Queen's Legendary Live Aid Performance: A Look Back at a Historic Gig

Sir Brian May revealed that Queen were advised by Bob Geldof to "just play the hits" before their iconic Live Aid performance in 1985. The concert, which saw Queen perform six songs in front of an estimated 1.5 billion viewers, raised over $140m for famine relief and became one of the greatest rock gigs of all time.

Key Takeaways:

• Queen's performance was influenced by Bob Geldof's advice to "just play the hits" and not to get too creative, giving them a strict 17-minute time limit.
• The band was initially hesitant to perform, with Freddie Mercury being the most uncertain, but eventually changed his mind after a conversation with Brian May.
• The 40th-anniversary reflection by the band members highlighted the significance of the performance, with Roger Taylor describing it as a moment where "the whole stadium was in unison" during "Radio Ga Ga".
• The concert saw Queen perform six songs: "Bohemian Rhapsody", "Radio Ga Ga", "Ay-Oh", "Hammer To Fall", "We Will Rock You", and "We Are the Champions".
• The band's set was heavily influenced by Freddie Mercury's impromptu call-and-response segment during "Radio Ga Ga", which added an extra 4 minutes to their performance.
• Queen's Live Aid performance was part of a massive lineup that also included U2, David Bowie, Paul McCartney, Madonna, Led Zeppelin, and Bob Dylan.

Statistics:

• Estimated 1.5 billion people watched Queen's Live Aid performance across 150 countries.
• Queen's performance raised over $140m (£114m) for famine relief.
• The concert was watched by an estimated 72,000 people at Wembley Stadium in London.
• Freddie Mercury's call-and-response segment during "Radio Ga Ga" added an extra 4 minutes to the band's 17-minute performance time.
• The concert was held on July 13, 1985.

Sources:

• The Radio Times
• PA Credit: PA
• Freddie Mercury perfoming at Live Aid, 1985
• Freddie Mercury performing with Queen in 1985