Rosie Horide

Freddie Mercury was known for his flamboyant stage persona and four-octave vocal range - the lead singer of Queen defied the conventions of a typical rock frontman. He paved the way for many contemporary artists to have a more confident and theatrical act which indelibly shaped the next generation of pop and rock music. From working as a baggage handler at Heathrow airport to hiding his HIV diagnosis from the public until just before his death, Mercury's life was filled with adventure, publicity, and perhaps above all, a clear duality. He was both flamboyant and shy, outspoken and intensely private. The illness that claimed his life could never have defined Freddie, and now, years later, his legacy is greater than he could have ever imagined.

Life in the spotlight is the stuff of dreams. With the world at your feet, conquering the global stage can leave the biggest superstars in the world feeling unstoppable. But dreams can turn to nightmares faster than anyone can possibly imagine. Join us as we take a look at ten giants of the music industry, from Elvis to Lennon, that were taken from us. Some sudden, some unexpected and some shrouded in mystery. This is Most Shocking Celebrity Deaths Of All Time.