Aaaaaay-o 40th Anniversary

[Villavic]

Today marks 40 years of Live Aid, where Queen did what for many was "the best rock gig of all time". And it's been 40 years since the famous Aaaay-O, or as I like to say it in spanish, Eeeeee O!

Although I understand it wasn't the first time he made it, since Live Aid went around the world, that performance became iconic worldwide. And it was so moving, I think the emotion was excellently captured on Mary Austin's character's face in the Bohemian Rhapsody movie.

Queen July 13 1985

[Mr Scarrott]

It's a shame the Mac seemingly weren't asked to take part. I suppose they weren't exactly active at the time. I suppose they might not have quite fitted in...

[Macfan4life]

I watched it live. An important but forgotten aspect of this performance was that Queen was considered a washed up band in 1985 (in the States). Their 1984 album had no big hits in the States and they were not played on rock stations. Pop stations did play Radio Ga Ga and I want to break free a tiny bit but Queen was in a different direction at that point. After Queen's performance at Live Aid pumped all new life in the band in the States. People remembered how good they were. There is a great documentary about this performance on how Freddie was not feeling well but did shots of vodka and hit the stage for probably the most memorable performance of Live Aid.
Its hard to describe and take no offense to the term "washed up band." Freddy dressed as a woman in their video "I want to break free." They just were seen as moving into a trendy area and forgetting their rock roots. None of this new Queen created new fans in the States and even the old fans were not thrilled. We in the States watching a British crowd react and sing to Radio Ga Ga blew us away because we were like "what song is this?" That album did eventually go Gold in the States but was considered a major disappointment since 1984 was peak album sales when the internet did not exist.

[Villavic]

I felt Queen records of the 80s were not big success. Though The Game meant a big change, it was Hot Space the album that meant being a not-so-cool band. Although their albums didn't seem as "legendary" to me as those from the 70s, when I bought GH Vol II with pure 80s material, I've always enjoyed it. However their tours kept succesful and were always a huge event.

About the Mac, yes they weren't active but also it seems there was no expectation or interest in at least having a temporary comeback as there was with Led Zeppelin (whose performance was considered a disaster, by the way).

There were some artists who, to my great surprise, didn't participate. I think the one who surprised me most was Michael Jackson, who was very involved with USA for Africa, but I read that he was "busy" recording an album.

[HomerMcvie]

I never could really get into Queen. Too melodramatic or something.

And Bicycle is the dumbest song ever. Fight me.

[Macfan4life]

Another One Bites The Dust was the band at their peak. Besides being a #1 song in the States, the single alone sold 6 million copies. The song was in the top 5 for 13 weeks!!!
I was in 5th grade and people would sing it in school and play it on their tape recorders. It was or one of the biggest songs of 1980.
They also were huge with We Are The Champions years earlier. Freddie Mercury and Michael Jackson were quite close and it was supposed to be Freddie on the Duet "State of Shock" But Freddie soon discovered how weird Michael was when Freddie called his agent to get him out of Michaels recording studio because he said "he brought a freaking lama in the studio."

Wildest story I heard about Freddie was from Leif Garret. When Leif was breaking and touring the world at 16 he stopped in Munich. Queen was in town and Leif saw them walk through the hotel lobby. Leiff said he was in awe and then in shock that Freddie Mercury knew who he was? How did he find out? When Leif got back to the hotel, the front desk said he had a package. It was an envelope from Freddie Mercury. Lief could not believe that he knew who he was. He went back to his room and there was a gram of cocaine in the envelope. You gotta love the 1970s!!!!!
Freddie must of had the hots for Leif. The story is so cool you gotta hear it. Leif also has a story of being hit on by Michael Jackson.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4f-0jMNoaLE