Hey guys you should watch Queens whole performance from Live Aid in 1985 (About 20 mins). One of the finest performances by any band ever. No one that day had the audience like Freddie! Ayyyyy-oh!!!
Completely agree. I was not a listener of Queen's music growing up only because I was more of a hard rock guy band like Zeppelin, but I always appreciated them and sang along with most any song I heard on the radio. But after seeing this concert and seeing how Queen dominated that concert over every other band I became a big fan. I never realized how great they were live. But this performance scared all the bands that had to follow Queen that day. And who could blame any of them. And to think Freddy Mercury wasn't well at all and shouldn't have been on stage. It probably was great medicine for him to be up there and seeing everyone go crazy for them.
He had a infection on his vocal cords and his doctor recommended he didn’t perform. I’m glad Freddy didn’t listen, as we were left with this gem of a concert.
No better showman on stage than Freddie. He didn't sing to the crowd. He invited the crowd on stage with him. Not literally, but he made them feel as they were.
Freddie was sick at this show, but this 20 min. at the Live-Aid-Festival were still one of the greatest live performances ever. Freddie had the crowd with one snip of his fingers. Do the whole 20 min. show from Live-Aid, you will never regret it. Radio Ga-Ga is an awesome exaple of how crowd-comanding Freddie was. I saw them once, back in 1986 in Muinich and it is still, one of the best shows I have ever seen, and I have seen a lot. Lady Ga-Ga named herself after the song Radio Ga-Ga, by the way. RIP Freddie, we miss you.
The Bohemian Rhapsody film suggested he knew about his AIDS illness at the time of this concert, but that was just artistic licence to end the film with this performance, on a high, so to speak, especially as the whole film was leading up to this moment. I'm so glad he decided to do this iconic and important charity show, to raise so much money to help others many miles away in Africa. Æ 🙏
That Live Aid performance by Queen was epic. It was broadcast live to the entire world. Even into the living room of the lower class house my family called home. We were two on the couch, me and her. I was 13, had just kissed a girl for the first time, and I was blown away.
I was born in the summer 1982, and though I know it's not possible, I have a memory of watching the Live Aid concert. Watching these recordings just brings back a sense of recognition I can't explain. Kinda like seeing the fall of rhw Berlin wall. I was too small to know what it was, but I remember a small me layung on the livingroom floor playing or drawing and being in my own world while mum and dad watched the news, and the atmosphere of importance still lingers.
Freddie had a throat infection and was advised by doctors not to perform in this concert. But this was Live Aid. There was no way that Freddie was going to cry off!
This was live aid and he had throat problems. His doctor recommended that he didn’t perform. But he did and it goes down as one of the best performances of all time. It’s a 20 min set and it’s amazing.
This is from their Live Aid performance and Freddie was sick. But he still killed it and the entire 20 minute show is considered to be one of the greatest live performances of all time. Saw this live on TV. I watched all day on MTV in 1985 for their set to come on. You really should watch the whole thing as they start with a truncated version of Bohemian Rhapsody. To me the 2nd song, Radio Gaga, is the highlight. That’s also the song that Lady Gaga took her name from.
This song has become an anthem for sports teams that win championships, or for anybody that has achieved a great milestone. It gives you a feeling of great pride and accomplishment.
Literally first heard this song in little league. First year playing, no idea what was going on, wasn't even a starter, but I got put on the team that won our league and they played it as we celebrated, played it at the team pizza party, and played it on the way to games the whole next season. Loved it, and later Queen, ever since.
Always had a handful of favourite Queen songs, but can always watch their live performances. Not just Freddy, but the whole band so talented. Led Zeppelin, Rush, a few other bands blessed like that.
This concert will be listed in 200/300 years as an example for the massive creative power of the the late 20th century...Queen are already a cultural heritage!
As others have written, Freddie's voice was "under pressure" here, so we owe a lot to Roger Taylor (the drummer) for hitting those hight notes; pretty much throughout the whole gig (and actually many others too).
I went to a public school in a small rural town growing up and the middle and high schools would play the chorus at the end of the morning and afternoon announcements when our football teams won their championship matches which happened nearly every year. Our highschool team's colors are black and gold. Their name is Trojans. Their mascot is a Roman general who would run up and down the sidelines with a big ass school Trojans flag when a touchdown or field goal was made. I wasn't ever in to the games or anything like that but it sure made me proud of my school. Great memories.
I've always thought that kudos should go to the rest of Freddie's bandmates (Queen) for this 1985 Live Aid performance. It was 21 minutes of pure unbelievable joy! I watched it in a local pub - on screens usually reserved for the Football League or other national sporting events. I have been a Queen fan since 1973 or 1974 - Since the Seven Seas of Rhye/Killer Queen era - yep, I'm that old. As Freddie's health wasn't great at the time - not officially diagnosed with anything but suffering a sore throat and niggling health issues. Roger Taylor (Drummer/Vocals) helped Freddie deliver an astounding performance - When watching the whole performance, you can hear that Freddie's voice falters a bit later in the set - Roger hit the high notes with him. Brian May was as usual excellent on lead guitar and John Deacon kept the set going as bassist with Roger's drums ... The band Queen worked together. Queen were a band, not just Freddie Mercury, and they all had years of love and respect for each other
This was Live Aid and Freddie had a throat infection and his doctors had told him not to do the show but Freddie went out and killed it anyway. Freddie loved big audiences, his words were "the bigger the better," and this audience was the whole world, Freddie wasn't going to miss that opportunity for anything. Thank you for this reaction. Yeah, Freddie was a natural. Brian May said Freddie was always a Rock Star, even before he actually was, he believed himself to be.
Can't believe it has been 30 years now since Freddie passed. Although many of us already knew about his illness and that it wouldn't be long until he would be no more it still came as a major shock. A great musician and showman.
Not bad going bearing in mind that Freddie had a throat infection that day and was performing against doctors orders. Also, as others have said, you guys should watch this performance in it's entirety. All 4 members of Queen were absolutely note perfect.
Queen rehearsed for that Live Aid performance as they hired out a studio and rehearsed every song for their set until it was perfect. Queen didn't just turn up and wing it as Freddie was a perfectionist and that day he showed the world why he was the best frontman & show others of that's how it's done. Freddie simply the best there was & best there ever will, nobody else like it before him & nobody else like it since. The GOAT.
This was performed live in 1985 at live aid in wembley stadium in front of 72,000 people.. It was one of the largest television broadcasts of all time with an estimated 1.9 billion people watching it live in over 150 countries. that was nearly 40 percent of the worlds population at the time.. absolutly incredible
I really miss the Freedom we used to have. If you notice...people were NOT in some "assigned seats". People were just standing next to each other, gathered together for the sake of the music. I was such a communal thing. Music, sports, Tv shows (before cable) brought a commonality to everyone back then. There were not so many divisions as there are now. People respected each other, hence why there could be so many people, smashed together at concerts and such and no problems. (Okay, there was that thing at Altamaha with the Rolling Stones, but really, that was ....well... ) I remember when people would all talk about how they watched this show or that, because we only had three channels back then, and no internet. We read books. I remember when The Lord of the Rings came out and amazed everyone...and inspired so very many musicians. (Led Zeppelin and the Moody Blues wrote many songs about or alluding to, the LOTR. Stairway to Heaven is supposed to allude to Goldberry, the wife of Tom Bombadill, actually, not Galadriel, btw) I am so sad that today, you really have no way of knowing how much you do not know.
No one owned a crowd like Freddie! This was at Live Aid and it had the biggest names in music at the time, it was broadcast around the world on 3 times as many satellites as the Olympics, and there was no doubt in anyone's mind that Queen blew everyone off the stage and not only did the crowd at Wembley give themselves freely over to Freddie, but everyone watching at home did too! There's a video of him singing "Love of My Life" at Rock in Rio in front of 500,000 people with only Brian May playing guitar and keep in mind in Rio they speak Portuguese as a first language, and the crowd was singing in English along with Freddie!
Freddie Mercury was a natural born performer; I 100% agree with Lex. It's hard to think of anyone with more stage presence and charmisma than he had. There are some performers who come close to it at times, but when you consider the range and diversity of the music Queen created and how Freddie sold it with his voice and made the listener feel like they were in the song with him all the time, it's really tough to compare him to anyone else IMO.
@@JonCombo wrong.. Tina Turner might be one of the best in her specific lane but... she doesn't have a fraction of the range of talent that either Mercury or Bowie had... NOT EVEN CLOSE SON
Queen...albums are all about musicianship and harmonies...live performances are the very most professional backup band to Freddie Mercury's charisma. Stage presence and vocal virtuosity and power...Freddie was a gift from God to the world.
Gotta check out Axl Rose & Elton John performance Bohemian Rhapsody, in the Freddie Tribute concert. 1 of the best Rock N Roll moments of all time when Axl storms into the gig. Guns N’Roses covering We Will Rock You It’s also a great moment on that concert
I was 19 when I watched Live Aid, the whole day from London and Philadelphia with all the best singers and bands in the world taking part. Every artist had a time slot of roughly 20mins. Queen were a late addition to the line up and some of the other artists did not want them taking part as they had performed at Sun City during Apartheid. My favourite band at the time U2 did their slot as did everyone else and it was quite frankly not great..... the use of time was generally poor but Queen came on and ..... well everyone knew Freddie, everyone loved him and I think everyone thought if Freddie cannot liven things up, no one could. They used their time brilliantly with songs the crowd could join in to and Freddie was Freddie at his best...... they blew me away, they blew everyone away and they were the best act by far on the day. I remember thinking at that moment that I had witnessed something very special. Afterwards all anyone could talk about in terms of the day was Freddie and Queen and how good they were. He was unique and no one since has come anywhere close.
I was at the Philadelphia part..... this was on the CCTV screen, but everyone was singing, and clapping (radio gaga)...... this set and the set by U2 were the standouts
You're so right guys he is so unic this song that by the way was written by him is so legendary outstanding voice I'm so obsessed with Freddie's voice and everyday I found more fun that feel the same so genius performer composer singer unmatched live your reaction more queen to go
I love that you love Queen and Freddie Mercury! I graduated in '82 and when people would ask my favorite group and I'd tell them Queen, I'd always get hit with, "They're queer," or "They're gay!" It was so frustrating that these people couldn't get past Freddie's flamboyance. I'm so glad people are able to see past it now. Too bad Freddie didn't live long enough to see people appreciating his talent not only as a singer but as a songwriter and a performer. Honestly, I still mourn him.
They were the champions of that concert , that's for sure, The A-List performers scheduled to follow Queen at that show where like "Shit how are we supposed to follow that?" That massive crowd was putty in Freddie's hands.
It was touch and go whether Freddie would be well enough to sing live that day - he had a throat infection etc. Last minute performers at the Live Aid concert and despite it being full of famous singers and bands, Queen, and in particular Freddie, stole the show.
it's remarkable Freddie was able to sing at all, he had laryngitis the week before the concert. Please watch the whole Live Aid Queen performance, it's one of the best in rock history.
Mercury spent most of his childhood in India where he began taking piano lessons at the age of seven while living with relatives. In 1954, at the age of eight, Mercury was sent to study at St. Peter's School, a British-style boarding school for boys, in Panchgani near Bombay.
I followed Queen from 1975, but by this time (1985) they were on the way out until a fellow Irishman phoned up Freddie and asked him to do the 20min Live Aid performance in front of about 72,000 people. How could he refuse :). Bob Geldof was his name and he said Queen were the only group that 'got' the essence of the 'Global Jukebox' concept because they played hit after hit after hit. They were the best band on the day (on both continents) and the world got to see and hear it. Right afterwards their extensive back catalogue of albums starting soaring. It was a rebirth and cemented the group even further. On the flip side Simon Le Bon (vocalist with Duran Duran) hits a horrid bum note in their set and the groups sales plummeted. You have to remember this was the first broadcast of it's kind, It was one of the largest satellite link-ups and television broadcasts of all time; an estimated audience of 1.9 billion, in 150 nations, watched it LIVE, nearly 40% of the world population.
My high school band played “We are the champion” and “Another one bites the dust” for wrestling matches. Our school is in the wrestling hall of fame because of how many state championships and national champions we have had.
I was at Wembley that day. I was 17. This was our Woodstock! It was epic, and Queen's performance was absolutely the most powerful musical exhibition I have seen. I could feel the presence of future time travelers there like ghosts. We all knew at that moment that we were a witness to history. I'll never forget that feeling!
For discerning Queen fans who were there at the beginning (had the 1st album the week it came out) try out their brilliant live shows from the Rainbow in 1974 or at the Odeon Hammersmith in 1975. Look for Liar, Ogre Battle or Modern Times Rock and Roll for some seminal, hard rocking Queen before they became super stars but could give any band of that era all they could handle. What a great band in all eras, don't forget their early awesome work. Enjoy! 🎸
The 'Champions' are chosen by the people. This is Freddie saying he's going to fight 'till the end for his people. We're his people, he fought for us, and we love him for it.
Soooooooo many people there at Wembley like 100k plus every one watching on TV globally!! Love him, love Queen!! You should check out the Live-Aid concert!! ❤👍🏽
He was ill with the flu and had a sore throat so his doctors advised him not to perform but he would not let his fans down so he went on stage and did this great performance. He had to moderate his singing because he could not reach some of the notes. He was so good most people did not notice.
I have to say that shot bhind Freddie with his fist up lookin at that mass of human bodies says all that needs to b said about his ability to command a performance an audience. Such an incredible man.
Brad and Lex, I wind down EVERY night to your reactions. I have 2 teenage kids and a stressful job. I absolutely love this part of my night. It means I can finally relax. I think you need to check out Gel by Collective Soul!!! Don’t try to understand it, just love the catchy music!! Thanks for being a part of my daily relaxation!!!!
You guys should definitely do the whole Live Aid set. A few others have said it but at this point the band were considered past it (hard to believe now) but in this 20 minute set they showed everyone how good they were and proved the doubters wrong. I have also heard a number of different stars to day reference this set as the one that made them decide to pursue rock. Dave Grohl said he was in a punk band and him and his friends tuned in to laugh and 20 minutes later they wanted to be a rock band.
Freddie and Queen stole the show that day. Even the other bands at Live Aid acknowledge that. To really get the full effect, the entire performance should be watched.
I think queen made this song based on the home town soccer (football team), Liverpool. Liverpool won their 1st European cup in 1977, that's when this song came out.😊😊😊
When the Soviet Union fell in 1991, I danced around the kitchen holding my then 1 year daughter. It was a really wild and exultant time. Queen wasn't singing about this but it fit the situation here in America. It was the end of Cold War 1.0.
thing is also this was live aid concert most of the people there was not even expecting queen to perform hence they where not total queen fans but they still sang everyone song word for word. btw he performed after being told not to by his doctor due to have a throat infection.
This LiveAid concert was ridiculous. I was like 10 when they aired it on tv, no cable just public channel. They've had every artists of the moment you could dream of on that charity concert. Amazing how they all accepted and came together for Ethiopia's dying kids from hunger.
@@mikemclaughlin3306 nah MJ was on another level. He's just released the "Thriller" album which was a massive hit. He didn't need to show up for that type of event to raise money. He probably donated privately who knows. Pretty much all the UK artists, American ones that were current showed up.
Hey guys you should watch Queens whole performance from Live Aid in 1985 (About 20 mins). One of the finest performances by any band ever. No one that day had the audience like Freddie! Ayyyyy-oh!!!
Completely agree. I was not a listener of Queen's music growing up only because I was more of a hard rock guy band like Zeppelin, but I always appreciated them and sang along with most any song I heard on the radio. But after seeing this concert and seeing how Queen dominated that concert over every other band I became a big fan. I never realized how great they were live. But this performance scared all the bands that had to follow Queen that day. And who could blame any of them. And to think Freddy Mercury wasn't well at all and shouldn't have been on stage. It probably was great medicine for him to be up there and seeing everyone go crazy for them.
They'll love it
wasn't freddie sick or something for that?
He had a infection on his vocal cords and his doctor recommended he didn’t perform. I’m glad Freddy didn’t listen, as we were left with this gem of a concert.
Agreed 💯 Freddie is epic.
No better showman on stage than Freddie. He didn't sing to the crowd. He invited the crowd on stage with him. Not literally, but he made them feel as they were.
And the crowds sant to him...
I'm as big a fan, as anyone else but . . . . . he can't hold a candle, compared to Tina!
Michael jackson might want a word with you
@@Ihatescales.mp4Micheal Jackson was a great performer but he did have the same energy of crowd interaction that Freddie had
Most definitely a naturally gifted performer. There will never be another Freddie Mercury.
Agree, one of the best. Never we will have Freddie, but there will be one some day
And his music genius amazing
He was under a Dr's care for his voice before this concert, and had been advised not to do it...but he did it anyway. He's a legend!
That's what it said in the movie, but that was actually inaccurate.
@@bigdave1302 I didn't get that information from the movie. Not even sure if that is in the movie. I learned it from documentaries I've watched.
@@bigdave1302 It was documented well before the movie IIRC.
Can you imagine? I don’t want to live in a timeline when they they haven’t played
Freddie was sick at this show, but this 20 min. at the Live-Aid-Festival were still one of the greatest live performances ever. Freddie had the crowd with one snip of his fingers. Do the whole 20 min. show from Live-Aid, you will never regret it. Radio Ga-Ga is an awesome exaple of how crowd-comanding Freddie was. I saw them once, back in 1986 in Muinich and it is still, one of the best shows I have ever seen, and I have seen a lot. Lady Ga-Ga named herself after the song Radio Ga-Ga, by the way. RIP Freddie, we miss you.
He was sick at that concert , it wasn’t aids , it was his voice modules . His doctor had advised him not to sing
The Bohemian Rhapsody film suggested he knew about his AIDS illness at the time of this concert, but that was just artistic licence to end the film with this performance, on a high, so to speak, especially as the whole film was leading up to this moment. I'm so glad he decided to do this iconic and important charity show, to raise so much money to help others many miles away in Africa. Æ 🙏
@@trigger381 which was caused by his AIDS
That Live Aid performance by Queen was epic. It was broadcast live to the entire world. Even into the living room of the lower class house my family called home. We were two on the couch, me and her. I was 13, had just kissed a girl for the first time, and I was blown away.
You were the Champions that day, my friend!
I was born in the summer 1982, and though I know it's not possible, I have a memory of watching the Live Aid concert. Watching these recordings just brings back a sense of recognition I can't explain. Kinda like seeing the fall of rhw Berlin wall. I was too small to know what it was, but I remember a small me layung on the livingroom floor playing or drawing and being in my own world while mum and dad watched the news, and the atmosphere of importance still lingers.
This performance should be seen in it's entirety for best results.
I absolutely agree. ❤️✌️🌼
Freddie had a throat infection and was advised by doctors not to perform in this concert. But this was Live Aid. There was no way that Freddie was going to cry off!
very true
Freddie was 100% natural voice a genious
This was live aid and he had throat problems. His doctor recommended that he didn’t perform. But he did and it goes down as one of the best performances of all time. It’s a 20 min set and it’s amazing.
That set from Queen at Live Aid was perhaps the BEST live performance by any band anywhere at any time
This is from their Live Aid performance and Freddie was sick. But he still killed it and the entire 20 minute show is considered to be one of the greatest live performances of all time. Saw this live on TV. I watched all day on MTV in 1985 for their set to come on. You really should watch the whole thing as they start with a truncated version of Bohemian Rhapsody. To me the 2nd song, Radio Gaga, is the highlight. That’s also the song that Lady Gaga took her name from.
I remember watching it. Phil collins, sting, the police, Queen, Paul young segments always get me.
Lady Gaga what?? I didn't know that
@@TedBrogan yep!..its a fact.
The greatest ever live performance by any group!!! Queen 1985 LiveAid performance.
This song has become an anthem for sports teams that win championships, or for anybody that has achieved a great milestone. It gives you a feeling of great pride and accomplishment.
Literally first heard this song in little league. First year playing, no idea what was going on, wasn't even a starter, but I got put on the team that won our league and they played it as we celebrated, played it at the team pizza party, and played it on the way to games the whole next season. Loved it, and later Queen, ever since.
@@TedBrogan Gotta say that's pretty cool man.
Freddie showed his commitment to his music and fans. He had a strep throat and Doctor's order to not perform. But he still gave it his best. RIP!!!
Strep throat is no joke.
Damn...That's a LOT of people. That's POWER!
Always had a handful of favourite Queen songs, but can always watch their live performances. Not just Freddy, but the whole band so talented. Led Zeppelin, Rush, a few other bands blessed like that.
This concert will be listed in 200/300 years as an example for the massive creative power of the the late 20th century...Queen are already a cultural heritage!
Classic! Classic! Here in europe this is the song of glorious achievements!
As others have written, Freddie's voice was "under pressure" here, so we owe a lot to Roger Taylor (the drummer) for hitting those hight notes; pretty much throughout the whole gig (and actually many others too).
I went to a public school in a small rural town growing up and the middle and high schools would play the chorus at the end of the morning and afternoon announcements when our football teams won their championship matches which happened nearly every year.
Our highschool team's colors are black and gold. Their name is Trojans. Their mascot is a Roman general who would run up and down the sidelines with a big ass school Trojans flag when a touchdown or field goal was made.
I wasn't ever in to the games or anything like that but it sure made me proud of my school. Great memories.
I've always thought that kudos should go to the rest of Freddie's bandmates (Queen) for this 1985 Live Aid performance. It was 21 minutes of pure unbelievable joy! I watched it in a local pub - on screens usually reserved for the Football League or other national sporting events. I have been a Queen fan since 1973 or 1974 - Since the Seven Seas of Rhye/Killer Queen era - yep, I'm that old.
As Freddie's health wasn't great at the time - not officially diagnosed with anything but suffering a sore throat and niggling health issues. Roger Taylor (Drummer/Vocals) helped Freddie deliver an astounding performance - When watching the whole performance, you can hear that Freddie's voice falters a bit later in the set - Roger hit the high notes with him. Brian May was as usual excellent on lead guitar and John Deacon kept the set going as bassist with Roger's drums ... The band Queen worked together. Queen were a band, not just Freddie Mercury, and they all had years of love and respect for each other
You need to watch the entire Live Aid performance by Queen. It is legendary!
Completely agree.
Saturday, July 13th, 1985/...I was 17yrs old, in the crowd at the greatest concert of all time and one of the best performances in history.
This was Live Aid and Freddie had a throat infection and his doctors had told him not to do the show but Freddie went out and killed it anyway. Freddie loved big audiences, his words were "the bigger the better," and this audience was the whole world, Freddie wasn't going to miss that opportunity for anything. Thank you for this reaction. Yeah, Freddie was a natural. Brian May said Freddie was always a Rock Star, even before he actually was, he believed himself to be.
Can't believe it has been 30 years now since Freddie passed. Although many of us already knew about his illness and that it wouldn't be long until he would be no more it still came as a major shock. A great musician and showman.
Thirty-eight years since the concert at Wembly Stadium and it still takes your breath away.
Roger Taylor´s backing vocals are amazing, too many times unnoticed and unappreciated.
Not bad going bearing in mind that Freddie had a throat infection that day and was performing against doctors orders.
Also, as others have said, you guys should watch this performance in it's entirety. All 4 members of Queen were absolutely note perfect.
I LOVE how the crowd sings with him. A truly loved band!
Queen rehearsed for that Live Aid performance as they hired out a studio and rehearsed every song for their set until it was perfect. Queen didn't just turn up and wing it as Freddie was a perfectionist and that day he showed the world why he was the best frontman & show others of that's how it's done. Freddie simply the best there was & best there ever will, nobody else like it before him & nobody else like it since. The GOAT.
This was performed live in 1985 at live aid in wembley stadium in front of 72,000 people.. It was one of the largest television broadcasts of all time with an estimated 1.9 billion people watching it live in over 150 countries. that was nearly 40 percent of the worlds population at the time.. absolutly incredible
I really miss the Freedom we used to have. If you notice...people were NOT in some "assigned seats". People were just standing next to each other, gathered together for the sake of the music. I was such a communal thing. Music, sports, Tv shows (before cable) brought a commonality to everyone back then. There were not so many divisions as there are now. People respected each other, hence why there could be so many people, smashed together at concerts and such and no problems. (Okay, there was that thing at Altamaha with the Rolling Stones, but really, that was ....well... ) I remember when people would all talk about how they watched this show or that, because we only had three channels back then, and no internet. We read books. I remember when The Lord of the Rings came out and amazed everyone...and inspired so very many musicians. (Led Zeppelin and the Moody Blues wrote many songs about or alluding to, the LOTR. Stairway to Heaven is supposed to allude to Goldberry, the wife of Tom Bombadill, actually, not Galadriel, btw) I am so sad that today, you really have no way of knowing how much you do not know.
Watch the whole Live Aid performance. It is stunning. The best concert footage ever. Freddie owns the stage.
he was born too be an entertainer..
Thank you for Having existed Freddie 😢😢😢😢
No one owned a crowd like Freddie! This was at Live Aid and it had the biggest names in music at the time, it was broadcast around the world on 3 times as many satellites as the Olympics, and there was no doubt in anyone's mind that Queen blew everyone off the stage and not only did the crowd at Wembley give themselves freely over to Freddie, but everyone watching at home did too! There's a video of him singing "Love of My Life" at Rock in Rio in front of 500,000 people with only Brian May playing guitar and keep in mind in Rio they speak Portuguese as a first language, and the crowd was singing in English along with Freddie!
Freddie Mercury was a natural born performer; I 100% agree with Lex. It's hard to think of anyone with more stage presence and charmisma than he had. There are some performers who come close to it at times, but when you consider the range and diversity of the music Queen created and how Freddie sold it with his voice and made the listener feel like they were in the song with him all the time, it's really tough to compare him to anyone else IMO.
Right? I'm blanking on anyone aside from David Bowie at the moment.. but does that even count? Bowie was from another world..
@@jasonlebeau1288 David Bowie is pretty much the only one I see in the same league.
Tina Turner.
@@JonCombo wrong.. Tina Turner might be one of the best in her specific lane but... she doesn't have a fraction of the range of talent that either Mercury or Bowie had... NOT EVEN CLOSE SON
@@jasonlebeau1288 Surely she has a fraction.
His Star 🌟 and legend will shine Forever!!! 😋✌💞
He was sick at that performance. I imagine everyone at that concert will never forget that special day. What an awesome show. RIP Freddie Mercury.
Queen...albums are all about musicianship and harmonies...live performances are the very most professional backup band to Freddie Mercury's charisma. Stage presence and vocal virtuosity and power...Freddie was a gift from God to the world.
Gotta check out Axl Rose & Elton John performance Bohemian Rhapsody, in the Freddie Tribute concert.
1 of the best Rock N Roll moments of all time when Axl storms into the gig.
Guns N’Roses covering We Will Rock You It’s also a great moment on that concert
Flashback to High School sports bus trips! Peace, Love!
You need to listen to basically all of their stuff. You can't guess how much of their stuff will have you there with your jaw on the floor. 😮
I was 19 when I watched Live Aid, the whole day from London and Philadelphia with all the best singers and bands in the world taking part. Every artist had a time slot of roughly 20mins. Queen were a late addition to the line up and some of the other artists did not want them taking part as they had performed at Sun City during Apartheid. My favourite band at the time U2 did their slot as did everyone else and it was quite frankly not great..... the use of time was generally poor but Queen came on and ..... well everyone knew Freddie, everyone loved him and I think everyone thought if Freddie cannot liven things up, no one could. They used their time brilliantly with songs the crowd could join in to and Freddie was Freddie at his best...... they blew me away, they blew everyone away and they were the best act by far on the day.
I remember thinking at that moment that I had witnessed something very special. Afterwards all anyone could talk about in terms of the day was Freddie and Queen and how good they were.
He was unique and no one since has come anywhere close.
I was more into Phil collins, Genesis, The Police, Sting, Paul young, Billy ocean at the time. But Queen did a great job though.
I was at the Philadelphia part..... this was on the CCTV screen, but everyone was singing, and clapping (radio gaga)...... this set and the set by U2 were the standouts
the 1st time i heard this song was when i was little and would watch the mighty ducks 2. lol
To hear Roger so amazing coming clear in the background when Freddie took a pause in the beginning .. ammazing
Queen was an unbelievable live band. Each member is true masters of music.
One of the most iconic performances ever. Legendary
You're so right guys he is so unic this song that by the way was written by him is so legendary outstanding voice I'm so obsessed with Freddie's voice and everyday I found more fun that feel the same so genius performer composer singer unmatched live your reaction more queen to go
This was the first concert i ever saw
I love that you love Queen and Freddie Mercury! I graduated in '82 and when people would ask my favorite group and I'd tell them Queen, I'd always get hit with, "They're queer," or "They're gay!" It was so frustrating that these people couldn't get past Freddie's flamboyance. I'm so glad people are able to see past it now. Too bad Freddie didn't live long enough to see people appreciating his talent not only as a singer but as a songwriter and a performer. Honestly, I still mourn him.
They were the champions of that concert , that's for sure, The A-List performers scheduled to follow Queen at that show where like "Shit how are we supposed to follow that?" That massive crowd was putty in Freddie's hands.
Freddie. Love you. All time favorite performer since I was a kid. ✊
It was touch and go whether Freddie would be well enough to sing live that day - he had a throat infection etc. Last minute performers at the Live Aid concert and despite it being full of famous singers and bands, Queen, and in particular Freddie, stole the show.
it's remarkable Freddie was able to sing at all, he had laryngitis the week before the concert. Please watch the whole Live Aid Queen performance, it's one of the best in rock history.
Mercury spent most of his childhood in India where he began taking piano lessons at the age of seven while living with relatives. In 1954, at the age of eight, Mercury was sent to study at St. Peter's School, a British-style boarding school for boys, in Panchgani near Bombay.
FREDDY is a GIFT to humankind
I followed Queen from 1975, but by this time (1985) they were on the way out until a fellow Irishman phoned up Freddie and asked him to do the 20min Live Aid performance in front of about 72,000 people. How could he refuse :). Bob Geldof was his name and he said Queen were the only group that 'got' the essence of the 'Global Jukebox' concept because they played hit after hit after hit.
They were the best band on the day (on both continents) and the world got to see and hear it.
Right afterwards their extensive back catalogue of albums starting soaring. It was a rebirth and cemented the group even further.
On the flip side Simon Le Bon (vocalist with Duran Duran) hits a horrid bum note in their set and the groups sales plummeted.
You have to remember this was the first broadcast of it's kind, It was one of the largest satellite link-ups and television broadcasts of all time; an estimated audience of 1.9 billion, in 150 nations, watched it LIVE, nearly 40% of the world population.
My high school band played “We are the champion” and “Another one bites the dust” for wrestling matches. Our school is in the wrestling hall of fame because of how many state championships and national champions we have had.
When my footbal club won the Champions League they played this song in the stadium. Will never will forget that moment. Everyone sang along.
I am actually old enough to remember this concert. i watched it on satalite dish. One of the greatest voices to grace a stage.
If you haven't already,,, I hope you 2 get to go to a stadium concert of some BIG rock star,,, it's quite the experience,,,👍💥👍💥👍
I was at Wembley that day. I was 17. This was our Woodstock! It was epic, and Queen's performance was absolutely the most powerful musical exhibition I have seen. I could feel the presence of future time travelers there like ghosts. We all knew at that moment that we were a witness to history. I'll never forget that feeling!
For discerning Queen fans who were there at the beginning (had the 1st album the week it came out) try out their brilliant live shows from the Rainbow in 1974 or at the Odeon Hammersmith in 1975. Look for Liar, Ogre Battle or Modern Times Rock and Roll for some seminal, hard rocking Queen before they
became super stars but could give any band of that era all they could handle. What a great band in all eras, don't forget their early awesome work. Enjoy! 🎸
Yes! For me it's Stone Cold Crazy and White Queen!
I was in the crowd that day at Wembley. Still remember the Queen set clearly.
What an amazing talent, one of the greatest entertainers the world has ever seen 🔥🔥🔥
The 'Champions' are chosen by the people.
This is Freddie saying he's going to fight 'till the end for his people.
We're his people, he fought for us, and we love him for it.
Soooooooo many people there at Wembley like 100k plus every one watching on TV globally!!
Love him, love Queen!!
You should check out the Live-Aid concert!!
❤👍🏽
He was ill with the flu and had a sore throat so his doctors advised him not to perform but he would not let his fans down so he went on stage and did this great performance. He had to moderate his singing because he could not reach some of the notes. He was so good most people did not notice.
Whats crazy is that back then it was all heart, sound and soul..no computers or nothing.. straight up!
Brad ,your description of Freddie is so accurate ,you cannot put him in a genre box ,he could do any style of music.Good call!!!!
I have to say that shot bhind Freddie with his fist up lookin at that mass of human bodies says all that needs to b said about his ability to command a performance an audience. Such an incredible man.
Yes, Charismatic! So confident.
Brad and Lex, I wind down EVERY night to your reactions. I have 2 teenage kids and a stressful job. I absolutely love this part of my night. It means I can finally relax. I think you need to check out Gel by Collective Soul!!! Don’t try to understand it, just love the catchy music!! Thanks for being a part of my daily relaxation!!!!
Same👍🏻
I think everyone on the planet by now has heard, loved and sang this song either on stage or in the shower. It’s extremely catchy.
You guys should definitely do the whole Live Aid set. A few others have said it but at this point the band were considered past it (hard to believe now) but in this 20 minute set they showed everyone how good they were and proved the doubters wrong. I have also heard a number of different stars to day reference this set as the one that made them decide to pursue rock. Dave Grohl said he was in a punk band and him and his friends tuned in to laugh and 20 minutes later they wanted to be a rock band.
Entire live aid set pleassse...love queen as always...
Freddie and Queen stole the show that day. Even the other bands at Live Aid acknowledge that. To really get the full effect, the entire performance should be watched.
Yes you are !!!! A baby !!!! You gonna have a baby !!! Freddy up there smiles of pride and Joy !!!
Such an amazing performer. Very few people had such skill and charisma.
One of a kind. Brings tears to my eyes every time.
The best satirical song ever given. Absolute genius.
Aloha. This will always remind me of Limos, Little League, and Fletcher Hills... California...my son and a beautiful life...RIP...Freddie...Peace
I graduated high school in 1978. This was our class song
Y’all-- pleeeeeease react to their entire live aid performance! SO worth it- goes by fast- so don’t let 20 measly minutes scare you off- 👍💙🤘🏼
I think queen made this song based on the home town soccer (football team), Liverpool.
Liverpool won their 1st European cup in 1977, that's when this song came out.😊😊😊
When the Soviet Union fell in 1991, I danced around the kitchen holding my then 1 year daughter. It was a really wild and exultant time. Queen wasn't singing about this but it fit the situation here in America. It was the end of Cold War 1.0.
I saw Queen at the Los Angeles Forum back in Dec. 1977.
i totally agree with your reaction. EPIC!
Another great live performance is from the Canadian band Triumph. Check out Fight the Good Fight live in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Cheers.
Greatest front man of all time!
The biggest one ever. RIP Freddie.
We will rock you/we are the champions: The greatest A/B side single ever!!!!!!!!
You should do Queen -Somebody To Love live in Montreal 81!!!!
Freddie was already sick at that moment, and still He put up the most legendary show ever
thing is also this was live aid concert most of the people there was not even expecting queen to perform hence they where not total queen fans but they still sang everyone song word for word. btw he performed after being told not to by his doctor due to have a throat infection.
Seriously, you should watch the entire Live Aide performance this song was taken from Absolutely amazing.
This LiveAid concert was ridiculous. I was like 10 when they aired it on tv, no cable just public channel. They've had every artists of the moment you could dream of on that charity concert. Amazing how they all accepted and came together for Ethiopia's dying kids from hunger.
Lol.... except Michael Jackson and a few others
@@mikemclaughlin3306 nah MJ was on another level. He's just released the "Thriller" album which was a massive hit. He didn't need to show up for that type of event to raise money. He probably donated privately who knows. Pretty much all the UK artists, American ones that were current showed up.
@@mikemclaughlin3306 Quincy jones and MJ have just released "We are the world" for the same occasion. The dude was an Alien back then.
Freddy was the most *_NATURAL_* performer in the world - a Champion if you must.
Prince of the Universe.
a once in a lifetime for us... we will never see such talent again for a long time