Freddie Mercury

[postman44]

Where was Freddie Mercury born please. Some Google sites say stone town Tanzania some say zanzibar

[elliemay1]

//Freddie Mercury was born on the Tanzanian island of Zanzibar. //

[drmorgans]

I think that's because Zanzibar is now part of Tanzania

[scorpiojo]

Stone Town of Zanzibar (Arabic: مدينة زنجبار الحجرية‎), also known as Mji Mkongwe (Swahili for "old town"), is the old part of Zanzibar City, the main city of Zanzibar, in Tanzania

[elliemay1]

another link: //Mercury was born in Zanzibar's Government Hospital on 5 September 1946.//

[Arksided]

Def Zanzibar. I'm loving Queen day on Sky arts at the moment, I didn't even know it was on, 30 years since he passed away this year... Wow.

[Ken4155]

^
24 Nov 1991, a sad, sad day for many, Arky. I remember waking up to the news on the radio. Skipped work that day. Wouldn't have been of much use to anyone had i gone in.

[JimF]

I felt the same when I heard of the deaths of Rick Wright, John Lennon and Jimi Hendrix.

[andy-hughes]

I remember reviewing a concert performed by the ex-singer of a mediocre heavy metal band, who had obviously fallen hard times.

That would explain why he was playing a mid-week slot in a small venue in Stoke, to a less-than-capacity audience.

But what really sticks in my memory is the part where he said "Weclome to the birthplace of Freddy Mercury!!"

Er, Lemmy from Motorhead - yes, ex-Radio One DJ Bruno Brookes - yes, pop titan Robbie Williams - yes, Captain John Smith of the ill-fated Titanic - yes.

But Freddie Mercury?????

What I want to know is, what was that guy on, and where can I get some!!!

[Ken4155]

Before anyone points out that Freddie on the evening of a Sunday, the news didn't break until the following day, which, of course, was a workday.
I had only just got 'into' Hendrix, Jim (i was 15 when he died) and though i could listen to John Lennon, i never bought any of his music. The death of Rick Wright, however, did have an effect on me. I think the difference between two deaths was that Freddie's was sudden in that the confirmation of hs condition had only been given the day before he died.

[andy-hughes]

Ken - Freddie's positive HIV condition was 'officially' revealed, but it was one of the worst kept secrets involving a famous musician ever.

Everyone close to him knew, and everyone who worked with him could see, he was visibly dying in the final Queen video.

So really, it was hardly a 'shock' when he died.

[237SJ]

I knew for quite a while that Freddie was ill as I was told by colleagues who knew him from the gay club scene.

[Ken4155]

Andy, i neither 'worked with him' nor was 'close to him'. Ergo, his death was a shock to me. If that's alright with you!

[Ken4155]

By the way, These Are The Days Of Our Lives wasn't released until after his death.

[andy-hughes]

Ken - // Andy, i neither 'worked with him' nor was 'close to him'. Ergo, his death was a shock to me. If that's alright with you! //

It makes no odds to me.

I am simply saying that by watching the news, and videos, and reading the music and mainstream media, I knew that Freddie Mercury was probably suffering from AIDS some weeks before he sadly died.

It's not a boasting contest, I am stating a simple fact.

[237SJ]

I remember driving to work one day and the presenter on the major radio channel I was listening to was saying that he heard Freddie Mercury didn't want to appear in the lastest Queen video. I remember his exact words. He said "Come on Freddie, don't be a Prima Donna" I often wondered if the DJ ate his words when he found out that Freddie was dying.

[JimF]

"These Are The Days Of Our Lives wasn't released until after his death"

The song appeared on the album Innuendo, released on 4 February 1991. Freddie died later that year on 24 November.

[Ken4155]

^
As a single, Jim, accompanied by the video.

[Ken4155]

Andy, you made it sound as if the whole country and his uncle were aware that he was on his way out. Obviously, with your music-world connections, you may have been a tad more privy to the situation.
I had heard 'rumours' but the confirmation only came when the News Of The World dropped on my doormat on Sun 24 Nov 1991.

[bobbinwales]

I was a big Queen fan and for some reason he's death came as a great shock to me. Looking back at the videos it was obvious he was looking so gaunt towards the end but I just din't spot it. I never picked up on the AIDS issue even tho I'd heard jokes about Freddie. Mind you I never realised Village people or George MIcheal for example were gay

[JimF]

The single was released on Freddie's 45th birthday, 5 Sep 1991.