Queen still rock 20 years after Mercury’s death

Freddie Mercury died 20 years ago today but his star has only burned brighter in the two decades since, with Queen and their larger-than-life frontman as popular as ever.

The British rockers, marking their 40th anniversary this year, are among the world’s biggest-selling artists ever – with most of their sales coming in the 20 years since Mercury died.

Queen’s guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor are busier than ever and Mercury’s songs such as Bohemian Rhapsody and Don’t Stop Me Now”still endure as classics.

In the years since, Mercury’s stock has risen, with a new generation of artists citing Queen among their influences, including Lady Gaga, Robbie Williams, Foo Fighters and Muse.

Mercury, 45, died at his London home on November 24, 1991. He had been diagnosed HIV positive several years earlier and died of bronchial pneumonia, brought on by AIDS.

Queen’s lead singer is remembered for his captivating live performances, spellbinding vocals and enduring hits including We Are The Champions, Killer Queen and Crazy Little Thing Called Love.

The jukebox musical We Will Rock You, launched in 2002, still plays to a packed house in London and has been staged around the world from Australia to South Africa, Japan, Europe and Las Vegas.

With interest still high, a film about Mercury, starring Borat creator Sacha Baron Cohen, is in the pipeline, focusing on the years leading up to Queen’s stellar performance at the Live Aid concert in 1985.

In a statement on November 23, 1991, Mercury confirmed from his death bed that he had AIDS.

Within 24 hours he had fallen into a coma and passed away, having handled his illness in private and never complained of his suffering.

As one of the highest-profile victims of AIDS, his death brought greater awareness of the virus and helped remove the stigma from a disease now ravaging southern Africa.