Legendary Queen frontman Freddie Mercury was just 45-years-old when succumbed to complications from AIDS on this date in 1991. As the primary vocalist and songwriter behind many of Queen’s hits, Mercury’s dynamic singing and theatrical stage presence supplanted him as one of the all-time great rock ‘n’ roll performers.
Born Farrokh Bulsara to Parsi parents on the island of Zanzibar on September 5, 1946, Mercury and his family later moved to India, and when he reached an older age relocated to England. Queen was established in 1970 when Mercury teamed with guitarist Brian May, bassist John Deacon and drummer Roger Taylor. The London-based group became a global sensation, selling millions of records and concert tickets in the 1970s and 1980s behind such arena rock hits written by Mercury as “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “We Are the Champions.”
Last year, JamBase presented the isolated vocal tracks from Queen’s collaboration with David Bowie “Under Pressure,” highlighting the pair of late rock icons. Below are more isolated – or mostly isolated – vocal tracks from the Queen catalog. Freddie’s awesome singing can be clearly heard on stripped-away recordings of the aforementioned “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “We Are the Champions,” as well as favorites like “Another One Bites The Dust,” “Killer Queen,” “Somebody To Love,” “I Want To Break Free” and “Crazy Little Thing Called Love.” Listen below:
