Artist of the Week: Queen

The cornerstone of Queen’s pop perfection was Freddie Mercury’s insane vocal delivery.

Mercury possessed a vocal range of four octaves, eclipsing even opera singers. Not only was Mercury’s range immense, but his vocal technique was completely unique. Mercury believed his vocal ability came from his buck teeth.


He believed it gave his voice extra resonance and allowed him to achieve his rumbling lows and shining highs. However, new data indicates that there is another reason. According to a study done by scientists researching a singer imitating him, Mercury employed subharmonics in his singing style. By applying his ventricular folds, a technique usually reserved for Tuvan throat singers, Mercury was able to achieve his otherworldly sound. Mercury’s voice also vibrated incredibly fast.

His vibrato was not only faster than that of most rock singers, but also of many opera singers. Mercury’s voice was not only unique for rock singers, it was unique among human voices. We are all lucky that Mercury’s vocal talent was accompanied by true musical genius.

​By pushing the envelope constantly in their music, Queen was able to become the legendary rock band we know them as today.

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