Freddie Mercury, born Farrokh Bulsara in Stone Town, Zanzibar, was the lead vocalist and principal songwriter of the rock band Queen — and quite possibly the greatest live performer in the history of rock music. His four-octave vocal range, his theatrical stage presence, and his ability to command arenas of 100,000 people with nothing but a microphone stand and sheer force of personality placed him in a category entirely his own.
