Coronavirus: Queen to live-stream Freddie Mercury tribute concert featuring David Bowie
The 1992 concert featured performances from David Bowie and George Michael
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The members of Queen are releasing their 1992 tribute concert to Freddie Mercury on YouTube to benefit the World Health Organisation.
On Friday 15 May, fans will be able to stream the concert, which featured performances from the likes of David Bowie, Robert Plant, George Michael, Axl Rose and Liza Minnelli, for 48 hours.
Every dollar (£0.82) donated on the stream will be matched with a $2 donation by Google, with all funds going to the WHO’s coronavirus relief effort.
The concert, titled the “Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert for AIDS Awareness”, was held at Wembley Arena on 20 April 1992, with an audience of 72,000 attending and profits used to launch The Mercury Phoenix Trust.
It marked bassist John Deacon’s last full concert performance with the band, only briefly reuniting with the band for a one-off appearance with guitarist Brian May, drummer Roger Taylor and Elton John in 1997.
May has been vocal in his support of frontline workers during the Covid-19 crisis, calling the expectation on NHS workers to “risk their lives” by working without personal protective equipment (PPE) “horrendous”.
Along with drummer Taylor and singer Adam Lambert, May has recorded a new version of rousing anthem “We Are the Champions” with Queen to pay tribute to healthcare key workers.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments