Lake View East in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Freddie Mercury
The Legacy Walk
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, August 26, 2021
1. Freddie Mercury Marker
Inscription.
Freddie Mercury. The Legacy Walk.
FREDDIE MERCURY Gay Rock and Roll Superstar (1946 - 1991). , Born in 1946, to Bombay-born Parsi parents living in Zanzibar, Farrokh Bulsara's musical talent first revealed itself during his early years as a pupil at an English-style boarding school in India. It was at St. Peter's School, Panchgani that he anglicised his name to Freddie. The violent Zanzibar Revolution of 1964, during which thousands were slaughtered, sent the Bulsaras family running for their lives to England, where relatives took them in. Freddie studied graphic design and illustration at Ealing College of Art, graduating in 1969 at the age of 23. His adoration of Jimi Hendrix led him to join a series of bands. The most promising, Smile, metamorphosed into Queen. It was then that he abandoned his family name for the surname 'Mercury'. His distinctive baritone voice, his ability to extend his three- octave vocal range with a variety of vibrato and distortion techniques, his strutting, seductive showmanship and his ability to connect with his audience made him one of the most thrilling rock performers of all time. Musically diverse, courageous and endlessly experimental, Queen's studio albums showcased a string of songs that both confounded and celebrated all genres. Every member of the band wrote hits. Freddie penned 'Bohemian Rhapsody', 'Crazy Little Thing Called Love', 'We Are The Champions' and 'Killer Queen'. 'Radio Ga Ga' was drummer Roger Taylor's. 'Another One Bites the Dust' and 'You're My Best Friend' were bassist John Deacon's, while guitarist Brian May wrote 'We Will Rock You'. In 1985, as part of a superstar line-up, Freddie and Queen stole the show at Live Aid, the global-jukebox fundraiser for African famine relief. Always private about his sexuality and personal relationships, Freddie never came out during his lifetime. Wishing to be remembered for his music alone, he chose not to announce his HIV diagnosis he spent the final months of his life as a recluse, nursed by close friends. On November 23 1991, he admitted in a statement that he had AIDS, and died the next day, aged 45. "The Great Pretender lives on in the hearts, minds and memories of millions.
FREDDIE MERCURY
Gay Rock & Roll Superstar
(1946 - 1991)
Born in 1946, to Bombay-born Parsi parents living in Zanzibar, Farrokh Bulsara's
musical talent first revealed itself during his early years as a pupil at an
English-style boarding school in India. It was at St. Peter's School, Panchgani that he
anglicised his name to Freddie. The violent Zanzibar Revolution of 1964, during
which thousands were slaughtered, sent the Bulsaras family running for their
lives to England, where relatives took them in. Freddie studied graphic design and
illustration at Ealing College of Art, graduating in 1969 at the age of 23. His
adoration of Jimi Hendrix led him to join a series of bands. The most promising, Smile,
metamorphosed into Queen. It was then that he abandoned his family name for the
surname 'Mercury'. His distinctive baritone voice, his ability to extend his three-
octave vocal range with a variety of vibrato and distortion techniques, his
strutting, seductive showmanship and his ability to connect with his audience made
him one of the most thrilling rock performers of all time. Musically diverse,
courageous
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and endlessly experimental, Queen's studio albums showcased a string of
songs that both confounded and celebrated all genres. Every member of the band
wrote hits. Freddie penned 'Bohemian Rhapsody', 'Crazy Little Thing Called Love',
'We Are The Champions' and 'Killer Queen'. 'Radio Ga Ga' was drummer Roger Taylor's.
'Another One Bites the Dust' and 'You're My Best Friend' were bassist John Deacon's,
while guitarist Brian May wrote 'We Will Rock You'. In 1985, as part of a superstar
line-up, Freddie and Queen stole the show at Live Aid, the global-jukebox fundraiser
for African famine relief. Always private about his sexuality and personal
relationships, Freddie never came out during his lifetime. Wishing to be remembered
for his music alone, he chose not to announce his HIV diagnosis he spent the final
months of his life as a recluse, nursed by close friends. On November 23 1991, he
admitted in a statement that he had AIDS, and died the next day, aged 45. "The Great
Pretender lives on in the hearts, minds and memories of millions.
Erected 2020 by The Legacy Project.
Topics and series. This historical marker
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, August 26, 2021
2. Freddie Mercury Marker - wide view
is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. In addition, it is included in the The Legacy Walk series list. A significant historical date for this entry is November 24, 1991.
Location. 41° 56.478′ N, 87° 38.964′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Lake View East. It is on North Halsted Street south of Aldine, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3246 North Halsted Street, Chicago IL 60657, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest and on the Great Lakes. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Sylvester (here, next to this marker); The Harlem Renaissance (a few steps from this marker); The Pink Triangle (a few steps from this marker); Bayard Rustin (about 400 feet away, measured in a
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 29, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 570 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on August 29, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
