EEEEEH-OH!!
Freddie Mercury had fame, fortune, and everything that goes with it but one aspect of his legendary status was his unbelievable connection with his audience. The man could command and lead the crowd at will.
Queen had great music videos but they were one of those bands that were so much better live. Roger Taylor’s drumming, John Deacon’s iconic bass lines, and Brian May’s electrifying guitar riffs cemented the band’s legacy.
But it was that voice that lives on.
There will never be another front man like Freddie nor will there be a band quite like Queen.
Everyone is familiar with that Live Aid performance back in 1985. And yet the theatrical and often controversial Freddie Mercury had way more moments with his audiences than you know of.
Here’s one of those moments where the man conducted the crowd like his personal orchestra.
No pressure.
The year was 1986, a year after that unforgettable Live Aid show. This was to be Queen’s final tour with Freddie. The band already had rock royalty status but this is Mr. Mercury we’re talking about. He always puts on memorable shows. Hence, the yellow military jacket.
This was Queen: Live at Wembley Stadium and the place was packed!
Freddie wipes off some sweat after performing “A kind of magic“, and has a sip before he engages his crowd once again with his iconic vocal improvisations. Very operatic. Definitely Mercury.
He goes up and down a few octaves, scatting in a way, but more rock and roll. Watch and listen. The crowd, jam packed together, had their eyes on Freddie, listening and imitating all the sounds the singer produced. Unreal.
Mercury walks from left to right, gesturing with his free hand for them to follow his lead, singing non-lexical vocals with his four octave vocal range. It’s almost like a personal expression. An anthem without sense. But to Freddie and his fans, it was mutual understanding.
He raises the tempo, then slows it down, rising in notes then taking it back down. Back and forth he went, the crowd in the palm of his hands.
Tens of thousands followed the Piper.
And when he was done, he gives them a rock star salute to which his adoring audience responded with cheers.
That was 2 minutes of their lives they couldn’t take back. And they would have given Mercury so much more.
Take it away, boys!
Roger hits the hi-hats, counting 1-2-3-4 before Deacon launches into “Under Pressure“, his thumping, rhythmic bass line drawing more cheers from an already worked up Wembley crowd. That’s how you play live!
This song came out in 1981 which included David Bowie but Freddie does it all when playing live. Roger provides stunning background vocals as well, as he could sing notes as high as his front man at times.
And this is the magic of Queen.
From the seventies to the present day, their style played along to each decade. Songs about love and heartbreak, humanity, acceptance, immortality and so much more speak to those who listen.
The band has transcended multiple generations solidifying their status as one of the greatest, if not the greatest rock band ever. But it was Freddie who waved the magic wand.
Watch and listen to Freddie work the crowd in the video below!
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