Queen Live Aid interview reveals 'egos and friction' – Nothing Like Bohemian Rhapsody

As Freddie said in the interview: “We’re not all wonderfully behaved kids are we?” Everyone agrees that Queen put on the perfect show at Live Aid, tailoring their back catalogue and extraordinary musicianship to the event. Their meticulously rehearsed set was a form of “jukebox” greatest hits, with a medley of shortened tracks, rather than the less impactful full-length numbers most of the other artists delivered. But the road to Wembley wasn’t totally smooth. A fascinating video shows the band interviewed backstage before Live Aid. They cheekily revealed what was really going on.

The video clip is a wonderful peek into the lives of the four rockstars. Although the film Bohemian Rhapsody presented Live Aid as the catalyst for the band to reunite, they had actually been touring together solidly for much of the last twelve months, supporting The Works album.

The banter and camaraderie are evident in the video, especially when they are asked how hard it was to choose which songs to perform from such a  huge selection.

Brian May starts: “It is pretty hard to make the choice.”

Roger Taylor adds; “We don’t really know what to do. Whether to play the hits or to try and do something new. But I think in 20 minutes we’ve got to play things people will know and recognise… in Turkey or wherever they are watching. Hopefully.”

And then Freddie, of course, stirs it all up…

Freddie says: “So we are still squabbling over that, is what he is trying to say.” In response, Roger makes catty noises behind him.

The affection and familiarity between them all is evident, whatever differences they may have had.

They are even more blunt when asked whether the gathering of the biggest names in music would be a chance to put aside rivalries and egos. All four laugh.

Brian says sarcastically: “Oh no, no egos at all…  It’s going to be hilarious.”

Roger adds: “Completely, totally impossible. It’s going to be chaos.”

Freddie, as always has the most fun: “I think it’s going to be chaotic, yes. It has to be. I mean, we’re not all wonderfully behaved kids are we?

“But that’s going to be the nice part of it. There’ going to be lots of friction and we’re all going to try and outdo each other, I guess.”  

Then he shrugs and smiles playfully, “But we’re just going to go out and play.”

Brian adds; “You want to give something special. Everyone is going to be out there giving their best.”

Everyone gave their best, but nobody denies Queen’s best transcended the event and became a part of music and popular culture history.

WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW VIDEO HERE