On November 24, 1991, one day after declaring Freddie Mercury’s ailment known to the world, believing the rumors that had been spreading for years, Freddie Mercury passed away in his bed.
On November 22, 1991, Freddie Mercury asked Queen manager Jim Beach to discuss a matter.
The following day, it was revealed to the media on behalf of the singer : ” The massive press assumption of the past two weeks, I desire to ensure that I have AIDS. I felt it was absolutely good to keep it secret to this day to save the privacy of those close to me. However, It is time for my friends and followers to know the truth and I hope you will all join me and my doctors in fighting this terrible disease. My privacy has always been very important to me and I am famous for giving virtually no interviews. This policy to be continued“.
On November 24, 1991, one day after declaring his ailment known to the world, believing the rumors that had been spreading for years, Freddie Mercury passed away in his bed.
Freddie Mercury died because of AIDS
He was barely 45 years old. Freddie Mercury left such a significant legacy that even today, it is hard to calculate it in words.
Mercury’s last public appearance had been on February 18, 1990, for that year’s Brit Awards gala, with which the band was awarded for its contribution to British music.
At the gala, a delicate and emaciated-looking Freddie Mercury was witnessed.
The address was delivered by Brian May, who he just thanked.
Despite his failing health over time, Queen recorded what would become the band’s last album, Innuendo.
The album was released in February 1991 and Mercury‘s absence from the album release party only made rumors about his health continue to grow.
According to his companion at the time, Jim Hutton, Freddie was diagnosed with the ailment after Easter 1987.
At that time, the singer spoke in an interview that he was not ill.
Despite these denials, the press fueled rumors about this possible illness due to Mercury’s appearance since Queen no longer toured or concerted and the promotional videos showed an appearance very different from the one known by all.
With Freddie’s demise, a fundamental part of the record of rock and music, in general, was lost.
The one born as Farrokh Bulsara in Zanzibar on September 5, 1946, was an outstanding figure, a unique and unrepeatable voice.
The last few years were tough but according to Roger Taylor, Queen’s drummer, they served to unite the band even more: “Freddie was very bad. We were all anxious and familiar of him. We tried to have a good time. Despite those possibilities, it was a pretty good moment for us. Perhaps one of the best because we were closer than ever,” Taylor said years later in an interview.
“There was a lot of joy, strangely. Freddie was in ache, but he was capable to relish what he adored to do most. Sometimes that would only last a couple of hours because he would get so tired. However, in those couple of hours, he would share it his all. When he couldn’t get up, he was habitual to leaning on a little table and drinking a glass of vodka and saying, “I’ll sing until I seep to death,” Brian May said of those last recording sessions.
“The Show Must Go On” and “These Are The Days Of Our Lives” are two emblematic songs from that last album, the first composed by May and the second by Taylor.
They are maybe the most adorable farewell gift they could have gifted to Freddie who, with his voice, strong until his death, twisted them into an eternal gift for all those who relished, and will resume relishing his music.
