On August 9, 1986, Reina it closed what was going to end up being his last tour with Freddie Mercury as lead singer. After performing several concerts in Spain and at Wembley, the manager of the rock ensemble, Harvey Goldmisth, decided to add one more function and the venue chosen was Knebworth in front of 120,000 spectators. What no one expected this show was going to end up being the last of the Tanzanian born singer.
Tickets for Knebworth were sold out immediately, arriving at the concert venue was a mess, more than 120,000 people were anxiously awaiting a new concert of Reina. The technical conditions were impeccable, an imposing stage accompanied by a clear and powerful sound, the best possible at the time. With several giant screens, thousands of fans present were able to appreciate what would be the ultimate feature of Freddie.
After the support bands entertained the large mass of fans, the lights were turned off at Knebworth and minutes later the first track, “One Vision”, sounded, which with magic from Brian May’s fast guitar and the rhythmic base of John Deacon and Roger Taylor alongside Spike Edney on keyboards and backing vocals, the unmistakable voice of Wednesday.
After two hours of show, where songs like “One Vision”, “Who Wants to Live Forever” and “Friends Will Be Friends”, “Bohemian Rhapsody”, “Hammer to Fall”, “Crazy Little THing Call Love”, “Radio Ga Ga”, “We Will Rock You”, “Friends Will Be Friends” and “We are the Champions”, among others. Freddie Mercury he would end the concert by saying, “Thank you so much everyone. Good night and sweet dreams. We love you.” What was never imagined is that these were to be his last words to his loyal audience.
Once in the dressing rooms, Freddie he told his teammates, “I can’t take it anymore. My whole body hurts.” Brian May, years later confessed that this phrase was typical of the singer Reina every time they finished a recital, “Freddie always said that when we finished a tour. I didn’t mean he wouldn’t follow. I was just tired of the traffic,” the guitarist argued. In 1986, Mercury learned he had HIV, from which time he asked the band to keep playing until his body prevented him from doing so. The British set released two more albums (and left material for one that would come out posthumously).