That's Peter Hince, AKA "Ratty" that handles Freddie's mic. He wrote a great book about being Freddie's personal roadie for about 11 years: Queen Unseen. He eventually left to become a successful photographer. Can't wait for the next installment of this reaction! Freddie's 'offstage' drinks would more likely be Crystal Champagne or vodka.

I think you are spot-on when you say that "Somebody to Love" is the quintessential Queen song. I saw Freddie being interviewed where he said that he thought his writing on this song was much better than even his writing on "Bohemian Rhapsody." (If I find that interview, I'll send you the link but I can't seem to locate it right now.) And I love this performance of the song - maybe the best of any version - and that's saying something because I was at the Montreal, 1981 concert and the band's performance of this song was jaw dropping. It doesn't really matter - both concerts are amazing and Freddie's voice is totally incredible at both of them. Thanks for another great reaction. (Looks and sounds like you are feeling better Rory! Yay!!)

Freddie was indeed a beer drinker. I've seen interviews with him drinking beers, and more power to him!!

👨‍⚕️ he mostly drinks tea with lemon on stage. But off stage vodka and champagne are his favorites.

BANG ! POW !! Somebody To Love My favorite Queen song ( and Freddie’s favorite ) and Milton Keynes is the best version of it ✌🏼 Montreal is great but Milton Keynes can’t be topped. Love the whole concert Freddie was such an athlete and he shows it when he dodges stuff people are throwing on the stage and sometimes picks it up while he’s singing and throws it back … and if he gets a hat puts it on before throwing it back 😂 And yes Freddie drank vodka but on stage he was mostly drinking honey in water for his throat. Can’t wait for the next part 🥰

Queen has been called the best rock band ever, most versatile and raw talented!! I do not lie!!

Freddie played the piano less and less thru the years because he wanted to be free to move around the stage.

I love this concert. Great reaction

Definitely my favourite performance of STL!

Interesting to see John playing guitar (a telecaster), rather than bass, on Staying Power. The bass being played on a synthesizer offstage. Some of those Hot Space tracks do a sound alot better (heavier/rockier) live than in the studio.

Love your comment He can sell any song I remeber you reacting saying oh I dont like this song ..then enjoyed every moment of it!

Somebody to love was Freddie’s favorite.

My favorite live performance of SOMEBODY TO LOVE ❤️ OMG!! And it’s also my favorite PLAY THE GAME performance! Fire 🔥 Freddie didn’t drink much beer on stage .. too much burping! 🤣

Such a funky concert. Love and miss the magical four that made Queen. ❤ thanks.

Masterclass in musicianship, showmanship, theatrical production & powerful prowess with no punches held, right between our eyes, awesome stuff ❤

You stopped half way through now I'm here !!

Their compatibility is so fabulous I can’t hold back the tears. Betcha Ratty was where he knew he must be…but Freddie was so involved Ratty just stayed ready to catch up with Freddie. Magnificent.

The Hot Space album had a dance/funk vibe to it and at the time there was a huge divide (especially in North America) between the Rock and Disco camps. There was a big "Disco Sucks" portion of the rock audience that wouldn't put up with disco music. That's what Freddie was alluding to in his "it's just a bloody record" speech. There was also a divide in the band where Roger and Brian didn't want to do the dance music and Freddie and John won out. The next album The Works they went back to more of what they thought their fans would prefer. They made the songs from Hot Space a lot more rock 'n' roll live than they were on the album. Now I'm Here never left the playlist. It's such a great live song. I'm partial to Somebody to Love from Montreal for Roger's backing vocals.

I love this live of Somebody To Love but I also love the live at Montreal performance of this song. Now I'm Here is one of my very favorite Queen songs, Brian really wrote a great song in this one.

Yeah I agree this is a fire performance an yes Ratty was Freddie's handler for his equipment an beer ,water an honey & lemon. Freddie didn't care to drink during concert or be high ! But Deaky did he had his own little booze bar lol love John so much an his bass playing ! But I love this concert 💯❣️💘💕💖❤️💟💗💞🌹🌹🌹🌹🌈☮️

Some people do prefer this version of Somebody To Love but I think I prefer the 1981 Montreal version of this because they each had their own counter-melody going at the the end that was perfectly balanced and unique. Roger started to do that here but then he stopped singing it when Freddie went off in a different direction. Brian came in with his contribution but it didn't have the impact that it did when the three of them were all playing off each other at the same time. You are absolutely right about Freddie being able to "sell" a song. Another reactor asked if they ever had a bad gig and I don't think they did for the simple reason that regardless of any mistakes or technical glitches, the band gave the audience everything they had in the moment and the audience was able to feel it. What more can you ask for? If you watch Roger or Freddie for a couple of minutes at the beginning of the show, you think, my God, there's no way they are going to be able to continue at this pace for two hours...but they do! The Energizer Bunny has nothing on them. Their energy alone is incredible, never mind the fantastic singing, playing, lights, humor, etc. They had it all.

Roger hated Hot space and the shift to synths and the time I wasn't a fan of hot space but looking back now I actually like the move

I agree Rory, I prefer this version of Somebody to love over the Montreal version. They’re both great but this one is my favorite

THIS version of Somebody To Love is my forever favorite 🔥 So I come back to it periodically to watch “ men at work “ 😂 They’re all great but Freddie is perfection . It was Freddie’s favorite song and his mother Jer’s and many Queenies and mine… so I’m back💛

Dear Freddie’s libations of choice were…Twinnings Earl Grey Tea, Lager , Stolichnaya Vodka & Tonic...and of course lashings of Louis Roederer ‘Cristal’ Champagne Darling.

Freddie thought he wrote somebody to love better than Bo Rap

Oh I’m glad you’re better! Live this STL. They were always well rehearsed, yet spontaneous at the same time. He definitely sipped beer.

there were cups of beer up there but what he was sipping was lemon and honey tea to sooth his throat. He had that on his piano all the time.

I love this concert. Thank you for your insight and comments. Roger and Brian didn't like the "disco dance" vibe of the new tracks that John and Freddie liked.

Fuck, Yeah !!

Power is from Hot Space. It didn’t do well. It was more dance music. Looking back it was a good album.

🔥🔥🔥🔥

HOT SPACE ALBUM ALONG WITH BACK CHAT ON THAT ALBUM I THINK ?!

Love this song, somebody to love 😊🎉

Staying Power and Action This Day are from Hot Spaces. Also, I'd like to point out they have an off stage synth player by this time.

I haven’t seen you in a bit, glad to see you today.

Wow somebody to love Freddie’s intro to it BEAUTIFUL and I thought the live version in Montreal was my favorite now I’m not so sure!

Vodka lager champagne..water to throw at the crowd

It’s 11:30 You get my heart pumping and I can’t fall asleep. Great concert.

Freddy also enjoyed his champagne. Please react to I Guess We're Falling Out (demo) lovely lovely Freddie!!!!

Freddie and Ratty had perfect timing. This whole concert is absolute fire! The only critical thing, I wish Rogers mike was higher than it is.

His drink was Stoli vodka and tonic and for Champagne , Cristal, Moët &Chandon

Yes Ratty’s the mic man🤩

I don't think they were that rehersed or choreographed. Brian's solos at the end of the most tracks here are mostly improvisations, and it doesn't look that they knew beforehand when to end a song. Also, Roger once said that after 1976 they almost didn't rehersed for the tours. Anyways, great reacton and great observations, as usual ! Cheers !

Quintessential, prototypical...I think Somebody to Love was either Freddie's favorite or he thought it was the best one he wrote. Someone out there will give the information. I think Freddie's voice is in such excellent form here, his incredible runs, and he's playing with them ("free i tell you!").

If I'm not mistaken Elvis Presley made the same 3 cords opening joke at once,.his fans would know😂❤❤❤ Freddie's home Accolade to Elvis

Freddie doesn’t drink beer, he drinks tea and Honey, the beer is for the rest of the band. People say doesn’t drink beer during a performance because he might burp. Lol

Watch the film Highlander the music throughout is Queen then listen to the album a kind of magic also queen live at Wembley '86.

Queen essential

I'm honestly starting to think that the best version of Somebody to love is the last version you saw because I think they're all super exciting in their own right. Maybe each version blows your mind so much that you forget a fragment of the one before. Anyway, the studio version is amazing. (the live ones are also amazing as I said) You can't change my mind on that x)

A real melting pot era of music. They’ve been through punk, disco, start of electronic…..I think another thing you’ll notice is - no wires. Obviously they embraced wireless mics and guitars

Flash album is mainly instrumental I think theres two lyrical songs Flash I don't know the other one

I think you should listen to George Michael version of "somebody to love". It's a very good one. 🎶🎶🎶

Inspired by Aretha Franklin ❤