Memorial Star for Freddie Mercury, on his 18th Anniversary

November 24 -- is always a sad day for all music lovers, especially for those who love Freddie Mercury and Queen! Freddie Mercury was the first ‘Rock-Star’ from India -- November 24, 2009 marked the 18th Anniversary of the day we lost the Mercurial legend, but I like to remember this day as his ‘Remembrance Day’, and a small town in London celebrated the musical brilliance of the inimitable Freddie Mercury, a 'Hollywood Walk of Fame-style' celebration, by unveiling the 'The Mercury Memorial Star' on Feltham High Street in London, attended by his mother, Jer Bulsara; his sister, Kashmira and Brian May.

Feltham in London was home for Freddie and his family for many years, since their arrival to UK in 1964 -- Freddie finished his GCSE at St Peter’s, a Public School in Poona in India, and moved to Feltham with his parents. Therefore, it is highly commendable that this town, where he spent his early years, is chosen to have the honour of unveiling the ‘Mercury Memorial Star’ on its High Street -- without doubt, this will be a shrine for all those who love his music, though I am rather surprised that it took this long!

I still remember the first time I heard ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ and I find it still an enigma -- its creator too! Freddie and Queen have given us many more inimitable songs, each one better than the previous, or vice versa. The 'Live-Aid concert' at Wembley Stadium in1985 provided the world stage for Freddie, and he had the whole world in the palm of his hands by the sheer power of his music and personality -- it was twenty minutes of pure magic from the King of Rock that became legendary! It is a known fact that the tribute concert for Freddie at Wembley Stadium in April 1992 turned out to be more than just a tribute -- it proved beyond any doubt that his music was inimitable.

Freddie was the driving force behind the formation of the group 'Queen', with the three other quite distinct individuals, Brian May, Roger Taylor and John Deacon. Of course, it was not the first time Freddie was part of a band -- 'The Hectics' was the name of the band, he and his friends formed at his old public school in Poona. While waiting for Queen's debut single, 'Under pressure', Freddie released 'I can hear music' under the pseudonym Larry Lurex, which is a collector's item now!

The fantastic voyage started with 'Keep yourself Alive' in April 1973, spanning over 20 years to record 'Days of Our Lives' in 1991. And 'Bohemian Rhapsody' happened to the music world in 1975! This operatic rock explosion bombarded the airwaves for weeks, which brought stardom to Queen: 'The King of Rockdom' was born! 'Bo Rhap' was the first ever single to be re-released and get to number one again. Crazy Little thing called Love, Who Wants to Live forever, Another One Bites the Dust, Radio Ga Ga, A Kind of magic, Innuendo, Pain is Close to Pleasure, and These are the Days of Our Lives' are few of the songs, which will never lose their magic.

The word 'Super Stardom' becomes a matter of fact when used for 'Queen': but then, Freddie Mercury is 'Queen'. The three very talented artists, Brian, Roger and John continue separately without Freddie; but there is no 'Queen' without Freddie. His music transcended barriers of language, race, religion and politics, appealing to all, rich and poor, young and old. He was a writer, musician and above all, a wonderful performer. The light has gone but his music and memories will live forever, just as vibrant.

Freddie said good-bye to us in that heart-wrenching song, “These are the days of our lives…” with these words, “I still love you”! I join all those who love his music, to say, “ We love you too, and thank you for your beautiful music”!

Our thoughts are with his mother, Jer Bulsara and his sister, Kashmira (Sadly his father Bomi Bulsara passed away two years ago) and of course, Brian, Roger and John.