Jer Bulsara was invited by her son’s band to accept an award on behalf of Freddie Mercury. Picture: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame YouTube
Watch the emotional moment Jer Bulsara is invited on stage by Queen below:
Queen accept award Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions 2001
Brian and Roger invited Jer (then 78 years old) to the stage after giving a short speech accepting their honours.
“We’re a little sad that Freddie and John [Deacon] can’t be here with us, but they both send their love,” Brian told those gathered for the ceremony.
“We have a little surprise for you, which Roger’s going to tell you about,” he added.
As Roger explained: “Freddie’s mother Jer is here tonight, and we’d love her to accept his award in place of him.”
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Instantly, the room erupted into loud applause in appreciation for Jer.
Guests gave the ‘We Will Rock You’ band’s matriarch a standing ovation as she somewhat shyly made her way up to the stage, perhaps a little overwhelmed by the display of love she was getting from the crowd.
After reaching the stage, Jer thanked the crowd while holding Freddie’s award aloft on the stage, before leaving with Roger and Brian at her side.
Queen perform “We Will Rock You” at the 2001 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Ceremony
Jer and her daughter, Freddie’s sister Kashmira Bulsara, continued to regularly attend events with Queen until her death, aged 94, in 2016.
Remembering Jer, Brian shared in a tribute at the time: “Jer was a warm and devoted Mum to Freddie, and, like Freddie, always had a strong twinkle in the eye…
“After Freddie’s passing, Jer stayed close to us – to Roger, Jim and myself. We always consulted her in our work that continued after we lost Freddie… she was with us all the way.”
