On the second day of our 1985 Summer vacation we were sitting at breakfast in Hampstead when I overheard 3 Birmingham lads sitting at the next table talking about extra tickets and I cast my line and came away with 2 (face value) tickets to that day’s Live Aid Concert.

In retrospect, it was our destiny.  I knew there would be a concert, but had made no plans to attend. Our presence was coincidental.

Soon we were off on a hot and sunny day to Wembley Stadium where we arrived at 11:00 to suffer a long line due to a profusion of counterfeit tickets.  Eventually, we found our seats stage left in the rafters (see photo), but out of the burning sun.  Joanne encamped there for the duration, but, despite my claustrophobia and fear of mayhem, 3 times I ventured down into the immense (over 100,000 fans) assemblage, as much for the cooling hosing down from the stage as proximity to it.

Despite still being jet lagged, we logged 12 hours at this once in a lifetime experience.  Memorable was the undulating sea of (nearly 100% white) people festooned with flags and band signs, the tremendous ovation for Princess Di, the lack of food (just “crisps”) and the dead-drowsy periods between acts.

My first venture was to see (transcontinental traveler) Phil Collins, then Sting and then Bowie, who was best of the three.

And then it happened, all drowsiness was dispatched when he pranced on stage.

Go see the movie Bohemian Rhapsody which recreates and 90% approximates what we experienced. It has been judged the greatest rock n’ roll performance of all time. No Doubt!

It was so unexpected (we hardly knew Queen) and so surreal.  It seemed louder (it was), more vivid and interactive than all else. It was like being at a southern Baptist church or a Nuremberg rally.

Suddenly, we were one with the audience.  We were part of the show. We were an instrument being played by a virtuoso performer who was in the zone and having the time of his life.  It was high wire, climactic, unanticipated ecstasy!

The thing about the movie which struck me most is that we are captured in it performing the show of our life.  It is an awesome experience to be in the audience again to relive it. It is a must see!