Brian May reveals how he convinced the Queen to 'rock out' for her Platinum Jubilee concert

6 May 2023, 12:34 | Updated: 5 October 2023, 13:11

It was virtually a shoo-in that Brian May would perform at the Platinum Jubilee concert this year.

His extraordinary rooftop performance on Buckingham Palace at the Golden Jubilee party at the palace twenty years ago was one of the most memorable moments.

So it was expected that the Queen guitarist would return in similarly outlandish circumstances.

And he did, as the iconic band now fronted by Adam Lambert opened the ceremony with 'We Will Rock You'.

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Backed by a royal marching band thumping away at the drums, and the crowd clapping along too, it was a rousing introduction to the party.

As everyone hoped, when it came around to the guitar solo, Brian May appeared on the top of the stage in front of the Buckingham Palace memorial.

But was surprised all the viewers at home and the crowd outside the palace grounds, was the video introduction featuring none other than Queen Elizabeth herself, clinking away on her teacup to the 'We Will Rock You' drum beat.

Brian has now revealed that it was his idea to include Her Majesty.

The legendary guitarist opened up about his idea and how he pitched it to The Queen ahead of their historic performance.

Speaking at a special fan Q&A for Queen and Adam Lambert’s Rhapsody Over London Live Concert Film, the 75-year-old offered some insight into their preparations for the royal celebration.

When asked, Brian admitted: "It was very tough because all the tour was laid out before the Jubilee request came along."

"And we had two nights on, one night off and two nights on and the one night off became the Jubilee, so it was very tough for us physically to do five nights in a row."

"In the end, I think we did nine shows in 10 days. It was insane! So it kind of hurt, but the experience was great" May confessed.

"It’s a one-off and one-offs are quite terrifying. Not the same as being on tour and knowing where you are. It’s not our company, it’s not our production. It’s the palace with all their people… months of preparation just for those few minutes."

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Roger Taylor - who recently celebrated his 73rd birthday - added: "Of course, it was wonderful because our bit was preceded by The Queen herself talking to Paddington Bear and then doing the little 'We Will Rock You' [clink clink] on her tea cup. It was fantastic!”

Brian then revealed: “I asked for that. I said, ‘Would The Queen tap it’ and they wouldn’t give us an answer."

"And we didn’t know until the day before. They said, ‘Oh we might get somebody Royal to do it for you.’"

Despite her well-documented ill health having stepped back from several duties of late, Queen Elizabeth was expectedly game as ever.

Queen were absolutely delighted she came through with their idea, with Adam Lambert admitting: “You guys knew before me! I didn’t know until after the show!"

"I heard something back there, I thought, ‘I hear somebody talking’ because they were playing the videotape. And then after the show, I went on YouTube and saw it and went ‘Beautiful!’ I loved it, so cool!"