< Today In Music History: Clapton Records With The Beatles | Main | Transmission video of the day - Queen "Flash" >

Tuesday Coffee Break: Freddie Mercury's 65th

Posted at 8:03 AM on September 6, 2011 by Steve Seel (22 Comments)
Filed under: 9:30 Coffee Break

Yesterday was the 65th anniversary of the birth of Freddie Mercury, which you were reminded of if you went anywhere near Google's home page yesterday (you might want to check out the amazing Google doodle while you still can - they've left it up there a little longer for those of us who missed it). Since the Morning Show was off yesterday, we thought we'd take today to have a little celebration of Freddie's life and career.

Born Farrokh Bulsara in the British protectorate of Zanzibar, Mercury lived in India through his teens (during which time he began to call himself "Freddy") before his family moved in England. In 1970, he formed Queen with Brian May, Roger Taylor and John Deacon, changing his last name to Mercury. Queen would evolve into one of the most significant and celebrated bands in rock, known for it's elaborate compositions and Mercury's virtuosic, practically operatic vocals (spanning a four-octave range) and flamboyant stage persona. Mercury died of pneumonia brought on by AIDS on November 24th, 1991, only one day after publicly acknowledging he had the disease.

Help us celebrate the life and legacy of Freddie Mercury today with a 9:30 Coffee Break showcasing his music today.

Songs played:
Queen "Bohemian Rhapsody"
Queen "Fat Bottomed Girls"
Queen "Another One Bites the Dust"
Queen "Don't Stop Me Now"
Queen "You're My Best Friend"
Queen "Somebody to Love"

Comments (22)

"Somebody to Love"

Posted by April | September 6, 2011 8:46 AM

Well, for me the most indelible song for Freddie was "Radio GaGa" - for it's powerful performance at LiveAid and marked Queen's resurgence after the whole Sun City thing.

The other would have to be "The Show Must Go On"

Posted by Wendy | September 6, 2011 8:46 AM

Don't Stop Me Now!

Posted by Martha | September 6, 2011 8:46 AM

"Somebody to Love"

Posted by April | September 6, 2011 8:47 AM

Let's reach a little deeper today, how about some "My Melancholy Blues", from The News of the Day album.

Posted by Larry M. | September 6, 2011 8:48 AM

Bohemian Rhapsody!

Posted by Topher Boyd | September 6, 2011 8:51 AM

Mustapha

Posted by CC | September 6, 2011 8:52 AM

Fat Bottom Girls.

Posted by Brandon | September 6, 2011 8:53 AM

"You're My Best Friend"

Posted by Justin | September 6, 2011 8:54 AM

"Sheer Heart Attack" (News of the World)

Many years ago, I recorded this song from my brother's album onto cassette. Actually thought I could hear my mom yelling my name (which she did while I was recording) right after the first line. Didn't realize until sometime later that it was part of the song.

And another amazing vocal from Freddie...
"Who Wants to Live Forever?" (Highlander soundtrack)

Posted by (JL) | September 6, 2011 8:58 AM

"We Will Rock You"
"Under Pressure"

I second "Fat Bottom Girls"

Posted by Cathryn | September 6, 2011 8:58 AM

Another One Bites the Dust.

Posted by Gilbert | September 6, 2011 8:59 AM

Killer Queen

Posted by Vanessa | September 6, 2011 9:00 AM

Under Pressure

Posted by Jamie | September 6, 2011 9:01 AM

Bicycle Race

Posted by Jackie K. | September 6, 2011 9:10 AM

"Crazy Little Thing Called Love"
...and another vote for "Fat-Bottomed Girls"

Posted by jo | September 6, 2011 9:10 AM

Another vote for 'Under Pressure' and 'Who Wants to Live Forever'

Posted by ann | September 6, 2011 9:12 AM

How about Barcelona? Great song.

Posted by Sara | September 6, 2011 9:15 AM

"Who wants to live forever", from the highlander soundtrack, this song is great but rarely heard/played.
it's fitting since he died a few years after.

Posted by Melinda Johnson | September 6, 2011 9:15 AM

"Another One Bites the Dust" - that song just shows off his amazing vocal talent!

Posted by Rachel Ahrndt | September 6, 2011 9:18 AM

It's all good, but Barcelona brings me to tears every time.

Posted by Jennifer K | September 6, 2011 9:38 AM

No request. Just wanted to say thanks. I saw the Google Doodle yesterday but it was only when I looked again because of your reminder that I saw the "play" button. That's some next level doodling!

Posted by Patrick | September 6, 2011 9:49 AM

September 2011
S	M	T	W	T	F	S
				1	2	3
4	5	6	7	8	9	10
11	12	13	14	15	16	17
18	19	20	21	22	23	24
25	26	27	28	29	30

Master Archive