“My Boy Had a Dream”: Jer Bulsara’s Heartwarming Memories of Freddie Mercury and His Journey From Humble Beginnings to Global Stardom
Freddie Mercury, the electrifying frontman of Queen, may have dazzled the world with his theatrical stage presence and larger-than-life charisma, but at the heart of his meteoric rise was the enduring love and support of his family—particularly his mother, Jer Bulsara. In rare reflections filled with warmth and maternal pride, Jer offered a tender glimpse into Freddie’s early years, his dreams, and the quiet domestic life he cherished away from the spotlight.
“My favourite memory of him,” Jer recalled, “is that very first concert at Hammersmith Odeon.” It was 1973, and Freddie was performing as the support act to glam rock icons Mott the Hoople. For Jer and her husband Bomi, the moment marked the beginning of their son’s journey into music history. “My boy was showing the best of himself,” she said. When the show ended, fellow attendees approached them, unaware they were Freddie’s parents, and kindly praised their support. “I said simply, ‘Well, he is my son.’”
Though rock ’n’ roll wasn’t her lifestyle, Jer committed to attending every performance she could. She remembered his flamboyant style even then—long hair, dramatic clothes, unapologetically bold. “I used to tell him to have his hair cut short,” she laughed, “but he said, ‘No, no mum, that is the way I am.’” Ironically, when shorter hairstyles came into vogue, Freddie proudly announced, “You see, I’ve had it cut short. I did it.”
Freddie’s unwavering belief in himself was evident early on. Even after failing his driving test, he reassured his family with characteristic wit and confidence. “It didn’t matter,” Jer said. “I told him he wouldn’t want to spend his life on buses, and he replied, ‘It doesn’t matter because one day I will be chauffeur driven everywhere.’ I thought my boy certainly had a dream.”
Despite his fame, Freddie remained grounded when it came to family. At the peak of his career, he loved nothing more than coming home to the comforting simplicity of his mother’s cooking. “He wanted to be as normal as possible,” Jer shared. “Business was on one side and his family on the other.” He’d often ask, “Mum, are you making your special cheese biscuits?” and would request extra batches to take to the studio for his bandmates. “Of course, why not,” Jer would respond, always eager to support her son in the small, meaningful ways that mattered most.
Behind the stage lights and stadium crowds, Freddie Mercury was still Farrokh Bulsara—the devoted son who sent postcards from every corner of the globe and never forgot where he came from. Through Jer’s eyes, we see not just a rock legend, but a loving, grounded man whose greatest comfort was the warmth of home and the love of his family.