Watch Freddie Mercury’s First Ever Video Footage Back In 1964

He Was Shy And Still Reserved

Before he was performing at sold-out stadiums and arenas, or before he became a household name and a rock legend, Freddie Mercury was actually pretty shy. That’s kind of hard to believe, right? Especially since he had this flamboyant persona on stage and was known for being the ultimate showman.

Check out this footage from 1964 filmed by one of Freddie’s friends at Isleworth Polytechnic (which is now known as West Thames College) in West London. He was 18 years old at the time and on his first semester there, taking up art.

Ex-Isleworth Polytechnic student Adrian Morrish told Mojo magazine, “Fred was charmingly shy, but also very engaging, and he desperately wanted to fit in. He dressed weirdly in drainpipe trousers that weren’t quite long enough and middle-aged jackets that were slightly too small.”

It’s different from the Freddie Mercury who brought the house down at Live Aid 1985 or even the rockstar who wore outrageous outfits on stage. This young Freddie was a bit reserved too. Who would have thought that in a few years, he’d make his mark in rock with a series of classic hits that will stand the test of time and transcend generations?

Freddie not only chose the band’s name but also designed their logo. Clearly, he was an artist through and through and it was always in full display – whether in music or in visual arts.