“Every Last Song”: Dr. Brian May Reflects on Freddie Mercury’s Passion and Dedication to Fans in Touching Virgin Radio Interview, with a Glorious Nod to Queen’s Legendary Live Aid Performance at Wembley Stadium, July 13, 1985
In a poignant interview with Virgin Radio, Queen guitarist Dr. Brian May opened up about the unwavering spirit of Freddie Mercury, his deep gratitude for the fans, and the incomparable legacy left behind by the band’s electrifying performance at Live Aid on July 13, 1985, at London’s Wembley Stadium. May’s reflections reveal the emotional core of Queen’s bond with their audience — a relationship Mercury cherished until his final breath.
“Freddie wanted to sing as long as he could,” May recalled. “He said the public had allowed him to lead a special and exhilarating life, and he deserved to hear every Queen song, every last one.” These heartfelt words echo the sentiment Mercury often expressed in private: his career was not merely about fame or artistry, but about giving back to those who had supported him unconditionally through triumph and tragedy.
Live Aid, arguably Queen’s most iconic live performance, was the epitome of that gratitude in action. On a global stage, with billions watching, Mercury delivered a performance that was part rock concert, part spiritual communion. With commanding vocals, theatrical gestures, and an intimacy that transcended the vastness of Wembley, Mercury united a world in rhythm and voice. The 21-minute set, now legendary, included powerful renditions of “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “Radio Ga Ga,” “Hammer to Fall,” and the crowd-rousing “We Are the Champions.”
Dr. May noted that the emotional resonance of that day still lingers. “That moment at Wembley was more than just a show. It was a testament to Freddie’s defiance, his courage, and his love for performing. He didn’t just sing — he gave everything.” Behind the scenes, Mercury was already grappling with the early toll of his AIDS diagnosis, though it remained a closely guarded secret at the time. And yet, none of that diminished the brilliance he poured into the performance.
May’s tribute through Virgin Radio is a reminder of Mercury’s unshakable commitment to his art and his fans. Even as his health declined in the following years, Freddie continued to record music, refusing to retreat from the studio or the spotlight. Tracks like “These Are the Days of Our Lives” and “The Show Must Go On” bear the marks of a man confronting mortality with grace, humor, and unstoppable creative fire.
As May concluded in his interview: “Freddie knew the end was coming, but he didn’t want to be mourned while he was still alive. He wanted to give joy until the very last note. That’s what Live Aid was. That’s what his whole life was.”
Forty years on, the image of Freddie Mercury standing before a sea of raised hands at Wembley — one fist in the air, voice soaring — remains etched in the collective memory of music lovers everywhere. Through moments like Live Aid, and through the enduring voice preserved in every Queen song, Freddie Mercury still sings. Every last one.