Was "S. Flavius Mercurius" the inspiration for "Freddie Mercury"?

Led Zep's Jimmy Page played on Roy Harper’s 1971 album Stormcock and was credited as “S Flavius Mercurius”. Fred was a big Led Zep fan: I wonder if this is where Fred got the idea for his new name. Or did he come up with the name Freddie Mercury before 1971?

according to wikipedia, he started calling himself Mercury right around when Queen was first formed, in 1970..........(good article btw, never read that before!)

I thought I read somewhere that he got the idea of the name from the actress Melina Mercouri..................

According to Brian it was an adaptation of the lyric 'Mother Mercury'. But don't let the facts get in the way ;-)

(There is also 'from Mars to Mercury' but that has never been mentioned.)

That's how I remember it too Moog. Where's the from Mars to Mercury thingy? (you didn't make that up, did you?)

It's from Liar...

I have sailed to sea
From Mars to Mercury
I have drunk the wine
Time after time....

Come on!

Mercury Mars Uranus.

I know that Moog, but Brian never mentioned that one as a possibility. I thought you may have been referring to a transcript or something.

"but that has never been mentioned"

Sorry for not making myself clear...... :/

my question is, where the heck did the "S Flavius Mercurius" thing come from??

No fucking idea. Maybe from someone who wants people to look in their direction?

George Harrison co-wrote the song "Badge" with Clapton, which was included on Cream's 1969 album, Goodbye. Harrison played rhythm guitar on the track, using the pseudonym "L'Angelo Misterioso" for contractual reasons.

There are other instances of other artists doing the same, for that or other reasons.

The Flavius Mercurius one is a new one for me, and pretty damn cool.

It probably originates from him being pompous. Mercury (Hermes in Greek mythology) was the messenger of the gods. Hence. Pomp and a foreseen future with big britches to fill

"according to wikipedia"

I don't consider Wiki a credible source. However, if Fred/Farouk did start referring to himself as Freddie Mercury in 1970 then it obviously means it predated Jimmy Page's pseudonym (if 1971 was the first time Page used it, which seems likely).

"I thought I read somewhere that he got the idea of the name from the actress Melina Mercouri"

I also don't consider "I thought I read somewhere..." as a credible source :p

"According to Brian it was an adaptation of the lyric 'Mother Mercury'. But don't let the facts get in the way"

Source? Did Brian express this early in Queen's career, or lately? If lately, I wouldn't necessarily trust his memory. In any event, did he get this info from Fred or is he speculating? If earlier, it opens up a number of questions, but the main one is the same as above -- did Fred tell him this or is Brian making an assumption, or just guessing?

This should be an easy one to sort out. There are many Queen fans here (obviously). If someone can provide a credible source for when Fred first started using the name Freddie Mercury and if it predates "S. Flavius Mercurius" then we can rule that out as the inspiration for his name.

I'm certain that Brian's 'Mother Mercury' comment has been something he said twice in interviews, both of which were in the 2000s. I haven't seen them recently, but I'm also fairly sure it came across more like speculation than something he actually knew Freddie took his name from.