Freddie Mercury, born Farrokh Bulsara 80 years ago today on September 5, 1946, in Zanzibar, has been remembered by fans and his surviving Queen bandmates. The rock legend died 35 years ago, but his legacy as one of music's greatest frontmen continues to grow.
Fans around the world have been celebrating in memory of the Queen singer on what would have been his 80th birthday. Active bandmates Sir Brian May and Roger Taylor paid tribute in touching Instagram posts.
Tributes from Brian May and Roger Taylor
Sir Brian shared a video of a countdown to midnight at the annual official Freddie Mercury Birthday Party in Montreux, Switzerland. Fans from around the world travelled to celebrate the singer's 80th birthday, adoring a statue of him in what was his second home for the last 13 years of his life.
The Queen guitarist captioned his post: “Happy Birthday dear Freddie. We all still love you. Bri. 3, 2,1, countdown at a fan celebration from Montreux.”
Legacy in Montreux and beyond
Aside from getting “peace of mind” in his Swiss haven, Queen recorded six albums at Mountain Studios there. This included the final 1995 Made in Heaven record, featuring Freddie's posthumous vocals.
Meanwhile, Roger shared a snap of himself and Freddie laughing, in what looks like the mid 1980s. The drummer wrote: “Happy Birthday Fred. Sending love to wherever you are. R x.”
