2. Freddy Mercury (Queen)
As the front man and songwriter for the rock bandQueen, Freddie Mercury belted out hit after hit, from “We Are the Champions” to “Bohemian Rhapsody” to “Crazy Little Thing Called Love.” He was one of the most theatrical rock performers, explaining, “We’re the Cecil B. DeMille of rock and roll, always wanting to do things bigger and better.” He had a four-octave range, he crafted songs that spoke of both the bright and the gritty sides of life, he claimed, “I am as gay as a daffodil” and as David Bowie said, “I always admired a man who wore tights…He was definitely a man who could hold an audience in the palm of his hand.” Freddie Mercury died of AIDS related pneumonia on November 24, 1991, one day after publicly announcing that he had AIDS. Although he was criticized for keeping his illness a secret, it was completely in character for the intensely private man. He leaves a legacy of music that is celebrated around the world.
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