What band was Freddie Mercury in?
Quick answer
Freddie Mercury was the lead singer of Queen, the British rock band formed in London in 1970. The classic lineup was Mercury, guitarist Brian May, drummer Roger Taylor and bassist John Deacon. Known for anthems like “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “We Will Rock You,” Queen is one of the best-selling bands of all time.
Key facts
- Band
- Queen
- Formed
- 1970, London
- Members
- Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor, John Deacon
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
- Inducted 2001
Who was Freddie Mercury?
Freddie Mercury was born Farrokh Bulsara on September 5, 1946, in Zanzibar (now part of Tanzania), to a Parsi family of Indian heritage. He went to school in India and moved to England as a teenager. He was famous for his four-octave vocal range and electrifying stage presence. He designed Queen’s crest logo himself.
Queen’s biggest songs
| Song | Year | Written by |
|---|---|---|
| “Bohemian Rhapsody” | 1975 | Freddie Mercury |
| “Somebody to Love” | 1976 | Freddie Mercury |
| “We Will Rock You” | 1977 | Brian May |
| “We Are the Champions” | 1977 | Freddie Mercury |
| “Another One Bites the Dust” | 1980 | John Deacon |
| “Under Pressure” (with David Bowie) | 1981 | The band and Bowie |
| “Radio Ga Ga” | 1984 | Roger Taylor |
“Bohemian Rhapsody,” a six-minute song with no chorus and an operatic middle section, became one of the best-selling singles in British history. For another Queen song, see who sang “Who Wants to Live Forever”.
Live Aid, 1985
Queen’s 20-minute set at the Live Aid charity concert at Wembley Stadium on July 13, 1985, is often called the greatest live performance in rock history.
Losing Freddie
Mercury announced he had AIDS on November 23, 1991, and died the next day, aged 45. A tribute concert at Wembley in 1992 raised money for AIDS awareness.
Queen today
Brian May and Roger Taylor continue to tour as Queen + Adam Lambert. The 2018 biopic Bohemian Rhapsody won four Oscars, including Best Actor for Rami Malek as Mercury. Brian May also holds a PhD in astrophysics.
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