The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert Extreme

The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert for AIDS Awareness was a benefit concert held on Easter Monday, 20 April 1992 at Wembley Stadium in London, England for an audience of 72,000. The concert was produced for television by Ray Burd, directed by David Mallet and broadcast live on television and radio to 76 countries around the world, with an audience of up to one billion. The concert was a tribute to Queen's lead vocalist, Freddie Mercury, who died of AIDS on 24 November 1991.
Extreme - Queen Medley (including finale of "Bohemian Rhapsody", "Keep Yourself Alive", "Love of My Life", "Fat Bottomed Girls", "I Want To Break Free", "Bicycle Race", "Another One Bites The Dust", "We Will Rock You", "Stone Cold Crazy" and "Radio Ga Ga"), “Love of my Life”, "More Than Words" (Gary Cherone and Nuno Bettencourt)

[@johncartelli]

Extreme gave the audience what they wanted....they literally stole the show just as Queen did on the original Live Aid Concert...BRAVO Extreme!!!!

[@RandyWillcox]

Extreme was to the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert what Queen was to Live Aid. Anyone who wasn't an Extreme fan before that performance was by the time it was over.

[@tracybosworth1033]

Or should have been!!

[@carolannhaggerty845]

I absolutely love queen no band can come close, extreme really ruled wembley for the time, I can also understand what Brian meant, they are very similar very good performances

[@bcdrummer1962]

Well said my friend, your analogy is spot on. Miss ya Fred!!!❤

[@dianecourtney2724]

Absolute truth. Thank you for your comment 😊👑

[@axltallo]

Splendid

[@DJBFAD]

Wow, this took BALLS and they pulled it off!!! Imagine playing Queen songs, to a massive Queen crowd, in front of Queen - nailed it...

[@barbaraalves5957]

Gary Cherone's showmanship truly isn't talked about enough, more than being a great singer he truly knows how to put on a show - a fundamental skill for anyone to successfully cover queen.

[@PorkchopPete]

Not everyone would believe it - but at the Freddy Tribute Concert, extreme stole the show

[@MXanderT]

100%

[@tracybosworth1033]

You bet your ass they did!! 🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@guitargirlnat84]

I believe it! It was my 13th birthday and they’re what I remember most about watching it on MTV

[@marklepollo8546]

I saw the concert live when it happened. Could not turn the TV off. I saw other performers sing with cheat notes written on their arms. Extreme 1000% killed it. They were made for this and this concert is what they will be remembered for.

[@masch2540]

For me it was always guns n roses with paradise city and axl rose with his great entrance when they played bohemian rhapsody and his Performance of we will rock you, where the crowd was louder than he. But extreme was also really good.

[@Masterdebater1313]

I'm a GINORMOUS MetallicA fan, and I'm not taking anything away from my Bay Area Bashers, but goddamn. Everyone got their asses whooped by Extreme that day.

[@jamesludwig8034]

Right???

[@jamesludwig8034]

Sorry? I forgot about George Michael's "Somone to Love". He definitely didn't get his ass whooped!

[@joepensanti9468]

The most underrated and misunderstood band that has ever existed.

[@andystagger2906]

Nuno Betancourt was just born to play guitar ❤ and GaryCherone is a fantastic singer… these guys deserve respect… and their new song Rise is just Fire 🔥!

[@kevbrown2532]

Extreme emulating Queen at Live Aid with the diversity, showmanship, talent, professionalism. And still as good today as they were in the 1990's.

[@kevinjackman4026]

And to think that Brian May was adamant that Extreme do a set of their own material. I keep coming back to this performance because it's the quintessential cover. I have such a respect for both of these bands and Nuno Bettencourt is so gosh darn amazing that I'll never, ever live up to his level of ability and musicianship. What I do have is the pure enjoyment and excitement of watching this performance over and over. I was just a young lad in 1992 and the grunge era was strong but the Freddie Mercury tribute was a beautiful reminder of rock's roots. Brian May's introduction of Extreme is one that can never be overestimated. Much love to all who return to this performance or who are just discovering it. Long live Freddie, and long live rock!

[@ACCH-cm9ou]

I saw it on the tv the day it was aired... Me n my friends were exstatic watching all these extrairdinay Artists paying really heartfelt tributes to Freddie... We were waiting for Gnr but, honestly, they ve been just professional... On the other side, Extreme did the impossible,by doing this incredible medley, which to this day givez me shivers... Exceptional

[@briankeightly3361]

Yea this concert was excellent, I used to watch my recording alot , now we have you tube thank God!

[@Marvidsen1973]

Well said - fully agree. Long live (talented) and real rock & roll!! 🙌🏻🎸♥️

[@karenrobbins6079]

Agree 💯💜

[@user-vw5tk3vb1r]

Extreme as a band is just fucking amazing, but Nuno is among THE MOST underrated guitarists EVER!

[@gdelapo]

Word

[@kevinjackman4026]

Hands down the best performance of the tribute! An amazing amount of talent in Extreme and they'll never get the credit they deserve.

[@douchkanikoliic6182]

And George Michael.

[@kevinjackman4026]

@@douchkanikoliic6182 Indeed

[@markconner7798]

I agree Extreme and George Michael were the two highlights of the show!!

[@kevinjackman4026]

I couldn't agree more sir!​@markconner7798

[@GloriaMenjivarFantasmaazul]

For me, "Extreme" was one of the best that was presented at the Freddie Mercury tribute. They were impeccable, great. People got excited about them, they sang the songs with Gary, Nuno, Paul and Pat.

[@ArneuTube]

I remember when I saw this the first time, it blew my mind, I was 12 years old. I am now 43 and it has only gotten better, I LOVE this performance.

[@TheWudy1972]

I was already a huge fan of Extreme by the time this concert was shown. But felt incredibly proud of how amazing they were and finally the whole world saw it too.

[@harmonygalvin1814]

Saw Extreme last night - they played to a sold-out crowd of 1000 people with Living Colour. At 60+, tbis band is still magical and Nuno is laughably the best guitarist on earth right now. With performances like what i saw last night, Motley Crue, KISS and Guns N’ Roses have NO excuse for the garbage shows they churn out in venues ten times the size. Its offensive.

[@queenmedusa1977]

Extreme have always been seriously underrated and Nuno is an incredible guitarist. I've seen them twice, with many years between those gigs, and chanting "Nuno" whilst he knocks out a genius guitar solo is just something I hope never to forget ❤

[@cathsstuff6427]

Sea of people, and not one mobile phone, beautiful xx

[@infalliblerocks]

I was there, Extreme were the best of the 'bands' section. Great band!

[@paulpv7]

Easy when you cover queen songs for a queen audience. Metallica is a better band

[@infalliblerocks]

What I meant was they were the ones that got the crowd going the most on the day. There's nothing easy about covering Queen songs. James Hetfield also did a Queen song that day Stone Cold Crazy. They're both great bands, too different in styles to really compare. Was great to see them both.

[@Kurt1969]

Very lucky! Agree, probably because they are one of the most versatile bands out there that day.

[@hirokunimi74]

@@paulpv7 have you heard May’s words introducing Extreme? 🤔

[@ddinfant679]

Yea metallica is great on their own right but no way they do a better queen medley than extreme. Mostly at a queen tribute show. They're way better equipped for covering Queen.

[@Supermonkey22]

When the crowd exploded for “More Than Words”..... incredible!! Showed respect for their tribute and original song.

[@Texturas75]

The boys earned it. It was a huge hit at the time.

[@cathyshaw-kalloo237]

i was SO HAPPY when they did More Than Words... i found myself wishing for it and what a great shock when omg there it was!!! It fit so perfectly with Love of My Life. i was bawling like a baby.... i just LOVE Extreme.

[@annajosullivan]

I think a lot of times the rest of the band gets lost behind the comments about Nuno. They ALL showed how great they were in this performance but especially Gary! He was like a firecracker on stage and his voice stayed so crisp and clean the entire time.

[@davidjohnbonnett]

Extreme was my favourite band at the time when I was watching live this on TV, I was 12, my Dad happened to be in the room watching it too, and he said "who are these? They're really good." I couldn't be more proud cos he liked my band. 👍

[@Marvidsen1973]

Exactly the same here… they were crossing over to other generations 🙌🏻🎸

[@fernando651]

i just recently discovered extreme. they just went up several notches in my book thanks to this video.

[@joeysalazar4356]

Nice! KZbin nuno's best solos medley and live version of midnight express.

[@clintonwilcox4690]

You can find a video on KZbin of Brian May praising Nuno's guitar solo on Get the Funk Out. Extreme is an amazing band.

[@westside1912]

An incredible moment in the history of music. Sadly nostalgic for this magical, shared experience of thousands and thousands of people without cell phones or social media.

[@muchosmasfrijoles]

Very brave performance. Fantastic Love Of My Life, the guts to play that quite difficult guitar part on acoustic in front of so many people, amazing really.

[@clintonwilcox4690]

Few people would have had the technical ability to pull it off flawlessly. Nuno Betancourt is one such individual.

[@cathyshaw-kalloo237]

well if there's anyone who could do it, it's Nuno. He's right up there with Brian in my book.

[@gregmeyer1805]

Extreme doing what they do best. This is what true talent looks like.

[@davidtooke5964]

Anybody else watching in 2023 - when Extreme just put out the best new music of the year?

[@Sabouma28]

they did?

[@WhatLisaLoves]

Yes they sure did!

[@metalcubana3004]

2024 and just saw them last weekend. They were flawless. 🔥

[@bkwil6078]

Just seen them at hard Rock woodland California they're the real deal with living color brings me back

[@bernieconway9371]

Seen them December at Glasgow, they are all still awesome 😊

[@Taylor___]

Those backing vocals! Wow

[@jeannineburchett8096]

Extreme was a great band ... Freddie definitely would have approved !!!

[@tracybosworth1033]

Is a great band.

[@Marvidsen1973]

Still IS!!!!! 🙌🏻🎸

[@WhatLisaLoves]

They still are amazing!

[@SteveWalkerGuitars]

My dad took me to see Extreme after watching this set and was really impressed. He was even more with there own material because of it and I don't think he'd have given them chance if it hadn't been for the tribute.

[@martinfuller5499]

Extreme IS a great band!!

[@rnt77]

so thankful that the Live Aid and Tribute Concert performances of Radio Ga Ga were done before smartphones so that the aesthetic of the crowd was captured

[@saskiadamen1551]

STILL AMAZING AFTER ALL THESE YEARS!! Missing Freddey😢❤

[@gibboparcoamendola9240]

I met them sitting on the sofa when the tribute took place. We are peers. I am a "lost" musician. They shook everyone. An unforgettable surprise. Since then I have never stopped following them. For me they relate to history. They are pure musicians. Let's not talk about Bettencourt. A reference, unique, a style. In my opinion, those guys deserved much more. Those guys temporarily fixed Brian's tears. Another giant. Then if you want, we'll talk about it.

[@bellestar5960]

They are very underrated they did a awesome job. Nuno is still fine AF.

[@Psyrax64]

Saw a lot of rock bands during 80s and 90s and I can honestly say Extreme were one of the best. Nuno Bettencourt without doubt the finest guitarist I’ve witnessed The guy is a genius. Well done guys a fitting performance for an all time legend. RIP Freddie

[@MrIgorek13]

Sykes Nuno and Jake E Lee❤❤❤

[@rayzylstra4304]

Remember watching this and recording on VHS. Rewatching multiple times. Extreme stole the show 🎉

[@KRAZEEIZATION]

That Azan-like chant from Mustapha is pure Mercy genius. Glad Extreme did it. Mustapha is an extraordinary song from 1978 Jazz LP.

[@DanielPestanaTranslations]

I wanted that Washburn N4 ever since I saw this as a kid. 19 years later, in 2010, I finally was able to buy it! A beast of rock ‘n roll!

[@JasonAchilles]

5:30 that melodic shift into the FBG intro is just NUTS....

[@DadBigE]

One of the greatest live tributes/moments...amazing.

[@rodrogers2602]

truly moving ..... these guys really rose to the occasion.

[@obscurazone]

Brian wasn't at all happy they were doing Queen numbers, but the fans sure were. What a celebration of life! Fabulous.

[@tracybosworth1033]

Initially he wasn’t…

[@obscurazone]

@@tracybosworth1033 No. He wasn't happy full stop. The band only informed Brian they would be doing a Queen tribute at the last minute, which meant the headliner acts (including him) were totally screwed because THEY were performing some of the same songs. In other words, the setlist for the day was ruined (in Brian's eyes) and his personal tribute to Freddie very much diminished and overshadowed by "repeat" songs. He wasn't happy at all.

[@mifeke6149]

@@obscurazone Yes Brian wasn't happy. Luckily Extreme went against this because Brian got it wrong big time. Extreme turned a shitty unmemorable first half of the concert into one that fans will never forget.

[@toolshed7652]

That's not what happened at all... They were good friends with Brian and asked him before the show if they could do a Queen medley and he said go for it. It was the promoters that were pissed. So much so that they left them off of the DVD.

[@harmonygalvin1814]

What? But theyre on the dvd

[@dreap243]

I always come back here.... absolutely brilliant set. 💗 2022..bring me back ....♥️....2023...Still nostalgic. ❤️

[@davesmusicmania1]

The new Extreme video brought me here by accident....and I am blown away by how freakin awesome these guys are at doing Queen justice. I am surprised Brian May didnt try to snatch these guys up to start a tour with Gary singing and nuno playing co-guitar and the other guys singing harmonies

[@tracybosworth1033]

Welcome! 🤘🏻

[@johnp5351]

@@tracybosworth1033 Extreme are one those underrated bands maybe time passed them by and they were thought a bit cheesy but i saw Extreme a few times live and they were immaculate

[@tracybosworth1033]

@@johnp5351 Always excellent in concert!

[@fig1115]

it takes balls top do what these boys did, but they are very clearly huge queen fans , the respect for queen can be felt .this is a love letter to Brian john roger and Freddie as much as anything else .

[@margaretlynn1613]

Wish I was there, but saw it on TV....to me, it was, by far, the best performance of the entire concert!!

[@MrIgorek13]

I was there and 1.5 milliard watching on TV. Extreme in Absolute❤❤❤

[@dianecourtney2724]

Love of my life made me cry😓 Lovely tribute to the GOAT 💛

[@mcfly.m6251]

18:29 the way into more than words is great

[@kellyelrington5663]

A knockout. Gary too is one the BEST singers of all time. Their version of Love of my life is beautiful. Love Extreme.....this is just one of the reasons I do.

[@MonicaAnderson-ny1qy]

I bet Freddie was looking down on this with a huge smile on his face. The best

[@djh1674]

They were phenomenal that day

[@carlamarchetti2908]

I , we miss you Freddie , I love you Freddie r.i.p.❤❤❤❤❤

[@tracybosworth1033]

Our Boston boys sure had Wembley rocking! 🤘🏻

[@xilefregnu9542]

All singing, all for you Freddie.

[@SyrDoN]

It takes real practice and work to make a medley like this.

[@salamwati9281]

Extreme gives you your money's worth for this gig..what joy for those in attendees. Envy..Class..🤗😉

[@coltsin1466]

This is one of the best live performances I have ever seen. Wow.

[@steve-sc1st]

the audience certainly approves!

[@WhatLisaLoves]

Extreme understood the assignment and performed it perfectly!

[@darrenblacker582]

❤🤘😛🤘 forgotten how many times I've watched this .

[@alexandrepaschoal9824]

One of the best tribute presentation

[@andrewgeary1557]

I really love this awesome performance by Extreme at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert - a really great medley of some of Queen's greatest songs.

[@boltyboy]

That was stunning. Brian tried to stop them then gave them the challenge in his intro. It was a massive wave of emotion and musical genius--and no little hard work on Extreme's part. But it's one of the most amazing performances in rock music, and only one of their own songs. And don't forget they were a huge band at the time, even if sadly they didn't really scale those heights again.

[@dedesuhendar-xf2uk]

I find the Extreme in 2007... at that time I discovered a taste in music that I like until 2024, and my yearsold now 32

[@bramantyoprahoro7284]

You have a nice musical taste.

[@muleone1355]

Nuno and Gary were and are badass...what a pair!!

[@christophsimoner7194]

I think one of the best band ever.

[@johanasvik3294]

So much good music in one video.. how am i supposed to sleep now..?

[@pman1865]

The best and only band that absolutely was the best band that day. Kudos to Extreme

[@Crichton51]

Absolutely brilliant

[@leonprofessional600]

Great performance!

[@paulelverstone8677]

What a memory this is. Extreme understood entirely what to do here. Arguably copying Queen's medley format for Live Aid, they nevertheless gave the performance of the evening, in the company of many, many great performers. And then the finished with their own hit, which I've always thought to be a very classy move. 30yrs on and I'm listening to their new album 'Six' and it's amazing, and still with some echoes of Queen imho. Form is temporary but class....

[@paulchristie4904]

Simply amazing !

[@nakatakafka]

Best singer of all.

[@davidbrockett1]

That Washburn mouradian is a awesome guitar

[@Strato13]

I remember when I saw this on TV live, next to George Michael, this segment is the only one I remember!

[@wendygould4476]

I wholeheartedly agree with you 😊

[@jonosmith4919]

AWESOME.

[@KowankoMusic]

Stole the show, they did!

[@rogergomez1]

thinking about it now gary wouldve been an excellent choice of singer to take over the lead vocalist role in queen even befor adam lambert or paul rodgers

[@johnfairbairn9912]

Just got my ticket for Gary's who tribute show in new Bedford slipkid. Ran into gary at Alice Cooper Tuesday in Boston

[@MrIgorek13]

To be honest after I witness Gary performance with EVH at Madison Square I was so much blown my mind❤🎉❤

[@markconner7798]

They did a great tribute to Freedie!

[@stevenhernandez760]

Radio gaga amazing!

[@peppebrown7247]

The best performance of the Tribute

[@mike-cw3ko]

Memorable

[@kevbrown2532]

Brian and Nuno had just had a disagreement prior to going on stage as the guest groups were supposed to do there own music but Extreme wanted to show their appreciation of Queen and Freddie by playing this montage of Queen hits. This led directly to Brian's comment in his introduction.

[@motley123rock]

Nailed it 👍

[@scottschmittmusic]

Wow!!! Awesome

[@jonosmith4919]

Still AWESOME 🍻's

[@markgoddard4127]

The drummer was fantastic nothing fancy but nice and simple and bang on the beat

[@barrywilson871]

Had the audience feeding out of their hands, Absolutely Brilliant

[@MrMotherfuck123]

Best Show of their Life ?

[@user-hg6nc5kq8z]

Brilliant!!🙏🙏

[@alexaraya2018]

I wasn't there but watched the whole thing like three times straight when it came out on MTV and VH1, even thou they played many of the songs that were later played with Queen....I just watched the whole thing over an over again .......it didn't matter

[@Hellwyck]

"thou" means "you" in olde english, it doesn't mean "though".

[@alexaraya2018]

@@Hellwyck holier than who?

[@kevinwaldron2562]

Love Of My Life... Enough said.

[@briankeightly3361]

I was working that day I set my timer on my vcr player , it was a hifi one , I had it hooked up to a marantz receiver , EQ, nice speakers ,,I cranked this especially extreme stole the show I thought so , spinal tap opened the show , great and Metallica did there songs really good, the concert was excellent. Vhs tapes are out dated , I have a good collection still.

[@karenrobbins6079]

Gary would have been a great addition to Queen. Although we wouldn't have the great extreme music. Tough call

[@hoisin75]

I was a little too young to see Queen live before Freddie passed sadly, however one of my first gigs was Extreme when they where white hot at the Hammersmith Odeon on the Pornografitti tour. A night I’ll never forget. They where sons and heirs to queen

[@fig1115]

im telling you this because i still lament my poor choice, i was skint very young and i was a bit worn out by going to gigs , but my mate asked me to go and see queen and i said id go next year ,there would be no next year . still hurts . but i did see extreme for the first time being supported by sign kicks. both band blew me away . in my top 3 gigs of all time .

[@graeme1744]

The first time I've ever seen more than word from this show.

[@laloutre9106]

On this day, there were Extreme.... and far behind, there were all the other artists.... 🤷‍♀️

[@ACCH-cm9ou]

This has been Legendary!!

[@demonspoo]

Awesome

[@meireferreira8990]

Extreme, IMPRESSIONANTE!!!!!

[@kinkinmyslinky967]

I can’t tell, is that the 20 year old Nuno or the 50 year old Nuno?

[@charlies2174]

Haha same thing

[@ilmisxx2]

Nuno is eternal so it doesn't matter

[@kevinjackman4026]

He hasn't aged a bit!

[@cathyshaw-kalloo237]

eternally FINE ❤️

[@ddinfant679]

Not an easy task by any means. My question is who Tha hell can follow a queen medley at a queen tribute show??? I'd hate to b the band that goes after... It's almost mean if Extreme to do that...