“I said, ‘Fred, I don’t know if this is going to be possible to sing,’ And he went, ‘I’ll do it, darling’ – downed a vodka, and went in and killed it”: How Freddie Mercury took on death itself for Queen’s majestic final single

It was sadly to be Freddie’s last single with Queen before he passed away just six weeks after its release

RECORDING WEEK 2025: It had been six years since Freddie Mercury, before the eyes of millions, had took up a hallowed spot at the pinnacle of the pantheon of rock gods. Striding the stage at Wembley Stadium during Queen’s triumphant 1985 Live Aid set, Mercury confirmed himself as the frontman of the age.

On that day, the potent musical titan had done utterly astounding things with his vocal cords. Commanding the crowd to emulate his signature elongated “Ay-oh”, the moustachioed mainman delivered a masterclass in stage ownership, with a seeming effortlessness.

Freddie’s dominance was something the entire planet could attest to, and many viewers who’d written-off Queen as yesterday’s concern yielded to Mercury’s majesty.

But now, that untouchable performer was sadly nearing his end.