i saw in previous posts that there are some people here who were lucky enough to witness Queen perform live - i mean with Freddie and all, the full line up. Can you tell us a bit about it? like which tour was it (and where), did Freddie say anything you remeber or did something funny/weird/out of the ordinary happened, or just in general how was it... i'm just curious to hear from people who were actually there.
when i was a kid (i'm 23 now)i use to say - i wish i had a time machine so i can go back in time and see Queen play live. bet i'm not the only one :)
I saw Queen on their last two U.S. tours: 1980 and 1982, in Los Angeles. I enjoyed both shows, and I thought they sounded even better live than on the records. Freddie was a hell of a showman, and the whole band had a ferocious energy that went beyond the studio recordings. I'm seeing Queen+PR at the Hollywood Bowl in October. I know it won't be the same, but I'm excited to hear Queen songs played live again after all these years.
I saw them on the NOTW tour when I was 7 years old.
My sis who was 10 years my senior bought me a ticket and took me.
I only have a handful of memories of the event.
I remember the opening with the "Crown" and I remember Freddie's harlequin tights.
And I remember it being really loud.
i saw them at wembley on the magic tour [saturday] so you have all seen every second of that gig on the dvd.
i do remember that the lighting rig looked a lot more impressive from the crowd than it does on the dvd [or channel 4 programme from 1986]
i also remeber the newspapers in the uk on the day and in the week leading up to it were full of big stories about queen and reviews of the newcastle gig.
queen paint the town red with nudes i believe it said in The Sun on the morning of the gig with reference to the naked toilet / lift attendants in the after show gig, which was happening that evening
My strongest memory of seeing the band was on the crazy tour of London. This was in 1979, and although I'd seen them the previous year at the Empire Pool, Wembley, these gigs will forever remain on my memory because of the fact that they played such "small" venues.
I saw them 6 times on that tour, but there were two gigs that stood out for me. The gig at Purley Tiffanys, which was a small nightclub/ballroom, and the gig at the Lewisham Odeon (which no longer exists).
The Purley gig I remember so well was because I'd managed to get right down the front within touching distance of Freddie and Brian, infact, I was on Brian's side of the stage and remember throwing sixpences up on the stage for him (I was only 16 at the time!).
I also remember making eye-contact with both Fred and Bri. A brilliant night, and a brilliant gig, mainly because it was such a tiny venue.
The Lewisham gig I remember more for what actually happened after the concert. I didn't live too far from Lewisham, so I decided to wait at the stage door to see if I could get a glimpse of the boy's. Anyway, after a while of standing around in the freezing cold, they emerged one by one to individually waiting cars. However, each one stopped for a few minutes to sign autographs, but me being a bit gobsmacked at actually seeing my heroes so close, but not on a stage, and in the flesh, forgot to get anything signed!!
The concerts by Queen that I've been priviliged to have seen (12 in all), are by far the most entertaining and thrilling gigs of all the many different bands I've seen during my many years of concert-going.
I went to the last two Freddie gigs. I was in absolute awe of the guy.
I was more in awe of Roger if you want me to be completely honest. I still am.
I know it has been captured beautifully on film, but to have been there was,just too unbelievable for words.
Nothing against Paul,but he doesnt have the power to pull everyone in the way Freddie ever did.
Saw the band at the Hammy Odeon Boxing Day '79.
Two things that stick out most were the Pizza Oven light rig crammed onto the stage which was awesome especially at the start as it rose, The bright white spotlights under the drum riser which were very effective, and Brian playing Silent Night during his solo. There were not many who were not singing along, but the atmosphere doesn't come across on the bootleg.
Also saw them at Wembley Arena on 8th Dec '80. loved the Flash intro on that one.