First Time Watching | Queen - Live Aid

[@Mikey-DiLo]

I’ll provide a little background about this performance in case you don’t know. Live Aid was a global concert to raise money for famine relief in Ethiopia. This concert was at Wembley in the UK in front of about 75,000 fans and there was another concert at the same time in Philadelphia. In front of 90,000 fans. They had large screens at both sites so that everyone could see both concerts. There were about 60 of the biggest musicians performing in 20 minute sets. Queen was added to the show after all tickets were sold so they were nervous that these were not Queen fans. They used 13 satellites to broadcast all over the world with an estimated 1.9 billion people watching. During the Radio GaGa performance all the musicians backstage who were socializing got quiet when they heard the crowd interaction and went up to watch. This is when they realized that Queen was stealing the show. Freddie’s long note in his call and response is referred to as the Note Heard Around the World. Those in Philadelphia were responding to him as well. This is considered the best live performance ever.

[@ladysky2883]

The stage revolved. It was in a circle and cut like a pie into thirds. 1/3 was setting up for the next act, 1/3 was performing, 1/3 was breaking down the act that was just on. Innovative. Never done before. The only way they could minimize the time in between the acts. Each act had 20 minutes.

[@deborahhalbert3372]

This is considered one of the greatest live performances of all time! It always makes me happy to see a young person get to watch this. What a voice, what a man, and what a band!

[@ellenstrack6274]

I was in Phili for the concert and I have to say this was the best 22 minutes of the entire day...

[@Mikey-DiLo]

@@ellenstrack6274 I’m jealous! I wish I could have gone.

[@Mikey-DiLo]

@@ellenstrack6274 did everyone in Philadelphia participate in Freddie’s call and response? I heard they did the Radio Ga Ga clapping.

[@mmaloneym]

You never saw Freddie touch any of the beer. All the smaller cups were a mixture of tea, honey and lemon. Freddie had a chronic problem with nodules in his throat. Actually, his Dr advised him not to do Live Aid due to a throat infection. Freddie singing at Live Aid was with a throat problem!! Nobody knew he wasn’t at 100%. He’s just that good!

[@tcspur1]

Maybe not at Live Aid, but he certainly drank it on stage at other times.

[@mmaloneym]

@@tcspur1 he might have taken a sip here and there but during the 1986 Wembley concert I only saw 3 times he took one sip of beer. Others were the small cups with the tea for his throat. The Montreal concert shows the beer stays the same in the cups and the bottle level never changes either. I get tired of people thinking they all drink during their concerts. Freddie’s not stupid, beer actually dries out the throat.

[@barbaramay1866]

He worked very hard to make sure everything and everybody was in perfect shape before their concerts. There will never be another Freddie or Queen, just like there will never be another Elvis, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Neil Diamond, Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, etc.!! So special, all of them. 💕💕💕

[@angelathomas83]

Yes 🙌

[@proofprof50]

​@@mmaloneymhe was reported to say that he didn't like to drink beer on stage because it would make him burp.

[@4390hoover]

See that tent in the middle of the stadium I was a 27 year old lighting engineer in that tent ,bricking myself incase I messed it up ,greatest concert ever , I 67 now and remember every second

[@KlingonPrincess]

Did you realize what was happening at the time (music history)? What a privilege to be there in that capacity. 🖖

[@vickithomas7976]

That’s awesome 😎

[@RogersRamblings]

I think you can safely relax now.

[@katyhughes6740]

How cool! ❤

[@juneabbott6805]

Wow ❤ What a memory to have.

[@mmaloneym]

Queen blew everyone else out of the water. They stole the show. Freddie was the best front man in history. There will never be another Freddie Mercury.

[@chiaradigiorgio1821]

Absolutely 💯 ❤

[@HeidiVenter]

Agree.❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@markh.7650]

I think the reason they stole the show was because of their penchant for always giving the crowd (freddy's favorite instrument) a show to remember. Many of the other acts were just "phoning it in" because it was a charity event. That's just my opinion.

[@michaelb2388]

​@@markh.7650the reason they stole the show is because they had been touring the world playing at large stadiums, so they knew how to do it. As Roger Taylor and Brian May said in an interview, they had an "unfair advantage" over the other bands.

[@HeidiVenter]

Thankyou friend

[@TArnoldFerguson]

A few fun facts about Queen: * Guitarist Sir Brian May has a Ph.D. in Astrophysics and built his electric guitar (Red Special) when he was 17 (with his dad). * Bassist John Deacon has a degree in electronics. He designed and built the amp that Brian sometimes uses to create unique sounds on Red Special. John was also involved in the band’s financial management. * Drummer Roger Taylor has a degree in biology (pre-med). His vocal range is better than most lead singers of other groups. * Lead singer Freddie Mercury has a degree in graphic design. It goes without saying that his vocal range was amazing and he was the best front man of any band. * All four have written #1 hits, and all are members of the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

[@creinicke1000]

4 brilliant men.

[@SuperDrLisa]

Brian May is just so impressive. Just checked, Sir Brian May has an IQ of 180! I didn't realize he was knighted by King Charles

[@ravensdark99]

Without doubt the most educated band of all time...each of them genious in his own section..and somehow they made it work as combination. Likely one of the best live bands in history..and I agree Mercury was the best front man in history..His song Barcelona with Caballé is unmatched

[@1djmercer]

Arguably the finest performance of all time....

[@alicemilne1444]

Roger Taylor started studying dentistry, then switched to biology. His degree is not "pre-med" it is a regular bachelor of science degree, which in the UK is abbreviated BSc (not BS, which always - excuse me - reminds me of bullshit).

[@busher69]

I'm 73 and I still get the chills watching this performance. Dude you have no idea how big a deal Live Aid was. It was literally a world event. I was never aa huge Queen fan but what music of theirs I liked, I really liked. Don't let anybody ever tell ya Freddie wasn't the greatest showman possibly ever. The guy held every crowd he played in the palm of his hand. The entire band was on a level few ever even sniff. He passed way to soon. God only knows what was still to come. R I P Freddie. We all miss you.

[@susanengland3919]

It wasn’t only Queen who realized they had been sensational. Paul Gambaccini, who was part of the BBC broadcasting team at Live Aid, recalled the awe among other superstar musicians watching backstage. “Everybody realized that Queen was stealing the show,” said Gambaccini. These were the very words Elton John uttered when he rushed into Mercury’s trailer after the set. “You bastards, you stole the show,” joked the charismatic star. “Queen smoked ’em. They just took everybody. They walked away being the greatest band you’d ever seen in your life, and it was unbelievable,” said Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters. “And that’s what made the band so great; that’s why they should be recognized as one of the greatest rock bands of all time, because they could connect with an audience.” Their impact was summed up by Geldof. “Queen were absolutely the best band of the day,” the Live Aid organizer said. “They played the best, had the best sound, used their time to the full. They understood the idea exactly, that it was a global jukebox. They just went and smashed one hit after another. It was the perfect stage for Freddie: the whole world.”

[@patsalter2447]

Would have hated being the act to follow them

[@susanengland3919]

@@patsalter2447 David Bowie was to perform after Queen and was heard to say "How am I supposed to follow THAT !!!!!

[@michaelgeorge-oj7mn]

Thanks for letting him finish. First video of this concert I've ever seen, him going on past the first set and the short audience vocal tutorial.

[@rachelsirett8809]

Queen were live Aid absolutely fantastic, Freddie the ultimate front man and showman . I was 13 at the time ❤ rip Freddie

[@haydendegrow945]

78000 people in the stadium. Billions watching worldwide. ONE MAN TO COMMAND THEM ALL! Freddie Mercury is the one and only rock GOD

[@scottdavis7730]

1.9 billion tuned into see that live performance. That was 40% of the world’s population at the time!

[@andybricks576]

@@scottdavis7730 In New Zealand it was watched 'live' too, basically half the world tuned in for this LIVE AID Charity Concert!

[@ukjetsfan654]

Greatest frontman of all time - period - his death 6 years later was a tragedy beyond compare and woke the world up from the bigotry that surrounded AIDS. God bless you Freddie xx

[@susanjones4904]

Those cups weren't beer, it was water and lemon tea for his throat. He was singing with a throat infection that day, although nothing in his performance reflected it. A true singer and musician, no autotune, just incredible talent!! ❤ Always love you, Freddie, Brian, Roger and John. ❤❤ No cell phones, just pure audience synchronized clapping and singing. The audience were one experience. The best performance ever, never to be repeated!!

[@lianabaddley8217]

"What instrument do you play? The crowd darling!" He held the 🎤 in 1 hand and the Whole crowd in the other!

[@haydendegrow945]

@@lianabaddley8217 your last sentence needs to be on a tshirt

[@lianabaddley8217]

@haydendegrow945 it probably is. Or has it been already.

[@StergiosMekras]

In the immortal words of Freddie himself (sort of): "When I rock the UK, South America gets horny"

[@RaichakaTheRaikee1]

Early in their career during an interview each band member was asked what instrument they play.. when it came time for Freddie's answer, in his own flamboyant style he replied "the audience darling".. god I love that man.. RIP Freddie 💜

[@tonyhaynes9080]

Most of the audience weren’t Queen fans. Yes, they knew the songs, but they were there for other artists performing. This concert helped relaunch Queen as a super band worldwide.

[@markh.7650]

This was Wembley, which is their home turf. In that era, just about everyone in the UK was QUITE familiar with Queen. So even it they were not on the bill, chances were that they were all Queen fans regardless and it was a glorious surprise.

[@Nancy-beepbeep]

Well said,England was ruled by another Queen that day for 21 minutes. The whole world watched Queen watch the greatest band in the world take it all.

[@finwilliams4550]

Almost everybody in the UK loved Queen at that time. We teenagers and our their parents were hoping they would be able to perform, because they hadn't confirmed they would be until the day due to Freddie's throat infection.

[@bouncegenesisukbounce]

the only man to have over 100k people sing in sync with him and have them take over. the streets beyond the stadium was packed, plus aired channels across the globe. amazing man, this is why im proud to be British. rip to the real queen.

[@susanengland3919]

Queen is the name of the BAND, the lead singer is Freddie Mercury. Those aren't all his glasses although he did keep a glass of tea with honey on the piano during a performance to keep his throat from drying out during nonstop singing. He was NOT "lit", it's very disrespectful of you to say that. It's reported that he had a shot of vodka before coming on stage to try to numb his throat but he was most certainly not drunk.

[@angelathomas83]

He said he didn’t like drinking beer cause it made him burp!!! Tea for him…… ❤😢

[@kirkhassett8726]

“Lit” in the current vernacular doesn’t imply being inebriated, as it once did in the past. Now, it’s considered as a compliment, as it implies that Freddie was firing on all cylinders (“on fire” 🔥 as they also say), which of course he certainly was that evening…

[@candacemay7187]

@@kirkhassett8726 He referenced "lit" when laughing about all the cups on top of the piano. He wasn't giving a compliment.

[@karenj3611]

@@candacemay7187agreed

[@BG1965sylva]

I really have had to stop watching this reaction video halfway through because I cannot cope any longer with this idiotic man is stupid, dumb, disrespectful, and ignorant Mentz🙄🙄🙄🙄 I’ve watched it many times with other reaction sites and have enjoyed everyone but I cannot go on any longer with this one. He is a total idiot.😡🙄

[@RobertSimpson-b2j]

Freddy and Queen OWNED LiveAid. There will never be anyone like Freddy Mercury

[@Mozza-g2m]

Too right!!!!

[@Mikey-DiLo]

Freddie would turn around and bend over at every concert. That was a message sent to their old management and record company that they should not have screwed over Queen when they were just starting out.

[@wynnitely3173]

Give "Death on Two Legs" a listen. It was written about the same Management company. One of the first diss songs. Freddie takes no prisoners 🫣

[@ellet6560]

@@wynnitely3173 “And NOW, you can kiss my ass GOODBYE!” Love “Death on Two Legs”!

[@juneabbott6805]

Ahhh. I didn’t know that. Thank you 🙏 I learned something today. I figured it was something like that, Freddie being who he is 😂

[@scottclark7309]

NOTHING BUT GREATNESS!! R.I.P FREDDIE WE MISS YOU

[@deborahallen3318]

The 70s and 80s were the greatest time to be alive, because we had Queen and music was absolutely fantastic, we had concerts where tens of thousands of people came together to rock out and everyone was high on the music. The good old days when it didnt matter one damn bit who you were gonna vote for! Thanks for a awesome reaction to the greatest bands with the legendary Freddie Mercury. 🌈👑🫶💙

[@Leeme3]

For 20 minutes that day in July 1985. Another Queen ruled the UK 🇬🇧

[@sheliahtahaalaoui1035]

Planet..ruled the planet.

[@karencalder8540]

Yes 🌍

[@lynette.]

It wasn't just the stadium we were all watching all day. It was a global experience. The world was one and you felt it.

[@JeanCarlos-lz4vd]

I was 14, I watched it all day long!

[@andybricks576]

Agreed, the world did feel like it was one when this entire concert was on, it was brilliant & everyone I knew felt it too!

[@christineharding4190]

Please remember there were four people in the band not just one. People get so caught up with Freddie's performance, which is brilliant, but he had three equally brilliant musicians behind him. Real musicians, the like of which you don't see today. Freddie Mercury - Vocals Sir Dr Brian May - lead guitar ( Astrophysicist, Knighted by King Charles the third) John Deacon - bass John Taylor - Drums. (and a damn good voice) Each one a brilliant musician with university degrees/diplomas/doctorates who each wrote hit songs. Another wonderful live performance is Montreal 1981. Somebody to Love.

[@Noel_NotJustForChristmas]

Roger Taylor on drums.

[@juneabbott6805]

And lol of whom wrote #1 hit. Extraordinary talent with the whole being greater than the sum of the parts. This blend of talent is a rarity.

[@barbaramay1866]

Freddie had too much respect for music and his guitar to break it. He was brilliant in every way. What a stage presence and what a brilliant band! 💕💕💕💕💕

[@RockyBobbieBuster]

I also think it would be a tad hypocritical to smash a guitar worth thousands when he was performing for charity 😁

[@ColeenU]

Freddie and Queen were commencement professionals to the and respected people and their audience and musicians. Hence, the would never break and instrument, diss an crowd and definitely compromise themselves with drinking during a performance. They all have college degrees Bachelor Degrees and Brian May the guitarist had a doctorate in Astrophysics and has worked with NASA.

[@jodawson5268]

That guitar, telecaster Orimicron one of the early cordless ones 😅was stolen on their last tour, never to been seen again.

[@barbaramay1866]

@@jodawson5268 Wow. That's not nice. I wonder if it will ever show up at an auction.

[@CalebDenn]

Thats not how Freddie acted when he was drinking or on drugs. Thats just his regular personality. He was truly a God on earth.

[@SusanMJB45]

Freddie didn't drink the beer and he wasn't lit. He drank tea with honey and lemon for his throat...... Queen is always better live 🙂 You have 20 years of Queen concerts to work your way through. Enjoy !! Freddie was the best frontman in music. RIP dear Freddie. You are missed...

[@johnsmith-es7zk]

Queen always said that the audience shouldn't just watch the show, they should be part of it. This audience wasn't a Queen audience it was a huge mix of music fans.

[@LesleyDruce]

and remember this wasn't a Queen audience, it just proves how fabulous Freddie was. They absolutely stole the show, remember watching this ...live, my lord I'm old!!!! but we did have the very best music. Great reaction from you.

[@pamelariker5525]

That is how one man can hold 72,000 people in the palm of his hand. ❤

[@BrendaDennis-t6j]

And 1.9 around the world.

[@Mikey-DiLo]

The lead singer/frontman name is Freddie Mercury. Some of those cups were tea and honey for Freddie. He would not drink beer during a performance because he didn’t want to burp and be rude to the audience. It was only a 20 minute set so not sure if any of those cups belonged to any of the other guys. Freddie had a bad throat infection and was told by his doctor not to perform.

[@dixie3086]

Freddie was too much of a professional to be drunk. He was a perfectionist. He always gave his performance his all. Now John Deacon, we're not sure of! But he was a great bassist.

[@rpmillam]

I totally agree

[@MrGrifter123]

Why was Heineken on the pianos for a lot of concerts then?? 😂😂 I’ve drank a lot of beer and that foam don’t look like tea and honey 😂

[@Mikey-DiLo]

@@MrGrifter123 I was reading up more on this and I found where he wouldn’t drink champagne or sparkling water anymore for fear of burping. If he had a champagne glass it would have water in it. He finally quit using champagne glasses and changed to the cups. The cups would have water or hot honey and water in them for his throat. I guess he wasn’t opposed to drinking beer but I’ve read where the bottle of beer on the piano would be half full thru the whole concert. Maybe he had beer in one of the cups. He would often be given new cups throughout the concert with the hot honey and water.

[@juneabbott6805]

@@MrGrifter123it’s called product placement … clever marketing strategy.

[@carolemoore1258]

Freddie was such an incredible showman. Such a loss.

[@robertstoner8244]

I saw this concert live in 85. Yes what a great time to be alive for sure 😄

[@nellinightshade3358]

Hearing didn't return to normal for a week. The voice? Sprained my vocal chords.

[@bella-xp7qd]

72,000 at Wembley and 89,484 people at the Philadelphia concert. It was shown simultaneously worldwide. Seen by 1.2 billion people. Over 60 acts performed at each venue. Phil Collins played both concerts thanks to the Concord jet. Whom ever told you Freddie drank beer on stage was wrong. He didn't drink beer or soda, didn't want to burp. He usually drank tea with honey.

[@viviennerose6858]

Tickets at Wembley for the whole day cost £25!!! Press paid £100

[@viviennerose6858]

And nobody knew when they bought their £25 ticket for the whole day that Queen was part of the package. Demonstrated how popular they were by how they knew all lyrics to all Queen songs!

[@trudehunnicutt8214]

I saw Queen several times beginning in 1975 so I have been in love with Freddie for 50 years. The greatest band of all time!

[@claudettesmith8328]

Just FYI. Roger Taylor drummer/ vocals actually had a higher vocal range than Freddie& often backed Freddie up. All members of Queen are top notch.

[@Nancy-beepbeep]

Queen was great because of those 4 men making music magic TOGETHER. It comes down to Brian making his own guitar to John building a special amp out of spare parts. All four have an advanced degrees. All four have written number one songs and have been inducted in the song writers hall of fame. Those group of men make Queen who they are!

[@katehaynes5735]

The highest "Galileos"s in "Bohemian Rhapsody" are Roger Taylor, Freddie couldn't sing that high. Both Roger and Brian May were also great singers and not only sang lead on a few Queen songs but released their own solo albums.

[@brasschick4214]

Early versions of 39 have Roger’s falsetto soaring.

[@4390hoover]

Queen were alo the loudest band at live aid ,their sound engineer was told under no circumstances was he to increase the levels so the smart cookie just switched off the limiters and the head engineer never noticed until afterwards, brilliant

[@Nancy-beepbeep]

The sound engineer was also Queen’s sound people. Never hurts to know someone. lol.

[@scottluvisi9941]

Don't forget on lead guitar is Sir Dr Brian May. He earned a PhD degree in astrophysics from Imperial College London in 2007 and was Knighted in 2023

[@arwelp]

Actually he studied for his PhD in 1970-1974 but abandoned his studies when Queen started being internationally successful in 1974. He resumed his studies in 2006 (fortunately nobody had done much in his field of study (“A survey of radial velocities in the zodiacal dust cloud”) in the meantime) and he was awarded his doctorate in 2007. (Actually, conventionally the “Dr” comes before the “Sir” in his name).

[@marvalstith2749]

Four legendary musicians doing what they did for 20 years - entertaining magnificently! ❤

[@AnnieluLucy]

Freddie Mercury didn't drink bear at concerts. He had cups of tea with honey for his vocals. He did do drugs, but he was a professional when it mattered and took care of his voice.

[@emmaerbsenbluete881]

Oh my god, I got goose bumps everytime I hear this music. Freddie was the best, he will stay in the heart of that generation forever.

[@kimbrooks754]

The best 20 minutes of your life

[@Blondebuzzard08]

Best part is no cell phones …. Ppl in 100% to clap, cheer, and be present for an amazing show. I miss those times❤️

[@cathybell100]

Queen is the name of the band, the main singer was called Freddie Mercury, they performing during a live concert with many other bands to raise money and awareness awareness of the famine in africa

[@dazsmith3201]

72,000 people at Wembley. No sound check before going on, and the crowd were not all Queen fans (lots of other acts performing on the day) yet Freddie Mercury commanded them all! Freddie had a throat infection that day and was advised by doctors not to perform...and he STILL nailed it!! Queen stole the entire show!! And as for the guitarist...not bad for a home made instrument!!

[@stellamorgan482]

FYI...Queen is a group, not a he. ✌️

[@probablyaddictedtoyoutube]

I was a little surprised he didn't know lol

[@Nancy-beepbeep]

@@probablyaddictedtoyoutube So many people don’t know. I think people who react to videos should look up a little about the group.

[@katehaynes5735]

Yeah, this was driving me nuts too!

[@The-Cynical-Observer]

@@probablyaddictedtoyoutube He can't figure out that the concert was 7 years before he was born. He's one dumb mo fo.

[@scarlett8127]

Keep in mind Freddie was sick and his range suffered and still the best at the concert and the world! They were a replacement for some band I forget and had no rehearsal time. They were just amazing! RIP guys! You gave us alot.

[@brucerubenstein9102]

At this point Freddy wasn't sick with HIV

[@anslivallario4447]

Freddie also had a really bad throat infection during this performance..he did not have medical clearance to perform. He was born to be a performer. The entire group was uber talented..genious level musicians and writers. Sadly Freddie passed the year before you were born. I was a teen of the eighties and got to experience this in real time. Freddie was one in a billion..there will never be another one like him..still miss his exixtence on earth. 😢❤

[@sandrahilton3239]

Every act was given 20 mins to perform. Queen had twelve seconds to spare before they cut the sound. It was the best live rock performance in history, official.

[@Crazychick64]

You know they're good when everybody in the crowd can sing every word to every song

[@martinbynion1589]

Pretty good for someone who was advised by his doctor to flag this gig because he had laringytis!

[@papalaz4444244]

Singers drink honey and lemon, mate. They don't get fkd up on stage,

[@mmaloneym]

Right. They never got drunk on stage

[@Crazychick64]

He had too much professionalism for that

[@CyberBeep_kenshi]

except Ozzy😂

[@Noel_NotJustForChristmas]

Janis Joplin did.

[@KlingonPrincess]

And Jim Morrison. But your point is well taken. 🖖

[@teresaredmon-brown7686]

Freddie Mercury is/was the best front man in Rock-n-Roll. He would have the ENTIRE audience eating out of the palms of his hands.

[@Annie-hd3jx]

You know what? Always check your history about anything and in particular our music heroes in comparison, there is nothing today that can compete !! Also, take a good look at the crowd, not a mobile phone to be seen and the crowd are having one of the most historic moments in music history. As you may know, this concert was to raise and did, millions for the terrible situation in Ethiopia. Please look it up😊

[@RogersRamblings]

As you say no mobile phones. What's more there was no computer gadgetry to enhance the performance. It was just pure talent. The main reason for the lack of phones etc is that they hadn't been invented. This was before home PCs, home computers were limited to the likes of the Commodore 64 and similar micro computers.

[@scarlett8127]

We were lucky to have no cell phones! We engaged with the world through our eyes!

[@CorgiDaddy2]

1) There were no mobile phones because they weren't invented. Also, if you follow the money raised, you'll find that much of the money ended up being used for arms sales from the Soviet Union in order to keep Ethiopia's dictator in power. So before telling someone else to check their history, you might want to do the same.

[@celestelittek7360]

Lady Ga Ga got her stage name from Queens song Radio Ga Ga ❤

[@joztwick]

Just a stadium full of engaged and participating people. No phones worrying about insta or tik tok. Just loving the moment

[@Sassypaws4927]

The cups on the piano contained water with lemon and honey along with cups of beer. They were to keep his voice lubricated while performing.

[@kimlouise-rf5rr]

Yes, we were there, and it was beyond phenomenal. Now at 65 years old and still believing i am in my 20's, we get to share Queen, Dire Straits, Phil Collins, creedance Clearwater, Pink Floyd; etc...... with our grandchildren. Our grandchildren who absolutely love our generations music and don't quite believe we attended all the greats concerts. It is such a blessing that the internet has given us the joy of memories and the joy of seeing the next generations appreciate the music 🎶

[@ruceerucee9338]

Freddie Mercury's vocal range spanned an impressive four octaves. In particular, stands out the song "The Show Must Go On," Freddie reaches an incredibly high note. Not many people in the world to this day have this voice, it was blessing.

[@AlienCatTweets]

A reporter once asked Mercury what instrument do you play on stage? Even though he could play them all and then some, his answer was, "I play the crowd". Amazing showman, Mercury came alive on stage.

[@sherryheim5504]

I love this set from this concert. I have seen it more times than I can count to the point that I have every bit memorized but I still am captivated by it every time. I remember watching it on the day it happened, everyone I knew was watching. Thank you for your reaction. Actually, Freddie did not drink before a show and during a show he might take a sip of either tea or beer to wet his throat and he would usually toast the audience with a sip or two of Champagne but Freddie did not come on stage drunk or on drugs other than maybe a rare occasion during their 20 years of performaing together as a band. Now, John used to have a little bar behind his bass amp and he would slam back a bit of Vodka during shows sometimes. But Queen was not a band that showed up wasted. I did hear that Roger showed up so drunk one time that they had to lift him onto his drum stool but he performed perfectly. I rather imagine that all the exercise of playing the drums sobered him up fairly quickly. A lot of those cups are water, tea, tea with lemon and tea with honey for Freddie's throat and there is usually one cup or bottle of beer but if you watch a full concert you will not see Freddie slamming back alcohol even during a 2+ hour show.

[@deborahallen3318]

Exactly, I've seen it hundreds of times since 85 and I still can't take my eyes off Freddie! 👀🌈👑🫶

[@godot-whatyouvebeenwaitingfor]

Best 20 minutes of stage music ever. Nothing on that day came close..

[@jessicaleblanc-nh1yl]

That crowd is singing right along. Beautiful & incredible. A show that was one of the best in history. Other musicians at this event stated that Freddie Mercury place a little magic out there. Unbeatable. One of a kind, this is for certain.

[@lilmiles4477]

It's going to disappoint you that Freddy was not lit. Most of the time you was either drinking honey and lemon or water

[@vickihirsch8340]

Freddie was THE FRONTMAN ! No one could command a croud like FM. RIP to the greatest!

[@debbicook1584]

40 YEARS ago,!!! What a great time to be alive,?? It was bloody MARVELLOUS!!! We were fully aware this was an exceptional moment in time!! Oh and it wasn't just people in the stadium clapping, those of us watching at home were clapping too!! And he definitely was NOT drunk, he just left everything on the stage, off stage he was very reserved.

[@davidmacfarlane1763]

the Eeeyooo call and response is also called the "note heard around the world"

[@LMTino]

No time to get lit on this set timeline. You'll see one sip after "Hammer to Fall." The crowd was fuel for Freddie so while studio recordings could be complex, artistic achievements and limitless in genres they chose to explore, performing LIVE was fresh and electric. Queen was innovative with touring for their time - so this was a stripped down version which caught the crowd by surprise and let them walk away with the day's prize.

[@louiemiller6469]

Love this ❤ Watched Live Aid Live. We were glued to the TV for the entire concert. No clue we were losing Freddie - he was in total Freddie mode.

[@Pravda224]

Freddie would often make gestures to the crowd, that was meant for the people he cared about him and was watching. Example his mother.

[@forkindorkius]

wow. an actual reaction youtuber that actually listened rather than pause and self promote...amazing.

[@Tara_S125]

Live Aid was a charity concert to raise money for the famine in Ethiopia with several famous acts who volunteered to participate and didn’t get paid. Each act had a 20 minute set. A lot of the other performers played their current songs to promote their albums and didn’t take advantage of the time. Queen took the Live Aid charity seriously and spent a week or so putting their playlist together and they had giant clocks in front of them so they could practice and pack as much in as they could in 20 minutes. It also helped that the sound guy worked for Queen and tweaked it so that Queen was louder than everyone else. By the middle of the set, the other acts backstage started to watch them on the monitors and realized that Queen was stealing the show and basically kicked everyone’s ass and they knew it!! Brian May (guitarist) said that they had an advantage because they’d been playing stadiums for years and Freddie knew how to get the crowd involved. Many people say it’s the best live performance. Also, because the stage was pretty basic due to all the different artists, critics didn’t think Queen would pull it off because their shows are typically a huge production with lighting etc. and again Queen shut down the critics proving that they can put on a great show with just the four of them. David Bowie who was a big star back then was the next act in the lineup and was quoted in an interview later that backstage he was saying how was he supposed to follow that. But he said it more colorfully. When they left the stage, Elton John was quoted as saying 'Freddie, nobody should go on after you - you were magnificent. ' Freddie said: 'You're absolutely right, darling, we were - we killed them.

[@TammyDenney]

72,000 people in attendance and 1.9 Billion watching from around the world. Freddie performed against doctors orders with a throat infection. Live Aid made 140 million dollars for famine in Africa.

[@edwardmathieson8140]

They spent the day before working out how pack the most into exactly 20 minutes and were only over by a few seconds. Everything was precisely timed. They also made a selection of new, old and anthem songs.

[@francescaturner8361]

Greatest showman but also amazing musician. RIP Freddie - we still miss you!

[@thomasord8636]

The mans name is Freddie Mercury. The bands name is Queen. I read many of the drinks were water, honey, n lemon for voice. The alcohol of choice vodka/OJ. This concert was a festival of sorts with dozens of bands, there in London, and in Philadelphia. Live Aid concert to raise money for famine in Eithiopia. It was broadcast world wide. Sets were 20 mins. Queen was said to have played the best set that day. Not specifically a Queen crowd. ,😉

[@lynnrobinson4435]

It was a concert watched and broadcast all over the world.

[@claudettesmith8328]

The time is important because all of the performers had 20 minutes each to play& get off stage. This wasn't all only. Queen crowd.

[@TheWhippoorwillfarm]

Brian May is an Astrophycisist he has a PhD. The drummer is a DENTIST. They all have advanced degrees. Brian May actually made his own guitar.

[@PaulieMcgee-m9u]

Live aid was on my 13th birthday. I watched the whole day with my family. My mum loved queen and she loved watching Freddie. My mum is no longer with us (she’s up there with Freddie). This video always makes me cry.

[@davidcorbett341]

Great frontman his voice & stage presence was the best, so much emotion and power in his voice.

[@dropzone9639]

You should check out a song that Freddie and Brian did right after his concert was over. They changed clothes and blew the crowd away, again , with "Is This The World We Created" A brilliant song meaning thn, and meaningful today❤

[@TerminalFailSafe]

One of the greatest moments in musical history!

[@susanengland3919]

Freddie sounded this amazing in spite of having laryngitis the week before. He ignored Dr.s advice to rest his voice and went on to make rock history.. Each of the groups performing had only 20 minutes to perform. The stage crew had to add or remove some of the things on stage to accommodate each of the groups performing.

[@jome7382]

Best 20 mins you'll ever watch... Blew the world away, you need to go down this rabbit hole ❤❤❤❤ BTW his doctor advised him not to do it as he had a throat infection!

[@papercup2517]

Freddie was lit, for sure - but naturally! Before he and Queen were famous, I used to see them around and about in London, just doing normal things, and even then Freddie in particular always exuded a special kind of energy or radiance, like a bright light. Some people are just like that, naturally. According to Freddie's touring manager, he always had to lay out 3 cups for Freddie for any performance, all containing some variation on water, tea, lemon and honey, to keep him hydrated and his throat and vocal chords lubricated. Since Queen performances often went on for 2 or 3 hours at full tilt, these were essential to keep his voice from packing up half way through. He didn't drink beer or carbonated drinks on stage because of the gas. The beer there may have been for John (bassist, who (IIUC) suffered a lot from stage fright) or either of the others. The piano top just served as a handy table for them all to use, as needed. Other than that, a relaxing/ nerve-quelling vodka beforehand was the most they'd imbibe and incidents of any of them going on stage drunk or otherwise intoxicated were rare - they were total professionals!

[@karenmandeville7116]

Live Aid was a huge concert with dozens of bands. Can you imagine having to follow Queen?

[@adamyilmaz9531]

Epic performance! Need to check out somebody to love live montreal 1981! Very different from studio version but is one of the best performances you will see! 👌👍😎🔥💯

[@pask8372]

it's a kind of magic.

[@BGNewsReporter]

It's so nice to see a huge appreciative crowd without a single smartphone in sight. A sight we'll sadly never see again!

[@johnlongenecker7779]

David Bowie was scheduled to got on next. He is reported to have said, "How the hell am I supposed to go on after THAT???"

[@nellinightshade3358]

Go into any pub, Queen comes on, everyone sings along, and knows every word.

[@paulhooper610]

What always find astonishing about Queen's set is that the crowd are not all Queen fans! There were 20 odd other performers on that day. I watched it in the pub. As a side note you may hear Freddie's crack on occasion. He was suffering from laryngitis at the time.

[@nickwhite5119]

One of the top 5 guitarists in the world, and he still has the same hairstyle as he did in 1985

[@davinthorley5443]

The best live performance of all time

[@linabmoniz]

A little bit of history: my generation was fortunate enough to attend spectacular concerts, such as this one: unforgettable. Queen were very good on stage.

[@barbaramay1866]

Why are there no musicians and bands and summer concerts like this anymore? Where are all the good people who can put together a fundraiser concert like this? This music no longer exists it seems. It was pure talent that graced the stage at this Live Aid concert. As you said, no stupid dancing girls and lasers..just pure talent. Love how Freddie struts his stuff on stage. Wish I could give him a hug, and all the band members too. 🤗 🤗

[@AliceGison]

This was a special concert to raise money for famine victims in africa

[@marilynleveque2497]

Then he came out with Brian May and sang Is This The World He Created? Never destroyed his instruments. Too much respect.

[@marilynleveque2497]

Lol. Give us a “back story”. Lol.

[@marilynleveque2497]

You were not even in diapers then.

[@TheWhippoorwillfarm]

NOBODY was better than Freddie Mercury. And NOBODY was better than that band.

[@Carolinian4372]

I remember watching this live. I was 13 in 1985. Great times. I'm 52 now and wish I could go back in time and live it all over again. Freddie was the greatest front man of all time. RIP Freddie Mercury

[@Tara_S125]

Freddie actually didn’t drink before or during their shows, he didn’t want to burp. He usually kept tea with honey on the piano, which looked like beer and he’d take a drink to soothe his throat before a big note. The other members would leave their drinks on the piano too. He was actually very shy, but he had the best stage presence and wanted to include the audience as much as possible

[@krowbar2009]

Wow i have watched so many reactions to this. Its a good one. So many stop and talk every 5 seconds. You did a good job. Something like this probably wont ever happen again. Passing it on is what will inspire our kids to try and make it there own. Love it buddy. Awesome video