Remarkable Things We Learned About Freddie Mercury After His Death

There are countless fascinating details about the charismatic leader of Queen that extend beyond those portrayed in the hit biopic Bohemian Rhapsody. Much has been written about Freddie Mercury, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest singers in history. Since his death on November 24, 1991, Mercury has become a legendary figure in music. However, there are still many intriguing aspects of his hectic life that remain lesser-known.

Originally from Zanzibar
Queen’s legendary frontman Freddie Mercury was born in Zanzibar, a British colony. At seventeen, he and his family fled to London due to the Zanzibar Revolution, where they attempted to conceal their ethnic background to assimilate.

Born Farrokh Bulsara
He was born Farrokh Bulsara. He adopted the name Freddie because his peers struggled with his birth name, and took on the surname Mercury from his song “My Fairy King,” which included the line, “Mother Mercury, look what they’ve done to me.”

Dental Insecurities
Self-conscious about his prominent teeth, Mercury considered dental surgery but ultimately decided against it to avoid risking his vocal abilities, embracing his unique appearance instead.

Before His Music Career
Before fame, Mercury worked various jobs, including selling second-hand clothing at a Kensington flea market and as a luggage handler at London Airport.

Religious Background
Raised in the Zoroastrian faith, Mercury practiced this religion but eventually left its conservative teachings due to his flamboyant lifestyle.

Love for Cats
Mercury’s love for cats was well-known; he had ten feline companions, dedicated the song “Delilah” to one of them, and included them in his will.

Brains Behind the Queen Logo
After moving to London in 1963, Mercury studied art and design, sharing classes with Pete Townshend and Ronnie Wood, and he designed the iconic Queen logo.

Playing Piano Backwards
He famously learned to play the piano backward, keeping it as a headboard for his bed to capture inspiration whenever it struck.

Early Musical Beginnings
Mercury first performed with a band called The Hectics, where he sang and played piano before joining Queen.

Signature Mic Style
His trademark stage habit of using a microphone without a stand originated from an accident when the mic stand broke during a performance.

Significant Relationship
Despite being openly homosexual, Mercury had a deep relationship with Mary Austin, to whom he dedicated “Love of My Life” and left a significant portion of his estate.

Recording ‘Bohemian Rhapsody
“Bohemian Rhapsody,” one of Queen’s most complex recordings, was achieved through twelve-hour singing days, resulting in 180 separate overdubs, a remarkable feat given the 1970s technology.