By Trina MeersmanMusic 1010: Introduction to Music

Freddie Mercury: Queen

Biography

• Born September 5, 1946 Zanzibar, Tanzania

• Birth name: Fahrrokh Bomi Bulsara • Parents

Bomi and Jer Bulsara One sister Kashmira born in 1952

Biography

• Attended St. Peter’s Boarding School in Panchgani, India at the age of 7.

• First piano lessons• Received the nickname

“Freddie”

Biography

• 1958-1962 Pianist in his first band at the age of 12 The Hectics Graduated from St. Peter’s in 1962 at the age of 16

Biography

• 1963 – Family fled Zanzibar during the Zanzibar Revolution and moved to Great Britain.

Biography“I won't be a rock star. I will be a legend.”

― Freddie Mercury

1963 – Enrolled at Ealing College of Art to study Art and Design

Met Roger Taylor and Brian May Guitarists in a local band “Smile”

Jointed Ibex as lead singer August 23, 1969

Performed in front of paying audience for the first time. Elvis Presley’s “Jailhouse Rock”

Biography

Convinced Ibex to change name to “Wreckage”. Band broke up soon after.

Joined Sour Milk Sea Left band after three shows

Roger Taylor & Brian May left “Smile” and joined Freddie.

1971 – Met John Deacon Queen was formed Freddie adopted the stage name

“Freddie Mercury”

Biography

Freddie helped design “Queen’s “ logo.

All four band member’s birth signs were used.

Biography

Record labels were confused by Queen’s unique musical styling’s.

Musical influences were: Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Led Zepplin, The Who and Liza Minnelli, to name a few.

Vocal Range of 4 Octaves Mercury has an extra row of back

teeth. He wouldn’t remove them out of fear that it would change his voice.

First studio session with Trident Studio’s. Made two tracks Tracks were released as promotional

bits rather than commercially

BIOGRAPHY

“I always knew I was a star, and now the rest of the world seems to agree with me.”

― Freddie Mercury

Signed to Record Label 1973 – released first album

Self titled “Queen” Toured with “Mott The Hoople”

Was said Freddie’s performance was more than a “support act”.

Possibly upstaged the main act

BIOGRAPHY

1974 – Released second self titled album Queen II

First song to hit UK charts Seven Seas of Rhye Written by Freddie Mercury

I challenge the mighty titan and his troubadoursAnd with a smile I'll take you to the seven seas of Rhye

~ Freddie Mercury

BIOGRAPHY

1974 – Released 3rd Album “Sheer Heart Attack” Breakthrough son “Killer Queen” First single released hit UK Charts at No. 2 and United

States at No. 12

Biography

1975 – Offered 1st US Tour SOLD OUT Venues in several

countries. Released 4th Album

Night at the Opera Featured “Bohemian Rhapsody Fusion of Rock and Opera Topped the UK Charts for 9 weeks Reached No. 9 in the US

Biography

“I'm as gay as a daffodil, my dear!” ―

Freddie Mercury

Speculations brewed regarding Freddie’s personal life

Openly Gay – 1974 1989 – Withdrew

from the public Revealed to friends

and family that he had AIDS.

Biography

1991 – Last Album “Innuendo” released.

Mercury’s physical appearance, privacy and lack of a scheduled tour date for “Innuendo” increased suspicions more.

November 23, 1991 – Mercury released a statement confirming AIDS

November 24, 1991 – Freddie Mercury died from AIDS-related Bronchial Pneumonia at his home in London.

“He didn’t want to be looked at as an object of pity and curiosity, and he didn’t want circling vultures over his head,” Taylor said. (Biography)

“If I had to do it all over again? Why not, I would do it a little bit differently.” ― Freddie Mercury, Freddie Mercury A Life, In His Own Words

Composition History

Bohemian RhapsodyWritten by Freddie MercuryAlbum: Night At The Opera

Released 19755:55 minute Rock OperettaRecorded after a 3-week rehearsal on August 24, 1975So elaborate, band members were recorded separatelyNo 1 on UK charts for 9 consecutive weeksFirst Top 10 single in the United States

“It’s one of those songs which has such a fantasy feel about it. I think that people should just listen to it, think about it and then make up their own minds as to what it says to

them.”

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Killer Queen “Breakthrough-Turning Point” Song Written by Freddie Mercury 3rd Album: Sheer Heart Attack Released November 8, 1974 No 2 on UK Charts First time on US Charts No 12 Mercury wrote song first then music 2:59 minute song Mercury wrote song in 1 night First Queen song not driven by a guitar single

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Don’t Stop Me Now Composed by Freddie Mercury Written for 7th Album “Jazz” Released 1978 March of 1979 – on Billboard charts for 4 weeks Only peaked to No 86 in US Reached Top 10 in UK at No 9 Used in many media clips for commercials and movies. First of their singles recorded on a cassette. Prior singles were

recorded on Vinyl. Brian May – recorded guitar solo onto track after original recording.

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Crazy Little Thing Called Love Composed by Freddie Mercury in 1979

1980 Album “The Game” Tribute to Elvis – Many mistake the song for Elvis himself No 2 on UK Charts in 1979 February 23, 1980 – No 1 for 4 weeks on Billboard Hot 100 Song was written in ~ 5-10 minutes

“’Crazy Little Thing Called Love’ took me five or ten minutes. I did that on the guitar, which I can't play for nuts, and in one way it was quite a good thing because I was restricted, knowing only a few chords. It's a good discipline because I simply had to write within a small framework. I couldn't work through too many chords and because of that restriction I wrote a good song, I think.” ~ Freddie Mercury

Bohemian Rhapsody Listening Guide• 00:00 The opening 14 seconds is a harmonized vocal that sets the tone for the song.• 00:15 A piano enters dramatically to set the melody and tempo for the song.• 00:26 The piano fades into a faint whisper almost and Freddie carries the melody and tempo with his voice.• 00:30 The piano again becomes prominent and does battle against the vocal power of Mercury.• 00:40 As the tempo appears to gain momentum, there are subtle synthesized sounds that add a free flowing

affect.• 00:45 The piano and vocals build up to a transition of tone and tempo.• 00:50 The song transitions with the piano playing the melody and tempo.• 00:55 The vocals enter in a dramatic almost ominous tone, thus setting the mood.• 01:19 The vocal inflections build up and culminate into a loud symbol crash.• 01:20 Percussion enters to carry the rhythm and tempo. The piano continues to carry the melody.• 01:30 The vocals vary in pitch and duration to draw attention to the mood.• 01:43 There is a transition back to the somber melody set by the piano in the beginning.• 01:55 It then transitions back to vocals in an ominous tone, with the percussion and piano.• 02:03 As he says, “shivers down my spine”, you here a bell tree imitating shivering.• 02:18 An electric guitar enters to help build intensity. The tempo gradually increases to change the mood.• 02:35 The other instruments fall into the background and vocals die off as the electric guitar takes over in a

dramatic solo. This makes the transition from a ballad format to more operatic format.• 03:03 Everything stops abruptly to solidify the change• 03:04 The piano enters to set the new mood, rhythm, and melody; soon accompanied by vocals to add affect.

Bohemian Rhapsody Listening Guide Cont…

• 03:12 The bass, tympani, and piano the dynamically rise up along with the multiple vocals heard.• 03:15 There is an alternating vocal at this point of the same lyric as if they are calling out to “Galileo”.• 03:23 There is a quick transition back to the ballad format with vocals and piano.• 03:28 The percussion brings the mood and tempo back abruptly.• 03:32 The piano takes the mood and tempo back down to set the next transition.• 03:38 The vocals and percussion seem to have a battle for control. This builds up in intensity as we approach a

guitar solo.• 03:55 The vocals and percussion come together and continue to build and increase in tempo. • 04:00 You can hear the guitar subtly in the background as the vocals hold in duration. The percussion as well

has some dramatic rhythmic beats.• 04:07 The guitar begins to blare as a brief transition solo begins. The percussion sets a moderate tempo and

rhythmic beat. This symbolizes the transition from operatic format to hard rock.• 04:15-04:53 The beat rhythm is steady. The vocals are aggressive. The guitar drives the melody up and down

and all around.• 04:53 The piano re- enters to bring down the tempo, melody and rhythm.• 04:57 The vocals re-enter in the operatic style of previous.• 05:07 The style changes again back to the ballad format.• 05:27 The piano takes over the melody and tempo.• 05:36 There is a brief little guitar riff carrying us toward the conclusion• 05:47 – 05:55 A loud crash of a Tam-tam takes the sound out as everything fades away

Killer Queen Listening Guide• 00:00 The first 2 seconds are rhythmic snapping to set the tempo• 00:02 Vocals enter to begin the melody• 00:07 Piano takes over the rhythm and tempo and sets the melody.• 00:11 Drums and guitar enter to keep the tempo• 00:20 Vocal inflection to draw attention to a transition.• 00:27 Chorus begins, multiple octave changes• 00:39 Transition to original tone and tempo• 00:42 Vocals carry in unison backed by a solo guitar• 00:44 Guitar riff backed by piano and drums• 00:52 Vocals and piano build up the tone• 00:54 Drum roll ending with a chime• 00:56 Vocals and piano continue rhythmically • 01:15 Chorus begins, multiple octaves throughout• 01:26 Guitar solo accompanied by drums• 01:33 Drums intensify to add emotion to the solo• 02:01 Transition back to original tone and tempo• 02:03 Guitar riff • 02:12 Drum roll accompanied by vocals in unison building up to chorus• 02:25 Vocals carry in unison backed by guitar to build up to transition• 02:27 Vocals transition to original tone and tempo• 02:32 Vocals carry in unison and fade out• 02:35 Guitar, piano and drums carry the tempo and melody • 02:46 – 02:59 Guitar solo fades out

Don’t Stop Me Know Listening Guide

• 00:00 Vocals and piano enter to begin the melody• 00:25 Piano cuts to a 2 note vocal transition• 00:32 Rhythm and beat change• 01:01 Additional vocals added to add more emotion to the song• 01:06 Chorus begins with vocal variations and temp is kept by the piano and drums• 01:26 Chorus ends with a long vocal note as piano creates the transition• 01:44 Vocals and tempo build to a climactic point• 01:45 Vocals continue at a erratic yet controlled pace• 01:58 Drums transition and take the lead on melody and tempo • 02:01 Alternating vocals balance with drums• 02:12 - 02:29 Drum roll builds emotion to transition into guitar solo • 02:30 – 02:46 Vocals continue in original tempo and tune accompanied by guitar riff’s

as it transitions into the chorus• 03:04 Sustained vocal note transitions into the finale• 03:09 – 03:29 Piano accompanied by vocal repetition carries out the finale

Crazy Little Thing Called Love Listening Guide• 00:00 The song opens with an acoustic guitar• 00:05 Drum beat begins • 00:06 Vocals rhythmically begin • 00:22 Quick drum cadence provides a transition• 00:23 Vocals and instruments resume tempo and melody• 00:39 Cymbal crash in the middle of the chorus • 00:56 Base guitar and Drum stick clap take down tempo and melody, transition into next verse• 01:01 Vocals continue in original tone and tempo• 01:19 Guitar riff transition into solo• 01:20 Guitar Solo accompanied by drums• 01:33 Bass Guitar takes down the tempo and tone • 01:38 Clapping takes over the rhythm and tempo• 01:55 Drum cadence brings back the tempo and rhythm• 01:57 The guitar accompanies the vocals with the melody.• 02:06 Guitar riff, repetitious vocals begin. • 02:17 Guitar riff• 02:22 Guitar riffs carry out the rest of the song accompanied by drums and vocals.• 02:42 The song ends

Biography• Title Page Photo http://queen.shanemcdonald.org• http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/arts/music/article3524761.ece• http://www.rollingstone.com/music/pictures/freddie-mercury-his-life-in-pictures-20121009• http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/culturepicturegalleries/5924714/Before-they-were-

famous.html?image=7• http://imustconfab.blogspot.com/2012/02/music-feature-queen-way-back-when.html • http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/884134.Freddie_Mercury• " Farookh Bulsara." 2012. Biography.com 08 Oct 2012, 06:27

http://www.biography.com/people/freddie-mercury-9406228• “Zanzibar Unveiled” 2000 Torrence Royer http://zanzibarhistory.org/zanzibar_revolution.htm• “Freddie Mercury: Biography” Jacky Gunn & Jim Jenkins http://www.freddie.ru/e/bio• “Bohemian Rhapsody” 2006 - 2011; Daria Kokoze• ‘I can dream up all kinds of things' – a classic Freddie Mercury interview from the vaults Caroline

Coon. 2011. guardian.co.uk• Freddie Mercury Interviews > 05-02-1981 - Melody Maker• http://www.queenarchives.com