Freddie Mercury tribute unveiled by Brian May

Nov 24 2009 By Ed Saunt

Queen's Brian May chats to fans in Feltham

BRIAN May unveiled a memorial to Freddie Mercury in front of 2,000 screaming fans in Feltham today.

The big-haired rocker and Freddie's mother, Jer Bulsara, visited the town to open the 2m by 2m Hollywood-style star outside the library.

Today was the 18^th anniversary of the death of Feltham's most famous musician and Mrs Bulsara choked back the tears as she told of her pride at her son being remembered so fondly.

Freddie, who fronted rock band Queen until his death in 1991, lived with his family in Gladstone Avenue after moving to England from Zanzibar in 1964. The family remained in that same Feltham house until shortly before he died.

Today the sounds of Queen tribute band, Mercury, reverberated around the town from 11am before fans packed into Feltham's main square for a glimpse of Queen guitarist Brian May, who gave a speech before spending more than 20 minutes signing autographs for fans.

He paid tribute to his bandmate, told how he used to fish in the Longford River and recalled the pair's early days listening to music at the Gladstone Avenue house.

"This is my home town too. I grew up in Walsham Road about 200 yards from where he lived but we never met until later," he said. "Freddie invited me around to his house and we sat listening to Jimmy Hendrix. I will always remember him shutting me up and saying 'now listen to this, listen to this.'

"Freddie, we pursued your dream, our dream and we love you and we always will. We are very happy to honour you in this way."

Freddie's 87-year-old mother Mrs Bulsara also received a warm welcome from the crowd as she spoke before unveiling the red, white and yellow plaque.

She said: "Feltham was his first home in England and it was a place he began to explore his musical future. I can't tell you what a pleasure it is to see so many of you here today to honour his memory."

Brian May speaks to the Chronicle - see page 2