Freddie Mercury
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Freddie Mercury (1946–1991) was a musician, singer and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist and lyricist of the rock band Queen.
Freddie Mercury was a Parsi, born in Zanzibar as Farrokh Bulsara and brought up in Zanzibar and India. In 1964 he settled with his family in Feltham. In 1970 he joined the band which he renamed "Queen".
He had relationships with both men and women, and lived for the last six years of his life with hairdresser Jim Hutton.
According Jim Hutton, Mercury was diagnosed with AIDS shortly after Easter of 1987.[1]
On 22 November 1991, Mercury called Queen's manager Jim Beach over to his Kensington home, to discuss a public statement. The next day, 23 November, the following announcement was made to the international press on behalf of Mercury:
- "Following the enormous conjecture in the press over the last two weeks, I wish to confirm that I have been tested HIV positive and have AIDS. I felt it correct to keep this information private to date to protect the privacy of those around me. However, the time has come now for my friends and fans around the world to know the truth and I hope that everyone will join with me, my doctors, and all those worldwide in the fight against this terrible disease. My privacy has always been very special to me and I am famous for my lack of interviews. Please understand this policy will continue."[2]
The next day, Freddie Mercury died.
