Freddie Mercury’s status as one of the greatest singers in rock history is unquestioned. His immense vocal range and frantic energy made him unlike anyone else. The Queen frontman tragically died from complications of AIDS in 1991, but today would have been his 68th birthday. To celebrate, we’re looking back on some of the greatest performances from one of the greatest showmen the world will ever see.
Keep Yourself Alive – Munich 1978
“Keep Yourself Alive” was the fast-moving, rollicking hit that introduced the world to Queen way back in 1973. This performance was five years later, when Queen had gone on to become one of the biggest bands in the world. They had lost none of their edge, however, as the band — and Freddie in particular — sound particularly hungry. Even with all the money and fame they had accumulated at this point, they were still playing like they had something to prove.
“Bohemian Rhapsody” – Wembley Stadium 1986
When two of the surviving members of Queen toured with Paul Rodgers in 2005, “Bohemian Rhapsody” was the one song Rodgers didn’t even attempt to sing, instead deferring to video footage of one of Freddie’s old performances. You can see why Rodgers made that choice; quite simply, this song belongs to Freddie Mercury, and this performance of it, from a two-night stand at Wembley Stadium in 1986, is one of the best renditions of it you’ll find.
“Somebody To Love” – Montreal 1981
The release of the Rock Montreal concert film in 2007 was truly a revelation. The 1981 gig captures Queen at the absolute top of their game, and this seven-minute version of “Somebody To Love” is one of the best examples of that. It’s a ridiculously complex song to sing, with all sorts of key changes, and yet Freddie plows through it like it’s nothing. Chances are, if you tried to sing this at your high school talent show, you found it a lot more difficult.
“Don’t Stop Me Now” – Hammersmith Odeon 1979
Is there a better moment in a song than when Freddie Mercury sings “I’m traveling at the speed of liiiiiiiiiight” on “Don’t Stop Me Now?” The answer is no. This is more or less the quintessential Queen song, or at least the quintessential explanation of Freddie Mercury’s world view, as the lyrics combine both his zest for life, and his enthusiasm for debauchery. This 1979 performance — only a year after the Jazz album came out — certainly does it justice.
“Hello Mary Lou” – Wembley Stadium 1986
This cover of a Ricky Nelson song — you may also know it from CCR’s version — might not seem like the type of thing you’d typically associate with an operatic singer like Mercury, but it’s a testament to his diverse range. He could sing a simple country-rock tune, or an epic, complex rock-opera, and bring an equal amount of beauty and weight to both. And yes, he forgets a few of the words, but it’s no big deal… The words he does remember are sang gloriously.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQsM6u0a038
Live Aid – Entire Performance
Queen’s show at Live Aid is certainly the stuff of legend, but it would be exceedingly difficult to pick out just one song from that magical day. Luckily, thanks to the internet, we don’t have to. You can watch the entire show here, and catch one of the best stadium acts of all-time putting on a marvelous show in front of an enormous crowd.