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Birth
Mercury was born Farrokh Bulsara in Stone Town in the British protectorate of Zanzibar on 5 September 1946. -
School
In 1954, at the age of eight, Mercury was sent to study at St. Peter's School, a British-style boarding school for boys, in Panchgani near Bombay. -
British Subject
As Zanzibar was a British protectorate until 1963, Mercury was born a British subject -
Back To Zanzibar
In February 1963, he moved back to Zanzibar where he joined his parents at their flat. -
Fleding To England
In the spring of 1964, Mercury and his family fled to England from Zanzibar to escape the violence of the revolution against the Sultan of Zanzibar and his mainly Arab government. -
graduating
After first studying art at Isleworth Polytechnic in West London, Mercury studied graphic art and design at Ealing Art College, graduating with a diploma in 1969. -
Joined Liverpool-based band Ibex
In 1969, he joined Liverpool-based band Ibex, later renamed Wreckage, which played "very Hendrix-style, heavy blues". -
Citizen of the United Kingdom
On 2 June 1969 was registered a citizen of the United Kingdom and colonies after the family had emigrated to England. -
He joined an Oxford-based band
He joined an Oxford-based band, Sour Milk Sea, but by early 1970 this group had broken up as well. -
Smile
In April 1970, Mercury teamed up with guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor, to become lead singer of their band Smile. -
Relationship with Mary Austin
In the early 1970s, Mercury had a long-term relationship with Mary Austin, whom he met through guitarist Brian May. -
John Deacon joined the band
They were joined by bassist John Deacon in 1971. -
Began using guest keyboardists.
From the early 1980s Mercury began extensively using guest keyboardists. -
The first ever to play in South American stadiums
The band was the first ever to play in South American stadiums, breaking worldwide records for concert attendance in the Morumbi Stadium in São Paulo in 1981. -
Mercury collaborated with Morgan Fisher
From 1982 Mercury collaborated with Morgan Fisher. -
Live Aid
One of Mercury's most notable performances with Queen took place at Live Aid in 1985. -
Mercury collaborated with Mike Moran
From 1985 onward Mercury collaborated with Mike Moran (in the studio) and Spike Edney (in concert). -
Denis O'Regan's comment
Photographer Denis O'Regan, who captured a definitive pose of Mercury on stage—arched back, knee bent and facing toward the sky—during his final tour with Queen in 1986, commented "Freddie was a once-in-a-lifetime showman". -
Mercury's final live performance
Mercury's final live performance with Queen took place on 9 August 1986 at Knebworth Park in England and drew an attendance estimated as high as 200,000. -
death
He announced his diagnosis the day before his death, from complications from the disease, in 1991 at the age of 45.