Remembering Freddie Mercury (and World Aids Day)

Mama, ooh, I don't want to die

-‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ by Queen.

“The video made by Queen in 1975 to accompany Bohemian Rhapsody is generally regarded as the first conscious use of music video to promote a pop single.” (Keith Negus, ‘Producing Pop’, pg 93).

‘After Freddie Mercury died [on November 24, 1991], ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ was re-released, with all the profits designated for a British AIDS charity, the Terence Higgins Trust. The single which had made Queen rock legends was at number 1 just six days later. In death, as in life, Freddie Mercury proved that he was a hard act to follow.” (Alan Hall, ‘Secrets of the Stars’).

Freddie Mercury was born in Zanzibar (Kenya’s neighbour), in September 1946 to Persian parents who named him Farokh Bulsara. Freddie took the name Mercury because he thought that, like the liquid metal, he would “spill over the world like no-one before me.”

“As the disease grew steadily worse so Mercury devised new ploys to disguise its ravages. He wore thick make up to hide the blotches and lesions; he padded his clothes out to make his body appear to be more nourished than it really was.” (Alan Hall, “Secrets of the Stars”).

Freddie’s statement signed hours before his death in November 1991:

“I wish to confirm I have been tested HIV positive and have AIDS. I felt it correct to keep this information private to date in order to protect the privacy of those around me. However, the time has now come for my friends and fans around the world to know the truth. I hope everyone will join with me, my doctors and all those worldwide in the fight against this terrible disease.”

Who wants to live forever,
Who dares to love forever,
Who dare who dare,
Who wants to live forever,
When love must die