Annie Lennox and David Bowie: a heavenly duo singing “Under Pressure”.

Freddie Mercury’s passing on November 24, 1991, prompted the surviving Queen members and their manager, Jim Beach, to plan a tribute concert to honor Mercury, support HIV research, and promote AIDS awareness. They released tickets for the event before confirming any acts besides Queen. The concert, scheduled for April 20, 1992, at Wembley Arena, saw all 72,000 tickets sold within three hours. The show kicked off with performances by bands like Metallica and Guns N’ Roses.

The latter part of the event featured Queen’s remaining members alongside a lineup of renowned singers and guitarists, including Elton John, Roger Daltrey, Tony Iommi, Ian Hunter, James Hetfield, George Michael, Seal, Paul Young, Robert Plant, Axl Rose, Slash, and Liza Minnelli, among others. Highlighting the concert, David Bowie and Annie Lennox delivered an exceptional rendition of “Under Pressure,” with Lennox covering Mercury’s parts. Check it out here:

Annie Lennox’s unique interpretation of Mercury’s sections, combined with Bowie’s flawless performance and their captivating interaction, made this rendition especially memorable. It stands out as a significant moment in Queen’s legacy post their 1978 album “Jazz.” Attendee Mark Scott recalls the performance as one of the most impressive rock acts, particularly praising Lennox for matching Bowie’s presence.

“Under Pressure” has its own backstory, originating from a casual session in the Swiss Alps with Queen, which took an exciting turn with Bowie’s spontaneous suggestion to collaborate on a song. This led to the unique process of separately recording their vocal melodies, resulting in the iconic track. Enjoy this special glimpse:

This clip offers a nostalgic journey back to the rehearsals for the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert, showcasing moments like Bowie’s casual demeanor, George Michael’s participation, and a glimpse of John Deacon with Queen. It serves as a reminder of the concert’s spirit and the advancements in HIV and AIDS treatment since then. In memory of Freddie Mercury and all who have been lost to the disease, we reflect with gratitude for the music and the progress made in medical science.