TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The official world AIDS day, that falls on today December 1, is dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection, and mourning those who have died of the disease.
Until 2017, 41.9 million people in the world have lost their battle against HIV/AIDS (Human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome) and an estimated 36.7 million people worldwide are living with HIV.
No one is immune to the disease and several musicians throughout history were unfortunately diagnosed with it. The following are three well-known musicians that have unfortunately died of AIDS.
Freddie Mercury (1946 - 1991)
Freddie was a singer-songwriter who was born in Farrokh Bulsara on September 5, 1946, in Zanzibar, Tanzania. He was arguably one of the most talented and innovative singers of the rock era who was the frontman for the legendary rock band, Queen.
On November 1991, Freddie released a statement confirming that he was tested to be HIV-positive and had AIDS. Freddie Mercury died at his London Mansion just one day after he released the statement from AIDS-related bronchial pneumonia.
Liberace (1919-1987)
Wadziu Valentino Liberace was notably known as the flamboyant and extravagant American pianist, singer, and actor, who grew-up from being a child prodigy. Liberace enjoyed a career that spanned over forty years and in this time embarked on an array of different projects - including concerts, movies, and residencies in Las Vegas.
Liberace was diagnosed with AIDS in August of 1985 by a private physician in Las Vegas. He did not seek medical treatment for his condition and his illness was kept secret from the public until the day he died. He was 67 when he passed away at his home in California.
Eric Lynn Wright or Easy-E (1964-1995)
He was a high school dropout that was better known by his stage name as Easy-E. He was a well-known American rapper and was once a member of the infamous NWA before he went solo. He was one of the figures that sky-rocketed NWA to national and international fandom.
Easy-E was diagnosed with AIDS on February 24, 1995, based on a symptom that he thought was asthma. On March 26, 1995, Eazy-E died from complications of AIDS, just one month after his diagnosis.
RICKY M. NUGRAHA
