The aristocratic frontman: Remembering Freddie Mercury on what would have been his 80th birthday

Eighty years ago, a boy named Farrokh Bulsara was born in Zanzibar. The world would later know him as Freddie Mercury, Queen’s extraordinary frontman.

He became one of the most charismatic performers in popular music, an outstanding singer and songwriter who seemed to command the entire world from the stage.

Away from the spotlight, however, Mercury was a sensitive introvert. Apart from the cats he loved, he allowed very few people to come close.