Roadhouse Magazine Issue 27

Q ueen is hands down one of the most influential bands in music history. Their blend of hard rock and pop rock took the world by storm, and continues to influence the masses to this day. However, none was as electric than their vocalist Freddie Mercury. The “Bohemian Rhapsody” singer was as eccentric as his songs and knew from the get-go that he would be a legend. But before he was Freddie Mercury, he was Farrokh Bulsara. He was born in Zanzibar on September 5, 1946. However, life was about to take a turn for the future rock star. You don’t hear much about the boy who became the legend. We’re used to seeing the leotards and the explosive energy he brought to the stage, but seldom do we get a glimpse at his life before flashing cameras and celebrity. Freddie didn’t stay on the sandy beaches of Zanzibar for long. He went to a boarding school in Bombay (now Mumbai) and had a talent for the piano. It turned into a passion and his family knew it. According to Telegraph , his mother commented on how musically inclined he was: “Right from the start, Freddie was musical. He had it on his mind all the time.” Freddie always knew he was going to be something big. During the infancy of his musical career, he followed a band called Smile, where the soon- to-be Queen guitarist and drummer, Brian May and Roger Summers, were already performing. Freddie was in love with their sound and was determined to be a part of the band’s legacy. In fact, ex-Smile musician Chris Smith later recalled that Freddie constantly commented on how he was going to be a pop star. But one day, Smith saw Freddie looking glum with his hands covering his face. When asked what was wrong, he replied, “I’m not going to be a star. I’m going to be a legend!” Something amazing happened in 1970 — a fortuitous event that that would change music forever. Smile’s lead singer left the band (a big mistake on his part) leaving the stage open for a new singer. Rising to the occasion, Freddie saw the opportunity and grabbed it with both hands. He didn’t want the band to separate, not when they had such a unique sound. He became the lead singer and renamed the band Queen. Much controversy came with the name because of its association with the LGBTQ community, however, Queen was something regal, and at the time, outrageous. The new band name and their new frontman were about to change everything. Freddie had an amazing voice — and a rare one at that. It is very uncommon for people to have a voice that can reach four octaves, and Freddie was one of those few people. To put his voice into perspective, Mariah Carey’s voice has a five-octave range and Celine Dion can sing in three octaves. Freddie’s voice lands right in the middle. Of course, the band heard Freddie and they knew they had someone special. Not only can he sing, but he channeled the music and could work the stage. He was a natural performer and became hungry for a life in the music industry. By 1973, Queen was garnering a following and picking up speed in the music scene. Freddie had a stage presence that left people awestruck. He was electrifying to watch and could easily charm the audience. He could move a crowd with the sweep of his hand to rise, and they always obeyed. His charisma and stage presence was moving, and people couldn’t help but fall in line. The band’s music was also distinct and unexpected during a time where heavy rock and roll was saturating the mainstream. Queen’s electrifying sound was a breath of fresh air in the music industry. As the band gained momentum in the music scene, Freddie decided to do something drastic: legally change his name. He felt that his birth name wasn’t befitting of a rock star. His first name was a given, considering everyone already called him Freddie. However, his last name wasn’t so obvious. Ultimately, Freddie chose Mercury as his last name, knowing Mercury was a Roman deity who was a messenger of the gods through his personal interest in mythology. From the get-go, Freddie knew Queen wasn’t going to be an ordinary rock band, as his bandmates were not conventional rock n’ roll stars. When their first album “ Queen ” dropped in 1973, the band were on cloud nine. They couldn’t believe they were in record stores. The feeling didn’t last long though; their record didn’t sell very well. Part of the issue was that not many people had ever heard of Queen. But once their second album, “ Queen II ” was released, everything changed. IN BLACK & WHITE FREDDIE MERCURY “It’s boring to be seventy, I don’t want to be there, I’ll be dead and gone, I don’t have any aspirations to be seventy.” 40 RHM Magazine - roadhouse.net.au