LONDON -- Freddie Mercury, the flamboyant lead singer of the rock group Queen, has died of complications from AIDS at his West London home, his publicity agent said.
Queen publicist Roxy Meade said in a statement late Sunday that Mercury, an acknowledged bisexual, had died Sunday of bronchial pneumonia brought on by the acquired immune deficiency syndrome.
'Freddie Mercury died peacefully this evening at his home in Kensington London,' the statement read, adding that Mercury's body would be cremated during a private service this week.
The death came one day after Mercury had revealed he had AIDS.
In a statement released Saturday, Mercury had said he hoped the announcement would spur others to join in the fight 'against this terrible disease.'
The statement followed recent press speculation and pictures showing he had lost a lot of weight.
'I wish to confirm that I have been tested HIV positive and have AIDS. I felt it correct to keep this information private to date in order to protect the privacy of those around me,' he said Saturday.
'However, the time has now come for my friends and fans around the world to know the truth and I hope that everyone will join with me, my doctors and all those worldwide in the fight against this terrible disease,' he had said.
Mercury gained worldwide fame as the lead singer of Queen, which also includes John Deacon, Brian May and Roger Taylor. Mercury's campy stage presence and outlandish costumes endeared him to millions of rock fans.
Formed in London in 1971, the group claims a number of successful albums, including 'Queen,' 'Sheer Heart Attack,' 'A Night at the Opera,' 'A Day at the Races,' 'News of the World,' 'We are the Champions,' 'Jazz' and 'The Game.'
Queen's first No. 1 hit was 'Crazy Little Thing Called Love,' which topped the charts for four weeks beginning Feb. 23, 1980.
Queen reached the platinum record sales level in early 1978 with the dual-sided hit that peaked at No. 4, 'We Are The Champions' backed with 'We Will Rock You.'
The group also performed the score in the movie 'Flash Gordon.'
Queen's first hit on the U.S. record charts was 'Killer Queen,' which reached No. 12 in May 1975. Queen's next single, 'Bohemian Rhapsody,' made it to No. 9 in the United States and became the group's enduring trademark song.
