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While many people loved him, not many knew that he was a big cat person. He had many cats. And most of them he adopted from shelters. Not only that but he also wrote a few songs on his fur babies. I am very surprised that I did not know this but then again I do not know a lot about Freddie Mercury.
It was the 1970’s when his girlfriend brought home two felines by the name of Tom and Jerry. And it’s safe to say he was hooked on the love these kittens provided. He went on to house 10 cats at one time. I don’t know about you but that sounds like heaven to me.
He’d get to a hotel, we’d dial through, and he really would talk to his adorable cats.
Mary would hold Tom and Jerry in turn up to the receiver to listen to Freddie talking. This continued throughout the years with succeeding feline occupants of his houses.
While we don’t know the names of all of his cats but 8 of them were called Goliath, Lily, Miko, Oscar, Tiffany, Dorothy, Delilah, and Romeo.
Most of them were from rescue centers. -Jacky Smith
Most of them were from rescue centers. We have a charity [in the United Kingdom] called The Blue Cross, which takes care of sick animals.
Freddie got at least two from them. -Jacky Smith
Innuendo, the last album he recorded with the group, included artwork of Mercury dressed as a jester with cats on his shoulders. It also featured an upbeat song, titled Delilah.
At first, listen, you may believe it’s about a woman – at least until the line about her ‘peeing all over [his] Chippendale Suite.’ The song also features a guitar solo from Brian May with harmonies that sound like meows.
Turns out those are his cats handpainted on the striking vest.
She was a real character, that lady! Delilah was just kind of funny. She was a bit of a bully to the others, but was always first on his lap, first for food. -Smith
Freddie treated the cats like his own children. He would constantly fuss over them, and if any of them came to any harm when Freddie was away, heaven help us. -Memoir
During the day, the cats had the run of the house and grounds, and at night, one of us would round them up and bring them inside.
Did you already know all this? Or was this news to you? Comment down below and let us know. Don’t forget to share so more people can learn about the cat side to Freddie Mercury.
