Rock legend Freddie Mercury would have turned 65 years old today if he had not succumbed to complications from the AIDS virus in 1991. Mercury, front man for legendary rock group Queen, was just 45 when he passed away, but a number of performers have recently gathered to honor the singer.
Katy Perry was among the many stars offering tribute to Mercury. In a video that she posted on YouTube, Perry admitted that the singer was a huge inspiration to her, without which she would not herself be making music. Taylor Hawkins, drummer for the Foo Fighters, went on to say that Queen is the first concert that he had ever seen and that the event is what led him to “chase the dream” to be a musical performer.
Others creating special video messages to honor Mercury include members of Fall Out Boy, My Chemical Romance, Nicola Roberts, and remaining members of Queen.
Gerard Way, frontman for My Chemical Romance, related that Mercury was the “most important frontman” in the industry as he was growing up. Queen members Brian May and Roger Taylor have also recorded videos while some of the royals threw a birthday celebration bash in the singer’s honor.
