Queen drummer Roger Taylor spoke about his confusion after spotting something surprising in the late singer’s early works, prompting him to question what Freddie Mercury had been “reading”Queen legend Roger Taylor has been left “horrified” after spotting something baffling in the late Freddie Mercury’s lyrics.

Speaking at the launch of the Queen 1 boxset at the Ham Yard Hotel in Soho, the Queen drummer spoke to the Daily Mail’s Richard Eden about his confusion over the content of his bandmate’s lyrics.Roger noticed something surprising in the vocal powerhouse’s early works, so surprising in fact, that he said “God knows” what Freddie had been “reading”.He said: “I am horrified at how religious a lot of Freddie’s lyrics are. Freddie was not religious in the slightest way, so God knows what he had been reading.”

It has previously been reported that Freddie was a Zoroastrian, part of an ancient Persian religion that was founded by the Prophet Zoroaster around 3,500 years ago.It was one of the first monotheistic religions, meaning worshippers believe in a single god, like Christianity. Freddie was a fully practising Zoroastrian while he was at school in Panchgani, India, reports the BBC.

However, in 2018, the Los Angeles Times wrote that Freddie wasn’t “formally” religious but was “fiercely protective” of his parents and “deeply respected” their adherence to their faith.He was born in Zanzibar, Africa, to Bomi and Jer Bulsara, who were followers of Zoroastrianism. Bomi was originally from Bulsar in Gujarat and moved to Zanzibar for work.

The Queen frontman tragically died on November 24, 1991, from bronchial pneumonia resulting from AIDS, passing away only two months after his 45th birthday.The celebrated vocalist’s funeral service was completed by a Zoroastrian priest at West London Crematorium three days after his death, with his ashes then given to his former girlfriend, Mary Austin.Over the years, rumours emerged that Freddie’s possessions were burnt in accordance with his faith, but his sister, Kashmira Bulsara, later denied this.She addressed the rumour in a statement released on her behalf in 2022, which said it was “not correct” and that the belongings to which the family had access had been “kept in memory of Freddie and is still with Kashmira today”.

It also stated: “Nothing was burnt due to the family’s beliefs and this is not part of the Zoroastrian faith.”