1991 Memories of Mercury

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1991: Memories of MercuryFor 20 years Freddie Mercury's band Queen entertained millions of fans worldwidewith a succession of ground-breaking hits.

The star had all the right ingredients for a rock legend: massive musical talent, ataste for the bizarre and almost unrivalled showmanship.

The singer is thought to have contracted Aids two years before his death, but theserious decline in his health was not widely publicised.

Freddie Mercury's announcement on 23 November 1991 that he was HIV Positive

stunned his fans. He died the following day.

What are your memories of Freddie Mercury? What do you think hecontributed to the world of rock?

Your memories

I'm from Sri Lanka, thousand of miles away from the UK and I live in a completely

different culture. But such a distance has made no barrier to enjoy his works. I trusttrue art has no boundaries - it speaks to the whole world and remains timeless.

I was so inspired by his great Barcelona and Too Much Love Will Kill You. I'm a fan of

Freddie Mercury and proud of him because his music is unique. It's a shock and a

disaster to lose such a person at that young age.Prasad, Sri Lanka

One day without his

voice is one day not fully

livedAJ van Gent, Netherlands

After 12 years, almost every day you can hear music composed by Freddie Mercury

which still sounds modern. I must hear his voice every day - one day without his

voice is one day not fully lived. Only the good die young.AJ van Gent, Netherlands

I was only seven when Freddie died, and I don't really remember it. What I doremember are a lot of songs from that period, like Innuendo and The Show Must Go

On.

I've been a hardcore Queen fan for about four years now, and the one thing I'vealways regretted was the fact I would never be able to meet Freddie, or see Queenfully live.

I will always remember Freddie as the strong, brave artist.

Arjan Pijper, Netherlands


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I was 11-years-old when Freddie died. He was a GREAT man. We will never forgethim. The show must go on!

Alicja, Poland

I grew up listening to Queen's music. They were my favourite band throughout myteens. And then in my first year of university, Freddie died. I was utterly distraught.

I went to lectures on that Monday morning, but I was like a zombie.

It wasn't until the following April when I went to the tribute concert at Wembley thatI finally said goodbye. I never knew that the death of someone I had never met

could affect me so deeply. We all still miss you Freddie!Gareth Kingston, UK

Nobody was better than

Freddie at holding an

audience in the palm ofhis hand

Gary, England

I was lucky enough to see Queen live five times. I have also seen all the other major

acts of our time: Bowie, U2, McCartney, Rolling Stones, The Who, Floyd, etc. Butnobody was better than Freddie at holding an audience in the palm of his hand, and

giving nothing but true-blue class entertainment.

He will be remembered forever as the best showman the world has ever known. At

the tribute concert in 1992, the overwhelming passion of the crowd to sing everynote the way Freddie did is a testament to how this country is proud of what he

achieved.

If you listen to the music today, all you remember is the good times of life. You maylaugh, or you may cry, but either way you will always feel that it all meant

something. Long live Freddie.

Gary, England

Having grown up listening to Queen (my first record was Bohemian Rhapsody) I

finally got to see them in 1986 at Knebworth park. What a show - the memories ofthat day have stayed fresh in my mind for 17 years now and it still rates as one of

the best days of my life.

Freddie was magical on stage and would get the crowd going with his personality and

musical talent. The day he died was just awful and was one of the times in life where

you always know where you were when you heard the news.

I miss him, and my son, whom was not even born until 1992 is an avid fan justproving that his legacy will live on.

Ian Colledge, England

I was 12-years-old when Freddie died, and I remember going into school on the

Monday morning and seeing everybody in the class just getting on with their liveslike nothing had happened!


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I don't know what I expected to happen, but it was hard to take because nobodyseemed to care.

David Moody, UK

The secret of Mercury's

showmanship was thathe really knew how toinvolve the audience and

turn a concert into a realshow

Henry, UK

I had the good fortune to see Queen play live twice. The first was in Brighton inabout 1980, the next at Leeds, Elland Road in 1983.

The secret of Mercury's showmanship was that he really knew how to involve theaudience and turn a concert into a real show. In fact, I always thought that his songs

worked better as show tunes than rock songs, an opinion confirmed when I saw theexcellent show We Will Rock You a few weeks ago.

Henry, UK

I was 14 when Freddie died, and miss him to this day. He made a huge difference in

my life through his music and will always be special to me. There will never beanother like him. Thank you, Freddie, for all the joy you gave us.

Kristin, USA

I don't have memories of when he died because I was only nine-years-old, but when

I watch his videos now, I can see they are just the best of the best.

Kevork Frengtul Zenopian, Bulgaria

Freddie you were, you are and you'll be the best singer I have ever heard. You are

still in my heart. Goodbye, my best friend.

Federico, Italy

Freddie... I still love you.

Luca, Italy

I was only three when Freddie died. About two years ago I started to like Queen.

Now Freddie is my idol. I can't understand why he had to die. Freddie Mercury andQueen are always number one to me.

Juha Kaijalainen, Finland

I was only eight-years-old when Freddie died. I grew up with his music. I adored his

voice - it is incredible. The first clip of his which I saw was Barcelona. From that timeI became his biggest fan!

I think that when Freddie admitted that he has Aids, he taught us all not to fear toadmit that we have problems and fight it. Also he made us to se that this disease is

real. Freddie Mercury is a legend and this legend will live for ever in side of us.Ata, Lithuania


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Queen still rock the

world!

Alessia, Italy

I'm 19 and I discovered Queen only after Freddie's death, but he still gives me so

much. He will always be the one and only King!

Queen still rock the world!

Alessia, Italy

Being a huge Freddie (and Queen) fan I was absolutely devastated when Freddie

died. I will never forget that day, I was in limbo.

Friends and family didn't quite know what to do! I think they thought, "It's just

another star", but his music means so much to me and even now has got methrough many a bad day!

Sometimes when I play certain songs a tear or two might be shed. On theanniversary every year I used to go to his house and lay flowers but haven't been

able to for the past couple because of moving too far away.J, UK

I was 12-years-old when Freddie died. The year before I had become a great fan ofQueen. It was a great shock to hear that Freddie died that day.

We will miss him and his voice. Freddie I hope you're between the angels up there.

Patricia, Netherlands

When Freddie passed on, I was pregnant with my first child, and my husband was

very ill with terminal diabetes. I remember crying for weeks on end.

Almost two years to the day, my husband passed away from the diabetes, at thesame age Freddie was. This is a very difficult time of year for me, for both men who

I love and miss very much.

Some times, it is very hard for me to deal with this, but I go on as best as I can. I

have Freddie's music, and my daughter to comfort me. She is a constant reminder ofboth of these men.

Rebecca Romero, USA

I had my last namechanged to Mercury so

that I may carry hisname forever

Robert Mercury, US

There are not enough words to describe what an influence Freddie had on not onlymy life but the whole world. Musically, there was no-one to touch him, his sheer


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presence on stage was a wonder, his voice was just perfect, never out of tune andalways fulfilling his best ability.

Freddie meant that much to me that I had my last name changed to Mercury so that

I may carry his name forever. I will never forget you Freddie, I hope you are atpeace and are happy once more, wherever you may be my friend.

Robert Mercury, US

I love Freddie since I was only 13. I continue to love him and his music actually. Ithink that if he would be alive now, he would be always the best singer; maybe he is

the best still! Anyway his music will never die and he will stay always in the hearts ofall his fans and above all in my heart!

Cristina, Italia

Queen was always the band of firsts for me. The first album I received as a gift (A

Night At The Opera), the first album I bought as a consumer (Queen) and the veryfirst concert I ever attended (19 September 1980 in Rosemont, Illinois).

I was a Brian May fan first and foremost, but when I saw Freddie live in concert, histheatrics amazed me. His voice was unreal and the way he controlled the crowd stillmoves me to this day.

I was working at a Chicago radio station when I got a phone call from my best

friend. He told me Freddie had passed away. My heart sunk. I knew that I wouldnever see my beloved group in their original form again.

Rich Torres, USA

Wherever you are,Freddie... keep singing!

Rodrigo, Chile

I have been a Queen fan and therefore a Mercury fan since I was 11. I am 26 now

but these four guys still move me with their delicate and yet strong melodies.Freddie Mercury is one of the greatest musicians the world ever had.

He will be remembered for his music, and cheerful-energetic sad soul. Wherever you

are, Freddie... keep singing!

Rodrigo, Chile

I was 19-years-old when Freddie passed away. I was so sad and profoundly moved

by his passing although I only really knew the major Queen hits at that time.

After his death, I explored all of his works and have become a devoted Queen and

Freddie Mercury fan. I wish I had done it sooner!

His death also encouraged me to pursue ways to help fight AIDS. He had a certain

magic that others just do not have. He was one of those rare and extraordinarypeople who are completely unique and yet can strike a familiar cord with so many

people.


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There will never be another Freddie and the world is a sadder place for having losthis incredible genius. I miss you Freddie!

Patricia, USA

The first time I heard Freddie's voice it was when Queen released The Miracle... andI understood what the miracle was: it was Freddie! I was only 12-years-old, but I

started to listen to Queen everyday and became a great fan of them! Now I'm 27,but I still cry when I think of Freddie... and today I'm crying.

Freddie I still love you!

Elisabetta, Italy

He was one of the best musicians to come out of England in its history! A true

professional. I think a musical genius like him won't appear on earth for many moredecades to come.

Alaye Julemonde, Turkey

I was only five when Freddie died but I have always been a fan of him and Queen. I

remember Roger, Brian, John and Freddie receiving the award for best band of the80s. Brian spoke, as by this stage Freddie was too ill. He is greatly missed and is alegend who will never die!

Sarah Jane, Scotland

We say farewell to one of the greatest rock legends ever. He will always beremembered for his flamboyant style and his magnificent voice. Magnifico Freddie,

wherever you are. I'm sure your watching us now. listening to your music beingplayed over and over again in peoples houses.

Victoria, England

Freddie - 12 years on you are still remembered by the world! R.I.P

Greg, England

I was only 14 when Freddie died, but I had listened to his music for years and had

greatly admired him, his talent and the talent of Queen as a whole.

His voice was so astounding and the music of Queen is never out of my car. When I

listen to him, he always makes me either smile or cry! Some people just leave animpact on you, and he did with me; his voice, his cheekiness and his showmanship.

I just wish his life could have carried on. He was before Robbie in singing 'Let meentertain you' after all, and boy Freddie, you certainly did that.

Rachel Davis, UK

I was only 10 when Freddie Mercury died. I was a big fan of Queen, I loved the

music and was really impressed by Freddie's presence and flair. I have a very strongmemory of when I heard that he had died - I cried inconsolably.

Becky, UK

I was a big fan of Queen and Freddie Mercury ever since I was six and my Dad wouldplay Bohemian Rhapsody on full blast on the hi-fi. Me and my sister used to mime to

the whole song.


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I did actually get to see Freddie perform probably the best performance ever at LiveAid at Wembley Stadium on 15 July 1985.

He made the previous band - U2 - look like a bunch of amateurs such was his

showmanship. Queen played 20 minutes medley which was simply unforgettable andI am glad looking back I was there to see it first hand.

Richard Hill, UK

I was 17 when Freddie passed away. I grew up on his music and I am now bringingup my children on his music. He had a certain flair something which bands today

don't have. He could make a whole room/stadium come alive. Sadly gone but notforgotten. He is a kind of magic.

Chelle

1991 Memories of Mercury

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