On 20 April 1992, some of the biggest names in the music industry descended on London’s Wembley Stadium to remember their friend Freddie Mercury.
It was a momentous occasion – George Michael, Liza Minnelli, David Bowie, Annie Lennox, Axl Rose and countless other famous figures turned up to pay their respects to the rock music legend who had died just months before following a long battle with AIDS. Crucially, the concert also raised vital funds for HIV research – and it helped change cruel, discriminatory ideas people had about the virus and its prevalence among queer men.
That time is explored in the powerful BBC 2 documentary Freddie Mercury: The Final Act, which airs on Saturday (27 November) to mark 30 years since the singer’s death. The film reflects on the final months and years of the Queen frontman’s life – and it culminates with that history-making concert. By now, most people will know the general story of Freddie’s life – he was a wild, vivacious figure whose music touched hearts and filled arenas, but AIDS brought his life to a close in 1991.
But Freddie Mercury: The Final Act isn’t interested in rehashing that well-worn story – instead, the documentary tells the story of Freddie’s life by contextualising it alongside the experiences of other queer people who lived through the AIDS epidemic. The film also demystifies the celebrity surrounding Freddie, and reminds viewers that behind the famous figure was a man who was loved by his friends and family.