Yes, Freddie played the piano. Yes, Freddie played the guitar. Yes, Freddie had one of the most powerful, recognizable voices ever. But his most masterful instrument played was the audience.

One of the reasons this concert ( and every other concert back then) has such a great vibe, no phones! Nobody seems to notice that but people were one with the band.

i loved when Freddie was asked his favorite instrument and he said 'why, the audience, darling". he always held the crowd in his hand.

I honestly think it's the greatest live performance in rock history. I still get chills no matter how many times I see it.

I'm 64 and this still gives me joy and chills...

I love it when Roger yells out Ready Freddy . So iconic. Queen is Forever the Greatest Rock and Roll Band of all time . 🎶❤️

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.”

Travis - you mentioned "Can you imagine having to follow them?" Well, David Bowie was the next performer, and that is pretty much exactly what he said - something like "How in the hell am I supposed to follow that?" This was the most iconic live performance in history!

To date, Freddie Mercury is the ultimate showman. No one else has ever approached his stage presence.

The real genius of this performance is they gave the full impact of a Queen concert, just in 20 minutes. You get the epic beginning, the fun middle, and the big finish.

interviewer: "what's your favourite instrument to play?" freddie: "the audience, darling."

Freddie was once asked what was his favourite instrument, he said darling the audience.

Freddie had a four octave vocal range. If his performances do not give you goosebumps, nothing ever will! ❤

I was 12 years old in Stockholm Sweden and swedish TV brodcasted LIVE. A friend to the family, Peter, an artist with red hair that was from England came over to watch it on our TV (in colour and bigger than his small black&white TV). He put the TV on the loudest it's ever been. I was concerned that it might break the loudspeakers, then he said: "This is rock - it's supposed to be loud!" The TV survived... And so did we. One unique rock experience richer. Thanks Peter, RIP.

It was the greatest concert performance ever. Freddie Mercury stole the show. He is the best front man of all time. Noone comes close to him. His versatility was unbelievable. Freddie Mercury. Genius. Legend. Forever.

The encore later that evening was just Freddie and Brian: Is This The World We Created. Beautifully done

The shortest 20 minutes in the history that rocked the world.

THE BEST 21 MINUTES OF LIVE MUSIC EVER!!!

Freddie was performing against doctor's orders as he still had a throat infection at the time of this show. If you watch closely, you'll see that every pair of eyes at that show, including the security guys, were all on Freddy. How many performers of any era can hold an entire crowd of 70k+ in the palm of his hand for an entire concert let alone a 20 minute set like this? You are absolutely correct in that Freddy was truly a once in a generation talent and thank God we can still enjoy him to this day even though he is no longer physically among us. God Bless Freddy Mercury.

The pressure, stamina for that Queen set boggles the mind! Freddie reportedly said "thank God that's over." It was joyous AND breathtaking - the stuff of legends.

As well as being the greatest showman on earth, he was one of the greatest souls ever lived.

He was a beautiful person with such a talent- one-in-a-billion.

I actually attended Live Aid in 1985 absolutely legendary performance from the band , Queen stole the show from all the best performers of the day, Freddie was advised by his Doctors not to perform as he had a throat infection, Freddie turned around and took a large vodka and went on stage and the rest is History, absolutely amazing! Thanks 🙏

I remember being glued to my TV set that day. The way Freddie ran out on stage and punched the air was taken by many of us as "Queen is here now and this is going to be FUN!" It was no surprise that the audience was singing along from the first note of BoRap. His energy was always aimed at the audience, not inward. What a legend.

Freddie was a born performer and destiny gave him the other band members. Most recognized singing voice in the world still.

I think he is the only one who immediately connected with the audience as he hit the stage. It seemed like seconds that the band was ready to go. They were so in tune with each other and on point. Freddie never stopped connecting with the audience. I think Queen is the only performance that had literally every member of that 72,000 crowd clapping and singing along. No one was bored during that performance. If anyone was tired, they got their energy back. I never get sick of this.

This was not a Queen concert but you’d easily think it was, the crowd loved them, but what’s not to love

The most electrifying rock concert ever in the history of music!!! Queen stole the show!

Queen absolute legends

Not bad for someone who was diagnosed with laryngitis the week before this concert. Freddie's doctor recommended that he cancel his appearance but he ignored the advice and went on to make rock history.

Rock history at its finest. Freddie was at Ultra-Insane level that day.

I believe I read that Queen were the only band to rehearse for this. Every artist/band had a certain amount of time to perform what ever they wanted to. Please note that Queen were so well rehearsed that they finished EXACTLY on time for their set - as evidenced by the lights (on the floor facing towards the artist) showing the timing countdown (orange to red lights) from 22:34 - 22:44 They finish EXACTLY on the red light! Now that is professionalism!!!

Freddie’s energy is unreal 👍🏻

And can u believe he had a 102 fever? Beautiful voice and human being.

David Bowie came after, and he said "You bastards, how I'm gonna follow that!? They crushed it!

Greatest 20 minutes in rock and roll history. Greatest front man of all time. RIP Freddie Mercury. They also raised the most money during Queen's performance.

I remember watching this live. It was absolutely epic, I remember their performance above everyone else that day. It made me a massive fan of them all over again. 37 years later and I still love this!

This can be the best performance of any band of all times ( the live at wembley is amazing too) .

I was fortunate to be there on that hot day and to this day no one tops that performance. It doesn’t get any better !

Freddie mercury was and will be a legend and the greatest show man

In my opinion, Freddie Mercury is the greatest singer of all time. My number 1. He used his voice for what it's worth and what a great, fantastic entertainer!! Queen was on top ❤️❤️❤️ And no one can replace him. Ever! R.I.P. 💔

This performance is also known as "20 minutes that changed the world!". *kind_of_true As far as I know, it was also voted as best live act in the last century! I can live with that! ;-)

Whenever I rewatch Queens live aid.. I finish the video and it feels like I just watched a full 2-3 hour concert. Queen so expertly packed the playlist including a bit of every style with some playful crowd interaction while transitioning its just utterly amazing.

I always thought how generous it was that Queen gave so many other artists a chance to support them at this Queen gig! 🤣 Seriously, though, they totally stole the show but I don't think a single person begrudged them the crown that day. It was such an amazing day, and this was the absolute highlight. No one like Freddie 💖

OMGosh, that's how you hold 72,000 people in your hand. EPIC!!!!!! I don't think anyone of us, living during that time, will ever see a better showman.

Yes, everyone backstage had stopped in their tracks and said "They are stealing the show"!!!! And they did!!! This was voted he greatest performance ever! Freddie Mercury is the greatest male singer ever and the greatest front man ever!!!

Freddie was sooooo beautiful.

Congratulations. You’ve just reacted to the best and most important twenty minutes of rock music ever. Doesn’t get any better than this.

There were 72,000 people watching that concert. Epic performance of all time. What a showman. Great reaction!

And that was the crowd you could see- that didn't include the millions watching on TV!! What an amazing performance that benefited so many!

Undoubtedly the best 21 minutes in rock music history.

I’ve watched live aid without exaggeration… Thousands of times and I still get chills every single time. Such an incredible performance. Sheer perfection! I discovered Queen after I saw the movie Bohemian Rhapsody in 2018 and I have watched live aid several times a day every single day since then. I cannot get enough 😊 thank you for your review- I really enjoyed it! Go watch their Wembley 86 concert. It is 🔥

Simply AMAZING!!! The world lost an INCREDIBLE performer when he passed!

I watched this live and clapped and sang along with everybody else (who was watching) . I never get tired of revisiting this performance. As much as I love David Bowie and Elton John, this was the peak. Truly iconic

This, for me, is definitely the best performance by Queen. It's been awhile since I've seen the full Live Aid performance. And this was a great reaction for it. For one of your movie reactions, I highly recommend the movie "Bohemian Rhapsody". It's about Freddie Mercury and Queen. 😊

The thing we must all remember is that this was NOT a "Queen" audience but Freddie Mercury was still able to have them eating out the palm of his hand. Look at everyone clapping along to Radio Gaga with their hands above their heads. 72,000 crowd inside Wembley then of course you have another 90,000 watching via a video screen in another stadium in Philadelphia PA, not to mention the 1.8 billion people at home watching it on their TV so the numbers are just absolutely staggering. But yet Freddie Mercury is able to hold everyone's attention and get them to sing-along with him and clap their hands in time. Probably one the most charismatic entertainers and performers of all time. RIP Freddie Mercury.

Freddie Mercury: The frontman's frontman. No one better!

One of the great moments in rock history. I loved it at the time and still do so. I was at the same stadium a year later (1986) for a Queen gig, part of their last tour, one of the best nights ever.

Ahhh , History is a series of moments in time that change everything. Live Aid 1985 was such a thing. However this right here is THE Moment IN the History of moments That's Queen.

I love The live version of, “Hammer To Fall”,

He held a mic in one hand and 80 thousand fans in the other.

I watched Live Aid on tv, was amazing!!

And they finished their set exactly at the red light. Queen was meticulous about this one! And Freddie is without a doubt connected to the crowd, they live for this and I still enjoy seeing this 37 plus years later… I was 15 seeing it live in 85 and remember the feeling that day.

I don't think anyone has ever commanded a crowd quite like Freddie Mercury 🥰

Knowing that I’ll never see this incredible group and in particular the legend that is Freddie Mercury live on stage is something that I have to live with but will never truly come to terms with , I envy all those that were lucky enough to actually experience what must have been the memory of a lifetime , great reaction 👍

I remember it so well , he was and still is the best EVER

Imagine this was Freddie starting to decline in health. And still he manages the greatest performance ever. Truly a gift we didn't deserve and yet taken too soon.

Crazy thing is, the crowd I believe did not even know Queen was going to be there that day, they were a last minute, so all those people didn't even originally come to see Queen play, they were fans of the other bands ( who were top billed bands, however those bands except the ones that were close to Queen, thought "eh, they were a 70's has been band just filling the bill") They never imagined their fans were going to go that nuts when Queen hit the stage. The fundraiser was not bringing in the money they thought it would until they hit the stage, in their 20 minutes they raised 1.2 million dollars (or something in that ball park) Historians have said that there have only been 2 people with such charisma that they could have a crowd of people that size under their control, the 1st being the evil one "Hitler" the 2nd "Freddie" and thank GOD he had a beautiful heart and soul, because if he didn't, he could have done some serious damage to this world. But instead, he healed it, with his beauty, grace, and just overall genuine love for his fans, all the members of Queen were and are still very humble and their fans came 1st and foremost and would give them nothing less than all their love and perfection in their performances. You have kids and young adults today missing and craving more of Freddie, and they hadn't even been born yet before he died. There was just a divine aura about him that will live on forever and he is timeless.

Have you seen his concert in Rio? A quarter of a million people.. yes.. 250,000 people all singing his song back to him and English wasn't even their first language. To watch that sea of people as far as your eyes can see all there loving him and he gave them the love right back. He was amazing as always.

I absolutely love watching people react to this for the first time!! 😊

the most legendary 22 mins of modern music history freddie had been told by his doctor not to perform due to a throat infection but freddie ignored him thus this legendary display happened......remember also that this was not a "Queen" concert this was a multi singer/band concert for live aid yet you can hear right from the first note's the entire 80,000 people in wembly stadium singing word for word....

My time machine is almost ready for 1985, who’s coming???

When Freddie was asked, “what instrument do you like to play best?” He replied, “The audience “.

I watch everyday and it still brings tears to my eyes, Freddie playing the crowd and everyone giving love back.

I was fortunate enough to see Queen a few years before Live Aid. There is no doubt Freddie was charismatic and probably rightly regarded as the best front man ever. RIP Freddie. The rest of the band were good too!

Simply amazing. Can only imagine the feeling to be there in person that day. Great reaction 😊

I remember watching this with my family in the game room my parents said what historical moment this is. I didn't understand then but now I see. I remember knowing it was crazy to see live tv from Europe as if it was magic

I mean, there's a reason this is considered the best rock performance of all time by many. And considering Freddie's doctors told him not to do it because he had a bad throat infection... and that's how he sang? Kinda hard to argue, isn't it?

I just watched Bohemian Rhapsody, it’s so good! That air kiss was to his mom.

I watched Live Aid on TV live in 1985 & every time I see the video clip of their epic perfomance, to this day, 38 years later, I get the very same chills, goosebumps, smiles -- and tears -- I got that afternoon watching Queen blow the lid off of Live Aid. THE greatest performance of all time, hands down, bar none.

The best showman and band ever through many lifetimes ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Just how many times you said "Wow!" is testament to the greatness you all have just witnessed! Nothing can compare

Freddie was givin gifts from the universe above! We only had him for a moment but look at his legacy! People like you who is just now discovering the magic of queen

Agree with your GREATEST SHOWMAN remark wholeheartedly ❤️❤️❤️

Freddie described it as feeling like gargling with broken glass because of his throat infection, still sounded amazing though.

Just imagine if Elvis Presley, Freddie Mercury, and Michael Jackson all performed on stage together. The amount of power of all of their voices combined would be insane!

Heard an interview the other day with Brian May, where he told about how Queen weren't even on the billing that day. So that makes the reaction from the crowd even More astonishing!

It's nice to see a younger generation enjoying the music of my youth 👍

HI TRAVIS, You’re AWESOME… THANK YOU for reacting to this! Yeah.... Freddie said after this set was done, that he felt like he'd "been gargling with shards of glass" (his words) because of that throat infection! FYI… There is ALSO a QUEEN ENCORE at Live Aid (most people don't know about/overlook it): “IS THIS THE WORLD WE CREATED?” Brian May & Freddie were asked to perform it later in the evening as part of Live Aid’s closing numbers. (You can find the video for it on the official Live Aid YT channel.... HINT!)

There were 100,000 people in the audience alone that day. Add the stage crew and the tv crew and WOW!

Travis, I always love your reactions, but this was was special. You were so into it and your enthusiasm made it even more exciting for us. Loved the look on your face. 🥰🥰

THE best 21 minutes of live music EVER!!!!

I love Queen. Freddie Mercury was an amazing performer. After I watched the movie I looked up this performance and it us so hype. My 14 yr old daughter loves Queen too I ended up buying her a 2 disc Queen's best songs album...haha but she loves it.

I watched it a zillion times - they were not suppose to be the best there and it was totally unexpected that they killed it - Oh Freddie - miss you but liked Roger and Brian a lot. John a little shy. Great performance!

AAAAAAH!!! THIS IS A GOOOOD ONE TRAV!!! This man is rock royalty. And is probably in my top five favorite live performances. I will NEVER forget watching this live on MTV. Goosebumps.

A piece of rock immortality right there. Freddie was like no other. For me, the most important thing about seeing someone live is that they are really *there in the moment*, Freddie never coasted, he worked from start to finish, he knew how to hold the crowd by the b*lls. Everyone will have different suggestions of other performers, for me - I just saw them three weeks ago, so I'm maybe still under the spell, Rammstein are just like no other before, the lead singer Till Lindemann is the same - he works every moment he's in the lights (if it's another band member's moment, he is in the dark, usually pouring a bottle of water over his head LOL). Till acts the songs - a bit like performing Sondheim. Alice Cooper is so chill, but never lets it slip, Beyonce maybe. When I go to see someone live, I want a SHOW. Freddie - I just am thankful we have him on video to watch and never forget.

The greatest showman..and live vocalist...EVER.........

I remember watching this in my living room when I was 10. It's the first time I ever heard Queen sing anything...and it's the moment they became my favorite band of all time. Seeing the way he had the crowd completely enthralled was just mind blowing!

Can't believe I've watched this damn thing for almost 40 years now and I still get chills.

Did you hear the whole audience start singing on the first note? They kept it up for the entire set. It's like the whole audience bonded themselves to Freddie and the band.