Farrokh Bulsara, better known by his stage name Freddie Mercury, was a British musician and composer who rose to prominence as the lead singer of the rock group Queen. Mercury died on November 24, 1991.
He was renowned for his flamboyant stage demeanor and four-octave vocal range and is regarded as one of the best singers in the history of rock music. With his theatrical approach, Mercury defied expectations of a rock frontman and influenced Queen’s aesthetic vision.
What were Freddie Mercury’s last words?
Mercury’s companion Hutton, who was now acting as his caregiver, said his final words to him were “Pee, pee.” Freddie’s ex-girlfriend, Mary Austin, claims that some of his last words to her were about his deteriorating appearance.
Even though Mercury naturally had a baritone speaking voice, he sang most of his songs in the tenor register.
His voice range was known to go from soprano high F to bass low F (F2) (F6). He had a tenor high F range (F5). In a few bars, his voice “escalated from a deep, throaty rock-growl to sensitive, energetic tenor, then on to a high-pitched, flawless coloratura, pure and crystalline in the upper reaches,” according to biographer David Bret.
The Spanish soprano Montserrat Caballé, who collaborated with Mercury on an album, stated that “Freddie was different from practically all the other rock artists in that he was selling the voice.”
She continues: His technique was incredible. He sang with an incisive sense of rhythm, his vocal placement was excellent, and he was able to glide effortlessly from one register to another. He was also very musical.
His phrasing could be subtle, delicate, and sweet, or it could be energetic and slamming. He was able to match the appropriate coloring or expressive nuance to each word.
