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Tension, ‘Tepid’ Talks: Why Queen Almost Skipped Live Aid

Queen's legendary Live Aid set almost didn't happen, says organizer Bob Geldof.

Queen ‘s galvanizing set at Live Aid 40 years ago at Wembley Stadium in London has gone on to become perhaps the best-remembered performance of the day — in no small part thanks to its through-line role in the blockbuster 2018 biopic Bohemian Rhapsody. Queen’s members have acknowledged that it was indeed a difficult time for the band, which was still being criticized for playing South Africa’s Sun City the previous October, defying a United Nations cultural boycott over apartheid. “For some reason I ended this tepid conversation (with Mercury) and I just said, ‘Well, look, Fred, if ever there was a stage built for you, this it.’ And he said, ‘Well, what do you mean?’ And I said, ‘Well, darling — the world.’ And there was a pause and Freddie said, ‘I think I know where you’re coming from.’ The next minute they show up at Live Aid and are beyond genius.”

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