Freddie Mercury, pictured here as a baby with his mother, was born Farrokh Bulsara in Stone Town, Zanzibar, on September 5, 1946.
Freddie Mercury, pictured here as a baby with his mother, was born Farrokh Bulsara in Stone Town, Zanzibar, on September 5, 1946.
Freddie Mercury Museum Zanzibar
A copy of Freddie Mercury's Zanzibari birth certificate, listing his name as Farrokh.
A copy of Freddie Mercury's Zanzibari birth certificate, listing his name as Farrokh.
Freddie Mercury Museum Zanzibar
Mercury spent much of his childhood in Zanzibar, a semi-autonomous island off the coast of Tanzania. He also attended boarding school in India.
Mercury spent much of his childhood in Zanzibar, a semi-autonomous island off the coast of Tanzania. He also attended boarding school in India.
Freddie Mercury Museum Zanzibar
In 2002, Zanzibari businessman Javed Jafferji opened a souvenir shop on the first floor of a home the Bulsara family once lived in. He named it after his hero.
In 2002, Zanzibari businessman Javed Jafferji opened a souvenir shop on the first floor of a home the Bulsara family once lived in. He named it after his hero.
Peter Rudden/CNN
Jafferji (right) and his friend Andrea Boero (left), also a Mercury fan, partnered with Queen Productions Ltd. in the UK to convert The Mercury House into a museum, chronicling Mercury's early years in Zanzibar.
Jafferji (right) and his friend Andrea Boero (left), also a Mercury fan, partnered with Queen Productions Ltd. in the UK to convert The Mercury House into a museum, chronicling Mercury's early years in Zanzibar.
Freddie Mercury Museum Zanzibar
The museum opened on November 24, 2019, the 28th anniversary of Mercury's death.
The museum opened on November 24, 2019, the 28th anniversary of Mercury's death.
Peter Rudden/CNN
Photos of Freddie Mercury performing with Queen hang outside the museum in Zanzibar's Stone Town neighborhood.
Photos of Freddie Mercury performing with Queen hang outside the museum in Zanzibar's Stone Town neighborhood.
Peter Rudden/CNN
The centerpiece of the museum is this black piano, which Freddie Mercury played as a child.
The centerpiece of the museum is this black piano, which Freddie Mercury played as a child.
Peter Rudden/CNN
Mercury would go on to form Queen, and attain legendary rock status.
Mercury would go on to form Queen, and attain legendary rock status.
Peter Rudden/CNN
A melting pot of cultures and traditions, Mercury's birthplace is known for its sunsets and spices. Stone Town was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000.
A melting pot of cultures and traditions, Mercury's birthplace is known for its sunsets and spices. Stone Town was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000.
Peter Rudden/CNN