He tried to explain love through music – and, of course, Queen’s musical genius was also a massive part of making Freddie Mercury the icon he became. He gave the impression that he’d built himself a larger-than-life world to live in because he wanted you to do the same. He had a message to impart, and he imparted it by the way he worked to engage and entertain. What makes Freddie Mercury such an iconic rock figure?
In terms of vocal prowess, stage presence and consistency, Mercury's only rivals are probably Bruce Dickinson, Steven Tyler and James Brown. But when those guys had a bad night, they were catastrophic. Axl Rose and David Lee Roth may have been more kinetic and unpredictable during their primes, and Mick Jagger and Robert Plant's stage moves have become synonymous with the art form itself.
Was he the greatest of all time? Jagger, Plant and others may have an argument, but there certainly hasn't been anyone greater.īryan Rolli: Choosing the single greatest frontman of all time is a futile effort, but Freddie Mercury certainly belongs in the conversation. He was also blessed with arguably the most impressive voice in rock history. Words like "dynamic," "electric" and "captivating" get tossed around a lot, but in Mercury's case, he was all those things and more.
I've spent many nights going down YouTube rabbit holes watching footage of his performances. Still, this conversation should, at least, also include Peter Gabriel, Robert Plant, Roger Daltrey and Bono.Ĭorey Irwin: I wish I had been able to witness Mercury's greatness firsthand, because I'm sure it would have been phenomenal.
#PETER GABRIEL IN YOUR EYES COVER SERIES#
Plus, there are other aspects of being a classic “frontman,” and Mercury has them all: a series of signature looks, a dramatic stage presence, a clear love of the theatrical. Even if you reduced this list to “best singers,” Freddie Mercury has the physical range and technical skill to reach the top. Ryan Reed: I’m sure one could make a case otherwise, but it seems silly to fight it.
If he isn't the greatest, he's certainly a member of that elite top level club alongside Mick Jagger, Robert Plant, David Byrne, Iggy Pop - people who are so alluring and captivating onstage that you have a hard time taking your eyes off them when they're performing. There is and can only be one Freddie Mercury. So too was Scottish icon Alex Harvey, a person who really made you feel the entire show was for you – just like Freddie Mercury.Īllison Rapp: It's a bit inherently contradictory, in my opinion, to call any frontman "the greatest" - mainly because I think the thing that makes most frontmen good at what they do is their originality. Martin Kielty: Certainly among the best, but different approaches to music require different forms of performance, so I’d never want to choose a definite “best.” In terms of the kind of performer who almost becomes a conductor of a union between musicians and audience, he was very hard to beat, but I’d say Ozzy Osbourne, Axl Rose and Steven Tyler are close. Let's get the big question out of the way: Do you think Freddie Mercury is the greatest frontman of all time? As we honor the 30th anniversary of Mercury's death, UCR asked some of its writers to reflect on the singer's legacy, where he ranks among rock's great frontmen and why he remains such a captivating presence three decades after his passing.