Queen wanted to be part of Band Aid's 'Do They Know it's Christmas?'

9 December 2024, 11:09

Band Aid had so many iconic artists of the era, but it was also missing a few notable artists.

Queen were arguably the biggest group to not feature on 'Do They Know It's Christmas?' in 1984, which went on to become the UK's best-selling single of all time for over a decade.

A year later, the group took part in Bob Geldof's spinoff project Live Aid, and stole the show with their epic 20-minute set full of hits.

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In an unearthed interview held soon before Live Aid, Queen spoke of taking part in the show.

During the chat, the group also revealed that they were disappointed to not feature in the landmark Band Aid recording.

When asked if they signed up for Live Aid for the cause or the spectacle, the band said it was a "bit of both".

Queen Live Aid rehearsal + interview 1985

"I think it's a very good cause, and initially we would have liked to have taken part in the Band Aid single, but I think we were at separate parts of the globe," said Freddie Mercury.

"And so the second bash at it was this thing, and also the fact that the biggest and best known groups are taking part, then why not us?"

He added: "It makes me personally proud to be part of it, actually."

Queen - Radio Ga Ga (Live Aid 1985)

Queen's Roger Taylor made up for his band's absence on the original Band Aid recording when he joined the Band Aid 30 group for the reworking of the Christmas hit.

His band's iconic Live Aid set was recreated for the Bohemian Rhapsody movie, with Rami Malek winning a number of top awards for his portrayal of Freddie.