Freddie Mercury

Freddie Mercury, born Farrokh Bulsara in 1946, was born in Zanzibar and spent much of his childhood in India. His family moved to England in 1964. While studying graphic design at Ealing College of Art, he sang with the blues band Wreckage. Through Roger Taylor and Brian May, he became associated with their band Smile; after he joined as lead singer, it became Queen. Mercury achieved international recognition as Queen’s singer. He met Mary Austin in 1970, and although their engagement later ended, they remained closely connected. He died of AIDS-related illness in 1991.