Think legendary rock band Queen and pop diva Jessie J would make for a very odd duo? Well, think again, because this performance the two artists gave at the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games in London in 2012 showed that sometimes opposites really do attract. The performance began with a huge hologram of Queen’s much-loved singer Freddie Mercury to get the crowd warmed up, proving that even though Freddie is no longer with us, he still has the power to get huge audiences in the palm of his hands.
Next, guitarist Brian May took to the stage, delivering a fiery guitar solo that sent the crowd crazy. Then drummer Roger Taylor appeared, pounding out the drum beat from ‘We Will Rock You’ that is instantly recognizable to millions of people around the world. Finally, it was time for Jessie J’s appearance, with the singer strutting onstage like a superstar before making ‘We Will Rock You’ her own with some powerful ad libs and vocal runs.
With the video having since been watched by an eye-watering 34 million people, Music Man readers won’t be surprised that the comments are filled with viewers praising the performance – even die-hard Queen fans! One of the video’s top comments outlines the respect one fan developed for Jessie J after she took on the monumental task of filling Freddie Mercury’s shoes, while another described a viewer’s awe for the way Brian and Roger still look like certified rock gods, even today.
If this unique collaboration has got you warmed up for some classic Queen, meanwhile, you’ll definitely want to check out this electric live performance of ‘We Will Rock You’ from the band’s set at Live Aid in 1985. Aside from showing their inherent power as a live act, the video proves just what a showman Freddie Mercury was, his interactions with the audience getting them whipped up into a frenzy as he strutted around the stage like he owned every inch of it.
As a band, Queen have become an intrinsic part of Britain’s musical culture; hence, it was no surprise that they were invited to play at the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games. And whilst it was deeply sad that Freddie Mercury wasn’t able to play with them, Jessie J did an admirable job as his replacement, putting her own spin on an iconic track and earning the respect of thousands of die-hard rock fans in the process. Rock on!
If you would like to learn more about the iconic band Queen, visit their [Facebook page](https://www.facebook.com/Queen/?locale=en_GB) or explore their [official website](https://www.queenonline.com/).
