24 November 2015: Today marks the 24th anniversary of the death of one of the greatest frontmen who ever lived. Freddie Mercury's funeral was attended by just his family and close friends - including his Queen bandmates and Elton John - but those who mourned his passing extended far beyond. As is evident from the statues of him throughout the world, and quotes from his peers and successors, Freddie Mercury's influence was far reaching and huge.
To mark the anniversary of one of the saddest days in music, we've collated a list of just a few of the artists influenced by Marcury - from Muse's Matt Bellamy to Lady Gaga to Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl.
RIP Freddie, and thank you.
Karen O: "Well, Freddie Mercury is a really huge rock star in my head. I've always thought he was just so tough and such an amazing entertainer, really a contradiction in many ways as well. So he was incredible."
Katy Perry: "Freddie Mercury was - and remains - my biggest influence. The combination of his sarcastic approach to writing lyrics and his 'I don't give a fuck' attitude really inspired my music.”
Cee-Lo Green: "The music industry is all about art versus product. What's left to do, but implode? Please, at some point in the day, play 'Bohemian Rhapsody' to the kids. Make them listen. Show them the possibilities."
Dave Grohl: "Every band should study Queen at Live Aid. I consider Freddie Mercury the greatest frontman of all time. You'd imagine that Freddie was more than human, but you know how he controlled Wembley Stadium at Live Aid in 1985? He stood up there and did his vocal warm ups with the audience. Something that intimate, where they realize, 'Oh yeah, he's just a fucking dude."
Lady Gaga: "I adored Freddie Mercury and Queen had a hit called 'Radio Gaga'. That's why I love the name. Freddie was unique - one of the biggest personalities in the whole of pop music. He was not only a singer but also a fantastic performer, a man of the theatre and someone who constantly transformed himself. In short: a genius."
Twin Atlantic: "The most influential artist of the past 25 years is Queen's Freddie Mercury."
Lupe Fiasco: "I have an understanding of Queen and the way Freddie Mercury did his harmonies."
Kurt Cobain: "I used to take a nap in the van and listen to Queen. Over and over again and drain the battery on the van. Then we'd be stuck. That happened a few times. We'd be stuck with a dead battery because I'd listened to Queen too much."
Adam Lambert: "Freddie's voice has so much texture to it. It’s super sexy. He kind of grabs at everything, he squeezes it. He was completely over the top in the best possible way."
Wiz Kalifa: "I jumped up in the air and landed on my knees and made my back touch the ground, it looked awesome, like some Freddie Mercury shit."
David Bowie: "Of all the more theatrical performers, Freddie took it further than the rest. He took it over the edge. And of course I always admire a man who wears tights!"
Matt Bellamy: "The best band in the world is Queen, definitely."
Brandon Flowers: "You think of Freddie Mercury onstage in a tank top and a pair of jeans, and he was free to perform. Had he been confined to a three-piece suit, he wouldn't have been the performer that he was."
