My roommate and I play cards a few times a week. We sit and talk, drink beer, maybe smoke a little bud, and watch music videos on YouTube. If that sounds like a good time, it’s because it is. We take turns being the DJ and playing songs, trying to introduce each other to new stuff and revisiting old favorites from the past. The other night I played him Queen’s set at Live Aid in 1985. In case you don’t know, Queen’s Live Aid set is considered to be one of the best live performances of all time. Watch it and I’m sure you’ll agree. Watch it right now. Seriously. Here it is. Watch the entire set and then finish reading this blog. I’ll wait.
Wow. Just wow. I still have goosebumps. Now you do too. How electrifying was that? They killed it. Freddie Mercury had a stadium full of people clapping in unison and singing along while millions more watched it live via satellite from home. He generated more energy than a thousand nuclear bombs. It’s only a twenty-minute set, but it will be remembered forever, especially that rendition of “Radio Ga Ga.” It deserves to be remembered. It’s not a perfect set, that’s the amazing thing about it. It’s far too abbreviated. There’s feedback and distortion. The rest of the band wasn’t particularly spectacular. But Freddie Mercury was. He was all over the stage, playing multiple instruments, singing his heart out, and owning the crowd.
I’ve been to a lot of concerts. I’ve seen a lot of big bands and famous names and great sets. I’ve never experienced anything half as good as this. It’s weird to watch a recorded live set that you didn’t experience personally, but you watch it and you feel like you were there. You feel like you are a part of it. That’s the sign of a great frontman, and Freddie was the best. You can disagree with me, but you’ll be wrong.
Critically Rated at 17/17
Written, Rated, and Reviewed by Brendan H. Young
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