MGK’s Top 20 Classic Rock Singers: 1. Freddie Mercury
1. Freddie Mercury Throughout the month of February, 102.9 WMGK counted down the 20 greatest classic rock singers decided by our listener vote. We’ve dedicated daily blocks to one singer…
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Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images1. Freddie Mercury
Throughout the month of February, 102.9 WMGK counted down the 20 greatest classic rock singers decided by our listener vote.
We’ve dedicated daily blocks to one singer who's made the list every weekday throughout the month.
MGK will celebrate Freddie Mercury, the leading vote-getter in 2023, on Tuesday, Feb. 28.
The greatest classic rock singer of all time was born in Zanzibar in 1946. He grew up in India throughout most of his childhood.
Mercury burst onto the scene when Queen released their self-titled debut album in 1973. His memorably colorful stage presence helped him become the recognizable face of the band.
His most unusual, creative, and unique song was “Bohemian Rhapsody,” released as part of A Night at the Opera in 1975.
No other singer could’ve pulled off the song quite like Freddie Mercury, which he proved at Wembley Stadium in 1985 during Queen’s iconic performance at Live Aid.
He died tragically in 1991 due to complications resulting from AIDS.
The release of the biopic Bohemian Rhapsody in 2018 caused a resurgence in his popularity and added to his legacy.
His career earned him the #1 spot on the list in 2023.
Listen to MGK's Top 20 Recap Weekend on March 4-5. It will include blocks every hour from singers who made the list to catch you up on anything you missed!
[Source: freddiemercury.com]
MGK’s Top 20 Classic Rock Singers
20. Brad Delp
19. Steven Tyler
18. Bruce Springsteen
17. Don Henley
16. Jon Anderson
15. Mick Jagger
14. Phil Collins
13. Stevie Nicks
12. Billy Joel
11. Chris Cornell
10. Elton John
9. Ann Wilson
8. Paul Rodgers
7. Paul McCartney
6. Roger Daltrey
5. David Bowie
4. Robert Plant
3. Pat Benatar
2. Steve Perry
1. Freddie Mercury
Freddie Mercury would've turned 76 today (September 5), and it goes without saying that his presence is certainly missed in the rock and roll landscape.
There was no one quite like Freddie when Queen arrived in the 1970s, and there really hasn't been anyone quite like him since. There have definitely been imitators, but there truly is only one Freddie Mercury.
In honor of his birthday, scroll through the photos below of Freddie both on stage and behind-the-scenes.
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Freddie Mercury: Photos On Stage and Behind-The-Scenes
British singer and songwriter Freddie Mercury of rock band Queen during the group's British tour, circa 1975. (Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Freddie Mercury: Photos On Stage and Behind-The-Scenes
British singer and songwriter Freddie Mercury of rock band Queen in concert, 1984. (Photo by Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Freddie Mercury: Photos On Stage and Behind-The-Scenes
British singer and songwriter Freddie Mercury of rock band Queen during the group's British tour, circa 1975. (Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Freddie Mercury: Photos On Stage and Behind-The-Scenes
British singer and songwriter Freddie Mercury of rock band Queen performs at Leeds Football Club, England, 29th May 1982. (Photo by Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Freddie Mercury: Photos On Stage and Behind-The-Scenes
Drummer Roger Taylor and singer Freddie Mercury (1946 - 1991) of British rock band Queen perform at the Playhouse in Edinburgh, Scotland, 1st September 1976. (Photo by Gary Merrin/Keystone/Getty Images)
Freddie Mercury: Photos On Stage and Behind-The-Scenes
Singer Freddie Mercury (1946 - 1991) of British rock band Queen attends a ballet class in Covent Garden, London, 3rd October 1979. (Photo by Colin Davey/Evening Standard/Getty Images)
Freddie Mercury: Photos On Stage and Behind-The-Scenes
Singer Freddie Mercury (1946 - 1991) of British rock band Queen attends a ballet class in Covent Garden, London, 3rd October 1979. (Photo by Colin Davey/Evening Standard/Getty Images)
Freddie Mercury: Photos On Stage and Behind-The-Scenes
Singer Freddie Mercury (1946 - 1991) of British rock band Queen attends a ballet class in Covent Garden, London, 3rd October 1979. (Photo by Colin Davey/Evening Standard/Getty Images)
Freddie Mercury: Photos On Stage and Behind-The-Scenes
Musicians Freddie Mercury (1946 - 1991) and Roger Taylor of British rock band Queen perform a free concert in London's Hyde Park, 18th September 1976. (Photo by Keystone Features/Getty Images)
Freddie Mercury: Photos On Stage and Behind-The-Scenes
Freddie Mercury (1946-1991), singer with Queen, standing in front of a drumkit as he sings into a microphone on stage during a live concert performance by the band at the National Bowl in Milton Keynes, England, United Kingdom, on 5 June 1982. (Photo by Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Freddie Mercury: Photos On Stage and Behind-The-Scenes
Queen frontman Freddie Mercury (1946 - 1991) shaving his moustache, 12th April 1984. (Photo by Steve Wood/Express/Getty Images)
Freddie Mercury: Photos On Stage and Behind-The-Scenes
Queen frontman Freddie Mercury (1946 - 1991) shaving his moustache, 12th April 1984. (Photo by Steve Wood/Express/Getty Images)
Freddie Mercury: Photos On Stage and Behind-The-Scenes
Freddie Mercury (1946 - 1991) in concert with his hard rock group Queen, June 1977. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Freddie Mercury: Photos On Stage and Behind-The-Scenes
May 1978: Freddie Mercury (Frederick Bulsara, 1946 - 1991), singer with popular British rock group Queen, on stage with the band at the first of three sell-out nights at London's Wembley Arena, May 1972. (Photo by Gary Merrin/Keystone/Getty Images)
Freddie Mercury: Photos On Stage and Behind-The-Scenes
September 1976: British rock group Queen at Les Ambassadeurs, where they were presented with silver, gold and platinum discs for sales in excess of one million of their hit single 'Bohemian Rhapsody', which was No 1 for 9 weeks. The band are, from left to right; Brian May, John Deacon (standing), Roger Taylor and Freddie Mercury (Frederick Bulsara, 1946 - 1991). (Photo by Ian Tyas/Keystone/Getty Images)
Freddie Mercury: Photos On Stage and Behind-The-Scenes
1982: Rock singer Freddie Mercury (Frederick Bulsara, 1946 - 1991), of the popular British group Queen, has his moustache groomed. (Photo by Steve Wood/Express/Getty Images)
Freddie Mercury: Photos On Stage and Behind-The-Scenes
3rd September 1984: British rock group Queen in concert with singer Freddie Mercury (Frederick Bulsara, 1946 - 1991) and guitarist Brian May. (Photo by Rogers/Express/Getty Images)
Freddie Mercury: Photos On Stage and Behind-The-Scenes
31st October 1977: Singer songwriter Elton John (Reginald Dwight) with star of musicals Peter Straker, and Freddie Mercury (Frederick Bulsara, 1946 - 1991), singer with the group Queen. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Freddie Mercury: Photos On Stage and Behind-The-Scenes
8th September 1976: British rock group Queen at Les Ambassadeurs, where they were presented with silver, gold and platinum discs for sales in excess of one million of their hit single 'Bohemian Rhapsody'. The band are, from left to right, John Deacon, Freddie Mercury (Frederick Bulsara, 1946 - 1991), Roger Taylor and Brian May. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)
Freddie Mercury: Photos On Stage and Behind-The-Scenes
1984: Freddie Mercury (1946 - 1991), lead singer of 70s hard rock quartet Queen, in concert. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Freddie Mercury: Photos On Stage and Behind-The-Scenes
circa 1975: Freddie Mercury (1946 - 1991), lead singer of 70s hard rock quartet Queen, in concert during the group's British tour. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)
Freddie Mercury: Photos On Stage and Behind-The-Scenes
1984: Freddie Mercury (1946 - 1991), lead singer of 1970s hard rock quartet Queen, in concert. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Freddie Mercury: Photos On Stage and Behind-The-Scenes
29th May 1982: Freddie Mercury (1946 - 1991), lead singer of 70s hard rock quartet Queen, in concert at Leeds Football Club. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Freddie Mercury: Photos On Stage and Behind-The-Scenes
circa 1975: Freddie Mercury (1946 - 1991), lead singer of 70s hard rock quartet Queen, in concert during the group's British tour. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)
Freddie Mercury: Photos On Stage and Behind-The-Scenes
5th June 1982: Freddie Mercury (1946 - 1991), lead singer of 70s hard rock quartet Queen, in concert in Milton Keynes. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Freddie Mercury: Photos On Stage and Behind-The-Scenes
11th June 1977: Freddie Mercury (1946 - 1991), lead singer of 70s hard rock quartet Queen, finishing the group's UK tour with two sell-out concerts at London's Earls Court. All proceeds from these shows go to the HRH The Queen's Silver Jubilee appeal. (Photo by Gary Merrin/Keystone/Getty Images)
Freddie Mercury: Photos On Stage and Behind-The-Scenes
5th June 1982: Lead singer of 70s hard rock quartet Queen Freddie Mercury (1946 - 1991) in concert at Milton Keynes. He revealed in November of 1991 that he was suffering from AIDS and died with 48 hours of announcing that he was ill. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)
Freddie Mercury: Photos On Stage and Behind-The-Scenes
circa 1980: Lead singer of 70s hard rock quartet Queen Freddie Mercury (1946 - 1991) in concert during the group's British tour. He revealed in November of 1991 that he was suffering from AIDS and died with 48 hours of announcing that he was ill. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)
Freddie Mercury: Photos On Stage and Behind-The-Scenes
British rock group Queen in concert, from left to right; Freddie Mercury (Frederick Bulsara, 1946 - 1991), John Deacon, and Brian May. Original Publication: People Disc - HU0463 (Photo by Express Newspapers/Getty Images)
Freddie Mercury: Photos On Stage and Behind-The-Scenes
British stadium rock group Queen on stage, with lead singer Freddie Mercury (Frederick Bulsara, 1946 - 1991) in the foreground. Original Publication: People Disc - HU0462 (Photo by Express Newspapers/Getty Images)
