FREDDIE MERCURY - The Great Pretender: A Life In Pictures
Freddie Mercury - The Great Pretender: A Life In Pictures will be released on hardcover via Goodman Books on September 3rd in the UK.
An illustrated portrait of the legendary showman’s life, published to coincide with Freddie For A Day, the annual awareness and fundraising event in aid of the Mercury Phoenix Trust.
This official book celebrates the colourful life of the legendary showman: as a child growing up in Zanzibar; as a singer in the legendary rock band Queen; as a solo artist; and above all captures him as one of the 20th century’s foremost popular, cultural icons. Freddie’s life is recounted in insightful text and captivating photographs, from the most recognised to the very rare. Also included is an hour-long CD that contains a rare interview with radio host Mary Turner recorded in the 1980s, in which he candidly discusses all aspects of his life and stardom.
Make sure you click here to see a little preview of this beautiful book.
On this day 20 years ago, Freddie Mercury announced to the world that he had AIDS.
“Following the enormous conjecture in the press over the last two weeks, I wish to confirm that I have been tested HIV positive and have AIDS. I felt it correct to keep this information private to date to protect the privacy of those around me. However, the time has come now for my friends and fans around the world to know the truth and I hope that everyone will join with my doctors and all those worldwide in the fight against this terrible disease. My privacy has always been very special to me and I am famous for my lack of interviews. Please understand this policy will continue.”
- Freddie Mercury (November 23, 1991)
Help fight the battle against AIDS: Mercury Phoenix Trust
If any of you are participating in “Freddie For A Day”…
Please submit your pictures on the day of the event (September 5th), and I will (depending on the amount of submissions) make a collage post including all of your pictures.
LINKS:
Freddie For A Day
Mercury Phoenix Trust
Merchandise: USA / UK
Freddie Yourself
Donate to the MPT
The Mercury Phoenix Trust
Following the death of Freddie Mercury in 1991, the remaining members of Queen and Jim Beach their manager took the decision to raise money and awareness about AIDS in his memory. Together they organised the 1992 Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert for AIDS Awareness. The Mercury Phoenix Trust was then founded to distribute the money raised from this concert and it has since continued to be engaged in numerous other fundraising activities.
Since 1992 the Mercury Phoenix Trust has been responsible for donating more than $15 million in the fight against AIDS making over 750 grants to charities worldwide. Applications for grants have come in from many countries around the world and collaboration has been realised with groups as far removed as the World Health Organisation to grass-root organisations run partly by voluntary workers in Uganda, Kenya, South Africa, Zambia, Nepal and India. The Trust has adapted its policy to concentrate on HIV/AIDS education and awareness in the developing world.
The current trustees of this charity are Brian May, Roger Taylor, Jim Beach and Mary Austin.
