they called him mr. Fahrenheit welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re
to watchmojo.com and today we’re
to watchmojo.com and today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10
counting down our picks for the top 10
counting down our picks for the top 10 Freddie Mercury moments
like a clown for this list we’ll be
like a clown for this list we’ll be looking at the defining moments from the
looking at the defining moments from the
looking at the defining moments from the lifetimes and career of one Farouk
lifetimes and career of one Farouk
lifetimes and career of one Farouk al-shara the signature moments I built
al-shara the signature moments I built
al-shara the signature moments I built the icon that is Freddie Mercury
number ten 2012 Summer Olympics closing
number ten 2012 Summer Olympics closing ceremony this British music we’ve had a
ceremony this British music we’ve had a
ceremony this British music we’ve had a little bit of Queen
little bit of Queen
little bit of Queen it’d been over two decades since Freddie
it’d been over two decades since Freddie
it’d been over two decades since Freddie Mercury had left the stage we mortals
Mercury had left the stage we mortals
Mercury had left the stage we mortals call life but his ability to work a
call life but his ability to work a
call life but his ability to work a crowd hadn’t diminished in the least
the rumor mill prior to the 2012 London
the rumor mill prior to the 2012 London Games closing ceremony had it that the
Games closing ceremony had it that the
Games closing ceremony had it that the legend would return to the stage as a
legend would return to the stage as a
legend would return to the stage as a Tupac Ian hologram but viewers were
Tupac Ian hologram but viewers were
Tupac Ian hologram but viewers were instead given something that looked more
instead given something that looked more
instead given something that looked more akin to a commlink from the great beyond
donning his once trademark mustache and
donning his once trademark mustache and Wembley era yellowjacket virtual Freddie
Wembley era yellowjacket virtual Freddie
Wembley era yellowjacket virtual Freddie worked the crowd into the same state of
worked the crowd into the same state of
worked the crowd into the same state of frenzy as he did back in 1986 it was a
frenzy as he did back in 1986 it was a
frenzy as he did back in 1986 it was a hard act for anyone to follow but
hard act for anyone to follow but
hard act for anyone to follow but especially for Jesse J who donning a
especially for Jesse J who donning a
especially for Jesse J who donning a snappy yellow jacket of her own joined
snappy yellow jacket of her own joined
snappy yellow jacket of her own joined Queens as Brian May and Roger Taylor to
Queens as Brian May and Roger Taylor to
Queens as Brian May and Roger Taylor to fill in for mercury on we will rock you
number nine leaving almost everything to
number nine leaving almost everything to former girlfriend Mary Austin my name is
former girlfriend Mary Austin my name is
former girlfriend Mary Austin my name is Mary Austin I’m a long-term friend of
Mary Austin I’m a long-term friend of
Mary Austin I’m a long-term friend of Freddy’s the coupling of Mary Austin and
Freddy’s the coupling of Mary Austin and
Freddy’s the coupling of Mary Austin and Freddie Mercury may have lasted only a
Freddie Mercury may have lasted only a
Freddie Mercury may have lasted only a handful of years but their friendship
handful of years but their friendship
handful of years but their friendship remains intact
remains intact
remains intact until the end although Mercury had
until the end although Mercury had
until the end although Mercury had proposed to Austin the relationship came
proposed to Austin the relationship came
proposed to Austin the relationship came to an end as the singer came to terms
to an end as the singer came to terms
to an end as the singer came to terms with his sexuality it was a relief ready
with his sexuality it was a relief ready
with his sexuality it was a relief ready to actually hear it from him when they
to actually hear it from him when they
to actually hear it from him when they split Freddy bought Mary a lavish
split Freddy bought Mary a lavish
split Freddy bought Mary a lavish apartment near his home and later became
apartment near his home and later became
apartment near his home and later became godfather to her first son ten years
godfather to her first son ten years
godfather to her first son ten years after the split they remained close with
after the split they remained close with
after the split they remained close with Mercury claiming she was not only
Mercury claiming she was not only
Mercury claiming she was not only irreplaceable but that she was his only
irreplaceable but that she was his only
irreplaceable but that she was his only friend as he n neared Freddy told Mary
friend as he n neared Freddy told Mary
friend as he n neared Freddy told Mary he’d planned to leave her his Georgian
he’d planned to leave her his Georgian
he’d planned to leave her his Georgian mansion royalties as well as the bulk of
mansion royalties as well as the bulk of
mansion royalties as well as the bulk of his nine million pound fortune Austin
his nine million pound fortune Austin
his nine million pound fortune Austin would have preferred the 20 million
would have preferred the 20 million
would have preferred the 20 million pound home be donated to a trust but
pound home be donated to a trust but
pound home be donated to a trust but Mercury insisted that if life had turned
Mercury insisted that if life had turned
Mercury insisted that if life had turned out differently they would have married
out differently they would have married
out differently they would have married and it would have had been hers
and it would have had been hers
and it would have had been hers regardless number eight Barcelona
regardless number eight Barcelona
regardless number eight Barcelona his duet with Mozart Capelli a this
his duet with Mozart Capelli a this
his duet with Mozart Capelli a this dream was me and you
it’s hardly surprising to learn that
it’s hardly surprising to learn that Freddie Mercury had an appreciation for
Freddie Mercury had an appreciation for
Freddie Mercury had an appreciation for opera after all Queens fourth album was
opera after all Queens fourth album was
opera after all Queens fourth album was called a Night at the Opera but what is
called a Night at the Opera but what is
called a Night at the Opera but what is surprising is just how well he could
surprising is just how well he could
surprising is just how well he could pull off the genre far from just some
pull off the genre far from just some
pull off the genre far from just some rocker riding the coattails and name
rocker riding the coattails and name
rocker riding the coattails and name recognition of an opera star mercury not
recognition of an opera star mercury not
recognition of an opera star mercury not only co-wrote Barcelona but also sang
only co-wrote Barcelona but also sang
only co-wrote Barcelona but also sang Montserrat caballé EA’s vocal parts for
Montserrat caballé EA’s vocal parts for
Montserrat caballé EA’s vocal parts for her when demoing the song
paired with the soprano mercury was able
paired with the soprano mercury was able to sing in his natural baritone vocal
to sing in his natural baritone vocal
to sing in his natural baritone vocal range something he rarely did while the
range something he rarely did while the
range something he rarely did while the rock icon was amazed by Cavalli A’s
rock icon was amazed by Cavalli A’s
rock icon was amazed by Cavalli A’s vocal control the opera singer in turn
vocal control the opera singer in turn
vocal control the opera singer in turn developed the utmost respect for
developed the utmost respect for
developed the utmost respect for Mercury’s range and phrasing which she
Mercury’s range and phrasing which she
Mercury’s range and phrasing which she found astonishing
at least as a single in 1987 Barcelona
at least as a single in 1987 Barcelona hit number eight on the British charts
hit number eight on the British charts
hit number eight on the British charts Legris charted at number two around the
Legris charted at number two around the
Legris charted at number two around the time of the 1992 Olympic Games for which
time of the 1992 Olympic Games for which
time of the 1992 Olympic Games for which it was written
number seven Queen Saturday Night Live
number seven Queen Saturday Night Live appearance make sure by 1982 lots of
appearance make sure by 1982 lots of
appearance make sure by 1982 lots of bands had played SNL but few of those
bands had played SNL but few of those
bands had played SNL but few of those spots came with the backstory and trivia
spots came with the backstory and trivia
spots came with the backstory and trivia goldmine of Queen season 8 visit
goldmine of Queen season 8 visit
goldmine of Queen season 8 visit traveling with his then beau bill Reid
traveling with his then beau bill Reid
traveling with his then beau bill Reid Freddie blue his voice out the night
Freddie blue his voice out the night
Freddie blue his voice out the night before during a heated argument with
before during a heated argument with
before during a heated argument with Reid and spent most of the day trying to
Reid and spent most of the day trying to
Reid and spent most of the day trying to get it back
fixing his voice just as Showtime
fixing his voice just as Showtime approached the band played under
approached the band played under
approached the band played under pressure and crazy little thing called
pressure and crazy little thing called
pressure and crazy little thing called love a song Friday not only wrote on
love a song Friday not only wrote on
love a song Friday not only wrote on guitar but played on guitar as well
guitar but played on guitar as well
guitar but played on guitar as well despite claiming he couldn’t play the
despite claiming he couldn’t play the
despite claiming he couldn’t play the instrument for Nuts
meanwhile the set represented not only
meanwhile the set represented not only Queens only SNL performance but their
Queens only SNL performance but their
Queens only SNL performance but their only performance on American TV as well
only performance on American TV as well
only performance on American TV as well as their last ever live performance on
as their last ever live performance on
as their last ever live performance on US soil with mercury in the lead and it
US soil with mercury in the lead and it
US soil with mercury in the lead and it was almost sabotage by a shouting match
me 10
me 10 on the surface the great Pretender is
on the surface the great Pretender is
on the surface the great Pretender is just some old song from the 50s but as
just some old song from the 50s but as
just some old song from the 50s but as old songs from the 50s go whew suited
old songs from the 50s go whew suited
old songs from the 50s go whew suited him better although arguably the most
him better although arguably the most
him better although arguably the most dynamic frontman of his time offstage
dynamic frontman of his time offstage
dynamic frontman of his time offstage Freddie Mercury was a shy and reserved
Freddie Mercury was a shy and reserved
Freddie Mercury was a shy and reserved individual and saw the platters cover as
individual and saw the platters cover as
individual and saw the platters cover as a fitting anthem
you see I’m
you see I’m my heart like a crown
my heart like a crown
my heart like a crown for the video mercury shaved his
for the video mercury shaved his
for the video mercury shaved his moustache his signature look for most of
moustache his signature look for most of
moustache his signature look for most of the decade revisited classic wardrobe
the decade revisited classic wardrobe
the decade revisited classic wardrobe choices and even reenacted old Queen
choices and even reenacted old Queen
choices and even reenacted old Queen videos to make a statement about image
videos to make a statement about image
videos to make a statement about image the great pretender student mercury so
the great pretender student mercury so
the great pretender student mercury so well
well
well it became the title for the American
it became the title for the American
it became the title for the American version of his posthumous album as well
version of his posthumous album as well
version of his posthumous album as well as a documentary about his life Jhansi
released right around the time he was
released right around the time he was diagnosed with HIV the song’s title
diagnosed with HIV the song’s title
diagnosed with HIV the song’s title would only become weightier as he denied
would only become weightier as he denied
would only become weightier as he denied aids rumors and deflected queries about
aids rumors and deflected queries about
aids rumors and deflected queries about his health until the week he died
number five piggybacking Darth Vader my
number five piggybacking Darth Vader my scene and a cow
scene and a cow
scene and a cow despite proclaiming the opposite Freddie
despite proclaiming the opposite Freddie
despite proclaiming the opposite Freddie really did like Star Wars to this end at
really did like Star Wars to this end at
really did like Star Wars to this end at a show in Houston Texas on August 10th
a show in Houston Texas on August 10th
a show in Houston Texas on August 10th 1980 mister Fahrenheit returned to the
1980 mister Fahrenheit returned to the
1980 mister Fahrenheit returned to the stage for an encore on the shoulders of
stage for an encore on the shoulders of
stage for an encore on the shoulders of the Sith Lord Himself sure it was
the Sith Lord Himself sure it was
the Sith Lord Himself sure it was security guy Wally verson rather than
security guy Wally verson rather than
security guy Wally verson rather than David Prowse in the Vader suit but it’s
David Prowse in the Vader suit but it’s
David Prowse in the Vader suit but it’s still a hell of an entrance
still a hell of an entrance
still a hell of an entrance mercury actually did this a few times
mercury actually did this a few times
mercury actually did this a few times during the 1980 tour until George Lucas
during the 1980 tour until George Lucas
during the 1980 tour until George Lucas allegedly took issue that is I am
allegedly took issue that is I am
allegedly took issue that is I am altering the deal pray I don’t alter it
altering the deal pray I don’t alter it
altering the deal pray I don’t alter it any further at a show in late 1979
any further at a show in late 1979
any further at a show in late 1979 Freddie made his way back to the stage
Freddie made his way back to the stage
Freddie made his way back to the stage by hitching a ride on Superman but it’s
by hitching a ride on Superman but it’s
by hitching a ride on Superman but it’s the Houston Darth Vader encore that’s
the Houston Darth Vader encore that’s
the Houston Darth Vader encore that’s gone down in infamy thanks to
gone down in infamy thanks to
gone down in infamy thanks to photographer Tom Collins who captured
photographer Tom Collins who captured
photographer Tom Collins who captured the bizarre image number 4 under
the bizarre image number 4 under
the bizarre image number 4 under pressure Queen and David Bowie
proving to be one of Queens biggest hits
proving to be one of Queens biggest hits under pressure was not only the band’s
under pressure was not only the band’s
under pressure was not only the band’s second UK number-one but also David
second UK number-one but also David
second UK number-one but also David Bowie’s third although the track grew
Bowie’s third although the track grew
Bowie’s third although the track grew out of a jam session and was partly
out of a jam session and was partly
out of a jam session and was partly rooted in an unreleased song from Roger
rooted in an unreleased song from Roger
rooted in an unreleased song from Roger Taylor the former Ziggy Stardust
Taylor the former Ziggy Stardust
Taylor the former Ziggy Stardust completely drove the session and shook
completely drove the session and shook
completely drove the session and shook up the band’s usual mo
friend scream
friend scream Boies intensity may have put off some of
Boies intensity may have put off some of
Boies intensity may have put off some of the members of Queen
the members of Queen
the members of Queen but his super early confident vocals
but his super early confident vocals
but his super early confident vocals motivated mercury to take things to a
motivated mercury to take things to a
motivated mercury to take things to a whole other level making full use of his
whole other level making full use of his
whole other level making full use of his upper register Freddie delivered a
upper register Freddie delivered a
upper register Freddie delivered a performance that was complimentary as it
performance that was complimentary as it
performance that was complimentary as it was competitive with Bowie and proved
was competitive with Bowie and proved
was competitive with Bowie and proved that no matter how big the star no one
that no matter how big the star no one
that no matter how big the star no one out Shaun Freddie Mercury
number three 1990 Brit Awards they’ve
number three 1990 Brit Awards they’ve really never been fully recognized for
really never been fully recognized for
really never been fully recognized for the outstanding achievements of their
the outstanding achievements of their
the outstanding achievements of their impressive career by the time it had
impressive career by the time it had
impressive career by the time it had comfort Queens collect the Brit for
comfort Queens collect the Brit for
comfort Queens collect the Brit for outstanding contribution to music
outstanding contribution to music
outstanding contribution to music Freddie Mercury had been fending off and
Freddie Mercury had been fending off and
Freddie Mercury had been fending off and denying age rumors for years
denying age rumors for years
denying age rumors for years however Queens lack of touring and the
however Queens lack of touring and the
however Queens lack of touring and the occasional glimpse of Freddie’s
occasional glimpse of Freddie’s
occasional glimpse of Freddie’s deteriorating personal appearance did
deteriorating personal appearance did
deteriorating personal appearance did little to dissuade the rumour mill and
little to dissuade the rumour mill and
little to dissuade the rumour mill and the tabloid press taking the stage for
the tabloid press taking the stage for
the tabloid press taking the stage for the first time since 1986 it was Brian
the first time since 1986 it was Brian
the first time since 1986 it was Brian May rather than the always magnetic
May rather than the always magnetic
May rather than the always magnetic mercury who fronted the band and I’d
mercury who fronted the band and I’d
mercury who fronted the band and I’d like to say a special thank you to the
like to say a special thank you to the
like to say a special thank you to the british petroleum industry for giving
british petroleum industry for giving
british petroleum industry for giving this magnificent award in recognition of
this magnificent award in recognition of
this magnificent award in recognition of all the amount of the vinyl which we’ve
all the amount of the vinyl which we’ve
all the amount of the vinyl which we’ve recycled over the years dress as suavely
recycled over the years dress as suavely
recycled over the years dress as suavely as ever
as ever
as ever Freddie looked both stoic and yet
Freddie looked both stoic and yet
Freddie looked both stoic and yet terribly frail a shell of the man who
terribly frail a shell of the man who
terribly frail a shell of the man who once worked crowds of thousands into a
once worked crowds of thousands into a
once worked crowds of thousands into a frenzy on charisma alone while may spoke
frenzy on charisma alone while may spoke
frenzy on charisma alone while may spoke at length with charm and humor mercury
at length with charm and humor mercury
at length with charm and humor mercury offered only a simple thank you good
offered only a simple thank you good
offered only a simple thank you good night in what would prove to be his
night in what would prove to be his
night in what would prove to be his final public appearance good night
final public appearance good night
final public appearance good night number two his much-delayed aides reveal
number two his much-delayed aides reveal
number two his much-delayed aides reveal it had been very difficult for him to to
it had been very difficult for him to to
it had been very difficult for him to to even announce what he was suffering from
even announce what he was suffering from
even announce what he was suffering from but at that point he did although
but at that point he did although
but at that point he did although confirmed hiv-positive in 1987 Freddie
confirmed hiv-positive in 1987 Freddie
confirmed hiv-positive in 1987 Freddie Mercury did everything he could to keep
Mercury did everything he could to keep
Mercury did everything he could to keep his diagnosis secret while fans and
his diagnosis secret while fans and
his diagnosis secret while fans and media were forced to speculate only
media were forced to speculate only
media were forced to speculate only friend Mary Austin partner Jim Hutton
friend Mary Austin partner Jim Hutton
friend Mary Austin partner Jim Hutton the members of Queen and few others knew
the members of Queen and few others knew
the members of Queen and few others knew the truth even close family was kept out
the truth even close family was kept out
the truth even close family was kept out of the loop with his sister kashmira not
of the loop with his sister kashmira not
of the loop with his sister kashmira not knowing the reality of her brother’s
knowing the reality of her brother’s
knowing the reality of her brother’s health until August of 1990 mercury kept
health until August of 1990 mercury kept
health until August of 1990 mercury kept working and recording with Queen until
working and recording with Queen until
working and recording with Queen until June of 1991 but by November he saw the
June of 1991 but by November he saw the
June of 1991 but by November he saw the end was near and had stopped taking his
end was near and had stopped taking his
end was near and had stopped taking his medications on November 23rd the singer
medications on November 23rd the singer
medications on November 23rd the singer broke the silence by issuing a press
broke the silence by issuing a press
broke the silence by issuing a press release stating that not only had he
release stating that not only had he
release stating that not only had he contracted HIV but was now battling AIDS
contracted HIV but was now battling AIDS
contracted HIV but was now battling AIDS Freddie Mercury would die of AIDS
Freddie Mercury would die of AIDS
Freddie Mercury would die of AIDS related complications the following days
ironically freddie mercury originally
ironically freddie mercury originally didn’t want to take part in live aid for
didn’t want to take part in live aid for
didn’t want to take part in live aid for fear of making a political statement but
fear of making a political statement but
fear of making a political statement but once on board he saw the show as a way
once on board he saw the show as a way
once on board he saw the show as a way for Queen to upstage and outperform all
for Queen to upstage and outperform all
for Queen to upstage and outperform all the competition in one go
banking on the band’s experience with
banking on the band’s experience with stadium shows mercury LED queen through
stadium shows mercury LED queen through
stadium shows mercury LED queen through a week’s worth of rehearsals distilling
a week’s worth of rehearsals distilling
a week’s worth of rehearsals distilling six of the band’s biggest hits into a
six of the band’s biggest hits into a
six of the band’s biggest hits into a now legendary 20-minute set
ready also selected an unassuming 6 p.m.
ready also selected an unassuming 6 p.m. timeslot knowing that it was not only
timeslot knowing that it was not only
timeslot knowing that it was not only British prime time but also early enough
British prime time but also early enough
British prime time but also early enough that American audiences wouldn’t yet be
that American audiences wouldn’t yet be
that American audiences wouldn’t yet be jaded by a day’s worth of huge band
meanwhile the band’s engineer saw to it
meanwhile the band’s engineer saw to it that Queen was the loudest band to take
that Queen was the loudest band to take
that Queen was the loudest band to take the stage which coupled with Freddie’s
the stage which coupled with Freddie’s
the stage which coupled with Freddie’s unrivaled stage presence made for what
unrivaled stage presence made for what
unrivaled stage presence made for what is now considered to be one of the
is now considered to be one of the
is now considered to be one of the finest rock-and-roll performances of all
finest rock-and-roll performances of all
finest rock-and-roll performances of all time
so do you agree with our list what’s
so do you agree with our list what’s your favorite Freddie Mercury moment
for more stone cold crazy topped hands
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