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Freddie Mercury: A Life from Beginning to End
Freddie Mercury was the ultimate rockstar. With a natural sense of timing and exuberance—some would say even flamboyance—Mercury seemed to be made for the stage. Still, it took a lot of hard work for him to get there.
This book details Freddie Mercury’s rise to stardom—from his youth in Zanzibar and his arrival in England to his first forays with rock music and the ultimate formation of Queen. Here you will learn of Mercury’s triumphs as well as his tragedies. Freddie Mercury was arguably one of the greatest performers ever to grace the stage, and this book recalls his life in full.
Discover a plethora of topics such as
Early Life in Zanzibar
Life at Art School
Musical Endeavors Before Queen
The Birth of Queen
The Failed Australian Tour
Live Aid and Mercury’s Final Years
And much more!
This book details Freddie Mercury’s rise to stardom—from his youth in Zanzibar and his arrival in England to his first forays with rock music and the ultimate formation of Queen. Here you will learn of Mercury’s triumphs as well as his tragedies. Freddie Mercury was arguably one of the greatest performers ever to grace the stage, and this book recalls his life in full.
Discover a plethora of topics such as
Early Life in Zanzibar
Life at Art School
Musical Endeavors Before Queen
The Birth of Queen
The Failed Australian Tour
Live Aid and Mercury’s Final Years
And much more!
55 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 28, 2021
116 people are currently reading
172 people want to read
About the author
Hourly History
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
December 3, 2025
A good detailed book about Freddie RIP
April 12, 2021
Awesome read! Learned so much about him, and his early life. Wish he was still here.
April 12, 2024
Disappointing
The book was a very superficial rendering of Freddie Mercury life. There were only brief mentions of his personal life accompanying a boring list of albums in chronological order.
The book was a very superficial rendering of Freddie Mercury life. There were only brief mentions of his personal life accompanying a boring list of albums in chronological order.
June 18, 2021
We well, we well, rock you!
And they certainly did.... Freddie Mercury, Bill May, and the other two members of “Queen” Will forever be in our hearts and our minds for the contribution they made in the late 70s, 80s and early 90s with their incredible style of music.
For me, in particular, “Killer Queen” is one of my favorites. Whether I’m listening to actual music by “Queen” or sitting in a concert by a tribute band, there isn’t much of “Queen’s” music I don’t enjoy.
This well pulled together, albeit brief, history of the super star group gives us much insight into Freddie Mercury, his definitely unique lifestyle, his love footprints his fiancé Mary, And for his passionate love of music.
And they certainly did.... Freddie Mercury, Bill May, and the other two members of “Queen” Will forever be in our hearts and our minds for the contribution they made in the late 70s, 80s and early 90s with their incredible style of music.
For me, in particular, “Killer Queen” is one of my favorites. Whether I’m listening to actual music by “Queen” or sitting in a concert by a tribute band, there isn’t much of “Queen’s” music I don’t enjoy.
This well pulled together, albeit brief, history of the super star group gives us much insight into Freddie Mercury, his definitely unique lifestyle, his love footprints his fiancé Mary, And for his passionate love of music.
January 1, 2025
A very misleading title and should have been title Queen the band even though the information is just a list of their albums. It starts off focused on Freddie but anything that happened in his life after he joined Queen is missing. Based on this book you would think he had a perfect relationship with the band and never attempted a solo career. It mentions him being gay but then leaves out aspect of his life that's connected to it. Even his long-term partner is missing and only gets a brief mention in the conclusions. This book seems like it wants you to believe that Freddie wasn't an actual person he was a band and nothing more.
June 10, 2021
This is a good look at the life of Freddie Mercury who, at least in my opinion, was one of the most talented singers of the last several decades. Queen also made a major contribution to helping others around the world with their participation in Live Aid.
We find out where he was born (not in the U.S.), where his parents came from, the religion that they followed, why they left the country they were living in,, how Queen was put together and his death from AIDS. There's also a bibliography.
It's a good succinct review of his life.
We find out where he was born (not in the U.S.), where his parents came from, the religion that they followed, why they left the country they were living in,, how Queen was put together and his death from AIDS. There's also a bibliography.
It's a good succinct review of his life.
July 29, 2021
Although I'm familiar with the music of the band Queen, I didn't know anything about the individual members. Freddie Mercury's early life was quite interesting. I was disappointed that there were no photos. The text talked about Mercury's outlandishness, but I had to go to the Internet to see what the author meant. While online, I saw Mercury performing with (or in) opera. Nothing was mentioned about this aspect. There was nothing about where Mercury is buried or who inherited after Freddie's death. The story just stopped; I wondered if the band continued/continues.
January 3, 2023
Of course I listened to Queen growing up like most people but I didn't know their whole story.
Actually I did watch the movie with Rami Malek from a few years ago - but that movie felt highly fictionalized. It was more about showing the drama than fitting all the real life details.
What stands out to me when thinking about Freddie Mercury is the idea of reinvention. I mean he was a gay man born in Zanzibar to Indian parents who became an icon of mainstream British popular culture in the 1960s. I wonder how he felt about his identity and how he was really accepted?
Actually I did watch the movie with Rami Malek from a few years ago - but that movie felt highly fictionalized. It was more about showing the drama than fitting all the real life details.
What stands out to me when thinking about Freddie Mercury is the idea of reinvention. I mean he was a gay man born in Zanzibar to Indian parents who became an icon of mainstream British popular culture in the 1960s. I wonder how he felt about his identity and how he was really accepted?
December 17, 2024
This is a fairly short book about Freddie and his life - it's short and condensed so if you want to read more about him or Queen you should obviously read a longer book. I still enjoyed this short book full of interesting facts and tidbits and I learned some new things about him that I didn't know before. This book doesn't really go into his love life like a lot of other books about him do- it's just a short book with a few facts about his life and his band Queen. It's a nice short read to throw in between longer reads.
May 30, 2021
Genius
Freddy was a genius in art and music. It was interesting to read about where he grew up and the conflicts that were happening, how his parents were able to flee Zanzibar taking them to London. If that didn't happen we most likely would not have been blessed with his music. It was also interesting to read that Jimi Hendrix was his idol along with some other well known British bands. I enjoyed this quick read!
Freddy was a genius in art and music. It was interesting to read about where he grew up and the conflicts that were happening, how his parents were able to flee Zanzibar taking them to London. If that didn't happen we most likely would not have been blessed with his music. It was also interesting to read that Jimi Hendrix was his idol along with some other well known British bands. I enjoyed this quick read!
April 13, 2021
The King of Queen
I love these Hourly History books. It's like taking a history course with a class about something totally interesting at a time of your own choosing.
The life of Freddie Mercury can't help but be interesting. Farrakh Bulsara was born in Zanzibar to Parsi parents but the family had to flee during a revolution. They settled in London and Farrakh became Freddie Mercury to ease the transition. Freddie's many accomplishments in life somehow led him along the path to become the legend he was born to be.
He left us the gift of "Bohemian Rhapsody," perhaps the Grand Master of all songs . It has been over-analyzed to death by those seeking its deeper meaning. It's a parody, folks, of ballad, opera and rock. Just enjoy it.
I love these Hourly History books. It's like taking a history course with a class about something totally interesting at a time of your own choosing.
The life of Freddie Mercury can't help but be interesting. Farrakh Bulsara was born in Zanzibar to Parsi parents but the family had to flee during a revolution. They settled in London and Farrakh became Freddie Mercury to ease the transition. Freddie's many accomplishments in life somehow led him along the path to become the legend he was born to be.
He left us the gift of "Bohemian Rhapsody," perhaps the Grand Master of all songs . It has been over-analyzed to death by those seeking its deeper meaning. It's a parody, folks, of ballad, opera and rock. Just enjoy it.
September 23, 2021
His life not death.
Beautifully written story on Freddie with tidbits on the other members of his various bands. Personally I enjoyed the how Queen was named, how Freddie chose his name, etc. I am particularly pleased that his life was storied. His death mentioned as it should be, but didn't define his life. Well worth the time reading and Youtubing favorite songs.
Beautifully written story on Freddie with tidbits on the other members of his various bands. Personally I enjoyed the how Queen was named, how Freddie chose his name, etc. I am particularly pleased that his life was storied. His death mentioned as it should be, but didn't define his life. Well worth the time reading and Youtubing favorite songs.
September 22, 2022
Hourly History does it again, short, sweet & just the right info
What a great simple introduction to Freddie Mercury. Take it a a snippet to get you interested in learning more of this once a generation and unique human being of talent, style, charisma and benefit we all have watching and listened to a cherished Soul and his iconic voice of musical talent.
What a great simple introduction to Freddie Mercury. Take it a a snippet to get you interested in learning more of this once a generation and unique human being of talent, style, charisma and benefit we all have watching and listened to a cherished Soul and his iconic voice of musical talent.
October 21, 2022
If you want the short version of Freddie's life and his career with Queen then this is the book for you. I managed to finish the book within a day, didn't take me very long. It doesn't obviously pack everything in, but it keeps all the important information and tells it in the short term. There's nothing more I can say. Short, informative and well worth it for any Queen fan's collection.
April 30, 2021
Shockingly, outrageously bad
This was so badly written I gave up by chapter six. The book also has no insight, no background on Queen or Mercury that isn’t already known, I read it in unlimited so I don’t have to ask for my money back.
This was so badly written I gave up by chapter six. The book also has no insight, no background on Queen or Mercury that isn’t already known, I read it in unlimited so I don’t have to ask for my money back.
December 9, 2022
I enjoyed reading about Freddie Mercury the flamboyant performer with an amazing vocal range.
The book gives us a glimpse into his life and career. I have been a fan of some of Queen’s music but it was Freddie Mercury’s performance and connection with the audience that stands out.
The book gives us a glimpse into his life and career. I have been a fan of some of Queen’s music but it was Freddie Mercury’s performance and connection with the audience that stands out.
January 6, 2023
The man behind the music Freddie Mercury
This is a great book and tells Freddie’s story with simplicity and to the point. From his beginning and starting his music career to the end.
This is a great book and tells Freddie’s story with simplicity and to the point. From his beginning and starting his music career to the end.
September 13, 2023
Freddy Mercury
Another wonderful and informative book by Hourly History. I really enjoy the topics and people that they choose to write about. Additionally, it isn’t the same boring information that every other book has.
Another wonderful and informative book by Hourly History. I really enjoy the topics and people that they choose to write about. Additionally, it isn’t the same boring information that every other book has.
October 13, 2023
Life of a Superstar
Wonderful read! I learned more about this awesome star in reading this volume than I did by following his public career. I listened to Queen’s music from their start so many years ago. Now I know the whole story.
Wonderful read! I learned more about this awesome star in reading this volume than I did by following his public career. I listened to Queen’s music from their start so many years ago. Now I know the whole story.
December 24, 2023
Wonderful summary of A Wonderful Life
Love the book which told us all about Freddy's wonderful music and wonderful contribution to music and the 1970s and 1980s. So sad that he died so young with so much more to give.
Love the book which told us all about Freddy's wonderful music and wonderful contribution to music and the 1970s and 1980s. So sad that he died so young with so much more to give.
March 3, 2022
Enlightening story. This man has provided immense pleasure to so many. Even today I don't think a person cannot sing along with him.
April 24, 2022
Same facts, different authors?
I did like the book, although a person, who is a Queen fan, probably knows what to expect.
Need more material!
I did like the book, although a person, who is a Queen fan, probably knows what to expect.
Need more material!
May 21, 2022
Life of a legend
This Biography of Freddy Mercury is a bit shallow and glossed over In presentation but still an interesting read about the performer
This Biography of Freddy Mercury is a bit shallow and glossed over In presentation but still an interesting read about the performer
June 11, 2022
Good bio
Nice concise bio of Freddie Mercury. Gives you the story of how Freddie becomes the driving force that helped create Queen.
Nice concise bio of Freddie Mercury. Gives you the story of how Freddie becomes the driving force that helped create Queen.
September 24, 2022
A good overview in this 58-page bio of Freddy Mercury. It gave me a new appreciation of Queen and their front man.
December 19, 2022
Good summary
A nice chronological order of life events that made Freddie and Queen glossed over his sexuality. But he was way more than just that!
A nice chronological order of life events that made Freddie and Queen glossed over his sexuality. But he was way more than just that!
January 24, 2023
Classic showman
He was a superstar. He could sing ballads, he could sing rock anthems. There will never be another like him.
He was a superstar. He could sing ballads, he could sing rock anthems. There will never be another like him.
December 15, 2023
Interesti facts about Queen.
Short concise history of Queen. Even though I have read most articles about Freddie still interesting to read a different s!and on his life.
Short concise history of Queen. Even though I have read most articles about Freddie still interesting to read a different s!and on his life.
August 2, 2024
A very amazing book of you want to know a lot about the legion, the most amazing artist,the Greatest Showman himself Mr.Freddie Mercury of Queen but don't have a lot of time.
August 16, 2024
10/10 for me
literally touched my heart and i might have almost cried at the end! i truly loved this book and so thankful i did read it
literally touched my heart and i might have almost cried at the end! i truly loved this book and so thankful i did read it
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews