When it comes to choosing the greatest rock vocalists and performers, any legitimate list should begin with Queen frontman Freddie Mercury. His unmatched singing abilities, unconventional songwriting style, as well as unfiltered and commanding on-stage persona challenged preconceived norms of rock music of the era. Songs like "Bohemian Rhapsody" changed not just the way songs were written but radio formats and programming while "We Are The Champions" and "We Will Rock You" remain popular inspirational anthems at sporting events worldwide.
A classically trained vocalist, Mercury's songs are infrequently covered today because so few can match his vocal range. But his legacy extended outside of music. In 1991, Mercury came out publicly about his HIV diagnosis. He died the next day from AIDS complications on November 24, surrounded by those who loved him. In the wake of his passing, the massive Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert for AIDS Awareness was organized which was broadcast to a global audience of up to one billion people and helped to launch The Mercury Phoenix Trust, an AIDS charity organization
