The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert

Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert poster

The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert for AIDS Awareness took place on April 20, 1992, at Wembley Stadium in London, England. The concert was organized to pay tribute to Freddie Mercury, the lead singer of the rock band Queen, who died from AIDS-related complications in 1991. The event aimed to raise awareness and funds for AIDS research and featured performances by Queen's remaining members and various guest artists.

Background

Following Freddie Mercury's death on November 24, 1991, the surviving members of Queen were determined to organize a tribute concert to honor their bandmate and friend. The concert's goals were to celebrate Mercury's life, raise awareness about the AIDS epidemic, and fundraise for AIDS charities. It quickly garnered support from numerous artists across the music industry, making it one of the most anticipated events of the year.

Performances

The concert was divided into two halves. The first half featured performances by various artists, including Metallica, Extreme, Def Leppard, and Guns N' Roses, who performed their hits as well as Queen songs. The second half of the concert saw the remaining members of Queen—Brian May, Roger Taylor, and John Deacon—performing with guest vocalists and musicians. Notable performances included George Michael singing "Somebody to Love", Elton John performing "The Show Must Go On", and David Bowie and Annie Lennox duetting on "Under Pressure".

Legacy

The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert was broadcast to over 70 countries and had an estimated television audience of one billion people, making it one of the largest broadcasts of its kind at the time. The concert raised millions of dollars for AIDS charities, including the Mercury Phoenix Trust, an organization founded by Queen's members and their manager, Jim Beach, in memory of Freddie Mercury. The event also played a significant role in raising awareness about AIDS and combating the stigma associated with the disease.

Impact on Music and Society

The concert is remembered not only for its musical performances but also for its impact on society's perception of AIDS. By bringing together some of the biggest names in music to address the AIDS crisis, the event helped to humanize those suffering from the disease and highlighted the urgent need for research and treatment. It also marked a pivotal moment in the music industry, showing the power of artists coming together for a common cause.

See Also

• Live Aid
• Rock in Rio
• Band Aid
• Farm Aid