This is how Freddie sounded with a bad sore throat. Absolutely amazing. This performance is a classic. Freddie is still missed so much.

Freddie was once asked what his favourite instrument to play was - his answer ‘the audience’!!

I was in that crowd about five rows from the stage and I have been to Wembley and Knebworth. I don't know if anymore of Queen 'oldie' fans are reading this but whenever I was at those concerts and you are surrounded by thousands of people for me it always felt like Freddie was singing just to me. He was truly unique as were all the other members of the band.

The crowd was not just a Queen crowd but despite that they had everyone absolutely loving them. He held the entire audience in the palm of his hand and Queen really did rule the world that day.

* Freddie was regarded as the #1 frontman and the #1 male vocalist of all time. * Queen were recently voted a the #1 live band of all time. * He didn't contract Aids until 1987. * He wrote "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" in a hotel bathtub as a tribute to Elvis and he did it in 10 minutes. * Queen @ Live Aid is regarded as one of the best rock performances of all time. 👑

In an interview with Brian May, Brian stated that Freddie had such a bad throat infection that his doctor instructed Freddie to cancel their appearance but they honored their commitment.

I love how clear and concise his words are. So easy to understand every bit of each song.

Someone said "For 21 minutes in 1985 England was ruled by another Queen." Absolutely! One interesting thing, this was not a Queen crowd, Queen was not on the list of performers when these people bought their tickets, and still, Freddie had that much crowd control. David Bowie was the act scheduled to come on after Queen, and who would want to follow this performance? As Queen passed Bowie backstage as Bowie was coming on, he turned to Queen and said "You Bastards!" All in good fun, Bowie and Queen were very good friends for years, but Bowie knew he was going to have to bring his A Game, which he did, and always did. Only Bowie could have followed this act and kept the momentum going. What a great performance and all that packed into 21 minutes!

I forgot something. FREDDIE and BRIAN did another song later in the concert called IS THIS THE WORLD WE CREATED. BRIAN was named the GREATEST GUITARIST OF ALL TIME over the summer this year beating out the likes of JIMI HENDRICKS. BRIAN MAY the G O A T.

Just sits down at the piano starts playing his masterpiece what a man.

I love Freddie, his voice, his charisma, his energy, his love for music, and this audience. And yes, he was a very handsome man.

THE BEST 21 MINUTES OF LIVE MUSIC EVER! ❤

Interesting note, Brian played 3 different guitars in 3 minutes during Crazy Little Thing Called Love...

Considered by most as the greatest live performance ever!

Freddie wrote crazy little things in tribute to Elvis Presley!

It's hard to believe that there are certain people out there who think that Queen are overrated. I have had several arguments on social media about that very subject and all I can say is if you think that that you have no soul.

While he did a some beer in a couple of his cups, the majority if it was not alcohol but tea with honey for his throat. When Freddie was interacting and playing to the camera, it was to all of the millions in the world watching from their homes or other joint venues, he wanted to make sure we knew we were with them there and we felt that. I was on the other end of that camera signal that day here in the states in Ohio. I had just turned 16 years old. Of course, I wanted to see Queen, but all of my faves were performing that day that I could not wait to see. Many fans in the crowd held signs saying things like "hello world" because it was live world wide. These were the good old days of general admission and no cell phones, today people miss half of what they watch or go to see because they spend most of the time looking down. which, to me, is quite rude. Freddie was able to be so much more awesome with the audience because they were looking right back at him and paying attention. Maybe I am old fashioned when it comes to my love of going to concerts, but when you grew up spoiled by the legends of music back then, the differences to today are kind of sad.

Roger has an amazing voice!!

60's 70's & 80's music was & STILL IS the GREATEST MUSIC EVER!! So HAPPY I grew up in this era!!

Did you notice how the whole stadium joined in singing when Freddie started Bohemian Rhapsody. When the camera panned the stadium during We Are The Champions it looked like a vast sea of movement.

The only way it gets better than this is to watch it over and over and over......

In a interview he was asked what instrument does like to play and his answer was The Audience Darling

I have been on this earth 8 decades and love music. So u are helping me remember all my beloved memories! All I can think is "hey I know this. Its great to remember all the songs I love!!

Great reaction! This level of excellence doesn't happen by accident. We all know what fantastic musicians the members of Queen are, but there were other talented artists there that day. With Queen - the choice of song, the skill with which they edited them together, the continual interaction with the audience, and the fact that they rented a theater ahead of time and rehearsed the set so it was seamless and perfect. Their hard work paid off. So smart. I never get tired of watching this performance!

Live aid is the only concert to have Freddie attempting all the bb4 and c5s high note both in the first verse and in the chrous in we are the champions, it's a special version.

To have all that crowd reacting to you,like that,must have been phenomenal.

The story depicted in the movie Bohemian Rhapsody took a lot of dramatic licenses. Queen never broke up (though they did fight all the time). They did take about a 2-year break from recording and touring together after about a decade of constantly being in the studio recording or traveling the world on tour, They needed a break to recharge and do some other things. After the break, their energy level was back to like when they first started. They were excited to be back recording. In fact, just before Live Aid, they had been touring the world after the release of their latest album, The Works. The truth was the band, especially Freddie, was very hesitant to perform at Live Aid. First of all, their stage shows were quite theatrical with special lighting, sounds, and smoke for effect, They lead the way in special effects on stage. At Live Aid, the stage would be just basic with every act using the same lights and sound system. Queen would have to rely just on their talent to capture the audience. Something that they hadn't done for a long time. Second, the Live Aid audience would be younger than the normal Queen audiences. They weren't sure these younger fans would even know who they were. They were worried that the audience wouldn't be excited to see them. They were right in the fact that the audience was not a Queen audience. All the tickets to Wembley had been sold before Queen had been announced to be performing. Bob Geldof (Live Aid was his idea) had to convince Freddie to join the star-studded Live Aid lineup. “Fred, why wouldn’t you do it?,” he reportedly said. “The entire stage was built for you, practically. Darling, the world.” BTW Live Aid was a duel-stadium venue which took place simultaneously both in London (Wembley) and Philadelphia (JFK Stadium) along with a world-wide hook-up via 13 satellites (something never done before). There were over 60 acts that perform and it raised money for the famine in Ethiopia. They took their performance seriously. They spent a full week rehearsing their performance to get it down smooth. The timing had to be just tight. All acts were allotted only a 20-minute slot and Geldorf said he'd cut the sound off of any act who went longer than 20 minutes. Yes, Freddie did come down with a sore throat and the doctor did advise him not to perform to which Freddie ignore but I don't think it was AIDS-related yet. During 1985, the average life expectancy after an AIDS diagnosis was less than 5 years. Freddie didn't succumb until November 1991. Those that saw Queen before the show, said they were highly nervous and were quarreling with each other. Yet when they got out on stage, the band was able to channel all that nervousness into an amazing performance.

Great reaction my friend. Thank you so much for doing QUEEN. See this is why they are my all time favorite band. LEGENDS !!!! You know that the audience wasnt a all true QUEEN audience. FREDDIE wasnt 100% he had a throat infection that day and he sounded so good. There isnt anything else I can say about QUEEN other than legendary preformance hands down. Take care my friend. QUEEN BEE.

Freddie was not human. He was A God.❤

i was there and let me tell you that crowed was deafining !!! he was phenomenal !!!

And that crowd was a mixture of fans of many many many different artists and groups...it wasn't a Queen crowd. Freddie was that good...he converted all of them that night. Just amazing.

Your reaction just blew me away!!!! It will be hard not to watch Live Aid without you sweet man!! Thank you! I’ve been a fan of Freddie and Queen for 45 years!! Love you’re info also ! Very much!

Queens success had a lot to do with the fact that they never forgot why they were there, for the audience, the fans. Too many performers today are all about themselves.

You would be surprised how much Roger Taylor helped Freddie Mercury out with the Vocals

Crazy Little Thing Called Love is a Rock-a-Billy song. Rock-a-Billy came back into popularity at the time especially by a band called The Stray Cats. A throwback to Elvis’s style of Rock ‘n Roll. Queen’s popularity had started to diminish by this time and they knew this would be their shot to remind the world how special they were. They did not disappoint. This performance solidified their rock gods status. The first concert I ever went to was see Queen in 1982 at Madison Square Garden. Freddie wasn’t diagnosed until after this concert. The movie changed the timeline for dramatic effect.

If you want to hear how good their singing is together you really need to listen to Somebody to Love. It is fabulous and I would love your opinion.

The first time Freddie sang with Roger and Brian he grabbed the mic the stand broke. It was his trademark from then on.

One of the few bands where all the bandmembers wrote a number one song! Thank you again for this great reaction.

Freddie, Queen, the live performance…simply the greatest of all time. Freddie’s absolutely mastery of his art and total command of the crowd, if there’s anyone better at engaging a crowd like him I’d love to see it!

Next, react to Queen's "Who wants to live forever"

Great to see this reaction to Live Aid certainly an iconic performance Queen just cant be beaten and Freddie was without a doubt an extraordinary artist/performer ❤❤ cant wait for your next Queen reaction 😁😁

I’ve noticed in your live Queen reactions you always mention about all the liquor on the piano. This is not true. There’s usually 2 beers that are still almost completely full. The rest of the cups are a couple with water and the remaining are single shots of a honey and lemon mixture for his throat. He had a severe problem with polyps in his throat way before he got ill. The more he sang the more irritated his throat got. The mixture helped him get through a two hour concert. The live at Wembley concert in 1986 I saw him take a total of 2 small sips of beer during the 2 hour show. At Live Aid he took one shot of his throat mixture after Hammer to Fall and that was all. It seems like everyone likes to comment on “All the alcohol” on his piano! If you would like something to completely blow your mind you should react to Exercises in Free Love. It’s a recording he did to take to Spain when meeting Monserrat, the Opera diva for the first time to discuss a collab. Also, a fantastic song Save Me live at The Bowl 1982. Thanks. By the Way- the Somebody to Love live in Montreal 1981 was a full concert and they were on tour. I remember you had asked why they were there. They usually did an album then went on tour pretty much every year for the first 10 years. They slowed down a little after that never having a break. The 1986 Magic Tour was the last live tour Freddie did with the band, but they continued business as usual doing albums and videos up to the last. Freddie was so ill he had to prop himself up leaning on the mixing desk with his mic in the studio. He was truly a dedicated musician writing and singing to the very end. The last recorded song he only had one last verse and had to go telling Brian he would be back to finish but had to leave for the day. Brian said in a documentary that was the last time he had Freddie and himself in the studio. Freddie didn’t make it back to finish. Brian ended up singing the last verse. The song is Mother Love. It’s so heartbreaking to hear Brian sing the last verse. There are so many wonderful live performances. Queen is the only band I’ve ever heard that actually sounds better live. Freddie was a human autotune!! No tricks back then. The biggest thing that was introduced was cordless mics in 1986 and mics that could echo. Singers either had talent or not. Queen was a genius machine that meshed so well together.

Queen’s Live Aid is often listed as the greatest rock performance of all time. Freddie was terribly sick with a bad sore throat and told by his doctor would ruin his voice…it didn’t. And…this is Freddie on a bad day, lol. Roger and Brian were often the background, with Roger helping with the higher notes in live performances, and if you don’t listen for it, you wouldn’t even know it. I love how Dr. Brian May (he has a PhD in Astrophysics) always looks so studious when he’s playing guitar…total master. I can’t believe you’d never seen Freddie doing the “Ay-Ohhs” he did them a lot live in concerts. Thanks so much for your reaction, the whole band just took over this crowd. Also Jim “Miami” Beach, made sure the volume was turned up louder in the sound booth (Queen’s people were in there) than the other bands which helped them. I get chills every time I see this, and I’ve watched it at least 100 times. Love your reactions, so glad you did Live Aid!

And Freddie had a throat infection, his doctor told him not to go, but he did it anyway. Loveeeeeeeeeeeee Freddie and Queen

Freddie def had HIV but he didn't have full blown ADS here. He was diagnosed 2 years later. He didn't know he was sick here though. He only thought he had a sore throat.

During Radio Gaga- the cameraman is so close to Freddie- it looks as though he could turn around and look at you!! OMG- I’m dying!! I’ve watched you react to Live Aid at least twenty times!! You are amazing!! Thank you!!♥️

Sir Dr. Brian May, the guitarist said Freddie Mercury played elegantly on the piano and really hit the keys hard. He said it felt like Freddie had an internal metronome. Queen was composed of four perfectionists who were also professional musicians who took their jobs seriously, especially Freddie according to Brian and Roger. Btw they brought in Spike to play piano so Freddie could run around stage more. Lucky Spike-also a talented musician!

He could do anything. 2 years later he composed & recorded an opera album with Monserrat Caballet. Huge hit worldwide.

back in the days when there were national TV events nearly everyone saw. It was quite a thing to see live on TV at the time. So glad I got to see it on the day. Like watching a moon landing.

The live performance of 'Who wants to live forever' is very touching.

Freddie Mercury had one of the most recognisable voices in pop and rock history. But just how good was the frontman's vocal power? While Freddie's speaking voice fell in the baritone range, he delivered most songs in the tenor range. His known vocal extended from bass low F (F2) to soprano high F (F6).

I've seen Queen concerts several times! My first concert I seen Queen in 1977. R.I.P. Freddie you are missed🌹

Absolutely love your reaction! What a stunning performance by Queen! Loved it!💛💛💛

I feel so lucky I was there. I was 15 two weeks before my sixteenth birthday. I was about half way back in the center. God it was hot and couldn't use a toilet all bloody day. I was meant to see Queen a year later 1986 but unfortunately on the way to the stadium my girlfriend (now my wife) had her bag snatched with the tickets in it and so we never got to go. Another cool thing about Live Aid was that there was a similar event going on in Philadelphia at the same time. Phil Collins performed at Wembley left the stadium jumped on Concord the worlds fastest passenger plane flew to the States and performed in Philadelphia as well. Good times that will live with me forever. Great Video by the way.

Elton John, a very good friend of Freddie’s, went back to their trailer after their set and said, “You bastards! You stole the whole fucking show!” Lol!

Thank you very much Dereck, for analyzing all the exciting parts of Queen's Performance at Wembley Stadium Live Aid Concert which was in London. I've seen this show so many times, and will watch many more. The concert was to feed the hungry children in Africa, and the sponsor wanted to raise 1 million pounds during the course of Live Aid. They got over the 1 million pounds, while Queen was performing!!! I can't imagine all that donations taken in, between 17-20 minutes that Queen and Freddie performed!!!! Freddie, Brian, Roger and John absolutely rocked that Stadium. What an explosive Concert Queen performed!!! We love and miss you Freddie. Rest in Peace. You'll never, ever be forgotten. Amen 🎶🎤👑🎶

Apparently he had a bad throat at the time and the doctor advised him not to sing. He did go out there and smashed it.

If you’re talking about the guy in the wings to Freddie’s left, in the shorts & T-shirt, that was Freddie’s partner, Jim Hutton. They hadn’t been together long- this was the first Queen performance Jim had ever seen. Jim was with him for the rest of his life, one of the 3 men who cared for Freddie until the end. Jim died of lung cancer on 1/1/2010.

Freddie had a throat condition acting up this day, and performed against doctor’s advise. After the set he was asked “How does your throat feel?” And Freddie responded “Like I’ve been gargling with glass shards.”

At the time of Live Aid I was serving in the British Royal Marine Commandos in a refugee camp in Ethiopia. We listened to it on the radio. We were surrounded be the horror of the Famine, but when Queen came on the radio those poor soles who were there even reacted in a very positive way. I remember that a lot of us Royal Marine Commandos were crying watching some of the children dancing along, I'm teary eyed just remembering. I looked around at men I had fought alongside, who were tough, hardened Royal Marine Commandos who had fought a life and death war against Argentinian's in 82. By the end of Queen's set we were dancing with the children. It went along way to help build their trust in us. The famine is only one to many to count, of terrible memories I have from 34 years of active service, and 2 years hospitalisation. OK I'm old, and I with my wife, I saw Queen live 5 times. I only watched it for the first time last year, my son put it on the TV. A lot of memories came back and a lot of tears.

I was 17 years old in 1985, living in Scotland. I remember sitting down in front of the TV, waiting for it to start, watching the crowd running in to get a good spot. What a day! I don't think I moved from the TV. I remember Phil Collins performed here and jumped on a plane to perform at the concert in the USA. What a great day. I'll never forget it. Queen were amazing!

I watched this live that day. It was a charity concert. Queen was the Only band that gave it their all!!!!! The others sang great but, Queen put on show!

Thanks for the best start of the day!

How would you like to have to go on stage after THAT performance.. lol

Its so much fun to watch this way!!! I love the reactions from younger people! I now have someone to watch with and be as awed as I am. I've listened to these songs and concerts HUNDREDS of times and it NEVER gets old!!!

Queen fact - when Queen agreed to play at Live Aid they went in to a rehearsal studio to get the timing perfect and songs chosen

This is the greatest live performance of all time!

I loved that you mentioned Spike Edney on the off-stage keyboards. The fact it's off-stage doesn't mean it isn't important. Thanks a lot!

Can you imagine having to go on stage after this 🤣🤣

The 1981 Sao Paulo "Love Of My Life" is amazing. Very impressive between Freddie and the audience.

I watched this concert live. There were a lot of great musicians and Queen just walked in and knocked everyone to their knees. Everyone remembers only QUEEN from Live Aid 85

I was at this Live Aid gig at Wembley and it still sends shivers down my spine and a tear in my eye. Exactly a year later from that day ( all but a day ) I was back at Wembley stadium watching Queen on the Its a Kind Of Magic Tour. The band that supported them that day was the brilliant INXS

Crazy little called love was tribute to Elvis Presley who was a great singer to Jail house rock, Hound Dog, Blue Suede Shoes and etc

When asked what instrument he plays, He simply responded with "The Audience".....

This Queen offering continues to please and soothe my mind most nights before I end my day.

Great reaction! Thank you for actually looking into the songs and history of this epic performance! The "Queen Sound" is known by all. It is the incredible mixture of Freddie, Brian, and especially Roger's (incredibly high) voices. Although Freddie, Brian, and Roger all had many other solo projects, nothing could ever match that Queen sound. Also, 1981 was the last year it was only the 4 of them playing instruments. After 1981, they brought in a piano player (off stage) so Freddie would be able to move around on stage more freely. But still, it was always just the 3 of them singing live. Thanks again!

Freddie would LOVE that another generation is being exposed to his AMAZINGNESS!! Off stage, he was like another person. Gentle, kind, thoughtful and sooo much more!!!

Every single british person knows every word to this Best song of all time FACT That crowd were so lucky.although i did watch it at home.

I get tears every time I see this. So emotional

When he was 12 he had a band called The Hectics & they covered Elvis, Little Richard, Ricky Nelson , etc.

Queen was one of the best bands out of the UK ever...I was lucky enough to see his last gig at Knebworth, England in Aug 1986. The best gig i ever went to. RIP Freddie I miss you every day

Congratulations on turning 35 this year!!!! I turned 45 just a few weeks before you became 35!! We both appreciate GREAT music!!!

They are greatest quartet ever!! Watch them in the 70's "White Queen" and just listen to the 4 of them play, you will never hear anything better. DO IT !!! 😊❤

Not True that We Are The Champions only got as high as #4 on the American chart. We Will Rock You/We Are The Champions was a double-sided #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart.

Queen's performance was not in the evening - as I remember it Live Aid kicked off in the late forenoon and ran all afternoon and evening from Wembley before transferring across the Atlantic. I think Queen were on in the late afternoon. I had to go out and check the calving cows about 2am and it was still rolling along from the USA. The rain in Scotland at that point was coming down in torrents- worst summer on the farm ever up until then. Cows all back inside before the end of July.

Freddie was asked 'what is your favourite instrument to play' he answered 'the audience darling'

Queen, Rock in Rio, a MUST MUST MUST ,!!👍👍👍👍👍♥️♥️♥️

I saw this live on tv. Was about to go to bed. Then Queen came on. My brother Harold and I commented on how they got the audience going. No special effects all natural. I have always loved them and always will. Loved them since I was 10 years of age when I first heard Bohemian Rhapsody.

Well yup!! This is I believe the 20th time I’ve watched your reaction to Live Aid- I love you did your research- soooo great that you care enough do that! Ohhhh our Freddie! Freddie Frickin’ Mercury!💛💛

The person sat on the guys shoulders that you talked about was actually my Mum!!! 😊😊

Just watched your reaction to Somebody To Love and ran across this one, you'll be so amazed

72,0000 people at Wembley, another 100,000 in Philadelphia, and 1,2 billion watching on TV globally. The Olympics have 3 satellites...Live Aid had 13. I wasn't a Queen fan at all, but after that day..I was lol! The world for Africa! I remember it was very hot that day in Wembley Stadium July 13th 1985 but it was worth it, best day in my life! 👏👏🇳🇱

He was sick the day before this concert with a cold and an inflamed throat. His doctor recommended that he not sing. He ignored the advice, and made history.

THIS IS SUCH AN ICONIC PERFORMANCE I ADORE ALL OF IT! GREAT CHOICE OF REACTION ♥️♥️♥️♥️ FREDDIE IS A LEGEND! I ADORE THE AYYYYOHHHH PART SO MUCH ♥️

Ipmn63, and a Queen. fan for y4ars ( sice 1975). Iremember whenthese songs were new!!! Great memories!

Btw Roger's and Brian's birthday is in July imagine celebrate your birthday knowing that you will be remember forever for the greatest performance ever

Queen...amazing. I’d love to see you react to “You Take My Breath Away” . Freddie’s vocal is (as usual) incredible. Unearthly harmonies. Please!

Freddie Mercury deserved one photography behind you too xD nice reaction btw the live that you watching is considered the best live performance ever :)

Ok, so here's a couple of recommendations: - “Stone Cold Crazy“ was speed metal before speed metal existed - “Dragon Attack“ features a bass solo that will blow your socks away, (live at Montreal 81) - “In the Laps of the God“ features Roger Taylors glass shattering high falsetto, (live at the Rainbow 74)

When Freddie done the call and answer with the crowd is when Queen stole that show