Freddie Mercury, the legendary Queen performer, was born 80 years ago

Freddie Mercury was born in Zanzibar on September 5, 1946. He would be 80 today, but in the collective imagination he remains forever 45, the age at which AIDS ended his life in London on November 24, 1991.

His early death helped turn him into a global myth. In 1970, Mercury founded Queen with guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor. Bassist John Deacon joined the group a year later. As Queen's frontman and singer, Mercury combined theatrical movement, unmistakable stage presence and a private nature that kept his illness secret until the end of his life.

Born Farrokh Bulsara, he was of Parsi heritage and grew up in India until adolescence. His voice, shaped by melodrama and theatricality, drove Queen's blend of rock and pop. The band's enduring songs include Bohemian Rhapsody, Somebody to Love, We Are the Champions, The Show Must Go On and Under Pressure. His performances remain a model of stagecraft, with Queen's appearance at Live Aid in 1985 standing out as one of the defining moments.

Mercury's image and music continue to reach several generations of fans and artists around the world. The Freddie Days are taking place in Montreux, Switzerland, with music, meetings and the exhibition “Queen and Freddie Mercury: Two Photographers, Two Perspectives.” It features images by Denis O'Regan and Ben Parea.

Fans will also see Queen's July 27, 1986, concert in Budapest return to cinemas from October 7 to 11 in a 4K restoration. It was the first stadium rock show by a Western band behind the Iron Curtain and the last Queen performance with Mercury to be filmed.