Story Highlights
- historical event: He was born in Zanzibar and grew up in India. Because of his Indian origin he was called the first Asian star of Great Britain.
Freddie Mercury was born under the name Farrokh Bulsara in Zanzibar (today Tanzania), from parents who were Indian Parsis (people in India originating from Iran, of Zoroastrian faith). He was born in Zanzibar because his father was a clerk for the British colonial empire there. He grew up in India and, upon becoming 17, he moved to England with his parents. There he graduated Art and Graphic Design.
In 1971 he, together with Brian Maya, John Deacon, and Roger Taylor, formed the band Queen. He had a great vocal range (from bass to soprano). Because of his Indian origin he was called the first Asian star of Great Britain. He was also a composer and composed many hits for Queen (“Bohemian Rhapsody”, “Crazy Little Thing Called Love”, “We Are the Champions”). He died on this day from AIDS, only one day after he announced to the world that he had the disease. The funeral was conducted by a Zoroastrian priest.
