“I am not afraid of death; I just don't want to be there when it happens.” ~ Woody Allen
He was born "Faroukh Bulsara" in Zanzibar, and he died "Freddie Mercury", in a six million dollar home in London.
On November 24, 1991, the announcement came: "Freddie Mercury died peacefully this evening at his home at 1 Logan Place, Kensington, London. His death was the result of pneumonia brought on by AIDS."
On October 8th, 1988, rock superstar and Queen lead singer Freddie Mercury appeared at the enormous open air La Nit festival in Barcelona, Spain - singing three duets with Montserrat Caballe the international opera diva. This was the last time he performed onstage, because he was terribly ill with AIDS and didn't want people to know about it. Although very sick, he told no one and continued to compose, record and take part in making videos.
From 1988 through 1991, there were many media rumors that Freddie Mercury had AIDS, but these were denied until November 23rd, 1991 when he released the following statement: "Following enormous conjecture in the press, I wish to confirm that I have been tested HIV positive and have AIDS. I felt it correct to keep this information private in order to protect the privacy of those around me. However, the time has now come for my friends and fans around the world to know the truth, and I hope everyone will join me, my doctors and all those worldwide in the fight against this terrible disease." Freddie Mercury died the next day.
During his life, Mercury wove his sexual confusion into his art, recording a cover of Buck Ram's classic "The Great Pretender" (and appearing in drag in the song's video):
"Oh oh, yes I'm the great pretender
Just laughing and gay like a clown
I seem to be what I'm not you see
I'm wearing my heart like a clown
Too real when I feel what my heart can't conceal."
Just laughing and gay like a clown
I seem to be what I'm not you see
I'm wearing my heart like a clown
Too real when I feel what my heart can't conceal."
Freddie knew life was fragile but never slowed down. When asked, what he would be doing in twenty years' time, He quickly answered "I'll be dead, darling! Are you crazy?"
Freddie Mercury was a singular musical talent whose residue speaks for itself. Yet he was confused and aimless beyond the moment in which he lived. His life is tragic and leaves us feeling empty. Like the lyrics he wrote for Momma:
"It's too late, my time has come
Send shivers down my spine.
Body's aching all the time.
Goodbye everybody, I've got to go
gotta leave you all behind and fade away.
Send shivers down my spine.
Body's aching all the time.
Goodbye everybody, I've got to go
gotta leave you all behind and fade away.
Mamma, oeoeoeoe
I don't wanne die, I sometimes wish
I'd never been born at all."
I don't wanne die, I sometimes wish
I'd never been born at all."
On another occasion he added, "When I'm dead, I want to be remembered as a musician of some worth and substance.” And then, "Who wants to live forever?"
Freddie really did want to live forever but just as we all do, he soon learned, he would not. Only the legend lives on in our hearts and minds. He was amazing but didn't plan ahead so he could attain immortality.
What is your legacy? Are you planning ahead? What will you leave behind and what will be your future? It's never too late to rethink the strategy by which you live your life until it's over; then you are stuck with it!
"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today." ~ James Dean
