Was Freddie Well Enough to Perform at the Brits '90?

This isn't an AIDS trolling thread, not really. It's in no way disrespectful. I think it's a discussion on why, when Freddie found out his AIDS status, and he still had almost 5 years left to live, did he not do one single live concert with Queen - even when he appeared (albeit mimed) with Montserrat and on German TV with Great Pretender, and in the Time AIDS gala in '88 which was live. Someone is curious and has asked, why was Freddie well enough to appear at the Brits, and even go to the party for a few hours afterwards, but not well enough to perform a set, or at least, not in the right mind-set.

This thread has been quite good at answering those questions, and although none of us will ever know the ins and outs of what was going on, I think in the context of Queen's history, it's fair enough to discuss these things.

If we were going into gory detail about hickman lines and radiotherapy for the sake of it (out of context), or trying to find out if there is a picture of Freddie looking even more frail than in that last paparazzi shot, then I would say that would be AIDS trolling. This thread is more in the context of Queen's live career.

The answer to the OP's question, after reading everything here, is likely 'No - Freddie was not well enough to perform at the 1990 Brits'

I thought they were sponsored by Adidas in 1986.

Four pairs of Adidas originals coming right up....

Wasn't the Wembley show(s) sponsored by Harp lager??

[QUOTE] [b]cmsdrums wrote:[/b]

Wasn't the Wembley show(s) sponsored by Harp lager??[/QUOTE]

I think the "there was no sponsorship" statement was in the meaning of a general sponsorship like
... " Volkswagen Queen Tour 86"
There were local sponsors almost all over Queen`s career...Technics or Astor and many others.
Most of them would be promoter deals, though.

Here is an QUEEN / ASTOR Cigarettes promotion

Freddie didn't want to be in the center of attention so they didn't do it. I'm sure he could've pulled off one song (though a slow one, sitting down) if he wanted to.

30 years ago today (Feb 18th)

[QUOTE] [b]Supersonic_Man89 wrote:[/b]

I was curious as to whether Queen were invited to play at the Brits '90 to celebrate the Outstanding Contribution Award they recieved. Much is made of Freddie's health at that point in time but i was curious as to whether he would have been fit enough to perform a song or short medley at the ceremony.

This would have been 9 months before he shot Headlong looking very spritely and energetic, although obviously in a video shoot he could have rests in between individual shots and didn't need to sing.

I wonder if he would have been capable of performing Bohemian Rhapsody, as it's mostly sitting at the piano.

Sorry if it's a bit of a macabre thread.[/QUOTE]

Freddie would always sing along to his backing tracks in the music videos... thus is why you see spit as he sings.

I think Freddie worried about a bad day... the schedule would be too tight for his illness to be up to Freddie standards for a tour. Maybe even a performance. What if they scheduled a performance on a program months ahead of time, and the day comes, and Freddie’s puking all day? I’m sure he wanted to avoid that.

However, I don’t buy the insurance bit. Many performers with HIV and AIDS toured.