Freddie Mercury’s impact on AIDS research and treatment continues
Freddie Mercury, lead singer of the legendary British band Queen, whose recent biopic “Bohemian Rhapsody” has been seen in dozens of countries, left a legacy for AIDS research and treatment that continues to this day.
The film concludes with a note explaining that Mercury, born Farrokh Bulsara, died in 1991 as a result of HIV-AIDS. Saturday was the 27th anniversary of his death.
The deadly disease had already claimed the lives of other famous personalities, including actor Rock Hudson in 1985 and pianist Liberace two years later.
But Mercury’s death resonated even more, as his fame had reached all corners of the globe, owing both to his skills as showman as well as the British band’s many international hits, several of which can be heard in the film.
So far, the list of famous celebrities killed by the disease is about 120, including musicians Ofra Haza, Fela Anikulapo, Tom Fogerty (who acquired the virus through blood transfusion) and rapper Easy-E, said Dr. Enrique Gomez-Bastidas, head of HIV-AIDS Center of the Autonomous University of Baja California.
Mercury stunned the world by announcing his condition one day before his death. “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,” he said. “I felt right to keep this information private to protect the privacy of those around me. However, the time has come for my friends and fans around the world to know the truth and I hope that everyone will join with my doctors and everyone in the world in the fight against this terrible disease.”
Mercury, who was noted for avoiding interviews, asked for continued respect of his privacy and urged the public to support medical science to combat this evil that, in those days, was related falsely to sexual activity between men.
Gomez-Bastidas recalled that after Mercury’s death, the surviving members of the band performed a benefit concert at Wembley Stadium in April 1992. The show was attended by about 72,000 people.
Other celebrities joined the concert, including Elton John, David Bowie, George Michael, Seal, Annie Lennox, Robert Plant, Axl Rose, Slash and Liza Minnelli.
The proceeds were used to start the Mercury Phoenix Trust, a charity for AIDS.
In the last 21 years, the organization has raised $21 million and supported 700 projects.
Thus, the departure from this world of the legendary rocker has represented a seed that has germinated in other lands. For example, the English singer Elton John created the Elton John AIDS Foundation, currently the most prominent focused on treatment and prevention.
Another is ONE, founded by Irish singer Bono of U2, whose target group is to improve living conditions in Africa, with a focus on education and access to treatment for AIDS patients.