Overview
- The Queen frontman died in London on November 24, 1991, at age 45 from AIDS-related pneumonia, a day after confirming he had tested HIV positive and had AIDS.
- Archival quotes highlight his resolve to keep creating, with Brian May recalling Mercury’s request to write and record as much as possible because he wanted to make music until the end.
- Late sessions informed posthumous releases, including Made in Heaven in 1995, which drew on vocals and material Mercury recorded knowing time was short.
- Queen honored him with the 1992 Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert at Wembley Stadium, a star-studded benefit that raised funds to fight AIDS.
- Those close to him describe a shy, private person offstage, and accounts emphasize Queen’s identity as four equal partners rather than a singer with backing musicians.