Kings.
Both Freddie Mercury and Michael Jackson posed for photos wearing a crown and the traditional clothes associated with a King.
Working Together.
Michael Jackson released a single called 'State Of Shock' (1984) which appeared on the Jacksons 'Victory' album (1984). Jackson first began working on this duet with Freddie Mercury but in the end Mick Jagger appeared on the final version. Jackson and Mercury also worked on two more songs 'There Must Be More To Life Than This' and 'Victory' but did not finish them.
Statues.
Both performers have had a statue created in their likeness. Michael Jackson used a statue of himself to advertise his 'History' album (1995) while Freddie Mercury has a statue of himself in Switzerland as a tribute to his life.
Admiration.
Michael Jackson and Freddie Mercury admired each others work. At the start of Queen's 'Greatest Flix' VHS video (1981), it states that Freddie Mercury's favourite group was the Jacksons. Michael Jackson was the lead singer of this group while his brothers provided backing vocals and instrumental accompaniment. Jackson on the other hand went to see a Queen concert in LA, America.
Showmen/Entertainers.
Both performers have immense energy when on stage and use the best lights and props to give the best show possible.
Dionne Warwick.
Jim Hutton's book 'Mercury and Me' (1994) states that Freddie once met Dionne Warwick who had been one of his idols since childhood page 118. Dionne Warwick also sang with Michael Jackson on the charity single 'We Are The World' (1985).
The Press.
Both artists have sang songs which have described their distrust of the press. Michael Jackson sang the song 'Tabloid Junkie' (1995) while Freddie Mercury sang the song 'Scandal' (1989).
Drugs.
Both artists have took some form of drugs during their career. Michael Jackson became addicted to painkillers during a low point in his life while Freddie Mercury was known to take cocaine at his lavish private parties.
Motorbikes.
Michael Jackson rode a motorbike during the song 'Speed Demon' from his film 'Moonwalker' (1988), while Freddie Mercury sat on a motorbike during the Queen music video 'Crazy Little Thing Called Love' (1979).
Films.
Both Freddie Mercury and Michael Jackson have been associated with films. Freddie Mercury and Queen wrote and performed songs for 'Highlander' (1986) and 'Flash Gordon' (1980) which were their most famous soundtracks. Michael Jackson on the other hand, has acted, and also sang in his films 'Moonwalker' (1988) and 'Ghosts' (1997).
Backgrounds.
Both artists have African origins and so-called 'non-Western' backgrounds. Michael Jackson's ancestors came from Africa while Freddie Mercury was born in Zanzibar (Tanzania) in Africa.
Releases.
Both artists have released songs as part of a group and as solo performers. Michael Jackson performed with the Jackson 5 while Freddie Mercury performed with Queen.
Perfectionists.
Both are known as perfectionists.
Sunglasses.
Both Michael Jackson and Freddie Mercury have worn shiny mirror sunglasses
Bad.
Both Michael Jackson and Freddie Mercury have called themselves 'bad.' Michael Jackson called his album and single 'Bad' in 1987 and Freddie Mercury called his first solo album 'Mr. Bad Guy' in 1985.
Videos.
Michael Jackson secretly recorded a celebrity gathering for his music video ‘Liberian Girl’ (1989) while Freddie Mercury recorded one of his parties secretly for his music video ‘Living On My Own’ (1985).
Jackets.
Both wear military style clothing such as military jackets and sometimes have a stripe running down their trousers
LA Gear Shoes.
According to the book 'The Ultimate Queen' (1998) page 187, the Queen song 'We Will Rock You' (1977) was used by LA Gear Shoes in a US advert. Michael Jackson also advertised this company in the late 1980's.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Michael Jackson has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in America and so has Freddie Mercury as a member of Queen.
Charity.
Both artists have been charitable and have both helped raise money to feed those suffering in the Ethiopian famine in the 1980's. To assist this cause, Michael Jackson helped organize the song 'We Are The World' (1985) which he also added his vocals to along with other artists, while Freddie Mercury appeared at Live Aid in 1985.
Music Videos As An Art Form.
Both performers have pioneered the use of the music video as an art form. 'Bohemian Rhapsody' (1975) by Queen uses special effects like a film and as a result some consider it to be the first music video. 'Thriller' (1983) by Michael Jackson took music videos a step further and incorporated his music with a fourteen minute horror film.
Long Hair.
Both Michael Jackson and Freddie Mercury have had long hair at some time during their careers
Androgyny.
Both artists have had an androgynous image which means their appearance has blurred the conventional/traditional barriers surrounding gender, race and age in society.
Leather.
Both performers have worn leather while performing (see below). Michael Jackson wore leather for the filming of his 'Bad' (1987) music video while Freddie Mercury wore leather offstage and also onstage especially in the late 1970's.
Watches.
Both Michael Jackson and Freddie Mercury prefer not to wear a watch.
Star Signs - Part 1.
Both Michael Jackson and Freddie Mercury are the same star sign; Virgo.
Star Signs - Part 2.
Freddie Mercury was born in 1946 while Michael Jackson was born in 1958. According to the Chinese horoscope, people born in these years are born in the year of the dog.
Final Albums.
The last albums released by both performers began with the letter 'I'. The last album officially released in Freddie Mercury's lifetime was the Queen album 'Innuendo' while Michael Jackson's was 'Invincible'.
Deaths.
Both stars died at quite a young age. Freddie Mercury died at 45 in 1991 and Michael Jackson died at 50 in 2009. These two stars will never grow old so some people would say they have a sense of immortality.
Both Freddie Mercury and Michael Jackson posed for photos wearing a crown and the traditional clothes associated with a King.
Working Together.
Michael Jackson released a single called 'State Of Shock' (1984) which appeared on the Jacksons 'Victory' album (1984). Jackson first began working on this duet with Freddie Mercury but in the end Mick Jagger appeared on the final version. Jackson and Mercury also worked on two more songs 'There Must Be More To Life Than This' and 'Victory' but did not finish them.
Statues.
Both performers have had a statue created in their likeness. Michael Jackson used a statue of himself to advertise his 'History' album (1995) while Freddie Mercury has a statue of himself in Switzerland as a tribute to his life.
Admiration.
Michael Jackson and Freddie Mercury admired each others work. At the start of Queen's 'Greatest Flix' VHS video (1981), it states that Freddie Mercury's favourite group was the Jacksons. Michael Jackson was the lead singer of this group while his brothers provided backing vocals and instrumental accompaniment. Jackson on the other hand went to see a Queen concert in LA, America.
Showmen/Entertainers.
Both performers have immense energy when on stage and use the best lights and props to give the best show possible.
Dionne Warwick.
Jim Hutton's book 'Mercury and Me' (1994) states that Freddie once met Dionne Warwick who had been one of his idols since childhood page 118. Dionne Warwick also sang with Michael Jackson on the charity single 'We Are The World' (1985).
The Press.
Both artists have sang songs which have described their distrust of the press. Michael Jackson sang the song 'Tabloid Junkie' (1995) while Freddie Mercury sang the song 'Scandal' (1989).
Drugs.
Both artists have took some form of drugs during their career. Michael Jackson became addicted to painkillers during a low point in his life while Freddie Mercury was known to take cocaine at his lavish private parties.
Motorbikes.
Michael Jackson rode a motorbike during the song 'Speed Demon' from his film 'Moonwalker' (1988), while Freddie Mercury sat on a motorbike during the Queen music video 'Crazy Little Thing Called Love' (1979).
Films.
Both Freddie Mercury and Michael Jackson have been associated with films. Freddie Mercury and Queen wrote and performed songs for 'Highlander' (1986) and 'Flash Gordon' (1980) which were their most famous soundtracks. Michael Jackson on the other hand, has acted, and also sang in his films 'Moonwalker' (1988) and 'Ghosts' (1997).
Backgrounds.
Both artists have African origins and so-called 'non-Western' backgrounds. Michael Jackson's ancestors came from Africa while Freddie Mercury was born in Zanzibar (Tanzania) in Africa.
Releases.
Both artists have released songs as part of a group and as solo performers. Michael Jackson performed with the Jackson 5 while Freddie Mercury performed with Queen.
Perfectionists.
Both are known as perfectionists.
Sunglasses.
Both Michael Jackson and Freddie Mercury have worn shiny mirror sunglasses
Bad.
Both Michael Jackson and Freddie Mercury have called themselves 'bad.' Michael Jackson called his album and single 'Bad' in 1987 and Freddie Mercury called his first solo album 'Mr. Bad Guy' in 1985.
Videos.
Michael Jackson secretly recorded a celebrity gathering for his music video ‘Liberian Girl’ (1989) while Freddie Mercury recorded one of his parties secretly for his music video ‘Living On My Own’ (1985).
Jackets.
Both wear military style clothing such as military jackets and sometimes have a stripe running down their trousers
LA Gear Shoes.
According to the book 'The Ultimate Queen' (1998) page 187, the Queen song 'We Will Rock You' (1977) was used by LA Gear Shoes in a US advert. Michael Jackson also advertised this company in the late 1980's.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Michael Jackson has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in America and so has Freddie Mercury as a member of Queen.
Charity.
Both artists have been charitable and have both helped raise money to feed those suffering in the Ethiopian famine in the 1980's. To assist this cause, Michael Jackson helped organize the song 'We Are The World' (1985) which he also added his vocals to along with other artists, while Freddie Mercury appeared at Live Aid in 1985.
Music Videos As An Art Form.
Both performers have pioneered the use of the music video as an art form. 'Bohemian Rhapsody' (1975) by Queen uses special effects like a film and as a result some consider it to be the first music video. 'Thriller' (1983) by Michael Jackson took music videos a step further and incorporated his music with a fourteen minute horror film.
Long Hair.
Both Michael Jackson and Freddie Mercury have had long hair at some time during their careers
Androgyny.
Both artists have had an androgynous image which means their appearance has blurred the conventional/traditional barriers surrounding gender, race and age in society.
Leather.
Both performers have worn leather while performing (see below). Michael Jackson wore leather for the filming of his 'Bad' (1987) music video while Freddie Mercury wore leather offstage and also onstage especially in the late 1970's.
Watches.
Both Michael Jackson and Freddie Mercury prefer not to wear a watch.
Star Signs - Part 1.
Both Michael Jackson and Freddie Mercury are the same star sign; Virgo.
Star Signs - Part 2.
Freddie Mercury was born in 1946 while Michael Jackson was born in 1958. According to the Chinese horoscope, people born in these years are born in the year of the dog.
Final Albums.
The last albums released by both performers began with the letter 'I'. The last album officially released in Freddie Mercury's lifetime was the Queen album 'Innuendo' while Michael Jackson's was 'Invincible'.
Deaths.
Both stars died at quite a young age. Freddie Mercury died at 45 in 1991 and Michael Jackson died at 50 in 2009. These two stars will never grow old so some people would say they have a sense of immortality.
