Listen&Learn: Freddie Mercury

Learn about the lead singer of the iconic rock band Queen

Pre-listening vocabulary

• vocalist: a person who sings for a band
• immigrate: to move to a new country
• vocal range: the amount of different notes that a person can sing
• theatrical: expressive and dramatic
• label: to give something a name
• foundation: an organization that gives money to a certain cause

Listening activity

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:22 — 1.3MB)

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Gapfill exercise

Freddie Mercury was a British and songwriter. He was the lead vocalist of the rock Queen, which also included guitarist Brian May, drummer Roger Taylor, and bassist John Deacon. Mercury was born in Zanzibar in 1946. His given name was Farrokh Bulsara, which he changed after his family immigrated to Britain. Mercury became known for his vocal range and his experimental songwriting. His were energetic and theatrical. Although he never publicly labelled his sexuality, Mercury had romantic relationships with both men and women. In the last few years of his life, Mercury suffered from AIDS, which he kept . After his death in 1991, his band started a foundation to help AIDS around the world.

Comprehension questions

See answers below

1. Freddie Mercury was born in
   a. Britain
   b. Zanzibar
   c. India
   
2. His performances could be described as
   a. ordinary
   b. subdued
   c. theatrical
   
3. After Mercury’s death, his bandmates started a foundation to
   a. end hunger
   b. fight AIDS
   c. cure cancer

Discussion/essay questions

1. Music can be very powerful. Is there a song, singer, or band that had an important impact on your life? How did it affect you?

Transcript

Freddie Mercury was a British singer and songwriter. He was the lead vocalist of the rock band Queen, which also included guitarist Brian May, drummer Roger Taylor, and bassist John Deacon. Mercury was born in Zanzibar in 1946. His given name was Farrokh Bulsara, which he changed after his family immigrated to Britain. Mercury became known for his vocal range and his experimental songwriting. His performances were energetic and theatrical. Although he never publicly labelled his sexuality, Mercury had romantic relationships with both men and women. In the last few years of his life, Mercury suffered from AIDS, which he kept private. After his death in 1991, his bandmates started a foundation to help fight AIDS around the world.

Answers to comprehension questions

1b 2c 3b