Queen guitarist Brian May reflects on Freddie Mercury's legacy

Brian May, co-founder and guitarist of the rock band Queen, has reflected on the enduring impact of the loss of frontman Freddie Mercury. May expressed that he does not commemorate the anniversary of Mercury's death, describing it as a day to avoid due to the pain it evokes.

Reflecting on the band's final performances, May recalled that during their last concert in Knebworth on August 9, 1986, Mercury told him, ‘I can't do this anymore.’ While the band initially attributed the comment to Mercury's dramatic nature, it preceded his eventual passing from AIDS-related complications on November 24, 1991.

Additionally, the band's historic 1986 concert at the Budapest Népstadion during ‘The Magic Tour’ is being highlighted as a cultural milestone. It marked the first time a major Western rock band performed behind the Iron Curtain, a moment set to be commemorated in a film release in October 2026.