First Time Watching The Iconic Queen Live Aid Performance Reaction

[@cs8106c]

An interviewer once asked Freddie .”You play different instruments, which is your favourite?”. Freddie replied” The audience, Darling!”

[@Killermcknight]

And daaaammmmn, does he!

[@Badner83]

@@Killermcknight Another pretty good example and even more impressive demonstration of his live vocal abilities is "Somebody to love - Live in Montreal 1981". You have to check that out!

[@DSALV76]

❤❤❤

[@WinstonSmith19847]

His voice will always be my favourite he had a powerful pair of lungs.

[@petrahortenhuber5413]

He was an entertainer who loved it to be on stage. No matter how ill he was. Unfortunately I was too young for this Live Aid to look

[@sorscha1308]

The main reason this is SOO legendary is that most of that crowd were not Queen fans. They were there for the pop acts. Like you, they saw Queen as previous generation 'has beens' to a lot of that stadium. But they couldn't help themselves. They knew the songs and Freddie played them to perfection. Everyone left that stadium a Queen fan and millions & millions of live TV viewers did the same. Queen were a MASSIVE deal for another decade after this. Their set was an absolute masterpiece, noone else on that day came close.

[@vixmather3362]

I remember watching at the time and it was mesmerising 🎉

[@Oh-Jay52]

yep 100% true !!! 👌👌❤❤

[@drachirtell]

100% true. Only long haired grebos liked Queen, definitely weren't cool....until I saw this live. So many of my favourite bands were lukewarm or poor on this day. Freddie smashed it out the park and I was a convert.

[@bluebell3720]

Theyd lost US Still popular in UK 1994 the works no 1 album 3 top ten singles off the album hammer to fall no 13 Freddie also released yoo much love will kill you no 10 Jan played Rio both nights over 250 000 audience

[@GaryDuncanson-s4g]

Saw it live on TV. Everyone said queen were amazing. Sir Elton John told Freddie you stole the show.

[@mrk8050]

At the time of Live Aid I was serving in the British Royal Marine Commandos in a refugee camp in Ethiopia. We listened to it on the radio. We were surrounded by the full horror of the Famine, but when Queen came on the radio those poor soles who were there even reacted in a very positive way. I remember that a lot of us Royal Marine Commandos were crying watching some of the children dancing along, I'm teary eyed just remembering. I looked around at men I had fought alongside, who were tough, hardened Royal Marine Commandos who had fought a life and death war against Argentinian's in 82. By the end of Queen's set we were dancing with the children. It went along way to help build their trust in us. The famine is only one of many terrible memories I have from 35 years of active service, and over 3 years hospitalisation. But when I remember the smiles on the children's faces, and their laughter at the terrible way we danced always reminds me that humanity will always find it's way through even the worst of times. I only watched it for the first time just over a year ago, my son put it on the TV. A lot of memories came back and a lot of tears. My amazing Wife took me to see Queen at Wembley, U.K., in 1986 two weeks after I got back from Ethiopia as a surprise, we also went to the last Queen concert they ever did. I saw Queen live 8 times in all (my wife only 6 ha ha), they were incredible live. And yes, I am an old fart.

[@fl-g15ramirezscullylou87]

Freddie said "This next song is dedicated to all the beautiful people here tonight. That means all of you. Thank you for coming along."

[@cmoeller3]

And making this..a great occasion!!

[@TerribleEnglish]

Yeah, they talked over it and missed it. Damn. 😅

[@johnvalentine9575]

Radio Ga Ga gave Lady Gaga her name given by her dad, a big Queen fan.

[@Kittyanne11]

My mind is blown that people have never seen this! Freddie is a legend, there will never be a performer like him.

[@patriciabailey1937]

As the saying goes The mould.is broken.

[@susanengland3919]

I like watching the faces of people who have never seen their Live Aid performance.

[@RaichakaTheRaikee1]

I was there in 1985 as a 15yr old schoolgirl who was into pop music.. I left as a rock fan thanks to the wonderful Freddie. You need to bear in mind that this was NOT a Queen concert or even a Queen crowd. In fact they were a last minute inclusion in the show. Yet he had 73,000 people in the stadium and 1.9 billion world wide on the TV eating out of the palm of his hand... Thank you Freddie.. RIP you legend. As a side note, Crazy little thing called love is not an Elvis cover.. it wasn't written until 2yrs after his death.. it's Queens, although I can see with Freddie's vocals impersonating Elvis at one point, that you may assume it's an Elvis song xx

[@RoverWaters]

1.5 billion people was the broadcast reach estimation given by BBC. not actual viewers number

[@davidedwards1705]

I'm so Jelly right now. I was 15 as well during this but we could not afford to go there. Dad got Pay-per-view to see it. I wept when Freddie left us.

[@maggiemoon3949]

I was 13. Watching it on tv. Hair still stand up on the back of my neck fabulous 😀😀👏👏❤️❤️ xx

[@shazzell612]

My friends were there at THE best performance of live aid. Queen made Live aid. Freddie Mercury was the ultimate performer, the best lead singer bar none. Still missed Freddie🎉😢❤

[@ThepplforHarris47]

I'm so happy to have come across someone who was there. Had to be so mind blowing

[@4390hoover]

I'm 67 years old now but as a 27 year old I was in that tent in the middle of the stadium as a lighting engineer and I was terrified I would get it wrong but we got away with it,greatest concert ever still remember every second ,felt sorry for David Bowie who had to follow him

[@AndresGrimace]

Really??? Wow, just wow.

[@wicky4473]

Amazing!! What a legacy, man!!

[@RogersRamblings]

I think you got away with it, relax.

[@dees3179]

Wow

[@aaresss]

What was it with that high pitch from your point of view?

[@johanbruinsma8243]

no stage show, no autotune , so special show, no earpieces, no special attire, just pure talent on that stage.

[@tcs1964]

And someone else's PA system...

[@scotmax8426]

proper band , proper music, proper cause.

[@lorrainehall157]

And audience living in the moment - no phones!

[@amandaholt5791]

& most importantly singing against Drs advice because of laryngitis!

[@scotmax8426]

@@amandaholt5791 and still better than most could dream of :D

[@Erulin68]

No autotune no masive lightshow, no costum changes, no backup dancers... just 4 masterful musicians practising their craft and nearly 40 years later still blowing people's minds. But Crazy little thing isn't a cover, Freddy wrote it in his bath

[@bernadettespeakman355]

They sang their own songs in all of their tours etc. The crowds always joined in. Most of their touring careers played to audiences like this across Europe, USA, etc. Suggest this couple watch film Bohemian Rhapsody for some insight into the group. I first became a fan in the 1970s as a student, still have my LPs from those days.😂❤❤❤

[@NatalieBee-ci3hi]

And it took him only 10mins to write in guitar and Brian says the way Freddie played guitar was a hard way to play and that he couldn't even play it that way 😊

[@traceywood9362]

Absolutely true masters on the stage..... Legendary ❤

[@1965peyton]

There were 72.000 at Wembley that day and about another 500 million around the world watching it on tv. I was lucky enough to be one of them

[@kazz288]

90,000 in the JFK stadium in Phillidelphia also. I remember it switched over to the US for Sprigstein, Durran Durran and David Bowie plus many others. 12 year old me watched it into the night. This was me😮

[@RoverWaters]

true numbers

[@ymstanley76]

I was one of the 72,000. An amazing day

[@ruthmansell3249]

I have never knowingly met someone who was there! Someday, I might but I don't plan on asking everyone I meet! ​@ymstanley76

[@SusanS777]

Me too

[@HeatherFirth-ky4fx]

Crazy Little Thing Called Love was written in 1979 by Freddie Mercury and appeared on Queen's 1980 album The Game. Elvis Presley died in 1977, making it impossible for him to have ever performed this song. Freddie Mercury wrote this song in the rock-a-billy style of Elvis, as a tribute to him.

[@Killermcknight]

Ohhh good to know, thanks!

[@michaeloates5804]

Watch it again and count how many guitars Brian May plays during this song.​@@Killermcknight

[@guidoheuts]

@@Killermcknight Lol, you know what else? He wrote this song when laying in a bathtub. Should've been an interesting sight to see, as i can't picture laying in a bathtub with a guitar in my hands, how are you gonna play the damn thing. Overal, Freddie was not a good guitarplayer, he only knew 3 or 4 chords on the guitar, but for "Crazy Little Thing Called Love, that's all you need. Musically, it's a fairly simple song, as it took only about ten minutes to write, according to Freddie.

[@josefschiltz2192]

@@Killermcknight If you are brought up, as I was, listening to music from the 1300s onwards, via recordings by David Munrow or Christopher Hogwood and Opera and Jazz, electronic and prog rock, then time periods become meaningless. On my shelves, David Munrow, Franz Lehar, Strauss, Stephane Grappelli, Georg Enescu, Queen and Scardust sit side-by-side. The only thing that doesn't is Frank Sinatra. Can't stand him.

[@seanscanlon9067]

The country singer Dwight Yoakam did a cover of Crazy Little Thing Called Love that was also used for a television advertisement for the clothing store Gap and it also appeared on the soundtrack for the film The Break-Up starring Vince Vaughn and Jennifer Aniston.

[@bobclarke1815]

For 20 minutes that day The UK was ruled by a different Queen.

[@Killermcknight]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@thevocalcrone]

the world you mean. i was living in a tiny little remote town in North Western Australia and we were at the pub as i recall.

[@frankaq3951]

​@thevocalcrone I was doing the same thing in a little town in Northern Alberta, Canada.

[@alexallpress6238]

True I was 6 years old and remember very minute

[@clivenewman4810]

Poor David Bowie, he had to follow that

[@RockyBobbieBuster]

To give people some idea just how good queen was that day, the legendary David Bowie who was on next after queen was heard by a reporter to exclaim " how the fuck am I supposed to follow that? ", Freddie was once asked "which instrument do you play?" to which Freddie replied "the audience darling", bloke was and still is the best front man EVER, RIP Freddie

[@Killermcknight]

“The audience darling” omg that gave me chills. SO TRUE!!

[@s.mcpherson6354]

I'm not sure if Bowie said it later, but many others have. After the other bands saw Queen, they realized that they all had prepared a few full songs, but Queen did a medley of their biggest hits. As Elton John has often said, he felt they were the only band that truly figured out what to give the audience in an all-day format like that (which was revolutionary at the time).

[@RockyBobbieBuster]

@@s.mcpherson6354 every time I see the name Elton John I fucking cringe, I won't explain in depth but mate worked for EJ and was treated like shite, worked for Rod Stewart and mate and others were treated like "equals", Rod Stewart even (when it was Rods turn) made them all a cup of tea and after the concert at the 02 arena gave Mel and the rest £50 each, sorry for the rant BUT EJ is a fucking prick

[@juliannetomlinson]

Yes absolutely the best.

[@leestockton9367]

No question of a doubt

[@louisefarrwll1755]

Not a phone in sight, just people enjoying the experience x

[@AngelinaHammond100]

YES!!!

[@leopoldstotch3524]

Beautiful isn’t it.

[@stantastic4866]

If they'd had phones they wouldn't have been able to do the clap along to Radio Ga Ga.

[@ffotograffydd]

Mostly because mobile phones were the size of a brick at the time. 😂

[@allanj1872]

Phones in the 80s?

[@heidilawrence7522]

As a Brit you must understand how much we loved this man Freddie was one of the bravest musicians there ever was the band queen where pure genius I was a kid at home watching this on the tv live and dancing around to it , I’m now 54 and it’s still the same

[@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.

[@Mirr1706]

The Red Special - fifth member of Queen 😊

[@lorrainehall157]

Freddie designed the famous Queen logo too

[@ShirleyWilliamson-b4j]

The only group to have every member in the Song Writers Hall of Fame ( they all wrote number 1’s)

[@garethgriffiths9775]

another fun fact, lady gaga created her name from radio gaga :D

[@susanmarks2382]

This was Freddie on a bad day, he was advised by his doctor not to sing that day. It wasn't a Queen audience, tickets sold out before they were announced. And they absolute stole the show that day.

[@alastairmcintyre4752]

There never has been ( nor will be ) a better frontman than Freddie Mercury . The thing to remember , as you're just youngsters , is that all this was done without autotune , in ears , or any other modern electronic aids - this is just pure , unadulterated TALENT ( and true charisma ! ) music at it's purest .

[@Killermcknight]

I couldn’t agree more with your last sentence

[@emergencyteds]

Freddie was a force of nature and had the audience in the palm of his hand. ❤

[@Lizzie-h3j]

I remember being in the car on my way to school when I heard about him passing, and I was devestated. I remember watching this when I was a young child.

[@elainehumphrey2307]

This wasn’t an Elvis song, Freddie wrote it.

[@margiewilson4324]

Queen only sang music that they wrote. And when Freddie said "this is only for beautiful people here tonight" his next line was "That means all of you."

[@scotmax8426]

aye, shame they missed that line. it was recognition to all those who had came and pledged their cash for the famine. a thank you. and yes, each of them were indeed beautiful people.

[@chefren77]

There were some live covers along the way, here is Tutti Frutti: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rGjOc6yhZaxoqtE

[@Gillie51-bl8su]

@@chefren77 But when they performed a cover, they always gave credit to the original artist...

[@Richardtv1968]

If you keep on yappin’ all through the video you miss the important things ……..

[@tinapruitt1037]

​@@scotmax8426🎉🎉😂😅😅😅😅😢😢😢😢

[@WindYaNeckIn]

My Dad was a massive Queen fan. He preferred their older stuff but I often remember listening to and singing along to "I want to ride my bicycle" as a child when my dad played their cassette on his old school cassette player. All Queen songs just remind me of happy times with my dad who passed away in 2021. ❤

[@lynnberry169]

He had a bad throat infection as well and was told by his doctor he shouldn't sing. He still belted out all those great vocals, you can hear his voice break a little on some songs. Amazing performer

[@mmaloneym]

Best front man ever. This performance is still rated the best live performance ever. There were 60 bands performing, each had 20 minutes. Queen blew all of them out of the water. BTW, Freddie was diagnosed with AIDS in 1987 and he passed away in 1991. He is still revered as one of the best singers in the history of music. If you ever want to dive in their catalog you will need years. They had 14 albums with well over 350 songs!! There were 72,000 in Wembley that day. It wasn’t a “Queen” audience, but Freddie instantly had them in the palm of his hand. He was known to captivate an audience instantly. They were also consistently voted best live band. The truly sounded better live. Dr Brian May was voted by guitar magazine best guitarist. He built his guitar along with his father in the 60’s named the Red Special and still uses it to this day. He got his PhD in astrophysics. They are all 4 college grads. Not common for rock and rollers. Freddie’s voice is intoxicating. Queen didn’t do covers! All 4 of them wrote their songs and Freddie wrote Crazy Little Thing Called Love as a tribute to Elvis after Elvis died. He wrote it in 10 minutes while in the bathtub!! All 4 of them each wrote a hit song!

[@philipstranks3643]

They did live covers. I saw them sing Hey Big Spender, Jailhouse Rock and Imagine at different concerts.

[@francishughes2016]

I disagree, Freddie Mercury was an amazing singer, but Robert Plant is better, & if you are talking about vocal range, the listen to Deep Purples' Ian Gillan, singing "Child in time", (1970). his vocal range is off the scale, i guarantee that you wont hear, or have heard anything like it ! !.

[@mmaloneym]

@@francishughes2016 Everyone has a right to their opinion. It’s been voted by professionals that Freddie was the number one front man. Robert Plant, by the way, was voted #2. Besides Freddie’s voice he had the ability to get the audience in the palm of his hand as soon as he walked on stage.

[@francishughes2016]

@@mmaloneym Jeez, Everyone has a right to their opinion, exactly right, its ONLY someones opinion, its been voted by other professsionals that Plant is the number 1 front man, Freddie Mercury, by the way, was voted #2. Besides Robert's voice, he had the ability to get the audience in the palm of his hand as soon as he walked on stage.

[@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.” “It was the perfect stage for Freddie: the whole world” 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.”

[@Killermcknight]

Ahhh that last line! ♥️

[@andrewobrien6671]

Gambaccini handed Freddie his mike at the beginning

[@annicecooper8105]

And poor David Bowie having to follow them 😄

[@susanengland3919]

@@annicecooper8105 It's reported that he said "How the hell am I supposed to follow THAT?!?!?

[@annicecooper8105]

@@susanengland3919 that's the polite version of what he said 😆

[@kevinL5425]

Queen had the advantage because huge stadium concerts were their bread and butter. For Freddie playing to an audience of almost 2 billion was just another day at the office. I hear they were a bit worried because this wasn’t strictly a “Queen” audience, so they weren’t sure how well the audience would participate. They didn’t have to worry.

[@Killermcknight]

They sure didn’t!

[@marty6945]

20:08 This song is not a cover of Elvis song, it was composed by Freddie Mercury and is a tribute to Elvis.

[@katehaynes5735]

Took Freddie 10 minutes in the bathtub to write is what I've heard.

[@bouncegenesisukbounce]

the only man to have over 500k people sing along with him in sync. amazing man

[@ErikaThompson-d2d]

My eldest child was born in London the previous evening and I watched Live Aid all the following day from my hospital bed learning to be a mum. Happy Days!

[@hellsbells8689]

Oh how lovely for you. I was sat at home in the Midlands, 6 months pregnant, the size of a whale but singing my head off and crying when they'd finished.

[@patcullen9304]

Congratulations on the birth of your son, my friend video taped the whole concert

[@daviddempsey8721]

What a beautiful thought to share.. thank you. And what a way to recover !

[@Neil_BT]

Queen totally understood the assignment - they played a medley of songs the audience knew, they involved the crowd, and knocked it out of the park. Some of the other performers wanted to use a charity gig as promotion for their latest album. It's why this performance is simply iconic. And the following year they came back and played Wembley again with a blockbusting concert.

[@marybrunner1058]

And had to add another concert because demand was so high for tickets. I have the Wembley concert on DVD. I'm hoping they are in the process of remastering the 86 concert at Wembley and putting on the IMAX screen like they did the 81 Rock Montreal concert. I saw that imax film this past Janymuary and it was as close as I'll ever get to seeing Queen live in concert.

[@susanjones4904]

Because you were busy talking to each other, you missed what he said to the audience about beautiful people. Relisten carefully, he said "It means ALL OF YOU" THANK YOU FOR COMING ALONG, AND MAKING THIS A GREAT OCCASION " Everyone were the "beautiful people". Freddie endured many insults about his teeth, and then later about being gay. The British press were incredibly harsh with him. Which is why he never announced he had Aids until a couple of days before he died. Love you Freddie, RIP ❤❤

[@philyew3617]

@@susanjones4904 Sadly at that time, though tens of thousands had the HIV virus virtually no-one announced it to the world. Why should they ? Personal medical stuff is exactly that--- PERSONAL

[@Mirr1706]

Freddie’s birthday coming up on September 5. He would have been 78 years old. Imagine what he would have done if he had lived. Love you forever Freddie. We miss you so much 😢❤❤❤

[@MatthewC137]

He was born on my birthday and died on my oldest friend's birthday.

[@leestockton9367]

Yep

[@GreatestFrontman]

@@MatthewC137Wow, that’s really something! 🎶💫🎹🧡

[@GreatestFrontman]

Yes How we wish Freddie was still here creating more beautiful music 😢 and bring joy peace and love to this world. 🌎🎵💫🎹🌠

[@marybrunner1058]

I too share September 5th birthday with Freddie, different year, though.​@MatthewC137

[@syteanric]

There was never, and will never be, a better front man than Freddie What a show man

[@leighwhite6700]

I watched it as a teen. Absolutely never saw anything like it. Amazing. When Queen played, the donations came in like crazy and they reached their goal. ❤ What a time of music. 🎉

[@swanvictor887]

Brit here: Babies are born in the UK, already knowing the lyrics to Bohemian Rhapsody.

[@jeffbridges8681]

I was surprised when in the video they couldn't understand what he was doing with the audience when he was singing and they were repeating him. You realise how ingrained in our culture Queen is when you've never really thought it was strange.

[@notanotherenigma7759]

Two things to remember. 1) This was not a Queen concert, yet they won the crowd over, and people remembered how good Queen were, this performance led to a resurgence for them. 2) Freddie had a throat infection and was advised by his Dr not to sing that day (explains a few questionable notes). But he gave a fantastic performance. I saw Queen that year, 1985, it was amazing!!

[@kazz288]

I did not know this. His singing is fantastic, but not up there with his usual gigs. I watched this into the night when the US took over..so exciting for 12 year old me.

[@Terrahawk_]

After he said "This song is only for the beautiful people" he said "...that means all of you."

[@Killermcknight]

We did hear that 🙂 Yes, we were chatting about his comment, but we did hear it.

[@Taylorswiftfan13308]

I watched this live as a little kid and didn't fully appreciate at the time how epic they were. I was just mesmerized by the general spectacle of Live Aid as a whole, and the size if the crowd. A couple of tidbits: There was a huge rotating stage, sort of a giant lazy Susan so next act backstage, soon to be "loaded" to the front, ready to go quickly and no hasty clearing of previous act was necessary. This came with tight time constraints on how long you could play. 20 minutes and you had to be done, so rehearsals were refined and the show ran like clockwork Despite this, I think it is great that they left a pretty big chunk of time for Freddie to play with the audience in the middle I am guessing it didn't work to either ramp one of the abbreviated songs back toward full length, nor to try and cram another one in, but it was a fun solution. Made it seem like a normal concert. The 2nd song, which you didn't recognize is "Radio Ga Ga", not one of their more famous tunes, but that's part of the beauty of being Queen: Everything in your library is gold, and well known. I am sure you heard the audience singing along... The audience of around 75k if I remember right. Live Aid was a worldwide broadcast from two locations. The other stadium was in the U.S. and had about as many people in attendance (in fact a few thousand more)

[@MrRoztoc]

​@@Taylorswiftfan13308​​At least in Europe is "Radio Ga Ga" one of the most famous Queen songs.

[@Taylorswiftfan13308]

@@MrRoztoc that is very interesting. I could have a warped perspective/memory, as an American kid, both from being very young at time of release for that song, and from moving around the country as a "Navy brat" (dependent child of a Dad in the Navy) with different musical focuses available in different regions. All that disclaimering aside, at no time do I recall that one getting a lot of radio play after the first half of the 80s, including a big general surge in popularity of Queen around the time the Highlander movie soundtrack came out (1986)

[@audreywright66]

Can't believe that you have never seen Queens performance at Live Aid where have you been living under a rock? Nobody can play an audience like Freddie Mercury ❤

[@kyotocoversjimanderson782]

An amazing statistic is that Queen ended their gig within 10 seconds of their allotted time. In view of all the change-overs and improvisation, that's quite incredible! Just like their overall performance, one of the best of all time! Thank you for the lovely and genuine reaction.

[@williambill5172]

Crazy Little Thing Called Love is ALLLLLLL Queen...written, performed...immortalized!

[@PeterBuwen]

Absolutely! No Elvis. Pure Queen! Pure Freddy!

[@keymaker-k7h]

​​​​@@PeterBuwen was written by the band as a tribute to elvis when elvis died and freddie is doing a bit of an elvis impression in places..but yes Queens song..✌️

[@joztwick]

A stadium full of engaged participating fans. Not a sea of phones for insta. Just a sea of happy faces

[@loudman12]

What’s crazy is, is it’s not a queen crowd. Tickets were already sold prior to their late introduction

[@bryanrichter8517]

Went to Creed 2 days ago. Couldn't see the stage because everyone in front of me had a phone up. Free tickets, but come on, man. The beauty of the moment has been lost

[@stephenmcguire338]

Mobile phones not invented

[@joztwick]

@@stephenmcguire338 well…….yeah exactly

[@ffotograffydd]

@@stephenmcguire338They existed, they were just huge.

[@susanengland3919]

The second song was "Radio Gaga" which what inspired Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta to take the stage name "Lady Gaga".The "cut off" mic is one of his trademarks, he said he liked having something to hold and since he never stood in one place to sing, it made sense. Freddie wrote the song "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" in about 10 minutes while in the bath tub in a hotel in Germany. It was definitely not an Elvis song but some consider it to be Freddie's tribute to him.

[@fayesouthall6604]

Crazy Little Thing Called Love is my favourite Queen song. It’s playful and fun.

[@patriciawilson6460]

Also Elvis didn't write his songs,not one. Col.Parker bought them for peanuts from the artists who were unknown at the time.

[@sarahjaneheckscher6737]

Wembley Stadium in 1985 held roughy 76,000. It was packed solid. Queen came on in the early evening, and not only stole the show but lifted the crowd back up. Crazy Little Thing called Love is a Queen song. All four band members wrote their songs, and gave us some of the greatest songs that cover a wide range of genres. There will never be another Queen.

[@bluebell3720]

One of Freddies Their first no 1 US

[@adams7405]

Freddie made us laugh,certainly made us cry and made us feel like we could fly...greatest performer ever. Well done Farouk Bulsara,your mission was complete

[@hdebard]

he didnt need diamond teeth, he was a diamond.

[@bikerkermit]

This was a masterclass in a) holding 73,000 people in the palm of your hand and b) actually having talent, which many "artists" today seem to struggle with

[@TenCapQuesada]

"Radio Gaga" is where Lady Gaga got her name.

[@s.mcpherson6354]

At the time, Radio Gaga was released at the same time corporate music and boy-bands started, and that song was in retaliation--essentially a defense of musician-created music. So yes, he does say, gaga, as in baby-talk, and kaka, in terms of crap. It was somewhat divisive at the time. Since time has passed, and it gave Gaga her intentionally ironic name, today they just talk about it as another popular song and ignore the song's previous context.

[@SuperClarky666]

He said everyones beautiful you talked over it. Always shocks me when people dont know well known songs😊 glad you seemed to enjoy it.

[@kendallcarstens9194]

Rumor has it that one of the Queen band members was riding in the car with his kid, listening to the radio; and the kid was going "goo goo and ga ga" along with the music. That was the inspiration for part of the lyrics.

[@josephinemonahan915]

@@SuperClarky666thanks for saying that ..they missed the bit where Freddie included everyone in his tribute🤩

[@ToyoSolanke]

@@kendallcarstens9194 That would be Roger Taylor, the drummer. his son was saying "radio ca-ca" whilst he was listening a horrible song on the radio when they were on a visit to LA

[@YnwaChris]

Freddie Mercury was the beat front man that's ever lived. R.I.P legend.

[@NeetzBeats]

When he said the song was only dedicated to beautiful people, his next words were 'that means all of you, thank you for coming along' 🥰

[@joshgrant-ti4xk]

Easy to forget that this wasnt a Queen concert. For their entire setlist Freddie held the entire audience in his hands

[@juliehooper4511]

I watched live aid from Australia, and it was so iconic for the time period. Queen totally ruled Wembley that day. Phil Collins performed at Wembley, then flew via Concord to Philadelphia and played there with Eric Clapton. As an 18 year old, this era of music was everything. As soon as Bob Geldof released the concerts on DVD l bought it to share with my young children.. My house has always been about music, which l played for my kids. My youngest who is 27, has a vinyl collection that has surpassed my own back in the day. Her love of 70s and 80s rock makes me happy. I took her to see Queen in Brisbane in 2020, before covid hit.

[@josephinemonahan915]

Also…Freddie wrote it in 10Mins sitting in his bath…Elvis could only dream of writing a song like that🤩

[@Lynnwoody1]

Elvis never wrote a song, he was credited with writing other people's songs.

[@phoenix-xu9xj]

Bohemian, Rhapsody is the U.K.’s official national anthem. Everybody knows it, no matter what their age.

[@matthewprice2626]

Queen are one of those bands that you might think you know one song but then realise you know the whole back catalogue.

[@katehaynes5735]

I had a co-worker tell me she didn't known Queen. I stomp-stomp-clapped for her twice and she immediately recognized "We Will Rock You" and realized she DID know Queen.

[@worldtraveler3773]

You must keep in mind that the crowd (Live Aid) even didn't know they were coming, because Queen were added to the list when all the tickets were sold out. THIS WAS NOT A QUEEN CROWD BUT STILL THEY STOLE THE SHOW. Freddie commanded the crowd at 2 stadiums simultaneously(Wembley and Philadelphia) and HAD THEM IN THE PALM OF HIS HAND. Queen's performance at Live Aid is voted MOST ICONIC festiwal moment in music history. Check out Fat bottomed girls live at Bowl 82, Under pressue live at Wembley 86, Love of my life Rock in Rio 85

[@Osvie-hc3to]

That's not true, they were one of the original artists mentioned by Bob Geldoff when he announced Live Aid. Queen hadn't actually agreed to be at Live Aid, but they never called out Bob for lying and instead waited to speak with him, so fans always thought they were going to be there. Just look at the original poster for Live Aid they are listed there along with other artists that will eventually not perform like Boy George and Paul Simon.

[@bbbfst]

@@Osvie-hc3to Thank you. Was going to say the same thing. Misinformation that's been going around forever. Also, if you watch the press conference where line-up was announced -- before the tickets went on sale -- Geldolf announced Queen (even though they hadn't been asked). Everyone thought they were going to be there.

[@Osvie-hc3to]

@@bbbfst I have no idea why people keep saying that Queen were a late addition when it could easily be proven false.

[@Mama-tea]

Ahhhh Love of my Life is my absolute favourite song and love the Rio performance ❤

[@pauldunn5978]

I certainly knew! It was talked about on the radio and mentioned in the previous months Music magazine I'd bought because it had a full list of artists who were signed up or expected to sign up up.

[@StoptheInsanityofRegressivism]

The Queen catalogue is unparalleled. So many hits in so many styles and genres. So much cheek, so many important things to say, so many songs about love, friendship, and devotion. Also songs that are brutal and quite a few that reflect the pain of living a human life. Their songs are relatable and many are just fun for fun's sake! Love them!!!

[@jacquie2004]

There will never be anyone who can make 50,000 people eat from the palm of his hand like Freddie could. Legend!

[@Nancy-beepbeep]

The crowd was 72,000, plus the world

[@kerrymartin1199]

We are so lucky he ignored his doctors advice not to sing,he gave the world the best live performance ever, remember this was not a Queen concert.

[@barbaratraynor6422]

They stole the show

[@sandracopperwheathunt567]

Freddie ws known to have a throat infection this day. You wouldn't notice it by the vocals

[@michaelgeorge-oj7mn]

He adjusted his delivery slightly (he knew exactly how far he could go without pushing it) and the supporting vocalist knew how to back him with subtlety. Having that level of professionalism allowed them to go on with the show. He was still only 90% - 95% off top form -- he was that good to steal the show, sick (throat infection). He also had just got the aids diagnosis and kept his performance unaffected.

[@adeleheywood7454]

I was 18 at the time of the live aid concert and remember it like it was yesterday. Absolutely epic!

[@stevenhaffner3299]

"Freddy Mercury has a really good voice". The understatement of all time.

[@themurphingjay5829]

“Good voice”??? He was one of the most amazing talents to ever exist. R.I.P. Freddie

[@janetveazey7212]

I went to see Queen 2 weeks before Live Aid. I was standing at the back of Wembley in the rain singing this with my beloved daughter. I lost her 5 years ago. But memories remain and I took my girl to many concerts. For you Janey. Love from London. Jan ☺️

[@TerencePearse-x3j]

So sorry you lost your Daughter 😢

[@janetveazey7212]

@@TerencePearse-x3j thank you so much for your lovely message, I enjoy your reactions. love to you both. love from London. Jan ☺️☺️

[@robertwilson738]

As a dad I can't imagine anything worse than losing a child. I choked up reading this.

[@philipstranks3643]

Are you sure ? I didn't think that they played Wembley Stadium before Live Aid ? Unless you meant Wembley Arena (where I saw them 08/12/1980). It was the day of John Lennon's death and they sang Imagine as a tribute. I saw them two other times and they were breathtaking on each occasion.😮

[@daviddempsey8721]

What a poignant memory to share. I'm glad you did such memorable things together. You sound like a cool mum.

[@Sally-qu3kz]

This is how I like to remember Freddie god bless him. ❤

[@999gothchick]

I’m very happy to say I was there, amazing 🤩

[@MrCammo123]

90,000 people in the stadium, 1.5 billion people watching and all were in the palms of Freddie and Queen's hands

[@RoverWaters]

false

[@katielynch9740]

There were actually 72,000 in Wembley not 90,000 but there were 89,000 watching live aid in JFK stadium Philadelphia but you’re right- it’s estimated 1.5 billion watched it. Those numbers, even today would be MIND BLOWING. It was over 20% of the worlds population.

[@RoverWaters]

@@katielynch9740 false

[@MrCammo123]

@@katielynch9740 Thanks for the correction, I just went off the listed stadium capacity probably had to sacrifice some space for all staging

[@robynpicknell7801]

I love how the crowd sings along on every song, almost like a fifth band member!

[@davidmalarkey1302]

No diamond teeth no auto-tune no backing tracks. Four great musicians are at the top of their game. Twenty minutes of music history watch appreciate and enjoy.

[@hazelsamuel4752]

The baby woke up to watch Queen! 😊😊 Great taste ❤

[@siblis20]

I was 25 back in 1985 when this took place and in my opinion Queen stole the show, by far the best Act there

[@roadkill7314]

He's the greatest front man in the history of rock and roll! And absolutely no question; there's NEVER been a decade better than the 70's.

[@BulldogMack700rs]

The most amazing part of this performance is the fact that Freddie was suffering from a throat infection at the time

[@macmcgee5116]

If you listen close, there are a few times in Hammer to Fall and We are the Champions where you can hear his voice crack. They are very quick and he always recovered beautifully.

[@midianmtd]

Over 70,000 in London and over 89,000 in Philly. Then also count the 4 Billion of us at home watching this increadable show. And Freddie had us in the palm of his hand the whole time and knew it.

[@edzeljereza8234]

And Phil Collins actually playing on both London and Philly!

[@vinniedixon1140]

Less than 2 billion watched on tv worldwide

[@MoMatthews]

​@vinniedixon1140 still just under 2 billion!!

[@deborahallen3318]

I believe it was 1.7 Billion world wide watched Live Aid and more and more will watch it, just like this.👑💙🌈🫶

[@deborahallen3318]

I believe it was 1.7 Billion world wide watched Live Aid and more and more will watch it, just like this.👑💙🌈🫶

[@shadow-Sun]

I was at Live Aid and I have to say the top tier best of British Rock and pop were playing but when Freddie and Queen played their set I have to say he made everybody else look like amatuers , it really was another level- Freddy that day owned wembley and the billions watching .

[@hayleyforsyth6378]

Freddie mercury was a musical god and a unique voice and queen were and still are one of the greatest bands around ❤

[@davidpritchard9069]

Freddie was a force of nature..this for me is the best live performance ever..

[@seagullsg784]

The most beautiful musician to ever live. Freddie is the gift that keeps giving. Radio gaga speaks to what we are all feeling today.

[@Neil_A]

I’m 59 me and my wife got married the day before, we drove down to London early hours of the morning from Liverpool, it was better live and queen stole the show no one come close we went on to the south of France for our honeymoon yes we are still together with 3 annoying kids well young adults 😂radio Gaga it’s where she got her name from if you no lady gaga 😂

[@Killermcknight]

Oh I love that so much! 😂♥️

[@mrchickflick4444]

Nice seeing a fello scouser and Liverpool fan here 😅 3 nil against united was so sweet

[@carola4655]

Credit where credit is due Freddie was and still is a legend who will never ever be Forgot. He did write a crazy little thing called love Elvis was long dead when Freddie wrote and sang it!

[@deanstanley992]

Love your new found appreciation of him,I see it as crazy the amount of folk world wide that don't know more about him,,

[@joannagodfrey5111]

Queen wrote all their own songs, they could all write music. Freddie had studied art and designed their logo, Brian May ( lead guitar)has a PhD in Astrophysics, he also built his guitar, the "red special" with his Dad in their garage from bits and pieces around their house, John Deacon the bassist, was an electronics engineer he left the band after Freddie's death, Roger Taylor the drummer, is a musician and plays multiple instruments, all of them wrote songs.

[@TheresaPope-r1m]

Roger has a degree in biology. On most songs he sings with Freddie. Thier voices blend perfectly, and Roger has a tremendous vocal range. Any one of the four Queen members could have fronted their own band, they are just that good. As a side note, Queen was given 20 minutes to perform--they brought it in at 20 minutes 10 seconds.

[@declaneric]

Elvis never sang Crazy Little Thing Called Love, Freddy wrote it two years after Elvis died. But he DID write it as a tribute to two of his favorite artists: Elvis and Cliff Richard. This song is also the first time Freddie played guitar in concerts. And don't forget, the lyrics call him out: "And take a long ride on my motorbike..... Until I'm ready (ready Freddie)...." It may seem like too different a style for it to be a Queen song, but it's all Freddie's, who wrote it in ten minutes in a bathtub in a hotel in Munich in '79.

[@jamesthompson3674]

"Crazy Little Thing Called Love" was written by Freddie Mercury back in 1979 as a tribute to his musical hero Elvis Presley!!

[@stevemarshall3481]

6 years after this he died 😢 such a great performer, knew how to get the audience going.

[@Mr61DR]

Queen.......Timeless! Freddie had a great voice.He was the Ultimate Entertainer, there will never be a singer quite like him.

[@jome7382]

Queen, the best rabbit hole you'll ever go down. You'll be surprised & blown away. ❤❤❤❤ As a band they're bloody brilliant.

[@neilmcilwrath5951]

The end bit at 9.48PM Freddie Mercury came back on stage with Brian May the guitarist and sang a song called "Is this the world we created"

[@mmaloneym]

Best front man ever. This performance is still rated the best live performance ever. There were 60 bands performing, each had 20 minutes. Queen blew all of them out of the water. BTW, Freddie was diagnosed with AIDS in 1987 and he passed away in 1991. He is still revered as one of the best singers in the history of music. If you ever want to dive in their catalog you will need years. They had 14 albums with well over 350 songs!! You MUST react to Somebody To Love live in Montreal 1981. It will blow your mind!!! BTW Queen didn’t do covers. They wrote all their music. Freddie wrote Crazy Little Thing called Love as a tribute to Elvis.

[@sandradring6265]

Oh how I wish Freddie was still with us…❤️

[@frankiecamacho8739]

7:32 Lady Gaga took her name from this song.

[@mrdog4529]

The mad thing is that this isn't a Queen gig yet nearly everyone there knows the words and what to do with their hands; its quite special really.

[@StaffyMum85]

I love it when people say "before my time" I was born in 1985, I was 6 when he died but I grew up with Queen and Freddies music. You can't really say you don't know people's music because it was before your time, did you not listen to rock n roll as a kid? 50's/60's/70's/80's? Frankly to me music before 2000 were the best music. 70's and 80's are my fav decades. Maybe America just didn't know Queen so well back in the day. I'm a Brit and we adore Queen/Freddie. I wished I was old enough to have gone to his concerts as they were EPIC!! You mention Live Aid to people and instantly, Queen/Freddie is mainly what is remembered. So many acts and Queen took the limelight.

[@vincenthewlett4329]

This was not a Queen concert...all the bands that played on the day were given 20 mins each...queen picked the songs rehearsed and got it right

[@jona.874]

"Crazy Little Thing Called Love" was written by Freddie in 1979 as an Elvis tribute song. And you were talking over him when he expanded his "for the beautiful people" comment with "that means all of you"!

[@janeskeet3506]

I was working that day and remember every break we were all glued to the tv in the canteen - it was such an epic day for music. My knees may ache now and I'm getting old but am so grateful to have been alive during the 70's and 80's seeing all these great artists perform.

[@LadyDragonsblood]

The guitar that Brian May plays is called The Red Special. He and his dad built her in their garage when Brian was a teenager.... because it was built from spare parts and found gadgets, it gave a sound that is totally unique to Brian. When The Red Special plays, you KNOW it!

[@amberbucknall3072]

The fun thing about Queen is they were inspired by everything and all of their songs are different from each other ❤

[@Crispi-ws6ju]

Nothing to do with Elvis! Remember what Live Aid was...these weren't all Queen fans. Each band had a 20min slot. David Bowie was on next, passed Freddie in the wings, as said to him "How the f am I gonna follow that?!!"

[@Killermcknight]

Haha I wouldn’t want to follow it either!

[@yesorlando05]

Thank you so much for reacting to this. I was in college here in North Carolina when Live Aid happened. I remember it well. My friends and I loved attending concerts. It was one of the things we loved doing together and one of the big things young people did then. My wife did the same thing during that time period as well. There were a huge number of wonderful groups at the time and concerts were not very expensive to attend. Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Boston, Journey, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Triumph, 38 Special, Foreigner, and many others. I cannot describe to you what a wonderful time it was to be young then compared to today. We were happier, relationships were closer, life was more carefree, and the music was spectacular. Our 4 adult children (29-33) love 70’s/80’s music just as we do. My heart just aches that young people will not get to experience life as we did as teenagers in the 70’s/80’s. Again, thank you so much for posting this video. It was a wonderful treat.

[@LoubyLou21]

No one can command a crowd like Freddie did. He was an amazing musician, singer and songwriter. Queen left with more fans than they came with that day.

[@MrGimbal4444]

I remember the day well. 16 years old....that performances by Queen still lives on in the memories of the millions who watched that day.

[@annicegrundy5307]

I was lucky enough to enjoy Queen in the 1980s… one talented band with Freddie the best performer and singer of all time ( in my opinion). RIP Freddie you beautiful soul Ax

[@DavidSmith-cx8dg]

To give a bit of context Live Aid was two simultaneous concerts at Wembley and Philadelphia for the Ethiopian famine victims . The sets were limited to 20 minutes and there were more than thirty massive artists including Paul McCartney , David Bowie , U2 and Madonna who took part before a global tv audience of millions . Queen gave probably the greatest rock performance ever , a medley of six songs when all the others only got three . Freddie had been advised not to perform by the medics but was incredible as they took a crowd and tv audience that weren't there just to see them by storm . If you want to know the words to Bohemian Rhapsody try the Green Day , Hyde Park audience clip .

[@ziggyzagg561]

best saturday in the 80s ever

[@daveloboda1769]

Freddie, the GOAT. He actually had a throat problem that night and had been told by a doctor that he shouldn't perform.