Page 106 - Classic Rock - The Complete Story of Def Leppard 2019

The Greatest

Show On Earth

In 1992, Def Leppard joined the surviving members of Queen and stars from the worlds of rock and

pop for the biggest event since Live Aid. This is the story of the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert…

Words: Johnny Black

ne of few shows to rival Live Aid the run-up was that a gay activist group, ACT-UP, Spike Edney (Queen’s keyboard player and
for scale and spectacle, the Freddie stated that Guns N’ Roses shouldn’t be on the show musical director): I’d become sceptical of events
Mercury Tribute Concert because Axl had allegedly made some homophobic like this. It seemed that anybody who didn’t get on
Ocommemorated the late Queen remarks. That was difficult to handle because Axl the Live Aid bill made bloody sure they appeared at
singer and raised awareness about Aids. Held didn’t talk to the media, so we had to rely on the any charity gig that came along afterwards, cynically
at Wembley Stadium on April 20, 1992, it brought members of Queen speaking up about that issue. seeking the exposure as a big boost to their careers.
together the worlds of rock, pop and showbiz
– the former represented in the first half by Guns Brian May: It was a massive strain on our shoulders Joe Elliott: Axl was in the next room to us. Elton
N’ Roses, Metallica, Def Leppard and Extreme, while because we weren’t just performing, we were also told us he knocked on his door and Axl’s big
the second half found Queen members Brian May, organising everybody else. It was difficult enough security guy said: “Axl’s sleeping.” And Elton said:
Roger Taylor and John Deacon backing A-list rock just choosing the acts who would appear. We “Well I’m doing a duet with him in four hours!” And
and pop stars including Robert Plant, Elton John argued a lot among the guy shrugged his
and George Michael, with Liza Minelli and Liz ourselves about the shoulders and shut
Taylor for good measure. An estimated one billion bill, but the basic the door in Elton’s
tuned in to this unlikely collision of worlds – not to criteria for the acts “Elton storms into our face. So Elton comes
mention David Bowie intoning The Lord’s Prayer. finally selected into our dressing
was their relevance dressing room: ‘What the room and says to us:
Brian May (guitarist, Queen): The night Freddie to Freddie. f**k’s wrong with Axl?’ “What the fuck’s
died, we said: “Well, we should give him an exit in wrong with that
the true style to which he’s accustomed.” Harvey Goldsmith: He had a rant, a cup of tea guy?” Elton had
Rehearsals were held at a little rant and a
Harvey Goldsmith (promoter): Queen’s various places: Nomis and then took off.” Joe Elliott cup of tea and then
manager, Jim Beach, took control of it all. He came Studios in London, he took off.
to me with a proposal to do a show at Wembley Bray out of town near Windsor and then finally, the
Stadium. They had a wish-list of artists, so we had to day before the show, in Wembley Stadium. Mark Cox (audience member): Extreme were the
ring round to see who was available. Jim had already first band on. They were quite big at the time. But it
sorted out some names. Liz Taylor was one. She was Terry Giddings (Freddie Mercury’s personal was weird that they played a load of Queen songs
involved in Aids campaigning through her minder and chauffeur): The rehearsal at Wembley in a medley. It was like seeing a pub tribute band
friendship with Elton, so when the tribute concert Stadium was great. Everybody turned up on time and without the Freddie lookalike.
came up she was already interested in the cause. nobody seemed to mind hanging around. Tony
Iommi was so patient, and George Michael was there Gary Cherone (vocalist, Extreme): It was the
Wendy Laister (publicist): The biggest problem in the whole time even when he wasn’t rehearsing. biggest show broadcast – it was bigger than Live
People would start out trying to do the songs Aid. That was probably the best collective day of our
like Freddie, but then they’d have to give up lives. Because we got to meet David Bowie… I could
and just do it like themselves. talk to you forever about it.

Joe Elliott (vocalist, Def Leppard): In one Harvey Goldsmith: The atmosphere backstage
sense the day of the show was light-hearted was surprisingly uplifting. Nobody caused a fuss or
and up. People popped in and out of each tried to pull rank. Everybody accepted the running
other’s trailers and dressing rooms all the order, because we explained to them that it had to
time. On the other hand, be that way just to allow the show to flow.
there was definitely a real
sadness, and it was obviously Joe Elliott: Our [Def Leppard’s] performance was
different in Queen’s trailer. really tricky, because Rick’s [Allen] electronic drum
kit isn’t your standard kit, it’s all about plugging
Brian May: I was very cables in. And they plugged Rick’s kit in upside
nervous at the Wembley down, so he was hitting his snare drum pedal and
tribute. I get like that if it’s an making a bass drum sound. If you watch the raw

More excitement than unfamiliar situation, and I was footage of the gig, you can hear him flapping
a night at the opera. worried about forgetting to around trying to get them to unplug it and plug it
introduce people. in the right way round. É REX x2

104 CLASSICROCKMAGAZINE.COM