You know for 22 minutes England was ruled by a different Queen! This concert has been labeled the best live performance in Rock history.

Fun fact: Live Aid tickets were sold out months before the concert took place but it was only during the last days when Queen was confirmed to perform. So Queen didn't even play to dedicated Queen fans.

The movie Bohemian Rhapsody kind of bent the truth for the benefit of the movie. He did not know he had HIV at this point as he was diagnosed in April 1987. He didn't tell the band of his illness until 1989 when he could no longer hide the physical appearance of his declining health. He was getting very sick around the time you see him with a beard. The performance was perfect for the band as they could power through the 20 minute set at full capacity vocally and performance wise. They also had experience of playing stadiums when they decided to dare play stadiums during their south American tour. Not many bands were doing this and Queen changed all that. So they knew how to play a huge stadium. The stars aligned at the right time for the band as critics considered them past it. Boy were they wrong.

Thanks for the reaction "Critical" - Freddie did NOT know he had AIDS at this time.. (that was a "dramatic" thing they did in the movie "Bohemian Rhapsody") he had throat/vocal problems.. and was advised by doctors not to sing.... but he did it anyway... and Queen stole the show... this was always a BAND.. not just Fred & some back-up people... I look forward to more from you ....

I love this set for this concert. The band is on fire. Thank you for reacting to this one, the others cut off songs and then cut the end which is most disappointing. Freddie had not yet been diagnosed at this point so he did not know he was HIV positive at this time. The crew would put up tea, water and beer for Freddie before the shows and also sometimes champagne because he would toast the crowd. On this day, Freddie had a throat infection and was advised by his doctor not to sing but Freddie being Freddie ignored his doctor and went ahead and did the set. He later said that singing felt like he was gargling with shards of glass. Radio Ga-Ga was written by Roger after his toddler son came into the room, and not liking what was on the radio, pointed and said Radio Caca (the boy was half French and of course the French term for $hit is Caca). The song is more about how radio had always been a big fixture in all of our lives and suddenly video was taking over radio. The song expresses hope that radio will remain and never be replaced by shows like MTv. I think Freddie was around 23 or 24 when he joined Roger and Brian and they became Queen. If you pay close attention you will see that Brian plays three different guitars on Crazy Little Thing Called Love. He starts with an acoustic, changes to a Stratocaster and finishes on his own Red Special. At the end there was an encore by Freddie and Brian singing "Is This The World We Created."

In case you didn't know this, "Radio GaGa" was actually what inspired Lady Gaga to use it in her name. Well, her very first manager suggested it, and she loved it. Then Lady Gaga was officially born.

He wasn't diagnosed at the time of this concert but I believe that he had an "idea" that he had it, just not confirmed/diagnosed. I think it wasn't until 1986 or 1987 when it was confirmed but he didn't want anyone to know(?). Live Aid was a benefit concert for famine in Africa. They were added at the last minute I believe so the crowd didn't know that they were to perform. His interaction with the crowd is amazing. Under Pressure Live (5:56 minute version) and Another One Bites the Dust Live, both at Wembley, show his interaction with the audience. Thanks for your reaction. It was great as usual.

I watched all 16 hours of Live Aid and 38 years later I still get goosebumps watching it. They stole the show that day.

I remember this so vividly. His crowd control techniques are effortless. He finally announced that he was sick one day and he passed the very next day. I was stationed in Germany and I'll never forget that day. I spent 4 days in England for an American bowl game between my beloved Saints and the Raiders at this original Wembley Stadium. Saints won. Approximately 72,000 fans at this closing performance.

I watched this live back in 1985 and saw 12 hours of it and every time I see queen do this show I get shivers and I’ve seen it dozens of time

Most of the drinks were tea with honey for Freddie's throat. He had a throat infection and the doctor wanted him to not sing, but he did anyway. He said that it felt like gargling with glass in the throat. That's also the reason why they opened with BohRap, the most demanding song in the set.

“When we grow tired of all these visuals”; what happened to MTV? “Radio, someone still loves you!”

Freddie was not diagnosed with AIDS for another 2 years, until 1987, although the movie 'Bohemian Rhapsody' played with the timeline for narrative effect. Although he was considered to still be in pretty good health here (and even did a major live tour a year later), it is generally accepted that Freddie performed here against doctor's orders with laryngitis. At this point he was likely concerned that he may have contracted HIV, but this cannot be verified and he had not developed full-blown AIDS yet.

They rehearsed for this for a week around a week.with times worn to fit the set in with precision and maybe respect for the audience and reason for concert

and he was advice by the doctor not to performance due to a sour throat. He wasn't diagnosed with AIDS 1987 and died in November 1991. This was a charity concert to help the victims of a famine in africa - simultaneously in London and Philadelphia - via sattelits broadcast to approximately 1.9 billions world wide.Phil Collins flew with the concode and attended both concerts . Queen part is judged the best in history of Rock. - -ever. Radio Gaga is written by the drummer Roger Taylor inspired by his young son who's mother was French.

That Freddie strut just slays me! 🙃

If you look close at his upper arms, there's a few dark spots that people say came from HIV but he wasn't diagnosed till soon after this performance. A few years later, it destroyed his foot and at his final performances, he sat more due to the foot issues. He died 6 years after this. The movie had the timing off on his diagnosis, saying he knew and told the band during this period.

Freddie died of AIDS. However, he was not diagnosed until about 18 months after this gig, totally contrary to what the film portrayed.

And he really did fight til the end. Just kept singing as long as they kept writing for him.

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 remember it was very hot that day in Wembley Stadium July 13th 1985 but it was worth it, best day EVER in my life! 👏👏🇳🇱

He had a bad throat and was told by a doctor not to perform. However, Queen did and the rest is history. Each act had a set time and if they went over they were shut off. However, Queen did the most songs and finished dead on time. Freddie was the greatest front man ever.

Freddie had laryngitis the week before this concert, his doctor recommended that he cancel his appearance and rest this throat. Of course he ignored the advice and went on to make rock history. 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.” Ironically, the crowd didn't know Queen was going to appear that day. They had signed on after all of the advertising materials were put together, so no one was expecting Queen to be there that day.

Freddie was about a month and a half shy of 39 years old when Queen performed at Live Aid. It didn’t take long for the other performers backstage (Hell, EVERYONE backstage) to realize that Queen was running away with the entire show. Most of the other acts performed as if it were just another gig. Queen, however, saw this performance as a “do or die” for their career at the time. So they rented a theater in London, and rehearsed their 20 minute set for 2 solid weeks until it was tight as a drum. David Bowie was the next scheduled performer after Queen, and he was heard backstage saying “How in the Hell am I supposed to follow THAT?!” 😂❤👑

Great reaction but if you had continued with it you would have seen Brian & Freddie doing “Is this the world we created “ which is sensational, just Freddie & Brian May on acoustic guitar! Love your enthusiasm for the best live performance ever by the best ever band in the world! More Queen pls, love from Australia 🇦🇺

ive been a fan since 1973. Freddie and the band were Rock Gods. Today, Queen play with Adam Lambert who is also brilliant. The only difference to me is the energy that Freddie had, never seen anyone with so much. RIP darling Freddie.

Hammer to fall is written by Brian May, the guitarist,he also wroth We will rock you, Freddie wrote Bohemian Rhapsody, Crazy little thing called love and We are the champions .John made some big hits - but they didn't make it to this concert.Every band has limited time : 20 minutes.

By this point he didn't know he had it. It was a year or two after this he found out. He never officially came out as to even having it till the day before he died. He stopped touring after he started having major symptoms but they still recorded one or two more albums up till he passed away. He suffered greatly but refused to let many people see that side of it. He was bedridden and had even gone blind by the end I read. He died officially of AIDS related pneumonia if I'm correct.

Fun fact: The cops at the start were actually famous UK comedians of the era called Mel Smith & Griff Rhys Jones, dressed up as cops :D

They absolutely rocked the house! I never hear about any other performances during this show, so Queen must've been so GREAT that all other acts were forgotten! 😂😂😂😂

Since you have begun diving into the Queen rabbit hole. I highly recommend The Show Must Go On. Written by Brian May(lead guitarist). When this was recorded Freddie was very ill,but was done in one take. There is no live version& the video is clips of other videos or live performance's. His best vocals in my humble opinion; always cry when a I hear it. Still LOVE YOU. FREDDIE!!

So much to say, but you can Google a lot of it if you want to delve deeper (please do!). 1st, please pause between songs or rewind a bit if you do in a song. 2nd, Freddie was 25 when joining with Brian and Roger and forming Queen together. 3rd, while Freddie wasn't technically diagnosed with AIDS until 1987, the Magic Tour in 1986 was their last live performance with Freddie (Knebworth, but that was not filmed... 1986 Wembley was and it is a must see!). At the end of the Knebworth show, Freddie told the guys he could not do a tour again. And they never did. Did Freddie know something? No one really knows. Roger Taylor, Sir Dr. Brian May, and John Deacon did not interfere in each others' lives and Roger and Brian have said they did not talk about AIDS except a couple of times. Freddie preferred to just keep singing until he fell over and he just about did! What a way to live the end of a life, by celebrating the beauty he had and gave... and continued giving... everything he had. What a gift he was and is. Queenie to the max here!

Radio Gaga is about how MTV and music videos were taking over.

Suggest that you react to Queen, Somebody to Love live at Montreal 1981 - you wont be disappointed, it is an amazing performance; and also at Milton Keynes concert 1982

Yes the piano was set with Freddie’s beverages. The stage set up worked pretty well. Freddie toured with a Steinway grand & several artists borrowed it during this show. Love that Brian has it in his home.

He didn't drink during concerts. I could watch their music for hours.

Freddie was asking do not forget the RADIO ! as MUSIC TV was becoming a new platform X . Queen so ahead of time x

Roger Taylor (drummer) wrote Radio Gaga, this became one of Queens beggest hits. The Works, the lyrics explore the distress on witnessing how television specifically music videos - had begun to overshadow radio. All of the songs were BRILLIANT!!!! 😉😉

Freddie was diagnosed in 1987. Two years after Live Aid. Concert of the century!!

To answer your question, Queen was formed back in 1970. They were already big when I was a little boy in kindergarten.

I watched this live on TV I was 12y. I've always loved Queen! Freddie would be tickled pink to know people still listening to him. He found out he was HIV positive n performed against Dr advise on this set! They hounded him to his dying day, November 1991. I cried they treated him so horribly. The drinks probably. The greatest voice, raised my boys on Queen!!

People all over the world watched this concert live either in person played in the states as well or watching it live on TV. We all rocked out and we’re participating. He made the entire event, I wouldn’t of wanted to have to follow up and play behind him 😂

This Thing Called Love - it’s got a Rockabilly sound, I know he loved Elvis ❤

Lemon & honey……Freddie had a really bad throat infection🎼❤️🎼🇬🇧

Listen to Brian and Freddie come back and sing Is This the World We Created.

Freddie always kept tea with honey on the piano during concerts to keep this throat from drying out. He never drank anything carbonated before or during a performance that might cause him to burp into mic, it would be disrespectful to the audience.

He did this show with a sore throat and he was drinking tea with lemon.

I was at this concert in London. An amazing and unforgettable experience.

Freddie was once asked what instrument he played. He replied, "The audience, darling".

9:35 Once upon a time there was a small box that was placed on a nightstand. The device had a Digital display of the current time in big Red numbers. It had a setting to set an Alert at a specific time, it could at the set time emit a LOUD annoying noise for several minutes or it could be set to emit Music. This device was called a Radio Alarm Clock. This song is a Love song to that Ancient Device. We LOVE you Radio.

Queen have had an audience of 250,000 before in Rio

He was not diagnosed as having HIV or AIDS until early 1987. In 1985 he most likely had HIV and had been positive for awhile but he was unaware of it because he was not suffering any effects from it yet. It wasn't until the following year when Queen was finishing off the European leg of a world tour at Wembley stadium did he realize that something was not right with him. They never did anymore of that world tour.

You know, this is thought to be the best live performance of all time, but all Queens concerts were this good and they took 2 hours! I should know, I went to enough of them!

Radio GA GA !!! You know LADY GAGA ??????????

Love your energy and your appreciation for the music , shows. Not like some reactors you can tell you love it. Great !

This is my favorite version of Hammer To Fall! It’s sped up just a bit to fit in everything they wanted during their short time slot. I think it rocks! It’s about war/the draft you have to see the lyrics

72,000 people in the stadium. Millions watched worldwide

Great Queen forever. Freddy unstopable after more than 30 years (after he died) - who does not know about Queen and Freddy in western world? best vocalist/performer IMO. Maybe you give us a reaction to "who wants to live forever" - with Floor and Freddy.

For those who seem truly interested in Queen I leave this same comment. Sorry, just found you; so, I’m late to the Comment Section! I’m a 66 y/o Glamma. You seem to enjoy the background of things. And, I’m a Trivia sponge, so here goes: They had just completed a Tour a month b4. So, they went & rented a Stadium to practice the performance. He ended up with a Throat Infection & the Doctor highly recommended he not do it bc he might lose his musical ability. He said no! Can you tell he had a severe throat infection? Most people think he was drinking booze from the cups bc on the piano. He’s drinking Honey & Tea. His command of the Audience was more than coincidence it was miraculous. Considering there were so many people there the sound was getting absorbed through them. So the people @ the back we’re following his hand gestures bc the actual sound hadn’t even reached them b4 the next sound was coming @ them. Go back & watch what his hands are doing & what the Audience is doing. NEXT: Radio Gaga is celebrating Radio bc M-TV is just getting started. LADY GAGA was a huge Freddie Fam growing up, so That was where she came up with HER STAGE NAME! You have to listen to the words to really understand the meaning. Most of us didn’t have a clue what a Band looked like unless we saw them in Person! NEXT-MICROPHONE. At sometime along the way a Microphone Stand broke, so that was the only spilt second solution they could come up with. He realized the freedom he had to move, dance, & engage the Audience. NEXT MICHAEL JACKSON & ELVIS CONNECTION on Song THING CALLED LOVE: It was written as his homage to Elvis-Freddie was a big fan. But, he just wasn’t sure about the song bc he didn’t want to taint Elvis. SO, he played it for Michael J. (Yes, they were friends!). And Michael told him he HAD TO, he said “Freddie, you have to”! (Can’t you just see that!?). NEXT FREDDIE’s VOICE. HE HAD 4 extra teeth so that’s the reason he had such an overbite. He had the ability to naturally flow from Octave to Octave. It was a natural progression, for him. SCIENTIFICALLY: Test were done on his Voice. He was able to use his Throat muscles on either side of his vocal cords. Which is normally seen in some Opera Singers. His Vocal Range was from Low Bass F, to High Soprano F! They were extremely surprised to find out that he could go from about 92Hz to 784Hz, effortlessly! See ACTUAL REPORT BELOW: nyone who has listened to a Queen track knows that Freddie has a unique ability that still has not been truly replicated since. His ability to blend highs, lows and mid range notes cohesively and with immense precision. This skill was due to the fact that Freddie was able to create faster vibrato and harmonics than any other singer at the time. Not only this, he was able to shift through registers effortlessly. Although he naturally held a baritone voice, he primarily sang as a tenor and of course had no problem then shifting into soprano parts. One study on Freddie’s vocal range even confirmed that he was able to vary from about 92.2 Hz to 784 Hz, meaning he was reliably able to hit notes from the booming low of F#2 to the high pitch G5 - that covers a full three octaves! LAST FUN FACT: His Lead Guitarist is playing on a Guitar he & his Father made. When he first starting to learn they were too poor to afford a high end guitar. So, they just made one! The included some “extras” that would normally have to be separate instruments to get all those features (think Concerts when you see guitarist changing Guitars depending on the Song….that’s why he didn’t)! I’m sorry to take up your Valuable Time, and I thank you. You need anymore Trivia I’m your G’Ma go to. My Brain is full, especially with music, & believe it or not Sports!

Those Were the Days of Our Lives is fhe most poignant song as it was Freddie's last outing with Queen just months before he died. It really is his goodbye to us all and a beautiful song to boot.

wow! Beautiful sweet Freddie! liked subscribed dear! Freddie Mercury is simply unique!

Knowing that Freddie knew at that point, but nobody else did....when he sings "I don't wanna die" it has whole other level of angst to it.

He's reminiscing about that the radio at one time was only way to hear music, then MTV changed that. He still loves the radio.

Radio Gaga: In short, he's talking about how radio used to be good and now it sucks. Recall that at the time, music videos were a new thing. One of the lines is "So stick around, 'cause we might miss you when we grow tired of all these visuals". He's wanting radio to come back from the brink of the bad thing it was becoming (you've yet to have your finest hour). That's my take anyway.

Freddie Has thought he had aids in late 84, just feelings as a couple of friends had just died from it. he was officially diagnosed with it in 88 but at that time there was NO TREATMENTS or medications. He had probably caught it back in 81 or so as back then it took about 10 years for symptoms to appear and he had none til about 88. if you listen to the few interviews from then you can get a good feeling of what he is saying and more important ... what he was not saying . Freddie was 25 when Queen was formed. I have been a great fan of freddie since the early 70s

There was 72,000 in Wimbledon concert and 89,484 in the Philadelphia concert with world wide TV coverage Freddie was advised not to sing as he had strep throat.

There was a lounge where the other bands hung out. As Queen played a hush fell upon them as they realized Queen was stealing the show, that they were indeed the champions.

Miss ya so much, Freddie. Your music and performance style gave me such joy . Rest in Peace, Luv. 🤴🏻🎶❤️🕊️

I have watched this over and over - gives me goosebumps every time 👑❤️

Greatness 😊

i have listened to this live aid gig by queen and this one is so crystal clear on the sound freddie and the band queen..lives on forever1

Freddie didn't know that he had AIDS at this time. He did, however, have throat problems (throat polyps).

That Last song that you turned off was at LIVE AID. “The World That We Created” they came back to do that Specific song

Hammer to Fall is very deep... It's about death facing us all. That we live waiting for the hammer to Fall.

Put your differences aside Have a good time right👌👌👏👏 Absolutely mannnn

He was 39 at this performance

I swear every time someone reacts to this I see the exact same comments 😂

I like watching the reactions of young people, but I wish they had a little more back story so they could really appreciate how spectacular and significant this performance was.

I think it's so cool just watching you get so into it with a smile on your face hah. This was a cool video and you're a cool guy. Freddie Mercury was an absolute legend.

Brian May(lead guitarist,John Deacon(bass)& Roger Taylor(drummer. Fun fact for you Roger had a higher vocal range than Freddie.. Awesome group of guys each an excellent talent.

You can do entire 1986 concert at wembley. Great show. 😊

Google 20 min that changed music forever

Freddie Mercury was 29 years old when queen got together

Great reaction. Fun fact....Brian plays 3 different giutars during Crazy Little Thing Called Love. Please react to Killer Queen/I'm in Love with my car live at Montreal.

Freddie died in 1991 and was still making music..

bro is just happy

Roger Taylor wrote Radio Ga Ga , his son came in one day and said radio ca ca

The changing times of how music went from radio, 8 track, cassette tapes and on..

Freddy was battling a throat infection and his Dr recommended against him performing but he did it anyway.

Thanks for the great reaction. Listen to Somebody to Love, the live concert in Montreal in 1981.

Great reaction!

Also, Freddie did not drink carbonated drinks before or during a show....that was tea, not beer.

This concert was sold out before Queen was announced to be there.

Watch the movie it helps with the history and is extremely entertaining and well done!!!

Radio GaGa is my favorite!!

Not true. Brian thought he was very good on the piano and could actually play the guitar. He composed some me riffs for a Brian.

It is a misconception about the Aids thing..... This was too early. It was 1985...... He was diagnosed in 1987....... He might have had the HIV virus by 1985. But was not full blown Aids until years later. Also this Concert was for Famine in Africa........ Not Aids....... Freddie was a great performer. Wrote great music ..... Lived a good life........ It was not all about HIV and Aids.

It has been said, either by Freddie or Brian or both, that Freddie couldn't really play the guitar or the piano - that he only learned enough to make the music he wanted to make. Don't know how true that is.

on the original recording of we will rock you, there were no drums. It was all clapping and stamping of the feet.

MTV had come out and videos were all the rage. Taking away from people listening to all their music on the radios. They went to the TV to watch the music videos. MTV ended up cancelling Queen apparently they didn’t get the humor in the song/video I Want To Break Free. It was the bands idea not Freddy’s. So Freddy is saying he still loves the radio .. hope they helps with what Radio GaGa is about.

En ese tiempo, se podía volar de London To New York en tres horas y media . !!!!