Freddie Mercury’s Last US Performance: The Final Gig with Queen
The last Freddie Mercury gig in the USA took place on August 9, 1986, at the JFK Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. However, many sources also point to August 9, 1986, at Knebworth Park, as the star's last performance with his band, Queen. This concert was part of their 1986 hot space Tour. Let's delve deeper into this significant event and uncover some lesser-known facts.
Queen's Journey in the USA
By 1982, Queen had experienced a decline in popularity in the United States, following the release and commercial failure of their album Hot Space. This marked a turning point in the band's American journey, and several events played a pivotal role in their decline.
During the Saturday Night Live (SNL) appearance in 1982, Freddie Mercury returned to the stage and delivered an energetic performance despite feeling unwell. This performance, though short-lived, was a memorable and impactful moment in not only Mercury's career but in music history. Apollo Tsroprios, from This Day In Music’s Guide To Queen, elaborates on this event when he notes, "Though he had lost his voice all day prior, his performance on SNL was simply fantastic."
The Final Performance with Queen
The final performance with Queen as the classic line-up occurred on September 15, 1982, at the Forum in Inglewood, California. This concert was the second of two consecutive nights, and it featured a star-studded lineup that included Michael Jackson, Olivia Newton-John, Rod Stewart, and Donna Summer. Billy Squier, one of the band's support acts, joined them on the last night's encore performance of 'Jailhouse Rock.'
The SNL Performance: A Lasting Impression
Despite the setbacks, Queen secured a Saturday Night Live appearance on September 25, 1982. The studio was at Rockefeller Center and was host to an up-and-coming comedian, Eddie Murphy, who was warming up the audience. Queen had to perform 'Crazy Little Thing Called Love' and 'Under Pressure' live, as per the SNL protocol. Freddie Mercury, known for his powerful and distinctive voice, had virtually lost it by the morning of the performance. Phoebe Freestone, Freddie's former assistant, recounts, "He had screamed himself hoarse in an argument with his then-boyfriend Bill Reid."
Freddie Mercury continued his rigorous recovery regimen, consuming hot lemon and honey drinks and inhaling a steamy mixture of Oil of Olbas, all prepared in his hotel bathroom. By the time of the broadcast, his voice had returned to some extent, although it was far from its best. Despite this, they delivered a memorable performance that would be broadcast to millions of homes across the USA.
Freddie Mercury's performance on Saturday Night Live marked the last time he would perform with Queen in the United States. However, it was a significant moment in the band’s career, and the memory of that performance would live on for many fans.
[Text excerpted from This Day In Music’s Guide To Queen, first published in 2017.]