoroastrians who emigrated to the Indian subcontinent over 1,000 years ago to escape religious persecution after the Islamic conquest. Parsis have been coming to Britain for over 200 years - longer than any other Asians. But the oldest established Asian people in Britain remain a hidden minority.

[Rublev]

Originally Posted by Katinka

Freddie Mercury was of full Parsi descent....But the oldest established Asian people in Britain remain a hidden minority.

I'd also throw in the great British composer Kaikhosru Sorajbi though I think he might have been part Italian. Sorabji obviously isn't a household name to the masses, but he is revered in the classical circle and his Opus Clavicembalisticum stands as the Mount Everest in all of piano literature not only due to its 4 hour length, but also due to the technical fortitude required by the pianist to attempt this piece. The great John Ogdon released recording of this piece not too long after being released from the asylum and soon died there-after.

Going back to Frddie Mercury, I've seen Queen twice live in Boston and in Hartford. Freddie's voice is of course more polished in recordings, but it was still mind-boggling to hear him go all out for two to two and a half hours with little regard to preserving his voice for the future. Both were amazing shows actually. As mainstream bands go, they're one of my favorites. Oviously, Freddie could sing, but Brian May is a great musician in his own right and his guitar has such a sweet sound.

[Nordic]

Freddie was an amazing singer. I feel so sad and irritated when I hear rock "singers" today

[ratbert1009ca]

Here's a couple of great songs by Freddie and Queen

One Year of Love

Who wants to Live Forever

[Katinka]

My favourites amongst others are:

Crazylittle thing called love

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFWbF0Kp-_4

Killer Queen

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1__KQZvoBpc

Don`t stop me know

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_I75...elated&search=

[Katinka]

Originally Posted by Nordic

Freddie was an amazing singer. I feel so sad and irritated when I hear rock "singers" today

Long live good music, f*** the bullsh** on the radio these days.