Freddie Mercury, 1969.
Freddie’s bands (Pre-Queen)
The Hectics (1958 - 1962)
Members:
- Bruce Murray (Vocals)
- Derrick Branche
- Farrokh Bulsara (Piano) —-> Middle
- Farang Irani
- Victory Rana
Freddie’s first band that he formed while attending boarding school in India.
Ibex (May 1969 - October 1969)
Members:
- Freddie Bulsara (vocals)
- Mike Bersin (guitar, vocals)
- Mick ‘Miffer’ Smith (drums, vocals)
- John ‘Tupp’ Taylor (bass, flute, vocals)
Ibex were successors of a band called Colours (1966) which was based in Widnes. Ibex were a progressive blues band from Merseyside who formed in 1966. Freddie joined the lineup in 1969. Their third and final gig took place on the 9th of September 1969.
Wreckage (October 1969 - November 1969)
Members:
- Freddie Bulsara (vocals)
- Mike Bersin (guitar, vocals)
- Richard Thompson (drums)
- John ‘Tupp’ Taylor (bass, vocals)
Wreckage was basically the same band as Ibex, besides the name. Freddie changed their name to ‘Wreckage’ following the departure of Mike Smith. The end of the 1960s also marked the end of Wreckage.
Sour Milk Sea (February 1970 - Spring 1970)
Members:
- Freddie Bulsara (vocals)
- Chris Chesney (lead guitar, vocals)
- Jeremy ‘Rubber’ Gallop (rhythm guitar)
- Paul Milne (bass)
- Robert Tyrell (drums)
Sour Milk Sea were formed in 1968 as “Tomato City” and became Sour Milk Sea in late 1968..Freddie auditioned for ‘Sour Milk Sea’in early 1970 – after seeing a ‘vocalist wanted’ in the ‘Melody Maker’. He left a couple of months later to join Roger Taylor and Brian May from Smile, who had recently disbanded, to form Queen (John Deacon joined on March 1st 1971) and the rest is history.
Freddie Bulsara performing onstage with Ibex/Wreckage, 1969.
