Freddie was the Greatest — the Story of November 24th, 1991

by Medousutera

Queen had been here six years ago, generously delivering a show of the highest caliber. So why did today's show have to be a tribute to this great showman?

I initially didn't want to write a report from a personal perspective, but there was a lot of media coverage of this event that was emotionally and psychologically sterile, with angles such as "a huge event in the music industry!" and "a charity event dedicated to the eradication of AIDS". As someone who fully supports the "celebration", I thought it'd be good to write a report from a fan's perspective.

It was Queen, but then again it wasn't. I didn't go to the concert with the intention to wallow in the pain of their demise, but somewhere in my heart, I knew I kind of wanted to. But the four hour and twenty minute show beautifully cut away that rotten limb. A multitude of fans from around the world had gathered here for this day. When I arrived at the stadium at 10 AM, the area around the gates was already packed with people from various countries. Even though the doors didn't open until 4 PM, early birds must have lined up the day before. From an outsider's perspective, it may seem ridiculous to spend your money on traveling to a concert rather than donating it to the cause. But no one has the right to say that... if someone has the money to fly to the concert no one should question whether they're also not taking AIDS seriously. In the end it became an AIDS awareness concert, but this was ultimately a festival dedicated to a showman who loved to party, so singing at the top of your lungs and having fun rather than honoring with a moment of silence is the best way to pay tribute, and that was the main purpose of the show. I hate HIV, which killed Freddie. But what's wrong with prioritizing your love for Freddie over your hatred?

It wasn't Band Aid, or AIDS Aid should I say—rather, it was a flashy party thrown by Freddie, Queen, and their fans and friends, so it's only natural that people who don't have that sense of intimacy would interpret it as "just a big concert". But I want to make it clear that this is a concert that was truly personal and touching, and should only be held for a select few.

The rehearsal began, and with each song echoing through the air, the crowd erupted in sing-alongs and applause. The tribute concert had truly begun! During the breaks they performed Queen numbers one-by-one, each one of them a different way, to which the surrounding crowd responded generously. It was a way of killing time that only fans of this rare entertainer could. (Their stamina for 12 hours, from morning to night, is impressive, but their passion is even more impressive.) Those who only had tickets to watch the show in order to write articles about it will never understand. I also wonder about the feelings of the many fans who stayed outside the stadium from morning until the end, even if they couldn't get tickets, and the feelings of those who traveled to the UK from all over the world, and of course, many who had to swallow their tears and give up for various reasons. It may seem foolish, but I want you to think about whether there is anything you could be so desperate for, if there's any way you could relate.

Two hours after the gates opened, Bohemian Rhapsody was playing on the screen, and at exactly 6 PM, the three remaining members of Queen appeared onstage. Their speeches naturally conveyed the idea that this memorial concert was held to celebrate Freddie's life and his talent. The first half of the concert was dominated by Brian's heavy metal sensibilities. Each band was intensely passionate, and their raw energy was immediately apparent to the audience, creating a clear difference in the overall atmosphere and excitement. Extreme, made up of self-professed Queen fans, performed an incredibly emotional cover medley, a truly remarkable feat, borne out of their shared fandom. At each band's transition, the screen flashed clips of interviews and videos created specifically for the occasion. As Freddie spoke and sang, the audience couldn't help but respond to every note. The showman, who couldn't be there in the flesh, was still there, directing the concert in his own way. Perhaps this is what is meant by immortality.

The second half of "Queen Minus Freddie" began with a huge explosion and Tie Your Mother Down, a quintessential Queen composition. The excitement in the venue rose to a pulsating climax, but it seemed the overwhelming majority of the excitement came from the hysterical screams of the audience, who were left without a central presence—John on the left, Roger in the back, Brian on the right. With Brian's unfamiliar vocals, the three Queen members sang about how their show will never die out.

The rotating cast of vocalists included megastars who, rather than performing as their usual selves, showed off their personal side for the sake of their lost friend and fellow artist: Elton John, a performer from the same era and a close friend; Bowie, also from the same era; Mott the Hoople, who Queen supported on their first tour; Paul Young and George Michael, both of a generation who grew up listening to Queen; Roger Daltrey and Robert Plant, who Queen greatly admire; and Liza Minnelli, the beloved entertainer who "Freddie would've been most proud of".

Cry as much as you want, sing as much as you want, and enjoy as much as you want, all for Freddie, and for yourself, the person who loved him. This was something that all three members, the musicians who participated, and the audience (though many were there for appearances, agency reasons, fans of specific bands, or just to see a big name) could fully appreciate. It was a performance that not only made people cry out of sadness, but also made them grateful for the richness of what they had been given up to now, and proud of the legacy that will continue on. Everyone who has been involved with Queen felt that way.

As an aside, I'll tell you the singular amusing story I have from that day. Right next to me was a "madwoman who loves Roger Taylor" (she was...British...this is by no means an objective portrayal of myself), and as soon as Metallica started opening, she screamed "Roger Taylor!! I want Roger!! Bring out Roger!!" and continued screaming like this for several hours. At first, people ignored her, thinking she was just an overzealous Roger fan, but her unhinged nature gradually made the people around her nervous, and people began inching away until there was space around her even though it was so crowded... I've grown so much now that I've can write about things like this so dispassionately.

Since most people will have seen it on TV or video by now, I won't bother to follow up on the stage, but the more distance I get between me and the event, the more I can't help but feel that the three remaining members of Queen weren't just left behind, but were entrusted with the next step. However, since everyone has different feelings and perspectives, I don't expect you to agree, and there are certainly those who hold completely opposite opinions. Brian, who was always calling out to his friends and who looked either excited or sullen depending on the artist he was performing with; Roger, who didn't say much but was painfully devoted to each song, and who smiled at the vocalist in front of him, even though he must've been in more pain than anyone else; and John, who tended to withdraw into his shell, but still seemed unable to be alone and continued playing around the drum kit throughout the show. Each of the three members' unique attitudes seemed to be clearly evident throughout the concert. It's not Brian's fault; he was just more present with Roger, but the three voices during Crazy Little Thing resonated so painfully.

Ready Freddie??

I think all of Roger's feelings were being expressed to Freddie. From now on, Roger will surely play a key role and respect Freddie's wishes in his own way, rather than just expressing his own personal feelings. If there are any further conflicts with Brian, John will be able to read them. I believe that each of them will never lose sight of the role and pride they have been entrusted with as Queen.

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