At first glance, Freddie Mercury and Jimi Hendrix might appear quite different. However, they have significant connections.
Both were true trailblazers, injecting a breath of fresh air into the music scene. They enriched their timeless records with an electrifying stage presence that remains unparalleled.
Adding to this is the unfortunate fact that both left this world prematurely, casting a shadow of tragedy over their remarkable achievements. Fans often wonder, “What if they had lived longer?” It’s certain that their game-changing contributions would have continued to shape the world in positive ways. Despite their untimely departures, when Mercury and Hendrix left this mortal coil, they left behind a world that was undeniably better than the one they entered.
Dedicated Queen fans may be aware of a deeper connection between Mercury and Hendrix. In Queen’s 1989 track ‘The Miracle’ from the album of the same name, Mercury mentions Hendrix when speaking of the wonders of the world: “Jimi Hendrix to the Tower of Babel.”
Interestingly, Freddie Mercury was one of Jimi Hendrix’s most ardent admirers. When he was known as Farrokh Bulsara, an art student who dreamed of becoming a musician in the late 1960s at Ealing Art College, he was captivated by the style and stage presence of the ‘Purple Haze’ maestro.
Hendrix’s influence on him was so profound that he kept a photograph of the guitar legend on his bedroom mirror for daily inspiration.
Mercury once expressed, “Jimi Hendrix was just a beautiful man, a master showman, and a dedicated musician. I would travel the country to see him perform whenever he was on stage because he embodied everything a rock ‘n’ roll star should be—style, charisma, and presence.”
Interestingly, for a time, the future frontman of Queen aspired to be a guitarist like Hendrix. However, he eventually realized that he would never reach the level of this once-in-a-generation talent. So he turned his focus to the piano. This decision would ultimately shape the iconic figure we all know as Freddie Mercury.
Freddie added, “He (Hendrix) didn’t need to force anything. He’d simply make an entrance, and the entire venue would ignite. He was living out everything I aspired to be.”
“Hendrix is profoundly significant. He’s my idol. On stage, he embodies the essence of a rock star,” he remarked elsewhere. “There’s no one to compare him to, and no one can fill his shoes.”
Mercury also revealed that he was “devastated” when he learned of Hendrix’s passing in 1970. At that time, he was already playing with future Queen legends Brian May and Roger Taylor. And they paid tribute to Hendrix on the night Jimi passed away. In his honor, they delivered a medley of Hendrix classics, including ‘Voodoo Chile,’ ‘Purple Haze,’ and ‘Foxy Lady.’
