This CHANGES EVERYTHING! Queen - Full Concert Live Aid 1985 - FIRST time REACTION!!

[@GirlWithAnOpinion]

This is NOT Freddie's band. This is QUEEN - 4 amazingly talented musicians, songwriters, and singers. They functioned as a unit.

[@shilohauraable]

Amen! 💖

[@NiamhCullen]

They all knew how to play to the audience. Brian. Roger and John. They are all so beautiful.

[@chicsamson6457]

I echo this,Freddy is one of the greatest front men ever,but he is only one part of this BAND. All four members wrote no 1 singles

[@HeWhoShallNotBeShamed]

So true. I've found their solo projects to be almost unlistenable. Together, they are epic.

[@marshajanulis6092]

@@NiamhCullen Dont forget John Deacon, he might have been less expressive but an integral part of the band.

[@stephenstrudwick8095]

“You bastards,” Elton John said jokingly to the band following their set. “You stole the show." 🤩

[@susanengland3919]

David Bowie, who was the next performance after Queen, said "How the hell am I supposed to follow THAT?!?"

[@geoffmarsh7986]

@@susanengland3919 Substitute @Hell' with F**K!!!!!

[@alifc1082]

So which one came after them??

[@jomc6734]

​@alifc1082 Bowie performed right after Queen. After Bowie was The Who then Elton.

[@keriholton9407]

Lmao. You mean there were other performers at live aid 😂😂😂 I thought it was just a QUEEN concert. 😂😂😂❤❤❤❤

[@robstyles8535]

For 20 minutes in 1985, Queen ruled the world.

[@OFCbigduke613]

Goddamn right

[@Donna.M]

Too true they were incredible ❤🙏

[@heather2493]

Facts ❤

[@alapaticornell4391]

Yes. We're the Champions, my friends... 💘 it. A blessed day to all.

[@jamieslack3147]

indeed they did

[@dmouse006]

I’m 61 now, 22 when I was in the audience at Wembley with my sister who bought me my ticket. Radio Gaga was the track of the day, and Freddie’s”Ayo” was the best audience participation. Thanks Sis

[@rogermortis6583]

Thanks sis indeed, a wonderful treasure. You're very fortunate and it makes me happy to see you know it.

[@shelleythistleton4935]

Oh so jealous! ❤

[@markholmes8803]

nice1 wish i was there but i did see them twice in the 80,s amazing.

[@KimberlyDMcCallister]

Sister of the century!!!

[@shadyltd20041974]

I saw the whole concert on tv as a 10 year old. Am 50 now and any concert I saw live, has (n)ever topped Live Aid

[@jollybodger]

I have to add the obligatory quote, Freddie was once asked what is his favourite instrument to play, he responded with "The audience, Darling"

[@jonwallace6204]

And he was the greatest at it. I’ve seen concerts spontaneously sing Queen while waiting for the show. So good at crowd control even the reaper couldn’t stop him.

[@caroldavis6104]

You can also find Freddie singing with opera singers. Imagine what he would have done. FYI he wouldn’t fix his teeth because he was afraid it would affect his voice. Little known fact is he is from India

[@janegarnham]

@@jonwallace6204great comment yes everyone loves to sing Wueen songs the best to singalong too.

[@emilywilliams9916]

That's SO Freddy! I was in the band in the 80's and we played alot of Queen.

[@sbjchef]

in 1985 I was one of the 40% OF THE WORLD'S POPULATION (1.9 BILLION) that watched this live

[@justm9892]

Here here I was 14yrs old since then I've loved Queen!

[@gillianfoster1670]

Me too I was there ❤

[@jackiehammon7221]

Same here

[@sandralybrand9425]

So did I! I watched the whole thing, which if I remember right was 4 hrs long. ❤

[@HansJoachimMaier]

Me too. Was 18 back then.

[@andrewtims9524]

The only band where every member wrote a number one hit , all 4 members inducted into the songwriters hall of fame

[@merlekeif4835]

@andrewtims9524 and all 4 members are certifiable GENIUSES in their various fields

[@markmahan2017]

​@@merlekeif4835 gotta love an astrophysicist who plays music of the cosmos...!!!

[@SteveHodge]

All the members of The Beatles have written number one songs.

[@xanderc1225]

@@SteveHodgeidk about ringo

[@smiddlehurst1]

@@markmahan2017 On a homemade guitar that was at least a decade ahead of its time in a lot of ways and that's still his guitar of choice sixty years later...

[@Holstt1]

Your best reaction so far. Grats!!!!!

[@eloisecarlin8695]

Freddie wrote Crazy Little Thing Called Love as a tribute to Elvis

[@karensilvera6694]

In the bath in a matter of minutes. Crazy talented. Radio Gaga was written by Roger. His young son said the radio was kaka. Lady Gaga took her stage name from this song.

[@Susie-j5i]

Oh I didn't know that.

[@Kikatebnpagan]

I did not know that 😮😊❤

[@HansJoachimMaier]

Thank you! Had no idea!

[@jenniferrodriguez5337]

Took him 10 minutes in his bathroom. Black Pegasus ...you should check out that story over on Professor of Rock. I watched this live on my TV and it was the moment I knew I was a Queen fan.

[@lynndally9160]

Freddie was totally in his element here, he had a mic in one hand and the whole world in the other. There will never be another Freddie ❤ RIP

[@NoelaOllenburg]

So true

[@BayBaeAngel]

He went into it knowing it was his last. He gave all his heart and soul. 💔😢

[@BunnieDashwoodF]

So true!! Funnily my main crush as a young teen! Explains a lot of my life 😂 What a wonderful person and astounding musician ❤️ ♥️

[@belvagurr403]

Queen was a last minute addition, not scheduled but their 21 minutes stole the show!!! And made history.

[@Kristen_Marie]

Sort of - they were asked to participate like everyone else but missed the RSVP deadline to confirm they’d perform because each had been off doing their own thing, mostly Freddie.

[@MikePhillips-pl6ov]

They were rehearsing for it so not such a last minute thing

[@orraman5427]

Freddie performed against medical advice as he was suffering from laryngitis.

[@SeanOHanlon]

That is simply not true.

[@bbbfst]

@@Kristen_Marie Well, Queen had just completed a major tour in May (The Works tour), and on June 10, just before tickets were going to go on sale, Geldolf held a press conference and announced Queen would be there -- something he said about numerous bands who had not even been asked to perform. Obviously most of them ended up doing it. Watch this bit from a documentary on Live Aid, from about the 53:25 - 57:25 marks (it's pretty funny): kzbin.info/www/bejne/nmSWmmhoj9l2btk. And if you haven't seen it, the entire documentary is really good.

[@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!!

[@Nancy-beepbeep]

That instrument is one of a kind magnificent piece of art. The Red Special

[@lokolad3541]

They may not of been Queen fans at the Start, But by golly the All Certainly were after that Performance 💯💛

[@ASUTASTUD]

Up until Queen entered the stage Live Aid wasn't actually doing all that great hardly any money was being donated. There's actual footage of Bob Geldof worried that it's not doing that good until Queen started.

[@patricialewis1895]

I was thinking how fantastic they sounded live and if he had a throat infection wow, unbelievable talent 👏👏👏👏

[@JAYWALKER1000]

Of course Queen is out of this world - there's an astrophysicist on guitar.

[@tiffepatenaude]

BRIAN MAY🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻 I totally LOVE the reference you did here!!! ☺️🫶🏻

[@aprilrichards762]

Yep. You can find Brian May's PhD thesis online.

[@karenpostelwait6508]

He’s also knighted. So would it be Sir Dr. Brian May or Dr. Sir Brian May???

[@Cornwalls.best.doorway]

@@karenpostelwait6508 the Knighthood takes precedent over Dr (thus, one drops the Dr. Title - unless for academia writing in which he chooses one or the other)

[@karenpostelwait6508]

@@Cornwalls.best.doorway, thank you !

[@colleenmarin8907]

These live performances are why the older generations keep saying that today's music is fake

[@xmathmanx]

Only very ignorant older people, of course

[@JennyDK-NL]

@@xmathmanx no, all of us know, check the 120 hits of the 70s per month all talented very nice talents now they thin they are God and need 600 dancers look at how humble D Bowie was his songs are still strong nowadays socalled stars are forgotten within 5 years

[@xmathmanx]

@@JennyDK-NL you clearly don't pay attention to modern music and that leaves you ignorant about it, so you should have nothing to say about it

[@CelticSpiritsCoven]

@@xmathmanx People used to have natural talent. Now a computer controls their voices. Get over yourself.

[@KellyDaye]

I agree for the most part but today there are exceptions.....Two words.. Billy Strings.. and, I'm of the older generation...

[@kennywilkus1632]

When someone asks me what concert I wish I could go back in time and be at, this is the answer!! U2 was being billed as the “Big Act”. Freddie and the rest of Queen came out in their street clothes instead of their normal flamboyant garb. They knew the moment was bigger then them. They let their music speak for itself! Such an iconic moment!! Freddie could command a stage like no one before or since! He was a multi-instrumentalist but when asked what instrument he liked to play the most his answer, “The Audience Darling!” True LEGEND!!! R.I.P.

[@MikePhillips-pl6ov]

U2 did a good performance though, they were my favourites of the event along with Queen. It was almost like the older generation of bands passing the torch to the younger ones. David Bowie did a great show too.

[@kennywilkus1632]

@@MikePhillips-pl6ov oh absolutely! They all were great but I’m sorry, Freddie stole the show!

[@marylreddick]

Well said

[@Sniper-steve]

👏👏👏👏 couldn’t have been put any more perfect

[@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.”. . Queen provided magic on that summer day in 1985. 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.”

[@paulanewhook4460]

And Freddie picked that time slot, knowing that was when most British families would be sitting down to eat on Saturday supper and turning on the TV to watch. He knew the impact he could have, all day the donations lagged well behind what was expected, as soon as the Queen set ended all the phones lit up and the donations started to pour in. He didn't just play the audience, he knew what he was doing and played the entire concert and the world watching, he had everyone in the palm of his hands, start to finish. And, he ensure he didn't just do a mini version of their last tour or latest recording, he ensured they hit the highlights that everyone would know. He knew his craft, start to finish, not just singing and recording, but the entire business and how to the front man And he kept recording new music until almost the end, when he could only stand at the mic for a minute or two at a time. He would then go off, get a drink, rest and come back and start recording again. Their last new music album with Freddie came out about 4 years after his death and there is a documentary about it that came out the same time, if I remember correctly it's the same as the album....Made in Heaven.

[@Melissa02891]

Live Aid was 16 hours of music and you just watched the best 20 minutes of it. The phone banks during the concert were ringing non stop with donations until the moment Queen took the stage and when Freddie started playing Bohemian Rhapsody the phones went silent. The phones started ringing again 20 minutes later. His ability to hold the audience in the palm of his hand live at Wembley and simultaneously at JFK Stadium in Philadelphia through 13 military satellites used to broadcast Live Aid around the world and reached 1.9 Billion people watching...he was that powerful. 👑

[@kelleewolfe2834]

That is so cool!

[@davidmackeown9318]

I remember watching it all here in Ireland. Was 7 at the time. The 80s was the greatest decade for artists. I remember being in total awe with them all.

[@tnnt5636]

Wow, I didn't know that.

[@kat021171]

1.9 billion people when the world population was about 4.5 billion. My brothers and I were glued to MTV that day because it was that culturally significant to the younger Boomers and older/mid GenXers. It was probably the first global event after the moon landing, and the first one in the era of advanced telecommunications. So many highlights, and Phil Collins playing both at Wembly and at JFK after taking the Concorde across the Atlantic.

[@madmelwood3778]

Commonly called the queen effect for all those involved in live aid

[@TheSableHeart]

Every song that Queen performs at Live Aid is all Queenn's originals!

[@FloweredUp-n4t]

4 written by Mercury and 1 each by May and Taylor.

[@eriklarson9137]

@@FloweredUp-n4t I really do love when people reply to comments that make no sense. As if they made sense. It's terrific.

[@yvrkid7070]

@@FloweredUp-n4t 2 by Brian May. Hammer To Fall and We Will Rock You.

[@ulrikealtmann4655]

​​@@eriklarson9137 As if your comment makes sense.....

[@MXjoel275]

for 21 mins in 1985 England was Ruled by a different QUEEN! best live performance of all time without a doubt !!

[@mariahoulihan9483]

I was in my flat in London watching this live on tv and mesmerised.. like the rest of the world. Beyond magnificent and has stood the test of time.

[@Auqua1973]

The sad part is that there will never be concerts like this again.

[@warialdasue]

True. Really sad

[@tamaraandersson2532]

It's all Taylor Swift from now on.

[@hkburrows]

The really amazing thing about this, is that it wasn't a Queen concert, those weren't Queen fans, I don't think that Queen were even announced when the tickets went on sale. But everyone knew the songs, and joined in, everyone loved them. There will never be another Freddie Mercury, shy Indian boy grew into a great performer.

[@colleenmarin8907]

Freddie was of Indian descent; but he was fully British, having been born in Africa in the protectorate of Zanzibar (now Tanzania)

[@hkburrows]

@@colleenmarin8907 Yes, he was British, and he was also Indian. One doesn't negate the other.

[@fjdoucet1465]

@colleenmarin8907 He was Indian. His parents were both fully ethnically Indian (of the Parsi community), and the only reason Freddie was born outside of India was because his father took a job in Tanzania. He spent much of his youth in India, and only came to England when he was 17. He was a first-generation immigrant.

[@hkburrows]

@@fjdoucet1465 Thank god for immigration, so we could claim him as one of our own.

[@sallycripe2697]

You are correct...Queen was a late addition. The producers weren't going to ask them. But this is the best part of the concert. PERIOD.

[@pburski1102]

Freddie Mercury...The Greatest Showman.

[@threekidzmom04]

yes!!

[@chrisg8767]

Even greater because he did this set while ill (throat issues I believe).

[@meganhutcheson5867]

@@chrisg8767 yes he is severe throat infection. To the point to where I believe his own doctors and the doctors at the event strongly recommended he not perform due the fact it may render him unable to perform ever again.

[@michaelasay8587]

​@@meganhutcheson5867I didn't hear that😢😢

[@tube1fn]

Freddy Mercury is the GREATEST frontman of a rock band EVER! 2nd is AXL ROSE. Greatest solo artist of all time is MICHAEL JACKSON 2nd is ELVIS PRESLY 3rd is PRINCE 4th is GEORGE MICHAEL. kids today PLEASE add ALL of these artist to your music collect. THESE ARE REAL ARTIST DOING REAL MUSIC!

[@jimaccosted9328]

Love seeing a crowd reacting WITHOUT FREEKIN" CELL PHONES IN THEIR HANDS!!!😂😂😂😂😂😍

[@jamieslack3147]

the good ole days brother

[@gedscouserable]

Mobile phones. We invented them, and the English language FFS.

[@jamieslack3147]

@@gedscouserable we? nope

[@andrewvasquez7872]

I will never understand why that bothers anyone. You enjoy a concert how you choose and others can how they choose to.

[@jamieslack3147]

@@andrewvasquez7872 When you're trying to watch a band play live and there are hundreds of phones in your view it's annoying as hell

[@JeffFoster-u1n]

No autotune, nothing fancy, just original talent. Freaking awesome. I grew up I in this era. Nothing but true music.

[@thetwistedfirestarter]

You have to remember it ain’t a queen concert but every single fan there knows every word of their songs

[@elbruces]

They were kind of the ultimate "hey, I know that song, I didn't know it was by them" band for a while.

[@void5613]

There is so much about this particular concert. Bohemian rhapsody the movie goes into the detail. He was not in great shape. He fought hard to put on this concert. And came back together with the band. They hadn't performed for a long time. This was in a lot of ways him going out in a blaze. And he blew it out.

[@thetwistedfirestarter]

I watched live aid when it happened and have the dvd of the whole event it’s so good but these dudes stole the show massively

[@MoxieWidow]

Queen also opted to perform most of their hits and only one newer song. The crowd was able to get into it easily!

[@void5613]

@@thetwistedfirestarter definitely. Of all their performative, I think this is the best.

[@gulliver3103]

I was in the crowd. Unforgettable day.

[@stevepayne750]

I’m old enough to have been but I was in Oz.

[@stephanielindenberger5892]

Wow! I watched it live!

[@ajiscool615]

Dang!!!!!!! 😎

[@carolinej1366]

It would be the day if my entire life ❤. lucky you

[@wWSwiftyWw]

I can't even imagine. You were immersed in an epic part of history. I only got to see it on TV.

[@tomjandrews5334]

They were given an strict time limit and decided to maximise the performance. They rehearsed it non-stop for a week despite knowing every song backwards already. They planned out everything, including how to make tuning the instruments part of the performance or how Freddie would play with the audience to give time to the band to swap instruments etc. In the end they had the timing down to the second. This performance required talent, showmanship and songs the audience knew and could sing along with, but also a hell of a lot of practice.

[@cirrustate8674]

And that dedication, that professionalism, is exactly why they stole the show. None of the other artists took it anywhere near as seriously. Others treated it like a charity show where really all they had to do was show up and make it through their set, but didn't have to be all that great. Queen basically said "we're doing this as if it's part of one of our tours, we're doing this for real".

[@julijohnson5141]

Freddy came back to play this charity concert even tho he had throat cancer...he died not long after.... Check out the movie, it was well done.

[@cirrustate8674]

@@julijohnson5141 no. The movie didn't get that right. Freddie had a minor throat infection, not cancer. He also didn't get the AIDS diagnosis until about a year after Live Aid. He died in 1991, shortly before the release of the movie Wayne's World.

[@veronicaanne1359]

​@julijohnson5141 Hmmm... just about to watch it again for the umpteenth time❤❤❤❤

[@IngridOberholzer]

I agree with you but they could sing anyone of their songs off any Album the audience loved them. 😊

[@dellisaable]

FREDDY rocked the world that year at that concert.. can't believe u haven’t heard some of those songs..😮.. it's unfortunate there's nothing like this these days.. this generation missed out big time..RIP FREDDY🤟🤘🤙

[@skint24]

One of the best things about this is that it wasn’t ’their crowd’, yet they made it theirs.

[@madmelwood3778]

100%

[@veronicaanne1359]

They most certainly did❤❤❤

[@laurabondurant5096]

Um, everyone knew all the words!

[@rhondaserges5136]

Radio Gaga is where Lady GaGa found her name.

[@michaelasay8587]

How do you know this?

[@collinpillow4066]

@@michaelasay8587 I'm not sure about Rhonda but I saw her tell Oprah that about 15 years ago.

[@rhondaserges5136]

@@michaelasay8587 I heard it in an interview. When and where I'm not sure.

[@dawnmguzman]

It's true, and I believe a NY rapper crowned her Lady Gaga.

[@JohnWilson-cs7iq]

Yes, that is correct. I was going to mention that but on scrolling through the comments I see you have said it.

[@RaichakaTheRaikee1]

I was there that day in 1985 as a 15yr old pop music lover... I left that day as a convert to rock music, thanks mainly to Freddie & Co... You need to remember that this was NOT a Queen concert or even a Queen audience, in fact they were a last minute addition to the line up. That said for 22 minutes that afternoon Freddie had close to 73,000 people in Wembley and almost 1.9 billion watching on TV globally eating out of the palm of his hand. I'm now a 55yr old woman who's been to 300ish live rock concerts over the years, everyone from Guns n Roses to ACDC to Uriah Heep, Meatloaf, Status Quo, Alice Cooper, Bon Jovi (48 times 😂) to H.I.M and the 69 Eyes.. but that 22 minutes right there is still by far the best 22 minutes of live greatness EVER! And one show that has never left my memory! God bless you Freddie and Thank you for the music.. RIP you legend As a side note, David Bowie followed Queens set and apparently as Freddie came off stage and he was getting set to go on, he said "thanks Freddie, how the f*** am I meant to follow that?" Crazy little thing called love was written in 1979, 2 years after the death of Elvis as a tribute to him!

[@RoverWaters]

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

[@jim1771]

I was watching live via HBO

[@dianereed8911]

I was there too ❤

[@anitahargreaves9526]

Can I ask how did you contain your bladder, same age as you now couldn't cope, smashed in crowd? 👵👍🇬🇧

[@NancyTodd]

No, it was written in 1968 and sung originally by Jerry Reed. Elvis covered it and there is video that you can easily find of Elvis singing it.

[@leanneoneill5803]

No mobile phones, everybody is completely is all eyes on the stage ❤

[@nrschwartzie]

Freddie sang with a throat infection and was advised by his doctors not to sing. He nailed it. Made history and they re-launched Queen.

[@melindamullen6335]

Except Roger sang the high note parts for him.

[@shaunm9015]

@@melindamullen6335 He usually did.

[@Arandomperson_online]

Exactly 👍

[@kerrybogdanski1027]

Hadn't he also discovered he had AIDS around that time and was carrying that on his shoulders alone too! Amazing man! His foundation for AIDS did so much to make drugs that allow people who have it to live a full life expectancy! I have two friends with HIV and there is no stigma today, but back then Freddie was hounded by the media about his status, just like he was about his sexuality before. What I loved about that time in history is that men like Freddie and George Michael, took great pleasure in being openly gay, once they had come out and they were so candid and unapologetic about it!

[@shaunm9015]

@@kerrybogdanski1027 please don’t listen to facts from the movie.

[@MikeKilo1969]

Freddie Mercury was absolutely epic and the world is a smaller, colder place without him in it.

[@nadjasunflower1387]

reminds me of a joke I'd seen and subsequently stolen from someone's profile on some media somewhere... " Dear God, can you please give us Freddie Mercury back, we'll gladly trade Justin Beiber..." 😁

[@NetVoyer]

This is widely considered one of, if not the best rock set ever performed by anyone. Robert Plant said "They kicked everyone's ass."

[@Echowhiskeyone]

And in the opinion of many, this set will never be surpassed.

[@pameladoudrick4182]

The Show Must Go On....he was nearing his death, and his band was worried he wouldn't be able to do it, and Freddie nailed it! Another really good song is Who Wants To Live Forever...2 of his best on my opinion. ❤ RIP Freddie, we love you!!

[@iDuckman]

Just to add to the mythos, Freddie was a HUGE cat lady who truly loved his tiny beasts and left them well provided after he died.

[@amberinthemist7912]

Another reason to love him ❤️

[@dianacryer]

Delilah.🩷

[@elainevario1174]

❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@darlahays2471]

Delilah, Goliath, Tiffany, Minko, Tom and Jerry were some of the kitties named. He wrote a song for Delilah

[@sammic7492]

78,000 at Wembley. 1.9BILLION globally and 150 countries saw this epic performance, and Queen showed the rest of the acts and the world how it's done.

[@melissaford717]

Don't forget the 89,000 at JFK Stadium (RIP) in Philadelphia that were there as well. Plus, the thousands of us (hello) hanging out in the parking lots around JFK. You take care 🙂

[@marythacker4802]

Amen

[@SeanOHanlon]

I know what the official number of attendees at Wembley stadium was supposed to be but I swear it looked like well over 100,000 people.

[@Aokitadamitsu]

yup, in 20 minutes they OWENED live aid..

[@RoverWaters]

@@melissaford717 1.9 billion was the broadcast audience reach, not actual viewers

[@egk2584]

Crazy little thing called love was a homage to Elvis. Freddie was a fan and reportedly wrote it in 10 minutes in the bathtub. Lots of people swear Elvis sang it but it wasn't written until after his death.

[@sherrygarcia5708]

growing up I always thought it was an Elvis song

[@KKonYouTube]

I also always thought it was Elvis!

[@donnaleek4408]

It's queen crazy little thing called love.

[@jonellamoore960]

I’m a 63 year old grandma from the Midwest and I was privileged to see Queen in concert in 1983. Best concert of my life! No auto tune back then either! The music from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s was the greatest!

[@janet3470]

I saw them in 1980. They were tiny from where I was seated but they were awesome!!!

[@thehorrorfanx]

Freddie Mercury & Montserrat Caballé - “Barcelona” is epic. Shows yet ANOTHER side of Freddie.

[@spdensley1]

@BlackPegasusRaps NEEDS to react to this one, absoultly Brillant, and show cases all of Freddies abilites, Also one of his lasts songs which still haunts me to this day "i will always love you"

[@matthewdrake4385]

​@@spdensley1the last song he performed on camera was These are the Days of Our Life.

[@joany531]

​@@matthewdrake4385that one is heartbreaking 💔

[@susanengland3919]

Freddie had laryngitis the week before this concert. His doctor recommended that he cancel his appearance and rest his voice but Freddie ignored the advice and went on to make rock history. Freddie and Brian came back on to do the final song of the night, called "Is This the World We Created" which was a perfect fit for this concert.

[@susanengland3919]

Freddie wasn't just a singer, he was the ultimate performer. He felt he had an obligation to entertain his audience, and he certainly did so; he was willing to look silly in order to give them something they hadn't seen before. His decision to dress so casually for Live Aid was because he wanted the audience's attention to be on the music and not distracted by a costume.

[@cyl742]

One Queen song no one seems to react to is The Show Must Go On. It is so poignant and emotional and was written mostly by Brian May but is about Freddie's end of life. The diagnosis of AIDS had not yet been made public. It really is a brilliant song.

[@cjoyce_1240]

Best vocals ever!!

[@zd3365]

The last few videos Freddie made, and I think this song was one of them, breaks my heart every time. He was battling a horrific disease at a time when those diagnosed with AIDS were publicly scorned. He endured so much at the end, with incredible grace and honor. RIP such a gentleman.

[@williamabrams9882]

I'm 64. For the last 45 years, when Freddie sings, I listen.

[@IngridOberholzer]

I'm 71 from Africa I tear up I agree I also listen.

[@juliesteer9541]

I,m64 from Australia, an ditto

[@JoBarnes-x2n]

62 here same!

[@davidwren1879]

Freddie is one of the few entertainers that I stopped what I was doing and bawled my eyes out when I heard he had died.

[@starshinedragonsong3045]

65 here. When a couple of my kids in their teens, they came to me and asked if I'd ever heard of of Queen? I had to laugh. They'd just discovered Bohemian Rhapsody.

[@buggy7451]

And Freddie will live on forever as Brian may named a comet after him.

[@zd3365]

As if I couldn't applaud Dr. Brian May more...

[@bonya4585]

Freddie wrote “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” as a tribute to Elvis. Good pick up!

[@margaretsimmons1598]

Freddie Mercury is one of the few people who have been confirmed to have perfect pitch

[@warialdasue]

He could sing Opera !!

[@belvagurr403]

They are ALL Queen’s songs, most written by Freddie but all four of the band were inducted in the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

[@NorwayMan36]

I think that Queen is the only band ever where every band-member has written a song or two that has been on the top of the charts 🙂

[@manuellively6481]

Um the Beatles...

[@MikePhillips-pl6ov]

​@@manuellively6481Ringo never had a no.1

[@MikePhillips-pl6ov]

Bo Rap - Freddie Ga Ga - Roger Hammer - Brian Crazy - Freddie Rock - Brian Champions - Freddie So Freddie did have 3 to Brian's 2 but also 1 by Roger. So technically yes 'most' by Freddie but 3 out of 6, pretty well spread range of the band's songs I'd say

[@thegroovetube3247]

​@@MikePhillips-pl6ovNo, Brian and Roger wrote half of these songs.

[@-Buckarooz]

This was my first day working at Wembley stadium

[@elizabethmiles8953]

wow!!

[@KKonYouTube]

What a way to start a new job!!!

[@shelleythistleton4935]

Wow! Mind blowing! 😮😮😮

[@joyceharkin3641]

Great first day at work!

[@SuelEdits]

Tell us more!!!

[@seaturtle5584]

Freddie Mercury was THE stage performer! No one else in history has ever had a presence like him, regardless of any genre. And he didn't need any vocal enhancers! That was just all Freddie! RIP, to our legend 💖🎤🎶👑

[@kellycrook543]

Freddie Mercury is the best showman of all time !!!!!

[@jamieslack3147]

yes he was

[@jodawson5268]

Yes he was, but people forget that he was also a genius musician, as were the rest of the band.

[@jenniferneuensmorgan9272]

Quite simply the finest 22 minutes in rock history. And that’s that.

[@jamiem4941]

Freddie wrote Crazy Little Thing about three years after Elvis passed. I t was his homage to the King.

[@Mozza-g2m]

One of the greatest performances of all time, they certainly did steal the show that day. I've got the DVD here with a list of the equipment and food Bob and all the bands involved raised and it's staggering. They help more people than they could've possibly imagined. BTW I love the FUQ BOYZ, in the top left corner at the beginning 😂😂😂

[@patrickbolduc3486]

Each member of Queen wrote a #1 song!

[@c8Lorraine1]

John Deacon wrote Pressure

[@djhassoun]

Brian May, the guitarist, is a legit PhD Rocket Scientist. He recently worked with NASA on a project to land on a comet and collect a sample and return it to Earth.

[@aleksmoto72]

PhD in electrical engineering...he built that guitar...with the help of his dad...if I am not mistaken ❤❤❤

[@kerbyfab]

@@aleksmoto72That’s correct. He did in fact build that guitar with his dad.

[@c8Lorraine1]

John has degree in engineering, Freddie in visual arts, Brian PhD astrophysics, Roger in dentistry

[@juttapopp1869]

​@@aleksmoto72nope, astrophysics. Deaky is the electrical engineer.

[@Mark.Brindle]

@@kerbyfabYep. There is a beautiful book printed a few years ago named Red Special, which I purchased. It’s full of photos and the story of it being renovated.

[@susanengland3919]

It was Geldof who best summed up the mood of Live Aid 1985 and Queenʼs impact on it. “Queen were absolutely the best band of the day,” he remembered. “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. And he could ponce about on stage doing We Are The Champions. How perfect could it get?”

[@sandralybrand9425]

I wish he'd put that part in here, I love we are the Champions! It was a perfect ending, because so many celebrities were dealing and dying of aids, including Rock Hudson and Liberace!

[@elizabethb3769]

I just can't with this live quality. Stunning and proud to have been around during this time in music.

[@justm9892]

I watched a video today of the King's Guards at Buckingham Palace playing Don't Stop Me Now to commemorate Freddies birthday.Thats how much Freddie was loved Apparently our late Queen liked Queen.i think it was a beautiful thing for them to do on the grounds of the palace ❤

[@betseyclark2832]

In 2002 Brian May played "God Save the Queen" on his Red Special on the roof of Buckingham Palace for the Queen's Golden Jubilee. Recently Queen +AL headlined at the celebration of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. The Queen tapped out the "We Will Rock You" beat on a teacup.

[@justm9892]

@@betseyclark2832 I remember that

[@tony152]

Queen - Somebody To Love - HD Live - 1981 Montreal Is fantastic, love you to review that.

[@hurricane7479]

YES! I was hoping someone would recommend this masterpiece as well! I Second the motion! 🙂👍 ✌️😎

[@Papageorgeo]

This is a necessary reaction at this point. Absolutely incredible performance

[@sherrianderson1393]

Absolutely that one! My heart rate races in this performance and I'm pretty sure I held my breath in awe and excitement!

[@joylene65]

I love watching you Americans reacting to British bands and seeing things for the first time. It's like watching your kids open their Christmas presents. Freddie was an actual genius who left us far too soon.

[@andreaislandgirl720]

I wasn't lucky enough to be there, but I remember being glued to my television ALL DAY watching these amazing performers. I was 13 then, and this was the only time my parents were okay with me spending that much time in front of the television. I think they knew how special it was too.

[@silvertongue3003]

I think you need to have a Queen marathon weekend because there’s so much you’re missing out on, seriously!!

[@Neutronia1]

I WAS THERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Freddie ROCKED. U2 were a close 2nd to Queen, great performance. He sang with a bad case of laryngitis.

[@fayelin8896]

There was ONLY ONE FREDDIE! Hard to believe he had the 'flu and was advised by his doctor not to perform! Rest in Peace Freddie, you were soo loved! from Oz

[@jeanninelockridge5235]

I saw this concert live on tv. The most amazing thing I've ever seen. Queen was like no other

[@tyghe_bright]

Freddie was a rock GOD. Who else could absorb the energy of a crowd like that and reflect it back to them--and to millions around the world? And the whole band was so massively talented.

[@dawnyoung8]

How lucky were we to live with Elvis AND FREDDY !?! Thank you Lord 🙏

[@dmaynardabu]

Amen!!!!!!!

[@brigidsingleton1596]

*Freddie.

[@hopegilbert8721]

He once was asked how it felt to be the best rock singer in the world. He said “i don’t know you will have to ask Steve Perry”

[@jeffreyes6236]

Both were fantastic singers!

[@ThepplforHarris47]

Queen is one of the most iconic bands of all time. Ya know when you sometimes get that rando question of who you would want to meet dead or alive... for me it's hands down Freddie.

[@ceegee1959]

40 years later and I still get goosebumps! You could do an amazing deep dive of their discography! So many GREAT songs….

[@emilyc8074]

Queen had been globally unpopular in the run up to this performance because of playing South Africa during apartheid in 1984, breaking the United Nations cultural boycott. They hesitated on accepting Geldof's invite to perform, knowing they might be badly received (and they also disliked performing daytime gigs).However this performance at Live Aid changed both public opinion of them and changed the concert itself by injecting much needed energy into the day and they literally stole the show. Absolute class.

[@shaunm9015]

And they played South Africa because they didnt give a shit about politics, they wanted to bring their music to the people.

[@emilyc8074]

@@shaunm9015 True, although Taylor later said looking back it was probably a mistake. Different times.

[@UCkI6pPBQ1IaNlicrwsnR5_w]

A total masterclass in putting together a super tight set, with cut down songs, that hit all the spots and delivered their full concert experience in 20 mins. RIP Freddy. We miss you.

[@c8Lorraine1]

Watch the red light on stage come on at EXACTLY the same moment Freddie bought his arm down to end the last song. Class

[@DJSpike-ft9yw]

Crazy Little Thing Called Love is basically Queen’s tribute to the King when Elvis passed away.

[@jeanniedebartolo5965]

I’ve watched this Queen video at Live Aid at least 1000 times and it gives me chills every time ❤

[@deborahallen3318]

And I still can't take my 👀 off of Freddie, he's a human magnet if there ever was one. 👑🌈🕊

[@Kikatebnpagan]

Freddie loved performing for his fans. Huge thrill for him but more for his fans.

[@shawnfawcett2678]

You’ll be blown away by George Michael’s performance of “Sombody to Love” at the Freddie Mercury tribute concert. Pure 🔥🔥🔥

[@fayesouthall6604]

That’s incredible 😊

[@leonsimpson2230]

So true. I was fortunate enough to be at that concert

[@madmelwood3778]

Ooh yess.. pure class

[@meriannestoneback7436]

The only man who could give Freddie's genius justice. Love that performance, too. (And George and Elton Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me is also phenomenal).

[@shelleythistleton4935]

Yes, in my opinion he was one of the only ones that came anywhere near showcasing Freddie’s brilliance!,

[@glenncenter6579]

As a 62 year old, this was right in my wheelhouse! It gives me the greatest pleasure to see younger generations discovering this music, and as a friend of mine says, "keeping great music alive"!

[@myogart]

Radio Gaga, that was 72,000 fans mimicking the video in perfect unison.THAT is crowd control. Beautiful.

[@bobboy5508]

Freddy was born a star. There’s no way around that. But fate happened and he met Brian May. Arguably one of the best guitarists of all time. Can’t imagine life without them.

[@msharno1]

Mercury's range of styles is absolutely amazing. He's THE MOST TALENTED musician of at least the 20th Century!!!!!

[@lastpenny849]

Yeah, nah. Great singer and performer though. One of the best.

[@maighstirtarot5385]

What blows me away (other than Queen absolutely owning all they did) is that Brian May - lead guitarist (with the hair) is also a Doctorate in Astrophysics, science team collaborator with NASA on the Pluto mission and was Chancellor of John Moores University ... he's also "Sir" Brian May, knighted by King Charles ... and had a stroke days ago ... xx

[@Jacqueline_Thijsen]

An interviewer once asked Freddie what his favorite instrument was. His answer: "The audience, darling." The second he got on a stage, he was interested only in the audience and connected with them. Queen and their audiences performed those concerts together. Songs like we will rock you, we are the champions were written and performed in a manner that made the audience an integral part of the performance. That's the difference between using tried and true methods to get the audience engaged and organically getting the audience invested in making it an awesome concert. Note that Freddie had a delighted look that told the audience they were doing a great job on his face. Roger Taylor wrote Radio Gaga after hearing his very young son saying that when learning to talk. The music video is awesome and the reason for the overhead synchronised handclapping. The band rehearsed extensively for this performance to remain exactly within their allotted time. The eio part Freddie did was both to fill a bit of time to reach that exact amount of time and to give the rest of the band and everyone else working on this time to get ready for the next part. Hardly anyone noticed he had some trouble with the highest notes because roger taylor supported him by singing along in his high falsetto. And Freddie was still amazing. Nice technical detail: the sound system and the technician operating it worked for Queen. So in addition to all their prep and talent, they also got the benefit of having a sound engineer that "forgot" about the limits that were officially imposed on every band that performed there 😂

[@veronicaanne1359]

❤❤❤

[@terrybohling6194]

I still shed a tear seeing this performance. There is such a hole in the world that Freddie should be filling.

[@stevea.1929]

Pure "beyond words" talent. Freddie, Brian, Roger, John. Queen.

[@jamescox2822]

I was in the navy In the sea of japan and this was broadcast on the mess decks for the entire day The entire ship kept coming by and watchit was broadcastin over a hundred and fifty countries live

[@webcrawler2007]

No one controlled an audience like Freddie, and to this day no one has. Theyve had bigger live audiences - maybe - but no one controlled every ear like Freddie that night. He was a living God. And he is missed as such.

[@romario2166]

Greatest band of all time! I don't care what anyone else says. Queen are absolute legends! Great reaction mate.

[@1776SOL]

Could there be any doubt that Freddie Mercury is the GREATEST SHOWMAN?!?!

[@msadrienafokoevents7122]

Memories. It’s a full day event . Fabulous sessions from all the artists. And the sun shone at Wembley Stadium p. I had a dvd of the full concert but it got damaged by hurricane season.

[@AngelDawn1982]

If u want another banger live from queen….check out “somebody to love” live in Montreal ‘81

[@ajstrauss55]

Theres never been a human like freddie. Never will be again. He overshadows incredible musicians. Queen is incredible.

[@dawnyoung8]

He’s Elvis adjacent ! It’s insane ! Not the same but the same still ! Pure love

[@Turk2112]

Mike in one hand and 70,000 fans in the other. That's not even a Queen audience. The best front man in music at the top of his game.

[@AndrewTryon]

The song is called Radio Ga Ga, He was talking about the influence and place in our lives. From Orsen Wells original radio broadcast of War of the Worlds to Winston Churchills "Their finest hour" speech in WWII...and as a teenager i can remember laying awake at night watching the lighted display and listening to the music...

[@bjw0515]

Thanks for doing this on Freddie's birthday weekend! Much appreciated, as always. Freddie wrote Crazy Little Thing Called Love as a tribute to Elvis!

[@c8Lorraine1]

Yes, the year after Elvis died

[@texaszed9834]

Radio Ga Ga was written by Roger Taylor (Drummer) when he heard his child mutter "radio ga ga goo goo"

[@reneebush2399]

I always heard he had said “radio ca ca” as in shit (he used ca ca because his son is half French).

[@texaszed9834]

@@reneebush2399 you're probably right

[@dominicschiro9939]

@@reneebush2399you’re right on the head. I watched a documentary where he said it. Also said there’s some ca ca’s in the chorus

[@KevL_262]

Times when concert and music magazines were the only way to stay in touch with your idols/heros/stars..... So sad not to have that kind of flashing experience on a concert today, no cellphone just people with pure excitement This was epic

[@drbrog190]

Thing is that will blow your mind: he went live singing when his voice was not even at full strength. He was injured and still had that much power in his vocals. ❤