Sawt Falasteen - Don't stop them now: fans party for Freddie Mercury's 80th birthday

Wearing some outlandish outfits reflecting Mercury's stage costumes, fans from across the world gathered in honour of the frontman, in the Swiss lakeside town where he sought peace in his final years and recorded his last vocals.

"It is a special birthday so you've got to make the effort to come and celebrate all things Freddie," said Sonia, who travelled from Canberra.

Her friend Khristina added that she "fell in love with him, thought he was the most beautiful man -- and then my husband looks just like him!"

The bronze statue of Mercury in a triumphant pose, erected in 1996 overlooking Lake Geneva, was decked with balloons, flowers, and tributes left by well-wishers.

Bottles of Moet et Chandon champagne, referenced in Mercury's song "Killer Queen", and his favourite Stolichnaya vodka were also left at the foot of the plinth.

Appreciation of Queen's legacy and Mercury's unique talent has only grown since his death in 1991 from bronchial pneumonia, brought on by AIDS.

Among the world's best-selling artists ever, most of the group's sales have come since the singer's passing at the age of 45.

- Lavish birthday cake -

Queen owned Mountain Studios, built into the Montreux Casino, and recorded six albums there.

In Montreux, the Freddie Days birthday event has been running annually since 2003, and has grown over time.

"This is the busiest I've ever seen it," said fan Gail Potter, 61, from York in northern England.

"It's this that makes Queen different from any other band," she said, looking at the sea of fans milling round the market square.

"The music keeps on going, which is extraordinary."

Fans were dressed in a wealth of different Mercury outfits, including his iconic 1986 Magic Tour yellow jacket, his "Invisible Man" sunglasses, 1982 "arrows" jackets, and his 39th birthday "Living on my Own" black and white leggings.

The event also saw concerts and talks, including one on Mercury's trailblazing 1988 "Barcelona" duet album recorded with the Spanish opera diva Montserrat Caballe.

"He would have been amazed that people still

l come from all over the world in such large numbers to celebrate -- he'd have loved it. He loved being idolised! -- though he'd have hated being 80!" composer Mike Moran, who co-wrote the album with Mercury, told AFP.

The day culminated with the cutting of a 80th birthday cake, with Mercury's sister Kashmira Bulsara the special guest.

Fans sang "Happy Birthday" together, before the party continued into the night.

K.Hassan--SF-PST