Static Live Magazine November 2018

When you ask most people about Freddie Mercury chances
are you’re going to get two answers: 1), He was the greatest
singer in rock ‘n’ roll history; or 2) He was that guy who died
of AIDS. While both of those answers are correct there was
so much more to the man then just those two things and the
band he played with. This month there’s a movie coming
out called Bohemian Rhapsody; a celebration of Queen and
Freddie Mercury that should create a whole new generation
of fans.
Those true to studying rock ‘n’ roll history will tell you that
there will probably never be another voice like that of Freddie
Mercury. Perhaps the fact that his band made “rock opera”
a common phrase back in the ‘70s will ultimately be his final
legacy, not the fact that his life was cut short by a horrible
disease that at the time no one understood. Even today, kids
around the world who have never heard of Freddie or Queen
know some of their songs like “We Will Rock You“ or “We are
the Champions“ as they are played at many sporting events.
There is also the song for which the movie is titled that most
critics felt was far too long for radio, yet it became one of
their biggest hits. Made famous again by the car scene in
the movie Wayne’s World, “Bohemian Rhapsody” is perhaps
proof that not all record labels or critics know what the public
may like or what may become a international hit.
By the Reluctant Genius
Here’s a little more info on one of the greatest rock bands of
the ‘70s and early ‘80s. While their leader may have passed
on far too early, the music he wrote will no doubt live on
forever.
Farrokh Bulsara was born September 5, 1946 in India. He
was known professionally as Freddie Mercury; a singer/
songwriter and record producer, best known as the lead vocalist
of the rock band Queen. His flamboyant stage persona
and four-octave vocal range (yes, that’s correct; he was
able to sing in four different octaves) made him one of the
most unique front men ever. Most singers would be happy
with two octaves and very few can even sing in three. Freddie
had a successful solo career throughout the years but
he will always be known best as the front man for the band
Queen.
Queen formed in London in 1970. Their classic line-up was
Freddie Mercury (lead vocals, piano), Brian May (lead guitar,
vocals), Roger Taylor (drums, vocals), and John Deacon
(bass guitar). Queen’s earliest works were influenced by
progressive rock, hard rock and heavy metal, but the band
gradually ventured into more conventional and radio-friendly
works by incorporating further styles, such as arena rock
and pop rock, into their music.
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